This week it was Global Vision Week so in Beginnings we talked about missions. We heard Biblical evidence showing us our calling and influence we could have by going on mission trips. There are 605 people groups who have never heard of the name of Jesus, so it is our responsibility as followers of Christ to witness to them. We were shown Biblical evidence to God’s calling for us to spread His Word.
In Genesis we are told to “Be Fruitful…”
Matthew 28:18 “Go into all the world and give the GOOD NEWS…”
Acts 1:8 “…You will be my witnesses…to the ends of the Earth.”
There are 4 different roles when being involved with mission work: GOer, SENDer, WELCOMer, and PRAYer. No job is more important than the other and God has a place for everyone.
The three important key things to remember: (1) You Are Needed! (2) Be Strategic in your Decisions (3) You Can Make A DIFFERENCE!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Issue #3- Racism
This week we had the opportunity of hearing the story from a Holocaust survivor. It was so amazing and heartbreaking to hear the things she went through. Just as a young girl, she endured all the torture and persecution from the Germans. Through much perseverance, she survived and escaped to the United States.
Her story made me look back on my life and see how fortunate I have been. I have been so blessed by God!!
I arrived a little bit late to my alpha meeting because of dinner plans with family friends but I quickly got caught up with the discussion. As we met with our group, we talked about the racism and discrimination we have seen in our lives. It was interesting to see the similarities and differences that we all had in our schools and hometowns. This week, I was reminded that each person was made in God’s image. We need be careful not to judge others and not treat people differently just because of the color of their skin.
Her story made me look back on my life and see how fortunate I have been. I have been so blessed by God!!
I arrived a little bit late to my alpha meeting because of dinner plans with family friends but I quickly got caught up with the discussion. As we met with our group, we talked about the racism and discrimination we have seen in our lives. It was interesting to see the similarities and differences that we all had in our schools and hometowns. This week, I was reminded that each person was made in God’s image. We need be careful not to judge others and not treat people differently just because of the color of their skin.
Monday, October 22, 2007
More issues...
This week we discussed the issues of Sexual Assault, Body Image, and Pornography. We decided to split up our alpha group and meet with just the girls to get a more intimate discussion. It was a good opportunity for us to open up and be honest with each other. It was awesome to hear each girls story and know that other people are going through the same struggles we are going through, even though we sometimes feel like we are the only people feeling that way. We were able to encourage each other and reiterate the love that God has for each of us. Especially with body image, it is important that we always remember we were made it Christ's image and He thinks we are incredibly amazing and beautiful! I have loved getting to know each of these girls and being able to talk through and listen to different parts of our lives. :)
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Issue #1- Alcohol
This week in beginnings, we talked about the issue of Alcoholism. We got the opportunity to hear testimonies of people who have gotten sucked into the party scene and others who have been on the outside of it, the dangers that encompany it, and the consequences that can come from it as well. We were shown the importance of staying strong to your values and beliefs, not being influenced by peer pressure, and not being judgmental toward others. Because many people use alcohol as an escape, it is essential that we hold back our judgments and be there for these people who may be having hardships in their life the issues they are trying to run from. I thought it was neat that our group was able to be honest about their outlooks on the issue. It was interesting to see people’s different views.
Through the personal stories and our alpha group discussion, I was reaffirmed with my decision to not drink. I have just seen so many people hurt by it through my relatives, friends, and others. I have also personally been hurt by it from friends, so it has never been something that I have wanted to be involved in. I have been blessed to have a parents who have been great examples to me and have always encouraged me with my decisions to not drink. I chose to surround myself with people who have the same morals as me so that I would never have to worry about temptation when I was with my closest friends. Because I have stood strong in my values, I have sometimes been seen as judgmental. But I was reminded that I need to not focus on what others think, and just continue to be strong and make an effort to be there for the people who are struggling. Because the judgments of others have been discouraging for me at times, I made an effort to reach out to more people my last year of high school- I didn’t want to look down on them for things they were doing but befriend them while being an example to them of what I believe. Through this I was able to make some really good friendships, grow in my life, and maybe even make an impact on those around me.
Through the personal stories and our alpha group discussion, I was reaffirmed with my decision to not drink. I have just seen so many people hurt by it through my relatives, friends, and others. I have also personally been hurt by it from friends, so it has never been something that I have wanted to be involved in. I have been blessed to have a parents who have been great examples to me and have always encouraged me with my decisions to not drink. I chose to surround myself with people who have the same morals as me so that I would never have to worry about temptation when I was with my closest friends. Because I have stood strong in my values, I have sometimes been seen as judgmental. But I was reminded that I need to not focus on what others think, and just continue to be strong and make an effort to be there for the people who are struggling. Because the judgments of others have been discouraging for me at times, I made an effort to reach out to more people my last year of high school- I didn’t want to look down on them for things they were doing but befriend them while being an example to them of what I believe. Through this I was able to make some really good friendships, grow in my life, and maybe even make an impact on those around me.
Monday, October 8, 2007
More on Strengths...
HOW COULD YOUR STRENGTHS WORK AGAINST YOU IF YOU DON'T MANAGE THEM?
BELIEF:
You can be seen as judgmental towards others because you are so strong in your own beliefs and values.
EMPATHY:
You may become so overwhelmed with others’ problems that you do not take care of your own.
HARMONY:
You may disregard your own wants and needs in order for there to be harmony and agreement.
MAXIMIZER:
Being able to see the potential of people can lead to frustration in your life if they are not living up to their true abilities.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Because you don’t want to let people down, you may over-book yourself with commitments.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BUILD ON EACH STRENGTH DURING YOUR FIRST SEMESTER AT APU?
BELIEF: Show others my love for Jesus in my life and that my beliefs and values are unchanging.
EMPATHY: Be there for others whenever they have problems or just need a friend.
HARMONY: Put others’ needs ahead of my own in a healthy way to reach agreement and harmony.
MAXIMIZER: Do everything to the best of my abilities and even allow myself to be pushed further as I am challenged with new things everyday.
RESPONSIBILITY: Find a good balance of being a responsible student, team player, and friend.
BELIEF:
You can be seen as judgmental towards others because you are so strong in your own beliefs and values.
EMPATHY:
You may become so overwhelmed with others’ problems that you do not take care of your own.
HARMONY:
You may disregard your own wants and needs in order for there to be harmony and agreement.
MAXIMIZER:
Being able to see the potential of people can lead to frustration in your life if they are not living up to their true abilities.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Because you don’t want to let people down, you may over-book yourself with commitments.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BUILD ON EACH STRENGTH DURING YOUR FIRST SEMESTER AT APU?
BELIEF: Show others my love for Jesus in my life and that my beliefs and values are unchanging.
EMPATHY: Be there for others whenever they have problems or just need a friend.
HARMONY: Put others’ needs ahead of my own in a healthy way to reach agreement and harmony.
MAXIMIZER: Do everything to the best of my abilities and even allow myself to be pushed further as I am challenged with new things everyday.
RESPONSIBILITY: Find a good balance of being a responsible student, team player, and friend.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Top Five Strengths
We took a Strengths Finder Test to find our Top Five Strengths. Here are mine:
BELIEF: People strong in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life.
-Family-oriented, altruistic, spiritual, and value responsibility and high ethics in yourself and others
- Core values are unchanging—Beliefs give you motivation, drive, and determination
- Provides you with direction, guiding you through temptations and distractions of life- foundation for all relationships
- Makes you easy to trust
The Belief talent is found in the tremendous power of your foundational values. They are sources of powerful drive and direction.
I have a strong belief in Jesus Christ. My beliefs and values determine the way I live. I know that my purpose in life is to follow God and live each day glorifying Him. I believe that everyone has potential; I believe in friendship, family and opportunity. Because people know I stand strong in my beliefs, they trust in my motives and know that my values and words are true.
EMPATHY: People strong in the Empathy theme can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others’ lives or others’ situations.
-You are able to see the world through others’ eyes and share their perspective
-You hear the unvoiced questions and anticipate the needs of others—you can pick up on the pain and joy of others
-Other people are drawn to you—but you may become overwhelmed with all the emotions you can pick up in a day
Empathy talent lies in the emotional depth of the relationships you’re able to form with others. People feel understood by you and seek your company.
When my friends are hurting, I hurt too. Building strong relationships has always been a priority to me, and with that comes an emotional bond. My friends feel a comfort in being honest and vulnerable with me, knowing that they can truly tell me how they are feeling and I will understand. But even before they come to me, I can sense that they are struggling. Even though I may not always know the best advice to give, I am a good listener and observer, making it easier for me to really feel their joys and sorrows.
HARMONY: People strong in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don’t enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.
-You look for areas of agreement-- little to be gained from conflict, try to find a common ground
-When others strike out in a direction, you will willingly, in the service of harmony, modify your own objectives to merge with theirs (as long as their basic values do not clash with yours)
-You want peace; seek to help individuals, families, and organizations work together
Harmony talent is in your natural practicality and preference for emotional efficiency. By reducing friction, you enhance collaboration.
I hate conflict. I do whatever is in my power to avoid it. I don't like drama and I don't like it when people fight. Although making harmony sometimes means my voice does not get heard, I tend to overlook my own needs for others'. It is a sacrifice that I have been willing to make because I see greater benefit and growth in relationships when there is peace rather than when I have to get my own way.
MAXIMIZER: People strong in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.
-Excellence, not average, is your measure—you feel compelled to nurture, refine, and stretch your strengths toward excellence
-Transforming something strong into something superb
-You choose to spend time with people who appreciate your particular strengths
-You want to capitalize on the gifts with which you are blessed
-You see talents and strengths in others, sometimes before they do
-Love to help others
-You have capacity to see what people will do best
-Some people may see you as picky or plodding because they don’t understand your exceptional commitment to excellence
Maximizer talents is in your natural discrimination toward better and your preference for working with and toward the best.
If I am going to do something, I want to do it well. This is most evident in my committment to sports and friendships. I have played sports my entire life. I strive to become a better player through hard work and determination. God has blessed me with an athletic talent that I try to use to glorify Him. My senior year, I had a core group of friends. Although the numbers were few, we had amazingly strong relationships. I tried to be an encouraging and loving friend, creating a stronger bond in each friendship.
RESPONSIBILITY: People strong in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.
-You take psychological ownership for anything you commit to, and whether large or small, you feel emotionally bound to follow it through to completion
-If for some reason you cannot deliver, you automatically start to look for ways to make it up to the other person—apologies are not enough, excuses and rationalizations- unacceptable, necessary to make restitution
-Near obsession for doing things right and impeccable ethics combine to create your reputation that is utterly dependable
-You don’t want to let people down
-With the responsibility you feel to the people who come to you and with the demands that each of them brings, you might feel overwhelmed and under pressure to perform
Responsibility talents stems from the deep commitments you make to others and the ownership you feel. Because you are a person of your word, people trust you and count on you.
I hate letting people down. I want to be seen as a loyal person true to my word. To the best of my abilities, I try to follow through on every committment I make- whether it is telling a friend I will call them tomorrow or fulfilling my role as a teammate on the court or field. I have practiced responsibility through my leadership class, as a captain of my sports teams, and in my everyday life as a friend, student, daughter, and in my walk with God.
BELIEF: People strong in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life.
-Family-oriented, altruistic, spiritual, and value responsibility and high ethics in yourself and others
- Core values are unchanging—Beliefs give you motivation, drive, and determination
- Provides you with direction, guiding you through temptations and distractions of life- foundation for all relationships
- Makes you easy to trust
The Belief talent is found in the tremendous power of your foundational values. They are sources of powerful drive and direction.
I have a strong belief in Jesus Christ. My beliefs and values determine the way I live. I know that my purpose in life is to follow God and live each day glorifying Him. I believe that everyone has potential; I believe in friendship, family and opportunity. Because people know I stand strong in my beliefs, they trust in my motives and know that my values and words are true.
EMPATHY: People strong in the Empathy theme can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others’ lives or others’ situations.
-You are able to see the world through others’ eyes and share their perspective
-You hear the unvoiced questions and anticipate the needs of others—you can pick up on the pain and joy of others
-Other people are drawn to you—but you may become overwhelmed with all the emotions you can pick up in a day
Empathy talent lies in the emotional depth of the relationships you’re able to form with others. People feel understood by you and seek your company.
When my friends are hurting, I hurt too. Building strong relationships has always been a priority to me, and with that comes an emotional bond. My friends feel a comfort in being honest and vulnerable with me, knowing that they can truly tell me how they are feeling and I will understand. But even before they come to me, I can sense that they are struggling. Even though I may not always know the best advice to give, I am a good listener and observer, making it easier for me to really feel their joys and sorrows.
HARMONY: People strong in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don’t enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.
-You look for areas of agreement-- little to be gained from conflict, try to find a common ground
-When others strike out in a direction, you will willingly, in the service of harmony, modify your own objectives to merge with theirs (as long as their basic values do not clash with yours)
-You want peace; seek to help individuals, families, and organizations work together
Harmony talent is in your natural practicality and preference for emotional efficiency. By reducing friction, you enhance collaboration.
I hate conflict. I do whatever is in my power to avoid it. I don't like drama and I don't like it when people fight. Although making harmony sometimes means my voice does not get heard, I tend to overlook my own needs for others'. It is a sacrifice that I have been willing to make because I see greater benefit and growth in relationships when there is peace rather than when I have to get my own way.
MAXIMIZER: People strong in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.
-Excellence, not average, is your measure—you feel compelled to nurture, refine, and stretch your strengths toward excellence
-Transforming something strong into something superb
-You choose to spend time with people who appreciate your particular strengths
-You want to capitalize on the gifts with which you are blessed
-You see talents and strengths in others, sometimes before they do
-Love to help others
-You have capacity to see what people will do best
-Some people may see you as picky or plodding because they don’t understand your exceptional commitment to excellence
Maximizer talents is in your natural discrimination toward better and your preference for working with and toward the best.
If I am going to do something, I want to do it well. This is most evident in my committment to sports and friendships. I have played sports my entire life. I strive to become a better player through hard work and determination. God has blessed me with an athletic talent that I try to use to glorify Him. My senior year, I had a core group of friends. Although the numbers were few, we had amazingly strong relationships. I tried to be an encouraging and loving friend, creating a stronger bond in each friendship.
RESPONSIBILITY: People strong in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.
-You take psychological ownership for anything you commit to, and whether large or small, you feel emotionally bound to follow it through to completion
-If for some reason you cannot deliver, you automatically start to look for ways to make it up to the other person—apologies are not enough, excuses and rationalizations- unacceptable, necessary to make restitution
-Near obsession for doing things right and impeccable ethics combine to create your reputation that is utterly dependable
-You don’t want to let people down
-With the responsibility you feel to the people who come to you and with the demands that each of them brings, you might feel overwhelmed and under pressure to perform
Responsibility talents stems from the deep commitments you make to others and the ownership you feel. Because you are a person of your word, people trust you and count on you.
I hate letting people down. I want to be seen as a loyal person true to my word. To the best of my abilities, I try to follow through on every committment I make- whether it is telling a friend I will call them tomorrow or fulfilling my role as a teammate on the court or field. I have practiced responsibility through my leadership class, as a captain of my sports teams, and in my everyday life as a friend, student, daughter, and in my walk with God.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Who am I?
My name is Bekah Weisser. I am 18 years old and I am from Alamo [-- Northern California -- East Bay -- 45 minutes from San Francisco -- the "YAY AREA" :D --] SF Giants and 49ers are my favorite teams to watch! NorCal is HECKA tight! I love Peanut Butter, Green Apples, Diet Coke, GOLDEN SPOON, Puffins, Green Grapes, Popcorn, Veggies... Awkward Turtles, Smiling, Laughing, Making Clothes, Crafts, Scrapbooking, Sports...Making Memories, Disneyland, Stargazing, Shoes, Roxy, Reading, Guitar Hero, Taking Pictures...Swings, Concerts, Board Games, Cards, Shopping, Dressing Up, CHALKING, and 24!!! GOD, FAMILY and FRIENDS are the most important things in my life!! I live by this verse: "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!" Philippians 4:13
My favorite movies are Elf, The Sandlot, Stick It, TMNT, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Emperor's New Groove, and John Tucker Must Die. I love listening to music and finding new bands! Some of my favorites: Matt Wertz, John Mayer, Acceptance, Quietdrive, Colbie Caillat, Jeremy Camp, The Rocket Summer, Jimmy Eat World, Shawn McDonald, Dave Barnes, Justin McRoberts, Rascal Flatts, Jars of Clay, all kinds of 80s and 90s music and much, much more! :)
My heroes and role models are my three sisters - Rachel, Jessica, and Bethany- and my parents! They live Godly lives full of love, compassion, and selflessness! I want to live a life like theirs, glorifying God and making a positve impact on other peoples' lives! I recently graduated from San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, Ca. I played 1 year of soccer, 4 years of Volleyball, and 4 years of Varsity Softball. I played DS and Lebero for 2 years on the varisty volleyball ("That was X-TREME!" :D) and catcher for 4 years on the softball team. Sports helped me to make some great friendships, learn to be a leader when it sometimes wasnt easy, become involved in my school, and make amazing memories of great come-backs, total dominations, and other unforgettable moments on and off the court/field. My favorite parts about high school were being spirited at the games- painting ourselves and cheering as loud as we could, meeting and building relationships with my best friends, making hilarious memories of all the random, but such fun, things my friends and I did, being involved on sports teams, Dressing up- for school events and sometimes just because, Leadership, Great teachers like Mr. Csider, Senora Herron, and Mr. Horvath, TAing with my best friend, making posters for all the games, growing out of my shell to become more energetic and confident -not caring what others thought of me, and the overall feeling of community as my classmates and I grew to become the SRV WOLFPACK! I am at APU because I love God. I initially started looking at APU because I made a personal decision that I wanted to go to a Christian school after going to a private school from K-8th and a public high school. Although I loved the environment of my high school, I knew that I would be able to better thrive in my relationship with God and life in general in a place where everyone else loves God as well. The next reason- Softball! After 14 years of hard work and practice, and months of communication with the coach, I got recruited to play on the APU softball team. I am very excited and anxious to move into the next collegiate step of my softball career and embrace the new challenges and experiences playing the game that I love.
I have always been told to DREAM BIG and to never let anyone tell me that I can't achieve the goals that I set for myself. Throughout life I have had my family and friends to aid and support me in all my decisions. But most importantly, it is necessary that I first turn to God to guide me through each of the choices I make in my life. God has a plan for me and I want to be ready for all of the blessings He has for my life! I DREAM OF making my own T-shirt company with my sisters, Traveling to Africa, Greece, and Armenia, Learning to speak Armenian, Making a positive impact on people around me, Being a "Stand Up Person in a Bow Down World", and Living life to my full potential, pleasing God and doing His will!
My favorite movies are Elf, The Sandlot, Stick It, TMNT, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Emperor's New Groove, and John Tucker Must Die. I love listening to music and finding new bands! Some of my favorites: Matt Wertz, John Mayer, Acceptance, Quietdrive, Colbie Caillat, Jeremy Camp, The Rocket Summer, Jimmy Eat World, Shawn McDonald, Dave Barnes, Justin McRoberts, Rascal Flatts, Jars of Clay, all kinds of 80s and 90s music and much, much more! :)
My heroes and role models are my three sisters - Rachel, Jessica, and Bethany- and my parents! They live Godly lives full of love, compassion, and selflessness! I want to live a life like theirs, glorifying God and making a positve impact on other peoples' lives! I recently graduated from San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, Ca. I played 1 year of soccer, 4 years of Volleyball, and 4 years of Varsity Softball. I played DS and Lebero for 2 years on the varisty volleyball ("That was X-TREME!" :D) and catcher for 4 years on the softball team. Sports helped me to make some great friendships, learn to be a leader when it sometimes wasnt easy, become involved in my school, and make amazing memories of great come-backs, total dominations, and other unforgettable moments on and off the court/field. My favorite parts about high school were being spirited at the games- painting ourselves and cheering as loud as we could, meeting and building relationships with my best friends, making hilarious memories of all the random, but such fun, things my friends and I did, being involved on sports teams, Dressing up- for school events and sometimes just because, Leadership, Great teachers like Mr. Csider, Senora Herron, and Mr. Horvath, TAing with my best friend, making posters for all the games, growing out of my shell to become more energetic and confident -not caring what others thought of me, and the overall feeling of community as my classmates and I grew to become the SRV WOLFPACK! I am at APU because I love God. I initially started looking at APU because I made a personal decision that I wanted to go to a Christian school after going to a private school from K-8th and a public high school. Although I loved the environment of my high school, I knew that I would be able to better thrive in my relationship with God and life in general in a place where everyone else loves God as well. The next reason- Softball! After 14 years of hard work and practice, and months of communication with the coach, I got recruited to play on the APU softball team. I am very excited and anxious to move into the next collegiate step of my softball career and embrace the new challenges and experiences playing the game that I love.
I have always been told to DREAM BIG and to never let anyone tell me that I can't achieve the goals that I set for myself. Throughout life I have had my family and friends to aid and support me in all my decisions. But most importantly, it is necessary that I first turn to God to guide me through each of the choices I make in my life. God has a plan for me and I want to be ready for all of the blessings He has for my life! I DREAM OF making my own T-shirt company with my sisters, Traveling to Africa, Greece, and Armenia, Learning to speak Armenian, Making a positive impact on people around me, Being a "Stand Up Person in a Bow Down World", and Living life to my full potential, pleasing God and doing His will!
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