September 21, 2012

Hi Dear School Friends,
Here we are even closer to the fall retreat on October 5-7. I don’t know about you, but this retreat sure seemed to come fast. Steve and I are working away to get things ready for you when you come, and we are trusting God will help us do that!
I am feeling an assurance from the Lord that the extra class spot that we have open this time is just right for an important topic to bring up: End Times Prophecy. It is just crazy that we are living out ancient prophecy every day of our lives! We are!
It is exciting, but also a little unnerving. As I am putting together the second installment of the Old Testament Survey – the Prophets – I am seeing that this is a natural and lovely place to talk about God’s plan for his church, Israel and the whole world in the End Times.
Here is a tip I wanted to pass on to you as you scramble to get the reading etc. done for this retreat: BE SURE TO USE YOUR BIBLE HANDBOOK AS YOU LOOK AT THE BOOKS OF MAJOR AND MINOR PROPHETS! I think most of you got Henrietta Mears’ handbook “What the Bible is All About”. This is a wonderful tool to help you place the prophets in the right time periods, and she summarizes themes and topics they dealt with that really helps make sense of these guys.
I suggest that you start with reading her handbook instead of trying to plow through the actual books of prophecy. Our understanding of the books of prophecy and an appreciation of their message for then and now has to come from scholars who have a ton more study into language, history and Bible than the average person (you and me) will ever have. So take advantage of their help!!!
So that is the main message I have for you today. Use Mears! It will help! And it will help us when we talk about End Times Prophecy as well!
See you soon!

Love and God Bless,
Joanie T, and for Steve-O too…

3 Weeks Countdown to UR 2-1 October 5-7, 2012

September 13, 2012

Hola, Cohort!

As the UR 2-1 draws ever nearer, you are all on my mind. The Holy Spirit is making the content and schedule more clear as I press in, pray and ponder.

It seems that this will be the retreat to finally talk about small groups… Remember the book I had you all read for the very first retreat by Cloud & Townsend? “Making Small Groups Work”…

The topic is actually one we want to spend some time with, so I am glad we finally have found room for it. Steve and I were talking about it this morning, and between him and I, between his expertise and mine we will have an interesting discussion about small groups. So you can pull out the book from the bottom of your school books pile, dust it off and review it before October 5-7.

I am once again extending an invitation to you to feel free to invite anyone you want to hang out with us during the retreat in October.

               I would ask you to pray for the school as always. We depend on the Lord to make a way for each of us to come to retreats (without any hindrances the enemy likes to throw in our paths). I depend on the Lord for wisdom as I prepare for each class presentation. We need his favor and blessing on each detail of the retreat – food, weather, classes, fellowship…

               We will be missing Mark Ducklow of course. Zach and Chana are not sure whether their circumstances will allow them to make it. Let’s be praying for each other, and trust God to do amazing feats of power to get us together, okay? (Mark said, for him it would take one of those “translating deals” that the Lord did for Philip…)

               I know I say this all the time, but truly – the Lord keeps pouring out new wisdom and understanding to me as I read and study. There is so much to learn! If I am still learning and growing, I figure probably all of you are too, or at least can be, so he still has a purpose for us meeting together in the NRSD.  

               Be thinking of what you want to share concerning your senior projects… update and organize your portfolio as we head into year 2… pray, and come expecting God to do more cool stuff with us.

Love and hugs,

Joan (& Steve!) Tyvoll

October 5-7 Retreat Update

Dear Fellow Perpetual and Forever Learners,
I hope you are all fine and enjoying the change of seasons. I write this thinking of some of our cohort who have changed addresses. Your autumn may look very different than what you are used to! Chana and Zach and Mark, we are thinking of you and praying for you. We hope you are settling in and enjoying your new adventures!
Our Unit Retreat 2-1 is only a few weeks away – October 5-7. There is no telling what the weather will be like, but regardless, we are sure that it will be “warm and sunny” as we catch up with each other, pray together and get more knowledge of the Bible in our hearts.
Steve and I are still exploring ideas of what the special seminar for this retreat will be; hopefully we will have that information for you soon.
It was exciting to hear all your ideas for your senior projects last retreat, and in October we will hear updates from all of you as your senior project takes shape. Be ready to share yours.
How are you all doing with your reading? We will do the second part of the Old Testament survey, and as we learn about the role of the prophets we will be more able to put that ancient time into the whole picture of history. They should be, and can, speak to us today! The topic for Systematic Theology is Christology. I am so glad we have Boice to give us a good foundation for seeing Christ in all his glorious functions.
It has been such a full and rich summer for us, hasn’t it? It is amazing to see how God really takes our desire to grow and learn seriously. It seems that no matter how old we get he keeps stretching us and pushing us out of our comfort zones.
Thank you for praying for my mom. She is back in the nursing home, much weaker but still in the Lord’s care.
If you have any concerns or questions about the coming content for UR 2-1; your senior project; or anything else, be sure to contact Steve or I.

Looking forward to October 5-7,
Joan Tyvoll