We all seek for happiness. It's in our blood. It's who we are. And that's not a problem really. God made us that way. The real problem is that we seek for happiness in all the wrong places.

Jesus is a realist. He knows who we are. So He began His famous Sermon on the Mount with that in mind. Join us tonight as we begin studying what Jesus says about how a man may be truly happy—what He calls being "blessed."

What: The Sermon on the Mount: The Poor in Spirit

Where: Psychology 101

When: Tuesdays @ 8pm

One question: Are you ready to get your bowl on?? Of course you are! We will be meeting at the Union building at 7:30pm this Friday to have a fun night of bowling and hanging out. After a long (and probably stressful) first week of classes, come out and have a time a relaxation and fun with other friends.

The cost is $2.25 for shoes and 2.25 per game with your student ID. Hope to see you there!

This is a quick reminder that discipleship groups will be starting tonight at 8pm. There will be meetings in North, Central, and South campus. Below is information for each area you live in. We hope to see you there!

• North Campus: McNutt Formal Lounge (meet in main lobby, in front of Hoosier Cafe)
  

• Central Campus: Wright Formal Lounge (meet in front of front desk)
  

• South Campus: Read Landes Lounge (by Tradish)

I know it's been awhile (a summer to be exact) but we're back and in effect! School has officially started, so I wanted to post a song that would be a timely encouragement to you on campus each day. The song is called Shot Clock (Brand New Day) and parallels the believer's everyday life with that of a basketball player with 24 seconds left on the shot clock. The main thrust of the song is to see each day as new day to live to the glory of God. Be encouraged!

College is a great opportunity to waste your life. Here's an idea: don't. Make the most of your time at college by treasuring Christ above all things.

by Braden Gogel

As a college student you may (scratch that… you do) frequently find yourself making plans for yourself. We’re faced with hundreds of decisions every day which have both short and long-term effects. We constantly find ourselves formulating plans – what to eat, who to date, when to study, who to hang out with this weekend, when to visit home, what career to pursue, when to go to bed and wake up, etc. There is hardly a moment when you’re not taking action based on a long line of decisions. And you should never be making these decisions alone.

There is wisdom in seeking the counsel of others who are mature in the faith. God says in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” We know from God’s Word that the heart is dreadfully twisted and hard to understand. Even if our intentions are initially Godly, we may eventually find ourselves heading down a road that surprises us.

I once knew a young man who learned this lesson first hand. This young man (we’ll call him Jim for our purposes here), was interested in a young woman (Megan) from his church. Jim sought counsel from several other mature Christian men who knew him and Megan. They all encouraged him to pursue the young woman, which he did – and liked very much.

Once he was in a committed relationship, however, he gradually began ignoring the counsel of the same men who had encouraged him to pursue Megan – particularly in the area of physical boundaries. Jim didn’t think that these men understood his relationship with Megan. Why did they think that he should have such “legalistic” physical boundaries with his girlfriend? Jim’s intentions in hugging and snuggling were to show Megan that he cared for her and he believed that these things brought honor to God. He never imagined that he and Megan would find themselves in sexual sin, but one thing led to another, then another, until they were deeper in sin than either had ever imagined. Exactly as his counselors had warned. And the consequence they paid for their sin was great; their relationship was irreparably damaged and Jim found himself fighting a long, hard battle with alcohol and lust.

This story may focus on one man’s sin, but there is clear application for your own life. Do you seek the counsel of others in your decision-making, however big or small? What about in those areas where you think you have everything figured out and under control? If you’re being honest with yourself, the answer to one or both of these questions is probably “no”. Be careful that you do not find yourself on a road similar to Jim’s, whether with regard to your career or class schedule. Seek the counsel of mature Christians who will not “tickle your ear” and allow you to continue in self-deception.