OCU Blog http://www.oak.edu/blog Oakland City University Blog Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:57:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Cardboard Testimonies http://www.oak.edu/blog/2012/03/cardboard-testimonies/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2012/03/cardboard-testimonies/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:25:50 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1091 A piece of cardboard.  A small, simple piece of packaging material.  But sometimes God uses the smallest of things to get our attention in the biggest of ways.  I went to chapel a couple of weeks ago, knowing that I needed to, but not expecting anything extremely life-changing to happen.

OCU’s traveling drama group, known as the Good News Players, performed skits for the students and faculty that day.  The last skit of the service was called “Cardboard Testimonies.”  While Mac Powell’s song “When Love Sees You” was playing in the background, the group of twenty students from GNP walked down the aisle to the front of the chapel, each holding a piece of cardboard.  On the front were words that described their lives before God had changed them.  As they turned the pieces of cardboard around, they revealed how their lives are different now because of what Christ has done for them.

Tears were streaming down my face as I saw the power of surrendering your whole life to God and receiving forgiveness and grace.  It’s something I don’t think about and live out enough.  If we have surrendered our lives to Christ, we are not defined by anything other than the power of the cross and the blood that was shed on our behalf.  Christ makes us a new creation when we surrender to Him and let Him change us into the likeness of His Son.  I was so thankful for that reminder from God that day.

Last night, I started reading a book called “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman.  Chapter one opens with the question, “Are you a follower of Jesus?”  The point of the book is for you to take a look at your life and see if you are truly a committed follower of Jesus or just a mere fan.  While we may think that we are followers, we have to take a deeper look past the surface of what we have known as Christianity.

I don’t want to just be a fan sitting on the sidelines.  God has gotten my attention in the last few weeks.  In the past, I have lived in fear, and I have tried to control the story my life is writing.  Now with God’s help, I am learning to write “faith” and “trust in God’s plan” on the other side of my life’s piece of cardboard.  His plan for my story is far greater than anything I could ever write for myself.

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2012/03/cardboard-testimonies/feed/ 0 Back to School http://www.oak.edu/blog/2012/01/back-to-school/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2012/01/back-to-school/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:53:05 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1075 I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas break!  The students are moving back in today and getting ready for classes to begin tomorrow.  And then it’s back to taking tests, hanging out in the dorms, and attending OCU sporting events!

Maybe you are also thinking about going back to school, or maybe you are preparing to start your college experience for the first time.  Either way it can be a busy but exciting time in your life!  If you are looking for a small Christian campus where people know you by name and truly care about you, OCU could be the perfect fit for you.

Our next FOCUS Day is Monday, January 16, 2012.  Prospective students will have the opportunity to tour the campus, meet our professors, attend a class, eat a complimentary lunch in our cafeteria, and ask lots of questions about the school!   If you would like to set up a visit, just call us toll free at 1-800-737-5125.  Until then, here are a few links to check out…

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2012/01/back-to-school/feed/ 0 This Is Almost My Last Blog http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/12/this-is-almost-my-last-blog/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/12/this-is-almost-my-last-blog/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:10:33 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1072 I’ve already had a lot of lasts here at OCU, like last choir practice, last concert, and the list goes on and on.  The great thing that I love is that within this family here at the OCU, there will never be a last conversation with those friends that I love.  I also have to say thanks to Facebook for making sure that even if I get a new phone and lose everyone’s numbers, I will still be able to stay in contact.

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/12/this-is-almost-my-last-blog/feed/ 0 Suitcases http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/suitcases/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/suitcases/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:15:21 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1064 I was cleaning out my room and stumbled upon some things that I felt I should write to you about.  These were the things you would write home about.  Unfortunately, I have yet to write home.  I haven’t because they were ideas of things I wanted to accomplish before graduating, but never did.

I have a suitcase that I am taking home that is filled with ideas from 2008 – the present of things to do.  In this suitcase there are song ideas, play ideas, book ideas, blank pieces of paper where I always wanted to journal, along with many other things.  This suitcase is heavy.  This is where it gets sentimental.  I have felt one suitcase heavier.  The suitcase I brought back with me from the Philippines.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”  I have many plans that didn’t succeed, but I am able to realize something.  If you submit your actions to the Lord, your plans will become like His and will be far greater than plays and songs to write.

Whether your suitcase is metaphorical or literal, my blog is here to encourage you to put the good stuff in the “done it” suitcase.  You’ll have the rest of your life to do some things, so put those some things in your “to do” suitcase.  You only have so much room in your “done it” suitcase; make it count.

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/suitcases/feed/ 0 Stop Taking Pictures and Just Listen http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/stop-taking-pictures-and-just-listen/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/stop-taking-pictures-and-just-listen/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:35:17 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1054 There are flashes going off all throughout the building.  They symbolize a disengagement of those who spent money to enjoy the show.  I took many pictures this summer while in the Philippines.  I have for a long time been an advocate of taking pictures, both with and without a camera, in order to learn and grow from experiences we encounter.  I have seen recently that I often place too large of an importance on taking pictures.

I was at The Hopper’s and The Isaac’s concert last weekend and wanted to take many pictures of things to remember, such as a fellow student who sings with me in the choir and OCU Singers, singing on a stage with three other guys who have all been nominated for Grammy’s.  That was when it hit me.  Instead of always trying to take pictures with a Canon or with a 21 year old memory that has been through grade school, three and a half years of college, and the Philippines, I should simply be listening to what is being said and how the Spirit is moving.

Many times, the harder we try, the less productive we are.  It is the same with the picture thing.  Instead of trying to get the perfect picture, just let the moment happen. When you close one of your senses the others become stronger.  If you are searching for something and say that you are unable to hear, it is not because no one is talking; it is because you aren’t listening.  Stop taking pictures and just listen.

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/stop-taking-pictures-and-just-listen/feed/ 0 The Volcanic Explosion http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/the-volcanic-explosion/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/the-volcanic-explosion/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:26:53 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1052 Turn to Page 279 of the Physical Science book.  There you will find a volcanic explosion covering the page all in red.  This eruption clearly devastated and changed all of the people who were around it.  The ash forced the lives of the families to be submissive to it as it showed them who was boss.

This volcano once looked like it was not going to erupt but then joined the high percentage of inactive volcanoes throughout the world that erupt unexpectedly.  It surprised all and affected many lives in the process.  Since that picture all in red on 279, days have been different.

We need to take the advice of that once inactive volcano: erupt and bury everything surrounding us in an irremovable ash that changes the history of our lives and those all around us – but for the better, in our case.

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/the-volcanic-explosion/feed/ 0 8+4=12 http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/8412/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/8412/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:01:16 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1050 College is great.  I learn many things.  No play on words will occur in this blog.  There will be no deep meaning.  It will be as simple as 8+4=12.  My college experience was not that simple.  I am almost finished and will get a job.

This is Mat Murphy, and there will be only a couple more blogs during my college experience, and then I will become an alumni blogger.  I will talk about bills, jobs, and adult life.  Until then, I can see that I have nothing but this.

This is where it gets a little tricky.  I could make an acronym for the word “this” and make it to where you have to think very hard to figure out what I am saying.  Instead, I will say what this blog wants to say:  Nothing.  I will leave it blank and let you read some of the other students’ blogs and understand this school further.  I love this school, so I really think about the structure of this blog.  Regardless of where you go, please listen and apply these words of wisdom: “stalk members of _____ (appropriate location goes here) on Facebook so you can find out for real what that place is and does.”

While you are where you are, look around and see who/what is your 8+4=12.  This is the standard of living.  Every time you add it up the answer will be 12.  If you are writing a sentence you may get confused if a comma goes after an introductory phrase beginning with a preposition.  You may wonder if there should be just one space after a period or two.  Your curiosity may arise about the spelling of your ancient neighbor because you thought it was “i before e except after c or when the sound makes an “a” sound.”  The thing is, after all of those controversial rules, 8+4=12.  Find those things in your life and hold onto those truths and take them with you everywhere you go.

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/8412/feed/ 0 False Disappointment http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/false-disappointment/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/false-disappointment/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:59:47 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1044 Have you set goals for your life? Maybe they are long term goals, such as being a successful businessman/businesswoman. Maybe they are short term goals such as winning a football game or organizing an awesome party for your friends. Either way, I am sure that everyone has set certain goals that they have failed at meeting. It is disappointing when we find out that our careers aren’t shooting off like we had hoped, or when we lose at a competitive game, or even when nobody shows up to our party.

As Christians, we have long term goals laid out for us in the Bible. We are to spread the gospel, lead others to Christ, help the needy, and so much more. We plan events and find opportunities to meet these goals as we go about our lives. We get fired up when we see the fruit of our labor as people so graciously thank us for the help that we have been.

But when things don’t pan out as planned, disappointment is a natural result. When the people we try to help retaliate in anger, or when hours of work are put into an event that nobody shows up to, our hearts sink, and we consider all of the wasted time that we had spent. But as Christians, we must remember that our labor is not in vain so long as it is for God’s glory. We can only see a small part of the whole picture, and the smallest influence on a single person can have a dramatic effect for God’s kingdom. Through Christ we can live our lives with Joy, even through what we see as our personal failures.

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/11/false-disappointment/feed/ 0 I Would Like to Open Up Something http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/10/i-would-like-to-open-up-something/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/10/i-would-like-to-open-up-something/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:46:01 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1041 Sometimes you just gotta keep it fresh.  Think outside of the box.  I sit here and wonder how to open this blog, and then I realize that I need to look outside of it.

I look at all of the experiences that are on my profile that people refer to as my social network, and I remember that they all have occurred since I came to this school.  Oakland City may not be for you.  It wasn’t for the high school me, but as I see all of these pictures, it is for the me that is graduating in a couple of months and going on to the next step.

As I close this concise blog, I challenge you to open up your life to what’s outside of what you currently know.  If you do, you may one day be able to say that OCU was the place for you.  The place where dreams come true.

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/10/i-would-like-to-open-up-something/feed/ 0 Push Pause http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/10/push-pause/ http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/10/push-pause/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:24:30 +0000 mallory http://www.oak.edu/blog/?p=1035 I can’t believe how fast this semester is going by, and I regret how much of it I have spent worrying.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with what’s expected of me.  I forget that God has my life in His hands, and that He created life for me to enjoy, not to be stressed out about.  As I sit here at my desk watching Fall Semester unfold on my screen, I pick up the remote and push pause to relax and reflect on some of the highlights.

Scene – Organization Day

OCU students are…

Learning more about local businesses and OCU clubs.

Signing up for prizes and indulging in free food.

Scene – The Great Romance

The Great Romance is…

Sharing music and testimonies during Wednesday morning chapel.

Putting on a rock/worship concert in the Student Life Center.

Scene – Earthlight

Earthlight members are…

Opening for Building 429 at a concert in Evansville, Indiana.

Ministering through music and telling people about OCU.

When Your Life seems to be passing you by and stressing you out, take the remote and push pause to reflect on the highlights and think about your purpose in life.  Take time to enjoy the days for what they are worth.  When you feel overwhelmed, remember that God is the director of Your Life, and submit your agenda and goals to His script.  He really is a great writer.  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” – Matthew 6:34. 

Slideshow:
Fullscreen:
Download:

]]> http://www.oak.edu/blog/2011/10/push-pause/feed/ 0