The Quest of the Designer is a dance is the dance department’s spring performance.

“This is the story of the Great Designer and His interaction with the masterpiece of His creation as He combats the Destroyer and captivates followers for His unending and everlasting realm”

I had the privilege to watch it today, 1.5 hours ago.

It was, without any doubt, the best dance performance I have ever seen. Why? Because it moved me more than any other performance I have seen.

The show consists of six different scenes.

1. The Majestic Designer Exists.
2. Creating His Masterpiece
3. Journey Among the Workforce
4. Encountering the Impoverished
5. Circus of Sin
6. The Followers Enter the Designer’s Realm.

The show reveals reality as it really is. It starts off by showing us the great Creation, and also the fall of angels with Satan (the Destroyer) in the lead. We witness a battle between the good and the evil; between the Designer and the Destroyer.
The battle is much like the battle that takes place every day; it seems like the Destroyer is winning, but the Designer will ultimately defeat all evil without being challenged at all.

My favorite scenes are the fourth and the fifth ones.
We see in scene four how God comes to His people, to the impoverished. They all draw near to Him and they have an opportunity for a rich, eternal, and joyful life. However, they walk astray as soon as He leaves. The Destroyer shows up, and almost all of them decide to follow them; He snatches the seed from their heart. It made my eyes tear up. It is such a powerful and accurate analogy of everyday life.

The few believers continue to the next seen, the Circus of Sin. They all watch this scene that is full of sin, and it does look tempting. Several of the believers are tempted. The others try to hold their friends back; they try to save their friends from walking astray. Unfortunately, a few decide to leave the communion of God; they decide to worship the created rather than the Creator. This, yet again, shows us the daily struggle of a Christian. I also believe it reveals to us the need for a brother or sister in Christ to hold us accountable so that we may not fall into sin.

Now, the performance is so much more than I have described here. The scenes I described are the ones that made my eyes tear up, my heart beat faster, and chills go through my body. They were the scenes that reminded me of where we all are today. But we have to keep in mind that there would be no hope if there was no sixth scene. Praise be to God that there will be that day when
“the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8)

and
“death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

and God will
“create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.” (Isaiah 65:17-18)

The time is upon us! It’s time to apply for leadership positions – the position as a Resident Assistant being one of them.

So, what does it mean to be an RA?

First off: Being an RA is not merely a job; it is also a ministry. As an RA, you have to understand that from the start. You are not an RA because you need the money, you want your own room, a “free” fridge, or because you think it would look good on your resume. You are an RA because you want to make a difference;  you want to have an impact for the kingdom of God; you want to be put in a position where you can use your God given abilities to reach people that you either would not meet or that you would not be able to get to know in the same depth.

So, it is a ministry: it is a place to use your God-given gifts for His kingdom sake, and it is also a place where you will grow. Yes, you will grow. When being an RA, you will be stretched in one way or another. For some people, the initial reaching out will be the hardest. For others, it will be the stage that comes after the beginning, the phase when the superficial relationships become in a sense “real.” This is where you share your life with the residents, and they share their lives with you. This goes in line with what the apostle Paul tells the Thesselonians in his first letter to them,
“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” (2:8)

Or maybe your challenge would be the enforcing of the rules that is a important part of the job. It is tough at times. There are times when you don’t want to address dress-code at that given time, but you know you have to, so you do. The hardest part comes now: The part when you enforce the rules firmly and at the same time do it with love. (1 cor 16:14)

There are other ways that the job may be challenging to you, but I think these are a few good examples.

So why did I apply at the first time? Honestly, being an RA was my second choice. I made it second because I was afraid; I was afraid of the responsibility. Because there comes a responsibility with being an RA. You will have 15-25 guys/girls on your hall that you are to serve. If you take this position and do not put any effort down, how would God view such a wasted opportunity? Jesus tells us:
“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48).
I was afraid of wasting this opportunity. I told myself, I will make the RA job the second choice on the application. If I get it, that’ll be God. He had my first choice vanish, and he opened the door to the RA job. I knew that God, being sovereign who is in control of all things, wanted me to take on this responsibility. He calmed my heart.

So, am I re-applying? Yes, I am. I have thoroughly enjoyed this year. It has been challenging for me, but I have by God’s grace overcome the challenges; He has sanctified my daily. He has given me the ability and opportunity to have an impact in the lives of the guys on my hall. And I feel that if I would have to account for my deeds this year that God would call me faithful rather than rather wicked.

So, have I done my job perfectly? By no means. I have fallen. But thank God that He does not demand perfection. Thank God for the abounding grace that He pours on His children.

So, should you apply to be an RA? From what you have read here: Does it make you excited? Does it make you nervous? Does it make you feel slightly intimidated? Good. Now, go and pray. If you have opened the webpage with the application, or if you have already started it, shut it down. Pray about it. Ask God if this is the opportunity and responsibility He wishes to bestow upon you. Do not think he demands perfection; he doesn’t. God uses imperfect people for His glory. The applications are due February the 6th. Don’t stress it. If you still aren’t certain by then: apply. Merely applying doesn’t mean signing up. I know those that weren’t sure by the time they applied, so they did. And then in March they received their Hiring Letter and God made it clear to them that the RA position was not in His plan for them, and they decided to decline.

If you have any questions regarding how it is being a Resident’s Assistants, do not hesitate to send me an email. sebastianbjernegard@students.belhaven.edu

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

So many students! Yes, this freshmen class is the biggest in Belhaven history. This is so exciting. College in general is such an exciting phase in life. There hasn’t been anything like college prior to life. These kids leave home and sometimes even states or countries to come to a whole new environment in which they many times do not know anyone. In some cases they may have met someone they connected with during Discovery Days or B&U day. But still, it is frightening, overwhelming, exciting, emotional.

During the first time at college what we often see is the tip of the iceberg of who people really are. In some cases what we see is in matter of fact not people for who they really are. This is not saying that people purposefully are deceiving others but simply that because the first week is so packed of meeting new people, excitement, activities, etc. that one’s old self in many cases get put to the side. This ‘false face’ may hold on just a few days, a week, several weeks, or for a longer time. In fact, this ‘false face’ may become your ‘real face’. With this I mean, you may in fact change. Completely.

When you come to college, liberation is a word I believe is true in many cases. You are liberated from who you were in your old friend group, you are liberated from the control of the parents, you are liberated from the expectations of people that were around you. In fact, you can start all over. You can simply change to whoever you want to be.

Change is simply something college freshmen face. Now all do not change, but many of them do. Either they change involuntarily as stated first, or they change voluntarily. Neither of these do necessarily have to be bad, but they both could be.

The first could be bad in the way that you become someone you wish you would never become. You may look back at today in 5, 10, 15, 20 years and realize that you have been on autopilot the whole time and walked astray. The way to avoid walking astray is to hold on to the most important in your life. Now is the time to ask yourself what is most important in your life. If Jesus isn’t your immediate thought I pray that it will become the center of your heart. It is time to go to church, read the Bible and pray every day, and serve others.

The second could be bad if you wish to change as a way of rebellion. The reason for change should be because you believe that you are not living the way you should live. If your reason for change is any other than “I want to change this in my life to better glorify my God or serve my neighbor,” your intentions for change will probably lead you astray like in the first example.

Enjoy God. Enjoy college. Enjoy friendships.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
(Deuteronomy 6:5)

Observe: These are my thoughts and my thoughts only. This is not Belhaven’s official standpoint.

Hey yall!

Now summer has passed and it is almost time for school to start. It is crazy. I realized 2 weeks ago that it was almost time to come back to school, and I have got to admit I started to freak out. I mean, this year I will be an RA (Resident Assistant), which includes a huge responsibility! I simply had to remind myself not just this past week but the entire summer that God is sovereign and that He has given me this responsibility for a reason. Now that reason is hopefully that He believes I can share the love of Christ through this position, haha!

I got to school last Wednesday after about 40hours of total traveling so you could say that I was exhausted. I thank God for the fact that Jet-lag is nothing I have to deal with. However, sleep deprivation is a given. I might have slept an hour on these metal chairs (with no cushion) that I pulled together.

I was so happy when I got back to school for the RA training. The team we have this year is great. After spending a week with these guys and girls I feel that God really has been a part of selecting the people I will work with.

Tomorrow is the big day when the rest (Non-fall athletes) are coming. We are all really excited for you(?) to come here! I know that I am doing my best of preparing myself not only physically but also spiritually through reading the Bible, quiet times and prayer. Now I have got to tell you, quiet times are not easy. Especially not for an extrovert like me. I simply have to force myself (the Bible does talk about discipline) to do it and after each time I am glad I did.

I am now going to leave yall with this years verse. Please meditate on this verse and what it means for the phase you are in right now or the one you are about to enter (College?)

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

The end of the year has now come. The finals are over and the campus gets emptier as people leave each day. Now is a great time to look back on the year and reflect.

I am overall satisfied with this year for sure. I have learned how to adjust for all the differences that are present in college.

Spiritual growth has been the best about this year. It has been so encouraging to have friends and faculty around me that shares the same worldview as I do. Belhaven’s Worldview Curriculum has given me a overall view of how the arts has impacted the beliefs throughout history and has ultimately helped me understand why people believe and what they believe.

College will be a time in ones life when there several people around you all the time. You have to learn how to deal with that, how to balance meeting people and letting friendships grow.

You will face the decision to choose a new church. I can’t overemphasize the need of finding a church and getting plugged in.

These are some of the things I have on my mind right now.

As summer is now approaching there will be a lot of prayer for the next school year. Prayers for both you and me. I pray that you will come here spiritually and emotionally prepared for the differences that college brings, and the open mind ready to change; now not to change according to the American standard of parties, sex and alcohol, but that you will change into the man or woman that God desires you to become through your time at Belhaven University.

My prayer is the one of the author of Hebrews who says, “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Heb 13:20-21).

The prayer for myself (and you may join me), is that I, as an RA, will be a help to the guys on my hall, and that I may be able to help them adjust to the college life and find or grow in their relationship with Jesus.

I conclude by saying that me coming here was truly God-ordained and Spirit-led, and I am forever grateful that I trusted Him and decided to come to Belhaven, despite all the hard work that was required to come overseas.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer 29:11-13)

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” (Pro 16:9)

Time flies that is for sure! What happened to this semester? 7 school days left then finals. Graduation for our seniors is only three weeks away. Three weeks away and then they are unemployed. At least that’s my joke to all of them

What is even closer is Easter. It is the time where we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior and friend.

Good Friday is the day that should awaken those Christians that feel they have been distanced lately. It is a good day in the sense that Jesus died for our sins on that cross; he died for the past, present, and future sins. In Sweden we call that day for Long Friday. Indeed must it have been a long day to watch the scene Isaiah 53 so precisely describes.

After the good (long) Friday we wait yet another 3 days(36hours) for the resurrection on Sunday. This resurrection completes the promise of the defeat of Death that Hosea prophesied when he said:
“Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
(Hosea 13:14)

Easter is the time when we as Christians can focus on the core of the Gospel: The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter is the time when GOD sacrificed his own Son for His love for us!

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)

Do you struggle right now? Do you have a hard time believing in God? Look at the cross. Look at what God did for you.

This Friday I will listen to David Platt talk about the cross and suffering. He has a service called “Secret Church” which is 6 hours long. I know it sounds long, but it is definitely worth it.
He will answer the questions:

• Why am I suffering?
• Where is God when I suffer?
• How can I suffer well?
• When will my suffering end?
• How can God be good and allow such evil in the world?
• How can God be gracious and ordain such suffering in my life?

Check it out here:

http://www.lifeway.com/Secret-Church-Simulcast-with-David-Platt/c/N-1z13xbz?type=events

If you do not understand the meaning of the cross, watch it. If you understand the meaning of the cross, watch it. It will humble you and bring you down on your knees in prayer.

Hey you guys.

This Saturday was sure a busy day. Belhaven Activities Team (BAT) arranged a talent show called Pavilion Fest. We had several Belhaven students performing their different talents throughout the evening. I was contacted a week prior to the event and was offered to be an MC. It was truly exciting. Sarah and I served as MCs while promoting our 80s theme.

It was a fun experience where we offered prizes that could be won, Ipod karaoke, free drinks and snacks, and of course entertainment and fellowship.

Hey y’all!

We just had our Spring Break last week and are now back in classes. The break really messed it up, since it now feels so weird to be back in class. I honestly feel like it’s summertime. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait too long! My last final will be on April 21st, then break is here, and I am no longer a Freshmen. It has truly been a great year and I have learned and grown not only academically but also spiritually. However, I do not feel like I should look back and reflect on my first year with a whole month left of it. So check back in at the end of April and there will hopefully be a post about that.

Currently, in the Office of Admission, we are looking forward to our Junior Day!

Junior Day is a day for High School Juniors to give them insight in what Belhaven is about. One may think that it is early to visit schools during the Junior year, but I can assure you that Senior year of high school is going to be real busy.

The students will be able to see our campus, attend classes, meet students and professors, learn about our campus life activities, meet your admission’s counselor and attend a student panel. It will be a busy day, but our hope is that it will give the students (and parents) a fair view of Belhaven so that they may decide on where they would like to spend their next four years (hopefully) of their life.

Danny Shaw, Assistant Director of Admission is excited about Junior Day and says, “For most students, it’s their first taste of the college experience, while the parents are just beginning the daunting college search. We help eliminate the uncertainty and let the excitement take over through an interactive and engaging experience on Junior Day.”

You can read about Junior Day and register here

Hey y’all!

I have not blogged in a while, and for this I apologize. College life can be busy sometimes, that’s for sure!

We had our Mission’s Conference, which is a week (4 days) put aside for students to focus on missions and their impact in the world. We had 14 mission organizations represented from all over the world. We even had Swedish missionaries, which was extra exciting for me! We had the opportunity to listen to these missionaries during break out sessions, as well as while sitting with them in the cafeteria during lunch and supper.

We also had a featured speaker, Reverend Billy Dempsey from First Presbyterian Church here in Jackson, MS, who spoke during the regular Chapel on Tuesday, as well as our special one on Thursday. He preached from 2 Chronicles 30, displaying Hezekiah’s passion for people through mission.

Mission, both local and global is something greatly encouraged here at Belhaven. One of our key verses at Belhaven that I have mentioned earlier is taken from the Gospel of Matthew,

"Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Matthew 20:28)

This is one of many reasons we take missions so seriously. Dr. Al Chestnut, Professor of Biology and Chair of Biology Department, also said, “ The great commission in Matthew came after the disciples saw Christ and then worshipped Him, then He gave the command to go. We go into missions not because of need, but because it is worship.”

Some people may say that “worship” is what we do in church before the sermon. However, worship is more than a song. The apostle Paul says:

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, 
holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
(Romans 12:1 ESV)

Worship is all about living for God. When you go into missions, it is worship. Remember, mission is not limited to going to a third world country. Mission is proclaiming the Good News to anyone, which includes people from a third world country, as well as your neighbor.

Superbowl, yayay! What a great time of the year is it not? Any event that includes food and company is my kind of event. Now you may think: “What does this guy know about Superbowl? He is Swedish!” Well, yeah it’s weird. I am not your average Swede. I am not a soccer fan. I am a football fan. However, I do not have a favorite NFL team. I watch it for… Well, now that I think about it, the biggest reason I watch Superbowl is for the food and the company. I’ve seen other games this season that was better than this. (Steelers-Broncos!) So really, Superbowl for me is not as much about the game as the people I watch it with.

I still have to admit however that I like to guess who is going to win.
2006 I guessed Steelers,
2007 I guessed Colts,
2008 I guessed Patriots,
2009 I guessed Steelers,
2010 I guessed Saints,
2011 I guessed Steelers,
2012 I guessed Giants.
So, I have been correct 5 out of 7 times. About 71% right. That is pretty good for a Swede, huh? Yes, I guessed right before the Superbowl game, but still! The chance of being correct is 50%, so that’s pretty good!

Ps. My room mate is a Patriots fan… Poor him…