Whether We Live or Die, We are the Lord's
This past week brought feelings of grief and sadness around campus that thankfully, we do not have to experience often at Nazarene Bible College. It began with news of one our online students Rev. William Earl "Shady" Mays, Jr. of Ohio passing away at his home. Later that week we received word that former NBC student Amber Emmert's parents were involved in an accident while traveling to Colorado Springs.
Shady was nearing completion of his Pastoral Ministries degree with an incredible 3.99 GPA. He was no doubt an extraordinary man as he was recently honored by receiving the DeLong Sermon Award for excellence of preaching from NBC in recognition of his academic work. Dr. Alan Lyke, Dean of Online Education said, "Though I wasn't directly acquainted with Shady, the online personnel who knew him tell me he was an exemplary student, an outstanding person, and a dedicated follower of Christ." It comes as no surprise that many cherished him.
Regrettably, the accident resulted in the passing of Amber's mother and initially left her father in critical condition. Amazingly, and with God's unfailing mercy, her father stabilized and is now healing from his injuries. There are times where we may not see a clear direction for our lives. Still, we keep in mind Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."
Please pray for both of these families during this time and take a moment to join NBC as we remember and appreciate the precious gift of life. Being a part of our student's higher education as they develop and grow is such a blessing. Our student's lives and ministries touch so many of us, and we feel for those who experience unpredictable obstacles along the way. However, we must always remember Romans 14:7-8, "None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's."
Published: 04/27/2011
Archived Entries