Observing Advent: Hoping for change

How do you feel about the year 2020? The question is, will 2021 be any better? I hope so. That is the thing about hope. Hope expects things to change. Hope says someday, maybe someday soon, our troubles and struggles will come to an end.

Pandemic Profiles: Randall Quillin, Building Services Supervisor

Remember at the onset of COVID-19 in the U.S. when toilet paper was impossible to find and hand sanitizer was out of stock? Imagine the demand for those supplies on a college campus, specifically at Ouachita. Thanks to the work of Randall Quillin, building services supervisor in Ouachita’s Office of Facilities Management, and his building services team, Ouachita was able secure needed supplies to return to on-campus classes.

Crafting a kinder society: Getting started with social justice studies

This summer, millions of Americans and people from dozens of countries posted to social media, marched, and signed petitions against systematic racism. From the vantage point of a historian of social change, this is staggering.

What does the Bible say about race?

Any serious biblical study of race or ethnicity should start in Genesis 1. The Bible does not start off with the creation of a special or privileged race of people. When the first human being is created he is simply called Adam, which is Hebrew for “humankind.”

Reflections on Psalm 46: Final thoughts

We will have times of trouble; of that we can be sure. We live in a broken, sinful world. We’re in the middle of a tough trial now with this coronavirus pandemic. But God has not left us alone. He is speaking to us profoundly in Psalm 46:1-11.

Reflections on Psalm 46: Come, see the works of the Lord

We are invited to “come and see” the works of the Lord. Look at what the Lord has done and is doing. Never a bad thing. Sometimes we see the Lord’s works made visible in our world, and at other times we see with the eyes of faith his deep work in the hearts of people.

16 tips for handling stress, worry, anxiety and fear

Separate out and identify the toxic and destructive worry from the good worry. “Good worry” amounts to planning. It produces action, action that will help eliminate or diminish most of our worry. Toxic worry is the enemy. It is repetitive, paralyzing, frightening and unproductive.

Reflections on Psalm 46: Though the earth trembles

I like to be in control. I’ll admit it. But there are some things I simply cannot control no matter how hard I try. I can’t control the weather. I can’t control what other people do. I can’t control the bad things that sometimes happen to those I love. I can’t control viral pandemics. When it hits us that we really cannot control every circumstance, sometimes we start to fear.

From the "Ouachitonian": Ryan Lewis

Dr. Ryan Lewis is the associate professor of percussion at Ouachita Baptist University. Percussion is Lewis’ primary instrument. He has performed in many different professional symphony orchestras and made appearances with various music groups. Originally from South Carolina, Lewis started his music career at a very early age.

Why you should choose a college that supports your dreams

“You’ll never find a job. You’ll have to forge your own connections, which are hard to make in that world.” As a young senior in high school in search of where I would spend the next four years of my life, these weren’t the words I was expecting to hear from my potential professors and deans about my wanting to study English.

Pandemic Profiles: Kevin Herrington, Network Services Administrator

When Ouachita sent students home for an extended Spring Break in March of 2020, it took some by surprise. Thankfully, Ouachita's Kevin Herrington and the Office of IT Services had already been working on contingency plans for the possibility of remote learning.

A survey of Ouachita faculty and staff's watch lists: TV shows and more

While you probably have exhausted Netflix and other streaming services during quarantine, there might be a few movies and shows you still have left to check out! We asked Ouachita’s faculty and staff to share a few of their favorites.

Facing this moment in history: Why your response matters

My – and perhaps your – experience with the pandemic has been fairly positive so far. But this has not been the case for everyone. Whether you are wanting to maximize this time or struggling with your experiences, I humbly offer the following words of encouragement and challenge.

Struggling with motivation? Here are tips to help you

Struggling with motivation? Here are some tips from university counselor Dan Jarboe to help you.

Reflections on Psalm 46: Stand empty

To finish the Psalm, God himself speaks. Is he speaking to the nations or to his people? It’s hard to tell exactly, but it seems to apply to both. In fact, God might just be speaking to all of creation, reminding us and them and the whole world that he alone is God!

Reflections on Psalm 46: The Lord of Armies

In this portion of the Psalm, we see a stark contrast between the craziness of earth and the steadfastness of our Lord. Pretty much our daily experience, wouldn’t you say? One thing is happening with the “nations, kingdoms and the earth,” while a very different and far better thing is going on with “the Lord of Armies … the God of Jacob.”

Reflections on Psalm 46: There is a river

Last time we talked about how Martin Luther’s famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God,” draws from Psalm 46. Did you also know that when the bubonic plague hit Luther’s city (Wittenberg, Germany) in 1527, that he and his wife Katharina (pregnant at the time) chose to stay and minister to the sick and dying?

Reflections on Psalm 46: God, our refuge and strength

It’s the middle of March 2020, and the coronavirus is beginning to hit the U.S. in a big way. We’ve never seen anything like this in my lifetime. As followers of Jesus Christ, we know that our hope doesn’t depend on this world, especially when trials ambush us. But we need to be reminded and comforted. We need to hear from the Lord.

Coronavirus news related anxiety

If you’re among those who’ve recognized that you’re feeling more stressed, anxious or on edge with the uptick in Coronavirus/COVID-19 news and precautions announcements, here are a few things that might be helpful to remember and put into practice to find calm, and to manage your mental health.

The beauty of light: Christmas chapel 2019

I remember when I was a kid looking forward to something we did once almost every year. We would get in the car and drive around the city to the blocks or houses that were known to have the best light displays. There’s something special about getting in a warm car on a cold night and admiring beautiful, creative displays of light. If you’ve had that experience, you know that it’s a feeling that’s hard to describe: comfort, safety and a sense of wonder – all at the same time.