I don’t have a whole lot of words to say here… other than the fact that my Opa – Dr. Wilhelmus Schaffers – was a great and godly man. He died two days ago on April 20, 2009 after living 81 years. He used to always say, “I’m 11 years overdue. God says that the length of our days is 70 years… any time past that is borrowed time.” My granddad lived a good 11 years and 4 months past his “due date.” I thank God for his life. He will be greatly missed.

For those of you who knew him, the funeral will be Friday, April 24th at 11:00 a.m. at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.

Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
       throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
       or you brought forth the earth and the world,
       from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn men back to dust,
       saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
       are like a day that has just gone by,
       or like a watch in the night.
You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
       they are like the new grass of the morning-
though in the morning it springs up new,
       by evening it is dry and withered.
We are consumed by your anger
       and terrified by your indignation.
You have set our iniquities before you,
       our secret sins in the light of your presence.
All our days pass away under your wrath;
       we finish our years with a moan.
The length of our days is seventy years—
       or eighty, if we have the strength;
       yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
       for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Who knows the power of your anger?
       For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
Teach us to number our days aright,
       that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
       Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
       that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
       for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
       your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
       establish the work of our hands for us—
       yes, establish the work of our hands.

Every year in the spring, Covenant holds a music festival called BakerTree. Students from all over campus come together to play music – whether it be original songs they wrote or songs from well-known artists and bands. Traditionally, it’s been on the chapel lawn with the musicians playing on the chapel steps. This year, it was on the held on the Dottie Brock Lawns with the musicians playing in the breezeway of Brock Hall.

It’s always a great time. It was such an incredibly beautiful day yesterday too… tables and chairs were set out on the lawn for people to sit and listen, and then dinner was moved outside while we continued to enjoy some great music. Covenant even brought in some bouncy castles for students/staff to enjoy.

The Economy of Sound (Asher Payne and Zach Terrell)

In the evening, a concert was hosted featuring the two student bands Left-Handed (Chris Nystrom and co.) and The Economy of Sound (Asher Payne and co.). It was phenomenal. The vast majority of the songs they performed were originals, including the song Ivory Ivory which The Economy of Sound performed at Mountain Affair last year (and won 1st place with). It was a great performance.

Classes are hard right now. I’m trying to keep my head above water with tax and intermediate accounting 2. It’s been frustrating not getting the grades that I feel like I’ve been working for. My dad reminded me of an important truth yesterday -

God doesn’t make mistakes. We learn our best lessons through disappointments and failures… Persistence is key – not necessarily making all A’s.

It was encouraging to hear.. and reminded me that my responsibility is to work to the best of the abilities and skills that God has given me. That is what I am to be held accountable for. And that’s what I’m striving for.. to be all that I can be and do all that I can do with what God has given me and with where He has placed me.

It’s Easter Sunday! I came home to Franklin this morning with my mom and Betsy. We left around 7:00 a.m. and got back to Franklin by 8:30 a.m. Then we went to church at Christ Community Church. It’s nice being home with the family.

If you’re anything like me, than you find it SO easy to get caught up in this world – new technology, cars, books, DVDs, cell phones, internet, people, traveling, hunting, and doing anything and everything to satisfy myself. I forget what God did for me through his Son… I become complacent. I become numb to the incredible story of God’s saving grace. I take it for granted.

I reread this passage about the Resurrection. It seemed appropriate considering it’s Easter Sunday. Read through it.. don’t take it for granted or let yourself become numb to the amazing truth of God’s love and grace through His Son.

Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

I’ve got my second test in Intermediate Accounting 2 tomorrow – and I’m pretty sure that it’s going to be the hardest test of my college career. It’s covering bonds, notes, leases, and accounting for income taxes. Got to love it.

Professor Dodson, my accounting professor and a CPA, emailed me and some of my fellow classmates today with an encouraging word about job security for future accounting professions. Here is a snippet of the article that he sent to us.

Demand for Accountants to Remain Strong in 2009

Despite the current recession, demand for accountants remains strong. Although a number of industries are cutting back, the accounting industry projects jobs to maintain at their current rate or possibly increase. In fact, the 2008 Trends in the Supply of Accounting Graduates and the Demand for Public Accounting Recruits from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), 91% percent of accounting firms expect hiring to remain steady or increase. And as the New Year begins, the role of accountants continues to expand along with employment opportunities. Today accountants and their clients are facing increasing regulatory complexity, the need for specialization, the globalization of businesses and shifting demographics. According to AccountingWeb.com, “Given the heightened regulatory environment in which we operate, mastery over the hard skills of being a Certified Public Accountant is more important than ever before.