In my memory, my second year at Sterling College will always be distinguished by the things that I was able to learn.

1. Mysterious pictures of cats found in your mailbox can lead to a lot of fun.

2. Plays can be just as impacting to those performing as to the audience. 

3. Mr. Goodbars are actually really good. 

4. Finishing a ten page paper is one of the best feelings ever. 

5. People listen to someone that is strong enough to be vulnerable. 

6. Unanswered prayers are unanswered for a reason. 

7. An open door can open doors. 

8. Forgiveness is a process. 

9. Friends pray for each other. 

10. God’s love is so strong. 

Hello, my name is Lucas and God has blessed me with the ability to create art. So that’s what I do…

Hey! If you want to see some pretty awesome art you should check out my roommate’s Tumblr page! Not only is he a great friend but he is extremely talented! 

Shane

The community of Sterling is pretty supportive of the college. 

They attend our plays, our athletic games, put up with our news and even mentor our students. So it is of no surprise that over 200 Sterling College Students were so eager to go out and give back to the community that surrounds us. 

Love Sterling has become an annual event and this year was focused on individual properties of families in Sterling. We painted, wheel barrowed, raked, and cleaned our little hearts out Saturday. 

I was able to work at the property of an elderly gentlemen and as I stacked a pile of trimmed limbs he told some of us, “Thank you all so much, I never would have been able to get this done on my own.” 

It was certainly a humbling experience being able to make just a little bit of difference in this man’s day. That day, my team and I were blessed enough to exemplify the love of Jesus. That is where the measure of Love Sterling’s success lies; not in the amount of tree limbs cleared but in the love displayed. 

Shane

We are the body of Christ.

We hear that statement so often, from the pulpit, from our friends, teachers, The Bible. However, how often do we truly consider that statement, “We are the body of Christ.”

Christ gave His all, Christ proclaimed the love of God, Christ loved till it hurt. If we as the Church are called the body of Christ then we are called to imitate Him. I must admit that I have not done the best job imitating our Lord. 

However, last night gave me hope.

Sterling College hosted a night of “experiential worship” in upper Wilson last night called SOMA. I went not knowing exactly what the words experiential or SOMA meant in terms of worship; and of the forty or so others there not many knew either.

As it turns out “experiential worship” is essentially acts of worship to God other than the typical Worship Music/ praising event. There were four stations in the room that encouraged praising God through writing prayers, kneeling in prayer and even painting at one station.

The whole process was personally focused at first; simply you focusing on God. The second half was more focused on the group and the community of believers that had gathered. I looked around the room as we began to take communion together and was so encouraged by the diversity of people present and how much it seemed everyone was seeking The Lord.

The Student leader that organized the event explained that the word “SOMA” was great for “body,” and as I worshiped and sought after the Lord last night I truly felt like a part of a body trying to imitate Christ.

To God be all praise,

Shane

I got to go to a small church outside of Abilene, Kansas this past Sunday with the Sterling College Ministry teams. Through choir events and Ministry teams I have been blessed with a really cool opportunity to perform for and meet people I never would have if I wasn’t at Sterling. This picture is of us guys in Ministry Teams this Sunday.

Shane

Working on the play “Leaving Iowa” has not been easy. Being on stage for an entire show is always a little exhausting and even  more so when trying to memorize lines. However, this has been a great experience so far and I have loved how much “Leaving Iowa” has challenged me! The show opens on Friday April 12th and ends the 13th. I would love for you to come see it!

Shane

I was ready. 

The squirrels were ready.

We were all ready for spring.

But winds changed last Saturday and clouds came laying a thick blanket of snow upon the world; winter was not quite done with us. So as I was driving back from Hutchinson through the whirling snow that had blurred the lines of on the road I felt anxious. 

My anxiety came from worry that I might lose control of my vehicle and swerve off the road but also form the knowledge that Spring was not yet here and I had to continue waiting. Every flake of snow was one more minute that I was going to have to wait in the cold wishing that I could see some green leaves and grass and even possibly walk outside in shorts. Then, suddenly out of nowhere came today; this warm, sunny, sixty five degree day. I do believe the winter is done and Spring has started. 

This thirst I have had for Spring lately has had very interesting timing. This winter here at Sterling College I have noticed a growing passion for God on campus; a thirst for living water if you will. 

“but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:14

This world is in a deep winter, we have become so cold to the presence of God. He is anxiously waiting for us to drink of the living water of Christ and live. He has given us the ability to end the Winter in our world and in our lives through the blood of Jesus. I pray that this Easter weekend, we would all bloom again and drink of living water.

“On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that enfolds all people, the sheet that covers the nations he will swallow up death forever…”

Isaiah 25:7

Shane

Sometimes it is pretty good being at a small school.

I am able to build relationships with my professors and get more attention from them that I would not be able to at a large school. For my upcoming audition for a Summer Theatre Company I have been able to come to two of my professors and get practical advice from them.

From Headshot tips to playing my song selection for me, it has been extremely convenient being close with my professors! 

So if you are looking for a place where you can come to your professors without swimming against the current of hundreds of other students Sterling is a good place for you!

Shane

Two weeks before Choir Tour. 

One week before Medea opens. 

One week and a day before my audition at The Great Plains Theatre.

Three days before I must perform a monologue for chapel. 

And what happens? 

Snow happens. Pounds and pounds of snow. 

Over the course of one day about a foot of the white stuff covered the Earth in an excessive display of beauty and power. I mean really, snow is incredibly powerful. It has this ability to seemingly slow the entire world down for periods of time. The will of man is truly bent by God’s tool of snow. 

So today as I was forced to slow down a bit before the crazyness of the next month commences God revealed to me that life is not about living for the sake of doing but rather living for the sake of loving. 

Slow down today, God wants you to reveal and experience His love in whatever you’re doing. Hopefully it won’t take thousands of pounds of crystalized precipitation to make you realize that! 

Mr. Snow Miser