by Paddy McCoy - Word on the sidewalks is that some of you may be feeling some "anguish" over review week or the looming pressure of finals.  If that's you, I hope this message will be a blessing to you.

Anguish is defined as "severe mental or physical pain or suffering," and I think it's fair to say that many of us feel "anguish" as we end a quarter: deadlines, projects, exams, procrastination, struggles at home, struggles with friends.  But how can "anguish" every be a blessing?

At this time of year I read a lot on the brith of the Savior and the gift of Jesus to our world.  A time when God became flesh and made His dwelling among us; it's truly mind blowing.

However, in my reading of the prophecies of the coming of the Messaih, I came across a familiar passage that had a verse that never caught my attention like it had before.  It's from the famous passage in Isaiah 53 that tells of the coming Messiah and what He would have to endure.  This is the passage that says things like, "We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us have turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on Him (Christ) the iniquity of us all."  And "by His stripes we are healed."

In verse 11 of that passage, however, it says these words, "Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied."

No doubt Jesus suffered, I believe more than anyone has ever suffered before.  He bore the weight of ALL of our sins (past, present, future).  He suffered separation from the Father and the Spirit, something He had never felt before.  He experienced rejection from those that He was closest to on this earth.  He watched His very own, precious creation, spit in His face, curse His name, and drive nails into HIs hands and yest somehow was still able to cry out, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

But HIs anquish began before the cross.  In Gethsamane the night before, Jesus said, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." (Matthew 26: 38).  Jesus knew great anguish.

However, the passage in Isaiah says that He will see and be satisfied out of His anguish.  What does this mean and how does it apply to our lives?

According to the original language, the anguish He would experience on the cross would lead to a blessing.  In Jesus' case, that blessing was an even deeper understanding of the human experience, and salvation accessible to all that He had and would ever create.

The book, Desire of Ages, puts it like this, "Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. "With His stripes we are healed." {DA 25.2} 

I believe our moments of anguish can help us see a great light and blessing as well.  I believe that if we can stay on our knees through those times, lean on the everlasting arms of the Savior, not give up when the going gets really tough, then we will come to a new revelation of who God is; we will have a victory and a testimony that we wouldn't have had without the anguish, and we will be able to help others in their moments of anguish.

So if you are or have felt "severe mental or physical pain and suffering," know that Christ knows how you feel and that you can cry out to Him for help.  Then, if you can hold on, you will see a new light, have a greater understanding of our God, and be able to help others in their times of need.

Know that you are in our prayers this week as we seek a close to this quarter, and that no matter what anguish you may be going through your CHAPLAINS are here to listen, pray, encourage, and cheer you on through whatever comes your way.  Peace be with you and as always...

One for All; All for the One!

This week for Vespers, the Walla Walla University Department of Music presents “Rejoice at His Birth!” a Christmas concert celebrating glimmers of light amidst darkness, Friday, Dec. 12, in the Walla Walla University Church with performances at 6 pm and again at 8 pm.  The concert features Kraig Scott conducting the vocal ensembles, University Singers and I Cantori, and Brandon Beck conducting the University Orchestra and Brass Ensemble. The concert will also be live-streamed at wallawalla.edu/concert. For information, call the WWU Department of Music at (509) 527-2563.

Tomorrow night, at 8pm, in Conard Chapel, Circle Church invites ALL to a special Christmas Party with refreshments, games, singing, and more.  So if you've ever gone to Circle Church, thought about it, or haven't but wonder what kind of party a ministry entitled "Circle Church" might throw, then head to Conard tomorrow night for the festivities.

If you've never been to a Prayer, Praise, and Popcorn, you should definitely check it out and this week would be a great night to do so.  This Friday night,  Prayer, Praise, and Popcorn is happening on December 12, at 9:15pm, and is being co-sponsored by the Engineering Department (thank you!!!).  Come out for some Christmas carols and more Christmas cheer after the Christmas concert at the WWU Church.  Hope to see you then!

Thought ya'll could identify with this video as well this week (need to be logged into Facebook to see it).  it's a baby who is so excited to see her mom, but also very tired.  Hope you can stay awake this review week and finals, but be sure to get a good night's rest before driving home.  Merry Christmas!

Want to invite you to begin praying for our student speakers for ASWWU Week of Worship next quarter, and prepping your heart, for what promises to be a meaningful week,  Caral Blum-Johnston will be leading out in music, and speakers include the likes of Jordan Spady, Mason Neil, Licenna Boult, Keoni Coleman, Urijah Saenz, Abby Payne, Chantel Mote, Andrew Barcenas, Morgan Sanker, Josue Hernandez, Austin Roberts, and Brooklyn Larson.

Have you ever wondered if God exists?  If there is evidence for Jesus' resurrection?  If miracles actually happen?  If Jesus is the only way to God?  Have you ever struggled with your faith?  A group of students, with campus ministries, are considering starting a new, weekly, opportunity to discuss ways in which to defend the faith and give some answers to these types of questions, but we need your help.  If you could take a moment to fill out the attached SURVEY, we'd greatly appreciate it.  Thank you!

This Sabbath, Alex Bryan, will be teaching at the Chan Shun Sabbath School as an experiment, looking at ways draw more  university students to participate in this favorite Sabbath School. Occasional guest teachers are part of that plan, beginning with Alex Bryan this Sabbath, December 13. Singing at 10:15, Pastor Alex begins teaching at 10:45.  Feel free to stop by and enjoy the conversation.

You still have an opportunity to put your faith in action and give a gift to someone in need in our community this Christmas.  You can help by bringing a donation to the Chaplain's Office, marking on that check (made out to WWU) or envelope with cash, which need you'd ike your donation to help.  Here are the needs we currently know about:

Need #1: A single mom who has 3 children, the oldest is 13, the youngest is about 1. She is a domestic violence victim who finally left her husband, she’s been working part time and looking for full time work. She has been barely keeping it together, but has fallen 4 months behind in house payments, and if she doesn’t make a financial gesture of some kind the bank is going to start foreclosure on Dec. 2. She owes approximately $2400.

Need #2: Angela needs financial help. She is a full-time R.N. Student at WWCC, and a single mom with 3 boys ages 7,9,15. Her only source of income is financial aid. Angella needs rent assistance for the month of December, totaling $1,450.

Need #3: Helpline requested help to keep a woman escaping domestic violence housed a little longer at the YWCA as they help her get on her feet. She has stayed as long as she can for free at the YWCA and if she doesn't pay rent by Friday she will be evicted. Helpline believes if they can keep her covered for another month it will provide enough time to help her become self sufficient. She is $90 short of the amount needed to remain in the shelter.

This week we think about Julie Pierson, who is spending this year as a missionary in Bangladesh.  Please share a special prayer for all of our SM's around the globe during the holiday season.  Holiday's away from home can be tough, but they have plenty to keep them busy.  If you'd like to send Julie a word of encouragement, please do so via her email or Facebook page.  And thanks to all of our SM's for the courage to serve.  Merry Christmas!

Okay men, the women have had a chance to ask questions of men from across campus; those married from 15-20-40 years, and those in dating relationships or single.  Now it's YOUR TURN coming up after Christmas break, January 12 to be precise, a Monday night, at 9pm, will be the first "What Women Want."  We'll have several women on the panel at the guys dorm for guys to ask questions about relationships, what women are looking for in a man, how women want to be treated, etc...  So be sure to come out and if you have questions to submit or would like to help, contact the men's dorm chaplain, Eddy Darisme.

If you are interested in starting or joining a Small Group at WWU, you can check out a list of CURRENT SMALL GROUPS and/or email senior engineering major, Alexa Luke or our new volunteer leader, freshmen Keoni Coleman.  Alexa is recruiting leaders and working on our first Small Group leader training event.  If your Small Group is not listed on the link above, please also email Alexa or Keoni to get on the list and register your group.

If you'd like to get involved and volunteer, maybe be on a prayer team or just take an hour a week at the prayer house, contact Stephen Farr or Lauren Spickelmier.  You may also join the team each evening at the Prayer House at 9pm, from now through October 31, to pray for our country and our campus with 1 million others who have joined this prayer challenge.

Just a reminder that there less than 25 days to register for the up and coming One project gathering in San Deigo, CA on February 8-9, 2015, and we are over 70% full.  So if you're interested in joining in the conversation on the Sermon on the Mount with such speakers as Randy Roberts, Sam Leonor, Dwight Nelson, John McVay, and more...please register to join us and reserve your hotel room.

If you'd like to get more involved on campus or in the community, whether through ASWWU, the Chaplain's Office, or one of the student churches, then please take a moment to update your MASK profile online, the Volunteer tab.  This will help campus leaders find you when there is a need, but I always encourage you to follow up with the leaders in the area(s) you'd like to help with.  If you have any questions, please call the Chaplain's Office at 509-527-2010 or email Carla Blum-Johnston.

Your Chaplain's Office Team is here to help whether it be for encouragement, Spiritual counseling or guidance, Bible Study, Baptismal Inquiries or Studies, PreMarital Counseling, or whatever else we can help with.

Paddy McCoy - Lead Chaplain available for all of the above

Tommy Poole - Assoc Chaplain for Missions & Discipleship available for all of the above

Jeanne Vories - Available for encouragement, guidance, and especially Student Missions support and direction

Student Chaplain team available for most of the above aside from PreMarital Counseling: Rachael Coon (Lead Student Chaplain), Eddy Darisme (Men's Dorm Chaplain), Natalie Dorland (Women's Dorm Chaplain), Timmy Oliver (Music Chaplain), and Anthony Lyder w/ Katie Heinrich (Circle Church co-leaders).