Tommy Tortellini

Last semester

It’s hard to believe that my last semester of college is less than a week away. As excited as I am to finally be able to use what I have learned in my degree, I am going to miss college. Part of the realization that I am excited to get a job in my field came oddly enough during a dentist appointment I had on Tuesday. Typically my check ups were performed by a different dentist, but that day was someone different. Not only was he more friendly than my usual dentist but he had a brother who is currently working in law enforcement. He told me crazy stories from his brother’s job. So I realized I’m ready. Learning can be great and it is also great spending time with my friends on campus but in one semester it will be time to start working in the real world. God has put on my heart a desire to work in this field. The more I seem to learn the more I see the need for Christians there. It can be scary but it is becoming more and more clear that this is where God has called me. 

Just one of those days

I just want finals to be done with already, I am exhausted 

“Lord you keep me alive, you give me rest at night

When there seems no way to find calmness in the storm you come and

take me in your arms and then the waves drown me no more

With you I’ll last this battle and many others

Through the ages your name will reign forever… never to be replaced

In these trials I face, I pray you humble me

Humble me I want to be like you Jesus more and more like you”

A Love So Pure - Underoath

Reflecting on this past Fall semester

There is still about 2 weeks left of school (this including finals) but I felt that it was time to reflect on this past semester. Looking back to the end of summer and then examining how things are now, is quite interesting. God has done so many things in my life this past semester. I truly have learned a great deal about who God is, and who I am in relation to Him. God truly is a good and loving God. He has provided for me this semester a solid community of men to go deep with. 

I remember at the beginning of this semester being challenged to set goals. When I look back at these goals I see how much God has been working through them. The community and relationships I have built up with godly men this semester have truly struck me. God puts the right people in your life during the right time, right when you need them. At the same time you have to accept that and open up to them instead of putting up a front where you want to keep everything to yourself.

I also feel as though God has taught me a great deal about grace this semester. It is easy to take the concept of grace and basically set it aside. The important truth I have learned is seeing God’s grace in even the small things everyday. God allows us as sinners to live and breathe everyday even when we disobey Him. And God does not love us and want us because we are special. God loves us just because he chooses to love us (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). Small things throughout the day just remind me that God’s grace is present and should never be taken for granted.

This semester has been an interesting one. Of all my years in college, this semester probably involved the most late nights working on papers and the most reading required for classes. I did not have the amount of free time that I wished to have but this is college for you. I had my share of disappoints and frustrations as well. It sure was not an easy semester. But despite all of that I am leaving this semester joyfully. Not because things went right most of the time, but because God taught me a great deal about Himself this semester and finding joy in Christ can not compare even at the least to any happiness that can be obtained from this world. Back in the Fall 2009 is when I saw God start to really work in my life. To know where I was then and how God has allowed me to grow since then just blows my mind. God is good, He really is.