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“For I know the plans I have for you ... plans to prosper you and not to harm you ... to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

The biochemistry textbook was thick and assignments ominous. My primary question was not Will I survive this class? but Is this even necessary?

Though I had weathered challenges before, the horror stories about my university’s Biochemistry course alarmed me. A graduating senior, I was already swamped by other academic and extracurricular commitments.

Embarking on a detailed, fast-paced journey, I increasingly appreciated how biology and chemistry intertwined. I had a C, however, which terrified me. God, what is happening? I began to ask.

We're going to dig deeper into this conversation Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. on VNL. Are there any questions YOU have for these pastors? Anything you've noticed along this topic? Join us here or on facebook.com/columbiaunionvisitor.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights” (Hab. 3:19, NIV).

There have been times when my trust in God was in a frequent seesaw. My trust soared high when my circumstances were the way I desired and dipped low when God did not come through for me as I asked Him to. I even questioned whether His promises were real.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16, NIV).

At any time or any place, someone is praying. These are known as “expected prayers”—at church, before meals or during pastors’ visits. Such was the case when I visited a member the night before open-heart surgery.

We spoke and prayed over his concerns and the comforting hope found in his medical team and his faith.