Newsletter

For the January (belated Christmas) newsletter, check out my web site, www.diannacagle.com. Click on newsletter above to go there.
I think I have managed to send it to everyone on my mailing list (e-mail and snail mail). I apologize if I left someone out.
Part of the newsletter will be updated because a change has occurred.

Seven Wonders Of The World

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the current Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids

2. Taj Mahal

3. Grand Canyon

4. Panama Canal

5. Empire State Building

6. St. Peter's Basilica

7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the student if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to touch

2. to taste

3. to see

4. to hear

5. to feel

6. to laugh

7. and to love

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous.

The most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man. God has provided the true wonders of the world.

And the greatest wonder of all is God's amazing love for mankind in sending His only son, Jesus, to set us free and give us everlasting life.

--Author Unknown

Human life

As the anniversary of Roe v. Wade passed this week, it sent my brain reeling back to college.
One Tuesday night I was sitting in the Baptist Campus Ministries worship service when I felt an overwhelming urge to pray for a friend of mine. I thought to myself that I would do so — after the meeting. I tried to push the feeling aside but could not.
I stepped out into the entranceway trying to figure out what was going on.
I went to a room we had set aside for prayer and began to lift this friend up. I don't know how long I prayed.
I called and left a message for my friend and began to pray again.
Later, when I talked to her about that night, she shared with me a story of heartache that still deeply influences me today.
When she was in high school she got involved sexually with a fellow classmate. She conceived a child and had an abortion. For years (it had probably been about four years) afterwards, that decision created an emotional roller coaster for her. It influenced her self esteem, her relationship with others.
I don't know where this woman is now, but I still pray for her. Having an abortion is not as easy as the doctors and clinics make it out to be. They don't warn of the lasting effects on a person.
Please pray for more awareness about what happens during and after an abortion.
Please also check out these other blogs about sanctity of human life:

http://www.downshoredrift.com/

http://www.thinklaughweepworship.blogspot.com/

Weight Watchers points

While I was in South Carolina I learned a lesson in Weight Watchers math. If you eat a serving of Progresso soup, it is 0 points. Each can of soup has two servings, however, and this proves too much for my brain. In Weight Watchers math, 0 + 0 = 1. If you eat the whole can of soup, a whopping two servings, it is 1 point. How does that work?
Both of my lunch companions I was discussing this with shared the reason: the S.C. public education system. I couldn’t believe it ... usually Alabama is the first to get blamed for that kind of stuff.

Beauty of Scripture

One of my professors, Dr. David Alan Black, posts online occassionally. Today I was looking around the web and found his recent post. I thought it was a wonderful testimonty about the beauty of God's Word. In his post, Dr. Black also talks about God's creation and shares photos. I am sharing a photo from a recent flight from Birmingham to Raleigh that I thought was a wonderful painting by my Father.
Click on the title above to go to Dr. Black's post. His web site can be found at: www.daveblackonline.com.

Semester over

I don't know if any or many of you saw "Grease II" — the hit movie back in the '80s starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caufield (sp?). But there's a song at the beginning that's called "Back to School." I think of it often when I'm in school because the lyrics include, "Whoa, whoa, I gotta go, back to school," lamenting the end of freedom of the summer.
As I finished my last final Thursday, Dec. 13, a huge sigh of relief came over me. It's such a relief to just have one thing to do — my full-time job.
I remember when I graduated college in 1996, I said I was done. I'd never go back to school again.
But God likes a flexible and willing servant. I'm thankful I was obedient but it is a lot to tackle.
Thank you to all of you who are praying for me. It means a great deal to have such a huge support system.

Christmas newsletters

I am mailing newsletters after Christmas this year. Please forgive me. I want time to put something together for you. I will be updating my website and this blog as well over the holidays and into the new year.
Until then, keep your mailboxes clear ...

Grading on a curve

All my life, grades were important to me. It was a way to stand out … and at times above others. Some subjects just came naturally to me, but others I really had to work hard to get good grades.
Now that I’m in seminary, the grading scale is even tougher. Most of my professors require a 95 to get an “A.”
Especially for those who have supported me financially for school costs, I thought I would post my grades from the 2006-2007 year.

Fall 2006
Baptist History — A
Biblical Hebrew I — B
Introduction to Biblical Counseling — C
GPA — 3.0

Spring 2007
Counseling Individuals with Addiction Problems — A
Biblical Hebrew II — B
Christian Ethics — B
GPA — 3.33

Cumulative GPA — 3.17

Thank you so much for those who have supported me through your financial gifts and your much-needed prayers. Working full time and going to school full time takes a lot of effort. God continues to supply me with whatever is needed — sometimes through people like you.

It’s a perfect day … nothing standing in my way

For some reason the song that’s featured in “Legally Blonde” has gotten stuck in my brain this afternoon. My day, while far better than any I’ve had this week, is by no means perfect.
I’m very thankful, however, that I now have this song stuck in my head instead of the other one that has been repeating since Tuesday night: Mama’s little baby, loves shortenin’, shortenin; Mama’s little baby loves shortenin’ bread.
Many of you are already wondering how that one got in there. I blame my new Greek professor, who thought that it was the perfect tune to add the Greek alphabet. He had us singing “Alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon …” Since then, it’s been stuck in my head. I’m still working on learning the alphabet so sometimes I just mumble through the song. I can hear it during our quiz next Tuesday now … all the students will be humming the song under their breath to try to figure out which letter they are missing.
What fun? And welcome back to learnin’, seminary style.

Is the doctor in?

Recently, I went to see a new doctor. I had some problems with my last one, and I wasn't feeling well.
Some of you know that I spent much of my teen years sick -- traveling to various specialists, subjected to numerous tests. I still get a little anxious any time I visit a new doctor.
God says that He knows the plans He has for me .. not to harm me but to prosper me. Sometimes it is hard to trust in Him. Even after all He has done for me. He works a miracle in my immune system daily. Because of my white blood count, I should be sick all the time, yet most of the time my ills are not because of colds or the flu or anything contagious. I have allergy issues, head aches, etc.
At the end of last semester and up until a couple of weeks ago, I was exhausted. I thought I was having issues with my thyroid but my recent visit proved me wrong. (Yes, I'm admitting it.)
Anyway, my doctor put me on a different allergy medicine which seems to be working a lot better than previous ones. I am still getting head aches but they are much more dull than the sharp, piercing ones I was getting with my old medicine.
God is so good.
Newsletter update
I am in the midst of writing my newsletter to send out. I'm hoping to get that updated this weekend. I'll be sending out e-mails shortly to notify people of the changes and where they can learn more.
Thank you for praying for me.

The Bible is amazing. The book stands the test of time.

Excerpt from: I Married Adventure: Looking at Life Through the Lens of Possibility
By Luci Swindoll
2002, W Publishing Group, Nashville

The Bible is an amazing volume of work — like no other! In sixty-six books there is a perfect historical continuity from the creation of the world to the new heaven and new earth. Truths constantly unfold, prophecy is fulfilled, and the most perfect Person on earth or in heaven is anticipated, presented, realized, and exalted. This collection of authors — kings, peasants, philosophers, physicians, fishermen, statesmen, poets, and plowmen — couldn’t have known much about each other because they lived in various countries, and their writings extended over sixty generations of human history, representing sixteen hundred years … yet it all fits together. The book is a phenomenon without question, and it is utterly inexhaustible. It sweeps across the heights of heaven to the depths of hell, tracing the works of God from beginning to end. Voltaire, the French infidel who died in 1778, predicted the Bible would be obsolete within a hundred years, but here we are in the twenty-first century proving him wrong. The Bible endures. And not only does it endure; its truth continues to transform lives.
(p. 139)

Alabama, here I come!

Finals finished; vehicle packed. Today I leave for my home state with a stop in South Carolina on the way down and back up. I apologize for not writing in so long. I have been sooooooooooo busy! Was that enough 'o's'?
I was flipping through the channels recently and "Sweet Home Alabama" -- the movie -- was on TV. Of course, the movie has the song in it! I just started grinning from ear to ear because I knew I was going to get some REAL barbecue!
I'll be in my home state for a week to visit family and friends as well as do some manual labor at my parents' house. I'll send some photos soon and plan to be updating my web site while I'm home.

The fern and the bamboo

One day, I decided to quit. I wanted to quit my job, to quit my relationships,
to quit my spirituality; I even wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to
have one last talk with God. "God", I said, "Can you give me one good reason not
to quit?" His answer surprised me. "Look around", He said, "Do you see the
fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I
gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its
brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I
did not quit on the bamboo."
"In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again,
nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."
"In the third year there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would
not quit."
"In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. Still, I
would not quit."
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the
fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the
bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots.
Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not
give any of my creations a challenge they could not handle,"


He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been
struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the
bamboo. I will never quit on you! Don't compare yourself to others. The bamboo
had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.
Your time will come," God said to me. "You will rise high."

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes", He said, "Give Me glory by rising as high as you can. And remember...I
will never leave you, nor forsake you. I will never give up on you. I will
never, ever quit on you."

Everyone has days when they want to "quit". When there are struggles...obstacles
in life, remember we're just growing roots!! God has a purpose in mind for each
one of us and we need to talk to Him and let Him help us realize that purpose.
Always remember, He'll never leave us, He'll never forsake us, and He'll never
quit on us.

— Anonymous

Strength in Adversity

In the last few days, God has been teaching me about strength through adversity. A friend of mine lost her home and most of her possessions last Thursday in a fire that destroyed 27 homes. Today, I was doing some research on verses about adversity. Please be praying for Andrea and all the others who lost their home.
For a story about Andrea, click on this link: http://rdu.news14.com/content/your_news/triangle/?SecID=512&ArID=100924.

Please read carefully the promises God has made for His children:

He heals the brokenhearted, and binds their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 NASB

Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 KJV

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed….
2 Corinthians 4:8-9KJV

They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
Psalm 112:7-8 NLT

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Single person's fear

There's the old saying: If a tree falls in the forest, and no one hears it, did it fall?
Well, one of a single person's greatest fears is hurting yourself severely or dying and no one noticing. Recently, that happened to an older gentleman living in New Hampshire. Click on the headline above for one of the first stories.
Matthew 22:30 tells us of the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.
What a comment on his neighbors?
He wasn't found for a year ... I'm wondering how his power stayed on ... if he had family ...? All kinds of questions come to mind.
Please don't get so caught up within your own stuff that you don't realize what is going on around you.

Here is an updated story about the deceased man.

Signs of the church

I wanted to share with you this that I found on Christianity Today's web site. You can use it to update your church signs.



PUT DOWN THE NEWSPAPER—Good News delivered here.

LONG-STANDING PROBLEMS? Get down on your knees.

EXERCISE DAILY—walk with God.

HAVING TRUTH DECAY? Brush up on your Bible.

WE'RE too blessed to be depressed.

THE MORE we thank God for what we have, the more we have to thank God for.

PEOPLE who look down on others live on a bluff.

WHY DIDN'T NOAH swat those two mosquitoes?

ADVICE IS FREE. Only the wise profit from it.

PUSH: Pray until something happens.

STOP WHINING about your church. If it were perfect, you couldn't belong.

ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE placed side by side as one in the church—God's patchwork of love.

TITHE if you love Jesus! Anyone can honk!

THERE ARE no amendments to the 10 commandments.

IF YOU WANT the rainbow, you've gotta put up with the rain.

THERE'S no shortcut to anywhere worth going.

MADNESS in the name of God is still madness.

EXPERIENCE is a hard teacher. It gives the test before the lesson.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.

CHILDREN learn more from models than from critics.
DON'T GIVE UP. Moses was once a basket case.

FORBIDDEN fruits make many jams.

IF YOU'RE HEADED in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.

SIGN BROKEN; come inside for message.

GOD MENDS torn hearts.

THE DEVIL wants your soul to ruin; we want your soul to mend.

GOD GIVES the shoulder according to the burden.

A FRIEND WALKS in when the rest of the world walks out.

MUD THROWN is ground lost.

TALK only if you can improve the silence.

GOD GRADES on the Cross, not the curve.

Christ’s birthplace

Even though many know who Jesus is, Americans vary on what they believe about Bethlehem.
The RNS report said that only 26 percent of Americans know that Bethlehem is a Palestinian city within the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to a survey
conducted by pollsters Zogby International for the group Open Bethlehem.
Nearly 60 percent of those polled thought Bethlehem was in Israel.
What do you know?

New year, new you

That phrase you usually hear a lot this time of year. It brings a lot of questions to mind for me. Exactly how quickly do we expect change?
For many of us, especially as a spoiled American, we want things right now. Immediacy makes its mark on those of us who prove to be impatient — about everything. Even fast food is not fast enough any more. Why?
First Corinthians 4:5 says: “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”
First Thessalonians 5:14 says: “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
God’s Word tells us to be patient, but oh, how sorry we are at this task. There’s been an increase in cases of road rage, school shootings, murder-suicides, etc.
Recently the International Christian Concern ranked the world’s worst persecutors as: North Korea, Iraq, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Iran, Eritrea, China, Vietnam, and Pakistan. The report was issued on the ICC web site www.persecution.org.
Please pray about those who are being persecuted. We have representatives in a lot of these places, people who risk their lives and their families sharing about Jesus.

Back to Raleigh

Well, I made it back to Raleigh yesterday (12/26). Both plane rides were filled with rolling turbulence because of the high winds (and no snacks or beverages)!
I was so tired because of my early morning that I fell asleep at the Nissan dealership while some stuff was getting done to my car!
I was just checking in to let anyone who might be checking my blog to come back again next week. I'm hoping to download some photos this week and get them ready for here and my web site...
we'll see how that goes.
For now, I'm just trying to stay awake :)

Study hard

One of my favorite verses to use in college was in Ecclesiastes (12:12b to be exact): "Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body."

I should say misuse when it came to this verse, because I used it to be lazy. I'd get the least bit tired and say, "well, study DOES weary the body. I guess I need to quit."
This photo of a stack of books was every book I used this semester for class, not including library books and some personal reference books from my collection. Did I mention I only had three classes, well, technically I had four, but the fourth didn't count for anything. I just had to read the book and take four tests. Yippee!
I will definitely have three classes next semester, and no faux classes.
While this Ecclesiastes verse is true, you have to be wise in applying it. You need to spend the appropriate amount in study and prayer, as in most things in life ... too much is not a good thing and too little, well ... it isn't a good thing either.
I know that was eloquent, but it is the truth.
I've been finished for a few days not and my brain feels relieved. I am carrying my Hebrew with me in the hopes that I will go over my vocab and get started on my homework.
Please pray for time management, safe travel and some good times with my family.

Christmas newsletter

Merry Christmas

Dear friends and family,
It is my wish that you all are having a wonderful Christmas season. God sent His Son to earth to become flesh. He is the reason for the season! He faced many temptations and witnessed great sins of humanity. But He was perfect. He was put to death on the cross so that you and I might have life (more abundantly). He was raised from the dead to demonstrate the power of our Savior. His blood paid the price for our sins! May you focus on Jesus Christ, and live out His Will for your life.
What a year it has been! I have survived my first semester at seminary. So much has happened this year. It’s hard to imagine that it began while finishing up my last couple of months as a US/C-2 missionary in Lexington, S.C., and is ending in North Carolina.

Thank you
So many of you have prayed for me and supported me in various ways. Thank you so much! Each time I receive a message or note or a gift/donation, I feel that God is watching out for me and using you to do it. There have been so many instances of trusting in God, and receiving something from one of you that encouraged me or helped me in some way — even paying some unexpected bills along the way.

Early year recap
My last two months on the mission field (January-February) and really up through May were part of the May newsletter I sent out. Of course, many more people have been added to the mailing list since then … so welcome! One thing that God has always gifted me with is the ability to make new friends. He has truly blessed me here in Raleigh/Wake Forest with new friends at work, seminary, church and in my apartment complex … and a veritable plethora of friends around the world who love me and pray for me. I am so blessed!

“Backpacking in Europe”
After my term ended in South Carolina, I had no clue where my next step would be. I was still trying to figure out if seminary was the next step or if I needed to find another job at a newspaper somewhere. This section is titled “Backpacking in Europe” because that sounds much cooler than what I actually did. Some wonderful friends allowed me to stay in their house while I figured things out. I paid for gas and some bills while working as a pet sitter and errand girl. I even did some office work. While I didn’t actually go to Europe, I did do some exploring of the spiritual, my-life’s-about-to-change kind (and without all the weight of a backpack). Upon much prayer and research I settled on attending Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.

Raleigh – Here I Come!
I moved in May and began work at the Biblical Recorder (www.biblicalrecorder.org). You can view some of my work there; just do a search for my name and you’ll find articles I’ve written over the last several months. God has truly blessed my time here. I have some amazing neighbors at my apartment complex and very diverse too! I spent the summer getting settled in and learning my way around some of the major spots – it took me forever to find the closest Wal-Mart. I mean, most of the time map quest is OK, but searching for the closest Wal-Mart did not cut it on that site. There was no major signs directing potential customers to the store. I live less than three miles from work, so that’s nice. I spent the summer catching up on some reading and trying to get organized and ready for school.

First semester
This semester was quite busy with work and school. I managed to be a full-time student and employee. I don’t have my grades yet. My first three classes were Baptist History, Hebrew I and Biblical Counseling. History was pretty easy for me. Of course, it was one of my majors in college (eons ago). Hebrew was challenging but good. I mean, I am reading the Bible in Hebrew. (Don’t get me wrong, it’s really slow and sometimes excruciating when I have to look up every word and figure out the order in English. My brain doesn’t work in Hebrew yet.) Biblical Counseling actually was my toughest class. All my grades came in the latter part of the semester. The professor’s tests were extremely challenging and covered a great deal of reading. But, God brought me through it. I should find out my grades in the next week or so. I know one professor who promised he’d have it in before Christmas.

Scholarship help
Thank you all so much for those who have sent money to help with seminary and supplies. You have made it much easier on me in helping me pay for tuition, fees and books. I am in the process of scholarship applications right now but that is something I can’t count on … yet! Please be in prayer as I apply.
If you are a member of a Southern Baptist church, please make sure your church gives to the Cooperative Program; it helps Southern Baptist students pay for school. If it wasn’t for the CP money, my seminary costs would be at least double what it is now.
If any of you still want to contribute, you may do so:
Christian Women’s Job Corps
2626 Hebron Dr.
West Columbia, SC 29169
Please make sure you put Dianna Cagle in the “for” line on your check.
Also, please do not use this address for personal correspondence. Please contact me through the information provided below.

I’ll be home for Christmas
This statement is true. I’m flying to Alabama before Christmas and staying almost a week. I know my family is excited — as am I. I haven’t been home since early March.
I don’t have many scheduled plans, but there are some people I would like to see and some restaurants I would like to go to …

Futuristic
My break is super long since I’m not taking January classes. Spring semester starts at the end of January. Right now, I’m planning on taking three classes again: Christian Ethics, Counseling People with Addictions and Hebrew II. I’m thankful for the long break, although I do have some Hebrew “not-a-break” homework, and I’m trying to familiarize myself with Turabian, the writing style used most often by the seminary. So far, none of my professors were sticklers for it, so I avoided it. But I know one of my classes will emphasize that style. I also have several projects in the works to get a little more organized and get caught up on filing. Of course, preparing for tax season is always a lot of work too!

Mailing list
Many of you are joining me via my web site. I apologize for not mailing you a newsletter. I am trying to save on postage, as my mailing list is rather large. If you would like a hardcopy, please contact me. If you need multiple copies, feel free to copy this one. Or you can contact me if you need extras. If you wish to be removed from my mailing list, please contact me. If you feel that you have received this newsletter in error, also, please let me know. Sometimes a person is added to the mailing list because of another mutual friend or by request, and of course, being human, I do make mistakes, so I could have inadvertently mailed you one through a wrong address (especially if it’s through e-mail — really some of you do have unusual addresses — I’m speaking to myself as well)

Giving to missions
This time of year is very special. Not only is it the celebration of the birth of our Savior, but it is also the time for the collection of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Please, if you haven’t given already, pray about doing so. All proceeds go to support missionaries on the foreign field. While I’m here I’ll also plug the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering that is coming soon (to a Baptist church near you).

Contact information
(A lot of information has changed, please make changes in your address book.)
1031-C Hunting Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27615, (919) 414-6999
e-mail: duabba_c@hotmail.com; web site: www.diannacagle.com;
blog: www.diannacagle.blogspot.com; work web site: www.biblicalrecorder.org
Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Remember, God is always there for you no matter what.
May you have a blessed Christmas,
Dianna