Newsletter   I   MAY 2003

SONGS IN THE NIGHT When Elihu, in the Book of Job, asked, “Where is God who gives songs in the night?” David, in the 42nd Psalm, answered, “In the night His songs shall be with me.” The strongest argument of the atheist has to do with the problem of hu-man suffering. Epicurus, who lived 342-207 B.C., pre-sented three concepts about God and human suffering: (1) If God wishes to prevent evil and cannot, He is not all powerful: (2) If God can prevent evil and will not, He is not good; (3) If God has the power and will to eliminate evil, why is there evil in the world? The fallacy is his be-lief that no good can be served by God’s allowing evil or suffering. Everyone will pass through dark valleys sooner or later. All will become ill. Some will become perma-nently ill. It is an illusion that this side of heaven all dis-eases will be wiped out. For all of us there will be periods of suffering, bereavement, discouragement, danger and difficulty. There are those who give up their fidelity to God because they do not believe God is fair. They ask, “What have I done to deserve this?’ “Why are children born retarded or born dead?” “Why is there cancer?” “Why me?” How will we answer these and similar ques-tions? How will we learn to sing songs at night? By having faith in the sovereignty of God. The world is not being ruled by chance but by a God who is in control. Even a sparrow cannot fall without His notice. So, He cares about us. Nothing can happen that does not concern God. Jesus sang in the darkest night of His life on earth. The Apostle John sang songs of joy and praise while in exile on the is-land of Patmos. At midnight, David arose to give thanks to God. “ At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You (Psalm 119:62).” Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 12:10).” Our lives will become stronger and our spirituality deeper when we learn to sing at midnight.                                                                                                --A Treasury of Bible Illustrations

LETTER FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT Dear International Friend, Greetings to you from International Student Fellowship. Our warm greetings to you. As you’ll notice in the Contact section of our Web site, Terry and Pam have a new address and phone number. This is in the Point Breeze area and is actually only about 4 minutes from where we were before in Squirrel Hill. It does not matter if you are close by or many miles away from the city of Pittsburgh, we are happy to be able to still keep in touch with you through the ISF Newsletter. No doubt many of you will be facing changes in your life in the upcoming summer months. You may have just recently graduated and are looking for a job. You may have completed your assignment here in the USA and are returning home to family and friends. You may have chosen to move to another area or you may be planning a summer wedding or a new addition to your family. Whatever changes you are facing in your life always remember that God is very interested in you and wants to help you. One of my favorite Bible verses says, “Trust in God with all your heart and don’t do anything according to your own wisdom. In all your decisions acknowledge that He is God and He will direct the steps of your life.” We were very happy to have those of you who live close by come to our April Gathering. It is always a joy to celebrate spring and the wonderful miracle of the Easter Season. The Easter story is one of great hope for all of us. Because Jesus lives we can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. Because He lives and knows what the future holds for each one of us life is worth living. We will look forward to seeing you at our May “Almost Summer” ISF gathering at the William Pitt Union. This gathering will be on Friday, May 9th at 7:30 PM in the beautiful Ballroom of the William Pitt Union. The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland on the corner of Bigelow and Fifth Avenue. To get to the Ballroom, use the entrance on Fifth Avenue and then follow the signs. As always there will be a challenging lecture, good music, wonderful fellowship, a full course meal for you to enjoy and of course there will be children’s activities in the Kurtzman room. So do come to this very special Easter Gathering and invite your friends. It’s all free! We hope to see you on May 9th.                                                                                                       --Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant