Blog

Waiting for Tulips – 04/2022

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10 ESV)

Tulips are my favorite flower. Their burst of color at the start of spring brings joy and welcomed anticipation of warmer days ahead. Growing up in southern Alabama, I never saw tulips in flower gardens or carefully manicured landscapes. Winters are not cold enough in the coastal region of the South for the blooms to form underground. God created this amazing little flower to develop its beauty and buds out of sight, deep underground during the coldest months of the winter when the surface is barren, brown, and often frozen. Now living in Ohio, every spring when these beauties start to burst forth from the cold, bare ground, I can’t help but smile!

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David Dunkerton – 03/2022

David is a Librarian at Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope, WV (167 FTE). David has been an ACL member since 2011.

Describe yourself using a book title: Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I am most fulfilled when I see a student understands the research process and can continue on their own.

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A Time to Weep – 03/2022

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;”(Ecclesiastes 3:14 ESV)

As I reflect on these past few years, in this season that never seems to end, the years are a tumble of continued change, loss, and uncertainty. Each person is experiencing these years differently. I know that good things have happened in all our lives, yet there is a heaviness that is with us. The pandemic has heightened our awareness of death and suffering and of injustice and brokenness.

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Esther Gillie – 02/2022

Esther is the Dean of the Library at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA (10,000 FTE). Esther has been an ACL member since 2013.

Describe yourself using a book title: Pilgrim’s Progress – goes along with my blog Sojourner Pilgrim’s Diary: the extraordinary life of an ordinary person

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Access to and privilege of helping to preserve and share such rich resources about God and the Christian life

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Keep Shining and Hoping! – 02/2022

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-3 NIV)

Seventeen years ago, on the eve of my best friend’s surgery to remove a tumor in her shoulder, God gave me a vision of an eagle soaring and the accompanying verses in Isaiah 40:29-31.

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Nathanael Davis – 01/2022

Nathanael is the STEM/Business Liaison Librarian at Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH (4,500 FTE). Nathanael has been an ACL member since 2020.

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The Sound of Silence – 01/2022

“Then Moses and the levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying: Keep silence and hear, O Israel! This very day you have become the people of the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 27:9 NSRV)

As the 27th chapter of Deuteronomy begins, Moses has assembled Israel on the plains of Moab for a second announcement of their covenant with Yahweh. He outlines the blessings (or curses) the people should expect based upon their faithfulness (or unfaithfulness) to the covenant.

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Gwendolyn Peart – 12/2021

Gwendolyn is the Director of Library and Archives at Charlotte Christian College & Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC (140 FTE). Gwendolyn first joined ACL in 2021.

Describe yourself using a book title: What Do You Do With a Chance? by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom and his other book What Do You Do With an Idea? I would describe myself as being inspirational. Sometimes something amazing happens and my confidence grows, oftentimes a chance comes my way and I have an opportunity to do something with it.

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The best thing about being a librarian is having an opportunity to encourage others to be lifelong learners and avid library patrons.

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Think Carefully about Your Ways – 12/2021

The lord of Armies says this: “Think carefully about your ways.” (Haggai 1:7 CSB)

“Son, think about what you are doing, or you will lose a finger,” were my words to Kevin Jr., who was holding a hand saw. My 11-year-old son and I were cutting down trees in our backyard and my encouragement was to think carefully about the task at hand.

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Robert Burgess – 11/2021

Robert is the Serials and Electronic Resources Librarian at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS (5,000 FTE). He has been an ACL member for 10 years.

Twitter handle: @RobLeeBurgess

Describe yourself using a book title: This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us by Marilyn Johnson

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I really enjoy helping students become successful so that they can complete their life goals.

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