Love
Painted eggs, resurrection rolls, Passover seders… the cross. Easter traditions, old and new, symbolically bring foundational truths into focus. What traditions do you anticipate most? What reminders of the Lord’s character do you especially hold dear? Or, is it a challenge to call one to mind? No matter where your heart rests right now, let’s collectively recognize who He reveals Himself to be through Scripture:
1. He is faithful (2 Tim 2:13)
2. He is tenderhearted and good (Ps 34:8)
3. He is holy (Rev 4:8)
4. He is just and merciful (Ps 145:8, Deut 32:4)
5. He is sovereign (Is 25:8-9)
6. He is peace (2 Thess 3:16)
7. He is truth (1 Jn 5:20, Jn 14:6)
8. He is LOVE (1 Jn 4:7-8)
This is a terribly insufficient list to apply to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our Savior and God. So, add the titles He’s demonstrated to your heart to this list! There is always more, always something deeper to be experienced with our infinite God.
Romans 5:8: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Christ’s death and resurrection shattered reality. Right here and now, take a moment to really pause and consider what His sacrifice altered for you. What would life look like right now if He did not give His life that day? Then, consider the contrast of hope versus hopelessness for loved ones around you. The gospel is not just for those with nothing. It is for everyone. Our Lord went to unmatched lengths to chase after and secure our hearts for eternity. How can we pursue others with that same love? We love because Christ first loved us (1 John 4:19) and we are recognized as Christ followers by how we love (John 13:35). Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Thus, as Easter approaches, we share two questions to ponder:
1. How is the Lord encouraging you to embrace His love afresh today?
2. Who in your life, specifically, needs to know (or be reminded of) this love?
As we encourage one another by affirming who our Lord is, we pray it ushers us (and others) toward Him as a loving refuge in life’s storms, and sanctuary of rich and fulfilling relationship at all times.
Happy Easter,
Samuel Durand (AR), Nicole Kaiser (MT), Alyssa Sloneker (AR), Denise Sprimont-Vasquez (VA), Elizabeth Stapleton (OK), and David Vasquez (VA)
|
|
The views expressed in articles written by guest authors are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Stoa or the Stoa Alumni Committee.
How Shall We Then Love?
Timothy Speaks
Though mountains may move
By the faith we hold fast
And we give all we have
While we hope for what lasts
Yet nothing we are
If we stop with those two
For love is the king
Over all we must do
The greatest command? Love. The greatest virtue? Love. The greatest motivation? Love. The greatest theme of the greatest book? Love.
Love stands in superior importance to any other action we might do. Therefore, it is imperative that we know–how do we love?
Some suggest that we love of our own accord–that we, by sheer willpower, have to muster up the motivation to love. While it is true that we play a part in the process, it is not our duty to produce in ourselves the love with which we love others (1 John 4:7). We do not have the power to love others in our strength alone. The apostle John clarifies where our love comes from, writing, “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Because God loved you and me and made us alive by His Spirit, we now have the capacity to love. This is where our love comes from.
How shall we then love? The answer again lies in the gospel, in God’s love of us while we were still sinners. Christ’s love for us exemplifies perfectly how we ought to love; that is, we must love one another in the same way He loved us (John 13:34). His love sacrificed perfect life in gruesome death to save an unworthy bride (Ephesians 5:25).
Who, then, do we direct this love toward? Well, the two greatest commandments are (basically): love God and love people. Yet there is a biblical priority to whom we love and what way we love them. Loving God comes first, as “the great and foremost commandment” (Matthew 22:38). Second, if one is married, the spouse is to be given greater precedence than any other person in the world (Ephesians 5:25). Next, if one is a parent, the children are given greater attention, priority, and love than those outside the family. The household of faith is next (Galatians 6:10), unbelievers being last on the list. While they are last in priority, they are in no way unimportant. Unbelievers are never to be hated, not even those who disparage, curse, and hate us (Luke 6:27-28).
For in the same way our Christ was despised
He turned His own cheek, He suffered and died
Giving His life for ours to make us His bride
So let us now love in step with our Guide
If we wish to learn how to love God’s way, we should not look to Hallmark movies, we should look to the cross. If we want to know how to love, we should meditate on the sacrifice of Christ–and love like that.
|
|
Tim competed in Stoa for five years, with four prior years as a Juniors competitor. He is preparing to attend Bob Jones University to pursue a Biblical Studies degree, followed by a Masters of Divinity, with the goal of becoming a pastor. He enjoys pickleball, bible study, eating, writing, and music (voice and piano). Tim lives with his family in San Diego, California and attends Barabbas Road Church.
|
|
In each edition, we include a spotlight on alumni, describing where life has taken them and how their Stoa experience shaped their journey along the way. If you know someone who would be a great addition to our Alumni Spotlight series, email us at alumni-post@stoausa.org.
|
|
James Stapleton competed in Stoa from 2012 to 2018 for the club Logos Oklahoma. After Stoa, James attended Oral Roberts University where he graduated in 2023 in Mechanical Engineering. “I chose to pursue mechanical engineering for a variety of reasons. As a kid, I was always taking things apart to see how they were made and how they worked. That curiosity has persisted throughout my life, so when the opportunity came to be able to do that every day, it was a natural next step.”
James started speech and debate as a junior competitor. “I competed in HI and impromptu. At the time, competing in impromptu felt to me a bit like pulling teeth. However, I thoroughly enjoyed performing the humorous interpretation speech I prepared.” Throughout his time in Stoa, he continually found interps to be his most enjoyable events. They created some of his favorite memories, like when he performed a duo on one of his favorite childhood stories with his older sister. “I also greatly appreciated Lincoln-Douglas value debate. The opportunity to deep-dive into philosophical concepts that I may have otherwise overlooked greatly honed my ability to think critically.”
“My time in speech and debate influenced my relationship with the Lord in several ways. As I previously mentioned, my clubs’ intentional emphasis on studying apologetics helped me process hard questions about my faith. It showed me that there are answers to even the toughest questions. Even though at times it felt like just another thing to do, the experience was invaluable, and I still rely on what I learned during that time.”
“One thing that has consistently been highlighted to me over the years is the importance of humility. It can be a bit intimidating to seek humility. It’s one of those things that most people, including myself, are often hesitant to pray for due to the fear of bringing yourself and your ego to the chopping block. However, you can’t even begin to see the graciousness of God or know His heart without it.
“Scripture says that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). It also says that humility is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 22:4). So it’s clear that if we desire to see the Lord and grow in wisdom, it is first necessary to humble ourselves before the Lord and recognize that even our best efforts are filthy rags without the righteousness of Christ in us… By giving Him the place in our hearts He deserves, every interaction with others begins to be informed by His truth and love. Even better, we begin to see just how kind, gentle, generous, and loving He is despite our many imperfections.”
|
|
James Stapleton currently works as a mechanical engineer for an oil and gas company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He does design work for several types of equipment as well as providing engineering support to manufacturing plants. He stays involved with Stoa by serving and judging at local tournaments. For fun, James enjoys music and many outdoor activities with family and friends.
|
|
In each edition, we highlight new and exciting activities and opportunities to grow, connect, and serve within the Stoa Alumni community. Check below for this month’s featured news!
|
|
NITOC 2025 Is Around the Corner!
In just a matter of weeks, competitors, alumni, and community members alike will gather for the much-anticipated conclusion of this year's competitive season.
When: May 25-31
Where: Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK
Mark your calendars, and we will continue to update you with all the exciting opportunities where alumni may participate this year at NITOC. We will see you there!
NITOC Alumni Social
Calling all alumni! We want to catch up with you (and of course, let you catch up with other alumni) and thank YOU for your continued commitment to Stoa with an evening of fun and fellowship.
Date: Wednesday, May 28th, 7:30 PM
Location: Fennimore Room, Hammond Center, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK
Join us for the annual Alumni Social! Reconnect with friends, make new acquaintances, enjoy some good food... and more! We can't wait to share memories and updates while seeing familiar faces from around the nation.
NITOC Seniors Welcome Night
We were all seniors once–we remember how hard it is to leave the amazing Stoa community as a competitor. Yet, there is so much more ahead! We want to spend Friday night celebrating your accomplishments in Stoa and welcoming you into our Alumni community.
All alumni and graduating seniors are invited to join us as we welcome the newest members of our Alumni community! This is the perfect opportunity for older alumni to connect with the younger alumni and for soon-to-be-alumni to learn all about how they can continue to be involved in Stoa’s community after they graduate. We can’t wait to see you there!
Date: Friday, May 30th, 8:30 PM
Location: TBD, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK
|
|
Stoa Tournament Outlook
There are just a handful of tournaments to go before the competitive season concludes at NITOC 2025. Supporting local tournaments is a fantastic way to stay connected with the Stoa community and pour back into students as they refine their own communication skills. Check to see if there is an upcoming tournament near you!
To view tournament schedules, details, and additional location information, visit the Stoa Tournament Calendar button below. We look forward to seeing you at the next tournament!
|
|
Stoa’s WorthIt Series
From research to teamwork, hear fellow Stoa alumni share their thoughts on key skills they developed through involvement in Stoa. You can check out the latest Stoa’s WorthIt interview here!
|
|
Stoa Alumni Resources
Stay connected! In Stoa and across the Stoa Alumni community, there are always great opportunities to connect, share, learn, and serve. Join us on the Stoa website, LinkedIn and Instagram pages, to keep up with updates in the community and alumni-only content!
|
|
Ephesians 5:1-2: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Dear Lord,
Help us to reflect Your love without fear. Give us the courage to humble ourselves and allow You to align our goals and desires with Yours. Let all that we do be a pleasing aroma of glory to You. Help us to honor You in our words, thoughts, deeds, and how we interact with the world and fellow Christians. May we bless Your name and point the world towards You.
In Jesus’ Name,
- The Stoa Alumni Committee
|
|
|
|
Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube!
|
|
|
|
|
|