So much has gone on this week. I feel like I should be stressing out - but I don't think I am. What with my Dad going to the hospital - multiple friends going through some rough patches in their lives, social justice issues stretching my discernment, discipleship stuff and on top of it all this Friday morning I'm off to CA to lead worship with the rest of the Urbana team @ LeFey and Multi-Ethnic Ministry conferences. Phew!
Community group tonight was such a blessing, to be a part of such a great group of people who are still getting to know each other. It's great to have a strong Christian Community you can count on for prayer and support. I'm very grateful for God connecting us together and bringing us all to the same Church and same group.
That's it for now - I'll try and keep things updated while on travel but I'm not sure of the internet access right now. Please be praying for us!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Take a walk in the desert
This morning I met up with some friends at Chruch and found out that another guy's Dad went to the hospital this weekend as well with stomach pains. Another two friends are going through some low places in their lives. Jonathan Macintosh yesterday said that we should enjoy the rough places we go to because God puts us into them knowing that we will seek him out. The reality is - when things are going good, God is often far from our minds.
As much as I pridefully want to deny it - that is often true. I don't spend nearly enough time pursuing a relationship with the creator as I do doing other things.
Good news though - my Dad's tests came back negative! Praise God! He is going to see a cardiologist tomorrow and get some more tests done. Keep praying!
As much as I pridefully want to deny it - that is often true. I don't spend nearly enough time pursuing a relationship with the creator as I do doing other things.
Good news though - my Dad's tests came back negative! Praise God! He is going to see a cardiologist tomorrow and get some more tests done. Keep praying!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Roller-coaster days
Good news and bad news. First the good...
The retreat today was great. I, and many others had a great time. Jonathan Macintosh brought the word and did a brilliant job taking God's truth and making it understandable and graspable in today's culture. The students ate it up. Then we had some excellent discussions and I was excited to see so many people from my Church pouring themselves into these students alongside me. Truly - was a blessing to be there today.
On top of that I'm reminded again of the many good friends I've made here and the strength of the Chruch to reach out, care and meet people where they are. It's amazing because it's rare that I really do see the Church do that often - but I suppose, we ARE the Church, so for the Chruch to do something, we have to act as well.
Now the bad...
Tonight I got a phone call from my Dad who told me he's in the hospital because of some chest pains and the doctors are running some tests. He seemed fine when I talked to him but I'm worried. Ironically, one of the things today we were talking about is trusting God. Please pray for my Dad and my family as we try and figure out what is going on.
The retreat today was great. I, and many others had a great time. Jonathan Macintosh brought the word and did a brilliant job taking God's truth and making it understandable and graspable in today's culture. The students ate it up. Then we had some excellent discussions and I was excited to see so many people from my Church pouring themselves into these students alongside me. Truly - was a blessing to be there today.
On top of that I'm reminded again of the many good friends I've made here and the strength of the Chruch to reach out, care and meet people where they are. It's amazing because it's rare that I really do see the Church do that often - but I suppose, we ARE the Church, so for the Chruch to do something, we have to act as well.
Now the bad...
Tonight I got a phone call from my Dad who told me he's in the hospital because of some chest pains and the doctors are running some tests. He seemed fine when I talked to him but I'm worried. Ironically, one of the things today we were talking about is trusting God. Please pray for my Dad and my family as we try and figure out what is going on.
Friday, February 17, 2006
The Getaway
The Guy / Girl Getaway for ACF & SLU is this Saturday (tomorrow!) and yes, I'm a little nervous about it. Reason being - this is the first Church-Intervarsity partnered event with "The Journey" so I'm hoping it goes well; AND instead of doing it all myself, I tried to sit back and coordinate mulitple teams to put it together. This is causing me much stress as it requires me to trust God and people more than perhaps I'm comfortable with ;).
Ahh yes, teamwork...
honestly, I stop myself from thinking too much into the details of what will go on tomorrow because, well - I just don't know it all. Then it is hard to know if I am trusting God or just ignoring what will go on tomorrow. Up to this point I've prepared all that I can, done all that I could to help people work together and know what is expected / required of them. We'll see what happens ;)
and now some notes for myself.
pros:
-more ideas / creativity / innovation
-big jump in capabilities
cons:
-stresses me the heck out!
risks:
-miscommunications / harder to stay focused
-effectivness tied to the quality of the leader
mitigation:
-lead role: act as communication hub / re-focusing beacon
-clearly communicate purposes / strategies / environment
-coach -- DO less, LEAD more, GUIDE always
opportunities:
-increase in interest / passion (of the involved people to begin liking what they're asked to do)
-jump in impact effectiveness from the snowball effect
Ahh yes, teamwork...
honestly, I stop myself from thinking too much into the details of what will go on tomorrow because, well - I just don't know it all. Then it is hard to know if I am trusting God or just ignoring what will go on tomorrow. Up to this point I've prepared all that I can, done all that I could to help people work together and know what is expected / required of them. We'll see what happens ;)
and now some notes for myself.
pros:
-more ideas / creativity / innovation
-big jump in capabilities
cons:
-stresses me the heck out!
risks:
-miscommunications / harder to stay focused
-effectivness tied to the quality of the leader
mitigation:
-lead role: act as communication hub / re-focusing beacon
-clearly communicate purposes / strategies / environment
-coach -- DO less, LEAD more, GUIDE always
opportunities:
-increase in interest / passion (of the involved people to begin liking what they're asked to do)
-jump in impact effectiveness from the snowball effect
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Two Crazy Weeks
Some highlights over the past 2 weeks:
-Urbana Worship Team Practice #2
-One non-believer friend actually sharing the Gospel with another
-One believer friend struggles with trusting God
-1st Journey-Led SLU+ACF Guy/Girl Getaway Retreat happens this weekend
-MDiv Student thinking about Chruch Planting with the Journey
-Shared my testimony 2x - once at work
-Found a job prospect for a buddy struggling in the inner city
God is at work! What a great past two weeks... It's been a great blessing to see God working in so many people's lives as they seek to find him or even struggle with who he is. Exciting =)
-Urbana Worship Team Practice #2
-One non-believer friend actually sharing the Gospel with another
-One believer friend struggles with trusting God
-1st Journey-Led SLU+ACF Guy/Girl Getaway Retreat happens this weekend
-MDiv Student thinking about Chruch Planting with the Journey
-Shared my testimony 2x - once at work
-Found a job prospect for a buddy struggling in the inner city
God is at work! What a great past two weeks... It's been a great blessing to see God working in so many people's lives as they seek to find him or even struggle with who he is. Exciting =)
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