School is back in session, and I couldn't be more excited. My class time looks something like this, a second attempt at grasping ancient greek, reading through the Iliad, debating the omnipotence of God in Philosophy, discussing the mindset of Paul in the first century, and learning about resumes. I'm so thankful for the religious studies program here at ECU coupled with the opportunities!
But this is also my last semester at East Carolina. In a few weeks I'm passing on the torch on several of my responsibilities within CCF. I'm seeking to make the most of the friendships I have, and to pass on what I can to those God has placed in my life. I'm letting God use me in several contexts still, but seeking to act when he says to act, and leave the rest to him. For example, I'm coordinating some prayer gatherings among students from the different ministries still, and seeking to delegate what I can of that to others.
I also believe I know where I need to go after December! I'll share more on this in the coming weeks. Right now I want to seek confirmation. The rest is essentially free fall and how much I trust God. I'm scared, excited, nervous, anxious, and many other things.
Thankfully i have guys that stop me, and remind me to breathe.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
A song that has struck a chord with me
I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?
(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees
(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
Listen to the song here
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?
(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees
(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
Listen to the song here
Monday, August 16, 2010
What do you ask?
I recently finished a devotional book by John Eldredge titled "Walking with God." Eldredge is one of my favorite authors. Walking is a collection of his quiet times throughout the course of a year.
For most of the summer I've been meditating on what it means to ask in prayer. What am I really asking here? Do I really want to know the answer, or am I just asking because every good christian should?
This morning I was reading through Luke 7, part of my endeavor to read through the whole New Testament. I came across the story of the woman who wiped Jesus' feet with her tears and her hair. Toward the end of the story, Jesus points out that "He who has been forgiven little, loves little."
This prompted me to ask in prayer "Father are there areas of my life I am not letting you into? Areas that need forgiveness, redemption, and restoration?" The first time I asked, I felt I heard an "Ask again", after the second time, I heard stillness, then the third time He began to reply. One of the replies consisted of "Your work ethic."
At home this summer, there's been times where I haven't wanted to do anything at all, except chill. Realizing this, I began to ask God to come into my work ethic, and change my attitude. To be joyful when a task presents itself, to be eager to meet the task.
I'm going to continue to ask that question throughout my day, and look and see what else God replies with.
P.S. Somehow I got in an awesome hour of quiet time without interruption from the cat. Praise God!
For most of the summer I've been meditating on what it means to ask in prayer. What am I really asking here? Do I really want to know the answer, or am I just asking because every good christian should?
This morning I was reading through Luke 7, part of my endeavor to read through the whole New Testament. I came across the story of the woman who wiped Jesus' feet with her tears and her hair. Toward the end of the story, Jesus points out that "He who has been forgiven little, loves little."
This prompted me to ask in prayer "Father are there areas of my life I am not letting you into? Areas that need forgiveness, redemption, and restoration?" The first time I asked, I felt I heard an "Ask again", after the second time, I heard stillness, then the third time He began to reply. One of the replies consisted of "Your work ethic."
At home this summer, there's been times where I haven't wanted to do anything at all, except chill. Realizing this, I began to ask God to come into my work ethic, and change my attitude. To be joyful when a task presents itself, to be eager to meet the task.
I'm going to continue to ask that question throughout my day, and look and see what else God replies with.
P.S. Somehow I got in an awesome hour of quiet time without interruption from the cat. Praise God!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Plate Full
As I’ve been preparing for the fall semester, I’ve begun to return to what God’s been showing me about the work he’s been doing at East Carolina. But as I’m returning to that mindset, I’m finding myself overwhelmed with carrying out everything I feel God laying on my heart, while finishing my academic career at ECU.
Specifically I’m looking forward to continue to be a leading part of CCF as we reach out downtown and begin to proclaim the Gospel in an area we have never breached before, an area that is at the center of the culture at ECU.
At the same time, I still feel the need for continued prayer on campus within CCF to precipitate our efforts to reach out to students, but also to unify the campus ministries as we did in 2008 and 2009. I could tell you story after story of the ways God moved in big ways by pouring out his spirit in response to prayer on college campuses. For instance, most of the major missions movements in the US came out of unified prayer on college campuses like Harvard, Cambridge, Northfield, etc.
Thinking about both of these equally important endeavors sometimes leaves my head spinning, especially with my desire to continue discipling students in 2:42 and 1-1. I realized earlier tonight during worship that I simply need to seek out God every day, to guide my steps, in managing my time, and in how to serve on each front I find myself while brining glory to God in my schoolwork.
One discerned step at a time.
Specifically I’m looking forward to continue to be a leading part of CCF as we reach out downtown and begin to proclaim the Gospel in an area we have never breached before, an area that is at the center of the culture at ECU.
At the same time, I still feel the need for continued prayer on campus within CCF to precipitate our efforts to reach out to students, but also to unify the campus ministries as we did in 2008 and 2009. I could tell you story after story of the ways God moved in big ways by pouring out his spirit in response to prayer on college campuses. For instance, most of the major missions movements in the US came out of unified prayer on college campuses like Harvard, Cambridge, Northfield, etc.
Thinking about both of these equally important endeavors sometimes leaves my head spinning, especially with my desire to continue discipling students in 2:42 and 1-1. I realized earlier tonight during worship that I simply need to seek out God every day, to guide my steps, in managing my time, and in how to serve on each front I find myself while brining glory to God in my schoolwork.
One discerned step at a time.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Refocusing
Traveling to Indiana today I got the chance to talk with two close Campus Minister friend's about the questions I've been wrestling with the past summer.
As I voiced the questions, I came to realize that I have been focusing too much on my plans after December, and not enough on living in the present. I've been focusing on a plan so much that I haven't been focusing on living the way.
Thats what this whole week is all about for me, a chance to refocus on what I need to be doing. Expect some posts.
As I voiced the questions, I came to realize that I have been focusing too much on my plans after December, and not enough on living in the present. I've been focusing on a plan so much that I haven't been focusing on living the way.
Thats what this whole week is all about for me, a chance to refocus on what I need to be doing. Expect some posts.
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