Yesterday was a long day. It was my first marathon campus day of the semester, with 11 hours with students. Thanks to training in IL last week, it was a must to catch up with key students.
At about 5:00 i was sitting in the new University Center in the "Brewhaus," wondering "what happened over break?" How did all this stuff happen with my leaders and i didn't know about it. I learned 2 things; 1. Close Christian fellowship is EXTREMELY important. 2. Regular face-to-face contact is a must when serving a student. I guess Facebook won't take over campus work, after all.
To make a long story short, i went to our first large group meeting a little down in the dumps, and not excited because i had no idea what was going to happen at the meeting. We were in a new room, we just asked the speaker a week before hand, i scrambles with student to find stuff we needed for large group (stuff like a projector and screen that the university said we would have but that wasn't true), and i hadn' talked to the worship team at all before last night.
Something happened that was good for me to see. I was expecting large group to only be as good as the effort i had put into it, but that was thankfully not the case. The students were excited about the new venue. The worship band was awesome, the speaker was great, several new transfer students came, students brought their unbelieving friends, and it was the biggest greatest large group i've ever seen or heard of at Stevent Point. Praise God! Hopes are very high for the semester, now i just need my large group coordinator to get his act together and find speakers!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
coffee makes me happy
I've been drinking more coffee this past year than ever before. I don't drink it all the time, just when i have to get up early enough that it is difficult to get going. That's usually before 6:30, but it depends on when i get to sleep.
My brother can drink coffee like no other. The guy gulps it down from the time he gets up into the afternoon, and seems to still sometimes be tired. Maybe it's because he works so hard, but i can't drink coffee like that even if i work hard. 1 cup does me for the day.
So i've come to a conclusion. It's not the caffeine that stimulates me, but all the stuff i've come to associate with coffee. Getting up early usually means i am going duck hunting or fishing for trout or muskies. Maybe ice fishing, or, if it's the right week of the year, deer hunting. Each time i sip a cup of coffee my brain is getting itself ready to outsmart a wily trout or preparing for a boatside strike of a muskie or the whistling wings of ducks. That'll wake me up every time. It's not the caffeine, just the coffee. Maybe my wife is right and it isn't good for me, but it sure makes me happy early in the morning!
My brother can drink coffee like no other. The guy gulps it down from the time he gets up into the afternoon, and seems to still sometimes be tired. Maybe it's because he works so hard, but i can't drink coffee like that even if i work hard. 1 cup does me for the day.
So i've come to a conclusion. It's not the caffeine that stimulates me, but all the stuff i've come to associate with coffee. Getting up early usually means i am going duck hunting or fishing for trout or muskies. Maybe ice fishing, or, if it's the right week of the year, deer hunting. Each time i sip a cup of coffee my brain is getting itself ready to outsmart a wily trout or preparing for a boatside strike of a muskie or the whistling wings of ducks. That'll wake me up every time. It's not the caffeine, just the coffee. Maybe my wife is right and it isn't good for me, but it sure makes me happy early in the morning!
Monday, January 21, 2008
A sermon we all need to hear
This past weekend i spent a bunch of time listening to sermons, because faithful exposition of the Bible is a tool God uses mightily to proclaim His Name. I am excited for a sermon, or an "exhortation" my best friend Jeremy is going to give soon. All i know about it right now is that it is about the faithfulness of God. That makes it good already.
It seems when we as Christians think about faithfulness we tend to think about our faithfulness to God. I don't want to downplay that, because it is important, but when i look through the New Testament scriptures, faithfulness seems to be attributed to God most often. In fact, man seems to be called "faithless" more often than he does "faithful." A quick glance at a few passages highlights this- "God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability" 1 Cor. 10:13; "He who calls you is faithful.." 1 Thes 5:24; "..the Lord is faithful." 2 Thes 3:3; "Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful." 2 Tim 2:13; "Christ is faithful over God's house as a Son." Heb 3:6; "He who promised is faithful" Heb 10:23; "if we confess our sins, He is faithful" 1 John 1:9; and one of my favorites, "The rider of the white horse is called Faithful and True..." Rev 19:11.
Hebrews says it is by "unchangeable things" that God's promise stands. We have full assurance of faith ultimately because of God's faithfulness, not ours. "There is no shadow of turning with Thee," as the hymn says. Revelation 19 depicts Christ coming in strength. We should all read that passage over today. This is a Christ with purpose and steadfastness. "Faithfulness" is His name, even more than just an attribute he has. There truly is power in His redemption.
So if anyone is near La Crosse on February 3rd, it would be worth your while to stop in and hear Jeremy at Christ Covenant Church, it will be a sermon we all should hear.
It seems when we as Christians think about faithfulness we tend to think about our faithfulness to God. I don't want to downplay that, because it is important, but when i look through the New Testament scriptures, faithfulness seems to be attributed to God most often. In fact, man seems to be called "faithless" more often than he does "faithful." A quick glance at a few passages highlights this- "God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability" 1 Cor. 10:13; "He who calls you is faithful.." 1 Thes 5:24; "..the Lord is faithful." 2 Thes 3:3; "Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful." 2 Tim 2:13; "Christ is faithful over God's house as a Son." Heb 3:6; "He who promised is faithful" Heb 10:23; "if we confess our sins, He is faithful" 1 John 1:9; and one of my favorites, "The rider of the white horse is called Faithful and True..." Rev 19:11.
Hebrews says it is by "unchangeable things" that God's promise stands. We have full assurance of faith ultimately because of God's faithfulness, not ours. "There is no shadow of turning with Thee," as the hymn says. Revelation 19 depicts Christ coming in strength. We should all read that passage over today. This is a Christ with purpose and steadfastness. "Faithfulness" is His name, even more than just an attribute he has. There truly is power in His redemption.
So if anyone is near La Crosse on February 3rd, it would be worth your while to stop in and hear Jeremy at Christ Covenant Church, it will be a sermon we all should hear.
Friday, January 18, 2008
what is a mudpuppy?
It's taken me about 14 hours to discover that mudpuppies are just about the coolest creatures God created. I had been catching them while ice fishing in a particular spot, and got two last night and brought them home. I tred to shrug off the looks my wife gave me, but i think it might just take her a little longer to come around. It may have something to do with how they look like a huge brown slimy salamander with gigantic fluffy gills. And they bite. And are always trying to get out of the aquarium and get revenge on us while we are sleeping. But i think they are kind of cute.
The things are also called "waterdogs," and i found out this morning that they got their name because they bark. Yup, that's right. They poke their heads out of the water and make a niose that is more like flatulence than barking, but i guess "mudpuppy" does sound better than "mudfarter" or some other alternative.
I named one "Ehud," because he appears to be a left-handed man, and the other i think i'll call "Ithai the son of Ribai," because he looks like a mighty warrior mudpuppy. I'll write again soon, i promise.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Stuck
It's snowing like crazy. Last night they said we might get an inch of snow today. I woke up this morning with more than that on the ground and it's still falling. They just issued a storm warning and it's going to snow all day. Our area pastor's prayer meeting was cancelled, and it doesn't look like i'll be able to drive to Fond du Lac tonight to visit with one of the missionaries Joanna and i are blessed to support. Right now i'm just happy Jay and I got out fishing on Tuesday (62 walleyes), so i got my outside fix for the week.
Today I am humbly reminded of something my student leaders said during a large group meeting a month ago. They were showing their appreciation for Joanna and I for our first semester of work with them, and the chapter president said something about how amazing it was to know that we are "praying hard for them by name every day." I hope the conviction didn't show on my face too much. I've been thinking, the most important parts of my job are to help students find a local church, lead them into scripture, get them reading and talking about good books, and then pray for them. There is no better way for them to grow than to have them be shepherded by a church family, nourished by the Word of God, learn from John Piper, J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, and then lean on God to make them grow. So I'm going to set aside some extra time for prayer and hope that i will do it on other days, even when i am not stuck inside. What could me more important?
Today I am humbly reminded of something my student leaders said during a large group meeting a month ago. They were showing their appreciation for Joanna and I for our first semester of work with them, and the chapter president said something about how amazing it was to know that we are "praying hard for them by name every day." I hope the conviction didn't show on my face too much. I've been thinking, the most important parts of my job are to help students find a local church, lead them into scripture, get them reading and talking about good books, and then pray for them. There is no better way for them to grow than to have them be shepherded by a church family, nourished by the Word of God, learn from John Piper, J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, and then lean on God to make them grow. So I'm going to set aside some extra time for prayer and hope that i will do it on other days, even when i am not stuck inside. What could me more important?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Justification and performance issues
Talking about Paul Washer has been a reminder of one thing his preaching has taught me, not to worry about "success" in the earthly sense of the word.
It's difficult to explain what i do with my life. I am constantly bombarded by "When are you going to get a REAL job?," "I don't see why you have to raise your salary yourself," "Just make sure you do something else when you finish your mDiv," "You left the toilet seat up AGAIN!"... and the list goes on.
James 2 contains a controversial verse about faith and works, but it basically shows that we are not saved by grace through a faith that would not produce good works. My problem comes when i feel i must be justify myself, at least to those around me, based on what i do. I've noticed this idea creeping up on me several times since i began working for a well-known organization. Sometimes ministers run themselves ragged because we aren't justified by grace, we're justified by our ministry. That is not good. Especially when our positions are generally not well-respected to begin with by society's standards.
I've felt an echo from Luke 12:4-5 that states "...do not fear those who kill the body...But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" The thing that has hit me is that I am far too concerned about whether my InterVarsity co-workers or my students think i am doing a good job when i am speaking or teaching or at meetings. My test instead should be "Is this honoring to God? Is it proclaiming His glory and power to those who are listening?"
We get to a point where we are worried so much about what our supervisors think about our talks and presentations that we forget to serve the Living God with it. Maybe if we would more and more fix our eyes upon the light of Jesus and God's Word the things of this earth (including the respect and admiration of our peers and supervisors) would grow dim. If i believed in New Year's resolutions maybe that would be mine. I'll try it and see if i can practice it through the rest of this evening for starters.
It's difficult to explain what i do with my life. I am constantly bombarded by "When are you going to get a REAL job?," "I don't see why you have to raise your salary yourself," "Just make sure you do something else when you finish your mDiv," "You left the toilet seat up AGAIN!"... and the list goes on.
James 2 contains a controversial verse about faith and works, but it basically shows that we are not saved by grace through a faith that would not produce good works. My problem comes when i feel i must be justify myself, at least to those around me, based on what i do. I've noticed this idea creeping up on me several times since i began working for a well-known organization. Sometimes ministers run themselves ragged because we aren't justified by grace, we're justified by our ministry. That is not good. Especially when our positions are generally not well-respected to begin with by society's standards.
I've felt an echo from Luke 12:4-5 that states "...do not fear those who kill the body...But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" The thing that has hit me is that I am far too concerned about whether my InterVarsity co-workers or my students think i am doing a good job when i am speaking or teaching or at meetings. My test instead should be "Is this honoring to God? Is it proclaiming His glory and power to those who are listening?"
We get to a point where we are worried so much about what our supervisors think about our talks and presentations that we forget to serve the Living God with it. Maybe if we would more and more fix our eyes upon the light of Jesus and God's Word the things of this earth (including the respect and admiration of our peers and supervisors) would grow dim. If i believed in New Year's resolutions maybe that would be mine. I'll try it and see if i can practice it through the rest of this evening for starters.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
dangerous speakers
Joe Arant is one of my heroes. Apparently Joe has sent in a request to have Paul Washer speak at the next Urbana conference in 2009. As an InterVarsity missionary, i think it would be dangerous to have Paul Washer speak there. Paul Washer is an extremely passionate and gifted missionary pastor, with a heart to wake up the North American evangelical church.
If this helps give an indication of where he is coming from, A.W. Tozer mentored a preacher named Leonard Ravenhill, and Ravenhill mentored Paul Washer. When listening to sermons by these three one can trace a passion for theology and spiritual revival. I just came from a conference where one of the speakers, Dr. Isaac Canales, called InterVarsity "a theological moonwalk." I can't moonwalk, but i can tell you that a moonwalking person looks to be sliding backwards. I love InterVarsity, but if Isaac Canales called it a theological moonwalk i think Paul Washer would have many more words to say, since he doesn't separate sound doctrine and good theology from doing ministry.
Listen to this link to hear a talk by Washer to a youth conference. I have a feeling his words to a huge group of college students would be no less harsh, and would leave a lasting impact of a heart to love God's people and God's Word. Maybe we should all send in requests for Paul Washer to speak at Urbana '09. I just hope he would come.
On a side note, here is a link to an article written by Wayne Grudem in response to the book mentioned in the last article, Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals. I found it helpful in understanding the other side of the debate on evangelical feminism.
If this helps give an indication of where he is coming from, A.W. Tozer mentored a preacher named Leonard Ravenhill, and Ravenhill mentored Paul Washer. When listening to sermons by these three one can trace a passion for theology and spiritual revival. I just came from a conference where one of the speakers, Dr. Isaac Canales, called InterVarsity "a theological moonwalk." I can't moonwalk, but i can tell you that a moonwalking person looks to be sliding backwards. I love InterVarsity, but if Isaac Canales called it a theological moonwalk i think Paul Washer would have many more words to say, since he doesn't separate sound doctrine and good theology from doing ministry.
Listen to this link to hear a talk by Washer to a youth conference. I have a feeling his words to a huge group of college students would be no less harsh, and would leave a lasting impact of a heart to love God's people and God's Word. Maybe we should all send in requests for Paul Washer to speak at Urbana '09. I just hope he would come.
On a side note, here is a link to an article written by Wayne Grudem in response to the book mentioned in the last article, Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals. I found it helpful in understanding the other side of the debate on evangelical feminism.
Friday, January 4, 2008
National Staff Conference
Hey ya'll, sorry it's been so long since i've written, but i've got some time now that i am in St. Louis at InterVarsity's National Staff Conference. I'm truly enjoying the conference so far, which, i'll be honest, is a bit of a surprise. I'm feeling grateful for the organization, and am enjoying hearing about how God has been at work through IV. I'm grateful for the conference because it gathers together many wise and knowledgable people. I get to eat with and talk to many men who have written books and are full of great ideas. In an hour, i have an appointment with Will Metzger, who wrote a book called Tell The Truth. It got wonderful reviews from Philip Graham Ryken, Edmund Clowney, John Piper, John McArthur, and J.I. Packer, if that gives you any idea about the content. I'm a little excited to ask him about his dual supervision over his staff work between his IV supervisors and the elders of his church.
Books. InterVarsity Press is celebrating its 60th year of existence this year, and i'm grateful for them. Publishing everything from Francis Schaeffer to F.F. Bruce to C.S. Lewis and thousands more, they have been a forerunner in Christian publishing companies. Their service to campus staff is amazing, and often times i wonder how they stay in business when they are giving away to staff so many books and offering countless other materials at about half of the printing costs. I bought 13 books yesterday (since Joanna didn't answer the phone when i called to ask if it was ok). InterVarsity gave us some food money for the week, but i figured books are more of a feast than soggy burgers and fries.
Some people have been inquiring about books i am reading or want to read. If i were more computer savvy, i'd try to set up a book discussion on the blog. Maybe i'll work on that next week and see if it works. Anyway, on the bus ride to St. Louis, i read a wonderful book titled The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal. It was amazing writing on the Christian life and God's work in saved souls. Both philisophical and theological, it is written in classic Puritan style. The work supposed aided in Whitefield's salvation and gave fuel to the Great Awakening.
I am also finishing a book called Irresistable Revolution, which has some very interesting ideas but is a little off-the-wall, talking about voting for Jesus for President and rallying against the government. I wouldn't normally recommend it. Another book i am reading is Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals. If anyone out there has also read it, i could use a little help trying to understand it. The book is trying to explain God's heart for some controversial teachings in scripture, but is rooted deeply in a kind of liberation theology that flies off into the realm of positing all sorts of theories to explain what scripture "really means." Instead of good hermaneutics, the book seems to start with a goal in mind and wind its way around until it comes to the conclusion people like to hear. For example, the apostle Paul speaks of slaves in the New Testament because slaves existed in those times. But God's ultimate goal (based in His character and desires)is that slavery would end, so that is what Christians need to work toward. By the same reasoning, Paul cautioned against women leading the church, but God's ultimate goal is to empower women to teach and lead in any context, and that is what Christians need to work toward. Maybe i'm too close minded, or my mind is still stuck in 1665, but i can't separate gender from role that easily. God did create gender with role, didn't He? It was created that way to display His majesty and portray God's relationship with us, wasn't it? Hopefully someone reading this has read the book and can help me understand. I'll write again soon.
Books. InterVarsity Press is celebrating its 60th year of existence this year, and i'm grateful for them. Publishing everything from Francis Schaeffer to F.F. Bruce to C.S. Lewis and thousands more, they have been a forerunner in Christian publishing companies. Their service to campus staff is amazing, and often times i wonder how they stay in business when they are giving away to staff so many books and offering countless other materials at about half of the printing costs. I bought 13 books yesterday (since Joanna didn't answer the phone when i called to ask if it was ok). InterVarsity gave us some food money for the week, but i figured books are more of a feast than soggy burgers and fries.
Some people have been inquiring about books i am reading or want to read. If i were more computer savvy, i'd try to set up a book discussion on the blog. Maybe i'll work on that next week and see if it works. Anyway, on the bus ride to St. Louis, i read a wonderful book titled The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal. It was amazing writing on the Christian life and God's work in saved souls. Both philisophical and theological, it is written in classic Puritan style. The work supposed aided in Whitefield's salvation and gave fuel to the Great Awakening.
I am also finishing a book called Irresistable Revolution, which has some very interesting ideas but is a little off-the-wall, talking about voting for Jesus for President and rallying against the government. I wouldn't normally recommend it. Another book i am reading is Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals. If anyone out there has also read it, i could use a little help trying to understand it. The book is trying to explain God's heart for some controversial teachings in scripture, but is rooted deeply in a kind of liberation theology that flies off into the realm of positing all sorts of theories to explain what scripture "really means." Instead of good hermaneutics, the book seems to start with a goal in mind and wind its way around until it comes to the conclusion people like to hear. For example, the apostle Paul speaks of slaves in the New Testament because slaves existed in those times. But God's ultimate goal (based in His character and desires)is that slavery would end, so that is what Christians need to work toward. By the same reasoning, Paul cautioned against women leading the church, but God's ultimate goal is to empower women to teach and lead in any context, and that is what Christians need to work toward. Maybe i'm too close minded, or my mind is still stuck in 1665, but i can't separate gender from role that easily. God did create gender with role, didn't He? It was created that way to display His majesty and portray God's relationship with us, wasn't it? Hopefully someone reading this has read the book and can help me understand. I'll write again soon.
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