One thing that has been challenging in the last few weeks is the need to change the location of our Spring Break trip. Our original plan was to go to Mexico to work at my parent's church--a trip that I had been looking forward to all year. But sadly, we had to change this because of the recent violence in Mexico. Apparently there are many liability issues at stake, and because the students are still under their parent's authority (unlike a church trip), we were encouraged to cancel the trip. This decision was especially hard for me because of my close friendship with the church, and of course the fact that my parents are also involved.
Not to mention the fact that this decision came only three weeks before Spring Break. Now we are scrambling to put together a trip. We have decided to go to the Grand Canyon.
I know that God is still sovereign over our Spring Break! Pray:
1. For Emily and I as we spend a lot of time planning for this trip.
2. For all the details to fall into place.
3. That God would accomplish his purposes through this trip!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March 10th, 2009
I am tired tonight. I have felt a little fatigued lately. There has been missing from my communion with God some of the sweetness and ease.
This is a busy time of year. Last week I was in Florida, helping my campus director to train some of the Navigator staff. I have another trip planned for this weekend. In a few weeks, I have my spring break trip. I am trying to lead well the guys God has given me.
I need Jesus, not only to sustain me in my ministry, but to sustain me moment-by-moment.
Would you pray:
1. That God would refresh me in the Word and in prayer.
2. For the strengthening presence of the Spirit in all I do.
3. For new depths of intimacy with Jesus.
This is a busy time of year. Last week I was in Florida, helping my campus director to train some of the Navigator staff. I have another trip planned for this weekend. In a few weeks, I have my spring break trip. I am trying to lead well the guys God has given me.
I need Jesus, not only to sustain me in my ministry, but to sustain me moment-by-moment.
Would you pray:
1. That God would refresh me in the Word and in prayer.
2. For the strengthening presence of the Spirit in all I do.
3. For new depths of intimacy with Jesus.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
February 25th, 2009
Chris and Gus are best friends. They are also roommates at CSULB, and are even dating sisters!
Chris's brother is on staff with the Navigators at San Diego State. Despite that, Chris doesn't have much of a Christian background, and last semester when we started meeting together, he and I started at the very beginning. Even thought Chris has been faithfully coming to my freshman study (the Bereans), we have been moving fairly slowly. Chris likes to think things through thoroughly.
I didn't see too much of Gus last semester, but this semester, I began to hang out more in Chris's dorm, and Gus and I have had a few conversations. Gus is intrigued by spiritual things, and I think a little aware that something is going on in Chris's life.
Last Wednesday, Chris and I met in the afternoon to read the Bible together; this is our usual time.
Gus was also sitting there.
"Mind if I sit in?" he asked.
"No," I replied. And Chris and I talked about John 3, with Gus listening in.
Pray:
1. For the Spirit to bring the Word to life for Chris.
2. For Chris and Gus to be speaking about these things together.
3. For Gus to hear and respond in faith to the Gospel!
Chris's brother is on staff with the Navigators at San Diego State. Despite that, Chris doesn't have much of a Christian background, and last semester when we started meeting together, he and I started at the very beginning. Even thought Chris has been faithfully coming to my freshman study (the Bereans), we have been moving fairly slowly. Chris likes to think things through thoroughly.
I didn't see too much of Gus last semester, but this semester, I began to hang out more in Chris's dorm, and Gus and I have had a few conversations. Gus is intrigued by spiritual things, and I think a little aware that something is going on in Chris's life.
Last Wednesday, Chris and I met in the afternoon to read the Bible together; this is our usual time.
Gus was also sitting there.
"Mind if I sit in?" he asked.
"No," I replied. And Chris and I talked about John 3, with Gus listening in.
Pray:
1. For the Spirit to bring the Word to life for Chris.
2. For Chris and Gus to be speaking about these things together.
3. For Gus to hear and respond in faith to the Gospel!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
February 18th, 2009
Once a year, students from around "Sunland Region" (California, Arizona, and Hawaii) gather in a cold and rainy camp about 40 miles outside of San Diego. Navigator ministries from around 15 campuses will be present. My campus, Cal State-Long Beach is going to bring about 30 students. This is a great showing considering we average around 40 students at our NavNight. I will also be giving a workshop at this conference on Biblical Masculinity.
Pray:
1. That God would use the conference in the lives of the students, especially Chris N., one of the guys in my Bible study.
2. That God would guide and use my workshop.
3. For safe travels to and from the Remember Conference.
We will be leaving on Friday afternoon and coming back Sunday afternoon. My workshop will be Saturday late morning.
Pray:
1. That God would use the conference in the lives of the students, especially Chris N., one of the guys in my Bible study.
2. That God would guide and use my workshop.
3. For safe travels to and from the Remember Conference.
We will be leaving on Friday afternoon and coming back Sunday afternoon. My workshop will be Saturday late morning.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
February 12th, 2009
Austin has somewhat of a remarkable story. His mother was a San Diego Chargers cheerleader and his dad is a wealthy chiropractor turned real estate developer. They divorced when he was little. In high school, in the midst of a complete spiritual vacuum, Austin was invited to a Young Life retreat by his girlfriend, and he gave his life to Christ.
But now he is in college, and although he is excited about Jesus, he has no background in the church, and very little concept of what it looks like to be a follower of Christ. When we first got together, I asked him what his relationship with the Bible looked like. He said he doesn't really understand why he should read it, since he already knows the story, and if he has to make a moral decision, he has a conscience he can follow.
But it wasn't that he was unteachable...he just genuinely was mystified. So when we sat down together and read Psalm 1 together, I could see the lights click on. When I explained to him that a Christian who is in the Word is a Christian who is fruitful, his first response was, "Well, then I want to read the Bible everyday. Where should I start?"
1. Pray that Austin will be fed through the Word and grow into fruitfulness.
2. Pray that Austin will see the need for fellowship. He is not too involved in the Navigators beyond the time when we meet together.
3. Pray that Austin will have an opportunity to reach his family with the gospel.
But now he is in college, and although he is excited about Jesus, he has no background in the church, and very little concept of what it looks like to be a follower of Christ. When we first got together, I asked him what his relationship with the Bible looked like. He said he doesn't really understand why he should read it, since he already knows the story, and if he has to make a moral decision, he has a conscience he can follow.
But it wasn't that he was unteachable...he just genuinely was mystified. So when we sat down together and read Psalm 1 together, I could see the lights click on. When I explained to him that a Christian who is in the Word is a Christian who is fruitful, his first response was, "Well, then I want to read the Bible everyday. Where should I start?"
1. Pray that Austin will be fed through the Word and grow into fruitfulness.
2. Pray that Austin will see the need for fellowship. He is not too involved in the Navigators beyond the time when we meet together.
3. Pray that Austin will have an opportunity to reach his family with the gospel.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
February 4th, 2009
Tuesday nights are our my freshman small group Bible study. The time has grown from and original gang of four Bereans--Cavin, Rudy, Andrew, and Ben--to our current group of 7-8 young men. This semester, Jordan, Chris, Charles, and Austin have all told me they plan to come each week.
My goal for this time is two-fold.
First, I want these guys to get excited about the Scriptures. The study we are doing, an inductive study of Romans, is designed to be deep and thorough. If the guys put some good effort into it, it can really take off and become exciting.
Second, I want them to grow deeply in their friendship with each other. I was struck this morning when I read Hebrews 3:13--Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. These guys were meant to help each other, to build each other up, and to guard and protect each other. That is the kind of environment I want to see flourish.
Pray:
1. That the Spirit would speak through the Word, both as these guys prepare, and as we discuss.
2. That these guys would get a heart for defending and encouraging each other.
3. That both of these things wouldn't stop after Tuesday night, but would grow deeply into their lives.
My goal for this time is two-fold.
First, I want these guys to get excited about the Scriptures. The study we are doing, an inductive study of Romans, is designed to be deep and thorough. If the guys put some good effort into it, it can really take off and become exciting.
Second, I want them to grow deeply in their friendship with each other. I was struck this morning when I read Hebrews 3:13--Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. These guys were meant to help each other, to build each other up, and to guard and protect each other. That is the kind of environment I want to see flourish.
Pray:
1. That the Spirit would speak through the Word, both as these guys prepare, and as we discuss.
2. That these guys would get a heart for defending and encouraging each other.
3. That both of these things wouldn't stop after Tuesday night, but would grow deeply into their lives.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
January 28th, 2009
Faithful pray-ers, I am so grateful for you! God has impressed on my heart so much lately how powerful your prayers have been last semester and this semester.
Praise God for his faithfulness to me and to the students he has allowed me to work with!
Jordan is a guy that I have written about in my recent newsletter. I had lunch on Monday with Jordan and asked him what he wanted out of this coming semester. His reply:
"I want to really learn the Bible cold, and I want to learn how to reach out to my non-Christian friends."
I was shocked! How exciting! I am really looking forward to working with him this semester.
Pray for Jordan:
1. Praise God for moving through Cavin to call to Jordan's heart!
2. Pray that Jordan would lead someone to the Lord this semester
3. Pray that his hunger for God would continue to grow
Praise God for his faithfulness to me and to the students he has allowed me to work with!
Jordan is a guy that I have written about in my recent newsletter. I had lunch on Monday with Jordan and asked him what he wanted out of this coming semester. His reply:
"I want to really learn the Bible cold, and I want to learn how to reach out to my non-Christian friends."
I was shocked! How exciting! I am really looking forward to working with him this semester.
Pray for Jordan:
1. Praise God for moving through Cavin to call to Jordan's heart!
2. Pray that Jordan would lead someone to the Lord this semester
3. Pray that his hunger for God would continue to grow
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)