November 19th, 2008

Two things spring to mind this week:

Cavin and Rudy, two of my favorite guys, have both made an exciting decision this week. I will spare you the details of it, but praise God for a significant step in faith for them! I am so proud of them.

I met up this past week with two new guys, both of them "on the fringe." I think God is strongly at work in each one of their lives, but these last few weeks of the semester could be crucial for them. Both are interested in growing in their relationship with Jesus.

Pray:

1. Praise God for his work in Cavin and Rudy's lives!

2. That these two guys would have a broad impact on the rest of my Bible study.

3. For Jordan and Austin, that God would call deep into their hearts.

Here is a picture of me and Rudy on our recent roadtrip to Sacramento. (by the way, the scruffy look is because the guys and I are doing "No-Shave November")

November 12th, 2008

Andrew C. is one of the "fringe" guys in my Bible study. I have been meeting with him on a weekly basis, but he comes to Bible study more sporadically; in general he is not quite as plugged in as the other guys in the study. I get a sense from him that he is still making up his mind about what he wants to do with himself.

Andrew grew up in a Christian home, but he began to party last year, and has been drinking this semester. He seems to be trying hard to fit in. We had a great time in the word this past week, going over the parable of the sower.

Pray:

1. That the Word would speak powerfully to him.

2. That God would convict him of sin, and give him a heart for holiness.

3. That God would give him a heart to take the gospel to the campus!

November 5th, 2008

I'm very sorry for forgetting to update this yesterday. I have no idea why I didn't, it just slipped my mind. Actually, I'm surprised that that hasn't happened more often.

Can I just say that I am so grateful for you who check this blog and pray for me? You are a blessing to me, and I am so encouraged by you.

Here are some requests for this week:

1. Would you pray for our students as they begin to make their summer plans? Summers seem like a time where students either grow a lot, or else stagnate. I would like to see my guys make decision that will help them grow this summer!

2. Would you pray for our staff team here at CSULB? We could use prayer for unity, love, and encouragement.

3. Would you pray for Haroon? Pray that he will continue to be open to the gospel and to reading the Bible, and that God would speak to him during our time together.

October 29th, 2008

Andrew H. is a Long Beach kid who grew up in a strong Christian home. He is one of the guys in my Bible study. Here are some facts about Andrew.

--He is very smart (valedictorian, full-ride scholarship)
--He has a wide variety of interests, including debating, opera, and Disneyland.
--He is possibly the most responsive of the guys I am meeting with right now.
--He is really excited about growing in his relationship with Christ.

I am going to share Matthew 28:18-20 with Andrew this week and tell him about the Great Commission. I would love for Andrew to get a heart for spiritual generations, and for him to begin investing in eternity!

Pray:

1. That Andrew would continue to grow in his relationship with Christ.

2. That God would give Andrew a friend to read the Bible with and invest in.

3. That I would have wisdom in how to best serve and help Andrew.

October 22nd, 2008--

I have been in Long Beach for about 12 weeks now, and I would appreciate if you would take some time to pray for me personally, apart from my ministry. I am still adjusting to a new place, a new job, a new staff team, etc. I would love your prayers on the following issues:

1. Would you pray that God would continue to bless me by opening up his word to me each day? I think of Col. 1:9

We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

2. Would you pray that God would give me wisdom and direction as I consider my summer plans?

3. Would pray that God would continue to bless my fund-raising? I intend to some significant fund-raising over Christmas break.

4. Would pray this prayer from Philippians for me?

I pray that your love would abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best, and may be pure and blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is a recent photo of me hard at work at a friend's wedding.

October 15th, 2008

Ben is a freshman in my believer's study. He is studying graphic design. Ben and I met at our survey tables and he expressed an immediate interest. It has been exciting to see his heart to grow and learn.

As I have been praying for Ben, God kept bringing up the phrase "Apollo, mighty in the Scriptures," which is how Luke describes Apollo in Acts. My intuition tells me that Ben can be a man who is mighty in the Scriptures. So I have been praying that for him lately.

Requests for Ben:

1. That the Word would be his "joy and delight" (Jer. 15:16)

2. That he would develop a heart for the lost.

3. That God would be calling out to his heart and molding him.

October 8th, 2008

The suites in Haroon's dormitory seemed to be designed specifically for successful Investigative Bible Discussions! Last night, for the first time, he and I read the Bible together in the common room of his suite, working through John 1. As I explained to him the oneness of God and the divinity of Jesus (important points for Muslims), around 7-8 people filtered in and out of the room, many stopping to ask us what we were doing, and a few even sitting down to listen and discuss!

The most amazing part is that Haroon himself is my recruiter! God clearly has a hand on his life, and I am fascinated to see what happens as we continue to read the Word together on Tuesday nights.

Pray:

1. For Haroon--continued openness, penetration of the truth, repentance.

2. For other students in the suite--Paul, Stuart, Charles (there are more that I haven't met yet)

3. That God would bless our time on Tuesday nights, that his Word would go forth with power, and that he would draw many men to himself!