What it's all about...

Yesterday was baptism Sunday at our church (soon to be Vox Veniae) It so easy for us dusty, experienced, "mature" Christians to forget or not even know what it looks like to "know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Philippians 3:10)

But for the 8 that got baptized yesterday, the joy of crossing that line...having passed from death to life and now making that a public proclamation....there's a fresh understanding. Check here for pics - my roommates blog.

What was so beautiful about yesterday was the stories...not about the individuals, but about God and how He pursued each one of them in such a unique way. Some grew up with a Buddhist upbringing, some an atheist background....but each person was pursued. Either through friends, or through finally breaking down and having to pray...and God clearly speaking saying "Trust me".

This is what it's all about...praising God as He pursues humanity to shower his grace and mercy upon individuals. For those that got baptized and for all that claim to follow Christ, I pray that Paul's words will be true for our lives..."that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

A Whole New World

I've gone almost a whole week now with limited use of my left arm due to a broken collarbone. It's definitely given me a whole new appreciation for my arms. The first night, I actually had to have someone pretty much tuck me in to sleep. I haven't had to require help showering, but needless to say, it's a chore.

It's frustrating going through this whole process. I feel like there's so much to do, but my life has slowed down tremendously cause of this injury. Now I'm wrestling through how one continues to be thankful and consider all things joyful.

Epic Retreat Recap

Beyond my expectations. God definitely heard the prayers and wanted to bless this retreat. The impact of the retreat was most evident the last morning we were together. We ended our time in prayer. The prayers that morning consisted of honest pleading that God would use them greatly back on their campuses; that they would see radical change in their own lives as they pursued to have more passion for God. No longer was it just about school and tests that occupied their minds, but it was about God and His kingdom. I thought it would last about 10 minutes and I would have to close out the time of awkward silence...but the prayers just kept going, until I eventually had to end it so they wouldn't miss their checkout time.

One student, the week after the retreat was a little bummed wondering what exactly she got out of the retreat. But as she continued to pray, she realized that more and more, she felt a burden for the lost.

God is still answering the prayers. I pray that we will see a rippling effect - as these students' hearts are transformed, their peers in epic will be changed, and the friends who don't know Christ will radically be changed.