Hump Day Updates

Updates...

School - ASU Rocks! I love my professors and one of them even laid out the gospel in 5 minutes during a lecture! I have new experiences everyday and pray that God uses me at ASU this semester (read salvation:redemption poem post below).

Wednesday's Word - new weekly posting where my goal is to get people thinking about the quote or phrase. Hopefully more than just thinking will take place, but meditation and maybe even be moved into action.

Welcome New Blogger - If you haven't had a chance to, welcome Jonathan Schultz to the blogging world. There is a link on my page or click here: Jonathan Schultz

Mill Avenue - I may do a complete post about this later, but for now, a blurb. I was at the Border's on Mill today buying books and that is an interesting place! Last time I was there, there was a female prostitute feeding her bird in the men's restroom. This may be one reason Border's has privatized their restrooms; now a token is necessary for entrance. Today I saw a homeless man sitting on the curb and with Starbucks in hand I took a seat next to him. I said "Hello, how are you today?" To which he replied, "Not so great." Our conversation took off from there and no, I did not get to share the gospel with him, but did get to develop a relationship and give him some lunch money. After the discussion I sat in the cool shade and pondered, "Could revival on Mill start with the homeless?"...just a thought

And Finally - Hope you all have a great week at school or work or wherever.
1 John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

Wednesday's Word

If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Salvation:Redemption Poem

Let me give you some quick background information to lead into the poem and why I wrote it. As many of you know I am a talker, not a writer. So when the assignment came up to write a poem about a certain event or time in my life that has significant meaning to me, I wrote about God giving me the beautiful gift of salvation. What's even better then getting to write about this topic just to turn it in, was to share it with the entire class. I am not into writing poetry, but this is my attempt to capture the greatest event in my life. Here goes...

The back pew
So comfortable and safe.
I hear of a savior
Who came to take my place.
I’ve heard of him throughout my life,
Yet my selfishness continues to be my vice.

Thirsty for acceptance,
Alcohol satisfied.
With beer in hand
Relating became a breeze.

Sunday came, Sunday went.
Sunday came again and
Brought meaning to this life.

Hung over and tired
I go to check a box.
Head splitting the car comes to a peaceful stop.
There’s always another Sunday, I thought.
The Bible in the passengers’ seat sits idle
Piercing directly into my heart the word became alive.

Being exposed, these words came to my lips,
“I’ve lost control!!”
I scream “give it back to me!”
Oh what a hypocrite I had become
Looking just like the world,
Although I had heard of the ONE.
I recant my previous words, saying
“I had control and look at where it got me,
Right here in this mess.”
Now I plead, take control
And deliver me!

REDEMPTION

Here it comes...A Beautiful Collision

In a couple of days over 52,000 students will converge on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University. There will people of every race, creed, and religion. There is going to be a great diversity at the University. Why a beautiful collision one might ask as the title states.

I have been thinking about the converging among all people groups, classes, races, religions on campus that will happen on Monday. I thought about my brothers and sisters in Christ and the temptation, ridcule, and total opposition we may face. I began to pray that God would band us together and ASU students would see true unity between Christians. The unity spoken of in Acts 2:44-46, Acts 2:32-35, and Philippians 2:1-8 (all of which are written out at the end of this blog).

Then a scripture came to mind...the Christian man or woman is to be a light to an utterly dark campus. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Then the thought of "how can one person's light be seen in such a dark place. It is like glow stick when a maglite is needed." God has us Christians at ASU for a reason. We have been placed at ASU for a definite cause and if you are thinking it is to get the degree and get out, you're severely wrong. Our light comes from the fact that we have a Savior whose love transforms sinners into saints who love God and other people.

A Beautiful Collision - God placing Christians at ASU to be lights to a dark campus colliding with unbelievers and pointing them towards Christ.

Acts 2:44-46 44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32-35 32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Philippians 2:1-8 1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

"For everyone whose [school] mascot is the devil, you need Christ!"

Campfires vs. Forest Fires

Today in my Equipped to Serve class at East Valley we learned about and discussed gray areas when it comes to Christian freedoms. I could write a 10 page blog explaining the scripture that was discussed and freedoms such as movies, music, dancing, alcohol, etc. Rather than explain what I learned, I would like to give your mind something to wrestle with. The instructor made this very true and convicting statement: Christians are too focused on putting out the campfires, while behind them the forest is ablaze!

Are we too concerned about our own freedoms that we neglect to share Christ with the world that is burning up all around us?

Praise Father, Son, and Spirit

Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,to the praise of his glory.

Praise the Father who elects
Praise the Son who redeems
Praise the Spirit who seals us!