Food & Sumo Wrestling

So I'm excited about Wednesday. We're having a BBQ from 6-8pm and all of Student Ministry is invited. Bring your friends, there will be food, give-aways, and fun things to do like make a fool of yourself sumo wrestling or running through an obstacle course. So come one and come all.

August 29 Wednesday
6-8 pm @ the Student Center


Also don't forget that the student center is open Monday - Friday from 4-6 pm if you would like to drop in and pray, learn more about different opportunities in the community

Two Questions

We are in day 3 of our fast to leave things behind and I must confess I feel very rested. Without the distraction of television, I am able to read more, sleep earlier and take walks around the neighborhood. I was reading today in 1 corinthians 1 where the apostle paul is laying out a plan. he talks about ceasing divisions and quarreling amongst one another and then writes an interesting point about how Christ uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the things that are despised by the world and counted for nothing at all and uses those to make them important to the world... for the sole purpose so that no one may boast. he then says that if we are to boast, boast in the lord.

I know what we are doing is strange or foolish by the world's standards. but i am comfortable being foolish for the cause and renown of Christ.

Can I ask you to comment on what you've been experiencing so far as you leave things behind. Two questions:

1. what has been the most difficult thing for you about fasting?

2. what has become for clear to you as you connect to God?

Welcome to our Prayer Room



In this room there is a place for you to pray for people and places by looking at pictures. This room has a few instructions, but we want this to be a place that you decide what you need to do to connect with God.

Leaving it all Behind - Fasting sacrifices Privilege

So are you ready to leave it all behind? We talked tonight about beginning our fast. A fast is abstaining from food, drink or something that consumes you for a period of time to connect with God. I know not all of us can fast from food because of medical restrictions, but maybe it means fasting from something else - e.g. cell phone, internet, video games, TV, going out to eat, Starbucks, etc. May I challenge you to sincerely pray about what it is that God is calling you to do for the purpose of returning to Him. And use this blog to share with us as a community what we should do to be in our local and global partnerships.

Further thoughts:
1. Read Isaiah 58, Joel 2:12-13, Luke 3:4-11, Acts 13:2. What's the difference between ritual and sincerity? Why did people always fast in the scriptures?
2. What do you think about this statement that Shane Claiborne makes in his book Irrestible Revolution "we can admire and worship Jesus without doing what he did. We can applaud what he preached and stood for without caring about the same things. We can adore his cross without taking up ours.

Student Center hours this week 10am - 2pm. Drop by and blog, leave things behind, pray with us, learn about some local and global partnerships we are a part of.

Somewhere in Chihuahua

I'm on vacation in Chihuahua this week. I get to eat awesome food, see old faces, hug children, and meet new friends. It's been so refreshing being down here. Yesterday I got to go back to CH Lirio de los Valles in Aldama, Chihuahua and visit with Mama Rosa. She's doing great and they just got $$$ (1 million pesos) from the gov't to finish building the boy's dorms. Due to some miscalculations, the cafeteria/kitchen has been delayed but they hope to have it finished in the next month or so. The children are wonderful and I got to visit with two precious girls (Cielo y Brisa Garcia) and give them big hugs. It's surprising they still remember me as well with many of the other children. Some children have left since June and new children have arrived at this wonderful place. Some of the students from 180 are here this week as well helping out doing odd jobs and encouraging the children and mama & papa. What a blessing so far! More to come later.