A Call to Humility

I've heard a lot of opinions from all perspectives on #BlackLivesMatter (with which I agree),#BlueLivesMatter (with which I agree), and#AllLivesMatter (with which I also agree). I also believe that it's important to grieve with those who grieve and not respond to #BlackLivesMatter with something that could sound like you really mean "people die everyday, so move on". When we mourn with our Black peers over the loss of someone they relate to, it shows the love of God.  Here's an attempt at a similar example for believers in Jesus. I once told a friend who isn't a Christian about how grieved I was over the loss of Christians in persecuted countries.Her response was "Those countries don't want the Christian faith, those people should've known better. I'm not saying they deserve to die but if they must've done something wrong. And all Muslims aren't murders. After all, Christians used to kill a whole lot more for a long time. Look at the Crusades." Was my friend right? In some aspects. Was she wrong? In some aspects. Was she a friend? Not in that moment. In that very moment, I sympathized with people who I could relate to and she simply explained why I shouldn't grieve. I share this to remind myself and to charge us as believers to rise! Rise above our "right to be heard" or our "right to communicate all the facts as we see them." We have all sinned. We have all been hurt by sin. We have all been separated from God as a result and have experienced the excruciating pains of sin. And we all deserve death as a result... but that word means spiritual separation from God. God came to rescue all that would believe through the sacrifice He made of His "right to equality with God" (Philippians 2:6) to be hung on a tree. He has been hung. He suffered. He gave up His rights (Philippians 3) - it happened. As an ethnic minority, I want to SCREAM for equal rights and corrected systems. As a light-skinned person, I want to SHOUT that I'm not racist and my life matters too. But the reality is that none of those claims help me grieve with my neighbor or love my friend. We can defend the truths behind both of these statements, but how ought we respond? PastorMartin Luther King Jr said “All this is simply to say that all life is interrelated. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality; tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. As long as there is poverty in this world, no man can be totally rich even if he has a billion dollars... Strangely enough, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.” Don't take me at an extreme here. I think it's important to have safe people in our lives with whom we communicate every feeling and thought, but I also think we need to consider how to apply Philippians 2:1-11 to our speech and our actions.  "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy bybeing of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." We ought not decide to behave this way because it is politically in our favor or because social media says it's right. We ought to behave differently from the world, no matter what our view, because in our love for one another, God will be made famous!

How can you love someone today who you feel has caused you pain? With silence? (not fighting against someone else's belief just because you disagree) With a voice? (standing in the gap of understanding that when you're for something, it doesn't mean you're against something else) With a gesture? (listening is a gesture not often practiced and smiling is still acceptable in most societies - even New York City! :) With a question and willingness to learn? (how can I pray for you today?) Differing on an opinion doesn't mean someone is wrong. Being different allows for Christians to bring even MORE glory to God by showing that we are ONE in the love of Christ despite our differences.

conversations

Seton Hall student, Damaris, who I disciple, 

with me just before sharing our faith at campus blitz

Much of my life consists of conversations with college students. I even live with one!

Most of these conversations are simple “get to know you” types but there are also the very specific interactions I plan with students for the sake of their spiritual and professional development.

As the female team leader in New Jersey, I also have many conversations with national Cru leaders whose concern is to reach these students for Christ, build them in their faith and send them to reach the lost.

Cru has set a goal to send 1 million “multipliers” (people who know & share their faith in Jesus) into the world by 2020.

During Spring break many students stay home to catch up with their shows on Netflix, visit family out of town, or simply sleep all day. This year, our staff planned another option for the students to consider spending 2/7 days they have off.

Jersey schools are split over which week to have spring break, so for each week, our staff planned to reach those campuses not on break. This past Monday & Tuesday, we trained students who participated in different methods and tools for evangelism.

We prayed and shared the Gospel with 13 different people, initiated spiritual conversation with 65 more people and led one person to Christ.

 

New Jersey is very diverse. At Rutgers Camden, day two, we wrote the words “Only Jesus Saves” in chalk on the ground in front of the student center in over 15 different languages. The spelling was acquired through random students on campus who spoke those languages. Many stopped to watch and take pictures with their primary language.

God is reaching students of every nation in very unique ways!

Follow @JerseyMetro on Twitter or Instagram to see more photos & celebrate more good news!

The Legend of Jimi Lazer - video

Check out this video my friend did for his movie, The Legend Of Jimi Lazer. I'm worshipping through expressive painting on the roof of my church, Calvary Baptist Church, NYC ....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ3atcLnPdk

Generosity develops Joy

Just yesterday, I posted about how "Generosity develops Growth". When God's people sell all their possessions (like in Acts 2) and give to one another to help build the body of Christ so they can expand the kingdom of God, they are growing a movement for God. Acts 2:42-47 is a prime example of a godly community truly surrendered to Christ in every aspect of their lives.

What I learned today from some of you is that when someone in the body of Christ is generous, it develops a deep joy and appreciatio, not only for that person, but for God who laid it on that person's heart. Tonight at Cru, 11 students prayerfully decided to attend Fall Retreat from Kean Cru. Four of them said they can pay $50 and would need scholarships for the rest. They others have freshmen scholarships and can pay the rest. One girl came to me and admitted she really wanted to go but previously made a commitment to her church so instead asked if she could scholarship someone $60! Now one other student only needs to raise or come up with $39. :)

How great is God to provide?! I don't know where the last four scholarships of $49 will come from but I'm not concerned because my God always comes through!

If you think you are one of the ways He is coming through and would lie to scholarship one of these students to be challenged to lift the veils of their lives, you can visit give.ccci.org and give to account # 2868515. That's the Kean Cru account specifically.

May Updates

Caring Community

Jersey Metro Cru: A caring community passionate about connecting people to Jesus Christ.
Last month, I told you about a conversation Maria Yousef & I had using the “perspective cards” with two Muslim women, Oraib and Saeeda, the president of the Kean Muslim Student Association. Since I met these women, we’ve had multiple conversations on campus practically every week and they’ve met nearly every female student leader in Cru! Visit my blog: tabbystab@blogspot.com to read more about our encounters. Another fun adventure with Maria (pictured left, next to me) was our trip to Mt. Vernon Alliance Church in Mt. Vernon, NY. Using the materials I mentioned in my last letter and a “prezi” I created, I trained six young seminary students from Nyack College in evangelism and then went out sharing our faith with High School students at the local park. We prayed with 3 young girls who weren’t sure of their salvation to be sure and encouraged them to talk to their youth pastors or visit the local church!

Happy End of the Year!

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family! Of course, my friend having an asthma attack Friday night after my mom fell down the stairs and dislocated her elbow wasn't fun. But all are well and healing slowly as they trust the Lord, their Raffa. As I reflect over this past semester, I can't help but think of blessing after blessing after pain. Makes me think of that verse "goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life".

Just before Thanksgiving, I went away for a staff conference where the Lord challenged me through our regional directors to REST in Him! Not just escape via movies, television and friendly conversation, but spend time in His lap listening to His soothing words. I would consider myself an introverted extravert; I really enjoy spending time with people or sitting alone in my room as I video chat with them or read about them on Facebook or Twitter. The cyber interaction isn't as overwhelming as face to face interaction all week long, but it's also not very restful. Being the good New Yorker that I am, I'm constantly in motion and the idea of spending the entire week of Thanksgiving at REST at home caused me stress.

So I decided to spend as much time on campus as possible before "leaving" for a week of rest. Just before the staff conference I spent nearly 40 hours working in just a 4 day period and although in retrospect it wasn't the wisest thing to do, it was SO worth it!
 

Sharon, Christa & Coral

• Monday night, Kean Cru organized a party to pack shoe boxes that they would later donate with sororities & other social  groups from Kean University to Operation Christmas Child via the ministry of Samaritan's Purse. We were able to pack and wrap around 15 boxes from Kean Cru alone! :) Praise God, Jehova-Jireh, our provider!

•  Wednesday night I knew God was laying it on my heart to talk to the best friend of one of the student leaders from Kean Cru. After a long day of meetings and discipleship, I went to visit Jenny in her dorm. Through a 4 1/2 hour conversation full of random stories and the Gospel, we called Christa (center above), to experience the joy of watching her best friend pray to enter into a relationship with Christ! :) Praise God, loving Father.

• After an initial failed attempt to visit the gay pride group on campus, Kean Cru was invited to attend their weekly meeting. Kean Cru leaders prayed all week long as a few well-spoken seniors and grad students from the Christian group represented the ministry by apologizing for the general actions of hateful Christians towards homosexuals. Soaked in love and prayer, these students delivered an authentic and unapologetic message to the gay community at Kean University. "We serve a God of love, not hate. He created you and us for relationship with Him and we know that He sent us here to Kean to tell you that He loves you." Cru students reported that the members of the gay group were in awe and nearly moved to tears at the thought that God would love them. At the end of their truthful and loving message, a student responded "I have something to say to you on behalf of the gay community..." At this point, the Kean Cru student leaders nervously began to try to recall scripture that they may need for the anticipated debate. The student continues "...we are sorry for avoiding you and treating you differently simply for what you believe. You may be different from us, but we can treat you with love." Mouths dropped as they thanked one another for their time and left in peace! :) Our God is loving and sovereign! In His time, we pray He will cause that planted seed to grow!
• Thursday afternoon, I met with a student who prayed a year ago to receive Christ but has been struggling with figuring out how that changes her life. Later that night at our weekly meeting Bible study, guest Pastor Peter Torres spoke on "Love and Forgiveness". Taking us to the garden of Eden and through a detailed meaning of the cross of Christ, Peter challenged those who know and don't know God to have a deeper understanding of His relentless love. This challenge pierced the heart of the young lady I met with earlier that day and she re-dedicated her life to the Lord and set up accountability to walking with Him right then and there. :) Praise God, omniscient King!