Sometimes I forget that this job I have is actually titled "missionary". Don't get me wrong, I always know who my boss is ;) and I am held accountable in many ways to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit as I do my job. But if I were honest, I sincerely enjoy my job! I get to talk to college students about the eternal love found in a Father who never runs out on them!
This semester started quickly and has been moving by very fast but there was a sweet pause in the middle of February where I had a conversation that SLOWED ME DOWN! I had the opportunity to conduct a few video interviews with John Biddle, a co-worker on staff at our Regional Office in PA. We chose random college students at Kean University to tell us what they thought about God and spiritual things. "He's just a higher power - up there..." said Zuleika, a junior Latina who struggled with security in her personal relationship with God.
She continued "I looked to him like a Father -- someone I could talk to when i was struggling or even when something good was happening." But she felt estranged from him; "little by little there's been separation between us." I could NOT leave this conversation simply at a video interview! As the interview came to an end, in the confidence of His Word to always give us the words to say, I took a step of faith and asked Zuleika if we could continue the conversation off camera and inside a warm place. "I think God wanted us to meet, so yeah - that would be nice."
I took Zuleika into the University Center, where we continued our conversation about the nature of God and the seal of the Holy Spirit. On a scale of 1-10, Zuleika wanted to know God personally at the highest possible value! "Oh yeah. Definitely yes...but I think I did..." I immediately recognized her quick excitement turned disappointment and asked her if she had ever prayed to know God personally through the knowledge and reception of His Son, Jesus. "Yes, I think so. But I don't know - I've been so busy. I don't think I could ever go back to church."
One of the main reasons I made the decision to join staff was to help bridge the knowledge so many young Christian adults have of Jesus Christ and it's application to their lives. Many don't stand up for their faith or continue to represent Christ because they never really learned who He was and they never understood why it was such a big deal. That day, I explained how big a deal Jesus is and how His love NEVER fails, NEVER gives up, and NEVER runs out on us -- even if we have tried running from Him. He is a Father who NEVER abandons us!
After I prayer with Zuleika to rededicate her life to Christ, she commented: "I know God wanted me to run into you. Thank you so much for stopping to talk to me! Can I have your phone number to talk to you some more about God and Jesus?" Uhh....YES!!
Just a few short minutes later, I met another young woman who was visibly upset with God for taking her religious aunt out of this world and leaving her 18 year old daughter alone. Having had just lost my aunt as well, I asked if I could pray for her even though she didn't believe in God because I knew He would hear my prayer to bring her comfort. Immediately after our prayer, this second student looked up to me with tears in her eyes and said "WOW...can I hug you? I've never had anyone pray for me before! Thanks so much!! You have no idea what this means to me!"
*Please continue to pray for these two young women as they go about their college careers.
**If you're interested in seeing the video, click here to watch.
Showing posts with label Never alone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Never alone. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2013
Monday, September 10, 2012
Back to campus life...
Hey friends!
I hope your summers have been just as rejuvenating as mine has! I’ve been praying about what to tell you in this newsletter since summers are so unique on staff with Cru. If I’m not on a mission trip (summer project) or taking classes, most of the summer consists of planning and preparing for the new academic year, connecting with students, and encouraging them to walk closely with Jesus. As you already know, this summer consisted of classes at the Institute of Biblical Studies in Orlando. August however, was very strategic.
Just two weeks ago, I finished my New Staff Development Curriculum and then went to the Jersey Metro staff retreat. This year we have one new intern coming to Kean University, Joel Aponte (pictured right with Jon & Mario - Kean Cru student leaders), and two part-time female staff for the North and the South parts of the Jersey Metro team. Please pray for Joey & Jenn Sforza (pictured left) who have been raising their financial support for two years and have not yet reported to full-time campus work.
We
need them in the Urban region, especially at Jersey City University and
Kean! Just following the retreat, we had one full week of staff
meetings 10-4 everyday to pray, strategically plan, have devotions, and
set goals for the entire state. I’m so excited to see what God is going
to do at Kean University!
This week is already the first week at Kean University for incoming freshmen. Upperclassmen move in on Friday and classes start on Tuesday, Sept. 4th. Please pray for the Kean Cru leaders to continue to prioritize their relationships with Jesus as the semester begins to unravel and that be an overflow of their service to the King. These leaders truly love Jesus and want to see His kingdom expanded here, but it can be often difficult to keep that a priority when there are so many other things fighting for their attention as students with jobs other responsibilities. Please pray for me as well as I take on more responsibility with multiple students and ministries in the Urban section of New Jersey, that I may keep Jesus as the focus of my time and affection. :)
These leaders will be coming together on September 14th with Christian student leaders from around the state ministry. Please pray that God will give them wisdom to learn what to do at Kean to reach their community here with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks for your prayers and financial support, which encourages us all as we prepare! :)
I hope your summers have been just as rejuvenating as mine has! I’ve been praying about what to tell you in this newsletter since summers are so unique on staff with Cru. If I’m not on a mission trip (summer project) or taking classes, most of the summer consists of planning and preparing for the new academic year, connecting with students, and encouraging them to walk closely with Jesus. As you already know, this summer consisted of classes at the Institute of Biblical Studies in Orlando. August however, was very strategic.
Just two weeks ago, I finished my New Staff Development Curriculum and then went to the Jersey Metro staff retreat. This year we have one new intern coming to Kean University, Joel Aponte (pictured right with Jon & Mario - Kean Cru student leaders), and two part-time female staff for the North and the South parts of the Jersey Metro team. Please pray for Joey & Jenn Sforza (pictured left) who have been raising their financial support for two years and have not yet reported to full-time campus work.
We
need them in the Urban region, especially at Jersey City University and
Kean! Just following the retreat, we had one full week of staff
meetings 10-4 everyday to pray, strategically plan, have devotions, and
set goals for the entire state. I’m so excited to see what God is going
to do at Kean University!This week is already the first week at Kean University for incoming freshmen. Upperclassmen move in on Friday and classes start on Tuesday, Sept. 4th. Please pray for the Kean Cru leaders to continue to prioritize their relationships with Jesus as the semester begins to unravel and that be an overflow of their service to the King. These leaders truly love Jesus and want to see His kingdom expanded here, but it can be often difficult to keep that a priority when there are so many other things fighting for their attention as students with jobs other responsibilities. Please pray for me as well as I take on more responsibility with multiple students and ministries in the Urban section of New Jersey, that I may keep Jesus as the focus of my time and affection. :)
These leaders will be coming together on September 14th with Christian student leaders from around the state ministry. Please pray that God will give them wisdom to learn what to do at Kean to reach their community here with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks for your prayers and financial support, which encourages us all as we prepare! :)
Working alongside Christ,
Tabitha Morales
Friday, February 4, 2011
He Never Lets Go!
How was I doing?
The David Crowder Band sings two songs that I think capture my thoughts of last semester well.
If you know me, you know my life = drama. If you have no time to watch a novela, that's okay...just be my friend and that will be enough drama simply in our conversation alone. I could give you story upon story from the struggle of epilepsy, to peculiar deaths in the family, ministry issues, bad break-ups and so on. But hey, don't play the violin on me just yet...hear me out.
I can often relate to the Psalmists. David especially called out for salvation from the attacks of his enemies SO often! "The troubles of my heart are enlarged" he cries in Psalm 25. Yet it's not what the psalmists go through as much as it is how they handle those issues. "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me" (vs.21).
The David Crowder Band sings:
So often, I focus on the troubles that take up too much room in my heart (Psalm 25:17). I want others to take notice & even for God to acknowledge how troubled my life is (Psalm 25: 19)! "Oh, my soul!"- Instead of shouting this as though I am rejoicing in these afflictions because they are eclipsed by God's glory (another David Crowder song), I forget how relentless the mercy of a loving Father is and shout them in agony.
I forget that in "sun and rain" He never lets go! It's so easy to sit in my mud puddle (reference to Rick James book "A Million Ways to Die"), sad and bitter, desiring attention and comfort from all those around me (okay, now you can play the violin). I act as though because of the "disasters" of my life, I'm drowning in sorrow as though "hope has taken flight" and yet Romans 8:38 & 39 reminds us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!
Sure, sometimes life sucks! And it's not easy!...but how often do I pray "Lord, keep my soul and deliver me: Let integrity and uprightness preserve me" (Psalm 25: 20, 21)? Sure, I pray for deliverance from trials, who wouldn't? But in this suffering, how do I persevere? With bitterness and contempt to those who've hurt me? With pity parties, trial tantrums and failure fiestas? OR do I focus on the love that is ever faithful, ever true, perfect and never lets go?
YouTube: Never Let Go - David Crowder Band
The David Crowder Band sings two songs that I think capture my thoughts of last semester well.If you know me, you know my life = drama. If you have no time to watch a novela, that's okay...just be my friend and that will be enough drama simply in our conversation alone. I could give you story upon story from the struggle of epilepsy, to peculiar deaths in the family, ministry issues, bad break-ups and so on. But hey, don't play the violin on me just yet...hear me out.
I can often relate to the Psalmists. David especially called out for salvation from the attacks of his enemies SO often! "The troubles of my heart are enlarged" he cries in Psalm 25. Yet it's not what the psalmists go through as much as it is how they handle those issues. "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me" (vs.21).
The David Crowder Band sings:
When clouds veil sun, And disaster comes...Oh, my soul. When waters rise, And hope takes flight...Oh, my soul
Ever faithful, Ever true, You I know, You never let go
Oh, my soul overflows
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, my soul fills with hope
Perfect love that never lets go
Oh, what love, ....In joy and pain; In sun and rain, You’re the same. Oh, You never let go!
So often, I focus on the troubles that take up too much room in my heart (Psalm 25:17). I want others to take notice & even for God to acknowledge how troubled my life is (Psalm 25: 19)! "Oh, my soul!"- Instead of shouting this as though I am rejoicing in these afflictions because they are eclipsed by God's glory (another David Crowder song), I forget how relentless the mercy of a loving Father is and shout them in agony.
I forget that in "sun and rain" He never lets go! It's so easy to sit in my mud puddle (reference to Rick James book "A Million Ways to Die"), sad and bitter, desiring attention and comfort from all those around me (okay, now you can play the violin). I act as though because of the "disasters" of my life, I'm drowning in sorrow as though "hope has taken flight" and yet Romans 8:38 & 39 reminds us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!
Sure, sometimes life sucks! And it's not easy!...but how often do I pray "Lord, keep my soul and deliver me: Let integrity and uprightness preserve me" (Psalm 25: 20, 21)? Sure, I pray for deliverance from trials, who wouldn't? But in this suffering, how do I persevere? With bitterness and contempt to those who've hurt me? With pity parties, trial tantrums and failure fiestas? OR do I focus on the love that is ever faithful, ever true, perfect and never lets go?
YouTube: Never Let Go - David Crowder Band
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