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.

Anxious much?

In Matthew 6:26-34, Jesus is nearing the end of His sermon on the mount, His first sermon recorded in the book of Matthew, and He talks about anxiety.

This summer I will be attending the Institute of Biblical Studies, taking four classes in 4 weeks. I don't typically struggle with anxiety, but everything about this summer assignment seems to encourage anxiety. Financially speaking, I need to raise $3000 more than usual to pay for this summer. Regarding time, I need to spend it very wisely since I will be in class Monday-Friday 8-4 daily for four weeks. Socially, I will have the opportunity to meet and form relationships with the new staff class of 2012 and the older staff taking classes like me.   As a matter of emotion, I will be away from most of my friends, family, students & church.

Seems like a lot to be concerned over to me. In fact, I'm really scared to do it. However, last night I was listening to a lecture by Tim Keller where He quotes an author who says "If your actions don't match your spoken beliefs, then they are not your beliefs". Convicted, I immediately began to apologize to God for once again not trusting Him, despite His perfect record of faithfulness.

He will come through...even if I have no idea how.

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!

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:

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