Hey!
Pretty exciting! Summit is tomorrow and there are a few 1st year students coming with us! There's actually like 130 students going this year plus like 20 staff! Which is insane!! But it'll be so awesome. xP
Today I got to go through some discipleship stuff with AP. He's a kinda crazy guy. lol. So on fire for God and also like a crazy Physics nerd, no offense. lol... We looked at 1 John 5:9-13 and a bunch of passages that just summarize the gospel. It was a really great reminder of the assurance, the security, we have in our faith. Those that have Christ, have eternal life. As simple as that, no questions about it. And I know Christ has been in my life, so I know that I am saved and have a salvation that will not perish or fade or spoil. I just need to trust in these truths. Praise God for these truths and His immeasurable riches of grace!
I can't wait to see both of us and others growing as disciples of Christ as we help others know what it means to do the same.
I talked earlier in the day with my supervisor and got some work done in regards to my thesis. She seems to think that we may not get super far in the plan, but that's cool. haha. I don't really want to put in a lot of work. haha. I hope we can get very far, but it seems that we are first just testing the ability of the concept, rather than actually doing any of the combining of concepts yet. haha
Anyways, all is good. Tomorrow I'll be going over the same thing with RB, which should be great too.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
25.9.14
24.9.14
Strong Scriptures
Hey!
So, today, idk, I guess I've been thinking quite a bit lately about stuff in general, and I've still been a little depressed about temptation and sin and stuff. So I got to thinking and praying a bit and I ended up reading 1 Peter. The whole book. It's so good. haha. And then I read a few psalms. Also great. And later today we read Ephesians 1 and 2, also really great.
All of them really spoke into my situation, and I guess I really just was really blown away by what the Bible was saying, probably like I've never really understood before, which is kinda neat, but ya... I don't like this situation of temptation and sin and everything.
I also guess I kinda realized how much I rely on God working through others and songs rather than just going to God directly in prayer or reading His word. So, I kinda feel like I should do that more in every situation, rather than being carried by the faith of others or by emotion or by words written by others. You know? I'm not saying any of those things are bad, but that it shouldn't be the foundation of my faith.
So I will continue thinking. But I also want to read through 1 Peter again. Everything in the whole book really spoke to me today, so I'd like to look through it in more detail.
Cool things happened today too. My friend RN apparently knows IT and heard about her going to Mexico, and saw me in a picture with her at church. And so we got to talk a little bit. I will talk to him more later. And I got to talk to MJ a bit because she was sick. I said I would pray for her. Hopefully we can talk more later. And Connect meeting was cool. Haha
Anyways, ttyl.
D.Fa
So, today, idk, I guess I've been thinking quite a bit lately about stuff in general, and I've still been a little depressed about temptation and sin and stuff. So I got to thinking and praying a bit and I ended up reading 1 Peter. The whole book. It's so good. haha. And then I read a few psalms. Also great. And later today we read Ephesians 1 and 2, also really great.
All of them really spoke into my situation, and I guess I really just was really blown away by what the Bible was saying, probably like I've never really understood before, which is kinda neat, but ya... I don't like this situation of temptation and sin and everything.
I also guess I kinda realized how much I rely on God working through others and songs rather than just going to God directly in prayer or reading His word. So, I kinda feel like I should do that more in every situation, rather than being carried by the faith of others or by emotion or by words written by others. You know? I'm not saying any of those things are bad, but that it shouldn't be the foundation of my faith.
So I will continue thinking. But I also want to read through 1 Peter again. Everything in the whole book really spoke to me today, so I'd like to look through it in more detail.
Cool things happened today too. My friend RN apparently knows IT and heard about her going to Mexico, and saw me in a picture with her at church. And so we got to talk a little bit. I will talk to him more later. And I got to talk to MJ a bit because she was sick. I said I would pray for her. Hopefully we can talk more later. And Connect meeting was cool. Haha
Anyways, ttyl.
D.Fa
22.9.14
This Can Never Perish, Spoil or Fade
Yo.
So, these last few days have sucked tbh*. Sin, temptation, and overall spiritual attack on my identity in Christ. It's been extremely depressing and it's just been lie after lie from the enemy. And the biggest problem is just that I am listening and was so disturbed about my place in Christ.
My discipler was also really concerned so we talked for a while today. And I wrote out a bunch of probably really depressing garbage about how I have no identity and have no worth.
Then at our P2C servant team meeting, which I normally lead, but didn't have time to prepare for, and so another guy led it, I had however typed like two things into the googledoc, one of which were the Bible verses we were going to look at, which had been kinda determined last week, but that I had spent like no time at all on preparing. XP But the other guy thought I had and so he turned it over to me.
We read Rom9:16-33 (kinda harsh read. Haha, but also great promises of God saving the Gentiles and remnant of Israel, which He definitely didn't have to, so, ya, God is merciful yo) and I had jot down another verse. I didn't remember what the other verse said and so went to it while the others were sharing their thoughts on Rom9 (I know, pay attention when people talk, eh?). It was exactly what I needed to hear.
1Pet1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (my emphases)
So much pure gold of scripture in there! And praise God for speaking to me through it or I'd still be in a wreck. Haha
Anyways, talk to you later.
D.Fa
*pretty sure I'm gonna start using 'tbh' in my regular text vocabulary. It stands for 'to be honest'.
21.9.14
Broken Cisterns
There is not enough time in a day.
That is what I would like to say, but I know that there is in fact enough time in a day for all that needs to be done, it just doesn't get done based on how we prioritize and spend the time that we have been given. As it says in Eph 5:15-17 (ESV) "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Make use of your time, because the temptation is there to use that time for evil. Instead, full of the Spirit, pursue God's will first and everything; this is the best use of time. #howiseeit
I say this largely because there is so much I would like to blog about, and I so rarely find the time to do so.
So, idk. I think I have too many things that I want to do, some of which I know are not worth doing, but I pursue anyways. I started reading Ecclesiastes (more on why later. > . <''') and yeah, the picture that is presented is that "The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. (1:8b)" and "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. (5:10)". Two examples of our misdirected desires seeking for satisfaction in the world and never having enough. And this is largely how I feel about the temptations that I have which say "you haven't tried this, how can you know it is bad for you?" and so I compromise by indulging in a related, but not exactly the same sin, which leaves me empty and unsatisfied and with a further desire for the thing I know is bad, but haven't tried.
The Bible says these things we desire, are desired because we are broken and want to be filled; more directly it says we are now enslaved to these passions and desires. The image given is that we are thirsty for true water, and instead of looking for a fountain of living water, we complain and start digging our own muddy cisterns, not daring to leave them (Jer2:13 "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water").
To quote lyrics from Still Want You by Andrew Huang:
Chorus:
Even though you try to make it hurt me,
Even though you want to pick up and desert me,
I still want you baby; I still want you baby.
Even though the sky we built was starless,
Even though you leave me in the coldest darkness,
I still want you baby; I still want you baby.
The verses speak of the love as hate, a poison, alcohol in the dark, causing him to be lost, and in danger, something that is killing him slowly, and the bridge goes as far as to beg for a kiss, for love, for a hit, to be cut again.
Left in the coldest darkness with nothing, a starless sky in the middle of winter, with no warmth or affection or emotion, but so deluded to desire more of it; that pursuing it further is the only answer left.
The biggest problem here, though I often don't say so, is not that we are left empty, but that for our rebellion and forsaking God, the spring of living water, we actually have chosen death and destruction, we have chosen hell. To disobey a king is treason, punishable by death. Christ offers so much more than anything this world can offer and leaves us with life eternal, a thirst satisfied, endless delight at His side.
That is what I would like to say, but I know that there is in fact enough time in a day for all that needs to be done, it just doesn't get done based on how we prioritize and spend the time that we have been given. As it says in Eph 5:15-17 (ESV) "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Make use of your time, because the temptation is there to use that time for evil. Instead, full of the Spirit, pursue God's will first and everything; this is the best use of time. #howiseeit
I say this largely because there is so much I would like to blog about, and I so rarely find the time to do so.
So, idk. I think I have too many things that I want to do, some of which I know are not worth doing, but I pursue anyways. I started reading Ecclesiastes (more on why later. > . <''') and yeah, the picture that is presented is that "The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. (1:8b)" and "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. (5:10)". Two examples of our misdirected desires seeking for satisfaction in the world and never having enough. And this is largely how I feel about the temptations that I have which say "you haven't tried this, how can you know it is bad for you?" and so I compromise by indulging in a related, but not exactly the same sin, which leaves me empty and unsatisfied and with a further desire for the thing I know is bad, but haven't tried.
The Bible says these things we desire, are desired because we are broken and want to be filled; more directly it says we are now enslaved to these passions and desires. The image given is that we are thirsty for true water, and instead of looking for a fountain of living water, we complain and start digging our own muddy cisterns, not daring to leave them (Jer2:13 "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water").
To quote lyrics from Still Want You by Andrew Huang:
Chorus:
Even though you try to make it hurt me,
Even though you want to pick up and desert me,
I still want you baby; I still want you baby.
Even though the sky we built was starless,
Even though you leave me in the coldest darkness,
I still want you baby; I still want you baby.
The verses speak of the love as hate, a poison, alcohol in the dark, causing him to be lost, and in danger, something that is killing him slowly, and the bridge goes as far as to beg for a kiss, for love, for a hit, to be cut again.
Left in the coldest darkness with nothing, a starless sky in the middle of winter, with no warmth or affection or emotion, but so deluded to desire more of it; that pursuing it further is the only answer left.
The biggest problem here, though I often don't say so, is not that we are left empty, but that for our rebellion and forsaking God, the spring of living water, we actually have chosen death and destruction, we have chosen hell. To disobey a king is treason, punishable by death. Christ offers so much more than anything this world can offer and leaves us with life eternal, a thirst satisfied, endless delight at His side.
12.9.14
Majesty - KG Ch8
August 25 - 11:58am
The night before last I went to the dock to see the stars. The expanse of heavens, the amazing vastness of creation, the glory of lights billions of miles away, a display of splendor and majesty, yet incomparable to the creator who is forever blessed.
The eighth chapter of Knowing God by Packer is upon the majesty, the absolute infinite greatness of God. The chapter is especially speaks upon Isaiah 40 and that rebuke to the Israelites who are not seeing God as great as He is, but are seeing other things as great.
The chapter opens describing majesty, a word I have no acquaintance with practically in my vocabulary, and then essentially a challenge that 'our God is too small'. In our focus on God being personal we have detracted from His greatness. "Today vast stress is laid on the thought that God is personal, but this truth is so stated as o leave the impression that God is a person of the same sort as we are--weak, inadequate, ineffective, a little pathetic. But this is not the God of the Bible! Our personal life is a finite thing: it is limited in every direction, in space, in time, in knowledge, in power. He has us in his hands; we never have him in ours. Like us, he is personal; but unlike us, he is great. In all its constant stress on the reality of God's personal concern for his people, and on his gentleness, tenderness, sympathy, patience and yearning compassion that he shows toward them, the Bible never lets us lose sight of his unlimited dominion over all his creatures." pg 83.
Packer continues by going to the very start; using Genesis as an example of God's mejesty combined with personality.
I thought this was really cool. I had never viewed Genesis as showing the personal character of God, but now that it has been made aware to me, it feels like this is something that is sooo clear that I have been overlooking.
God in Genesis: destroyer of Sodom + Gomorrah; wrathful curser and annihilator of the world by flood; cause of famine; mysterious. God in Genesis, this is what we often remember. His power, and destruction. To add to his majesty: creating the world and universe; cause of life; scattering nations by language; judge of all the earth; God Most High.
But the thing I overlooked here: God who walked with Adam; God who talks to, asks questions, and desires compassion; God who makes promises and loves his people; God of Genesis. A personal God, which continues through the whole Bible.
But nowhere does this personal quality directly go against his majesty. Through the Bible we see people actually scared of God because of his greatness. If they see Him they may well die. I don't know when that thought initially began, but the truth is in His majesty and our sin which deserves righteous wrath.
So, what are we to do to properly see God's greatness? "How may we form a right idea of God's greatness? The Bible teaches us two steps that we must take. The first is to remove from our thoughts of God limits that would make him small. The second is to compare him with powers and forces which we regard as great." pg 85
Packer continues with a meditation on Psalm 139; which essentially is a meditation on God's unlimited presence, knowledge, and power. This meditation as an example of removing the limits we place on God. Isaiah 40 then is given as an example of comparing God to greatness: great tasks; the nations; the world; rulers; stars.
Thost stars which are so great and incomparable, God is greater. He made each of them.
The chapter ends with Isaiah 40:25-28. ""To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength. not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He wil not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom." (NIV). A rebuke of wrong thoughts of God, of ourselves, and our slowness to believe in his greatness.
My Bible just flipped pages to Isa26. Verse 10 reads "Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the LORD."
May we better see God's majesty and may his kindness lead us to repentance and a reliance on His powerful Spirit in us.
The night before last I went to the dock to see the stars. The expanse of heavens, the amazing vastness of creation, the glory of lights billions of miles away, a display of splendor and majesty, yet incomparable to the creator who is forever blessed.
The eighth chapter of Knowing God by Packer is upon the majesty, the absolute infinite greatness of God. The chapter is especially speaks upon Isaiah 40 and that rebuke to the Israelites who are not seeing God as great as He is, but are seeing other things as great.
The chapter opens describing majesty, a word I have no acquaintance with practically in my vocabulary, and then essentially a challenge that 'our God is too small'. In our focus on God being personal we have detracted from His greatness. "Today vast stress is laid on the thought that God is personal, but this truth is so stated as o leave the impression that God is a person of the same sort as we are--weak, inadequate, ineffective, a little pathetic. But this is not the God of the Bible! Our personal life is a finite thing: it is limited in every direction, in space, in time, in knowledge, in power. He has us in his hands; we never have him in ours. Like us, he is personal; but unlike us, he is great. In all its constant stress on the reality of God's personal concern for his people, and on his gentleness, tenderness, sympathy, patience and yearning compassion that he shows toward them, the Bible never lets us lose sight of his unlimited dominion over all his creatures." pg 83.
Packer continues by going to the very start; using Genesis as an example of God's mejesty combined with personality.
I thought this was really cool. I had never viewed Genesis as showing the personal character of God, but now that it has been made aware to me, it feels like this is something that is sooo clear that I have been overlooking.
God in Genesis: destroyer of Sodom + Gomorrah; wrathful curser and annihilator of the world by flood; cause of famine; mysterious. God in Genesis, this is what we often remember. His power, and destruction. To add to his majesty: creating the world and universe; cause of life; scattering nations by language; judge of all the earth; God Most High.
But the thing I overlooked here: God who walked with Adam; God who talks to, asks questions, and desires compassion; God who makes promises and loves his people; God of Genesis. A personal God, which continues through the whole Bible.
But nowhere does this personal quality directly go against his majesty. Through the Bible we see people actually scared of God because of his greatness. If they see Him they may well die. I don't know when that thought initially began, but the truth is in His majesty and our sin which deserves righteous wrath.
So, what are we to do to properly see God's greatness? "How may we form a right idea of God's greatness? The Bible teaches us two steps that we must take. The first is to remove from our thoughts of God limits that would make him small. The second is to compare him with powers and forces which we regard as great." pg 85
Packer continues with a meditation on Psalm 139; which essentially is a meditation on God's unlimited presence, knowledge, and power. This meditation as an example of removing the limits we place on God. Isaiah 40 then is given as an example of comparing God to greatness: great tasks; the nations; the world; rulers; stars.
Thost stars which are so great and incomparable, God is greater. He made each of them.
The chapter ends with Isaiah 40:25-28. ""To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength. not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He wil not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom." (NIV). A rebuke of wrong thoughts of God, of ourselves, and our slowness to believe in his greatness.
My Bible just flipped pages to Isa26. Verse 10 reads "Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the LORD."
May we better see God's majesty and may his kindness lead us to repentance and a reliance on His powerful Spirit in us.
TO Adventure; Day 6: Summit Day 2
August 23 - 9:35am
Sometimes I wish I could record my thoughts. When you have a great interaction with God and break down in tears and pray from the depths of a contrite heart, hiding nothing and being so much more real than ever. But then after you might not be able to write it down and the moment is lost.
A lot of the context of the songs we just sang in session were about how Jesus is enough, I'm going to give up my life, take me where you'd have me, all I have is yours. Songs like these provoke my soul because they are so difficult to say sincerely sometimes. If you are not all in, these words are so painful to say. How can you say "I love you" and then not care at all about God and the desires He has expressed to you? When hypocrisy is pointed out to you by a Spirit conviction, it is painful. So I was led to pray; for myself and all the others in the room as we think of faith barriers to break and trust God with more. May He truly be blessed by them. May the lyrics o those songs truly be prayers of our hearts; a reflection true and pure of our lives found in Christ alone.
Anyway, I say that after a great last session. KM reminding us of the greatness of Christ and our call to be on mission with Him and others; to be on commission. And a story of a challenge to share with each of your classmates leading to the life of a guyhere being born into a Christ-loving family. And a rebuke of how so many others are living lives sold out to such weak causes; 55000$ Potato salad yo. This all after a crazy day.
Outdoor showers are refreshing.
Discipleship is key.
You cannot solve inner spiritual issues by external means.
Renegade team = BEAST MODE!
Cheetos + Shaving cream win
Events are complex
Catching snakes + toads; AMAZING.
Canoeing + sunscreen = not as much sunburn.
Archery -- Everything I ever dreamed. Finally.
Summit is a blast. Truly lifelong friendships right here. It's a little odd being distant though. I like it because there's no responsability. I don't need to stay in each of their lives, but the negative is I can't even if I tried. I like making new friends with Christians. We are a family and the unity in the Spirit is actually awesome.
Also, I think I just got a crush on a girl, but we'll see if God brings us together again. I read an article once; I shouldn't get her heart involved in some thing I'm not going to seriously pursue right now.
Anyways again, #Colossiansfordays. Worldly principles, include religion? 2v16-23 seems to say so. Jewish laws, a shadow. Christ, substance. Growth comes from God. Regulations--human precepts and teachings--appear wise, but have no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh, again seems like chapter 3 of OS+T. Only by the Spirit can we truly live and overcome sin and temptation, and only in Christ are we truly free.
But secondly, even if elemental spirits of the world include my wrong belief thoughts, in Christ I died to them, or should have, or now can. Freed in Christ to live out faith in love, to love by faith.
Idk what I'm gonna do tonight, well, stars, but otherwise. I don't belong here. Haha
May Christ continue to sanctify me and circumcise flesh from my heart; may I be always in the Spirit and in full accord with my brothers and sisters in Christ; may He be fully glorified and I delighting in Him.
Amen
D.Fa
Sometimes I wish I could record my thoughts. When you have a great interaction with God and break down in tears and pray from the depths of a contrite heart, hiding nothing and being so much more real than ever. But then after you might not be able to write it down and the moment is lost.
A lot of the context of the songs we just sang in session were about how Jesus is enough, I'm going to give up my life, take me where you'd have me, all I have is yours. Songs like these provoke my soul because they are so difficult to say sincerely sometimes. If you are not all in, these words are so painful to say. How can you say "I love you" and then not care at all about God and the desires He has expressed to you? When hypocrisy is pointed out to you by a Spirit conviction, it is painful. So I was led to pray; for myself and all the others in the room as we think of faith barriers to break and trust God with more. May He truly be blessed by them. May the lyrics o those songs truly be prayers of our hearts; a reflection true and pure of our lives found in Christ alone.
Anyway, I say that after a great last session. KM reminding us of the greatness of Christ and our call to be on mission with Him and others; to be on commission. And a story of a challenge to share with each of your classmates leading to the life of a guyhere being born into a Christ-loving family. And a rebuke of how so many others are living lives sold out to such weak causes; 55000$ Potato salad yo. This all after a crazy day.
Outdoor showers are refreshing.
Discipleship is key.
You cannot solve inner spiritual issues by external means.
Renegade team = BEAST MODE!
Cheetos + Shaving cream win
Events are complex
Catching snakes + toads; AMAZING.
Canoeing + sunscreen = not as much sunburn.
Archery -- Everything I ever dreamed. Finally.
Summit is a blast. Truly lifelong friendships right here. It's a little odd being distant though. I like it because there's no responsability. I don't need to stay in each of their lives, but the negative is I can't even if I tried. I like making new friends with Christians. We are a family and the unity in the Spirit is actually awesome.
Also, I think I just got a crush on a girl, but we'll see if God brings us together again. I read an article once; I shouldn't get her heart involved in some thing I'm not going to seriously pursue right now.
Anyways again, #Colossiansfordays. Worldly principles, include religion? 2v16-23 seems to say so. Jewish laws, a shadow. Christ, substance. Growth comes from God. Regulations--human precepts and teachings--appear wise, but have no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh, again seems like chapter 3 of OS+T. Only by the Spirit can we truly live and overcome sin and temptation, and only in Christ are we truly free.
But secondly, even if elemental spirits of the world include my wrong belief thoughts, in Christ I died to them, or should have, or now can. Freed in Christ to live out faith in love, to love by faith.
Idk what I'm gonna do tonight, well, stars, but otherwise. I don't belong here. Haha
May Christ continue to sanctify me and circumcise flesh from my heart; may I be always in the Spirit and in full accord with my brothers and sisters in Christ; may He be fully glorified and I delighting in Him.
Amen
D.Fa
11.9.14
Turn Down for What?
It's been one of those weeks: never any down time. haha
Saturday was pretty chill. Slept in and went to church to make a million cookies for uO church crawl and for the moon festival event the next day. Conclusion: making cookies from scratch is far better than bulk barn instant cookie mix.
Sunday was great. xP. Went to church with ML. Great worship time. So many people that day. The sanctuary was really full. After church I went home. At 4pm P2C people started coming over to my house. We shared highlights of the previous week and when everyone was there we discussed what doing a 'follow-up' meeting would look like. How to call, suggested meeting discussion topic, etc. We had dinner and then started calling. Between 9 of us we set up like 17 follow-up meetings! It was great. xP
Monday. Oh ya... haha. Back to back to back stuff. Classes, classroom surveys, staff meeting, servant team meeting, follow-up meeting. Pretty much everything you could possibly imagine all in one day. haha. But it was good. Made a friend in Philosophy class and found out I know a couple people in my Biotech class. It was a good day.
Tuesday. xP I got to go back to Tunney's pasture. My undergraduate honours research thesis is with Carleton and Health Canada, so I was there in the morning to have a discussion with my two supervisors about the project, which was really cool. I'm really looking forward to the project. xP Afterwards, I had free time so I went over to BGTD and saw my old co-workers, except for the few that were on vacation (as they typically are). xP. I spent a good few hours there talking to them. I'm glad that I'll be in the area regularly. After I had a follow-up with an awesome first year guy and AP. We went and bought ginger (among other things) and later had a bible study time with BR.
Wednesday. I think my classes are a good variety. Philosophy (more in another post) takes so much mental capacity to understand and process these deep concepts. An hour of class felt like 3 hours. Fungus class was a lot of fun. Our prof is so chill. We went on a field trip and looked at fungi in a wildlife center so I got to chill with RN, MJ and CB for a bit. Biotech is a very discussion based class, so I look forward to getting to know some of my classmates a lot better. xP After I had another follow-up with AP. This time the guy was very direct: "tell me about P2C, what you believe, and membership criteria" is essentially what he asked. Overall, he seems really excited to get involved and share Christ with others. xP Then we had dinner in the caf and games after. Really sweet (more in another post).
Ttyl.
D.Fa
Saturday was pretty chill. Slept in and went to church to make a million cookies for uO church crawl and for the moon festival event the next day. Conclusion: making cookies from scratch is far better than bulk barn instant cookie mix.
Sunday was great. xP. Went to church with ML. Great worship time. So many people that day. The sanctuary was really full. After church I went home. At 4pm P2C people started coming over to my house. We shared highlights of the previous week and when everyone was there we discussed what doing a 'follow-up' meeting would look like. How to call, suggested meeting discussion topic, etc. We had dinner and then started calling. Between 9 of us we set up like 17 follow-up meetings! It was great. xP
Monday. Oh ya... haha. Back to back to back stuff. Classes, classroom surveys, staff meeting, servant team meeting, follow-up meeting. Pretty much everything you could possibly imagine all in one day. haha. But it was good. Made a friend in Philosophy class and found out I know a couple people in my Biotech class. It was a good day.
Tuesday. xP I got to go back to Tunney's pasture. My undergraduate honours research thesis is with Carleton and Health Canada, so I was there in the morning to have a discussion with my two supervisors about the project, which was really cool. I'm really looking forward to the project. xP Afterwards, I had free time so I went over to BGTD and saw my old co-workers, except for the few that were on vacation (as they typically are). xP. I spent a good few hours there talking to them. I'm glad that I'll be in the area regularly. After I had a follow-up with an awesome first year guy and AP. We went and bought ginger (among other things) and later had a bible study time with BR.
Wednesday. I think my classes are a good variety. Philosophy (more in another post) takes so much mental capacity to understand and process these deep concepts. An hour of class felt like 3 hours. Fungus class was a lot of fun. Our prof is so chill. We went on a field trip and looked at fungi in a wildlife center so I got to chill with RN, MJ and CB for a bit. Biotech is a very discussion based class, so I look forward to getting to know some of my classmates a lot better. xP After I had another follow-up with AP. This time the guy was very direct: "tell me about P2C, what you believe, and membership criteria" is essentially what he asked. Overall, he seems really excited to get involved and share Christ with others. xP Then we had dinner in the caf and games after. Really sweet (more in another post).
Ttyl.
D.Fa
6.9.14
Thunder - B-Down
Hey!
Yesterday was actually crazy. I had class for the first time this year. I was slightly late because I had mistaken which room it was in and spent more time in the machining lab than I had meant to, but whatever. I found out I know a couple of my classmates (MJ and RN) and we found out that next week we have a field trip! =D
After class I went to a chemistry class with JC and she made an announcement about Cravings surveys. It went really well, maybe 150 1st year students there. xP Praying God works in their lives.
Afterwards I got to go on a follow-up meeting with SK. The guy we met up with used to go to church, and is now really hoping that university would be a place for him to really grow and get reconnected with God, so hopefully we can help him where he's at and see God really show him who He is.
There was lightning as I walked to residence commons. The sky of rolling dark clouds was flashing with light and lightning. But there was no rain. I was going to be early, so I stopped and watched for a bit. There was a first year guy also watching. We chatted briefly before it started raining. He thought it was really cool (as did I), but he was conflicted because he also had a dream that the world was going to end that day. haha. I asked what he thought would happen if the world ended, what would happen to him, but the conversation didn't go anywhere.
After was English Corner and there were 5 international students from China. Got to play a couple fun english word games and after we were going to go eat. Res caf is expensive. Oasis was closed. So I invited them over for dinner. there was supposed to be a bbq, which I was going to skip. xP. So we went. I went into my backyard for the first time, set up a charcoal grill for the first time, and we had a bbq with BR and a few of his friends. We also ended up having a smash brothers tournament in the basement! So good. But I got 2nd place..... > . < The controller. I blame the controller. But it was a lot of fun. haha
Today I helped make cookies. haha. Don't use BulkBarn cookie mix. Just make it yourself. So much tastier.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
Yesterday was actually crazy. I had class for the first time this year. I was slightly late because I had mistaken which room it was in and spent more time in the machining lab than I had meant to, but whatever. I found out I know a couple of my classmates (MJ and RN) and we found out that next week we have a field trip! =D
After class I went to a chemistry class with JC and she made an announcement about Cravings surveys. It went really well, maybe 150 1st year students there. xP Praying God works in their lives.
Afterwards I got to go on a follow-up meeting with SK. The guy we met up with used to go to church, and is now really hoping that university would be a place for him to really grow and get reconnected with God, so hopefully we can help him where he's at and see God really show him who He is.
There was lightning as I walked to residence commons. The sky of rolling dark clouds was flashing with light and lightning. But there was no rain. I was going to be early, so I stopped and watched for a bit. There was a first year guy also watching. We chatted briefly before it started raining. He thought it was really cool (as did I), but he was conflicted because he also had a dream that the world was going to end that day. haha. I asked what he thought would happen if the world ended, what would happen to him, but the conversation didn't go anywhere.
After was English Corner and there were 5 international students from China. Got to play a couple fun english word games and after we were going to go eat. Res caf is expensive. Oasis was closed. So I invited them over for dinner. there was supposed to be a bbq, which I was going to skip. xP. So we went. I went into my backyard for the first time, set up a charcoal grill for the first time, and we had a bbq with BR and a few of his friends. We also ended up having a smash brothers tournament in the basement! So good. But I got 2nd place..... > . < The controller. I blame the controller. But it was a lot of fun. haha
Today I helped make cookies. haha. Don't use BulkBarn cookie mix. Just make it yourself. So much tastier.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
TO Adventure; Day 5: Summit Day 1
Oh man, I stink right now. Lol.
It's been a good first day of Summit. First was just the bus ride. And people started showing up slowly. I was there fairly early, but whatever. I started meeting a whole bunch of people. Let's just try and remember all of their names. Then something kinda crazy happened. I think we were just joking around about someone missing summit being rebellious and I said something along the lines of "we've all been through a rebellious phase. What did you rebellious phase look like?"
Then BAM.
Things got serious. I had only known this guy for like 10 minutes and he says he was into drugs and a lifestyle life that. o.O Wow man. Actually caught me off guard. And the bus was loading, so before he finished telling the story we got on. Since we did have a fairly long ride he kinda started over so he can tell the whole story. It was pretty crazy. The works that God has done in his life, all amazing, and such a real testimony. He then asked me about my story and so I also shared the long story about wanting to fit in, but not and God calling me to not fit in, so I shared that part of my story too. We talked for a long time after that too. #instantfriendship
I kinda want to follow his example and bring the truth even in smaller questions from now on. Catch people off guard. Astonish them.
Finally got to Summit. Registered. Found our cabins (so far. lol. steep muddy cliff).
Time for session. UTM had two girls so I sat with them. We're overall divided into 4 teams, and UTM/UTSC/GB/YG[/Centennial/Carleton] are on one "Renegade" team. It's really interesting being on the Renegade team. Kinda feeling that we lack team spirit. We have no cheer. We have no unity.
The worship and message was all a reminder of God's love, faithfulness, and grace. Pretty sweet.
Dinner. Workshop #1 (KM essentially rehashing his debrief stuff). Campus times (again, a little depressing). And capture the flag. I don't think the teams were even and yeah, we lost.
Being here is interesting. I wore my UofT sweater to disguise myself. I actually fooled a staff member. Oh, KM is here too. But ya, what exactly is the reason I am here? To relax? To be refreshed? To encourage? How can I help, without taking away from their own campus ministries?
I was reading Col2 this morning. What lies; what deception; what foolish philosophies am I believing?
Today, Hmmm, I guess at one point I had been convicted that I don't believe in God's great ability. The sin I struggle with I have been believing I am never be cured. He can. Anything He can. Nothing with God is impossible. But now thinking, a verse from earlier. We shouldn't seek only to be back in comfort, but rejoice in suffering for the gospel.
Hmmmm. Idk.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
It's been a good first day of Summit. First was just the bus ride. And people started showing up slowly. I was there fairly early, but whatever. I started meeting a whole bunch of people. Let's just try and remember all of their names. Then something kinda crazy happened. I think we were just joking around about someone missing summit being rebellious and I said something along the lines of "we've all been through a rebellious phase. What did you rebellious phase look like?"
Then BAM.
Things got serious. I had only known this guy for like 10 minutes and he says he was into drugs and a lifestyle life that. o.O Wow man. Actually caught me off guard. And the bus was loading, so before he finished telling the story we got on. Since we did have a fairly long ride he kinda started over so he can tell the whole story. It was pretty crazy. The works that God has done in his life, all amazing, and such a real testimony. He then asked me about my story and so I also shared the long story about wanting to fit in, but not and God calling me to not fit in, so I shared that part of my story too. We talked for a long time after that too. #instantfriendship
I kinda want to follow his example and bring the truth even in smaller questions from now on. Catch people off guard. Astonish them.
Finally got to Summit. Registered. Found our cabins (so far. lol. steep muddy cliff).
Time for session. UTM had two girls so I sat with them. We're overall divided into 4 teams, and UTM/UTSC/GB/YG[/Centennial/Carleton] are on one "Renegade" team. It's really interesting being on the Renegade team. Kinda feeling that we lack team spirit. We have no cheer. We have no unity.
The worship and message was all a reminder of God's love, faithfulness, and grace. Pretty sweet.
Dinner. Workshop #1 (KM essentially rehashing his debrief stuff). Campus times (again, a little depressing). And capture the flag. I don't think the teams were even and yeah, we lost.
Being here is interesting. I wore my UofT sweater to disguise myself. I actually fooled a staff member. Oh, KM is here too. But ya, what exactly is the reason I am here? To relax? To be refreshed? To encourage? How can I help, without taking away from their own campus ministries?
I was reading Col2 this morning. What lies; what deception; what foolish philosophies am I believing?
Today, Hmmm, I guess at one point I had been convicted that I don't believe in God's great ability. The sin I struggle with I have been believing I am never be cured. He can. Anything He can. Nothing with God is impossible. But now thinking, a verse from earlier. We shouldn't seek only to be back in comfort, but rejoice in suffering for the gospel.
Hmmmm. Idk.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
4.9.14
TO Adventure; Summit Quiet Time Journal
God. You are good all the time. I thank you for the reminder that you gave through the band and worship of your faithfulness and love. You will never forsake me. I thank you for your faithfulness combined with your majesty. Although you are great, your greatness in grace, love, and compassion extends to the least.
I pray that I'd always remember these things and that you'd be further glorified in my life. I thank you also for your reminder of grace to all that you spoke through LC God, that you are a God of prodigal grace spent on those who don't deserve it. Both those who would be far by choice and those who are far by being so close in their own minds.
Am I younger or older brother?
I see a lot of both in me. I see so much of what you gave me wasted and rendered useless. But I don't believe I've hit rock bottom. There's a lot worse I think I could do. I don't want to get there. I pray you keep me in you now and humble me. I also see older brother tendencies. Humble me and bring me near.
I pray that I'd always remember these things and that you'd be further glorified in my life. I thank you also for your reminder of grace to all that you spoke through LC God, that you are a God of prodigal grace spent on those who don't deserve it. Both those who would be far by choice and those who are far by being so close in their own minds.
Am I younger or older brother?
I see a lot of both in me. I see so much of what you gave me wasted and rendered useless. But I don't believe I've hit rock bottom. There's a lot worse I think I could do. I don't want to get there. I pray you keep me in you now and humble me. I also see older brother tendencies. Humble me and bring me near.
TO Adventure; Day 4: Mississauga: Part 2
August 22 - 9:35am
Hey. Yesterday I got to meet up with a friend from UTM P2C. It was great to catch up, have Timmies, hear what is happening in each other's lives and pray for each other. I think I am terrible at being concise. She essentially asked "tell me about everything that has happened in the last year". And I think I talked too much. Haha
Afterwards I just bussed home, we had dumplings for dinner (home made) and me and RZ just played cellphone games for a while, talked a bit and went to sleep. Pretty uneventful. Idk. Maybe we should have talked more? I don;t think he's really the talkative type.
This morning I woke up early, packed, quickly had breakast and then had to say goodbye. This trip was way too short. Took the Go Train with uncle VZ, took the sub, walked here.
Kinda waiting for Summit now. xP.
Should be good.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
Hey. Yesterday I got to meet up with a friend from UTM P2C. It was great to catch up, have Timmies, hear what is happening in each other's lives and pray for each other. I think I am terrible at being concise. She essentially asked "tell me about everything that has happened in the last year". And I think I talked too much. Haha
Afterwards I just bussed home, we had dumplings for dinner (home made) and me and RZ just played cellphone games for a while, talked a bit and went to sleep. Pretty uneventful. Idk. Maybe we should have talked more? I don;t think he's really the talkative type.
This morning I woke up early, packed, quickly had breakast and then had to say goodbye. This trip was way too short. Took the Go Train with uncle VZ, took the sub, walked here.
Kinda waiting for Summit now. xP.
Should be good.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
TO Adventure; Day 4: Mississauga: Part 1
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.
Bold words.
How often can I say I rejoice in my sufferings? I doubt that I ever really do so. Sometimes maybe, but definitely not often. But Paul goes further than just saying he rejoices in his sufferings. In his body. he. is completing what was lacking in Christ's sufferings.
Was Christ's sufferings incomplete??
No. Christ, the perfect lamb of God, Son of God, came and died to pay for our sins. Living perfectly by the Holy Spirit, communion with God always, fighting temptation by the Word of God, rebuking and teaching, dying one for all that in Him we may become righteous.
Paul's suffering. It is not by Paul's suffering that we find grace and salvation. In Christ. So what does it mean?
- 2 Cor 1:5-7 - sharing in Christ's suffering to then also share in his comfort
- Phil 3:10-11 - to know Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection power
- Rom 8:16-18 - suffering so that we are heirs with Chrst of the far surpasing Glory to come
These all explain suffering a little bit, but only once did I really understand this passage. John Piper has preached on it before and essentially he says that what was lacking is a physical bodily suffering to show Christ's suffering. A commitment to the gospel that goes beyond comfort to go and be Christ to others. To proclaim Christ's sufferings in word and deed. A visible representation of Christ's suffering.
Paul continues in the passage about an amazing mystery "Christ in us, the hope of glory". Part of this mystery is explained again and again in Acts, but Eph 3 explains well the mystery of the Gentiles sharing in God's kingdom. But a great mystery indeed is God in us, Christ in us, the Holy Spirit in us, and by that, a guide, a comforter, one to purify us from the inside out from one degree of glory to the next as we reflect His image more and more (2 Cor 3:16-18).
Bold words.
How often can I say I rejoice in my sufferings? I doubt that I ever really do so. Sometimes maybe, but definitely not often. But Paul goes further than just saying he rejoices in his sufferings. In his body. he. is completing what was lacking in Christ's sufferings.
Was Christ's sufferings incomplete??
No. Christ, the perfect lamb of God, Son of God, came and died to pay for our sins. Living perfectly by the Holy Spirit, communion with God always, fighting temptation by the Word of God, rebuking and teaching, dying one for all that in Him we may become righteous.
Paul's suffering. It is not by Paul's suffering that we find grace and salvation. In Christ. So what does it mean?
- 2 Cor 1:5-7 - sharing in Christ's suffering to then also share in his comfort
- Phil 3:10-11 - to know Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection power
- Rom 8:16-18 - suffering so that we are heirs with Chrst of the far surpasing Glory to come
These all explain suffering a little bit, but only once did I really understand this passage. John Piper has preached on it before and essentially he says that what was lacking is a physical bodily suffering to show Christ's suffering. A commitment to the gospel that goes beyond comfort to go and be Christ to others. To proclaim Christ's sufferings in word and deed.
Paul continues in the passage about an amazing mystery "Christ in us, the hope of glory". Part of this mystery is explained again and again in Acts, but Eph 3 explains well the mystery of the Gentiles sharing in God's kingdom. But a great mystery indeed is God in us, Christ in us, the Holy Spirit in us, and by that, a guide, a comforter, one to purify us from the inside out from one degree of glory to the next as we reflect His image more and more (2 Cor 3:16-18).
"But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
Romans 8:10-17
Romans 8:10-17
The Spirit in us, giving life, confirming we are adopted children of God, and that promise of glory in Christ.
May I count my sufferings as joy knowing they are short, knowing He is good, knowing that my hope in Christ is secure. May I count all as loss compared to knowing Christ. May I grow in Him, deny myself and follow after, willing to lose my life for Him and the sake of the gospel going to the nations [bringing true life to others].
TO Adventure; Day 3: Mississauga
August 20 - 11:35pm
Hey! Today was long... Haha.
Woke up, everyone left for work. I worked on my supported list and sent an update. It was a pretty slow morning. Just as I was about to leave, Grandma comes downstairs and shows me some dry noodles. . . . Sure? o.O - - - Grandma made me lunch! =D Noodles with choy and leftover spicy beef. So good.
I bussed out to UTM and met up with a friend. Had some talks about classes, prayed, and studied chemistry together. Bussing back I missed a stop. lol. When I finally did get back home it was dinner. Fresh cucumbers all the time #cukesfordays. After we went to prayer meeting at MCBC and I got to see AL + SM. xP
Man, time flies. Only another day here.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
Hey! Today was long... Haha.
Woke up, everyone left for work. I worked on my supported list and sent an update. It was a pretty slow morning. Just as I was about to leave, Grandma comes downstairs and shows me some dry noodles. . . . Sure? o.O - - - Grandma made me lunch! =D Noodles with choy and leftover spicy beef. So good.
I bussed out to UTM and met up with a friend. Had some talks about classes, prayed, and studied chemistry together. Bussing back I missed a stop. lol. When I finally did get back home it was dinner. Fresh cucumbers all the time #cukesfordays. After we went to prayer meeting at MCBC and I got to see AL + SM. xP
Man, time flies. Only another day here.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
TO Adventure; Day 2: Part 2: Mississauga
August 19 - 11:21pm
So far so good when it comes to getting around Toronto by bus/train alone. Haha. I made it to 'Sauga and RZ picked me up. Really glad to see the family again. Grandma. So happy to see her . . . was a little confused for a second: is that a cucumber on her face? Maybe she doesn't know . . . I'll just pretend I don't see it. Over dinner I find out she'd had cataracts and had surgery on her eyes recently and also that the cucumber is some sort of Chinese medicine. The two may not be related. I also found out she had done a 3D puzzle! Just like my grandma used to do! Haha
It's crazy I'm only here for a few days, but it feels like nothing ever really changed.
Me and RZ watched Adventure Time again. Haha. Tree Trunks is a crazy character.
Gonna go to prayer meeting tomorrow. Idk what I'm gonna do all day.
Anyways, ttyl.
D.Fa
So far so good when it comes to getting around Toronto by bus/train alone. Haha. I made it to 'Sauga and RZ picked me up. Really glad to see the family again. Grandma. So happy to see her . . . was a little confused for a second: is that a cucumber on her face? Maybe she doesn't know . . . I'll just pretend I don't see it. Over dinner I find out she'd had cataracts and had surgery on her eyes recently and also that the cucumber is some sort of Chinese medicine. The two may not be related. I also found out she had done a 3D puzzle! Just like my grandma used to do! Haha
It's crazy I'm only here for a few days, but it feels like nothing ever really changed.
Me and RZ watched Adventure Time again. Haha. Tree Trunks is a crazy character.
Gonna go to prayer meeting tomorrow. Idk what I'm gonna do all day.
Anyways, ttyl.
D.Fa
TO Adventure; Day 2: Part 1: Downtown
August 19 - 4:13pm
There are too many people here in Toronto. The word 'too' indicating that I find it somewhat troublesome to have there be so many people.
Last night at the guy's group we prayed for persecuted Christians and the world and then for Toronto. The passage that DP brought up for Toronto was Acts 17. We should be provoked by idols and injustice around us. We shouldn't view all these people as just nothing. Something annoying to be ignored. May His Spirit provoke, convict and give us more compassion.
I bring this up now though because there are so many people in Toronto that I want to see to the point that I can forget them.
I apparently forgot to tell NJ I was in Toronto. I kinda forgot he lives here too. Haha. It was good getting to catch up over breakfast, discussing life and apologetics and everything. I still really respect him as an older brother; in everything he does, he seeks Christ. In his relationship, in rideshare, in conversations with friends. And he really seeks to improve how to best speak with others and share Christ. Him and FL are total book people though and I completely think it is the coolest thing ever now to be able to just be talking about deep theological principals and to quote great theologies and books and everything. So, I need to figure out how to read more. Haha
What is cool from what I read today though is that Christ, as the image and fullness of God, in all His majesty, who created everything, still went to the cross to reconcile us, sinners who did and do evil. Col 1:15-29
In this passage too I see the goodness and grace: He has reconciled us and now by faith, He presents us holy and blameless. Not us: Christ. Not by works: by standing firm on the hope of the gospel.
May I see more and more His majesty and be able to declare this to others, knowing His great grace.
After, we went to Ryerson and I worked on P2C stuff. Haha
D.Fa
There are too many people here in Toronto. The word 'too' indicating that I find it somewhat troublesome to have there be so many people.
Last night at the guy's group we prayed for persecuted Christians and the world and then for Toronto. The passage that DP brought up for Toronto was Acts 17. We should be provoked by idols and injustice around us. We shouldn't view all these people as just nothing. Something annoying to be ignored. May His Spirit provoke, convict and give us more compassion.
I bring this up now though because there are so many people in Toronto that I want to see to the point that I can forget them.
I apparently forgot to tell NJ I was in Toronto. I kinda forgot he lives here too. Haha. It was good getting to catch up over breakfast, discussing life and apologetics and everything. I still really respect him as an older brother; in everything he does, he seeks Christ. In his relationship, in rideshare, in conversations with friends. And he really seeks to improve how to best speak with others and share Christ. Him and FL are total book people though and I completely think it is the coolest thing ever now to be able to just be talking about deep theological principals and to quote great theologies and books and everything. So, I need to figure out how to read more. Haha
What is cool from what I read today though is that Christ, as the image and fullness of God, in all His majesty, who created everything, still went to the cross to reconcile us, sinners who did and do evil. Col 1:15-29
In this passage too I see the goodness and grace: He has reconciled us and now by faith, He presents us holy and blameless. Not us: Christ. Not by works: by standing firm on the hope of the gospel.
May I see more and more His majesty and be able to declare this to others, knowing His great grace.
After, we went to Ryerson and I worked on P2C stuff. Haha
D.Fa
TO Adventure; Day 1: Part 2: Scarb/Downtown
August 19 - 12:02am
I think this time in Toronto will be fairly unscheduled too. Tonight's plans were thrown together pretty roughly this afternoon. Only two things to do: say 'hi' over at Charis and hang out with PD. PD invited me to prayer and to his men's group downtown, so I rescheduled my sleeping arrangements and it was sweet. Got to meet sweet passionate Christians and pray a bit for the world. When at Charis I found out that the youth are going to be baptized! =D I also got to meet and got to know a couple of the youth from Hallelujah CEFC.
Trying to reflect on all of this of how truly it is ust God that has equipped and qualified me for these things.
D.Fa
I think this time in Toronto will be fairly unscheduled too. Tonight's plans were thrown together pretty roughly this afternoon. Only two things to do: say 'hi' over at Charis and hang out with PD. PD invited me to prayer and to his men's group downtown, so I rescheduled my sleeping arrangements and it was sweet. Got to meet sweet passionate Christians and pray a bit for the world. When at Charis I found out that the youth are going to be baptized! =D I also got to meet and got to know a couple of the youth from Hallelujah CEFC.
Trying to reflect on all of this of how truly it is ust God that has equipped and qualified me for these things.
D.Fa
Toronto Adventure; Day 1: Scarborough
August 18 - 2:57pm
Honestly, I don't exactly know nearly anything of the reason I am here exactly. I know meeting up with friends is a large point, but I had mostly envisioned this trip as a ministry opportunity to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ and as ambassadors of the gospel. At this point however, it seems that this trip is much more about my friends ministering to me, and a chance to get out of the rut I was in.
This morning since arriving here I have met up with one guy. Oddly enough this is actually the first time we'd ever hung out, so it was a little awkward, but really good. We are both in very similar situations when it comes to footholds and temptations the enemy has in our lives. Essentially he, intentionally or not, really encouraged me to further prioritizing time with God, to not spend so much time wallowing in sin so much as basking in God's grace, and to just live honestly before others.
Now I am just relaxing at Scarborough Town Center and reading Colossians. Verse 1:9-14 struck me. Paul has told them that he is praying for them ever since hearing of their faith and love for the saints since hearing the gospel and understanding grace. He prays that they'd have wisdom and discernment so they can walk according to God;s will and see fruit in ministry. He prays for God to give them strength to endure joyfully, giving thanks that God has qualified them and delivered them from darkness to light, redeeming and forgiving.
In praying for them to be strengthened, be ministers of the gospel, to be wise, to endure suffering, ultimately any and all of this is by God's glorious might and by what He has done at the cross.
May I better understand the grace of God in truth and live thanking Him that He has qualified me, and in awe knowingHis grace abounds.
May I rely on Him and follow His will more each day.
D.Fa
Honestly, I don't exactly know nearly anything of the reason I am here exactly. I know meeting up with friends is a large point, but I had mostly envisioned this trip as a ministry opportunity to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ and as ambassadors of the gospel. At this point however, it seems that this trip is much more about my friends ministering to me, and a chance to get out of the rut I was in.
This morning since arriving here I have met up with one guy. Oddly enough this is actually the first time we'd ever hung out, so it was a little awkward, but really good. We are both in very similar situations when it comes to footholds and temptations the enemy has in our lives. Essentially he, intentionally or not, really encouraged me to further prioritizing time with God, to not spend so much time wallowing in sin so much as basking in God's grace, and to just live honestly before others.
Now I am just relaxing at Scarborough Town Center and reading Colossians. Verse 1:9-14 struck me. Paul has told them that he is praying for them ever since hearing of their faith and love for the saints since hearing the gospel and understanding grace. He prays that they'd have wisdom and discernment so they can walk according to God;s will and see fruit in ministry. He prays for God to give them strength to endure joyfully, giving thanks that God has qualified them and delivered them from darkness to light, redeeming and forgiving.
In praying for them to be strengthened, be ministers of the gospel, to be wise, to endure suffering, ultimately any and all of this is by God's glorious might and by what He has done at the cross.
May I better understand the grace of God in truth and live thanking Him that He has qualified me, and in awe knowingHis grace abounds.
May I rely on Him and follow His will more each day.
D.Fa
Classrooms of First Years
Yo guys!
So, yesterday was really cool. It was academic orientation and then EXPO. then at the evening it was the res caf dinner at the same time as the International student welcome dinner.
I was mostly texting guys all day. I still had a stack of guys who were Christian and wanted to grow in their faith, so I invited them to the caf dinner and then once I had done that it was time for me to go to the EXPO. My shift apparently only really was for setup and then I was done and back to HQ. After a while JC came back with a bunch of surveys and more guys for me to text. haha. So I texted more. haha
One thing that worked really well apparently was putting the "HEY CHRISTIAN!" poster on our banner. xP. Made it clear that Power to Change is a Christian group. So a whole bunch of new 1st year Christians came and filled out surveys and wanted to get involved.
So, when it came to be time for the res dinner, we had a bunch of people! =D Like 7 first years and then additionally, our upper years for a total of about 20-25 people?!? It was sweet! We also played some board games after and got to spend time with those first years. One girl said that this was the best day of frosh week yet! =D
What was sweet is that she actually helped out with surveying a classroom this morning! =D
Also, kinda awesome was that I also had a class to go to survey and my two guys were running late, so I was planning to do all the work myself, but when I got there I found one of the first year girls from yesterday! And she helped me! =D So, it was really cool. haha
Classroom surveys are kinda dull, but I think it's still great getting to make the announcement and be visible. There are also some good contacts. Today we had like 80 surveys filled out and a good 8 contacts. I'm meeting up with one of the guys tomorrow actually! =D
Ttyl
D.Fa
PS. Oh! yesterday I got a sprained (or maybe just twisted) ankle and I was like "whatever, this is for the gospel", and just pushed on. haha I stopped and prayed first and was great for 20 minutes or so. haha. then it got painful. but whatever. I realize today that I had read a chapter about God's wisdom and use of suffering for ministry and service which is super cool. haha. Also, what AL said way back when about using eczema for the gospel is still resounding in my memory.
So, yesterday was really cool. It was academic orientation and then EXPO. then at the evening it was the res caf dinner at the same time as the International student welcome dinner.
I was mostly texting guys all day. I still had a stack of guys who were Christian and wanted to grow in their faith, so I invited them to the caf dinner and then once I had done that it was time for me to go to the EXPO. My shift apparently only really was for setup and then I was done and back to HQ. After a while JC came back with a bunch of surveys and more guys for me to text. haha. So I texted more. haha
One thing that worked really well apparently was putting the "HEY CHRISTIAN!" poster on our banner. xP. Made it clear that Power to Change is a Christian group. So a whole bunch of new 1st year Christians came and filled out surveys and wanted to get involved.
So, when it came to be time for the res dinner, we had a bunch of people! =D Like 7 first years and then additionally, our upper years for a total of about 20-25 people?!? It was sweet! We also played some board games after and got to spend time with those first years. One girl said that this was the best day of frosh week yet! =D
What was sweet is that she actually helped out with surveying a classroom this morning! =D
Also, kinda awesome was that I also had a class to go to survey and my two guys were running late, so I was planning to do all the work myself, but when I got there I found one of the first year girls from yesterday! And she helped me! =D So, it was really cool. haha
Classroom surveys are kinda dull, but I think it's still great getting to make the announcement and be visible. There are also some good contacts. Today we had like 80 surveys filled out and a good 8 contacts. I'm meeting up with one of the guys tomorrow actually! =D
Ttyl
D.Fa
PS. Oh! yesterday I got a sprained (or maybe just twisted) ankle and I was like "whatever, this is for the gospel", and just pushed on. haha I stopped and prayed first and was great for 20 minutes or so. haha. then it got painful. but whatever. I realize today that I had read a chapter about God's wisdom and use of suffering for ministry and service which is super cool. haha. Also, what AL said way back when about using eczema for the gospel is still resounding in my memory.
3.9.14
His Praise in Everything
Hey, so, I just want to praise God for yesterday and this week so far. It's just been so sweet!
Yesterday was the day that I had been personally dreading: beach day. The day when all of the frosh leave campus and walk to Mooney's bay to build sand castles, have volleyball games, and just hang out at a beach. Yesterday morning I had been really hoping that I would just stick back on campus and do surveys there or whatever while everyone else went to the beach.
Nope.
It was me, JC, and E(?) that ended up walking over to the beach.
But it was really cool. We got to hear a bit about E(?)'s story of coming to know God. Mainly him praying and asking for reasons for God and Him providing each time through friends and family. He quit smoking and idolizing relationships with girls. He's a really cool guy, and an international student no less. xP It was actually just last year that he was baptized! Him and JL met up weekly for discipleship. Pretty cool.
While at the beach I got to meet a bunch of really sweet people and especially this one conversation with JM and MS. They both came from Catholic backgrounds of sorts, but were at different places in their faith: JM really looking into it more and growing and MS kinda more reluctant but really interested in creation. So we talked for like half an hour about science and religions and creation and I got to share a bit about Haiti and other projects, and it was just an awesome conversation. I'm praying that JM gets involved with P2C. I really want to be like his big brother and see him grow more in his faith. xP You can pray for that. xP
Free food too. PTL.
Ummm, but ya. Probably one of the coolest things I noticed at the end was how little being at the beach was an issue. Temptation wasn't that bad. I didn't care that much about the people around me. And it was just so sweet to have met so many people and just talked with them.
So in everything, I thank God for these things and look forward to more as the week and month and year continue!
Ttyl.
D.Fa
Yesterday was the day that I had been personally dreading: beach day. The day when all of the frosh leave campus and walk to Mooney's bay to build sand castles, have volleyball games, and just hang out at a beach. Yesterday morning I had been really hoping that I would just stick back on campus and do surveys there or whatever while everyone else went to the beach.
Nope.
It was me, JC, and E(?) that ended up walking over to the beach.
But it was really cool. We got to hear a bit about E(?)'s story of coming to know God. Mainly him praying and asking for reasons for God and Him providing each time through friends and family. He quit smoking and idolizing relationships with girls. He's a really cool guy, and an international student no less. xP It was actually just last year that he was baptized! Him and JL met up weekly for discipleship. Pretty cool.
While at the beach I got to meet a bunch of really sweet people and especially this one conversation with JM and MS. They both came from Catholic backgrounds of sorts, but were at different places in their faith: JM really looking into it more and growing and MS kinda more reluctant but really interested in creation. So we talked for like half an hour about science and religions and creation and I got to share a bit about Haiti and other projects, and it was just an awesome conversation. I'm praying that JM gets involved with P2C. I really want to be like his big brother and see him grow more in his faith. xP You can pray for that. xP
Free food too. PTL.
Ummm, but ya. Probably one of the coolest things I noticed at the end was how little being at the beach was an issue. Temptation wasn't that bad. I didn't care that much about the people around me. And it was just so sweet to have met so many people and just talked with them.
So in everything, I thank God for these things and look forward to more as the week and month and year continue!
Ttyl.
D.Fa
1.9.14
Today
Today.
Today was crazy. Felt sooooo long. But was so good. Frosh week is just great.
First, I guess, was the crazy awesome surprise of how many people were at prayer / surveying with us! I think there were 17 people, including 6 international student ministry people, and 2 newer people. We ran into a bunch of people excited to get involved in part of what God is doing on campus, and some people interested in talking more about Jesus. xP
Surveying is just so much fun. You get to have great conversations with so many people.
There were some bumps, but just go with the punches, eh? (I don't remember the exact idiom. roll?) God provides and I can't wait to see the rest of the week and the year! =D
Please continue to pray for the days ahead that students would connect with us, meet up with us to survey, have dinner with us on Wednesday, that the EXPO goes well and that more interested students get to hear about Jesus as we get into follow-up next week!
Ttyl.
D.Fa
Today was crazy. Felt sooooo long. But was so good. Frosh week is just great.
First, I guess, was the crazy awesome surprise of how many people were at prayer / surveying with us! I think there were 17 people, including 6 international student ministry people, and 2 newer people. We ran into a bunch of people excited to get involved in part of what God is doing on campus, and some people interested in talking more about Jesus. xP
Surveying is just so much fun. You get to have great conversations with so many people.
There were some bumps, but just go with the punches, eh? (I don't remember the exact idiom. roll?) God provides and I can't wait to see the rest of the week and the year! =D
Please continue to pray for the days ahead that students would connect with us, meet up with us to survey, have dinner with us on Wednesday, that the EXPO goes well and that more interested students get to hear about Jesus as we get into follow-up next week!
Ttyl.
D.Fa
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