Here's my next attempt at a video blog. I have to say I think I must have been half a sleep in doing this one. I was struggling for words a bit more which you can't see when I'm just typing. Anyway, check it out. After the video there are some links and stuff at the bottom.
Ok, I'm not saying that I or these guys at Rhythm have it all figured out or that they are a "perfect" church. What I am saying is that they are doing some "new" things and trying to focus on being the church instead of doing church. They don't have a website right now, but they are using Google Groups to communicate and seem to be using it effectively. Go check out the Google Group, and especially if you live anywhere close to Indianapolis, think about getting connected here and trying something different. http://groups.google.com/group/777-indy?hl=en
There is another organization that Jeanine and I have come to really know and love. I'm not really sure where it is based out of, but it is very much a movement type of ministry. It's called "To Write Love on Her Arms". It is basically about reaching out with the Gospel to people who are addicted to the chemical reaction that takes place in the practice of cutting. The statistics are staggering of how many people are cutting themselves. Check out this their website and prepare to be moved. http://www.twloha.com/
...the beginning of another semester. I have to say the same old feeling of the first day of school still came back to me. It's like the first day of kindergarten all over again....ask my mom...it didn't go that well. Just not knowing where I'd sit and if I'd know anyone... Am I really prepared for this...can I make the grade?
Today, as some of those same old feeling came flowing back in I reluctantly went to my first class...but today, when I got there, there was something different. There was a comfort that replaced the reluctancy. As I walked toward my class there were faces and conversations that brought me to realize I was really in a place of community. In this place of graduate education the Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of so many that what can cause fear and anxiety is filled with comfort in knowing that God has brought each of us this far and he'll see us through to the end.
Beginning my classes today I met student online who opened my eyes to how difficult conditions can be for students around the world. I admire the faith and dedication of anyone who follows the call to come to seminary, but today's story was beyond any I have heard yet. Please join in praying for a brother half way around the world that is making great sacrifices to follow God's call on his life by attending Asbury online in a place where books and the internet are hard to come by.
Please be in prayer for each person of the Asbury Community as we start another semester together! And, to my final semester...here goes!
...to face the thing called facebook. I have been resistant (to say the least) to joining facebook, mainly because I know the time I would want to put into it. There is so much being poured into facebook everyday by people all over the world, and it's worth like $2 billion (at least that's what's been offered for it). As I begin my final semester of seminary I'm still a little concerned about the amount of time it takes to keep up social networking online. I have a lot to learn (since I'm running a little behind on this one), but my wife is a good teacher. More than anything I'm seeing the value of facebook as a tool for communication and building relationships on a broader scale. I know friends whose ministries thrive from the connections made on facebook. So, as I enter this online community, I do it prayerfully and carefully. Here goes...
(P.S. don't worry, I'll still be posting here as usual)
