CollegeLife

It is Good Friday, and I have to admit that my heart is a bit troubled. On the one hand, I’m incredibly joyful because I am confident that Christ’s death and resurrection are not only real but sufficient to save me. On the other, I feel like I have greatly dishonored Christ by my half-hearted reaction to him.

If I have a good day at school or at work, I come home absolutely gushing with excitement. I tell my roommates about my day. They lovingly listen to me babble on and on about classes, homework, people I met, etc. I even babble to strangers sometimes. That’s how excitable I am.

But I’ll be honest. Most of the time, I don’t babble on and on about Jesus. It’s just hard to do. I get weary of the tired looks and nervous smiles.

So I’ll go on and on about a good class, which in reality doesn’t matter, but I won’t take time to tell people what I saw Jesus do that day in me and in others? It’s as if my joy in Jesus is somehow quieter or softer than the momentary happiness I get from earthly things.

Ever notice what the disciples did with their joy in Christ? You couldn’t shut them up. Their joy was not a quiet, personal matter. It was something that overflowed from them — a crazy, awesome, great, huge truth that they couldn’t wait to share with the world because it was just that exciting.

Wouldn’t it be cool if we started being those people who were so in tune with Christ’s awesomeness that we couldn’t keep it to ourselves anymore?

There is an interesting article in Newsweek about America no longer being a “Christian Nation.” I would recommend that you read the article.

What does it stir in you? Does it bother you? Are you hardened to medias view of Christianity? Do you care? Perhaps you don’t want a Christian Nation? Maybe you want a Christian nation so they’ll do all the thinking and standing up for you? You can’t say you don’t care… the study says more people than before are turning from Christ, whatever your view on our country is, that should break your heart.

As we head to Good Friday and Easter, what do you think about your neighbors who don’t know Christ? Do you pray for them? Is there someone in your sphere of influence that this week you are lifting up and begging for Christ to reveal himself to? Have you invited anyone to celebrate Easter with you?

We are great at inviting friends or “wanna be friends” to dinner, movies, games, recitals.. but what about life? When is the last time you stuck your neck out and invited a friend to share in the life that Christ has given you?

Read the article, pay attention to what stirs in you…

Newsweek Article Link

Our maestro for the evening, Miss Mallory.

Our egg hunt was pretty exciting. I think just about everyone found at least two eggs, which means everyone got candy (woot!).

Elise, Hannah, Loc, Elizabeth, Kaitlin, Joel, and Jill posing with their discovered treasures.

Some people just seemed to have sweeter egg-hunting skills than others. See below:

Nate showing everyone else up in the most-finesse-while-searching category.

And some just ended up finding a ton of eggs. Do people practice for this kind of thing?

Hannah and Elizabeth nearing the end. That's a million more eggs than is necessary I think.

The hunt for the final egg was quite the drama. You know, one of those “You’re getting warmer … warmer … colder … hothothothothothot!” things. I guess all I can say is, kudos to Chris for finding the egg hidden in a light … or post … or whatever that was.

Chris celebrating after finding the final egg.

To all those who couldn’t make it, we missed you! Come next time for sweet candy and food.

Yesterday was the beginning of Holy Week.  This is the week we celebrate and think upon the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Many people are familiar with the typical Sunday Easter where we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. There is also Good Friday where we examine the cross and enter into the darkest days of Christianity.  Maundy Thursday is also a part of Holy Week which includes the Last Supper, Betrayal and trial of Jesus.

There are many “traditions” to observe this week, but what about your relationship with Christ?  Will you take some time this week to FOCUS on your sin?  Dwell on your seperation from God apart from Christ. Embrace the depth of your depravity, so the cross might be that much more glorious to you this week.  Don’t run to the cross until you have really thought about your sin to the point that you have no option but His grace and goodness.

What about you? Do you have any Easter traditions? Any thoughts on this Holy Week? Share them with us…

Easter is just around the corner, and CollegeLife is getting excited by throwing an impromtu (okay not really) Easter dinner bash! As a lowly photographer, I can take no credit for the baking of tomorrow’s cupcakes, but I did get to take the pictures. Yes, this is what you have to look forward to tomorrow. You know you want to be there.

The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. (tomorrow, April 5) in the 600-wing of Fellowship. If you don’t mind, RSVP with us on our Facebook page. (You should find the event on the CollegeLife fan page.)

I don’t have a kindle, or a kindle 2. If you don’t know what they are go to www.amazon.com/kindle Some of my friends swear by them and say they are the greatest invention since the ipod, seriously! I am more of person that likes to turn the pages of a book and see where I have been and know where I am going.
Anyway, whether you are a kindle person or not, we all need to read. I know what you are thinking, “Dog, I am in college and the LAST thing I need to do is read!” But let me encourage you to start reading for personal gain.
Not just to acquire knowledge, or put another book on the shelf (why do we think it’s impressive to have lots of books on a shelf anyway, most of us can’t remember 10% of what those books say), but to really stretch yourself and expand your understandings.
I read on another blog that Truett Kathy, founder of Chick-fil-a, said two of the most important things a person can do is surround themselves with great people and great books!

A tool I use to keep track of my reading is GoodReads.

You can go to http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1847861 and see my reading list.  This is a list of books I have read since Jan 2009.  I am constantly adding to the “to read” section.  The reason I like this tool is because it helps me measure my goal of reading more.  This website helps me keep track of what I have really read, not what I think I read or skimmed. Plus you are allowed to see recommendations that match other books and follow friends to see what they are reading, which can lead to great dialogue.

I read everything from religion, murder mystery, leadership and just fun.  If you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them!

So get a book and read.

I know it feels like forever away, but in January Passion is having another conference.
If you don’t know Passion that is fine, but I know that you know their worship/songs. Many of the songs we sing are straight from the voices of Passion- Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, David Crowder, etc…
On Jan 2-5 2010 thousands of college students will descend upon Atlanta for a conference that will be great. Some of the other folks you may have heard of are Louie Giglio, John Piper, Andy Stanley, Francis Chan, etc… This conference is just for College aged folks and I would encourage you to start putting away money for it now!
You can find out more info and register online at www.268generation.com
I will be there and hope you can be too!
We can’t register as a group, so go ahead and register personally and know that a group will definitely be going. The longer you wait to register the more expensive it gets!
More details will come from my end later, but go register now!