A journey on God's call to Boise State University. (Crosswalks Campus Ministry)
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Sunday, August 14, 2011
My heart is breaking!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Ask and I'll give the nations to you.
You said, "ask and you will receive whatever you need."
You said, "pray and I'll hear from heaven,
and I'll heal your land."
You said Your glory will fill the earth
like water the sea.
You said, "lift up your eyes;
the harvest is here, the kingdom is near."
You said, "ask and I'll give the nations to you."
oh Lord, that's the cry of my heart.
distant shores and the islands will see
O Lord, we ask for the nations
O Lord, we ask for the nations
O Lord, we are asking for the nations
You can hear a version by Hillsong here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvuoCrDfru4
During the song, I found myself thinking that this is my heart for Boise State. Around here, Boise State is sometimes referred to as Bronco Nation. During the last section of the song, I found myself singing, "O Lord, we ask for the Bronco Nation." I'm praying that God will provide for us and this ministry, that God will heal the land of this institution. I'm praying for the distant shores and islands in people's hearts to see. I'm praying that God's glory will be known here. God is saying to me and Tami, "Lift up your eyes, the harvest is here at Boise State. The Kingdom is near at Boise State." And I came away renewed in passion for a people and place that desperately needs to know Jesus.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Ends of the Earth
We have done a great job as churches ministering to our communities. We have done a great job ministering to those around the world. But for some reason, we haven't done so well with those in the middle. Let me explain.
Acts 1:8 says " 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
It seems to me churches find it easy to target their local town--their Jerusalem--and find ways to minister. This includes Sunday worship, children's and youth ministries, senior adult ministries, compassionate ministries, etc. The list goes on. It's quite natural to focus on these much needed ministries, and we surely need to keep being creative, understand our towns, and do our best to love them.
We also do well at witnessing to the ends of the earth. We send missionaries to Haiti, Africa, South America, Asia, etc. We take special offerings. We hear the amazing stories of how God is working and answering prayers and people are coming to Christ! We have work and witness trips that change our lives as much as those to whom we minister. Again, I strongly believe we need to continue to be creative and reach all cultures for Christ. Loving well, and attracting people to Jesus.
I wonder, though, if we are doing as good as a job reaching our Judea and Samaria. For many churches, this is hard to even define. Who is this group of people?
It occurs to me that Crosswalks Coffee is one part of that answer. We are close enough to some churches to be their Judea. For others, BSU is enemy territory, with as much disdain as the Jewish people in Jesus day had for Samaria. That means we are your Samaria. We're outside your direct community influence, and not far enough to be the ends of the world.
The awesome thing, though, is that we can position ourselves to reach those from the community, those from surrounding states and areas, and those from around the world all at once. We offer a rare opportunity to be witness to a unique mission field.
I wonder what might happen if churches saw reaching their Judea and Samaria as crucial as reaching the ends of the earth? I believe we offer an opportunity to do just that, and we invite you to join us!
Acts 1:8 says " 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
It seems to me churches find it easy to target their local town--their Jerusalem--and find ways to minister. This includes Sunday worship, children's and youth ministries, senior adult ministries, compassionate ministries, etc. The list goes on. It's quite natural to focus on these much needed ministries, and we surely need to keep being creative, understand our towns, and do our best to love them.
We also do well at witnessing to the ends of the earth. We send missionaries to Haiti, Africa, South America, Asia, etc. We take special offerings. We hear the amazing stories of how God is working and answering prayers and people are coming to Christ! We have work and witness trips that change our lives as much as those to whom we minister. Again, I strongly believe we need to continue to be creative and reach all cultures for Christ. Loving well, and attracting people to Jesus.
I wonder, though, if we are doing as good as a job reaching our Judea and Samaria. For many churches, this is hard to even define. Who is this group of people?
It occurs to me that Crosswalks Coffee is one part of that answer. We are close enough to some churches to be their Judea. For others, BSU is enemy territory, with as much disdain as the Jewish people in Jesus day had for Samaria. That means we are your Samaria. We're outside your direct community influence, and not far enough to be the ends of the world.
The awesome thing, though, is that we can position ourselves to reach those from the community, those from surrounding states and areas, and those from around the world all at once. We offer a rare opportunity to be witness to a unique mission field.
I wonder what might happen if churches saw reaching their Judea and Samaria as crucial as reaching the ends of the earth? I believe we offer an opportunity to do just that, and we invite you to join us!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
A Greek example
I was at a small men's Bible Study a week ago, and we read from Act 17, where Paul goes to Athens. I had the Message translation with me, and was quite moved by the story and found many links to the BSU Campus ministry. (Here is a link to the passage from the Message. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017:16-34&version=65)
Here are the observations we made as a group that relate to the ministry:
1. Paul was angry with the idols, but his anger was not taken out on people. Rather, he got to know some of them pretty well (vs 17-18)
2. Some want to learn, some want to debate.
3. Paul takes what is already common, and uses the Athenian culture to build a bridge. And he uses what they value--Intelligence--as an entry way. Vs. 23. He is appealing to them intellectually. How true is that of a university setting? And he doesn't call them stupid, but rather calls them to know more, and make a good decision.
4. Paul then appeals to their own poets and writers...in other words, he has listened to them speak. Paul also shows a tremendous amount of respect towards the Athenian people. And some say he's crazy. Some say, "let's talk more." And some become Christ followers. I am so fascinated to see that Paul was so angry at all the idols, yet is so respectful of the people there. You'd never know he was angry with his words and respect that he shows.
As we encourage the BSU campus to drink deep of God's pure kindness, we want to do so with respect and gentleness. Understanding the culture, the people, and the values, listening first. And one day we, too, will have the right opportunity to tell people about their unknown God. And some will become Christ followers--until then, we pray.
Here are the observations we made as a group that relate to the ministry:
1. Paul was angry with the idols, but his anger was not taken out on people. Rather, he got to know some of them pretty well (vs 17-18)
2. Some want to learn, some want to debate.
3. Paul takes what is already common, and uses the Athenian culture to build a bridge. And he uses what they value--Intelligence--as an entry way. Vs. 23. He is appealing to them intellectually. How true is that of a university setting? And he doesn't call them stupid, but rather calls them to know more, and make a good decision.
4. Paul then appeals to their own poets and writers...in other words, he has listened to them speak. Paul also shows a tremendous amount of respect towards the Athenian people. And some say he's crazy. Some say, "let's talk more." And some become Christ followers. I am so fascinated to see that Paul was so angry at all the idols, yet is so respectful of the people there. You'd never know he was angry with his words and respect that he shows.
As we encourage the BSU campus to drink deep of God's pure kindness, we want to do so with respect and gentleness. Understanding the culture, the people, and the values, listening first. And one day we, too, will have the right opportunity to tell people about their unknown God. And some will become Christ followers--until then, we pray.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Not leave you as orphans
Last week at Euclid Nazarene, there was a quote from John 14. It said, "I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you." For some reason, I really needed to hear that. Having moved out here, I was starting to feel a little orpaned. But He comes to me.
As we wait in this time of Advent, I am reminded that He comes. And that God's timing is perfect. It is perfect in every way, but while I am waiting, and the promise seems so far off, knowing I am not orphaned gives a peace that is beyond all comprehension. I hope you experience the same.
As we wait in this time of Advent, I am reminded that He comes. And that God's timing is perfect. It is perfect in every way, but while I am waiting, and the promise seems so far off, knowing I am not orphaned gives a peace that is beyond all comprehension. I hope you experience the same.
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