A week later...

This time last week we were just returning from the Jubilee Conference! Greg has been collecting student reactions all week, and I thought you all would like to read a few.

Sarah said :

The theme for Jubilee was injustices in God's eyes and what we are called to do in response. Going to sessions focusing on healthcare and rescuing the oppressed raised my awareness. At that point God broke my heart for what breaks His. I was heart broken for the people all across the world that are living in poverty and desolate conditions, but what could I do? I am just a young woman living in suburban PA after all. Combining my passion for serving God and healthcare, I realized that I could use my skills to fight the injustices happening right here in Philly. You don't need to go far to find poverty, just drive down Broad Street. Jubilee opened my eyes and helped me determine what I am called to do.

Rose said:

Jubilee was a fantastic experience for me. What I took away from the weekend, that the main thing, is that I am is a Child of God. Lately I feel like I've really been splitting my life into difference pieces- one for school, one for work, one for Jesus, one for thinking about the future. None of them have really taken the front burner, and it feels weird to not have one main thing to focus on. This weekend it was so clear to me- Jesus is the front burner. Jesus is the number one thing, the thing i'm living for. Once I know that and live that, all of the other things will just fall into place.

Dave said:

For myself the session about my major had the greatest impact. I have been uncertain of future plans for a while, but after going to the session discussing Mathematics through the lens of faith I have a renewed sense of how my vocation can honor God. It amazed me how great and many the analogies between modern math and the infinite nature of God are, and that through understanding math better I can more clearly understand and articulate truths about Him. From this I have been affirmed in my desire to move forward to graduate school without feeling that I'm wasting 'Kingdom Resources' in the meantime. I thank the Lord for the Holy Spirit guiding the speakers words and all who helped to get me there to hear them - I was truly blessed by the privileged to attend Jubilee.

Wow! How can you not be excited for all that the Lord is doing in the lives of this generation of believers?

Jubilee!

We just got back from another AMAZING Jubilee weekend in Pittsburgh! This year we took 20 students, and for many it lived up to this year's theme...

The Jubilee conference is about living faithfully in every area of your life. This weekend we were challenged, inspired and provoked to action by the many people we heard who are living out the Jubilee theme in their lives every day.

Check back in a few days to find out what our students had to say about Jubilee. Until then...enjoy a few pics!

What an Honor!

Greg here.
About three months ago I had the privilege of assisting in Caedmon's baptism. It was an honor both because I am his earthly dad and because he is my "true son in our common faith". Ashley and I shared Jesus with him and helped him understand man's sinfulness and God's grace as shown through the perfect spotless lamb, Jesus. Caed responded to the gospel on Feb 22, 2007. This was a special moment that I treasure.

In October I had the opportunity to share Christ with a student on campus. Candace has continued to grow in her new faith and is being discipled by Ashley.

This new faith goes against the grain of her upbringing, but she has experienced God's grace as she continues to navigate through those difficult waters. On Wednesday night Candace approached me to let me know she decided she wanted to be baptized. I was thrilled that she was ready to take this next step of obedience. But I was surprised and excited that she asked me to stand beside her and the pastor and assist in her baptism. I praise God for letting us sow seeds, glimpse the harvest, and walk along our new brothers and sisters as they make these decisions. Candace, my true daughter in our common faith, is special to us and her request humbled me.

Hardly Time to Breath!

STOP...Take a BREATH with me.

Whew...that felt good. I needed that. As I write this I am listening to a mixture of laughter from the guys having their "Man Night" on one end of the hall and a symphony of coughing coming from Caed and Abby's room at the other end. Just when I think we are in the clear and all healthy, another one bites the dust.

I am so grateful that the Lord meets us where we are.

I just began a new bible study by Priscilla Shirer called "He Speaks to Me". It is just what the the Lord knew I needed this semester. In order to keep up with this crazy pace of life and to bear fruit in this place he has planted us I HAVE to stay connected to that vine and hear from the Lord.

This week something that David wrote in Psalm 131:2 caught my attention.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

Did you catch the words CALMED and QUIETED....where can I get me some of that??
I am so glad David helped us with HOW this calm and quiet can be attained.

Psalm 42:6 (I like how the Aplified Bible puts this one)
O my God, my life is cast down upon me [and I find the burden more than I can bear]; therefore will I [earnestly] remember You...

How did David quiet his soul? By remembering all that the Lord has done.

When was the last time you sat back and just reflected on God's goodness, on the ways He has shown up in your life and worked things out just perfectly?

When I step back and take my eyes off the distractions of every day life and focus on my GREAT and FAITHFUL God...the chaos of my life gets smaller as my God gets bigger.

I am in a season of craziness. It is pretty easy to get overwhelmed and take my eyes off of Jesus and start looking only at the "waves" swelling up around me.
I am thankful for this reminder to stop...and remember.

Psalm 42:5
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.


So here I sit...calmed, quieted...and waiting expectantly for Him.