Every other summer, thousands of people gather in Ft. Collins, CO at the CSU campus for the US National Staff Conference. It's nine crazy days of seminars, sessions, speakers, socializing and many more s words. I figured the conference would be about 3 times the size of our Upper Midwest Region winter conference (TCX). I've always been amazed at the scope of TCX and admired the plans and skill it takes to put on the winter conference - but CSU has blown that out of the water.
Since it was my first time in attendance, I had only a few expectations for the conference. The first was the size- of the conference, yes, but moreso, the scope of Campus Crusade for Christ as an organization. At the opening session I sat next to a Japanese couple who have been on staff for 22 years and work in Orlando at the international HQ. Late last night two Taiwanese gentlemen walked my roommate and I back to our dorm. Around every corner of this campus there is another staff person, with their own story of faith in Christ, calling to the ministry, and heart for reaching people. While Dr. Bright's original vision was changing the world through reaching the college campus, the 58 year-old ministry has spread to college faculty, high school students, the military, the marketplace, and to some of the most remote parts of the world through the Jesus Film.
Another expectation was that I would hear from the Lord. Although these conferences are always super, super busy, I love the quiet moments in the midst of a crowd of thousands in worship, or an unexpected prayer on my heart. I've made time to journal a few times since being here and have enjoyed those moments with God.
There was one more expectation I had, that I didn't know how to express. At several points throughout my involvement in Crusade during my years at USD, I would find myself full of concern for the processes and methods of evangelism, event planning, and other operational tasks, instead of concern for the lost. And I was one of those not long ago! How quickly I forget where I came from. It was definitely a worry of mine in joining the organization full-time: that I would continue to get caught up in the strategies and lose sight of the goal. So, I was very interested to see what topics our speakers would present to our group. I've been very impressed with the focus of our time. Of course we learn about other ministries on campuses and around the world; of course we hear from our President, Stevie D, and the VP of the America's and the U.S. Campus Ministry Director. But the issue on everyone's heart is how do we best represent Jesus to others? How are we doing at living our lives to give Him the glory, and not our ministry? We are most effective when we are walking closely with the Lord, and I can already see how much the ministry values it for each staff member. I think the group's emphasis on a growing and deepening relationship with Christ is why we are where we are today as an organization: one of the largest Christian ministries in the world with over 20,000 staff members worldwide. And it all started with a vision from the Lord and the promise to fulfill it by one faithful man and his willing wife.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
perspective...
I thought that I'd have more freedom as an adult, but somehow I have less. How does that work?! I have more responsibilities and thus I have more obligations to do things I don't really always want to do and that limits my freedom and I don't really like that...
...and yet as I look at the bigger picture, I'm so blessed and free in this country I have -0- to complain about.
...and yet as I look at the bigger picture, I'm so blessed and free in this country I have -0- to complain about.
q&a with Grudem
This is an excerpt from a publication sent to staff each month; thought I'd share it. The response to the question is written by theologian and professor Wayne Grudem.
Q: Are there degrees of sin? Are some sins worse than others?
A: The question may be answered either yes or no, depending on the sense in which it is intended.
Legal guilt: In terms of our legal standing before God, any one sin, even what may seem to be a very small one, makes us legally guilty before God and therefore worthy of eternal punishment. Adam and Eve learned this in the Garden of Eden, where God told them that one act of disobedience would result in the penalty of death (Gen. 2:17). And Paul affirms that “the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation” (Rom. 5:16).
This truth remains valid through the history of the human race. Paul (quoting Deut. 27:26) affirms it: “Cursed be everyone who does notabide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (Gal. 3:10). And James declares: “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:10-11).
Therefore, in terms of legal guilt, all sins are equally bad because they make us legally guilty before God and constitute us as sinners.
Consequences in the life and right personal relationship with God: On the other hand, some sins are worse than others in that they have more harmful consequences in our lives and in the lives of others, and, in terms of our personal relationship to God as Father, they arouse his displeasure more and bring more serious disruption to our fellowship with Him.
Scripture sometimes speaks of degrees of seriousness of sin. When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, He said, “He who delivered me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:11). The reference is apparently to Caiaphas the High Priest, who had delivered Jesus over to the Romans. Though Pilate had authority over Jesus by virtue of his governmental office and was wrong to allow an innocent man to be condemned to death, the sin of Caiaphas was far “greater,” probably because of the far greater knowledge and malice connected with it.
When God showed Ezekiel visions of sins in the temple of Jerusalem, he first showed Ezekiel certain things, then said, “But you will see still greater abominations” (Ezek. 8:6). In the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus says, “Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:19), He implies that there are lesser and greater commandments. Similarly, though He agrees that it is appropriate to give a tithe even on the household spices that people use, he pronounces woes on the Pharisees for neglecting “the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness” (Matt. 23:23). In both cases Jesus distinguishes between lesser and greater commandments, thus implying that some sins are worse than other sins in terms of God’s own evaluation of their importance.
In general, we may say that some sins have more harmful consequences than others if they bring more dishonor to God or if they cause more harm to ourselves, to others, or to the church. Moreover, those sins that are done willfully, repeatedly, and knowingly, with a calloused heart, are more displeasing to God than those that are done out of ignorance and are not repeated, or are done with a mixture of good and impure motives and are followed by remorse and repentance.
Q: Are there degrees of sin? Are some sins worse than others?
A: The question may be answered either yes or no, depending on the sense in which it is intended.
Legal guilt: In terms of our legal standing before God, any one sin, even what may seem to be a very small one, makes us legally guilty before God and therefore worthy of eternal punishment. Adam and Eve learned this in the Garden of Eden, where God told them that one act of disobedience would result in the penalty of death (Gen. 2:17). And Paul affirms that “the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation” (Rom. 5:16).
This truth remains valid through the history of the human race. Paul (quoting Deut. 27:26) affirms it: “Cursed be everyone who does notabide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (Gal. 3:10). And James declares: “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:10-11).
Therefore, in terms of legal guilt, all sins are equally bad because they make us legally guilty before God and constitute us as sinners.
Consequences in the life and right personal relationship with God: On the other hand, some sins are worse than others in that they have more harmful consequences in our lives and in the lives of others, and, in terms of our personal relationship to God as Father, they arouse his displeasure more and bring more serious disruption to our fellowship with Him.
Scripture sometimes speaks of degrees of seriousness of sin. When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, He said, “He who delivered me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:11). The reference is apparently to Caiaphas the High Priest, who had delivered Jesus over to the Romans. Though Pilate had authority over Jesus by virtue of his governmental office and was wrong to allow an innocent man to be condemned to death, the sin of Caiaphas was far “greater,” probably because of the far greater knowledge and malice connected with it.
When God showed Ezekiel visions of sins in the temple of Jerusalem, he first showed Ezekiel certain things, then said, “But you will see still greater abominations” (Ezek. 8:6). In the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus says, “Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:19), He implies that there are lesser and greater commandments. Similarly, though He agrees that it is appropriate to give a tithe even on the household spices that people use, he pronounces woes on the Pharisees for neglecting “the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness” (Matt. 23:23). In both cases Jesus distinguishes between lesser and greater commandments, thus implying that some sins are worse than other sins in terms of God’s own evaluation of their importance.
In general, we may say that some sins have more harmful consequences than others if they bring more dishonor to God or if they cause more harm to ourselves, to others, or to the church. Moreover, those sins that are done willfully, repeatedly, and knowingly, with a calloused heart, are more displeasing to God than those that are done out of ignorance and are not repeated, or are done with a mixture of good and impure motives and are followed by remorse and repentance.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
engaged.
Last Fall I was presented with Mark 10:45- "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Since then I've read a handful of books about putting faith into action, and conversed with many people about being more focused on those around us who are in need. It's challenging for me to think of ways to engage in the world and serve others instead of being focused on myself.
perspective...
There aren't many streets in Verm that I haven't driven down, and there are many I drive down a lot. I have probably driven one particular street in Verm about 20-30 times in the last 4 years. On one side of the street there was a house I always notice- kind of small, a bit run down, lots of junk/toys in the yard along with several cars in the driveway. For some reason, the house/yard interests me, and, for some reason, I would always stare at it (impolite, I know).
A few nights ago I was on said street. I happened to be running (definitely slower than I would drive) so I had some extra time to notice my surroundings. This time, I forced to look at anything other than said house. I noticed the lovely trees lining the streets, the way the curb is uneven and slantly, and the beautiful little home across the street.
How often in my life do I continually focus on the ugly, or the wrong, or even the 'bad,' instead of looking at the good?
One of my favorite words this year is perspective. Almost weekly, it seems, I am reminded about the way I look at the world around me. I'm always brought back to the wrong way I view situations, the beauty I miss out on, etc. But when I find a rare moment where I have a unique perspective on something, and can share that with someone, my search for a new view has renewed motivation.
Check out what is unseen in your world; it may surprise you!
A few nights ago I was on said street. I happened to be running (definitely slower than I would drive) so I had some extra time to notice my surroundings. This time, I forced to look at anything other than said house. I noticed the lovely trees lining the streets, the way the curb is uneven and slantly, and the beautiful little home across the street.
How often in my life do I continually focus on the ugly, or the wrong, or even the 'bad,' instead of looking at the good?
One of my favorite words this year is perspective. Almost weekly, it seems, I am reminded about the way I look at the world around me. I'm always brought back to the wrong way I view situations, the beauty I miss out on, etc. But when I find a rare moment where I have a unique perspective on something, and can share that with someone, my search for a new view has renewed motivation.
Check out what is unseen in your world; it may surprise you!