Praying for LIC

Praying for the work of the kingdom going on in Long Island City. Missing my time there. It served as a great reminder of the burden to see college students encounter Jesus and grow in their relationship with him.

Value in Laughter

Do you remember what it was like to lose yourself in laughter as a child? My kids can each get tickled and begin laughing so much that it almost takes there breath away. Tonight I had to run to the store to pick up a few things. As I was standing in line for the checkout, the lady in front of me looked and said "You have to laugh at yourself sometimes." Such a true statement. There are times when if you can't laugh at yourself then you will cry your eyes out. Don't take yourself too serious. Let yourself laugh. It makes you a better person to be around.

Fail

Sometimes when you make your living teaching and preaching you feel like you connect with people and they get it, really and truly. Other times you feel like you totally botch it up and the only hope of the gospel shining through is because that's what the gospel does. It shines through the FUBAR situations of our life.

That's what I need tonight. Come Lord Jesus.

A Prayer for Being in the Way

I read a review of a newly released book by Flannery O'Connor that struck me in the most unusual way today.

Dear God, I cannot love Thee the way I want to. You are the slim crescent of a moon that I see and my self is the earth's shadow that keeps me from seeing all the moon. The crescent is very beautiful and perhaps that is all one like I am should or could see; but what I am afraid of, dear God, is that my self shadow will grow so large that it blocks the whole moon, and that I will judge myself by the shadow that is nothing. I do not know You God because I am in the way. Please help me to push myself aside.

Gospel Encounters in the Office

I traveled last week all the way to NYC on a mission trip with some of our college students. Yesterday, as I came into the office a little later in the day to finish sorting through everything from the trip, a young man on the phone wanted to talk to a minister. I was the only one here, so I agreed to meet with him. He biked over to the church and came into my office to share his story of searching for something more in life. He has struggled with substance abuse for many years, and recently chose to make a decision to be sober. As good as that decision has been for him, it hasn't been easy. He was still searching for something more, something beyond just sobriety. Through AA he was wrestling with spirituality and came to the realization that he needed to commit his life to Christ. I listened, shared a few things, then had the opportunity to lead him to Jesus as we talked about sin, grace, God's love, and the redemption offered to us in Jesus. I was totally blown away by God! I came into the office yesterday thinking I had a few things I needed to get done, yet God reminded me that my agenda is not as important as the gospel coming to fruition in a person's life!

Later yesterday afternoon, I had a college student seeking advice and counsel about a few areas of life. I was reminded of truly how difficult the Christ life is for college students. So much garbage is around that they deal with, so many complex situations and relationships. Yet in the midst of that, there are many who are truly seeking to live a life that is centered around the gospel so that their entire lives become "living sacrifice's" that Paul talks about in Romans.

So thankful for getting to catch a glimpse of God's work yesterday!

Narrative Mapping Day 1

Tuesday we spent the day conducting surveys gathering data about the spiritual, economic, and residential aspects of a portion of Long Island City. We had some challenging encounters, some discouraging responses and some encouraging responses as well. Praying for more opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus today.

Prayer Walking LIC

Great morning prayer walking through Long Island City today. Amazing to see the potential for God's Kingdom around us.