Pure Joy

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10

The 2010 Winter Olympics ended last night.  I'm going to miss them.  It's not that I want to tune into more curling or ice dancing, I just really enjoyed the nightly displays of human triumph.  Event after event, the winners lifted up their arms in victory, shouted or cried for joy--some of them even danced.  It was an awesome thing to watch.  Seeing the athletes reach their goals made me smile. When my team won, I may have even jumped off the couch, but I'm sure that my excitement was only a small fraction of what they felt at that moment.  Sitting in front of my TV, there was no way I could understand the amount of training and sacrifice each Olympian went through in their long journey to Vancouver.  To have finally done what they could only dream about before must have been overwhelming.  The only thing that could describe it would be pure joy.

It got me thinking about joy and this full life that Jesus talked about.  I think a reason we don't experience it more is that we're not fully engaged in the daily pursuit of becoming more like Him.  Something has got us sitting on the sidelines.  Yeah, we smile when we hear about the good that Jesus is doing around us, but it's forgotten shortly after.  We're missing out on that joy that gives us strength.  The only way to experience that is to get in the game.  Thankfully, there are a bunch of ways to do just that.  Experiementing with the spiritual exercises (prayer, study, mediation, worship, confession, etc), plugging into community, and finding a way to bless others with your gifts are all great ways of getting invovled.  Give it a shot this week and see what it's like to be in the middle of the action.  It may even make you want to dance.

There are a bunch of Chi Alphans who will be doing just that really soon.  Almost 30 of us will be heading out on spring break missions trips to New York City and Granada, Spain.  Even if your not a member of one of the teams, this Thursday night you'll have an opportunity to be a part of what God is going to do through praying and investing; either financially or by donating travel-sized toiletries that the NYC team will be distributing to the homeless.  Our very own, Kera Package will be speaking and our student worship team will be rocking the house for Jesus.  I hope you'll join us--it's going to be a joy filled night!

NYC Spring Break Team Toiletry Drive

The New York missions team will be collecting toiletries for homeless outreach over spring break. We will be working with a ministry called "Dont Walk By" and will be handling out toiletries to the homeless of Harlem. We are asking for travel size soaps, shampoos, lotion, and hand sanitizers. We will be collecting these from now until March 6th. Please contact Julia Gerlach or Heather Dewey for information or to drop off donations.

Going for the Gold

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

I was watching the Olympics last night.  I took in a little of the men's mogul finals, some speed skating and, although it's one of my least favorites, figure skating.  While they're are vastly different sports, one thing is really clear.  Every athlete was completely devoted to his or her sport. When we watch the competition we see an amazing, but very brief display of athleticism (the fastest mogul run was under 23 seconds).  The athletes, coaches, and their families know the full story.  Years of hard work, training, and sacrifice had to be put in before they could even reach the starting gate and even then there was only a small chance of winning.

Paul was familiar with this kind of athletic training.  Many of the cities he visited held very popular competitions and the Ancient Olympics were still being held during Paul's lifetime. It's quite possible that he had this in mind when he was writing his letter to the Philippians. Paul is using the metaphor of the race to remind the Philippians of his singular focus on Jesus and through that encourage them to follow his example.  It leads me to ask the question, am I running to win the prize?

This Wednesday we enter into the season of Lent.  I grew up thinking that Lent was a few weeks when you couldn't have desserts or eat meat on Fridays, but now I realize it's far more than that.  Lent is a time of focus, or to keep with the athletic theme, a time of training.  40 days are set aside (it technically extends 46 days, but you get Sundays off!) to remove distractions, or fast, so you can place your efforts more fully on allowing the Holy Spirit to form you in the image of Christ. Sounds like a good idea to me! 

So how are you doing?  Could you use a little help as you pursue Christ?  Give Lent a try.  Removing something from your schedule or better yet, adding in a regular time of prayer or Bible study could be exactly what you need help you to run...and run to win!

AU is closed tomorrow, but TNW is still on!

Snowcation 2010 continues--I'm sure you already know that AU cancelled classes for the 4th day in a row, but that won't effect our plans for tomorrow.  If you can make it to Kay by 8:15 Thursday night we'll be there ready to worship.  Matt will be leading our awesome student worship team and Jon Rice from Georgetown XA will be sharing about a Faith that Cares. Invite a friend to join you--they're probably looking for something to do.

See you there!

Retreat's cancelled, but the snow's not stopping us!

It's the blizzard of 2010 and it's cold outside, but we still have stuff cooking! Here's the list of Snow days activities:

Saturday

2 pm - Sledding, meet @ Kay

6 pm - Dinner, Kay Basement

7:30 pm - Worship, Kay Chapel

Sunday

6 pm - Super Bowl Party in the Tavern

There's plenty of stuff to do--don't hibernate, grab a friend and join the fun!

The Cell's Design

The Cell's Design is happening tonight @ 7 pm in Kay. Check out the facebook event and invite a friend (or 100). Can you test if creation is really the handiwork of God? Dr Fazale Rana will be addressing this question in regards to the human cell. It's going to be an incredible night to learn and to clear some scientific hurdles to faith. Here's how you can be involved:

1. Invite a friend. Use the facebook event, post it up on your wall or status, or better yet, make a phone call or knock on a door or two. Yeah, it's going to be that good.
2. Join us @ the table. We'll be handing out flyers in the lobby of MGC from 2-5 pm. Connect with me or Kera if you'd like to get involved, or just show up.
3. Come early. We'll be setting up in Kay @ 6 pm. If you can plug in some cords, move some chairs, or hand out a flyer join us.
4. Just don't miss it!

New Things

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert

and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

Welcome back to AU! I hope you had a great Christmas break. I can't wait to see what's coming with the new semester!

Are you watching for new things to happen in your life? I remember watching my oldest son, Sam in his first few months. Jen and were aware of every move. We knew that development happened fast and we wanted to make sure we caught it all. Sam was doing new things all the time and we were there to record it and share it with anyone who would listen. Most of my life isn't like that though. Instead of living in anticipation of the new, I operate more often in the comfort of routine. I find days running into each other--not a whole lot to report except a few witty phrases on my Facebook status.

The turn of the calendar and the opening of a new semester is a great time to evaluate how we live. We don't have to be a prisoner to our past or a slave to routine. God wants to do a new thing in us, but it can't happen if we're not open to it. Put yourself in a position for God to work in you, keep a lookout for what He wants to do and you can be assured something will happen and, in keeping with His character, that something will be good. We'll be talking about living with anticipation at our first Thursday Night Worship of the year which kicks off this week. Come by and you'll also hear about our new small groups and some of the other things we've got in store for the semester. I hope you'll make it and feel free to spread the word.

Overcoming Discouragement

This hit my email inbox from my friend Mike Olejarz this morning and I had to share it. It's another great perspective on the power of giving thanks:

We all have these kinds of days. You have trouble getting out of bed because you feel crummy about who you are. You come back from class, slam the door, and fall onto the couch in dejection. Your friends seem distant. You and your roommate cannot seem to get along on anything. Your professors do not seem to care. You say to yourself that if you did not have bad hair, acne, disappointment and rejection, you would have nothing at all. You wonder if you should call your mom and ask her to come take you home.

The ironic thing is that everyone goes through these lonely and depressing episodes. Even those who seem so carefree about life and declare they have life figured out will ultimately conclude they face times where they feel like the fifth person on a double date.

Those days, weeks, or seasons of inner tumult are hard. It is easy to beat yourself down and talk yourself into sadness. It takes more effort to discipline your thoughts, stay focused on the positive and possible, and believe in who you are. Society, pop culture, your friends, peer pressure, and advertising execs may suggest your body type is not ideal, your skin is lacking, your clothes are not hip, and your major may not fast track to financial success. But whose voice should carry the most weight in your life?

Whether or not you are follower of Jesus, there is someone to approach for help in those times. You are not on your own, hopeless, discarded in an impersonal universe. Read Philippians 4:8. It says to think about stuff that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable - think about such things. What are ways to apply those ideas?

First, tell God how grateful you are for who He is. You must remember the value God has set on you. Feelings come and go, but must not be allowed to define who you are. Left to feelings and circumstances, my identity and sense of security can be battered and bruised. God showed you mercy when you did not deserve it. You have a Savior, a heavenly Father, an Advocate, a Shield, Helper, and Friend.

Second, remember that you have access to God's strength. The real battle is not with people (even though at times they do a good job of making you think so), The real enemy is Satan and his fallen angels who want to destroy you. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. God's solution is for you to put on the armor of God, face the battle, and overcome the enemy by the word of your testimony and God's grace on your behalf.

Third, think about what you have to be content about: Your future is secure, your past redeemed, your present stable. Christ is your hope and you depend on Him. The people around us party to forget their troubles, while we party to remember whose we are and where we are headed. Contentment comes from Christ, not our circumstances.

It is not unusual to find yourself getting discouraged now and then as you battle through life. The danger happens when you do not stop it from overtaking you. Try not to allow one of those days to become one of those weeks. What is bothering you today? How can your faith in God make that issue not so big a problem? Who do you know that seems to know how to avoid discontentment? What can you learn from him or her? Think theologically. Every day you give to God will be a great day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

As I'm writing this, many of you are at home or preparing to make your way there for a holiday vacation. I love Thanksgiving! The time with family and friends, a break from work and of course the great food are all reasons to give thanks. In the midst of this celebration, let's not forget that Thanksgiving is a day set aside to help us remember the blessings of God in our past and prime the pump for thankfulness in the coming year.

Here's a way to make it practical. Before you immerse yourself into the Macy's Parade or football games or the great Christmas sales, spend some time with God. Reflect on the year and give thanks for the many blessings He's brought into your life. Keep a pen and paper handy and write a few of these things down. When you finish, look over the list and make note of the people that God has used to make this year special and thank them with a quick email, card, or phone call. I guarantee you'll make someone's Thankgiving memorable and you'll feel better too!

I want to thank all of you for making Chi Alpha what it is. So many of you have gone above and beyond to share the love of Christ with our fellowship and the AU community. It is a pleasure serving Jesus with you. Have a great Thanksgiving!