Unexpected blessings

In September, I received a great opportunity to work with Connexion. The timing was pretty much perfect; I had more free time on my hands than usual since I didn't have any classes this semester and wasn't in charge of leading a small group. My job title is administrator so I basically do administrative assistant type tasks for Connexion. Going into it I had certain expectations of myself and the experience and while some things turned out just how I expected, I was totally surprised by others... hence the blog post...

I'm a three, so organization and efficiency happen to be some of my strong points. Within days of beginning this job I had a new file folder, multiple spreadsheets and a shortcut on my desktop. All of that I can control; I can organize to my heart's content. But then comes the unpredictable, trying to recruit new volunteers for sound and slides was the first challenge. I began the semester with a list of 2 sound and 2 slide techs, 3/4 of whom were graduating at semester. For about a month, we announced and begged for new techs. I was beginning to become anxious to say the least... I can run a microscope like nobody's business, but if we don't have a sound tech we're going to have to go acoustic cause a sound board is totally foreign to me. It's in those moments that I had to remember to pray... isn't it ridiculous that it tends to be my last resort when I've exhausted all I can do, when it really should be my first? Anyway, after close to 6 wks of begging the volunteers came in a torrent and I have at least 5 new volunteers for each position. God comes through. Every time.

I was also excited to be working with the staff at ECC, because as much as they will deny that they're anything special, the truth is they're great and we're blessed to have them. Our pastors are real people... I don't really know how to describe this except to say that they live in the same world we live in. They're transparent about life and don't shirk tough or unpopular teaching even when it's hard to think about and come to grips with. I was expecting to enjoy being at Connexion again--another chance to worship on Sundays, great music, etc. But I wasn't expecting for the sermon series to hit me as much as it did. This semester, more than any other including undergrad, the messages at Connexion have been things that I needed to hear and be reminded of. Part of it was the message content and part, I think, was the delivery--Bob and Dan are particularly raw and honest during Connexion in a way that reaches beyond the formalities of Sunday morning services. It's refreshing, it's compelling, and it had me on the verge of tears (in a good way) at least a handful of times this semester... and I'm not typically one to cry in church. The Spirit was there.

The undergrad students have been great to be around as well. I'm not that far removed from undergrad life, but life at 25 is significantly different than it was at 18. I remember how easy it is to be totally distracted by classes, the college life, new-found independence, and to not have following Christ at the top of the priority list during undergrad, so it's just great to see their faith, their love and support for their friends, and their commitment to Christ and the church. I especially see it in the band and cgroup leaders that I've talked with more, but also in groups of students hanging around after Connexion praying for each other, etc.

So really, all that to say that I was excited about working with Connexion again and being able to use organizational skills that come naturally to me to serve the church and college students, but I completely underestimated the blessings that would come from the experience and the other people involved. It's been a great semester... definitely looking forward to the next.

No limitations

I'm still dwelling on and marveling at this thought from the Yellow House study this week.

The Spirit doesn't have a problem with scale.
--paraphrased from Christina

In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding*) over the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2 (Amplified Bible)

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31

*I particularly love the thought of the Spirit brooding over the earth.

The Spirit, Africa, and a stubborn atheist

A couple days ago, Tim Leisz (a friend from Cgroup) posted this article from the Times on facebook:

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God
(by Matthew Parris)

I highly suggest reading the whole thing; it's only about a page long. Here are a few selected quotes:

"Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good."
...
"In the city we had working for us Africans who had converted and were strong believers. The Christians were always different. Far from having cowed or confined its converts, their faith appeared to have liberated and relaxed them. There was a liveliness, a curiosity, an engagement with the world - a directness in their dealings with others - that seemed to be missing in traditional African life. They stood tall."

I find the article both encouraging and frustrating. Encouraging because Parris acknowledges the good that's found in missions work in Africa, the difference it's making to both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. He also acknowledges that while secular charities also do good works, they're not providing the same benefits as Christian charities and missions. On the other hand it's frustrating to listen to Parris talk about this because he sees it. He SEES it. The characteristics he notices in the people--freedom, a relaxed state of mind, liveliness, curiosity. This is the Holy Spirit at work in these people. God's glory is shining through them. And Parris CAN SEE IT. But he doesn't acknowledge it for what it is; he's still holding to atheism. While I find this frustrating, hopefully the fact that he sees the Spirit is a stepping stone, just a piece of the story that God is showing him while pursuing his heart. I hope he gives in to the chase someday.

Spirit-filled

Every once in awhile at Cgroup and Yellow House I wonder how so many uniquely awesome people can end up in the same room at the same time. Then the Holy Spirit taps me on the shoulder (or whacks me upside the head, depending on what the situation calls for) and reminds me that it's all due to Him living inside these people. Praise God for the gift of his Spirit living in us.

Spirit filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with a love that glows. They serve with a faith that kindles. They serve with a devotion that consumes. They hate sin with fierceness that burns. They rejoice with a joy that radiates. Love is perfected in the fire of God. --Samuel Chadwick

Spirited

October 14

Today I ran into a former co-worker from my old lab. As we were standing there in the hallway, catching up on life, he asked how I was doing then commented, "You look good. There's spirit in your eyes." It made me smile and then it made me think. I know what he meant, but what was that source of the look on my face. Did he just see spirit in my eyes or the Spirit in my eyes? That conversation made me resolve to be filled with the Spirit this week, not just spirit.

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)