There is a saying that states there is no one older then a high school graduate, yet no one younger then a college freshman. College is a major time of self discovery, going from an undecided major as a freshman, to maybe a business major as a sophomore, perhaps communications as a junior, and ending up with a degree in science.
The first few weeks on campus one can ALWAYS tell who the freshmen are. They can be found wondering around campus trying to look like they know where they are and where they are going, but in all honesty are completely lost.
Like high school, you won’t be able to keep track of the number of times you’ll hear, “Get involved!” or “Put yourself out there and meet people.” This seems pretty easy considering dorm life with hundreds of other freshman who are thinking the same thing; what’s my roommate going to be like? Am I going to have friends in college like I do back home? And for many of us we are thinking, “Will being a Christian fit in with the college lifestyle?”
A person’s character can be molded for the better from all the changes that college brings or one can feel chiseled and broken from it as well. With college comes a whole new sense of freedom. The freedom to attend class or not, to party, to do right or wrong. A freedom that could possibly question you and your faith. These freedoms can affect how others see you and you see yourself.
In 1st Timothy, Paul is writing a letter to Timothy who is teaching to people much older then himself. Paul is encouraging Timothy to stand firm in his beliefs even though he is teaching those older than him. Chapter 4:11-12 says; “Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down upon you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
As we head off to college and start a new chapter in our lives, we need to set an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. Assuredly, we will be looking for respect from adults, but on top of that, we will be looking for respect from our peers as well. When you set the example in these components; it is then that one gains a high respect from both peers and adults. My hopes are that everyone enjoys their college freshman year and may you find a way for Jesus to fit into your college lifestyle.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
30-Hour Famine
“We are the first generation that can look poverty in the eye and say this and mean it - We have the cash, we have the drugs, we have the science. Do we have the will to make poverty history?”
-Bono lead singer of U2
On March 14-15 the youth at St. Philip the Deacon, as well as their friends, have an amazing opportunity to have a lasting impact on those that live in their community as well as families all over the world. St. Philip the Deacon’s senior high will be participating in the All-Metro 30 Hour Famine. The 30-hour Famine is my new project for my internship at the church. Because of so much starvation in the world, I feel compelled to help to make a difference and I invite you to do the same.
I read of a boy named Chris; who in the picture looks no older then four or five, as well as his cousins; Rita, Bridget, Hellen, Samson, Mwansa, Alina, and Mischeck. The children are now living under the care of their 71- year old Grandmother, Faidess. Chris and his cousins sadly lost their parents due to complication of AIDS. For their grandmother coming up with enough food to feed all eight children is a never ending task. The children will receive one meal a day, which you can hardly even call a meal; they will eat a small serving of maize porridge each. Rita complains of her tummy hurting saying “I’m hungry all the time. Everyday.” Sadly Chris and his cousins are not alone. 29,000 children under the age of five die every day because of hunger, disease, and poverty. Of these children each year almost 5.5 million of them will die of malnutrition.
Psalm 22:26 says, “The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the lord will praise him.”
It does not become a question of whether there’s enough food for everyone but rather whose going to be seen and be heard doing something to help those who are starving? To you, downloading a song off iTunes is the same amount of money that it takes to help feed a child for one day. For your family it may be giving the cost of one meal at a restaurant; to a family in a third world country it would mean food for a month.
I ask my self and others, at what cost is it to go hungry for 30 hours, where one out of every 6 people on the planet goes hungry day after day? I find that giving up a song on my ipod so that Chris can eat is more than worth it. That not having a Caribou and being able to feed a family for three days IS worth it. If you haven’t already signed up, consider signing up for the 30-hour famine! Grab some friends’ and join 20 other churches around the Twin Cities to feed the hungry children of the world.
Post your name if you are planning on going…
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
SPEEDING!!!
In today’s world, everyone is moving at the speed of light, trying to fit more into one 24 hour day then even imaginable. Trust me when I tell you from experience. This is very true…
Let me set the picture for you. I was driving on highway 101 towards 55, rushing from church to school for yearbook pictures before heading off to work. I’m just about to pass CVS on my right hand side and in front of me is the stop light which is red, and behind me are red, blue, and white lights… yes the lights of the police!
Now let me inform you that I’ve never been pulled over, never gotten in trouble with the cops, my record is squeaky clean so needless to say I’m starting to panic at this point and the tears start to run down my face, not to mention all I can think about is how much my parents are going to freak!
“Do you know why I pulled you over this afternoon?”
“I was speeding”
“Are you aware of how fast you were going?”
“Too much...” trying to be as nice as possible, and let me remind you I’m still crying and praying that he will let me off with a warning instead of writing me a ticket. Unfortunately, what seemed like ages, he issued me my first ticket of any kind at the age of 18. Yikes…$140, which is a standard fine for speeding!!!
In Luke Chapter 10 we read about a lady named Martha who opened her home to Jesus. Her sister Mary also came to visit and to meet Jesus. While Martha spent her time doing house and kitchen preparations needed for her special guest, Mary spent time with Jesus.
Let me set the picture for you. I was driving on highway 101 towards 55, rushing from church to school for yearbook pictures before heading off to work. I’m just about to pass CVS on my right hand side and in front of me is the stop light which is red, and behind me are red, blue, and white lights… yes the lights of the police!
Now let me inform you that I’ve never been pulled over, never gotten in trouble with the cops, my record is squeaky clean so needless to say I’m starting to panic at this point and the tears start to run down my face, not to mention all I can think about is how much my parents are going to freak!
“Do you know why I pulled you over this afternoon?”
“I was speeding”
“Are you aware of how fast you were going?”
“Too much...” trying to be as nice as possible, and let me remind you I’m still crying and praying that he will let me off with a warning instead of writing me a ticket. Unfortunately, what seemed like ages, he issued me my first ticket of any kind at the age of 18. Yikes…$140, which is a standard fine for speeding!!!
In Luke Chapter 10 we read about a lady named Martha who opened her home to Jesus. Her sister Mary also came to visit and to meet Jesus. While Martha spent her time doing house and kitchen preparations needed for her special guest, Mary spent time with Jesus.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset
about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has
chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”
~ Luke 10:41-42
Martha spent all her time doing what she thought was needed to make her guests stay the best it could be. She was so wrapped up in preparing for Jesus she had no time to actually spend with Jesus. On the other hand, Mary spent her time with Jesus like he wants us to. Jesus wants us to remember to slow down our life and stop all the rushing we do and spend time with Him rather then doing things we think will please or impress Him.
I realize I’ve been doing more then just speeding in my car, but I’ve been speeding through life. I’ve been rushing from one activity to the next, I have hardly seen my mom or my whole family let alone spent time with God. God created this whole world for us and I’ve been speeding through it not really taking it all in and admiring God’s work.
So to end my story, I ended up paying the ticket and an extra fee to keep it off my record. The only catch… probation for a year!!!!
So please….! Do you have any funny, serious, or just unlucky car stories about you, your car, or someone else’s story you would like to share? A word from me…make sure you go the speed limit in life and on the road….I’m trying my hardest, but I will take any advice I can get.
Martha spent all her time doing what she thought was needed to make her guests stay the best it could be. She was so wrapped up in preparing for Jesus she had no time to actually spend with Jesus. On the other hand, Mary spent her time with Jesus like he wants us to. Jesus wants us to remember to slow down our life and stop all the rushing we do and spend time with Him rather then doing things we think will please or impress Him.
I realize I’ve been doing more then just speeding in my car, but I’ve been speeding through life. I’ve been rushing from one activity to the next, I have hardly seen my mom or my whole family let alone spent time with God. God created this whole world for us and I’ve been speeding through it not really taking it all in and admiring God’s work.
So to end my story, I ended up paying the ticket and an extra fee to keep it off my record. The only catch… probation for a year!!!!
So please….! Do you have any funny, serious, or just unlucky car stories about you, your car, or someone else’s story you would like to share? A word from me…make sure you go the speed limit in life and on the road….I’m trying my hardest, but I will take any advice I can get.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Season of Christmas
Christmas is so much more then a holiday now, Christmas has become a season, summer fall winter, CHRISTMAS, and spring… and I LOVE it!
We all have our Christmas list…..
- guitar hero, video games
- digital camera
We have Christmas music on the radio beginning November 1st.
Christmas is also a time for family and friends to gather where traditions are repeated, year after year and we look forward to them every year. For my family, it’s making chocolate chip cookies for the grandpas as they jet off to the south for the winter like migrating birds. My family also has a tradition of Chinese food for dinner on Christmas Eve before the candle light service at church. What are some traditions you do with your family or friends?
With all the food and shopping for everyone on your list, wrapping gifts and listening to Christmas music and enjoying the Christmas cards which come in the mail, have you ever just stopped for a minute to really take everything in?
When we start to see the red kettles outside and a bell ringer at the retail stores we know that Christmas is truly around the corner. The Toys-4-Tots drive and Adopt-a-Family are just a few organizations that are in full gear right now looking to put a smile on every child’s face and lift a weight off parent’s shoulders. Food shelves are trying to meet the demands of families wanting to put a meal on the table for Christmas Day. I had the opportunity this year to help with Adopt-a-family, for those of you who may not know, it is a nation wide program run through interfaith outreach. Families are able to apply for a wish listed and then the community adopts them and shops for their needs and wishes. These families have diapers, snow pants, socks and cub gift cards on their wish lists.
Being a teenager myself, I know volunteering at the soup kitchen on Christmas may be out of our hands but I challenge myself as well as you to step back from all the “glam” of the Christmas season and reach out to others. To donate your change in the red kettle, or donate some toys were needed is very important. If anything, donate your time somewhere, or wish someone a happy holiday that you may not know. This is all part of what Christmas is about I also challenge you to post on the site your traditions, or something you’ve done that touched others as well as yourself this holiday season!
~I’ve received facebook messages from a few of you commenting on the new site, but don’t be shy post them in the actual site. If you wish need not share your name or any personal information~
We all have our Christmas list…..
- guitar hero, video games
- digital camera
We have Christmas music on the radio beginning November 1st.
Christmas is also a time for family and friends to gather where traditions are repeated, year after year and we look forward to them every year. For my family, it’s making chocolate chip cookies for the grandpas as they jet off to the south for the winter like migrating birds. My family also has a tradition of Chinese food for dinner on Christmas Eve before the candle light service at church. What are some traditions you do with your family or friends?
With all the food and shopping for everyone on your list, wrapping gifts and listening to Christmas music and enjoying the Christmas cards which come in the mail, have you ever just stopped for a minute to really take everything in?
When we start to see the red kettles outside and a bell ringer at the retail stores we know that Christmas is truly around the corner. The Toys-4-Tots drive and Adopt-a-Family are just a few organizations that are in full gear right now looking to put a smile on every child’s face and lift a weight off parent’s shoulders. Food shelves are trying to meet the demands of families wanting to put a meal on the table for Christmas Day. I had the opportunity this year to help with Adopt-a-family, for those of you who may not know, it is a nation wide program run through interfaith outreach. Families are able to apply for a wish listed and then the community adopts them and shops for their needs and wishes. These families have diapers, snow pants, socks and cub gift cards on their wish lists.
Being a teenager myself, I know volunteering at the soup kitchen on Christmas may be out of our hands but I challenge myself as well as you to step back from all the “glam” of the Christmas season and reach out to others. To donate your change in the red kettle, or donate some toys were needed is very important. If anything, donate your time somewhere, or wish someone a happy holiday that you may not know. This is all part of what Christmas is about I also challenge you to post on the site your traditions, or something you’ve done that touched others as well as yourself this holiday season!
~I’ve received facebook messages from a few of you commenting on the new site, but don’t be shy post them in the actual site. If you wish need not share your name or any personal information~
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Candace's thoughts
What does it mean to believe in God, knowing you can't see him? 2Corinthians 5:7 -We live by faith, not by sight.
This Bible verse made me think... My faith in god really does reassure me that I don’t need to see a man with a beard, in sandals, holding a Bible to know that he is real, and that Christianity is real. I believe in many things about God without seeing them. I love my parents but I can't see love, but I can feel love.
Faith in the Bible is: belief and trust in God; knowing that God is real, even though one can't see him.
To be able to write on paper, or internet what it means to believe and have faith in God to me is nearly impossible. I sit here...probably for the last half hour trying to wrap my mind around, or at least narrow down to what does believing in God really mean to me. Faith and having faith in God is something that’s written on your heart and not on paper. But how can I ask you to tell me what it means to believe if I can’t tell myself or you?
So here’s what I do know... for now… Let’s be honest being a teenager, growing up and believing in God isn’t always the easiest. I always remind myself God is greater then getting into college, or greater then the newest pair of jeans. He has amazing things in store for everyone.
Believing in God for me is always having someone that loves me, cares for me, and is there for me. Someone that I can talk to and get the greatest advice one can give. Knowing that there’s always more to learn and God always has a trick or two up His sleeve. It’s that deep connection with Him that you can’t get from anyone, no matter how hard you search. Believing in God to me is that feeling and sense of security that He will always love you, even when you feel like the world has turned its back and is against you. That your way compared to God’s way is never right. Believing in God for me is a way of life. Not necessarily always the life I've lived, but I have come to discover that life with Jesus Christ is the best life and the life I want to continue to live.
For those who know me, I will be the first to admit I struggle wrapping my mind around all of Christianity and have a lot of learning to do. Sitting in Jeremy’s office today, we were watching one of Rob Bell's videos on Rhythm. In the movie Rob quotes, “The song is playing all around us all the time, the song is playing everywhere, it is written in our hearts, and everyone is playing the song. See the question isn’t whether or not you’re playing a song, the question is, ‘Are you in tune?” The video made an awesome point that got us thinking. If God and faith is a song, its not discovering the song for the first time because the song has been around forever and is heard around the world but its finding that you are in tune within the song....
Let me know what you think... this is the first time I've done anything like this before, and probably deleted 5 paragraphs because I wasn't sure what to write... so drop me a comment and let me know what does believing in God mean to you?
This Bible verse made me think... My faith in god really does reassure me that I don’t need to see a man with a beard, in sandals, holding a Bible to know that he is real, and that Christianity is real. I believe in many things about God without seeing them. I love my parents but I can't see love, but I can feel love.
Faith in the Bible is: belief and trust in God; knowing that God is real, even though one can't see him.
To be able to write on paper, or internet what it means to believe and have faith in God to me is nearly impossible. I sit here...probably for the last half hour trying to wrap my mind around, or at least narrow down to what does believing in God really mean to me. Faith and having faith in God is something that’s written on your heart and not on paper. But how can I ask you to tell me what it means to believe if I can’t tell myself or you?
So here’s what I do know... for now… Let’s be honest being a teenager, growing up and believing in God isn’t always the easiest. I always remind myself God is greater then getting into college, or greater then the newest pair of jeans. He has amazing things in store for everyone.
Believing in God for me is always having someone that loves me, cares for me, and is there for me. Someone that I can talk to and get the greatest advice one can give. Knowing that there’s always more to learn and God always has a trick or two up His sleeve. It’s that deep connection with Him that you can’t get from anyone, no matter how hard you search. Believing in God to me is that feeling and sense of security that He will always love you, even when you feel like the world has turned its back and is against you. That your way compared to God’s way is never right. Believing in God for me is a way of life. Not necessarily always the life I've lived, but I have come to discover that life with Jesus Christ is the best life and the life I want to continue to live.
For those who know me, I will be the first to admit I struggle wrapping my mind around all of Christianity and have a lot of learning to do. Sitting in Jeremy’s office today, we were watching one of Rob Bell's videos on Rhythm. In the movie Rob quotes, “The song is playing all around us all the time, the song is playing everywhere, it is written in our hearts, and everyone is playing the song. See the question isn’t whether or not you’re playing a song, the question is, ‘Are you in tune?” The video made an awesome point that got us thinking. If God and faith is a song, its not discovering the song for the first time because the song has been around forever and is heard around the world but its finding that you are in tune within the song....
Let me know what you think... this is the first time I've done anything like this before, and probably deleted 5 paragraphs because I wasn't sure what to write... so drop me a comment and let me know what does believing in God mean to you?
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