Sunday, January 25, 2009
The week ahead. . .
Now for something a little more concrete then my tub post below! As this weekend wraps up (ultimate frisbee with students, dumplings with church friends in honor of the Chinese New Year, helping out in the nursery at church, lots of errands, a yoga class) I am curious as to what this week will hold. My team leaders will be at a leadership conference all week which leaves me to man the fort - kind of a strange feeling. The Small Group Bible studies that I lead are starting up this week (pray that students will come and be challenged to live fully surrendered lives for the Lord, pray that I will lead by the power of the Holy Spirit) and I am hoping to connect with many students one-on-one (pray against discouragement but for compassion and boldness in conversation with those who do want to meet). I will be meeting with students for a prayer time on Tuesday afternoon, which we're calling "Bear Prayer" ("Bear Share" will start up next week) and I'm continuing follow-up lessons with a new believer in my freshmen Small Group (pray that she would grow). I am giving leadership to our Weekly Meetings this semester (Thursday nights, praying that 50 will come) and will be leading an Evangelism Training time after the meeting this week (pray for discernment and creativity so that this will be an interactive and immediately useful time). So, lots to fill my days. . .and I want to make progress on my staff application as well as get back into the routine of doing my staff development assignments - takes a bit of discipline to be motivated on my own to get these (important but not urgent) things done. And then off to some friends' wedding in Grass Valley on Friday night, and Tahoe for the rest of the weekend. Pretty sure this week is going to fly by - praying that we will find Christ to be our strength and our guide. Thanks for your prayers!
The tub
So, this is going to be a little random - please bare with me! :)
As I was cleaning the bathroom yesterday I had an ah-ha moment that I'd like to share. After doing the sink, mirror, counter, and floor (yes, I learned how to clean bathrooms so thoroughly from having to do so every Saturday as a kid - thanks Mom) I thought it was time to move on to the tub. As I spray the fixtures with Fantastic, I accidentally and unknowingly move the little lever that causes the tub to fill up with water instead of drain. I go on with my cleaning and remember to do the gross job of trying to get some of the hair out of the drain, yuck but worth it because the tub had been slowly filling up because of blockage. Anywho, after all this is done I hop in the shower (went for a nice run at the Emmeryville Marina earlier) and after a few seconds I realize that the tub is filling up with water. I'm so confused because I know that I just did the yucky job that's supposed to solve this problem and for a couple minutes I just let the water level rise. Then, it finally dawns on me to check the little lever and low and behold, it's down and needs to be up. The second I move it up the water starts to drain and eventually my feet aren't covered with water anymore.
So, here's the ah-ha moment, beyond the fact that I discovered what actually happened I made a little spiritual connection as well. There are times in my life (usually daily) where I am trying to do all that I can, on my own, to make sure that things go well and are pleasing to the Lord. And even then (not surprisingly, in hindsight) I stumble and fall, the waters rise around my ankles and I just can't figure out why I continue to struggle and mess up - often in the same areas. Eventually, I, by the Lord's prodding, come to my senses and realize that one crucial component is missing. . .the Holy Spirit component. I know that I can not live an abundant Christian life without His counsel and power in and through me and YET I still forget to move the lever, so to speak, and ask Him to control my day.
But, when I do ask Him to empower me, the waters reside and I stand on solid ground because He is now the one directing my steps, transforming my thoughts, and shaping my actions in ways that are truly God glorifying. Yes, I still sin and yes, I am still in need of a Savior every moment of every day but I must say, from the truth of God's Word and personal experience, living a Spirit-filled life is the only way to live a satisfying life of joyful obedience and fruitfulness. The Holy Spirit never leaves me, and if you know Christ He is in you too, it's more just a matter of realizing and appropriating the fact that He's the key component to Christian living. So, the next time the waters are rising around me I want to be quicker to realize what (rather Who) is lacking in me and then ask Him to take over.
As I was cleaning the bathroom yesterday I had an ah-ha moment that I'd like to share. After doing the sink, mirror, counter, and floor (yes, I learned how to clean bathrooms so thoroughly from having to do so every Saturday as a kid - thanks Mom) I thought it was time to move on to the tub. As I spray the fixtures with Fantastic, I accidentally and unknowingly move the little lever that causes the tub to fill up with water instead of drain. I go on with my cleaning and remember to do the gross job of trying to get some of the hair out of the drain, yuck but worth it because the tub had been slowly filling up because of blockage. Anywho, after all this is done I hop in the shower (went for a nice run at the Emmeryville Marina earlier) and after a few seconds I realize that the tub is filling up with water. I'm so confused because I know that I just did the yucky job that's supposed to solve this problem and for a couple minutes I just let the water level rise. Then, it finally dawns on me to check the little lever and low and behold, it's down and needs to be up. The second I move it up the water starts to drain and eventually my feet aren't covered with water anymore.
So, here's the ah-ha moment, beyond the fact that I discovered what actually happened I made a little spiritual connection as well. There are times in my life (usually daily) where I am trying to do all that I can, on my own, to make sure that things go well and are pleasing to the Lord. And even then (not surprisingly, in hindsight) I stumble and fall, the waters rise around my ankles and I just can't figure out why I continue to struggle and mess up - often in the same areas. Eventually, I, by the Lord's prodding, come to my senses and realize that one crucial component is missing. . .the Holy Spirit component. I know that I can not live an abundant Christian life without His counsel and power in and through me and YET I still forget to move the lever, so to speak, and ask Him to control my day.
But, when I do ask Him to empower me, the waters reside and I stand on solid ground because He is now the one directing my steps, transforming my thoughts, and shaping my actions in ways that are truly God glorifying. Yes, I still sin and yes, I am still in need of a Savior every moment of every day but I must say, from the truth of God's Word and personal experience, living a Spirit-filled life is the only way to live a satisfying life of joyful obedience and fruitfulness. The Holy Spirit never leaves me, and if you know Christ He is in you too, it's more just a matter of realizing and appropriating the fact that He's the key component to Christian living. So, the next time the waters are rising around me I want to be quicker to realize what (rather Who) is lacking in me and then ask Him to take over.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Rejection
So, that's a pretty strong and harsh word but I've been thinking about the topic of rejection today. Now that the students are back and ministry at Cal is in full-swing again I am constantly being reminded of how much rejection is involved in my job. I get overlooked, ignored, and rejected by students a lot. For example, I called lots of students to personally invite them to the first Weekly Meeting of the semester last night. I mostly left messages but was hopeful as I invited them to join us, believing that the Lord has been working in their lives over break and was perhaps bringing them to a point of decision or commitment at the start of a new semester. Well, my efforts were seemingly rejected because none of the students that I pursued showed up last night. Frustrating and hard not to take personally. Makes me wonder what's standing in the way, what questions do they have, how are they distracted, what lies from Satan are they believing that stops them from reaching out to Him and others?
Well, I am realizing that I often do the same with the Lord, I reject Him though He pursues me constantly. I tell Him that I'm too busy to dig deep in His Word or to pray. I ignore His gentle prodding to reach out to someone in need. I overlook His presence in my day to day life. Simply put, I reject Him all the time. And yet, He loves me just the same. And He took my (our) rejection of Him so personally that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. And yet, while Christ was on earth many rejected Him too - even one of His closest friends and followers. But still, Christ completed what was necessary for me to come into a relationship with Him. Now God sees Christ when He looks at me, no matter how many times I reject Him from here on out, because my life is in Him. That is not true of everyone though and how this causes me to want to walk well with the Lord, to daily choose Him rather then reject Him, because I desire others to interact with Christ when they interact with me.
Lord, help us to continue to pursue people lovingly for your name's sake. Be working in the lives of the people around us and help us not to back down because rejection stings. Thank you for not backing down in my life though my sin is such a blatant rejection of You. May the grace and truth you've bestowed on me be the reason why I want others to know and experience you as well. Thanks for being God, for pursuing each heart perfectly. I pray that we would each respond in ways that bring You great glory!
Well, I am realizing that I often do the same with the Lord, I reject Him though He pursues me constantly. I tell Him that I'm too busy to dig deep in His Word or to pray. I ignore His gentle prodding to reach out to someone in need. I overlook His presence in my day to day life. Simply put, I reject Him all the time. And yet, He loves me just the same. And He took my (our) rejection of Him so personally that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. And yet, while Christ was on earth many rejected Him too - even one of His closest friends and followers. But still, Christ completed what was necessary for me to come into a relationship with Him. Now God sees Christ when He looks at me, no matter how many times I reject Him from here on out, because my life is in Him. That is not true of everyone though and how this causes me to want to walk well with the Lord, to daily choose Him rather then reject Him, because I desire others to interact with Christ when they interact with me.
Lord, help us to continue to pursue people lovingly for your name's sake. Be working in the lives of the people around us and help us not to back down because rejection stings. Thank you for not backing down in my life though my sin is such a blatant rejection of You. May the grace and truth you've bestowed on me be the reason why I want others to know and experience you as well. Thanks for being God, for pursuing each heart perfectly. I pray that we would each respond in ways that bring You great glory!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Energized
That is the word I would use to describe my day yesterday. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have the students back in town and how I can already see the Lord doing a lot - in many different areas of my life and on campus. The morning brought a sobering reminder of what we're up against on this campus. . .but it was also used to fuel my passion to pray and step out in faith even more.
Picture this: Sproul Plaza was packed with thousands of students yesterday morning because the inauguration was being shown on a huge screen outdoors. At one point in President Obama's speech he mentions "Christians, Muslims, Jews, and nonbelievers". Well, after each world religion was mentioned there was a reaction from the crowd. Christians received hardly any applause - probably a combination of it being mentioned first, not many Christians at Cal, and the Christians here being typically timid because of opposition. Anyway, as Muslims and Jews are mentioned the cheers are louder. But then as nonbelievers are referenced the crowd roars with the loudest cheer of them all. This is both not surprising and simultaneously heart-breaking. This is why I do what I do - God reigns victorious and it's time for Him to be made known in the hearts and lives of students here. Thanks for praying with me!
The rest of the day was packed with student appointments, a staff meeting, and a gathering with my sophomore small group girls. I'm back to the days being very full and flying by - while striving to keep my eyes on Christ in the midst of it all. So, energized is the word for the day - it's so great to be back at it!
We'll be on campus from 10-2 today and tomorrow, getting the word out about Campus Crusade at Cal and our weekly meeting on Thursday by "tabling" with the other student groups on campus. Please pray against rain - it's in the forecast but I know that God is in control of everything, even the weather. Have a blessed day!
Picture this: Sproul Plaza was packed with thousands of students yesterday morning because the inauguration was being shown on a huge screen outdoors. At one point in President Obama's speech he mentions "Christians, Muslims, Jews, and nonbelievers". Well, after each world religion was mentioned there was a reaction from the crowd. Christians received hardly any applause - probably a combination of it being mentioned first, not many Christians at Cal, and the Christians here being typically timid because of opposition. Anyway, as Muslims and Jews are mentioned the cheers are louder. But then as nonbelievers are referenced the crowd roars with the loudest cheer of them all. This is both not surprising and simultaneously heart-breaking. This is why I do what I do - God reigns victorious and it's time for Him to be made known in the hearts and lives of students here. Thanks for praying with me!
The rest of the day was packed with student appointments, a staff meeting, and a gathering with my sophomore small group girls. I'm back to the days being very full and flying by - while striving to keep my eyes on Christ in the midst of it all. So, energized is the word for the day - it's so great to be back at it!
We'll be on campus from 10-2 today and tomorrow, getting the word out about Campus Crusade at Cal and our weekly meeting on Thursday by "tabling" with the other student groups on campus. Please pray against rain - it's in the forecast but I know that God is in control of everything, even the weather. Have a blessed day!
Dump Cake
Yep - an unappetizing name for a very appetizing dessert that has been a big hit with some of our students this week! Thought I would just pass on the recipe for fun -
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup butter or margarine, sliced thinly
Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13" baking dish. Dump pineapple with juice into prepared pan. Spread evenly. Dump in pie filling. Spread evenly. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over cherry layer. Sprinkle nuts over cake mix. Dot with butter. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes or until top is lightly browned. Serve warm or at room temperature. Yum!
So this recipe brings back memories of teaching 4th graders at Harloe Elementary School in 07 because I bought a cookbook from the staff and students there. This is a recipe from the librarian - so she must be good with books AND baking!
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup butter or margarine, sliced thinly
Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13" baking dish. Dump pineapple with juice into prepared pan. Spread evenly. Dump in pie filling. Spread evenly. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over cherry layer. Sprinkle nuts over cake mix. Dot with butter. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes or until top is lightly browned. Serve warm or at room temperature. Yum!
So this recipe brings back memories of teaching 4th graders at Harloe Elementary School in 07 because I bought a cookbook from the staff and students there. This is a recipe from the librarian - so she must be good with books AND baking!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
To prune or not to prune. . .
And I'm not thinking about dried plums, no thank you.
So, I used to sell my family's cheese at farmer's markets -a job that I actually typically enjoyed, I got to meet a lot of cool customers and vendors. Well, one of these vendors sold apples but there was something not quite right - they were small, very small. Customers thought they were so cute and perfect for their kids' lunchboxes. But I knew better, I knew there was something amiss. These apple trees were not being pruned properly and when I asked her why she simply said that they were too busy and never got around to it.
Interesting, there's a lot to learn here - especially if you dive into John 15, a chapter that always challenges me. Jesus says, "Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. . .Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:2,4). Now, I recommend reading the passage in context first. . .partially because I don't want to type it all out for you. :)
So, here we see that the Lord wants us to have good soil so that we are fruitful, so that the Word can really take root as we saw yesterday, but then also that there are degrees of fruitfulness. I know that I want to produce fruit for Him, and not just any kind of fruit. I want fruit that is fully developed in size and flavor. I guess some fruit is better then no fruit but the Lord expects more. And then He's so good to tell us that producing better fruit (and really any kind of fruit at all) is not something we can possibly do on our own. Take those little apples as an example. If they could have pruned themselves they would have but that is not possible without the help of the farmer. The same is true of you and me. God is the one who prunes, and though at times painful, in the long run the results are so tasty.
So what's our part then? If God does the pruning what must I do? Well, once again, as with the apples, they must stay attached to the vine, their source of life, in order to grow and be fruitful. And this is exactly what Jesus tells us. My role is to abide in Him, and when doing this well my life is fully surrendered and I accept the pruning that He does, acknowledging that He knows exactly what He's doing for my good and His glory. And remember, God is never to busy to prune us - out of His great love for us He takes the time to carefully make us more like Himself, something that would be impossible apart from a relationship with Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful that I get to live a fruitful life, a life full of purpose and direction, a life that is about more then the here and now, a life that is centered on my Savior, a life that is fully dependent on Him is the only kind of life that makes sense.
Here's to the pruning process! Hope you're having a joyful day!
So, I used to sell my family's cheese at farmer's markets -a job that I actually typically enjoyed, I got to meet a lot of cool customers and vendors. Well, one of these vendors sold apples but there was something not quite right - they were small, very small. Customers thought they were so cute and perfect for their kids' lunchboxes. But I knew better, I knew there was something amiss. These apple trees were not being pruned properly and when I asked her why she simply said that they were too busy and never got around to it.
Interesting, there's a lot to learn here - especially if you dive into John 15, a chapter that always challenges me. Jesus says, "Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. . .Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:2,4). Now, I recommend reading the passage in context first. . .partially because I don't want to type it all out for you. :)
So, here we see that the Lord wants us to have good soil so that we are fruitful, so that the Word can really take root as we saw yesterday, but then also that there are degrees of fruitfulness. I know that I want to produce fruit for Him, and not just any kind of fruit. I want fruit that is fully developed in size and flavor. I guess some fruit is better then no fruit but the Lord expects more. And then He's so good to tell us that producing better fruit (and really any kind of fruit at all) is not something we can possibly do on our own. Take those little apples as an example. If they could have pruned themselves they would have but that is not possible without the help of the farmer. The same is true of you and me. God is the one who prunes, and though at times painful, in the long run the results are so tasty.
So what's our part then? If God does the pruning what must I do? Well, once again, as with the apples, they must stay attached to the vine, their source of life, in order to grow and be fruitful. And this is exactly what Jesus tells us. My role is to abide in Him, and when doing this well my life is fully surrendered and I accept the pruning that He does, acknowledging that He knows exactly what He's doing for my good and His glory. And remember, God is never to busy to prune us - out of His great love for us He takes the time to carefully make us more like Himself, something that would be impossible apart from a relationship with Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful that I get to live a fruitful life, a life full of purpose and direction, a life that is about more then the here and now, a life that is centered on my Savior, a life that is fully dependent on Him is the only kind of life that makes sense.
Here's to the pruning process! Hope you're having a joyful day!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
My soil. . .
I've been thinking about my soil this morning. Not so much the soil that my cute topiary plant is rooted in (though I probably should go water the little guy!) but the soil of my heart. I know that I want to live a fruitful life but often I overlook what God requires so that good and abundant fruit will be produced. You may have guessed it, I read Matthew 13 this morning. As I was reflecting on the quality of my soil I began to realize that my soil changes between the 4 types: the path, the rocky ground, among the thorns, the good soil - depending on the day, mood, circumstance, etc. Each has very different results and consequences. How I want to be rooted so firmly in Christ that my soil will daily more consistently be the good soil. He's such a perfect sower but there's a role that we play as well. I must be open to His Word, growing to know and love Him more, and living a life of active faith in Him in order to be fruitful - for His glory alone, not my own. Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be. . .for I know that I cannot live this way on my own. How's your soil this morning? Read up and evaluate with the Lord - He always knows how to show me how much I need Him, praying that He's doing the same for you today!
In a bit I'm off to San Fransisco to have lunch with a supporter/friend. Looking forward to hopping on the Bart (oh public transport) and connecting over lunch at the Farmer's Market near the Ferry Building. Couldn't be a more beautiful day - trying to enjoy it while it lasts! Oh. . .and just got an idea for a post tomorrow - so come back soon. :)
In a bit I'm off to San Fransisco to have lunch with a supporter/friend. Looking forward to hopping on the Bart (oh public transport) and connecting over lunch at the Farmer's Market near the Ferry Building. Couldn't be a more beautiful day - trying to enjoy it while it lasts! Oh. . .and just got an idea for a post tomorrow - so come back soon. :)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
2009
Happy New Year! I look forward to all that the Lord has in store for us. . .and ultimately for His glory. And I hope you had a nice Christmas, how cool is it that we get to celebrate Christ's birth all year long?!
I am doing well. Christmas at home was relaxing and reflective. Good to be with family. New Year's was grand - 700+ college students, San Diego, awesome teaching, worship, and action. . .and this is part of my job?! It was in the midst of ringing in the New Year with worship that I realized that there is no other campus I'd rather be at and no other group of students I want to minister to. Thankful for this peace and assurance as I start out a new year with no promise that it will be easy, but really a promise for just the opposite. And yet I'm so hopeful for what God wants to do here and worldwide before He returns. My prayers are with Israel. I'm doing a study through 1 Samuel - learning a lot about Israel and the crazy journey that the Lord has them on. Hard to wrap my mind around, and in light of this I'm just so thankful that He's God and I'm not.
It was quite an amazingly sunny day in Berkeley today - tomorrow will be as well, which has me so excited to go for a run (well, more of a jog :)) at the Berkeley Marina. Great paths and a view of the Golden Gate. . .and you know how much I love being near (and in, but not in this case - don't worry) water! Church today was great today as well. I'm just so thankful for the body of Christ - and particularly the New Church Berkeley family. I love how simple, yet reverent, worshipping the Lord in a small church can be. He is a great provider!
The students don't return to classes until next Tuesday but this week will be full none-the-less. Touching base with supporters, getting organized for the second half of this year and. . .starting my staff application. Yep, I'm joining staff with Campus Crusade for Christ this summer! I'm so thankful for the Lord's leading in my life and the role you've played in supporting me in countless ways to get me to this point. There currently is no other thing I can see myself doing then serving the Lord so that lost students have the opportunity to become Christ-centered laborers for His glory.
Well, how's that for a little update?! :) I want to try to get back into the swing of things again here. . .thanks for being patient with me and I'm praying for our week - that our eyes would be on Him, regardless of what awaits. I'll be back with another update soon!
- Arijaan
I am doing well. Christmas at home was relaxing and reflective. Good to be with family. New Year's was grand - 700+ college students, San Diego, awesome teaching, worship, and action. . .and this is part of my job?! It was in the midst of ringing in the New Year with worship that I realized that there is no other campus I'd rather be at and no other group of students I want to minister to. Thankful for this peace and assurance as I start out a new year with no promise that it will be easy, but really a promise for just the opposite. And yet I'm so hopeful for what God wants to do here and worldwide before He returns. My prayers are with Israel. I'm doing a study through 1 Samuel - learning a lot about Israel and the crazy journey that the Lord has them on. Hard to wrap my mind around, and in light of this I'm just so thankful that He's God and I'm not.
It was quite an amazingly sunny day in Berkeley today - tomorrow will be as well, which has me so excited to go for a run (well, more of a jog :)) at the Berkeley Marina. Great paths and a view of the Golden Gate. . .and you know how much I love being near (and in, but not in this case - don't worry) water! Church today was great today as well. I'm just so thankful for the body of Christ - and particularly the New Church Berkeley family. I love how simple, yet reverent, worshipping the Lord in a small church can be. He is a great provider!
The students don't return to classes until next Tuesday but this week will be full none-the-less. Touching base with supporters, getting organized for the second half of this year and. . .starting my staff application. Yep, I'm joining staff with Campus Crusade for Christ this summer! I'm so thankful for the Lord's leading in my life and the role you've played in supporting me in countless ways to get me to this point. There currently is no other thing I can see myself doing then serving the Lord so that lost students have the opportunity to become Christ-centered laborers for His glory.
Well, how's that for a little update?! :) I want to try to get back into the swing of things again here. . .thanks for being patient with me and I'm praying for our week - that our eyes would be on Him, regardless of what awaits. I'll be back with another update soon!
- Arijaan
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