Text Messages From God

We have begun a new series in the contemporary service, a two part series that speaks to way we utilize scripture and the role that it plays in our lives. So let me ask you what role does the Bible play in your daily life? I was reading in preparation for this week and was moved by a statement that I read. Now I am paraphrasing, but the statement went something like this; "We carry our Bibles around with us, we might have two or three stashed away some where, but when was the last time we can remember that our lives actually altered by it?"
Now that really kind of startled me... cause I really carry my Bible around with me every day. It is just a part of my life. Of course it is, this what I do. But when was the last time words of the Holy Text actually shaped or reshaped the way I live. Do I allow it access into the deep recesses of my life? Do I allow the ancient words change me and form me into who God wants me to be... How about you?
Are we so diligently carrying our Bibles around and even reading them that we have failed to let them read us? Can we honestly think that I think that because I am in a profession that uses the Bible that my life is some how automatically informed by it? May I/we never miss the point of the Great Message in all of our religious activity and fail to live a life truly informed by it.

Where is Lonely

There are more people in the world today than ever before and yet more people are lonely than ever. How is it that we often find ourselves in groups but are not very good at building or encouraging community.
It has been said that stores are not just selling a product any longer, they are selling an experience. Say the coffee shop that I visit in town, I go there not just to get the coffee but to experience the cup of coffee. Life should be that way. We should not just go through life getting something out of it, but giving something back to it. We should experience life in the fullest sense of the word. Here is a great quote: "the essence of being human is participation in the essence of the divine being.
One of the best ways to participate in both this life and the divine is in relationships with others. God made us in His image. God is relational, therefore we are relational. When we participate in relationships with others we enter into a fundamental divine activity.
But we struggle with this as a people. George Gallup has said that his research shows that Americans are among the loneliest people. I just read a passage that speaks to this.
Ecclesiastes 4:8-12
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for
their work" vs.9

Leadership Team

I have the privilege of working weekly with student leadership team. Working with this team enables our ministry to do ministry in a multifaceted way. Each member of the team is able to be a part of the planning and implementing of our ministry objectives. It is so exciting to see what God is doing in the lives of each of these students and how they are influencing our campus for Christ. Below is a picture of our leadership team. While some were not present for the picture, this is a good representation of our team.

Clean Water Anyone?

This past Sunday the college ministry began promoting its African "well project". During the service we had an opportunity to hear from our Southern Baptist missionary, Paula Rehn, who has served with his wife, Heather, for nearly seventeen years. The Rehns have served the SuSu people of Guinea, West Africa through their work in the various villages. Some of the most recent work has been associated with building wells in these villages in order to provide clean water for the people.
The college ministry is taking up an offering through the end of the semester to help fund the building of two wells next summer. The goal to raise $1300 for two wells and to provide a local mission in our community with clean water as well.(Joseph Home for Boys, Boys & Girls Club, etc.) The project will help raise awareness of the need that people have for clean water both locally and globally. Of course if more money is given, the more wells that can be built. The money should given to FBC Statesboro and should not take away from your normal pattern of giving to the life of our church.
It is exciting to see what God is doing and will do in the lives of our college students as they give of themselves both financially and physically. This next Summer we will take a mission team to this area of Africa in order to help build a bridge for the message of Jesus. Wow!! What a great opportunity to see God at work. Please pray for the Rehns as they faithfully serve the SuSu tribes, for the "well" money to be raised, for students to sign up for the mission project, and for the hearts of the SuSu people to be open to the Gospel.

Following the Spirit

In a book I just began reading the other day, the author tells of an of an old phrase for the Holy Spirit that originates with our Celtic brethren. An Gedah-Glas means "the Wild Goose" and provides and interesting depiction of the Holy Spirit and rather accurately describes my on personal experience in following the Spirit's leading in my life. It is challenging and strangely haunting to try and see God at work... leading my life. I want to stay in tune and on the path, but it seems a bit murky at times. There are moments that I feel like I am right in line and then other moments where I seem to be out of sorts.
Paul tells us in Galatians, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us stay in step with the Spirit." My desire is to stay in step, no matter what the days of my life bring me. Satan may throw all that Hell has to offer at me, but in the end I long to be found faithful.
May God be glorified and honored!!

Spiritual Growth

When you think about growing spiritually, what comes to mind? For many people it seems vague at best, while for others it is simply overwhelming. To say, "I want to be more like Jesus.", seems like the unreachable elusive goal for many followers of Christ. The other day I had an encouraging conversation with one of our GSU football coaches. Let me tell you the story...
To tell you the truth, this semester has been quite refreshing thus far. I have the privilege of meeting with some of the coaches once a week for prayer and Bible study. We meet at the Parrish building at 6:30 for about an hour. The first week, one guy in particular seemed a little reserved for the first 15 minutes or so and then he began opening up about his life. The morning was filled with great conversation and discussion as we shared our thoughts while we read various Scriptures. Later that evening I saw him before the players Bible study and he was so appreciative for the morning's gathering. He said, "Stewart, I have had the God moment. But I want to know how to grow." I could sense his earnest desire to grow and deepen his relationship with Christ. He went on to say, "I have a lot of responsibility. I am a coach, a husband, and a father. I want to be the best I can be."
How about you? How about me? I mentioned that it is best to begin with a pattern of daily prayer and Bible reading. He had asked for a "workout" that would help him. So I emailed him a list of scriptures and a few questions he could pray through each day. I told him that the Lord would honor his desire to grow and that the Lord would begin working in his life. This is true for him and each of us... I need it!!
I read a great quote the other day... "If sin quenches the work of the Spirit in us, a daily dose of Scripture quickens the work of the Spirit in us."

One by One Mentoring

I am so pleased that the college ministry has taken a step in a new direction this fall. We have begun a mentoring program focused on mentoring college students. The ministry will develop mentoring relationships between adults in our church with college students in an effort to see them grow spiritually. I have trained 31 adult mentors and have paired them with students for a semester long mentoring experience. I firmly believe that these relationships will encourage the students in their desire to grow in their walk with Christ. It seems that life on life relationships provide the greatest opportunity for sustained spiritual growth to take place. I believe that these relationships will further help our students to be all they have been created to be.