The Empty Grave

“The Bible can also characterize the whole life of the Christian as bearing the Cross. It is the fellowship of the Cross to experience the burden of the other. If one does not experience it, the fellowship he belongs to is not Christian. If any member refuses to beat that burden, he denies the law of Christ.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Being on a college Campus, you run into a cast of characters. I’m not just speaking of people who have five pound gummy bears in their closets (you will find them, too), but people who have thousands of different things/problems going on. Normally, we could just choose to have different friends. We are told to put ourselves around people who build us up. That saying doesn’t work if your friends are in trouble and need help. Sometimes we need to be the friend to build the others up.

That’s what Christ did for us. He came into this world to save us because we couldn’t save ourselves. He chose to experience us, awful human being, to die on a Cross for us. As he took the trek to be crucified, he carried all of our burdens up the hillside. And had them die with Him.

As I said, I am on a college campus. We have a growing campus ministry and one of our best attributes is carrying burdens.  Bonhoeffer says we should Listen, Serve, and Bear with one another. All of these things Christ did for us. So if you are in a campus ministry and you are not listening, serving, and bearing one another, check yourself and call on Christ. Trade in your sorrows.

Christ did a lot for us and because he did, we can.

As the semester draws to an end, it is good for us to look back over the year and see all the goodness that took place. I can honestly say this has been one of the best years of my life, if not THE best. Last summer I went to The Philadelphia Project where I was able to help people and excite youth groups. It was incredible! Then, leaving there, I came back to IUP where from the first week of classes we all knew something was different. A campus ministry of about 15 people jumped to around 75 over the course of the year. And do not think I am just impressed by the numbers. The numbers mean nothing. The seeds that were planted 7 months ago are blossoming and that is what we are to rejoice about! In addition to all of this I began dating my beautiful girlfriend on October 3^rd. Our relationship has been incredible! I cannot see myself with anyone else and I love how she challenges my growth and pushes me closer to God.

With all that said I am not even scratching the surface. There are a lot of opportunities on the horizon to allow this summer to be even more incredible than the last, but for totally different reasons! I cannot hold in my excitement for all that is going on in my life. But, I am not here to brag.

This, everything shown above, had nothing to do with me. Yes, I am a leader in the campus ministry and I was half of my relationship with my beautiful girlfriend, but in all honesty, none of it was me. It was all God. Every ounce of everything was Him! There was no way, in all of heaven and earth, that I would be a part of The Philadelphia Project and do as well as I did, that the campus ministry would explode in the manner in which it did, and there is no possible way a confusing bro, such as I, could get such an amazing girlfriend if it were not all for God. God had his hand on all of this and all of us! All of the glory goes to Him!

I will admit, I tried to take control of my life a lot of the time, but it all resulted in failure. There is nothing I can do. Every time we mess up we have to realize that if we do not have God then that would be our state of being all the time. It is because of God that we do anything good at all. It is because of Him all the lives were changed for eternity this semester. It is because of Him that Love is blossoming on this campus. It is because of Him that I love. 

The person who is seated behind you speaking of sex, drugs, and other immoral acts that you just cannot stand is sitting there because your God created them. Not only that, but God died for them, too. Just like He did for you. 

The more we realize we are sinners the more we see how amazing God is. 

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1)

Read this verse throughout your day and watch your self esteem elevate! 

LOOK! Just LOOK! Look at this love the Father has given to YOU! Look at it!! Take a look and really take it in! It’s so much love that you are now called a CHILD of GOD; AND SO I AM!

SO I AM! just keep saying it. AND SO I BE! What you going to do about that world. I am a Child of God! Take that! 

He says, “Look at me now! Back up, I’m a Child of the God most high! What now!?” 

Live like it

What’s Your Mark? Every Moment Counts

·         Curation and photography – Jeremy Coward

·         Interviews and written content – Annie F. Downs

·         Layout and Design – Brad Davis

·         Producer – Michael Moore

Everyone is important in life. You are here for a reason and God placed you where you are right now for a purpose. There are no excuses, just marks to be made. Throughout this book, you will find glimpses of marks being made around the world. You will be able to read a short story about how someone is making a mark on the world. These glimpses may stir up your interest and make you want to learn more. Also, in between the stories, the book goes through the book of Mark. So, not only do you have fun little stories, but the Gospel of Mark.

I really liked this book! It is done very well, having 120-pages of full color! I would not recommend the Kindle Version because of this reason. It just isn’t the same. It is exciting seeing and feeling this book. The cover asks “What’s Your Mark?” and has a mirror looking back at you. Very thoughtful and provoking! Like I said above, the order is astounding. You have a story, then the book of Mark, a story or two, than Mark. I loved how Gospel centered it was. I was really happy about this book!

At Jubilee I learned how everything can be worship! In the book we see in practice how art can be worship! Whatever your calling is, God wants you to do it for the Kingdom! Oh boy, it’s fun!

Should I get it? If you want a very well made book with fun, short stories about how God is moving in the world you should. I wouldn’t say it is a book for someone who is trying to grow in faith because faith grows more through hard times; this is a book for those who want something cute and touching. Like I said, it is incredibly well done. It is like a step up from short night time stories. Actually, more appropriately, it may be better for good morning stories!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;
all day long an attacker oppresses me;
my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many attack me proudly.
When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
All day long they injure my cause;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They stir up strife, they lurk;
they watch my steps,
as they have waited for my life.
For their crime will they escape?
In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!
You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
Then my enemies will turn back
in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
I must perform my vows to you, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life. (Psalm 56)

I Won’t Give Up

When I look into your eyes
It’s like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
Well, there’s so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you’ve come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

Well, I won’t give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I’m giving you all my love
I’m still looking up

And when you’re needing your space
To do some navigating
I’ll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

‘Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We’ve got a lot to learn
God knows we’re worth it
No, I won’t give up

I don’t wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I’m here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you’re still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn’t break, we didn’t burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I’ve got, and what I’m not, and who I am

I won’t give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I’m giving you all my love
I’m still looking up, still looking up.

Well, I won’t give up on us (no I’m not giving up)
God knows I’m tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We’ve got a lot to learn (we’re alive, we are loved)
God knows we’re worth it (and we’re worth it)

I won’t give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I’m giving you all my love
I’m still looking up