Excuse Me Mr. Mayor, can we make the trains quieter?

Today I had the privilige of being a part of the group that got to converse with Riverside Mayor Loveridge.

I honestly had no idea what to expect... but i didn't expect a few of the questions that were asked. For example... where is the nearest location to recycle our cans? (It is at Stater Brother's down the street btw)

(This is in no offense to the people asking the questions... they were only representing the students)

But it did give me a few thoughts and observations about both our students and about the city of Riverside...

1. The majority of college students (and perhaps Americans in general) are looking for ways to consume rather than give back. Could this be why it is so counter-culture when we want to be involved in service? Why it is hard to reconfigure our schedules to fit in time where we intentionally engage the community along with balance our classes?
2. Mayor Loveridge pointed out that on average leadership will recieve 1500 persuasive messages a day. 1500.
3. How then, do we not only sort through these (as from their perspective) but be able to be one of those that rises to the top?
4. The Mayor also pointed out that he is impressed by people who do things out of the ordinary. Not that we are seeking to impress people, but to "make our mark" no matter what it is for... we must do things out of the ordinary... which makes sense because since when were followers of Christ supposed to fit into the mold of "ordinary"...
5. Statistic: 80% of high school dropouts go to prison.
6. Statistic: The majority of those were influenced most in elementary and middle school.
7. That is the biggest area where the Mayor said we need volunteers and investment... specifically he mentioned Liberty Elementary School.

What would it take for the majority students to not only WANT to be involved, but to be active in investing in our hurting community?

Diagnosis: Sick and Sorry

I have a new appreciation for duct tape:

For some reason unbeknownst to myself...

a diagnosis is comforting even when results are slow in the coming...

Lastly a Russian Literature laugh for the night...

The shadow of earth and sounds of tyrone

Last night was occupied with perspectives homework... so today I reflect on yesterday... and today...
I am going to have to shorten my blogging style if I am ever to succeed at this.

The Story

• To begin, I am not sure it was coincedence that at the exact time the lunar eclipse was to be seen, clouds blocked our CBU view, making the only possible view available from 15 miles south in Corona.
• Naturally, being the naturalist that I am, Aubrey and I hopped in my gasoline chugging saturn and headed to the 15. After arriving at the Magnolia exit we realized... we were 5 minutes away from her Oma's apartment. Our choice was difficult. Waste gas staying warm watching the moon on an offramp, or drink tea with her Oma from a balcony with a better view.
• It was an adventure for the night - in that it was very not expected.
• It is a great feeling - realizing that a simple action really resonated in the heart and lifted the spirits of one you spent time with.

The Lesson

• A lunar eclipse is knowledge that should be retained from high school. In the case of a sudden loss of memory, make sure a cell phone is nearby, with an expert in astronomy on the other line. In this case, Tyler Green.
• Definition: When the earth's shadow (which it always has, but can not always be seen) covers part of the moon. When it turns colors it is because it is reacting to different states of the earth's atmosphere which it has neared.
• For Future Reference: It happens pretty much every year.
• It is another reminder of how very small we are. And how no matter what is going on in this place we call our world... There is still peace... and control... in the Lord who created it all.

The Aftermath

• Tyrone Wells: Amazing. A great introspective musical denoument of the night :)
  

In the near future I will be blogging on the modern mission movement... when I understand it, along with the emerging church. Today my mind has been too preoccupied to really process everything ... but that is why I have a blog! Strangely this seems like it could be a strange form of word vomit, but at least the readers are choosing to continue.

Rather than attempt to find answers, here are questions I am posing for today:

If we are in between the modern and postmodern period, how are we to foster an enviroment for church that meets the needs of both generations?

Can a church exist that meets the needs of both? When is a church plant, or "organic split" neccesary?

What does community look like in a large church setting?

How many current Southern California Churches are open to the movement of the Holy Spirit?

Why can the sole sound of rushing water be soothing... and the sound of silence, deafening?

How can California have three of the largest ports for sex trafficking in the United States... ?

How is it that in a class at Christian University I can still see large effects of the "American Dream" on what we are taught to pursue...? This is not a critique of the University, but a question of how much we have let culture affect us, and how we have affected the culture.

On a more personal note...

How on earth can I use my life to be a part of the Story of the Glory of the Father... love those who have gone ignored and unloved... fight for justice... learn to write, to do graphic design, videography... strive to be in constant conversation with the Lord... and accept grace while passionately pursuing change...

And the last question for tonight... (and least profound, but most paranoid)

What exactly are symptoms of bronchitis?

Stream of Consciousness of Spiritual Warfare

For greater thing have yet to come
and greater things are still to be done in this city.

The fall of man. The tower of Babel. The Fall of the Roman Empire. The Barbarics. The Vikings. The Crusades. The Discovery of the New World. The persecution of the middle eastern church.

History is moving towards something. Towards the day when the Glory of the Lord will fill the earth in its entirety and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Each day is strategic and purposeful in being a part of His Kingdom Come.

I learn all these things anew every day. The way Jeff put it in class today made sense... Rather than ask what is God's will for my life, we are to ask, How can I use my life to be a part of your story. From our prayers of guidance and strength for ourselves, to our topical reading of scripture, we have been a part of a very individualistic expression of the church. After experiencing the Word alive in other nations... how then do we return and fall back into routine of reading for the sake of reading. Of praying for the sake of hearing our on voice. Of loving when it is convenient. I am not criticizing "the church"... but myself. It is not "a revelation" that i lack. There is no altar call that fits my need today. I do not need to "recommit my life to Christ"... that is a daily decision to die to myself... a decision which I do not even completely understand.

What is it that I currently lack?

Consistency.

Even in the midst of the sickness that seems debilitating. The Holy Spirit is still alive and moving, why am I so unaware of little outside of myself simply because I am sick?

__________________________________________________________________

A thought from Russian Literature for the day.

"The demon of comparison is a very petty demon but one of the most dangerous. He does not attach himself t the strong - there is not much to be gained from them; but he likes to seduce the little ones. And his seductions are, for the little and weak ones, irresistable"
- In Bondage by Feodor Sologub

Something that has been coming up so often in conversation lately is the fact that here in Southern California, the main darkness is that of materialism. Of comfort and apathy. For some reason the light has a harder time penetrating this darkness... because it is disguised by a light of its own. A friend recently had a dream that put this picture together in my mind. (I hope she doesn't mind me sharing!)
The light looks attractive. Harmless. Comfortable. Attractive. Easy. Fun. Succesful.
There are no danger signs warning us that as soon as we get drawn in we will never be satisfied until we experience more. Even then this path will eventually find an end as it dims into darkness for eternity.
Not until we experience the true light coming from the opposite direction can we see that this light had nothing to offer in the first place.
How could we be so decieved? How could we not have seen that there is no way to seek two different lights at the same time? How could we have settled to put ourselves in the position to look at the great light, while creating our garden comfortably and cooly in the midst of the imitation?

How I ask - Have so many settled for less than the fullness of peace hope and joy that comes when following the true light?

HOW?

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6

Yes, even here in our "modern and civilized democracy" this reality is true. The fake light has succeeded in making many comfortable with settling for status quo while the rest of history moves towards something great.

Definition: Heavy eyes

I do not understand the way the human brain functions. Although my body is clearly sending my brain the message that it is exhausted and needs to be rejuvinated, my mind has won over, and will not stop reeling with thoughts - even for it's own well being. And so I have ended up here again.

To give a few recently learned definitions of the week:

ITW: Intense time of activity created to develop perserverance and reveal true qualities about the characteristcs of those on one's team.

India A: An incredible group of people, who I grew accustomed to living with for 48 hours. Can be described as honest, Serving, Excited, and earnest followers of Christ.

Prayer Walking: Conversational prayer. IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AND AMAZING WHEN DONE OUTLOUD. Can be done alone or in groups of two or more. Please remember in Prayer Walking, that God is a part of the conversation, and silence is okay. Warning: Will open your eyes to the world around you in a very real and convicting way. (I.E. praying for the Indian School, the grass by the ADC, and the gardeners of CBU... )

Food: A luxury most of the world does without. A common cause of complaint and comfort among Americans. Overdose can and does lead to physical and emotional disorders. Is often taken for granted among Americans (myself included). One meal can cost over 10 times what a worker will make on an average day in a foreign country.

Kenya: A place where God's heart is alive. Spiritual Warfare is everywhere, currently most evident in tribal hatred and violence often leading to destruction of businesses and lives. Also typically ignored by American media, for the sake of the next definition.

Britney Spears: A woman who has had to undergo some very unique, public and twisted trials in her life. Is the obsession of American media, while thousands of lives are suffering in fear and destruction in areas such as that described above.

The Holy Spirit: A key part of the Trinity. The power of God in his people. First came down in the pentecost of the jews, then the samaritans, then the gentiles. Very radical in nature. Is often not accepted to it's full power (which is even over death itself). Moves powerfully, mysteriously, and is still being understood...

The Persecuted Church: Genuine followers of Christ. Denying of self for the sake of Christ is real in a tangible way. Deserves love of the saints (and in that the church) around the world. Undergoes rejection, fear of government and possibly death on a daily basis. Deeply values and lives the world of God. Results: A growing and thriving authentic community of faith.

The Sword of the Spirit: The only weapon of the armor of God. Also called The Bible, The Word of God. Is often twisted and misunderstood, but never changes. Dramatically changes lives daily. It is alive and powerful. Is not created to bash others on the head with judgement, but first to turn as followers of Christ use it to learn to die to themselves.

Funfetti Cake: Amazing. Healthy for the soul :)

Coffee and Chocolate: Not that neccesary for life.

Support Letters: ... yet to be defined...


Independence: Something women are developed to have far too much of. Example: Myself. Is a great quality when understood in balance.

Homework: Never ending. Incomplete. Designed to reinforce classroom learning, and test competance and responsibility. Currently incomplete.

Oh My God: An expression used by people worldwide. Used in vain, in pain, in prayer, in jokes. Title of a song by Jars of Clay (which should be listened too)

Sleep: Neccessary. Not often found in great quantity among college students, resulting in failure to be able to complete thoughts, homework etc. The reason why this blog is coming to an end.

Goodnight all!

Debate: Affirmative v. Negative v. Me

I have recently entered the world of debate.

Well that's not entirely true, I have stuck my foot in... and inched my head around the corner. But I am not sure I am ready to dive into the world where evidence is truth and the most confident wins. True it is fascinating watching some of the arguments that people come up with, and the evidence is interesting... I am even passionate about the topic! What then, you say, is keeping me from diving head first into this strange world?

1. Fear - Impromptu has helped me to overcome the public speaking nervousness, but I am not confident that I will be able to think quick enough on my feet, which leads me to the next point
2. Logic - I have recently discovered I am and ENFP. Along with this, after the RA group interviews this weekend I have discovered that if you give me a bunch of props and a time limit, I can create an entertaining and comelling commercial. If you give me a bucket that I come within four feet of, and tell me to pour it into another bucket which I cannot touch, and give me hangers and ropes to do the job: I am stuck. Maybe several hours later I could come up with a solution, but I am.... (drumroll please) overanalytical.
3. Time (I am going to have to next weekend, whether I like it or not, this is simply my venting until the time comes)

On another side of my brain... (closer towards the part where the soul is)

The Holy Spirit.

You know those times when the Lord reveals things... more than once... and you kind of get the feeling that you are not really getting it? Perhaps it is just me, but Kyle Kammer put it as only he could when He said.. "It's like getting drop-kicked to the face"

So the things I am learning.. and waiting to learn

1. What does it look like to be waiting and expectant for the Holy Spirit to move. We have been given the Holy Spirit when we chose to follow Christ, and so It is inside of us and is our assurance of salvation (1 John 5:6-12) As Francis Chan pointed out... in every message he has given over the past year... If you were to read the Bible without anyone telling you what to believe about it, you would have a huge expectation of the Holy Spirit.
2. As K****** pointed out, the Baptist Church has at times directed us more towards The Father, The Son, and the Holy Bible. There is definitly a balance between the two, but we need them both. We can grow in spirit and in truth at the same time, and do not need to sacrifice one for the other... then why aren't we... Let me rephrase that.
3. Am I? Rather than soul searching on the internet, I would love to hear other thoughts about the role that the Holy Spirit plays in your own life, in scripture... or both :)
4. In Chapel, David Watts has been our most recent speaker, who told many stories of faith and the Holy Spirit through a global scope. His point of the message was that as followers of Christ we need to be living lives of restraint (specifically in America, restraining from the American dream which too often has combined with the Christian dream to create sort of a blurry vision of what American and the Church should look like... but let's save this for another time). The thing that got me most about his message was his stories of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Of the Lord appearing in dreams and visions and healings etc. While I would love to say that I have this strong faith, I believe that my vision has been affected by the skepticism around me. Not to take the blame entirely off of myself, but I have been trained to dissect, to analyze, to understand. I am not questioning the authenticity or depth of my faith, but the way that I understand it. Because of this I have ended my Gallavant through Galatians (though we are continuing it in ISP... and Gallavant was probably not the best word to use) and am beginning to re read through Hebrews...
5. At the same time I long to see the Holy Spirit move! In my heart, at CBU, in Riverside, at Eastside, In Kenya etc. What if I we genuinely knelt before the Father together and asked for Him to reveal himself, to have his way with us no matter what the cost. Though I know I have done this before, as I am sure many others have before as well... what if it was consistent? What would it look like? Feel Like? If we asked the Holy Spirit to wash over us not only as individuals but together?

My thoughts are not entirely down about this... but my mind is already off in another spot.

ITW. ISP.

This weekend is Intensive Training Weekend for all those at CBU participating in International Service Projects. (hence the cool jargon above) I have no idea what to expect, and have not honestly been in prayer about it a lot. I hear that it is intense. (There are simulations of the travel and other experiences that we should be ready to expect overseas - all I know is that I will be tired and hungry at the end!)

Well I will just have to wait until it is over, there is not much else I can do now to prepare other than pray... and read... and memorize all the facts about South Asia (as well as chapters 4 and 5 of Ephesians)

OH! IJM has a new website, which you all should check out.

It is a beautiful day in Riverside!

On becoming an adult.

I am officialy a slacker. I have no time in my day to make it to Whittier to vote in the Primary's. The thing that has been on the top of my conversation and mind for the past two months... and I am not going to be voting. Why, you ask?
Several reasons, which some would call excuses, and I would agree with.

1. "Absentee Ballot" had a negative connotation in my mind (with no factual basis.) Now I understand, and will be filling out the form for the official election this November
2. It did not hit me that "Super Tuesday" was actually on a Tuesday (my busiest day of the week, when I do not get out of class until 9, and only have abreak from 5-6) thus... not enough time to take the 60 or the 91 to my hometown of LA county.

Is it terrible that I am still not convinced that there is one candidate I am willing to support?
Or that I even have a party to identify with? Perhaps I should just pick one and stick with it... and be confident. Alas the endless struggle to find my own political identity.

In other news

Lent is rapidly approaching (It actually begins tomorrow!) Today should be "Fat Tuesday". I have not chosen to participate in that particular tradition. Since when did it become a tradition anyways? World Vision has created a 40 days of justice journey for those who wish to participate.

I have been reading "The Good News about Injustice" By Gary Haugen. More to come on that later... Reading sounds more attractive than blogging at the moment, my thoughts will have to be put on hold.