Third year retreat was amazing. I got to have a bonding night with all of the other girls in my class and my discipleship director this year, found out who I will be leading a mentor group with this year, and left encouraged, but also aware of things that need to change in my life, which I think is a great place to be!
Then we left for our first ministry trip. Ministry trips are where all of us third year interns visit different churches to get a taste of the different styles of churches, services, and ministry. It was a really interesting experience. We started at Elevation church on Saturday night and heard Holly Furtick, Steven Furtick's wife, speak. In the morning we went to NewSpring Church and heard Perry Noble speak and we finished at 12Stone...and I actually can't remember the name of the man that spoke there. We also got to tour the churches and talked to a staff member at each one. It was very interesting to see how such big churches are run and how all of their ministry happens. It was also interesting to hear their leaders speak; to hear their vision and passion for the people that they were leading. It was definitely eye-opening and I definitely recognized some of my own preferences through it, but it was definitely neat to see how God is touching so many people through so many different styles. And it was a lot of fun to spend that time with our class. I'm definitely excited for the other ministry trips we'll be going on this year.
Aside from my schedule, here's what's been going on with me. I've been reading Acts for a couple of weeks now and I've also been reading a book called Radical by David Platt. Both are just that - RADICAL! I've especially enjoyed reading Acts, because although I've heard and read bits and pieces of it, it's so cool to read all of it and to see so many examples of radical faith and belief and boldness in Jesus Christ shared throughout the entire book! It's been amazing to read the stories of believers who would be persecuted, threatened, or forced to leave their homelands who would continue to boldly share their faith. They didn't let fear, other people, or hindrances stop them from sharing the awesome message that had changed their lives and they knew was true. It's been so inspiring to read and has really challenged me to be more bold about my faith in Christ.
Not only that but the book Radical really addresses how some people have settled into American religion rather than pure, bold, radical Christianity. It talks about how the American dream has not only infiltrated our society, but our churches as well and has left us putting more faith in our abilities and our resources than in God's pure power.
The book talks about it a little more at the end of chapter three, when it says, "It is the way of Christ. Instead of asserting ourselves, we crucify ourselves. Instead of imagining all the things we can accomplish, we ask God to do what only he can accomplish. Yes, we work, we plan, we organize, and we create, but we do it all while we fast, while we pray, and while we constantly confess our need for the provision of God. Instead of dependence on ourselves, we express radical desperation for the power of his Spirit, and we trust that Jesus stands ready to give us everything we ask for so that he might make much of our Father in the world.
Think about it. Would you say that your life is marked right now by desperation for the Spirit of God? Would you say that the church you are a part of is characterized by this sense of desperation?"
The book and Acts have really been quite a pair to read together, but so good and so challenging. Both have been reminding me to stand up for my faith and to make it more than religion, but true relationship and faith with the amazing Lord and Savior who gave His Son's life for me.
Anyway, to top it all off I heard a really great Christian rap song the other day called Signed up to Die by This'l and I thought that sharing the lyrics would be an appropriate way to end this blog. Unfortunately, I couldn't find them anywhere, so I'm just going to encourage you to listen to it for yourselves.
