food in my belly!

Have you ever complained about your meal in a restaurant because it wasn't what you exactly ordered? Or maybe it was too cold? Maybe it was from some fast food joint and you opened the package only to see a bit taken out of the burger! Yikes! I know I have been found guilty of these types of complaints. But of course being a Christian I always place and "Thank-you" or "Please" at the end of it. :) Also, in times past I have been concerned if I did not get at least two meals a day. Well...this past week I have had a change of heart. This change of heart has come from two influences. One - we are taking a group of about 15 students to Haiti this May. As a result, I have researched the country and what we will be doing there.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. There is little food and clean water. So in studying this trip we are about to go on, I have become more concerned about my attitude towards my meals or how many times I get to eat each day. And secondly, I ran across a news article this past week that talks about an Haitian woman resorting to eating mud/dirt because she has nothing else to eat! If that doesn't change your attitude about your eating habits, then you need to check yourself into a monestary or something. No but really, this has caused me to be thankful for what I am given and not want more. I have been attentive to not wasting food or water. I hope we can minister to these people when we get over there. Maybe you too need to go out and buy some tupperware and be content with whatever you have. Please pray for Haiti.

Spring Lecture Series at MBU '08

As many of you know we just completed our spring lecture series. For the ones who do not know what this is - SLS is a 3 day chapel event. During these 3 days a guest speaker comes to our campus and speaks during the chapel time to the entire student body. Our guest speaker, Richard Hight, really brought the house down! He is an award winning artist and sculptor. As he spoke he began drawing huge chalk drawing relating to his talk. On the third day he molded 100.00 pounds of clay into a bust of Christ as he explained the Gospel. Needless to say everyone's attention was on him all three days. Richard was a great public speaker - honest, serious, funny, heartfelt. Because of his honest heart, the students really opened up and seeked the Lord. What was one aspect of this series that stood out to me - you ask? Well, being that I love to study theology, I really enjoy a great expository talk. (John Piper is one of my favorite speakers if that tells you anything) But Mr. Hight did not bring that kind of essense to the stage. Instead he brought honesty and the simple Gospel. This is the point I want to talk about. The bible teaches that the Gospel is the only thing that truly changes lives. It is by no awesome speaker that persuades others with their great rhetoric. Paul talks about this in 1Co 2:4,"My words and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." Charismatic speakers can provoke someone to make a decision and feel an experience. But it is the speakers with a simple message about the Gospel, or ones that teach/preach the Word as it should be, that give a powerful message for God to work. This is the type speaker Richard is. And it showed on that stage. And students responded to God and not Richard. God moved and students responded. I thank God for His work among our campus. I am thankful to be able to serve such a great student body. Spartans! You are awesome!

Puerto Rico was incredible!

This past June a group of 20 from Missouri Baptist University went on a mission trip to Aricebo Puerto Rico. We partnered with Aricebo Baptist Church located in the heart of the government projects. We stayed for a week helping with the church's mission. Each day our group split up. One half participated in children's ministry. This group worked with the neighborhood kids at the church through sports, bible study, and crafts. The other group departed the church each day to construct a home for a single mom and her daughter. I participated with this group mostly. During this entire week, we were hoping to bless these people with our efforts and selflessness. I believe we really impacted these people. But the real blessing was given to us through the people of the church and the children of the neighborhood.

How were we blessed? Most of these people had nothing. Many did not even know if they were going to get a decent meal for the day. But they found contenment and thankfulness in what they did have. Additionally, the faithfulness of the church members were to be exemplified. Their church building and facilities were not much. Many times they did not have enough money to pay for the cost of utilities. Many times they went without electricity and water. Nevertheless, this church body still persevered and continued to minister to the surrounding neighborhood. What faithfulness! What committment!

Loving the Saint Louis snow!

Yea Yea you probably are sick of it because you have been around snow most of your natural born life. But for an import like myself, snow is great. A little known fact about me is I never saw snow (except in pictures) until I was 19 yrs old when I moved to Tennessee. So, as you can imagine I very much enjoy seeing the white flakes fall from the sky. Since we have moved to Saint Louis, it has snowed twice.

The first time it snowed, my family and I bought sleds and slid down a huge hill around our house. I even got up on a snowboard! Yea! You college bums bring it on! Brandon Gum this means you too! After the snow play we settled in the house to enjoy some good ol’chile.

I heard about the MBU students who sledded down the hill on the school’s old “pee” mattresses. It sounded like lots of fun. I wish I could have been there. (John Barnes – are you Ok?) Anyways, it sounds like snow days around here are fun. It is only January, so Mr. Winter bring it on!

Don’t be merely passionate!!!

On the first of the year, I and 30 other crazy folks attended the Passion 07 conference in Atlanta, GA. If you do not know what Passion is then here is the link: www.268generation.com. Take a peek. Basically, this is a movement of thousands of college students across the US and the globe coming together to go and tell the gospel of Jesus Christ. And when I say global I mean there were 25,000 collegians in Atlanta representing every state and many different countries. I met and personally talked to students from England, Romania, and France. I was great to see thousands stand together for one cause – The Name and Fame of Jesus Christ!

Seeing that many collegians standing for the most important thing in life – Jesus, broke my heart. There are so many that believe this generation is a waste. They say this generation has had everything given to them. How in the world could they ever give anything back? They say you all are disrespectful and uncaring. Well, I say they are wrong!! I see a generation that has to be passionate about something. I see people that want real relationships. I see this as a gynormous recipe to bring revival to this land and the world. I see students that are capable of having much passion and great relational skills. This generation has the courage to go to the uttermost parts of the earth. I think you all are incredible!

This most profound statement that I heard at this conference is when John Piper said, “The opposite of pride is not humility.’ ‘Because when one thinks he/she is humble, then they are prideful about it.’ ‘The opposite of pride is self forgetfulness”. And “self-forgetfulness” is accomplished only by getting with the Creator of the universe each day and realizing that when you gave your life to Christ, you said, “Not my life but yours Lord”. We are merely servants for Christ. Paul says it best in Philippians 1:1 when he calls himself a bond-servant for Christ.

Another aspect I got from this conference is being passionate about something will get you nowhere. Many people are passionate. But if passion has an aim, then it is worth something! Passion with an aim can create change! Passion mixed with devotion to Christ can change the world! That’s why I think this generation is important. This generation has passion. You all are passionate people. Now follow after Christ with all of your heart soul and mind! Let’s go together for Christ!

One thing or nothing

One of my favorite songs is “One thing” by Charlie Hall. The song talks about life coming down to just one thing – knowing Christ and making him known. Yea Yea I know it sounds like two things but go with me here. It just sounds better saying “one thing”. I was reminded by this song the other day talking with someone who lives his life like the song says: “life comes down to one thing – Jesus Christ”. His name is Chris. In talking with Chris he told me how Jesus saved his life at age 6. But he never really lived for him until age 19. At this point in his life he was angry at the church and all things God. Even though he gave his life to Jesus at a young age he was carried away from God through his own rebellion and certain experiences in the church. But at 19 yrs of age, he got on his knees on night and prayed “God, if you are real, then give me all of you. Allow me to experience every bit of you.” Wow what a prayer! It was all or nothing for Chris. Well, what did God do? He showed up! God began to reveal himself in ChrisÂdidn'tfe. He didn’t say exactly how, but something happened and Chris was transformed.

So what happened? What happed to Chris that he would make a 180 degree change? Let me encourage you to look at this from a different perspective. Did God make a change or did Chris? Well, I would say that Chris made the change. It was an all or nothing moment for him. But instead of God giving all of himself to Chris, it was Chris that finally gave all of himself back to Christ. Christ already gave all of himself to Chris on the cross. Chris finally got it right. He saw that life was nothing without Christ. He finally understood that life is all or nothing for God.

Ever since Chris’ remarkable change at age 19, he has given his entire life over to Jesus. Today he is a nationally and internationally known worship leader. He and his band travel full time proclaiming the name of Jesus. Also, he has created a mission organization that is fully operational on almost every continent (he hasn’t made contact with anyone on Antarctica yet). Through Chris, thousands of people have come to know Jesus as their personal lord and savior. Can you say wow?!

This story is not about Chris. It is about Christ. It is about how Christ can use one person to make an impact. All Jesus needs is your heart. In this day and time we have many influences playing for our hearts. Money, sexual pressures, power, addictions of any type are clawing at us demanding the control of our hearts. As a result, it is difficult to give it to Jesus. But if we do, we will be plugging into the author of life and purpose. It starts with you giving all of yourself to the one who created you and wants to live life with and through you. . Because life comes down to one thing: knowing Christ and making him known.

Go to Chris' webpage to find out more: www.chriswhiteband.com or myspace.com/chriswhiteband

Check out the Onething conference: www.ihop.org
Its free! You outta go.

Java Joe Coffee Cafe...

Whatever you call it, this beverage is one of the most popular drinks in the world. First, I must thank God for creating the coffee bean! It is because of this bean that I find some of my delight. I once heard that you know that you are a serious java drinker when you have your life scheduled around coffee breaks. Wow! How something so small (the coffee bean)can have a big impact is amazing to me. But it sounds like me.

I started drinking this stuff my sophmore year in college. My sister bought me a 1 cup coffee maker and my "addiction" started. What used to be one cup a day has turned into several cups a day. I guess I am headed for the "one cup of decaf before bed" syndrome soon. (AKA - OCDBB syndrome) I think that one of the best days in modern times was when the "coffee house" became popular! I love those places. The environment is great! People conversing with people while drinking their favorite coffee beverage. I just doesn't get any better than that.

If you have been living in a cave, then you need to hear that MBU is builing a coffee house on campus. Can I say that my office will be moving from the Field building to The Perk. Yea baby! Lattes all day. I can see Starbucks stock going down already. It is good to see that many MBU Spartans are as passionate for coffee as I am. I can only say one thing: Viva la latte! And I will see you over at The Perk.

Baseball Fever

If I had to pick a favorite game to play and watch, it must be BASEBALL!! I guess it is because I love everything about it. From the player's point of view, I started playing baseball in first grade and did not quit until college. I love the feel of starring at the pitcher,guessing what pitch he will throw next, and then putting the ball ,with the "sweet" spot of the bat, into the right field gap (I am lefty). That kind of hit is almost as good as hitting a homer. And then when you get to "field" the ball and dive in the dirt in the infield, or in the outfield, and actually catch the ball is a great feeling of satisfaction too. A great day at the ballpark with the smell of bubblegum, seeds (you know what these are if you have played before), and grilled hotdogs is a good day!

And then from the spectator point of view, can almost be as exciting, especially in a big league park. A couple of weeks ago, my family and I went to Busch stadium and watched the Cards and the Padres play (the game that Pujols hit a bomb which landed in "Big Mac" land). Man, what a game! The first 4 or so innings was a bit boring. Not much happened except when the Bird mascot was shooting shirts to the upper deck with a huge sling shot. And then the game took a turn and excitement was in the air. The cards started hitting and then the blast by Pujols.

This was really a great game! But as my wife and I were sitting in the stands, during the "boring" part, we talked about how we were still having a great time. The smell of peanuts and hotdogs in the air (this does not include the big guy next to us who was downing beer like a fish.) Nonetheless, we watched the team, listened to the announcer, and saw people kiss each other on the "mega screen". And the seventh inning stretch came. Everyone in the stadium sang together "take me out to the ballgame" (except for the drunk guy next to us). But all in all, it was a great experience.

Let me encourage you to take some time away from your "usual" schedule and go to the ballgame. It may not be Busch stadium but it can be the local baseball team next to you. Wherever it may be, enjoy the Great American pastime while you can.