Some Cool Stuff Going On

I've been up in SB for less than a week, and God is certainly stirring something up within me. The reality that I am going to be a missional team leader is setting in, and I cannot be more excited for this awesome responsibility and opportunity to spread the Good News at UCSB.

Starting tomorrow (Sunday) my co-leader Eric (my good friend and fellow third-year) and I are going to be hitting the dorms and talking with newly-moved-in freshmen guys. I'm so excited for this to take shape.

Last night I went to a church in Carpenteria called Reality. I've been to this church only a few times. Most of my friends go to this church week in and week out and absolutely love it. I went to their college group, called Adorn. It was rockin last night! Worship was absolutely amazing, and I feel that is one of the best ways I can connect with God. The message concerned passages in Romans 8 (v.12-17) and Galatians 5 (v. 22).

The message was about how to live out our identity in Christ. The college pastor identified 4 things the change in the life of a Christ-follower:
1. We think differently on a fundamental level
2. Our life is no longer determined by fleshly deeds and as such, we kill sin
3. We live like Jesus lived as our life is determined by the spirit (such as the fruits of the spirit are apparent in our life. As fleshly humans, we can never achieve perfection in all areas of the fruits of the spirit, but we can look at the progress we made over time).
4. Living out our life as a living sacrifice and willing to suffer like Christ suffered for us

This past week has really enabled me to look at this whole bible study-leading thing in a new light. I'm bringing light to darkness. 1 John says that when we walk with God we are walking in light, and Jesus says in the gospels that we are a light to the world. As such, we should not cover our light, but let it shine in freedom. To be self-critical, I have had many moments of covering my light in either embarrassment or shame because I have viewed the things of this world as more powerful than my supposed weak light. How foolish have I been! But there's a chance for redemption, and it starts this week. Through the strength of the Lord I'm amped to start-- this should be awesome!

Hopefully my recent blogging escapade isn't just a trend, but something that will be more consistent. We'll see!

Cheers.