Spring 09: Reflections of a Great Semester

Wow, this semester is over. I remember getting started and before I knew it, it’s already over. I began thinking about whether this semester was successful or not? Did I make the most of these opportunities or not? I can count all the mistakes that I made these last couple of months.

First of all, I didn’t prepare for reaching the campus as well as I could have. I wanted to launch the semester with a prayer night to unite believers and wake up out of our comfortable slumber. That didn’t happen. Then a few weeks into the semester we continued to gather on Thursday nights and just a handful of students that joined last semester continued. I had no clue what to do. We initially just hung out a couple of Thursday nights, sometimes across the street at Panda, but mainly in the student union. After a couple of weeks of goofing off. Me and my friend Mike Rachin tried going and sharing across campus on Fridays at noon. We usually ended up getting into one long conversation with a non-believer. It lasted for a few weeks before I started slacking.

I looked back to the previous semester where zeal was like my coat, and passion governed me like an uncontrollable force. I remember staying after class simply to walk around campus, scoping social circles for an opportunity to hang out with someone I can share Jesus with. These memories made me ponder and ask myself, “what happened to me?” This was a question that persisted through the semester (I am a cognitively complex person, and this explains my constant analysis of my behavior and what causes it). Nonetheless, it was quite discouraging because I felt no motivation to continue. My friends who partnered with me the semester before weren’t around anymore. They had responsibilities come up and couldn’t commit like the last semester. It was understandable, but still sucked.

Many friends from COTC asked for ways to help with campus ministry, and quite honestly I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to use help. I kept thinking to myself, “I have all this support, but have no clue how I can use their help!” I’m not a good administrator or project director. Another struggle this semester was again, the fear of failure. I felt like I can’t do anything on a large scale because I’m going to ruin it, or, I’m going to end up looking like a fool! I started to think about this recently, and remembered that looking like a fool is a good sign!

Now, enough of all this negativity and pessimism! This was an awesome semester. There were some really encouraging things happening too for example, my friend Aaron, recently became a serious Christian and follower of Jesus! During the entire semester, I had the privilege to meet with him for lunch regularly and talk about all kinds of issues. We also prayed together and I got a chance to see the Lord work through him to reach his family!

Bienfeit, a student who I met last year in August is part of this story. We had a spiritual conversation when we met and he happened to pull a book out of his bag titled, “How to Stay Christian in College”. That title was a little humorous, but after that he continued with us in our gatherings until now, and he actually lead one of our gatherings! He started talking about how God is putting in his heart a concern for sharing the gospel with other!

I was also in a short relationship with an awesome girl from Tempe during the month of February. I learned about what it means to guard your heart and honor God in a relationship. At the end of the month we both came to a point when we sought the Lord and both didn’t feel him calling us to a relationship. We both felt at peace. We are both going two different directions in ministry. This was an great experience, but it was a little hard for about one week, the seeking week!

Lastly, during the last couple of months I began a journey in studying issues that I continued having to deal with at school. That is, the objections to Christian Faith. I realize that it is ultimately the Holy Spirit who works through evangelism. Nevertheless as a leader, I just didn’t feel right not being able to answer a simple question like, “Why is the Gospel of Thomas not included in the cannon along with a lot of other writings?” Or, we can’t even believe anything in the Bible because it has been changed. I also refreshed my memory on the arguments for the existence of God. I once heard, “For what other need is there for good philosophy if not to expose bad philosophy?” This was good experience and I actually got a couple of chances at school and work to engage in conversations where my studies came in handy. In the end, however; it is the gospel of Jesus that is the power of God for salvation.

There are a few other cool stories of how the Lord works in the lives of people this school year. I look back and wonder if I could have done better. And the truth is, yes, I could have. But I can’t go back in time, so like the Apostle Paul said, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Phil 3:13). All I can do now is look ahead.

I thank the Lord for his never changing love and grace that He showers me with! I also thank God for surrounding me with amazing men of God who met with me and prayed for me. This was a great semester!

Peace out Spring 2009!

Let's begin

Okay,

I'm not much of a writer, but here I go! I want to dialogue with others who have real questions about God that dare not ask their parent, pastor, or bible study leaders. Many times we have questions that are genuine and valid but sometimes place them in our back pocket never letting them out. Sometime we are scared that we won't hear what we want to. I am totally down(willing)to discuss the supreme problem in high criticism, that is, God and Jesus.