For one whole week I got to be at one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. It was a blessing that God provided financially for half of the trip through a gracious bible study. I was excited about the week for many reasons. My first week after a successful completion of undergrad, my last time as apart of VCU RUF, time apart from work, time apart from chaos, learning new things from the Word of God, meeting my new "boss" and students from Western, seeing white sand, oh the list goes on.
One theme of the week seemed to be the interesting variety of schools present. Many of the students I was with liked to point how different we are than most schools, especially southern schools. We certainly lack "spirit" and a school cheer thats for sure. But I found it quite encouraging. I have been told and have read all about the history of RUF and where the ministry exists in the country. However to see that many students come together from all over the country was amazing. The good work that RUF does in so many students lives through the grace of Jesus Christ alone was so clear to me.
I know I am a sucker for anything reformed and fluff free, so the week seemed to hit every spot of my heart. Whether everyone was a Christian or not Christ was made known and He was Glorified. At RUF there is no doubt that you will hear the truth of what GRACE is, how God is the creator of it and our need for it! That could be enough said but I will continue.
My favorite seminar I took was on Covenant Theology. It took my breathe away. I not only learned an abundance of new things that I truly needed to hear, but God humbled me through it to show me how he has been working for the good of me all along. Before I was born he was working a good work for me. I was impressed by a certain argument made by the campus minister for a certain controversial issue related to the topic. Note: email me if you want to discuss sed controversial topic
Another seminar I took was on keeping the Sabbath Day Holy..... Whoa a much bigger issue than you would ever believe. Not only do I now understand the Jewish Sabbath day better but I understand what ours should be. Its a day of celebration and thats why we should rest. Its a day of communion with other believers because God chose to commune with us. It is a time that we should give ourselves to resting in Christ and what He alone has done for us. He not only commands it but He creates us for it. And His work on the Cross compels us to celebrate his resurrection in a day apart from our daily routine. I loved how encouraging it was and to know it all comes down to the heart, Christ cares about the heart.
Finally then to mention something so amazing. The excitement I have about working with RUF. For sometime now I have been afraid to be excited about the opportunity that has come upon me. I allowed my feelings to dictate my reality and I allowed the post-modern worldview to seep into my emotions. I thought that if I got excited about things than surely it wouldn't work out. That I shouldn't get excited about it until I have raised all the money, thus truly "securing" my position. But the excitement was just to overwhelming this week and my realization of the true reality, that my assurance is in another.
This is the desire God has placed on my heart and thus I will see it through with excitement and joy. I do trust God to provide for me, as He is a faithful God that gives so undeserving. My faith in Him has already been increased by His provision of a campus minister who is not only godly but humorous. I got to meet Dave Osborne, the campus minister I will be working with and who will probably have enough of me in two years. Through meeting and talking with him at summer conference I realized how intimately God knows me. Dave seems to be someone that I not only will work well with but someone that I can easily become friends with. And if his family is anything as he is than I will be blessed even more. I rejoice in knowing that out of 120 campus ministers God chose me to work with Dave and I trust the good work that God is doing in him on the campus of Western will be fruitful. Now if only I can begin to be apart of it. Please be praying for my venture this summer of raising support.
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is LOVE
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
Behold Him there! The risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased with His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased with His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
