~ Random Info ~

"My farts don't smell like dumplings!!"
- Dave Tse

Fact or fiction? You decide =P Who needs context!

~ Dreams and visions ~

I am very excited about next term... lately, God has been giving me a little bit of a 'sneak peek' in on what I believe He is calling me to do in CCF next term. And the more I talk about it, the more excited I get!

So indulge me for a paragraph or two...or four! ^_^

So, one of my very deepest passions is telling other people about Jesus. I have always believed that it's one of my spiritual gifts, although perhaps I need a little more in the area of discerning who is ready for the message and who is not! Anyways, working in the seeker ministry in CCF has been a really big blessing, both in learning to cope with attendence difficulties, patience, and even the jubilation of seeing a sister come to Christ! When Alex and I started up the seeker ministry in CCF a couple years ago, I wholeheartedly believed, as I still do, that being God's ministry, it would perpetuate and gather speed as the years went on. However, with the exception of our Alpha group last term, there has been a very low interest in volunteering in this area. I couldn't help but become a little discouraged wondering why more people weren't passionate about helping people come to a place where they can meet with God for the very first time. Why is this?

I believe that there are two reasons. For one, as students we get so caught up with all of our responsibilities that we lose the sense of urgency in this ministry. God has placed people in each of our lives that can ONLY be reached by God through US because of the unique sets of gifts each of us possess. And I truly believe that. But do we as a fellowship believe that? Do we internalize it until we absolutely must move on the issue?

The second reason is that, once this urgency is present, Christians feel intimidated because they feel that they do not posssess the apologetic knowledge base to go out and talk to people. Do we necessarily need to know apologetics? Do, I believe that God will speak through us through our experiences and lifestyle. Are apologetics still valuable? Infinitely!

So how does this tie into where I will serve in CCF? While I feel that any time next term I spend leading a seeker group would be valuable, I feel that God has opened my eyes to a harvest! With a new wave of frosh coming in, and many second years returning, why not instead share my experience, passion, and apologetics with others? CCF needs future leaders! We have reached that critical number...120. If we want to break it the hardest number, we will need more leaders than ever before...people who love God and love this fellowship to step up and take up the torch. As for me, I will obey God and do my part in prepare as many of those future leaders that I can, according to the measure of the abilities that He has given me.

I could use all the help I can get! Please let me know if you have any experiences or knowledge that I could add to this workshop-styled cell group. Currently, I am thinking of having an open format where the fellowship would be informed of the topics before-hand. We would simply pray one week, and learn the next, and alternate back and forth. If you feel God calling you to get involved, please email me at joyfuljangle@gmail.com!

Are you ready to rumble!?

~ Message? ~

I'm really tired right now because I had a fitful sleep last night. I have extremely vivid dreams, whether or not they're good or bad. Often, both nightmares and good dreams leave me equally tired out because they are so detailed and intense. Anyways, had a nightmare last night that I was being agressively pursued by a cult that was trying to "recruit me". They sent me money when I was in deep financial need...money I had prayed for. It was a lot too...at first I was thankful, before I knew the source. I tried to give it back...Not delving into details, I basically couldn't escape them because they practiced divination, and even if I joined the witness protection program, they would still know where I was at all times.

I woke up with an erie feeling. Lots of my dreams have very specific messages. I can't figure out if this was information processing, but I just feel that it wasn't. I don't know whether or not God was trying to point out to me the spiritual battles being fought, invisible and unseen all around me. Or perhaps the dream is a warning of hard trials to come. What kind of trials? Financial? Testing of integrity? Something more?

I guess I take it kind of seriously because in the past week, I have been hearing more heartbreaking stories about cancer all at once than any other time in my life...and it's not just me! And least four of my friends have off-handedly made a comment that they each know three people who have either died or just been diagnosed with cancer within the last week.

I guess all I can do is pray...for the message...and for those lives ravaged by cancer. To all of you reading who have been recently touched by the effects of cancer around you, I am praying for you!

Continually decifering...
MJ