“We are just trying to catch up with God.” Continue reading
Category: Reflect Actively (Page 4 of 8)
Reflect Actively for Deeper Fruitfulness
Have you experienced God leading you to an unexpected space to follow him? As I look in the book of Acts, a consistent theme is God leading his people across boundaries into mission.
As Camilla and I moved back to St Louis in 2002, an invitation came for me to explore staffing a Black student chapter in St Louis. In response I joined the Visions Gospel Choir, part of Harambee Christian Ministries, and came my first Friday to the building pictured above at Washington University.
This started a five year journey of learning with and providing leadership alongside amazing student leaders in Harambee. God clarified my calling, formed me as a leader, gave long term friendships, and enabled me to witness students and faculty saying yes to Jesus.
It continues to be a blessing to see these students have impact in so many sectors of society. In June I went to this place, gave thanks to God, and laid stones of remembrance.
As an InterVarsity movement we see God continuing to call us across boundaries in mission. Let me know ways you would like to partner with us in this mission.
On my first retreat hike after our move to Madison this summer, I experienced yet another sign of God going ahead of us as a family in this move.
As I spent my monthly retreat hiking and talking with God, I was calling out to God with the concerns and uncertainties that come with a big move. As my heart was stirred, I came upon several spots in the hike that caught my attention, like the cluster of wildflowers pictured above. On my hike, the path went straight through the flowers. As I walked through them the vibrancy of that sunny day was amazing.
The experience caught my attention and as is my practice on my hikes, I stopped to consider what God might be saying to me through this space. It was clear that my mind had been so filled with concerns, prayers, anxiety, and God’s invitation in that space was to turn towards him.
This call of God to turn aside and look toward him was further emphasized two days later as we spent part of our chapel service that week reflecting on Moses’ turning aside to look at the burning bush and encountering God. The message each day was the same, it is so easy to be distracted by many things and God’s invitation to us is to stop and look. Will you join me in this today?
When you hear God say something, you respond, right?
As a junior in college I had a sense that God was inviting me to move into an neighborhood one mile from my campus that operated under a completely different reality than where my school sat or where I grew up.
As an InterVarsity student I heard about the stark economic disparities in St Louis, how God was making all things new, and our invitation to join him in this work. My early yes to relocate began a journey for me that continues to this day to open my eyes to new realities and to pray and work for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.
In June I went to this place, gave thanks to God, and laid stones of remembrance.
Hundreds of InterVarsity students are coming back from Urban and Global projects this month and seeking to take first steps to apply what they learned as they go back to campus. Please pray for them to say yes to Jesus’ invitations.
As a five year old I said my first yes to Jesus, mostly because I did not want to go to hell. As I grew up I realized that Jesus wanted a relationship with me and said yes again.
When I got to college I began to see the depth of sin’s impact on me through how I treated those around me. As a college student I sat in my apartment (pictured above) on a gray couch and wondered how God could possibly love me.
In my reading through scripture I came that day to Isaiah 6. In it the prophet Isaiah has a vision of God, realizes and confesses his deep sinfulness, receives cleansing from God, and hears and accepts God call to go.
As I read these words, I sensed God saying “Howie, I always have known how sinful you are. If you confess your sins, I will cleanse you. And if you say yes, I will send you.” On that couch I said a Yes that radically changed the course of my life.
In June I went to this place, gave thanks to God, and laid stones of remembrance.
As students and faculty come to campus this fall, would you pray that many would say yes to Jesus’ call in a way that radically transforms the course of their life?
Watch this video to learn the story of Jesus I am saying yes to.
In August 1993 I arrived at Washington University ready to start my college career. Some of the first people to welcome me to campus were a part of InterVarsity on campus.
Joining InterVarsity was a significant way that God worked transformation in my life. Through the group, I developed friends with whom I could discuss the alternate views of the Bible we encountered in class; I found encouragement to examine deeply the life of Jesus and share him with others; and I saw the power of a diverse Christian community seeking reconciliation.
The four years I spent in college and particularly my first six months, was one of the most significant periods of spiritual growth I have experienced.
In June I took time to leave a stone of remembrance in this space and give God thanks for the work he did in my life during these years.
Join me in praying for students and faculty who will come to campus this month that they may discover Jesus in a fresh way through the thousands of InterVarsity students, volunteers, staff, and faculty that are preparing to welcome them.
Almost 25 years ago Camilla and I arrived in St Louis as college freshman. The work that God has done in our lives through this city and the work of InterVarsity is profound.
We are so grateful for the hundreds of people who have intersected and impacted our lives in this period. Over the last several months I have reflected about God’s work in us during this time. One practice in the Old Testament, most notably in Joshua, is marking God’s work by placing stones of remembrance. Both in the physical work of it and in the visible reminder we are aided in remembrance and retelling.
In June I walked in places of deep significance in my walk with God in St Louis and left stones of remembrance. Places like the apartment I accepted the Isaiah 6 call, the streets of Ferguson where I heard in a profound way the cries of the oppressed, and the campus of Harris Stowe where I encountered God’s direction in deep ways.
If you did a similar walk, where would you go to place a stone of remembrance?
If you had one more chance to speak to a people you have been developing 40+ years, what would you say?
I was blessed last week to study a part of Moses’ last sermon series to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 17 & 18 and to share it with the our church as my last sermon. There is much for us to learn as we reflect on how God was forming his people in that day.
If it is you Jesus, invite us out of the boat. Continue reading
How many of your last 10 books read were written by women? Continue reading