Monday, January 22, 2018

Spring 2018

Classes start today and so does the new plan to reach out to students on campus.  One of the challenges we found last semester was that students weren’t feeling connected to each other which hindered the ability to reach other students on campus.  Therefore this semester we’re intentionally opening up more of our lives including our exercise schedule.  The plan is to build relationships while also getting healthier.  Ideally, this will enable more nonleaders to organize activities to build connections with each other and to have a place to invite their friends as well.

As small groups start next week, we are excited to also reach out into the art building.  We started intentionally reaching music students and faculty last semester and now we’re branching out into the art building.  We want to counteract the isolation that artists often have as they spend hours perfecting themselves and competing against others.  

Please be praying for the students and staff as we work to build authentic relationships with each other so we can reach other students and faculty with the love of Christ.  

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Fasting for the New Year!

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is commonly used to help us abstain from temporary desires and focus on God.  I used it as a student at Fredonia most Saturdays during lunch to spend that extended time with God.  Now, I've chosen to start the New Year off with a 10 day fast after completing some shorter ones this year.  I believe that by giving Him the first days of the year, He'll honor that sacrifice.  
  • The Goals: 
    • Align myself closer to God and His Mission on campus and in my life
    • Pray deeply in more extended lengths
      • for personal needs (specifically my funding as IV staff, but choose your own) 
      • for campus (that we would reach more students with God's love, especially artists)
      • for the world (in light of the tragedies that have happened in 2017)
  • The Plan
    • Prayerfully choose what to fast for and for how long 
      • Please be safe fasting, especially if it's your first one.  Read 
      • Food, electronics, 1 day, 1 meal a day, 3 days, 10 days... all can be options
    • Invite others to join you in fasting so there's solidarity in seeking God together. 
    • Post on the IV Facebook group your stories (joys, insights or struggles) of fasting
  • Results
If you're interested, please let me know by messaging Kathryn and I look forward to seeking God together with you as we start the new year with our choices aligned to what He wants.