a fresh perspective

"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." - M. Scott Peck


I went back to my room last night after our conference call with Larry, and I kept thinking about the blasphemy challenge Renee, Laura, and Larry discussed. Larry pointed out that the people who accept this challenge may be faced with serious questions about faith and God. He even suggested that these people might find the Truth. Thanks for shedding some new light.

Jessica Williams

Age: 22

Hometown: Marion, AR

What I Do: I'm a Senior Communication Disorders Major, and I graduate in May! I'm planning to start graduate school in the Fall, although I'm not sure where. For the time being all I can do is wait...and pray. This semester has done wonders for my faith...I'm reminded everyday how amazing life can be if I will depend on God.

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about our visit to Vancouver! I love to travel and meet new people. I ask the Lord everyday to bless our efforts and the people we will meet. I feel so blessed to be a part of this team; it is an amazing opportunity! I look forward to getting to know all the members of the Delta Church. We are praying for you!

Favorite Verse: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jer. 29:11-13

Looking forward

I'm getting old, so my dad says....

So I'm old. Lastnight Mike called a meeting at 10 p.m. Ten o'clock is not what it used to be. When I was a college student just two years ago, 10 p.m. was like 7 p.m. is to me today. I knew it was going to be a challenge for me to stay awake during that meeting; on my way to campus I stopped by McDonald's and got a Triple Thick Vanilla Shake. I needed something to keep me awake.

At one point in the meeting I was literally holding my eyes open. All that to say I'm old or getting old. My dad likes to remind me that I'm closer to 30 than I am to 16 anymore. Thank you dad for that awesome little reminder.

-Blessing-

Even though it was so late, the meeting lastnight was a BLESSING! We conference-called Larry up in Canada. 12 of us from the team and Larry just chatting and asking each other questions about what to expect when we get there next weekend. (NEXT WEEKEND!!)

I felt like our group and Larry connected really well lastnight. It was encouraging to hear how excited he is about our arrival. I can tell he has a heart of gold and wants his area to know the Lord.

After leaving that meeting I felt refreshed and spiritually awake. No milkshake needed to accomplish that. Only God. It's great to know that in every corner of the world there are people who love the Lord with everything they have. I know we're about to meet some amazing brothers and sisters in 11 days.

If you are from Delta, I can't wait to meet you, and sing with you, and pray with you, and serve with you, and learn with you, and grow with you.........

God is good. All the time God is good.

...renee

Crazy times

www.blasphemychallenge.com

Laura and I just saw one of the craziest things we've seen in a long time. The world is different. People are different. God is the same.

We have been created for a time such as this was the message in Harding's chapel this morning. That's a God thing that I listened to that chapel speech this morning and then stumbled across all of this mess just a few hours later.

My question today is if we deny Christ's existence, what are we living for? I guess the answer is ourselves. We live in a selfish world. At the very core of my God-given soul I am bothered by this. The desperation to fight this culture is taking over my thoughts right now. Nothing I have is mine, it is all God's. I believe that. I believe that. I believe that........

I believe God sent His son to die for every single one of us. That hope gives so much more meaning to our lives then simply denying His existence and living for our selves.

Next question... what are we going to do about this?

I leave you with the words to Shawn McDonald's song "Yahweh"
You alone, are worthy. You alone, are worthy. Of all that I am. Of all that I am. Beautiful is Your name. Beautiful is Your name. Yahweh. You alone, are my King of all that I am.

...renee

acknowledge

Moments ago, I was considering going to get a cup of coffee to wake myself up. But now, I feel the need to respond to a video I just saw on U-Tube. I'm not sure how to begin to reflect what I am thinking, but my eyes feel a pending presence of tears and something must be said. The video I saw described a group that is fighting God's influence in the world. It was created by a former Southern Baptist turned atheist and the objective is to encourage people to denounce God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. This blatant fight has overwhelmed me because, although he said he once was faithful but God never talked to him, I can't see how he can look at himself in the mirror and think he just came together to have the personality he does. How he can see a set of twins with identical DNA but different personalities and still think, "Well I'm glad evolution worked out that way..." I am baffled at what I saw, but God knew there would be rebellion. In some respects his love is rebellious because it is counterintuitive. We are naturally selfish beings and only with God's forgiveness and love can we be more. My encouragement is that when we feel the evil presence of rebellion we are inspired to respond with the God's love, not hate or fear, because Jesus' example shows us that no matter the situation we face, God's strength is sufficient. And for our campaign. If and when we face such a situation... trust.

Cinnamon Dolce Lattes

It's almost 11 o'clock at night, and I'm still awake. Not because I can't sleep because I can. It's because I have so much running through my mind. I have work projects that are preoccupying my thoughts. Freelance projects that won't go away. My first dentist appointment in three years is the day before we leave... I hate the dentist. Taxes ... I just filed tonight ... free at last! Random responsibilities ... and ....

12 DAYS TO CANADA.

Tonight I'm researching homeless shelters, the ins and outs of the UBC chaplain rotation, the culture of UBC, and I keep having these thoughts pop up in my head: "What am I doing? There's no way I'll be able to figure out what we need to do with these projects. I'm just going to quit researching. It's above me." And the worst ... "God can't use me."

-What does a Cinnamon Dolce Latte have to do with it?-

Nothing. I just think it is the best drink at Starbucks. (It would taste really good right now. Maybe I'll get one this weekend.) And I just thought about how the founder of Starbucks probably had his moments when he thought there was no way he'd be able to pull Starbucks off.

-"God can't use me." Whatever.-

I think about the people in our group and how much God has already used them in their lives. There is no reason why God won't use all of us now. I had the opportunity to go to NYC again during this spring break. I was talking to my dad tonight about how I was kind of sad I wasn't going back to NYC because I was questioning God and why He wants me to go to Vancouver. And he said, "Renee, God wants you in Vancouver for a reason." I said, "Wow, Dad. You're right. I need to get these thoughts out of my mind."

Moral of the story... Don't question God. He knows what He's doing. He's pretty amazing like that.

...renee

Leavening

My name is Lauren Smelser (this is a picture of me and my mom), and here are my stats: I have an M.A. in English and currently teach freshman writing and grammar classes at Harding University. I am from Alabama...the land of cotton, four wheelers, big hair, and outhouses. Just kidding about the outhouses.

Our dear old pal Henry David Thoreau, in Resistance to Civil Government, says that "It is not so important that many should be as good as you, as that there be some absolute goodness somewhere; for that will leaven the whole lump." I love the idea that humanity is a "lump;" it seems strangely fitting...after all, don't we all feel "deferential, glad to be of use; politic, cautious, and meticulous; full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; at times, indeed, almost ridiculous—-almost, at times, the Fool"? (Aah, bask in the glory of T.S. Eliot). The point is, if we could somehow all get together, I mean ALL of us, we wouldn't be more than just one big lump of humanity: obtuse, ridiculous, and the "best" of us only full of high sentence.

But then there's Jesus Christ, the only one of us who seems to really stand out. There's something about his words, his Galileean accent, his hands that touch the untouchables...that makes real sense to all of us Fools when we finally notice. And then, subtlely, there is a rising up---not only of souls, but also of personalities and conversations and hopes. Christ, the Bread of Life and absolute goodness somewhere, leavens the whole lump.

I am excited to go on this trip because this God of ours is at work, and I wonder what His face will show itself to be in Vancouver---what has risen and will rise there as a result of his irreplaceable personality.

Laura Brown

Laura Brown
Vero Beach, FL
2006 Graduate in Accounting
Currently working for the Harding University Admissions office as a graduate assistant (a.k.a. I work for Renee).
Future plans to work in Greensboro, NC, for PricewaterhouseCoopers (and by Future I mean September 2007).
Until then, I'll continue working and studying for the CPA exam.
*And the picture is evidence to how addicting the eyesight camera is on Apple computers.

My life has taken me from comfort to an extreme lack there of and back again. I know what it's like to lose and I struggle most with how to recover from that and continue to love. I like situations where it is so obvious I can't stand on my own because it is that much more obvious that God is all that has gotten me through. This may sound a bit extremist but I don't really see myself as such. I want to be more than I am, and although sometimes I don't listen, God never gives up on me, and that is something I'm so thankful for.

I went to Vancouver/Whistler exactly 5 years ago from the time we are returning in 2 weeks. I'm so excited because the mission of this trip is so much deeper than a snowboarding vacation. I can't wait to meet the members of the church and be in their lives, even for the short amount of time we have. Whatever is meant to be done, I pray our group trusts that we will know and be shown the path God has for us. I also pray that I am able to step out of my comfort zone and show how much I truely care, not just care without showing. God's love is universal and I can't wait to see how evident that is in the Delta Church.

Until later,
laura brown

Meet Renee

Renee
Age: 24
Hometown: Salem, Ohio
What I do: Admissions Marketing Coordinator, Harding University

Current Favorite Song: "Orange Sky" by Alexi Murdoch (this changes every five minutes or so)
Current Favorite Movie: "Cinderella Man"
Favorite Book: "Captivating" Every girl should read this!
Favorite Color Combination: At the moment, light blue and brown (this changes every five minutes too)

Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 16:3, "Commit all that you do to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." This has been my favorite verse since high school. However, it's only been in the past couple of years that I've figured out what it really means.

Why I love God: He's amazing! He never lets me down. When I feel the loneliest, I just reach out and He's always there.

(This is me and Laura, who is also on the team, in my office in October.)

P.S. We just finished a meeting. Let me tell you... our group is amazing! Have I said that before?

Bootlegs and B Sides

The only two cassette tapes I ever owned-- Lynard Skynard Gold (which was actually purchased by me for my father's Christmas present), and MC Hammer: Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em.

Consequently, Bootlegs and B Sides is also the title of one of my favorite albums by Andrew Peterson. He is top three in my book. His songs tell a story...he's a folk guitarist...and i like stories. My life is a story. I like to think that i am still a part of the story's introduction--besides, all of the characters have not yet been introduced. The reason i like stories in music (and the reason i prefer to look at my life as a narrative, often over embellished) is because the reader can automatically become a part. It is true that i am the main character in my life, but i try to be the best supporting cast in everyone else's that i know. My role is simply to love a lot and thicken the plot--hence a real good story. Maybe i should have titled my intro post Loving A Lot and Thickening the Plot. It rhymes. I know Logan can appreciate that, as I am sure Lauren is loving the constant run-ons and fragments.

My story is a good one. I have learned to love God first, as my number one. I have learned to be loved by God first, as His number one. The second was...no is much tougher for me. I have learned to laugh off things that i cannot do anything about. I have learned that my biggest task on this earth right now is to love people--something i do extremely deeply and intentionally. If i could only make that a career... [Fragment]. That is only a glimpse on today's page of my life. I would love to share more with you...you anonymous to me reader who is reading my words. It's really strange for me to be typing...in my office. One word--one letter at a time knowing that very soon, the entire technologically savvy world will be able to read my thoughts. I almost wish i had a pen... it seems a little more personal. Paradox.

I will post the basic facts about myself at a later point. Age, gender, hair and eye color, toothpaste brand, heritage, all the basics. [Run-on] But for now i will leave you with a story about a penny sang by Andrew Peterson that describes me a lot.

Goodnight. You... reader of my words...whom i do not know who you are...maybe you're rich and famous...like Richard Marx...or maybe even Cher.

probably you are a fellow team member wondering what i could be posting about, or a random 14 year old that stumbled on to our blog page...

Andrew Peterson, Loose Change, 2006. From Clear to Venus, 2001.

I'd give you all of me to know what you were thinking
And if I had one wish I'd wish I wasn't sinking here
Drowning in this well
Oh can't you tell
That I can't pick myself up off the ground
I've been face down
And pushed aside
Well, you know I'd rather just turn tail and run
Than lie here in the sun
And watch you pass me by
'Cause I ain't worth a dime

CHORUS

But if only I could stand up straight
I wouldn't have to lie and wait
I could up and roll away And never be ignored
I've got a feeling that I'm something more
Than just a piece of copper ore
Turning green and looking for The reason I was born
Well, I've been around since 1974
In banks and bottom drawers
On railroad ties
I've been passed around and cast aside
And skipped and flipped and flattened wide
Spun around and thrown away and left alone to lie

CHORUS

But I heard about a penny found
Lying underneath the couch
By a woman who was kneeling down
Looking for some change
Then the woman danced around
Called her friends all over town
Told 'em what was lost is found
It's another penny saved
So I find that all this time
Beneath the surface, I could shine
Like all the gold a king and queen could measure
See, even just a penny is a treasure

-js

Why and Real

Why? Why? Why? I think about the beginnings of this idea.......the talks I had with Aaron Etheridge (Vancouver Church Plant Team) and Nate Copeland (HU Spring Break Mission manager).....the prayers I had with John Sullivan before we even had anyone signup.....and now with less than two weeks to go, a tentative agenda, an incomplete budget projection, and a bunch of other variables which still need to miraculously fall into place, I find myself in prayer multiple times daily for the 9 day adventure that awaits us asking the question…."why?".

Now let me clarify one thing, I am NOT asking myself why we are doing this, and I'm not asking the members on this team why they are doing this (though I'm sure EACH of them would have a much more theologically sound reason than I), but I find myself asking the creator of all that lives, all that moves, and all that breathes...."why do you want us....us 14 random souls.....why do you want us there, God?"

then as tears come to my eyes, (no surprise to those who know me) and my heart is warmed with the thought of just one picture….the picture of a single person whose life is changed…..changed by the Spirit, not by us ……as that one soul’s eyes widen when they finally get it….when they get the epiphany which I have known since I was 4 years old…..the realization that there is a God, ultimate forgiveness is attainable…..and above all else….THERE IS HOPE! PRAISE GOD! THERE IS HOPE!!

Then my question is answered… I know why He wants us there….I know that our teaming with the Delta Church and encouraging them will lead to this one picture becoming a reality, while we are physically there or not.

This trip is no accident….those who are on it…..the Delta Church members being the church we are working with….this is no accident….he is so real……I want to be real.

Just a matter of weeks!

So in just 18 days me and 13 of my friends will travel to the great (well, I've heard it's great. I've never actually been there.) city of Vancouver. We'll spend 10 days traveling the city ministering to so many different people, and getting to know the members of the Delta Street Church of Christ.

I can't explain how excited I am. God has truly put together a great team. We have creatives; we have delegators; we have organizers; we have a rapper; we have so many gifts from God on this team.

We're in the planning stages right now. But our leader, Mike Baur, has put together an incredible plan that has so much room to let God do His work through us. We're planning a coffeehouse night, devotionals, homeless ministry work, worship services, documentaries and so much more.

Just keep coming back as members of the team update about the time leading up to the trip, and most importantly, the trip itself.