What If Jesus Meant All That Stuff?

"To all my nonbelieving, sort-of-believing, and used-to-be-believing friends..."
-A Letter by Shane Claiborne

I would add that believers' eyes can be opened by this letter too.

http://www.esquire.com/features/best-and-brightest-2009/shane-claiborne-1209

Niagara Falls, New York

love.love.love.love.love.love.love.love.love.

This has become my new mantra. Lately I've been pondering th

e VALUE of Christ's love. Step back. Jesus Christ, the LORD of all creation, said that YOU and I are worthy of His mercy, grace, forgiveness, freedom, life, and LOVE, when he came, died on the cross and rose again to defeat death. The outpouring of God's love onto us came through through the sacrifice of Jesus. Love others is only possible through Christ's love. We don't earn our salvation, we are filled by the Holy Spirit and overflow the love into the world.

Last week, I and several other adults, took a group of Junior Hight students on a mission trip to the Niagara Falls community in New York state. It was a beautiful opportunity to get to know some of the students. One thing I've learned about ministry is that relationships matter. There is a lot going on in the heart and mind of a junior high student it investing in them makes a difference. In theory, ministry is teaching. In practice, it's love.

The students were enlightened by the wonderful Youth Works staff as they learned about service. I saw students come out of their shells and spread joy, life and love to the community of Niagara Falls. It was beautiful to watch these students learn about the freedom they have in Christ and see them share that through their relationships and service with the people in Niagara.

The Real World?

As I begin to think about where I might go and what I might do following my graduation next December, I am more and more aware of the many available venues there are to keep in touch with those I care about. So I've decided to come back to this blog, that I used previously on my travels to Colorado and Australia, to update you all on my travels through life.

Right now, the most current information is that I am a Senior at Hope College in Holland, MI. While I had intended to graduate this upcoming May (and that is when most of my classmates will graduate), changed majors, double majoring, and studying abroad have tweaked my schedule so that I will now receive my diploma in December of 2009. However, as there is no ceremony for December graduates I will walk in May with my classmates.

As for now, I am finishing up coursework and beginning a year-long internship with Ridgepoint Church. Ridgepoint is a non-denominational church, that, in my opinion, is very successful at reaching out to the community around them. This is a manifestation of faith that I particularly value, and I am excited to be involved in this program.



I will be working with the Jr. and Sr. High Youth programming throughout the year. The internship has begun with my observation of the current programming and will culminate in my planning and executing an entire service for each age group. I'll keep you posted!