What I'm reading, Who I'm meeting, Where we're going... This week I'm just going to start off by rambling a bit about where we're at in life. We've been in Springfield for two weeks - it seems so much longer than that already! One thing I have been grateful for is the opportunity to read again - by which I mean read something other than a text book that I will have to write something academic about. So I've spent some time reading, which I trust will prove beneficial to my spiritual and intellectual growth and hopefully in some way equip me for the ministry at hand. Here's my current reading list: Erasing Hell by Francis Chan Love Wins by Rob Bell The Dawkins Delusion by Alister McGrath The Holy Spirit and You by Dennis Bennet Jesus and the Victory of God by N. T. Wright Also, Stephanie and I are being very aggressive in meeting people - I don't mean aggressive as in cornering people or yelling so loud they have to hear us! (although I wonder if that might work...hmm, just kidding!). What this means is we've been very intentional and proactive in introducing ourselves all over the place and seeking out places in Springfield where we can meet and connect with college students, young couples and families. For Stephanie this is easy street - that girl can befriend anyone. I on the other hand, quiet and shy, have really been stretching myself. But we've made connections with a young Orthodox family, a couple expecting their first baby in a couple weeks, a dude with a sweet beard at a local coffee shop, several of our neighbors in the apartment complex we live in and one guy living on the streets downtown. Oh, and I almost forgot - we found this awesome art gallery/tattoo parlor run by a couple Christian guys trying to glorify God in their art and minister to people while they do it! Finally, where we're going... I've been praying about this, asking God for a vision. I've been seeking out other campus ministers, outreach centers and places where marriage and family are being promoted and strengthened. I'm listening for the heartbeat of God in this city. I'm listening for the flow of life being pumped and propelled throughout this place. I'm listening for the wounds, the hurts, the fears. What I'm hearing is that there is frustration, confusion and possibility. Currently there is a huge debate about protecting the civil and human rights of the GLBT community here in Springfield. Currently there are thousands of university students flooding the city from all over the world, many who don't know Jesus Christ. Currently there are hundreds of single parents, unmarried parents, struggling married parents - all trying to get by. Some have the support of families and a faith community. Many do not. At the same time there are churches that are alive. They are filled with the Holy Spirit. There are ministries, in and outside of the church offering support to parents and couples. There are campus ministers working in the trenches to share God's love with students. God show me where you need me to be. Grant me the ability to hear you. Give me discernment. Grant me the grace to be obedient to your call. Make All Saints a safe place for people who are broken, who are hurting, who are lost. Let them be found by you. Show us the ministries we are to offer. Give us the resources we need. Above all Father, be glorified in this place. Amen.