I can't stop listening to David Crowder's The Glory of It All.
This song sums up what I have been experiencing from and learning about God over the past several weeks. He is so good and so faithful...and he promises to never leave us.
Check out the lyrics...I've highlighted some of my favorites:
At the start
He was there
He was there
In the end
He’ll be there
He’ll be there
And after all
Our hands have wrought
He forgives
Oh, the glory of it all
Is He came here
For the rescue of us all
That we may live
For the glory of it all
Oh, the glory of it all
All is lost
Find Him there
Find Him there
After night
Dawn is there
Dawn is there
And after all
Falls apart
He repairs
He repairs
Oh, He is here
With redemption from the fall
That we may live
For the glory of it all
Oh, the glory of it all
After night
Comes a light
Dawn is here
Dawn is here
It’s a new day, a new day
Oh, everything will change
Things will never be the same
We will never be the same
Oh, everything will change
Things will never be the same
We will never be same
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
It's been a busy month here in Flo-town. We've been doing a lot of different things here...here are a few:
iPod o Capra
This semester we have been trying some new ways to promote our name as an organization as well as meet new students. A few weeks ago we decided to do a free drawing where students could win either an ipod for themselves or choose to use the money that would buy the ipod to give 3 goats to 3 families in need in Afghanistan. I spent a LONG time making 3 ipod costumes and 3 goat masks and the next week we went out on campus with our guys wearing the costumes, playing loud, fun music, and getting students to sign up for the drawing.We got a really good response and signed up several hundred students for the drawing. We had a lot of fun being a little bit crazy but also doing something with a great humanitarian purpose. We got to involve several of our Italian friends in the
process and also met new people. And the winners both chose the goats!
[Cowboy Davide in the cutout I made]
[some of the Italian guys hanging out]
iPod o Capra
This semester we have been trying some new ways to promote our name as an organization as well as meet new students. A few weeks ago we decided to do a free drawing where students could win either an ipod for themselves or choose to use the money that would buy the ipod to give 3 goats to 3 families in need in Afghanistan. I spent a LONG time making 3 ipod costumes and 3 goat masks and the next week we went out on campus with our guys wearing the costumes, playing loud, fun music, and getting students to sign up for the drawing.We got a really good response and signed up several hundred students for the drawing. We had a lot of fun being a little bit crazy but also doing something with a great humanitarian purpose. We got to involve several of our Italian friends in the
process and also met new people. And the winners both chose the goats!
Texas Party
At the end of the ipod/goat week we had our annual Texas party - basically just a bbq with lots of country music. :) It rained so attendance was a little low...but it was a really fun night. We ate some good American food, learned to two-step and line dance, and just had a good time of fellowship together deepening relationships.
[Sarah & Matteo getting creative before the party]
At the end of the ipod/goat week we had our annual Texas party - basically just a bbq with lots of country music. :) It rained so attendance was a little low...but it was a really fun night. We ate some good American food, learned to two-step and line dance, and just had a good time of fellowship together deepening relationships.
[Sarah & Matteo getting creative before the party]
[me & antonio. my head is a little big for the hat...:)]
[Cowboy Davide in the cutout I made]
[Sarah teaching Cristiano to two-step]
[some of the Italian guys hanging out]Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday was our friend Sabrina's 21st birthday. We had a garden party for her at my teammate Marti's apartment. It was a fun evening of fellowship and also a great opportunity to meet students. One of the coolest things about the evening was watching our believing Italian friends [mostly from our church] meeting and getting to know Sabrina's friends who are not believers.
Here are some pictures from the party!
[sabrina with her cake]
[getting a pair of shoes she had admired in a store window]
[marti & sarah bringing out the cake]
[sabrina & some of the friends at the party]
[first group picture of the evening]
[second group picture. in true italian fashion people were coming & going for about 3 hours]
Here are some pictures from the party!
[sabrina with her cake]
[getting a pair of shoes she had admired in a store window]
[marti & sarah bringing out the cake]
[sabrina & some of the friends at the party]
[first group picture of the evening]
[second group picture. in true italian fashion people were coming & going for about 3 hours]
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Creating Space.
For the past several weeks our team has been meeting with a group of our national leaders who have helped us revisit some of the foundational things about ministry and why we are in Italy. Together we have studied scripture, talked through our national vision, and discussed what it looks like to do ministry effectively in this country.
One of the things our leaders talked with us about was 'creating space for ministry.' This is an idea that has been before us over the past two years, but it was great to be reminded of it.
I am really looking forward to the next couple of months. Our team has reevaluated and restructured some things and I can't wait to see what happens with the new spaces we have created for ministry to happen. This basically means we have moved our schedule around and have added a few things so that there are regularly occurring consistent blocks of time where we will be doing life with students outside of the university campus.
Pray with us that God would use these times to help Italians see Him. Pray that the image of Christ would be seen through myself and my teammates. Pray that we would have wisdom and boldness with the Gospel.
One of the things our leaders talked with us about was 'creating space for ministry.' This is an idea that has been before us over the past two years, but it was great to be reminded of it.
I am really looking forward to the next couple of months. Our team has reevaluated and restructured some things and I can't wait to see what happens with the new spaces we have created for ministry to happen. This basically means we have moved our schedule around and have added a few things so that there are regularly occurring consistent blocks of time where we will be doing life with students outside of the university campus.
Pray with us that God would use these times to help Italians see Him. Pray that the image of Christ would be seen through myself and my teammates. Pray that we would have wisdom and boldness with the Gospel.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Pancakes & Sun.
Saturday was a beautiful day in Florence.
Probably the nicest one we have had so far this Spring. We were so thankful for the warm temperatures and sunny skies - especially since we had planned a pancake extravaganza for that day. :)
We invited a bunch of our Italian friends over to my teammates Ross & Lindsay's apartment and made about 12 batches of pancakes. We spent the afternoon eating delicious pancakes, talking, and playing games out in the backyard.
It was really great to get to spend time together and deepen friendships. It was also fun to get to share an American breakfast tradition with the Italians. Many of them had never had pancakes before and most of the students wanted a copy of the recipe to take home with them. :)
Please continue to pray for more opportunities to deepen our current relationships as well as begin new ones. Pray that Christ would be put on display and that we would be bold with the gospel. Pray that Italian students would come to faith this Spring.
Probably the nicest one we have had so far this Spring. We were so thankful for the warm temperatures and sunny skies - especially since we had planned a pancake extravaganza for that day. :)
We invited a bunch of our Italian friends over to my teammates Ross & Lindsay's apartment and made about 12 batches of pancakes. We spent the afternoon eating delicious pancakes, talking, and playing games out in the backyard.
It was really great to get to spend time together and deepen friendships. It was also fun to get to share an American breakfast tradition with the Italians. Many of them had never had pancakes before and most of the students wanted a copy of the recipe to take home with them. :)
Please continue to pray for more opportunities to deepen our current relationships as well as begin new ones. Pray that Christ would be put on display and that we would be bold with the gospel. Pray that Italian students would come to faith this Spring.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
i've been pouring over this chapter from Isaiah today.
it really puts the crucifixion back into perspective for me.
it was ME. me that despised and rejected him. me that turned my back on him.
me that he was pierced, beaten, and whipped for.
and me that has been given new life and restored to right-standing with the Father.
there is definitely reason to celebrate!
1 Who has believed our message?
To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?
2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
3 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
it really puts the crucifixion back into perspective for me.
it was ME. me that despised and rejected him. me that turned my back on him.
me that he was pierced, beaten, and whipped for.
and me that has been given new life and restored to right-standing with the Father.
there is definitely reason to celebrate!
1 Who has believed our message?
To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?
2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
3 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrowsa]">[a] that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.
7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
8 Unjustly condemned,
he was led away.b]">[b]
No one cared that he died without descendants,
that his life was cut short in midstream.c]">[c]
But he was struck down
for the rebellion of my people.
9 He had done no wrong
and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal;
he was put in a rich man’s grave.
10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.
Isaiah 53 [New Living Translation]
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Praise the One, Risen Son of God.
Today is Palm Sunday.
I think of the original followers of Jesus who, having no idea their King was about to be crucified, worshiped Him as he entered Jerusalem shouting:
"Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the king of Israel!"
But Jesus knew. He knew what was before him. As he rode through the streets watching the people waving palm branches and worshiping him [and probably others laughing at him or even cursing him] He knew. He knew that in just a short amount of time he would endure terrible mocking, criticism, and beating and then die a very brutal death for all of them - those who believed and followed him, and those by whom he was scorned. As they beat him up to the point of death, somehow he still loved them. He still loved me. He still loved you. And he chose to die - so that we may have life with him eternally.
Join me as I spend time this week reflecting on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Let's allow Him to remind us of the price He paid for us, the beauty of salvation, and the power demonstrated when He defeated death.
And as we do this let's pray for Italians. Pray that this Easter wouldn't pass by as just another holiday in a nation that is culturally religious. Pray that their hearts would be softened and that they would hear the story of Jesus' death and resurrection as if for the first time. Pray that the power that raised Jesus for the dead would pierce the hearts of the people in this nation and cause them to turn to Him.
Check Out:
Colossians 2:13-15
John 12:23-33
2 Corinthians 5:19-21
Romans 5:8-11
Acts 2:24
John 3:16
Before the Throne of God Above
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!
Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!
One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God
I think of the original followers of Jesus who, having no idea their King was about to be crucified, worshiped Him as he entered Jerusalem shouting:
"Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the king of Israel!"
But Jesus knew. He knew what was before him. As he rode through the streets watching the people waving palm branches and worshiping him [and probably others laughing at him or even cursing him] He knew. He knew that in just a short amount of time he would endure terrible mocking, criticism, and beating and then die a very brutal death for all of them - those who believed and followed him, and those by whom he was scorned. As they beat him up to the point of death, somehow he still loved them. He still loved me. He still loved you. And he chose to die - so that we may have life with him eternally.
Join me as I spend time this week reflecting on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Let's allow Him to remind us of the price He paid for us, the beauty of salvation, and the power demonstrated when He defeated death.
And as we do this let's pray for Italians. Pray that this Easter wouldn't pass by as just another holiday in a nation that is culturally religious. Pray that their hearts would be softened and that they would hear the story of Jesus' death and resurrection as if for the first time. Pray that the power that raised Jesus for the dead would pierce the hearts of the people in this nation and cause them to turn to Him.
Check Out:
Colossians 2:13-15
John 12:23-33
2 Corinthians 5:19-21
Romans 5:8-11
Acts 2:24
John 3:16
Before the Throne of God Above
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!
Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!
One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God
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