CCF is on the Radio

 Sept 28th 2009, 11:30 in the morning on KVGB 1590 AM

Cougar Pause Radio Program
11:35 a.m. Every Monday
Eagle Radio / KVGB AM 1590

Upcoming Cougar Pause Radio Shows:
Sept. 28 , 2009
Topic: Campus Christian Fellowship at Barton
Speakers: Brian Howe, Barton CCF Adviser, and CCF student member Ashley Van Cleave

begins August 27th

9 Pm

Housing Commons

“Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all.  There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving.  There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us.  A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.”  1 Corinthians 12:4 – 7

Everyone Has a Ministry

When we look at this chapter, we tend to focus on the part when Paul describes the different gifts, but he gives this brief introduction.  In essence he makes two very important points.  First, he says that God is the Source.  Our gifts, service, and work is not our own, but rather it comes from God.  I don’t know about you but I tend to forget that as I do ministry.  The second point that Paul makes is We are the Outlet.  There is no exception; if you know Christ as Lord and Savior, you have a ministry.  And those gifts may differ, but they should be used to help the body of Christ wherever you may be at.  Right now, you are at Barton and those gifts should be used to help the “church” (and I use that term loosely because we don’t replace church) at Barton.

Everyone has a ministry and these last few weeks of the summer let me challenge you to pray about the ministry or ministries that God is calling you to do during this next year.  Just look around our campus ministry and the college campus and find ways to serve others for the sake of Christ.

I hate to embarrass anyone in particular, but I think of Dale.  Last year, we really started using a lot of technology in our BASIC meeting.  Dale stepped up and used his talents to help everything “technological” to run smoothly.  He saw a need, recognized he could fill it and did so without any fanfare.  Liz, when she saw our need for a Student Senate representative for our group, volunteered for that role and served in that capacity for us.  (By the way, with both Dale and Liz now gone, we’ll need some new people to step into those roles).  Both Dale and Liz are great examples of people seeing a need and using their gifts to serve and you probably wouldn’t have known it until I told you.  And these are also examples of students serving who are not on the leadership team.  Everyone has a ministry and you don’t have to be on the leadership team to lead a ministry.

So, I’ll pose the question:  What ministries is God calling you to do this year?  Take some time over the next few weeks and think about where your gifts and interests could be used to serve.  There are all sorts of possibilities and different levels of involvement.  Let me give you some ideas:

• LIFE group leader:  LIFE Groups, if you don’t know, are what we call our small group Bible study ministry.  Maybe God is calling you to lead a small group Bible study in the dorms.  We have lost one of our small group leaders from last year so there is a need.  Maybe you have a gift of hospitality and are really good at making people feel welcome.  If so you could host a Bible study in your room. 
  
• Music:  Clay Boepple is the volunteer staff person in charge of the music ministry and he will need help.  If you have musical talent as an instrumentalist or a singer (I know we have some guitarists, keyboardists, and drummers and some great singers in the group), you could volunteer and participate in the worship band.
  
• Publicity:  Maybe God is calling you to use your gifts of graphic design to make posters for CCF and make sure that CCF is always advertised.
  
• Hospitality:  Maybe God is calling you to make sure that everyone who comes, especially freshmen, are welcome and truly become their friend beyond just at BASIC.
  
• Social:  Maybe God is calling you to lead the charge on making sure that there are spontaneous, fun social activities as alternatives to the “party scene” on Friday/Saturday that everyone can participate in.
  
• Setup/Takedown:  Maybe God is calling you to serve by coming early to setup the room for our BASIC meeting, making sure that extra chairs are available for latecomers.
  
• Evangelism:  Maybe God is calling you to plan some big evangelistic events, or maybe on a more quiet note, He is calling you to talk to certain people about Christ.
  
• Drama:  Maybe God is calling you to take a lead on doing skits at BASIC or other special events.

The possibilities are endless.  And you don’t need anybody’s permission to begin to perform the ministries God is calling you to do.

Many times we equate “happiness” and “joy” but that is not the Biblical prescription.

Real JOY is not defined by circumstances
In Philippians 4:11–13, Paul writes, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” One aspect of the prescription is that real joy is not determined by the circumstances that you are in. This is why families undergoing great loss can still have joy. There is a catch in this though. Never let your joy depend upon something that you may lose. From Paul’s words we see that his joy was not in “things” or circumstances, which can be lost or change at a moment’s notice, rather it was placed in Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

This summer may or may not be a “happy” one for you, but do not let circumstance rob you of JOY. I don’t know the events that will unfold this upcoming school year for you, but don’t place your JOY in the outcome of those events. Place your JOY completely in Christ and He will not disappoint.

Real JOY is possible in the midst of struggle
James, speaking to an audience of persecuted Christians who have been displaced out of their homes says, “Dear brother and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.”(James 1:2) James in essence is saying that joy is possible in the middle of great trials. Now how can we do that? Let’s look at Christ’s example of Joy in the midst of suffering.

The Hebrews writer recounts a slightly different perspective of the suffering that Christ went through. “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven.” (Hebrews 12:2) When Christ was in the garden, he wasn’t saying, “Yeah, look what I get to go do. I am so happy that I get to be beaten and crucified.” The reason that Christ was able to have joy during this time was because he saw beyond the trying time. He knew that bigger and better things were on the other side of the trial in his life, namely the salvation of the world. That’s why he had joy. We too can look beyond the struggle and pain we might be in and have hope beyond the moment. Let’s look at a few examples from Scripture of joy in the midst of struggle.

After Christ’s death, Jesus’ body was hastily put in the tomb before Sabbath. The women were going to the grave to finish the embalming process, when they discovered the stone rolled away and the angel pronouncing that He was risen. Look at what Matthew recorded about that moment. “The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel’s message.” (Matthew 28:8) You probably never thought those two emotions would, or even could, coexist. This is a prime example of JOY in the middle of trying times. Let’s look at another example from Paul’s life.

Paul and Silas are in Philippi, and “A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. … Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.”(Acts 16: 22, 23, 25) The reason that Paul and Silas could have the JOY described here is because they could see beyond the suffering. Their JOY was not placed in whether they lived or died in that jail cell; rather it was placed in Christ.

So where is your JOY placed?

This summer the campus ministry staff will be using the front page of the Campus Christian Fellowship website to post various summer devotionals that we write.  This is the first of that series.

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Quitting the Bubbly

Right after graduation in mid-May I quit drinking pop and other caffeinated beverages.  I was drinking at least eight 16oz pops a day and it was time to stop.  I knew that I would feel lousy quitting soda.  I expected the headaches to come (and they did in less than 12 hours).  After only a couple of weeks my body is really crying out.  I am currently visiting my parents, and I am really sick.  Although I know it will be better soon, it’s still tough.  (I have a new appreciation for people who are trying to come out of addiction). 

I say all this not for you to feel sorry for me, but to make a point.  I am reminded what the writer of Hebrews said, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Heb 12:7-11)

Even though the discipline I am going through is self-imposed, I really relate to these verses now.  The Hebrews writer makes two important points about God’s discipline. First, we must submit. “How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!”  There have been moments when my mind, heart and body are screaming for a pop, but I made a decision to submit to this process.  To submit to God’s discipline as a loving Father is a conscious decision that you make.  God doesn’t force his discipline on you; it’s YOUR ultimate choice to submit.  The challenge is to submit even when it gets rough.

But also understand this about God’s discipline: it has a purpose.  I know that when I get through what my body is going through right now, I’ll feel and be healthier.  It may be painful for the moment, but there is something good to look forward to.  The same goes for God’s discipline.  “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

The summer is a great time to allow God to mold you and shape you into what he wants you to be.  However you must submit to Him totally and completely.  Will you do that this summer?

Bible Study series

Sunday nights starting in June

CCF End-of-the-Year Cookout
May 9th 7 PM at Doyle and Carol Smith’s home

This is a time to celebrate what God has done this year and say goodbye to our sophmores.

http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?success=1&picture&eid=80137648981&new&m=1#/event.php?eid=80137648981

Happy Easter!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O2Us6f05CQ

At our April 16th BASIC, you will be nominating your fellow students to be on the Student Leadership Team for the 09-10 school year.  This is one of the most important meetings because it sets the direction for an entire year of ministry.