November 13

This week has been unique for a few reasons. First of all, the speaker we were supposed to have was not able to make his flight, so he ended up not coming. However, we did not at all have a shortage of good speakers to listen to this week. To start us off on Monday morning, we had Paul Etheridge, a United States Veteran and Kanakuk Wilderness Directer, speak to us on the Armer of God. It was really neat having a veteran come speak to us on veterans day. And having been in the army he was able to give us a whole new perspective on the importance armer, whether physical or spiritual. After Mr. Etheridge spoke, the Men's Director of Link Year, Seth Higgins, spoke on the question Who is Jesus? That was the topic focused on for the remainder of the week. The whole point of his talks were that we would leave with a solid grasp on who Jesus is and why he can be trusted. There are three different forms of evidence he went over that help prove the existence and validity of Jesus. The first is eyewitness evidence. In other words, are the Gospels accurate and can what they say be trusted. The second form of evidence is documentary. How do different manuscripts that have been found dating back to the First Century support the New Testament and is there information in ancient secular works of literature that support the New Testament? The third form of evidence we went over is scientific. For this we broke down the gospels to see if they support whether Jesus was really the Messiah or just someone who claimed to be; and did he really die and come back to life?
 I will go off on a little tangent here to talk about the argument that says since Jesus could have known what the prophesies for the Messiah were, he could have intentionally fulfilled them. First of all, there is no way that he could have done that because how could he have arranged where he was born, the soldiers gambling for his clothes, or his legs not being broken? There are many other prophesies like that which he had no control over. What is so ironic and funny though is that the very people who were trying to disprove him being the Messiah (the Pharisees) were the ones who fulfilled some of the prophesies, proving that he was the Messiah that was spoken of in the Old Testament. The Pharisees knew the Old Testament very well and would have definitely known about the prophesies for the Messiah. Yet, they still betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, which was prophesied about, and chose to have him crucified, which was also prophesied about. I thought that was pretty cool how God will use anyone or anything to fulfill his plan. It was really neat being walked through all that information that supports Jesus' validity and I feel like I have a much better grasp on why we can trust who He is.
The Last thing I would like to mention is that we had the privilege of having John Stonestreet come and answer any question we had for a couple hours Wednesday afternoon. He knows so much about current topics on culture and how we as Christians should handle them. If you don't know much about him here is a little info:

http://www.colsoncenter.org/connections/speakers-bureau/entry/22/14249

Two things that he said that I loved and can really take away are:

1) "Don't emphasize things that the Bible doesn't emphasize or question things that the Bible doesn't question."

2) "The mark of an educated person is that no one ever simply gave them an education. They were constantly seeking an education for themselves."
What I got from that is I can't expect to just sit back have knowledge and wisdom come to me. I need to be proactive and search for it whenever and wherever I can, along with lots and lots of reading.

Next week we go into Kansas City to do urban mission work which I am really excited about!

Thanks for reading!

The Cost of Following Christ

This week our speaker was from right here on the Link Year staff. Our very own Brian Wang spoke, and did an incredible job presenting his message. His main theme for the week was the cost of following Christ in a world that pulls you down. In his vary first session he gave an analogy that will stay with me for a long time. It was simple but so true. He said how at 211 degrees, water is just really hot, but at 212 degrees is boils and creates steam. And steam can power a locomotive. The only difference between boiling and not boiling is one little degree. Here is a video that explains this further:

So what does this have to do with the cost of following Christ? Brian explained that so many of us live our Christian lives at the 211th degree. We don't give the extra effort or go the extra mile. However, what does Jesus call us to do? The verse that Brian based his whole talk on was Luke 9:23 which states, "Then he [Jesus] said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'" This is one of the hardest verses for me to read and follow, because it requires that I completely let go of all my desires and plans. Brain pointed out three things that we need to understand as we follow Christ: 

1) Self Denial

2) Complete Dedication 

3) Willing Obedience 

I can say that I want to do these things and really live by them, but when I look at my life it is nothing like this. I live for myself. I'm only dedicated when it's easy. My obedience is based on my terms. This video by Francis Chan speaks into this and it blew my mind: 

 

I love Jesus as a savior, but do I love Him as a role model? Do I really want to serve how He served? To live how He lived? The truth is that I don't. I am too attached to this world, to my future plans, to my comfort. But what does Paul say in Philippians 3:7-8? He considers all the pleasers and possessions of this world garbage in comparison to knowing Christ. In other words, they do not even come close. Brian's left us with some really challenging questions to end, such as, what "garbage" do I need to get rid of in my life to fully pursue Christ? and what is keeping me at the 211th degree? I will constantly have to be asking myself these questions because it will always be a struggle to let go of living for myself and give my life to God. It's a daily struggle, but thank God that He does not expect me to do it on my own. He is always there to help me. I just need to be willing. 

Hope that convicts/encourages you as much as it did me. 

Thanks for reading!