This past weekend was our annual fall conference. IV owns a camp out on Catalina Island called Campus By the Sea (CBS). It is an amazing place where I have experienced God so many times, including this weekend.
CSULB InterVarsity, being in only its 3rd year on campus, had SEVENTEEN students attend! (Last year, 5 came... and it was an awkward group of 5 and a rough conference in general.) Of the 17, FOUR were non-Christians! I shall revisit this number momentarily.
Logistics for getting to fall con were stressful: some students went to the wrong dock, and some were running really late, and someone locked their keys in the car. However, God is good, and He got everyone to the dock before the boat left! Praise Him! (we weren't even the last school to have everyone arrive). In the end it all worked out, but it left me feeling a bit frazzled. That ended once on the boat (I love the trip over the ocean!) and hanging out with students, especially the MILLIONS of pictures taken. I swear, check out facebook and you'll see more pictures of me at Catalina from this one weekend than all my 4 years combined! Hah.
Anywho, one student got sea sick pretty bad, but I prayed for her that she wouldn't throw up and stood with her outside. She did NOT throw up, and even just getting back on land she felt better really quickly (which is unusual for her). Praise God!
Friday Night Erna introduced herself and everyone loved her personality, but more importantly, everyone heard more about the Kingdom of God and seemed to be excited to hear more on Saturday.
Saturday morning was a deep session. One of our non-Christian students broke down crying, and I felt God say "let her sit in this, then comfort her, then let her sit in this with Me." So I did... but when I saw her crying, and talked to her, I felt God's presence and Spirit with her, as if waiting all around her to be let in. It was so powerful I cried with her and told her what she was feeling was from God. I also talked with a non-CSULB student who was going through a lot of family stuff. God gave me a Psalm to share with her. (Later in the weekend, she hugged me and told me the Psalm blessed her, and she was very grateful and hoped to see me again. It is so crazy how God does that!!)
My small group at Catalina was half of the CSULB students, and people shared really vulnerably. I shared some about my family/relationship with my dad, and then about five other students shared about crazy family situations. It was a great time of openness and beginning to see how God has authority over everything-even our crazy family stuff.
Sat. afternoon was a lot of FUN! I snorkled, sat in the sun chattin with a non-Christian student, hiked to the cross for an INSANE photoshoot, and played volleyball (we WON 26-24! So fun! I think I dove too much... my right knee is swollen... uh oh).
Sat. night was THE BEST. It began with God calling me to go outside and walk around the building praying. Check. To get on my knees, and cry out for MY/HIS people. Check. To go prostrate myself before the LORD. (I asked if it could be inside instead of on the dirt around camp. God said that was ok.) Check. And then, the Holy Spirit filled me and I prayed and interceded as I never could alone. It was AMAZING...and draining, and AWESOME! So I cleaned up my gross crying-face and went back inside to worship and listen to Erna give an epic sermon on sitting at Jesus' table, on His authoirty and compassion, and on making decisions for the Kingdom of God rather than the Kingdom of the World. EPIC.
And, at the end of the night...
CSULB had TWO NEW CHRISTIANS!!!!! And so did OTHER campuses!!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!
One of my students actually stood up to the challenge to be more MISSIONAL on campus before the call to become a Christian (because it was the last call given). I looked at her thinking "she isn't a Christian...how is she going to be missional???" and God said "Oh, Bri...WAIT for it!" and when she stood for the call, I was crying yet again. It was awesome! And she shared the next morning how she wants to bring Jesus to her Sorority sisters! How she wants to be a LIGHT at CSULB! PRAISE GOD! The other student had been in my SG, and I know God has some GOOD healing for her in her family. She is also PUMPED for the REAL Black Student Conference in Nov. and is encouraging her friends to go with her! AMEN!
I have more to reflect on personally, but I thought y'all should here the AMAZING news!!!
Not a single person with CSULB went untouched. The two non-Christians who did not commit to Jesus as their savior DID commit to being OPEN to JESUS this semester! AMEN! PRAISE GOD! And I felt like He promised them this semester and this year, that we would see them join the KOG soon enough! PRAISE JESUS! (in advance, for He KEEPS HIS PROMISES!) And EVERY Christian student said they wanted to be MORE MISSIONAL on campus, they wanted to be BOLD, they want to share God's GOODNESS and LOVE with others! With EVERYONE! They want to invite other people to the BANQUET! AMEN!
Anyway, I'm out. God is so good! REVIVAL has come to LONG BEACH!
Showing posts with label Revival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Revival. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Stones by the Jordan (things to remember):
I thought I'd share with you things God has been doing, since that IS the point of this blog after all ;)
Bonfire.
I got lost with two students, F and N. They were very patient with me, even though we were an HOUR late to the beach bonfire. We got to talk, get to know each other, and hang out. I believe God used that time for a reason (admittedly I was annoyed at the lack of clarity in directions AT THE TIME, and I felt guilty because we had the fire wood... but God had something else in mind!)
Soul Thirst.
I think there was 12-15 of us? It was a decent group, 4 guys came. God taught me that I have strong opinions and that sometimes it is better to hold one's tongue. In doing so, I was able to welcome a student who hadn't had a "real" conversation with anyone at CSULB until that night with me. I felt blessed (even though, at the time I didn't realize just how significant that conversation was, or how God would use that hospitality to bring this guy to our small group even though he isn't friends with anyone...YET!)
Hang outs.
We went to the movies, both times provided great opportunities to hang out with students. R came one day, N (from the bonfire) came another, along with sophomores on the Salt and Light team. These times were fun and all, but I had a hard time seeing their deeper significance (a trend right now? PERHAPS?! Haha). Anyway, R & N ended up going to IGNITE!
IGNITE.
I could right an entire blog about this, but I will be brief. God reminded me that I have spiritual authority because of my relationship with Him. He wants to use me. He has given me various gifts of the spirit in order to pour out His love onto His people. He has called me to speak His truth to believers and none believers alike. At Ignite, God used me to love 3 various people, 1 is a fellow intern whom I love. It was so amazing to be used to inspire and encourage her because I know she will be such a blessing as she leads worship at our Fall Con :) God is sooo good! Just to say, Abner was AMAZING and he brought thunder and lightning during his talk :D It was frickin' awesome! The number of people who prayed for an outpouring of the spirit was MIND BLOWING!
The afternoon sessions were fine, nothing new or breathtaking, but I did get prayer for how to be a witness to men at CSULB. I also talked some strategy with Kate and Waley. It was awesome just to talk to them about issues I'm facing and hear what they've done, and the issues they face.
Evening session was AMAZING. When Ryan spoke about people God is calling us to witness to, I broke down. God gave me a professor at Scripps who I have been praying for for 2-3 years now. Annoyed. I graduated, God, why him still? Afraid. What if I share and he doesn't accept? Fear. what if I share and YOU don't show up, God? And Doubt. What if I share the wrong thing? (Because God gave me specifically what I should say). I asked for confirmation. Right then, Ryan said "maybe you got a professor"...Damn. So I cried out because of my fear and doubt. I asked Brendan to pray over me. As he did so, I had a renewed sense of faith. I couldn't contain everything, so I went to the aisle to intercede, to worship, to cry out, to plead for the students at Ignite, to demand revival, and God spoke clearly to me. It was amazing to hear something to transformative. The pastor at Antioch, the predominantly black church I've been attending, has said that when God gives certain visions it demands life-changing actions to be taken.
God spoke to me in a way that I could not deny. Everything before this Saturday has been, in part, the old way for IV. God is bringing a new thing - new wine requires a new wineskin. We must adjust to the new things coming our way.
I heard God speak in my spirit: The Revival has begun.
One student gave her life at Ignite (THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN! What non-Christian GOES?! RIDICULOUS! INSANITY!) and 7 or so rededicated (again, Ignite is more for the on fire Christians in general, those who want to witness... WHAT?!) And all week I've been reading post after post by IV staff describing the revivals they've seen: students coming to faith, students initiating spiritual conversations, students signing up for GIGS, the Holy Spirit descending on prayer meetings and giving students gifts to prophesy and see visions. The funny thing is, I'm not surprised... but every time I read another story, God brings tears to my eyes -- He spoke truly. The revival has begun!
Bonfire.
I got lost with two students, F and N. They were very patient with me, even though we were an HOUR late to the beach bonfire. We got to talk, get to know each other, and hang out. I believe God used that time for a reason (admittedly I was annoyed at the lack of clarity in directions AT THE TIME, and I felt guilty because we had the fire wood... but God had something else in mind!)
Soul Thirst.
I think there was 12-15 of us? It was a decent group, 4 guys came. God taught me that I have strong opinions and that sometimes it is better to hold one's tongue. In doing so, I was able to welcome a student who hadn't had a "real" conversation with anyone at CSULB until that night with me. I felt blessed (even though, at the time I didn't realize just how significant that conversation was, or how God would use that hospitality to bring this guy to our small group even though he isn't friends with anyone...YET!)
Hang outs.
We went to the movies, both times provided great opportunities to hang out with students. R came one day, N (from the bonfire) came another, along with sophomores on the Salt and Light team. These times were fun and all, but I had a hard time seeing their deeper significance (a trend right now? PERHAPS?! Haha). Anyway, R & N ended up going to IGNITE!
IGNITE.
I could right an entire blog about this, but I will be brief. God reminded me that I have spiritual authority because of my relationship with Him. He wants to use me. He has given me various gifts of the spirit in order to pour out His love onto His people. He has called me to speak His truth to believers and none believers alike. At Ignite, God used me to love 3 various people, 1 is a fellow intern whom I love. It was so amazing to be used to inspire and encourage her because I know she will be such a blessing as she leads worship at our Fall Con :) God is sooo good! Just to say, Abner was AMAZING and he brought thunder and lightning during his talk :D It was frickin' awesome! The number of people who prayed for an outpouring of the spirit was MIND BLOWING!
The afternoon sessions were fine, nothing new or breathtaking, but I did get prayer for how to be a witness to men at CSULB. I also talked some strategy with Kate and Waley. It was awesome just to talk to them about issues I'm facing and hear what they've done, and the issues they face.
Evening session was AMAZING. When Ryan spoke about people God is calling us to witness to, I broke down. God gave me a professor at Scripps who I have been praying for for 2-3 years now. Annoyed. I graduated, God, why him still? Afraid. What if I share and he doesn't accept? Fear. what if I share and YOU don't show up, God? And Doubt. What if I share the wrong thing? (Because God gave me specifically what I should say). I asked for confirmation. Right then, Ryan said "maybe you got a professor"...Damn. So I cried out because of my fear and doubt. I asked Brendan to pray over me. As he did so, I had a renewed sense of faith. I couldn't contain everything, so I went to the aisle to intercede, to worship, to cry out, to plead for the students at Ignite, to demand revival, and God spoke clearly to me. It was amazing to hear something to transformative. The pastor at Antioch, the predominantly black church I've been attending, has said that when God gives certain visions it demands life-changing actions to be taken.
God spoke to me in a way that I could not deny. Everything before this Saturday has been, in part, the old way for IV. God is bringing a new thing - new wine requires a new wineskin. We must adjust to the new things coming our way.
I heard God speak in my spirit: The Revival has begun.
One student gave her life at Ignite (THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN! What non-Christian GOES?! RIDICULOUS! INSANITY!) and 7 or so rededicated (again, Ignite is more for the on fire Christians in general, those who want to witness... WHAT?!) And all week I've been reading post after post by IV staff describing the revivals they've seen: students coming to faith, students initiating spiritual conversations, students signing up for GIGS, the Holy Spirit descending on prayer meetings and giving students gifts to prophesy and see visions. The funny thing is, I'm not surprised... but every time I read another story, God brings tears to my eyes -- He spoke truly. The revival has begun!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
God is my Victory
Just some short thoughts, not about interning persay, but some reflections.
Things have been hard, personally and spiritually, as of late. I feel like I'm in a bit of a dry season, a desert. The irony? I asked for it...
When Brendan and I were praying about UCI or UCSB, God told me and my friends that He was calling me into the desert. He promised oasis, but a desert nonetheless. I was afraid of going to UCSB, and God called me to trust Him and be open. Brendan ended up at UCI, but God transformed me (us both, actually) in the process... and for me, He called me into the desert. My prayer for the last month of school or so was for a season of trials. Not because I like them. I hate when things are hard. But, because I felt so comfortable in my faith, comfortable with where I was. A desert, a season of trials, while it would be a dark and hard time, would end with experiencing and understanding more of God than I ever have before.
Sometimes, God gives us exactly what we ask for. I believe God has a lot to teach me in this hard, dry time. I believe He wants me to know more of Him, to experience more of Him, to lean on and delight in Him more than I have ever before. I've been hopeless and discouraged lately, but I also find myself surprised by how good God is and how much He loves me, how much He is walking alongside Brendan and me, how much He protects and provides, how good and trustworthy He is.
Please pray for me to experience more of God. Honestly, I wish things were easier. And on my weakest days, I feel alone in the fight. Yet, though I don't always feel it, I know this is true:
"I see the King of Glory, coming on the clouds with fire, the whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakesl I see His love and mercy, washing over all our sin, the people sing, the people sing, Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest!"
And though sometimes it takes all my strength, and sometimes I forget to pray, I believe:
"I see a generation, rising up to take their place, with selfless faith, with selfless faith; I see a near revival, stirring as we pray and seek, we're on our knees, we're on our knees; Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest"
Despite the pain, the exhaustion, the hopelessness, and the weakness of my faith... I trust in the LORD, and this is my cry:
"Heal my heart and make it clean, open up my eyes to the things unseen. Show me how to love like You have loved me! Break my heart for what breaks Yours; everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause, as I walk from earth into eternity (with YOU!)"
***
Someone said that revival begins in our hearts before it can begin on our campuses. LORD, have Your way!
Things have been hard, personally and spiritually, as of late. I feel like I'm in a bit of a dry season, a desert. The irony? I asked for it...
When Brendan and I were praying about UCI or UCSB, God told me and my friends that He was calling me into the desert. He promised oasis, but a desert nonetheless. I was afraid of going to UCSB, and God called me to trust Him and be open. Brendan ended up at UCI, but God transformed me (us both, actually) in the process... and for me, He called me into the desert. My prayer for the last month of school or so was for a season of trials. Not because I like them. I hate when things are hard. But, because I felt so comfortable in my faith, comfortable with where I was. A desert, a season of trials, while it would be a dark and hard time, would end with experiencing and understanding more of God than I ever have before.
Sometimes, God gives us exactly what we ask for. I believe God has a lot to teach me in this hard, dry time. I believe He wants me to know more of Him, to experience more of Him, to lean on and delight in Him more than I have ever before. I've been hopeless and discouraged lately, but I also find myself surprised by how good God is and how much He loves me, how much He is walking alongside Brendan and me, how much He protects and provides, how good and trustworthy He is.
Please pray for me to experience more of God. Honestly, I wish things were easier. And on my weakest days, I feel alone in the fight. Yet, though I don't always feel it, I know this is true:
"I see the King of Glory, coming on the clouds with fire, the whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakesl I see His love and mercy, washing over all our sin, the people sing, the people sing, Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest!"
And though sometimes it takes all my strength, and sometimes I forget to pray, I believe:
"I see a generation, rising up to take their place, with selfless faith, with selfless faith; I see a near revival, stirring as we pray and seek, we're on our knees, we're on our knees; Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest"
Despite the pain, the exhaustion, the hopelessness, and the weakness of my faith... I trust in the LORD, and this is my cry:
"Heal my heart and make it clean, open up my eyes to the things unseen. Show me how to love like You have loved me! Break my heart for what breaks Yours; everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause, as I walk from earth into eternity (with YOU!)"
***
Someone said that revival begins in our hearts before it can begin on our campuses. LORD, have Your way!
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