This past week we hit up Lee Hi Lanes for 99 cent bowling (which actually turned out to be more like $5 bowling, but well worth it!) where the girls took on the guys and CLEARLY dominated…
Speaking of dominated, during the chubby bunny competition at “The Gathering” this past Sunday, Matt Chapin packed TWELVE marshmallows into his mouth while still being about to spit out the phrase. Impressive!
We also got to hear the rapping skills of Larry Gunter Jr and Abby Redick as they shared with us their song, “How You Smellin’?” Inspired by 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, it talks about being the aroma of Christ – “I spray a little on and I smell like LIFE!”
Our worship was stripped down to an acoustic set again this week and we got to hear from Quigg Lawrence about a topic that may not be the most popular for a group of students our age – “giving.” Quigg shared on the importance of giving our first fruits too the Lord and doing it with a joyful heart. Even though most of us are poor college kids, we can still bring glory and honor to the Lord through giving back to Him what he has entrusted to us (God doesn’t NEED our money, its his anyways!) – not only through our money, but through our time, service, whatever it may be! We looked at examples throughout scripture where others brought joy to the name of the Lord through their selfless giving. In Mark 12, a widow gave all that she had, two small copper coins while many rich people threw in large amounts. Jesus told his disciples, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." Jesus found favor in this widow because she gave with a joyful heart, trusting the Lord with all that she had.
I pray that this week and into the future we can apply this to our own lives – our we giving to the Lord with a joyful heart, or just so we can check it off of our list? Are we giving the Lord the firstfruits of all we receive, or only when it is convenient for us? May we pray for pure and selfless hearts as we serve Christ in this way.
I am so thankful for each of you and for all that the Lord is doing this summer. May we grow closer to one another as we grow closer to Christ. I cant wait to see you all this Sunday at 8:00pm for our 6th week of “The Gathering”! Even if you have never been before – feel free to come and worship together with us! As believers, we cant go through this journey alone – Christ has given us each other to encourage one another! Let’s take advantaged of this summer as a sweet time of fellowship and growth. Blessings to you all!
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” -Phillipians 1:3
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