Two signs in Morgantown during Move-In weekend 2016:
We aren't called to be moral managers, that doesn't lead to loving God and loving others (it works the other way around). Buuuuuut, this is like experiencing a Soutpark episode, "Ah - an illustration of free speech in this country, but...what...did...they....just say?!?"
Not very edgy, not pushing boundaries, but sustainable (except free food..sort of), scalable, and for all people for all time.
"Should I pack that Hannah Montana blanket in my suitcase?"
"Sponge Bob socks...hmmm, funny, or make fun of me?"
"Wonder what they'll think of my Nickelback and Lady Gaga poster?"
Freshmen are finishing up packing for move-in day tomorrow!
WVU is about to change - new faces, new students, new classes, new initiatives, new leaders, careers, friendships, and futures are under construction.
Kaitlyn, Cortney, Alan, Sarah, Micah, Brooklyn, Noah, Jeanna, Cameron (x2), Andrew...and more - all freshmen we have already met, been to WVU basketball game with, camp fire with, camps with.... They are a formidable team with much opportunity and potential when they open that door, feel that August heat cut through the car's A/C and slide their Chaco's onto the WVU campus tomorrow. These kids are sharp.
CSF's annual Are You Moved? is tomorrow, where we move in freshmen. Just like we did TEN years ago when we moved in Renee Pugh. Renee was a freshmen, CSF leader, singer, new idea initiator, mission trip lover, intern, and now a member of the CSF Board of Directors, and doing great work on her social work team and in her church with her husband Brandon Pugh in North Carolina. Who knows what will happen!?
CSF is under construction too - we have three distinct leadership groups starting this year to better enable students to serve Jesus and get a degree. More on those groups later.
Even as an engineer I would say without a doubt, though I needed the piece of paper, my most beneficial time was in campus ministry. That's where I learned to deal with my junk, a lot about friendship, a lot about greed and being self centered, how to care, and how to lead and work with teams for things that matter.
WVU and CSF are under construction and it's super exciting to see what these young students are going to build together as they serve Jesus and get a degree!
Thanks Team CSF!
I was recently asked to help someone involved in indescretion and a messy situation that initiated some internal thoughts. Am I at risk, questioning if it's right to help, maybe it's right to withhold involvement, should I ask questions about the messy stuff or stick to the simple tasks, what would other people think if they found out I helped?
We are just coming out of Easter where on the cross Jesus makes a request that goes right up against my internal dialogue, reason, and emotion.
"Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
Yeah! Sing "Being forgiven is awesome" to the tune of the sticky Lego's sound track "Everything is awesome" - thank you Jesus!
And - being forgiving is.....hmmmm.....well that would be nice....uuuuhhhh.....that doesn't have a ring to it. What, when, how does that look like, give me an owners manual please?
It was probably directed at the soldiers and workers doing their jobs, people that had to be there, or people caught up in the group think mentality of the moment. Either way, Jesus asked for forgiveness for others when he was being brutally treated and in pain.
Could it be said that how we respond to crisis determines if we're a Christian or Atheist? When the pain, agony, fear, and weight are crippling - do we still love, cherish, and have the capacity to view life, circumstances, and others like Jesus does?
An old worship song I've sang a hundred times starts out "I'm forgiven...".
I don't want a church community to be "forgiven", I want a church community to be "forgiving". It's possible to mentally agree that you are forgiven but not be very forgiving. I think a forgiving person knows very well what being forgiven is all about. I think it's time I write a Christian song for myself about "being forgiving". That I move on from the 11 year old theology and nice, safe, Christianity of being forgiven and desire to be forgiving.
With my children. Around friends. In my church. In my community. Believing and hoping for the best in people, even when I'm driving. And in deconstructing some of the routines and walls in place that insulate, sterilize, and incidentally remove myself from people and places and opportunities to be forgiving.
I hope you forgive me for this........"Being forgiving is awesome....being forgiving is cool when you're part of a team...
Aaron Oogle, Junior Mechanical and Aerospace engineering, and Landis Wegner, freshman landscape architecture, working through a damaged household.
Surprise!!! CSF alumni dropped off snacks, drinks, games, supplies and personal sanitizers (nice touch!) for students 2,200 mile mission trip to New Orleans. Many of these alumni have been on CSF trips before and get what it means to be immersed together in the damage, loss, grief, and need. They get it. You get it. We all get it. Nice job alumni!
Half of the group has never been on a mission trip before, awesome! Team CSF has arrived as the southern flood waters capturing nationwide attention are receding. On day one they got to slosh through wet and damaged materials. They also grouted floors and painted.
Through intentional travel, planning, fund raisers, WVU grants, and exceptional alumni and churches, CSF strives for all CSF students who can to go on mission trips. In the past, students home communities can't or won't support for a variety of reasons. It drives me nuts seeing college students with limited home or church connections not be able to go. Yet again a CSF team effort has succeeded in that goal.
Thank you alumni, partners, and churches for following and aiding New Orleans as well as fantastic students and community at WVU!! Follow updates and use the pictures as spring boards to share YOUR past experiences with spouses, children, or friends! Or help knock out the remaining expenses via online banking, PayPal, or check.
Team CSF is YOU!
Honored to be a part of Team CSF!
Gary
