..and wisdom....

Tim Chester at The Resurgence is on the money once again:

The great Reformer Martin Luther spoke of theologies of glory and a theology of the cross. Theologies of glory look for the revelation of God in his mighty works: creation, miracles, spiritual experiences. But this kind of knowledge, said Luther, only puffs people up. Instead God has chosen to reveal himself supremely in the cross. And that means revelation is only discernible by faith. Only by faith do we see in the weakness, foolishness, and shame of the cross the power, wisdom, and victory of God. Theologies of glory lead to pride. The theology of the cross leads to humility—or, in Luther’s language, humiliation.

Now apply the same idea to our churches. Churches of glory will put their confidence in mighty works: stage performances, big budgets, large numbers, powerful arguments, charismatic preachers. A church of the cross will be characterized by power in weakness, wisdom in foolishness, victory in shame. Its confidence will be in the sovereignty of God, the presence of his Spirit, and the power of his Word. Jesus said the kingdom of God has been given to “my little flock.” Most of the time it will be under the radar. But, like yeast in dough, it will grow unseen to fill the earth.

Wise words indeed.

As both Lincoln University Christian Fellowship and Lincoln University International Christian Fellowship approach Easter they are praying about using the opportunity to proclaim Jesus. Lectures go right up to Good Friday so Easter, or maybe more properly Easter holidays, will be in the minds of many in that last week of term.
Ideas abound:
- Hot cross bun with a verse giveaway
- Last supper meal, reclining at tables, with a 10 minute evangelistic talk and open questions
- Easter egg hunt

Please do join me in praying that these two small groups at Lincoln Uni will, in the words of Chester, have confidence '...in the sovereignty of God, the presence of his Spirit, and the power of his Word.' They may well be 'under the radar' but God has chosen to use the foolish things of this world to show his glory.

I've been asked to preach at our home church here in Lincoln on Easter Sunday! What an opportunity, but what a responsibility! So if you'd like to pray that I too have that same confidence I'd appreciate that.

Silliness....

Two silliness things today:

1. Yesterday I went to pick up the new Lincoln University Christian Fellowship large, bright orange banner. A new one was being made because the old one got stolen a couple of weeks back. The signwriter sent through some good proofs, but on actual pickup it turns out they'd misspelled 'Christian'. When I pointed out that 'Christian' has two I's they didn't even notice that they'd printed 'Christan'. Grrrrrr.

2. Thanks to my mate Mike in France for highlighting this silliness:


Best line? '...to be my bride but you cut off too much from the side....' Nice. I liked Plain White T's 2007 original, but I prefer this parody!

Two silliness things, two funny things.

2009 O week at Lincoln University

O week stands for Orientation Week. The first week of lectures of a new academic year - and it's now all over.


LUSA (Lincoln University Students Association) did a great job at welcoming new students, and arranging O week and Freshies week too, (the week the halls students move in). During both Freshies week & O week LUCF (Lincoln University Christian Fellowship) worked hard at welcoming students and getting LUCF known, and getting into conversations about Jesus.

Many aspects went really well:

• It was good that LUCF events were included in the main LUSA publicity
• It was good for LUCF to staff the 'time out' area at each evening LUSA gig, handing out ice blocks / toasties (depending on the weather!) under the huge LUCF orange banner
• It was good to have the huge support from staff at Lincoln Hospitality Limited - meaning the LUCF O week budget went much, much further.
• It was good to have a higher profile than in previous years
• It was good to do door knocking in the halls and introduce ourselves
• It was good to see the relaunching of Lincoln International Christian Fellowship - international students reaching other international students for Jesus

• It wasn't so good that it was a really wet February and outdoor plans had to be rapidly rearranged.
• It wasn't so good that LUCF wasn't fully organised for after O week for the larger lunchtime meetings, cell groups and the like
• It wasn't so good that it was just a core of returning CFers working hard rather than the whole of LUCF.
• It wasn't so good that the big bright LUCF orange banner was stolen half way through the week!
  

But I'm really happy about the above - much more good than not so good! For this, I praise and thank God. It's been exciting meeting new students from so many places both within NZ and internationally.

Here's a photo of Paul & Kongchay from ICF and Nathan from LUCF staffing the stall at Clubs Day - it's a real shame the large banner was stolen......

Please pray for both LUCF & LUICF as they seek to introduce Jesus to their peers through word and deed in days, weeks and months ahead.

I think my wife's a Calvinist

2009 is the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth. Calvin was used by God during the reformation - a French theologian changing the world from Switzerland. His influence continues into the 21st century church, as the following video testifies.



Well done Brandon Milan. My wife loves this, especially the mandolin. Good times.
What's your choice of best line? Mine is 'you made me burn my NIV Study Bible....'!!