The Most Important Work

I've just completed the most important work I could have done today. Moments ago, our regional team gathered to pray as a part of our 40 day prayer and fasting focus that began today and ends on October 10th. We are trusting God to open doors like never before for the Gospel to go out on campuses in our region and across the globe.

It occurred to me while we prayed that I was accomplishing more in those 30 minutes than in my entire day of "to-do's." The reality is, however, I typically forget that God hears my prayers and desires to answer as I humbly approach him. I forget that prayer is powerful and that God acts as a result of my prayers.

I'm encouraged by the way God wants me to stand on behalf of others through prayer and fasting. Isaiah 58 is a great place to look to understand his heart. And, I'm excited for the things he has in store as our ministry links arms together to pray and fast with expectant hope that God will act.

Lord, change us. Enable us to humbly walk with you and intercede on the behalf of others that they might know your Son, Jesus. May we see spiritual revival on campuses around the world as we spend time devoted to this most important work. Amen.

The Overcomer

Wednesday morning found me on the T on my way to the office. I'm slowly finding my way back into my routine here in Boston and, to be honest, it hasn't been that easy. Thankfully, I have an amazing job and the people I work with care for me... I am "easing" into life and work. While on the T, I was reading in the Gospel of John and came to the end of chapter 16 where Jesus says to his disciples, "But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

He had just covered the work of the Spirit - telling the disciples that he was going to leave, but sharing the necessity of this - then the Spirit could come. He wanted them to have peace in knowing that the plan was bigger than what they saw (or would see). And then, he told them to take heart... He had overcome the world. They could serve, love and obey him unhindered.

For me, this hit home. I so appreciate that God knows what I need and provides for it. He looks beyond the circumstance, sees the big picture and tells me, "Jess, take heart, because I've overcome the world." He knows what is ahead, where I've come from and what is going on now. He "gets" it. He understands the brokenness around me and in me.

I'm coming to understand the greater reality that this is a large part of why he moved me to Boston. He wants me to want more of him; not just the things he offers or what he provides for me (including my salvation), but simply, wanting him. It's encouraging for me to reflect on this right now as I transition back and trust him with my life here on the east coast.

Farewell Colorado

Three months have passed since I've seen the Atlantic and, more specifically, Boston. I spent a portion of the weekend in Evergreen for the wedding festivities and took one last picture of my beloved Rockies before departing. Tomorrow I head back to my east coast home and life. I have mixed feelings about it, but God has done much in my heart this summer and brought me hope for my next steps there.

To be honest, it just seems a bit surreal to go back now. I wonder how it will be to return to the place He has called me. I've grown accustomed to Colorado (admittedly, this isn't hard to do) and will have to re-adjust to the city. Once again I leave people I love, a place I love and a life I love to follow the Lord. This time, however, I get to return to a familiar home, a dear community of friends and work that I know I'm called to which makes the "re-entry" easier. I think my hope and prayer in all of this is that I don't lose sight of where He has brought me this summer -- it was with great purpose and a place of greater depth -- and that I continue to walk in step with Him knowing that He will meet me where He has called me.

So, for now and once again, farewell Colorado...

Congratulations Kate & Trent!

I met Kate at CU her freshmen year. God has moved in and through her life in so many ways over the past few years. Not only has she invested in women here in America, but also in Russia and Spain. The scope of her influence is wide. And, in the process of sharing our lives with one another, we became great friends. It was such a blessing to stand with her on her wedding day (and, of course, in the days, weeks, months and years to come!) and celebrate God's gift to her... Trent becoming her husband and she, becoming his wife. God gives good gifts. Here is the happy and beautiful couple... Many congratulations and prayers for an amazing marriage and journey with the Lord in this new season! You are loved...

#4

Pictured above is the fourth, yes fourth, wedding bouquet I've caught in my lifetime. Honestly, for the past five or so years, I've taken a "break" from this portion of the wedding festivities I've participated in and this is the reason... I tend to catch the bouquet. And, as evidenced last night at my friend Kate's wedding, I still have the knack for it. Typically, I duck out or pretend not to hear the single female "call," but yesterday, I felt compelled to take part since I was part of the "Wedding Team" (thank you Franklin for that new phrase in my vocab) and because I love Kate. Here's to another wedding and another bouquet. :)

Why I Love Boulder...

My Non-Christian Christian Friend

Recently, I was hanging out with a couple friends and catching up on life. I don't know how we got on the topic, (isn't that how it always happens?) but at one point Shaun began telling us about his experience at church in North Carolina. He has been attending the Saturday evening service at a small church and upon a recent visit, the woman at the door greeted him by asking, "Oh, aren't you Shaun...?" She actually used his last name, too. He hadn't been attending this church for very long and really didn't know anyone.

Of course, we chimed in and said, "Well, did you fill out a comment card?" (We were thinking it might not have been that weird.)

He explained that, yes, he had filled out a comment card, but more importantly, when she said this to him, it occurred to him that he was probably the only new person. Interesting.

So, he continued telling us that he took his seat and the service commenced. Throughout the message, Shaun noticed that the Pastor was frequently speaking directly to him, especially when he was talking about those who might be investigating the Christian faith.

Let's pause here. Shaun is a believer. He grew up in a Christian home, was heavily involved with CCC in college, loves the Lord and has compassion for those who don't know Jesus.

So, every few minutes the Pastor would look at Shaun and speak about knowing Jesus. At the end of the message, the Pastor indicated that he was going to pray a prayer and that if anyone (again, looking at Shaun) was interested in knowing Jesus, he/she could pray with him.

At that point, Shaun looked at his watch and realized he must leave to meet a friend with whom he'd made dinner plans. Yep, right in the middle of the prayer he stood up and left, knowing that they probably thought he "wasn't ready" to engage in a relationship with Jesus.

I can just imagine the prayers of the church staff... "Lord, please bring Shaun back to church and Lord, please help him to come to know you." Hopefully Shaun will introduce himself to the Pastor sometime soon...

Kinko's: Full of Kinks

Yesterday I was helping my friend, Kate with her wedding programs. We did the design, proofed the file and headed to our neighborhood Kinko's to get them printed. Seems like a fairly normal thing to do, yes? It was a debacle.

When we arrived, we asked the staff to print the programs, fold and staple them together. Something we thought Kinko's did for customers. Instead of doing so, they directed us to the computer stations to print our own programs indicating that they would fold and staple them once we were finished with the printing.

We then asked where we might print the program from Publisher. They directed us to a computer. Kate inserted her credit card and was being charged online time, only to discover that Publisher was not available on this particular system. We mentioned this and the staff informed us that Publisher was not on that computer. Very helpful.

Once we figured out the computer stuff (there is much more to the story at this point, but I'm skipping ahead to save time), we indicated that we wanted them printed digitally (not copies of the original copy). They informed us that it would be around $2.00/each, but that the machine they would use to do so was broken. After over an hour in the store, we left without any programs.

We left. We went to Xpedx and purchased paper and then headed to the UPS Store and opened the file. They printed the programs on our paper, double-sided, folded and stapled (the machine did all of the work!). It took a little over 30 minutes. They charged us $0.16/each. We saved over $300. Remarkable.