I want to draw your attention to a page we put up on the vtONE site sharing some of the prayers and stories that are flowing in from around the world. Feel free to check out the page and the announcement post on the vtONE site.
Month: April 2007
It’s been the kind of day that you wouldn’t wish on anyone here at Virginia Tech. Our campus has been shaken, but God is still our king.
As people are coping with the loss of so many members of our community, we want to take every chance that we have to lift our campus up in prayer. There’s a few specific things that we can pray for:
- The injured members of our community
- The families of those who have passed away, especially that people in their lives would be able to share the Good News with them while they’re more receptive
- That a tragedy like this one would not derail what God is doing on this campus. God is moving powerfully here like we saw two weekends ago, and a tragedy like this is no excuse to let Satan have the victory instead of God.
- Ministry opportunities as our campus heals to share the Good News with people who wouldn’t have cared at all 24 hours ago.
Gatherings related to the tragedy in Blacksburg:
- 7 p.m., West Eggleston Hall on Virginia Tech campus – sponsored by IV
- 8 p.m., Henderson Lawn on Virginia Tech campus – sponsored by VT
- 8 p.m. at the Old Red Cross Building (130 Jackson Street, Downtown Blacksburg) – sponsored by NLCF
- 6 or 7 p.m., Blacksburg Church of Christ
- 7 p.m., Blacksburg Presbyterian Church
- University ceremony, 2pm TOMORROW in Cassel Coliseum
- Planned gathering for the Christian body Wednesday night (details not yet available)
Outside Blacksburg:
- 6 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roanoke
- 8 p.m., McLean Bible Church Community Room A, McLean, VA
- 8 p.m., Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
We appreciate your prayers as our campus struggles to resume life. Please post a comment if you’re aware of any other goings on that would be of interest to the Christian body at VT ro cool ways of how God has worked through this bad situation.
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Some days just kick your butt
Today has been one of those days. It hasn’t even been a bad day, but it’s just kicked my butt several times over. I can’t even explain it, but the rollercoaster that I thought was over returned today.
Up down up down up down.
It’s days like this where I know where I need to be (and it’s the hardest to get there): on my knees. I can’t make the world right, but the God of the universe has things under control. I like how The Message puts the Lord’s prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
You know what? This chapter of my life is over in four weeks. The next chapter begins shortly after that, and I don’t know what it brings, but it’s going to be all right. Today I declare that I’m not going to listen to Satan’s lies and admit defeat. My God is mighty to save. He makes mountains go swimming, and all kinds of things that are beyond my wildest dreams. Living life with God is an adventure. It is absolutely unsafe. But God is good, and he will supply all my needs according to his riches and glory through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 paraphrase).
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This rollercoaster we call life
It’s been one heck of a month for me. I’m in that bittersweet stage where I’m both very glad that my education is almost over while at the same time not wanting to be done.
The week leading up to vtONE was a rollercoaster all by itself. There was so much still to be done going into that week, and we had no idea how to get it all done. God delivered, but was teaching us patience in the process. Saturday night was powerful beyond words. The Holy Spirit was all over Commonwealth Ballroom, and I’m praying that the fire from that night will never be extinguished. The fire has already been contagious–our anointed band has been invited to play at New River Community College because of the fire of God they saw at Virginia Tech this weekend.
God has been faithful in helping me to be productive and get all my work done. Work didn’t bother me at all during the vtONE lead up week. Now, I have all but one of this week’s assignments done. I didn’t expect to be done so fast, and I know that my productivity was a gift from God for some specific reasons. Last night, Tim’s father passed away unexpectedly, and I have been able to dedicate time that I didn’t expect to have (was expecting to be doing classwork) to being there for Tim.
Another way that God was with me during vtONE was by not letting my allergies get into the way. I didn’t have any significant allergy trouble before the worship event, even though the pollen levels were high. This week, I’ve had trouble sleeping, my head feels weird, and I sound like a cow in pain when I attempt to sing. I’m used to being like this in allergy season, so it was a huge relief to get through the vtONE event without feeling anything.
The original house I made an offer on fell through, but I have some more leads on potential houses and house-related stuff. I was feeling somewhat uncertain about moving forward this weekend, but my wise counsel seems to all be in agreement that it’s a good thing for me to do. My hesitation all revolves around on the fact that I’m really not sure where God wants me to be and what I should be doing. I’ve loved almost every minute of my time leading vtONE, whether things were going good or bad, and I don’t want my graduation to mark the end of my ministry. I’m praying about what comes next in my ministry life, but have been getting more questions than answers. And that’s why I’m thankful that I have a great job lined up, since not knowing what to do and being broke would be a bad combination.
I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.Psalm 18:7-11