Dwelling in HIM

As I sit here and ponder the last few weeks, I recall a similar theme in each of them: Jesus’ Presence and faithfulness. I am continually amazed as I conclude each day how He woos me more and more, how He refuses to let me go, how He ceaselessly deepens my love for Him. He has really been teaching me in these last few weeks to not rely on the people around me or look to them for examples of how this life should be lived. He wants me to look to Himself, for He truly is all that I need.

I have been soaking in my time here. It has been a beautiful six weeks (I can’t believe it’s been six weeks already!). It was such an incredible privilege to be able to spend my birthday here. The girls started a prayer watch (we sign up for an hour during the night, once a week or more if we wish, to spend in prayer, interceding for the expressed needs on campus and within our range). I didn't realize it at the time, but I had signed up for the first hour of my birthday, which was such an incredible opportunity. I got to spend the first hour with Jesus! :) And He made it so special. Eric gave a very unique message in church titled, Who is this Jesus? It should be online soon, but it basically outlines all the facets and names of Jesus. We took communion afterward, which is always special because it’s not a regular occurrence here. That afternoon a few girls and I went out to Panera for dinner, then to Spooners (a delicious frozen yogurt place), then went shopping a bit at Charming Charlie (I must admit: I bought an adorable pair of wedges ;) ). That evening we had Persecuted Church night, in which we all gathered together in a building that was lit only by candles, without any belongings, and interceded for the persecuted church around the world. It was such a beautiful time!

This Saturday we enjoyed the official Ellerslie Epic Games! There were many unique games, of which I will post pictures sometime soon. However, my yellow team, won! We got to go out to eat, on Ellerslie, with the interns and staff. It was a remarkable time.

My bulletin board in my room :)

Watching the stream of Ben and Elsje's beautiful wedding.

My roommate and I.

Family group

The girls made dinner for the guys one Saturday to thank them for being men and treating us honorably. These are some of the decorations. This is a Tozer quote.

The letter we wrote them. 

We made spaghetti, alfredo sauce, homemade bread, vegetables, meat

And LOTS of cake and desserts

Us waiting for the guys to go in

My thoughtful roommates decorated my little corner on my birthday :)

I am so excited for what Jesus has in store for these next couple of weeks! Blessings!

A Week of Awakening, Reckoning, and Revival.

Last week here at Ellerslie was THE week. By THE week, I mean the week that usually occurs during the third week each semester in which revival among the student body basically takes place. On Monday the Spirit of God really descended and convicted many students. Eric had given a sermon titled “The Power to Forgive” that Sunday, which convicted many people of their unforgiveness and bitterness. We spent around 5 hours in confession. On Tuesday, the whole morning was again spent in confession of sin. Then, in the afternoon the dean of women here, lovely Sandi, gave the girls the Gospel. While most of us grew up in the church, we had never really heard the fullness of the Gospel. The aspect of the Gospel that is typically left out is that Jesus came to deliver us from the power of sin, not just the penalty. Many people had gotten to the point of the “dark night of the soul,” meaning they finally recognized that they could not live the Christian life in their own strength, were utterly helpless, and needed power.  The Gospel is what got many people through. Then, on Wednesday, Eric gave the message “Canon,” which basically showed how every prophecy in the Old Testament about Jesus lines up perfectly with what He fulfilled in the New Testament, proving that He is the Word of God and can be absolutely trusted. There is a notion in the Emergent church today that the Bible isn’t completely true, that it’s just a narrative. Canon proves this false. The Bible is the final word on the matter. It is absolutely perfect. On Thursday, Eric took the guys through Reckoning with Truth (Romans 6 says, “Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin.), while the girls spent time in specific confession together. Finally, on Friday everyone had broken through. Therefore, we spent the morning sharing testimonies of His faithfulness and victory. It was such an incredible week! Jesus greatly moved upon the student body.

One amazing thing happened during confession on Monday. A guy in the body got up to confess unforgiveness toward his parents, who had abandoned him when he was young and who grew up in the foster care system. He started sobbing and could not forgive them. It was really sad to see all the hurt people had to forgive as a result of parents and especially fathers. However, Eric walked up to him, wiped his nose, and spoke truth into his life. All the men got up out of their seats, laid hands on him, and prayed. All the girls prayed from our seats until he had a break through and allowed Jesus to forgive through him. It was an amazing time, and it was even more amazing to see Eric’s father heart.

I am so expectant for this week and know that God will continue to move mightily in our midst! We have truly become unified as a body. It’s amazing to see us all working together, fixed upon Jesus. 

The men praying for one guy's break through.