The Blessing of Serving

Why do we go??? After a weekend of being up to my waist in bloated rotting meat, diapers, foul smelling oatmeal (seriously that stuff is amazingly foul!!!!! I will never be able to choke it down again) thousands of diapers, wet carpet, soggy drywall and filthy insulation I have to ask that question.

There are a lot of answers that fall in to several categories-

Selfishly I enjoy being in the midst of disaster (I know that sounds bad and it probably isn't PC to say). Honestly, it is an adrenaline rush to be there. To some degree there is this badge of honor that comes with heading in to danger and going where others don't want to be. I also always come back from these trips changed. Seeing God work and the faithfulness of His people in the midst of their own tragedy is a personal journey that leaves me with a new sense of His provision and care over my own life.

Philanthropically there is a sense of nobility and human responsibility in being there helping those in need.

Theologically there is a call that we see in the Word of God to put others needs before our own. We obey Him when we serve in the lowliest of ways. We represent Him and plant the seeds of His love and Message when we act in love.

You may decide to go for any or all of those reasons but there is another that we usually gloss over...Community.
When we serve together God opens doors and brings a new deeper sense of community to the team that serves. This weekend I was able to spend time with some really amazing people that God has brought here to Adventure. In the midst of the filth and hard work we had time to share our stories and create memories that will create community in a way that nothing else can.

If you are trying to figure out how to connect...if you are wondering how you can move from the fringe of Adventure then I want you to know that these trips are a perfect opportunity.
If you are feeling down and struggling with the weight of your own problems then this will help you gain perspective as you see God's provision in the midst of tragedy.
If you wonder whether God is near, if He really cares, if He is really active then come see and be His hands.

For whatever reasons you decide to go, just realize ahead of time that you will come back changed.

We head back next weekend. We are going to leave on Saturday @ 8am and probably again on Sunday @ 1:30pm. Check out Tony's blog for more details and feel free to contact us with any questions.

Disaster Relief to Cedar Rapids

Tony and I went to survey the damage in downtown Cedar Rapids today in preparation for organizing relief teams. All that I can say in response to what I saw is wow. "Disaster area" doesn't even begin to describe the state that these peoples lives and homes are in.

As Tony and I spoke with some of the residents one woman's statement really stuck with me. She said that the disaster relief organizations were refusing to come in at this point due to liability issues and that the only help in the city was coming from "church groups." I truly hope that statements and thoughts like her's are the witness left to the residents of Iowa when the clean up is finished. It's not about "witnessing" and it isn't about getting anyone in church. It is simply about responding to their hurts and needs with the love of Christ. God will open up the hearts and opportunities for the rest to happen.

Our first team goes in on Saturday morning. If you're interested in helping check out Tony's blog for more details. The link is under "blogs I recommend" to your right.

A few thoughts about our summer Orienteering Classes at Adventure

I was talking to a few people earlier this week and we were talking about what our next steps might be as we continue to grow as Christ-followers. the common denominator that we all shared was that none of us were completely certain.
I think that the question "What next??" is a pretty common one throughout our transformation. It is one that I have heard from middle schoolers as well as 30, 50 and 80 yr. old disciples.
I have come to believe two things about that question in regards to our spiritual growth.
1.) Rarely do I know the answer to that question before God whacks me in the face with it.
2.) Rarely do I find it without intentionally seeking it out.

So what does that have to do with classes at Adventure?? Well I'm glad that you asked that question.
I don't necessarily believe that our Orienteering classes are going to magically transform you into the perfect Christian. (Believe me I wouldn't be teaching any of them if that were the case.) I also don't necessarily think that every minute that you attend one will be a golden moment of your life were God will reveal an unknown truth to your expanding consciousness.
I do believe that when we intentionally and sincerely seek out God's will and Word He will continue in transforming us by taking us through our next step. I hope that you will take the opportunity to use one of these (or more if so inlined) classes as a step towards intentionally seeking God's next step for you.
With that said I wanted to post up a rundown of our Orienteering classes for the summer term.

Newbie 101
This is a three session class for those of us in the beginning steps of our Christ-following. Tony will be the trail guide for this one. I think that it will prove to be a great starting point that will help to fill in a lot of the blanks that we wonder about in the beginning.
It will be held in the C345 room on June 18, 25 & July 2nd @ 7PM.

Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment
Chasing Daylight should be a really interesting class centered on taking the every day moments of life and allowing God to use each one of them in His extraordinary plan for your life. Based on Israels's war with the Philistines you will look at several key characters and come to understand the characteristics of an Adventurers heart.
This is a series based on the book Chasing Daylight by Erwin Raphael McManus who planted Mosaic a church in L.A.
Tony will be the trail guide for this class. It will meet in the C345 Room on Thursdays from June 19-August 14 @ 7PM. The cost for this class is $15 (which must be paid by June 14) and includes a study booklet and helps cover the cost of the class.

The Man God Uses
This is a man centered (for this run guys only) study that is honestly one of my favorites. It is written by Henry Blackaby the same guy who wrote Experiencing God. (You might have caught that class with Ron Wicks.) I really like this study because instead of trying to figure out what God is going to do or how to make Him use you (which a lot of other studies do) he simply looks at men in scripture that God used despite their faults and tries to figure out what traits were in their character that allowed God to use them in such powerful ways.
Travis is going to be the trail guide for this class and we are going to meet on Monday nights June 23-August 4 @ 7PM in the Outpost. The cost for this class is $20 (due by June 15) and includes the study book.

Making Godly Choices 101 (Discernment Class)
The idea for this class came out of a long held belief of mine and from several conversations that I have had with Adventurers here over the past year. I believe that God has called us as Christ-followers to something more than just observing and following a set of rules. God has given us the ability to take His Word and actually live it out in everyday life. To do this you have to understand Godly discernment and how to apply it to the issues and problems that face us every day. While I don't believe that I am the guru of discernment, I am really excited to explore the basics of living a life outside of the rules of religion with you. This class will give you the ground floor skills that you need to take God's Word and intelligently apply it to your life. It is only three sessions long, what do you have to lose???
Travis will be the trail guide for this class and it will meet from 7-8:30PM on July 15th, 22nd & 29th in the Outpost.

How to Study Your Bible 101
This is a phenomenal class that every Christ-follower at Adventure needs to run through. (It is so important that you have to go through this to become a trail guide.) Honestly, the Bible is like any other course of study. You have to learn how to learn it before you can learn it. (Say that three times fast :) ) Seriously, if you have ever read your Bible and put it down frustrated because you are having a hard time understanding it or just know that you are missing a lot of what you know is in there then this class is for YOU!
Kathy Stevens is the trail guide for this class and it is a one session seminar from 6:30-9PM on June 16th in the C345 room. If you miss this one we are going to run it again some time later in the summer so stay tuned!

Spiritual Gift Class
This is a great class that is essential for every Christ-follower to go through. (We believe that so much that this is a required class to become an Adventure partner. ) This class will help you come to understand the unique and amazing gifts that God has given to you as a Christ-follower and what your responsibilities are in using them.
This is team taught by Tony, Travis and Ron Wicks on June 22 @ 1PM in room C345.

Discovering Adventure
This is a brief intro class that will help you learn more about where Adventure came from and where we're going. This is also the first step toward partnership.
Tony is the trail guide for this class and it will be on June 29 @1PM in room C345.

Adventure Student Ministry Summer Update

The summer schedule is up on the website and we are gearing up quickly.

I have to say that I am really excited about Trekking our first foray into a discipleship centered session for our students. Honestly the growth of our students over the past year has simply floored me. We (sponsors and I) have really seen our students grow together in to a community and witnessed some great strides from some of them as they grapple with what it means to be a real Christ-follower. I am excited to see where this summer takes us.

Just in case you didn't see it elsewhere the full letter and schedule is linked as a pdf here- (Student Ministry Summer Letter & Schedule) and you are welcome to get a paper copy from me this weekend. See you soon!