Life at Maryland

A friend sent the following last night and, being greatly encouraged by it, I wanted to share.

Isaiah 62:12 “Thou shalt be called. Sought out”

“The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not only sought, but sought out. Men seek for a thing which is lost upon the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out…for we as lost sheep were so desperately lost, and had wandered into such a strange country, that it did not seem possible that even the Good Shepherd should track our devious roamings. Glory be to unconquerable grace, we were sought out! No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us, we were found and brought home. Glory be to infinite Love, God the Holy Spirit restored us!” (Spurgeon).

Can you grasp it? I find it difficult. Glory be to infinite Love, God the Holy Spirit restored us! What a stunning thought. In considering the warm fire I am sitting next to, the computer I am typing on, the car that I drove over here, the job I’ve been blessed with, the friends God has given, that is enough for me to stand in utter awe before the Lord. But what of this striking grace that cancels infinite debt owed for my sins, cleanses from ALL unrighteousness, and sustains me all along my journey home!?

To be one such a one… sought out…

It can only be due to far surpassing grace.

Here’s a photo–because I enjoy photos–taken just a few moments ago. This is where I’ll be spending most of the day meeting with students (one of my absolute favoritest things to do). I may also pick up some chic-fil-a for lunch and potentially purchase an umbrella if they sell them in the bookstore. So many good things under one roof (please forgive the randomness).

On a less random note, there are a few prayer requests I’d like to share (Eph. 6:18):

*Bible Studies:
Monday nights (Kevin & Joel’s group with guys in the Easton dorm)
Wednesday nights (James & Josiah’s group with engineering students)
Wednesday nights (Dan’s & my group with international students)
Wednesday nights (John David’s group with a few of his friends)

*Spring Break:
Safety & rest for students as they travel and take time off.

*The Awakening II:
Several Christian student organizations, including OneU, are planning for another evening of prayer & worship for Maryland students, to take place the first week in April. Please pray for the details to come together, for God to prepare our hearts for this occasion, and that He might be glorified in our planning and our time together on April 5th.

Thanks for praying, friends! God is moving on this campus!

sunny with a high of twenty five. perfect weather for handing out piping hot cups of coffee! we spent the morning giving away coffee to all the poor students who signed up for 8am Monday classes this semester. I think they were quite grateful. “Thank you’s” and “Would you please stand outside my building every morning’s” were expressed through many a chattering teeth. Thanks to all the students who woke up early to make this happen and a special shout out to Lauren who planned everything, serving us so well!

Jesus said to them…

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of earth’s sorrows, into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair, into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

I’ve been so affected this week by these sweet words, written over a century ago. No matter what life entails, Jesus bids us come. I know no better place to run. no better place to rest. no better place be.

Words: William T. Sleep­er, in Gos­pel Hymns No. 5, 1887.

Music: Shelly Moore Band, Hope & Decay, 2007.

Here are some of the happy faces back on campus. So glad cp is no longer a ghost town!

And last but not least…..

(so many others too. so happy to see your faces.)

making a break for BK after the Christmas Eve service!

lauren hosted a bunch of folks for a cookie-making, game-playing, movie-watching evening right before christmas break! sadly, all of my masterpieces fell apart.

double trouble: these two were having a little too much fun.

me & pops. i loved being home for christmas.

second taiwanese food party. this time we taught them mafia. uh oh.

hit the slopes in PA with the family and sarah for a few days… returned from the weekend injury free!

spent much time here, learning to tend a fire (quite possibly enjoying this new skill a little too much), writing letters, making phone calls, and praying for the Lord’s financial provision in the coming year.

chipotle: a first time experience for winnie & gerald!

wall-e: a first time experience for me!

spent some quality time time with oneu staff/students.

and on one final note,  I’ve enjoyed quite a few games of uno with this little lady over break. we won’t say who’s more likely to win. however, i might just state that facial expressions speak volumes.

We braved our way through the ice on Sunday morning to make it up to church from college park! These are my dear, wonderful friends from the University of Maryland. They come from all over–Turkey, Taiwan, China–and for each of them, this was one of the first times they’ve ever been to church. Let’s just say, it was not exactly what they expected. But what a wonderful time we had! Mr. Kauflin heard they had enjoyed the music from the week before and introduced them to the Psalms & Hope Has Come CDs. When we got in the car to head up for the Christmas production last night, they all wanted to hear the “Emmanuel” song. I didn’t have a copy of it in the car, so they proceeded to sing it from memory! Just love them!

This is the third Tuesday morning in a row where one of our households has hosted a pancake breakfast.

It all started when David offered to cook breakfast for all the guys at the Marlbrough House and somehow… our housefull… well we managed to get ourselves invited as well.

It was early…

Stacey didn’t get the memo that everyone was supposed to wear red

hungry bunch… man, everyone looks sleep deprived.

we like these tuesday morning traditions.

who’s making breakfast next week?

we packed out the maresco/furnish/benson residence on thursday night.. everyone who’s participated in the discussion groups throughout the semester. we attempted a bonfire/s’mores but it rained. so the campfire was replaced with a giant game of uno followed by piping hot chocolate and a great time sharing about highlights from the semester.

what a semester. certainly better than we could have anticipated.

just love being with these folks.