Mmm.. Ribs!

We kicked off our guys frosh small group this past week.  We had home-cooked ribs, corn and bread!  And then we spent some getting to know each other a little better and we got to hear about our various spiritual backgrounds.  When asked what I want to get out of this small group - as the leader - I wanted to see each person grow and know God more and for us to get real close this semester!

The guys are meeting again this week:

THU

time: 6:30pm

location: 225 Dwinelle

Sophs are off to a great start!

Who knew that bread with a name as ugly as Pugliese could taste so good? And that Asians are lactose intolerant because there are no cows in the motherland??

They say that Sophomore year is really "suffer-more" year.. Well. At least we're off to a promising start! This Saturday, the sophomore small group had a time of food and fellowship which began with a home-cooked dinner in Alameda, followed by some Chinese dessert at Creations in SF. Of course, all this would not have been possible without Ella's yummy pasta recipe, Yumi and Jin generously lending us their 8-seater van, and Ellen for helping with cooking! Not to mention the rockstar parking just as we pulled up to Creations.

The adventure was not over for the few who slept over! We romped around the Central Apts complex and were fortunate enough to find Joanna at home so we could pop in for a "visit". Another highlight was witnessing a curious "moonset" at Shoreline Park as the dusty yellow crescent moon dipped itself into the twinkling city skyline and disappeared in a matter of minutes. Astro 10 anyone?

There are definitely many new experiences to come in Sophomore year – apartment life, harder classes .. and in the midst of it all, the challenge of living out God's calling, as disciples of Christ. But as James 1:2-4 says: 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Let's continue looking to God's word for encouragement and wisdom, as well as draw strength from our brothers and sisters in Christ here at Gracepoint!

Back on Campus!

Last Friday Pastor Ed from Gracepoint Fellowship Church stepped back on campus to teach Koinonia Bible Studies.  I felt transported back in time and was just like one of the students sitting and listening to the messages.  When I first came to our fellowship I was struck just by how much Pastor Ed could show how the Bible was so relevant to my life and the same is true today as it was then.  As he shared about our culture's need to rush through life (like incessantly pressing the elevator button even though it won't come any faster) and go at a dizzying pace without ever stopping to think and reflect I found myself once again hit by the truth of the Bible and how we are so uneasy with ourselves.  He said that we're so aware of our limited time here but that it ought to cause us to prioritize our lives - to know the essential questions of life like who am i, what is life and what is the purpose for my existence?  These questions never get old and are always relevant. Man, I love hearing the Word of God preached! 

Afterward, Kevan/Jenny and Ellen and I went out with the juniors in Koinonia. We got a chance to slow down and see the beauty of the Golden Gate.