March 2012
20 posts
3 tags
4 tags
God vs gods
This thought comes from Jeremiah chapter 10 which we will be studying today for Bible study at MCC. I really enjoy reading God’s opinion of the gods the people are worshipping. and the comparison between Him and the idols of the people. First, the idols. They;re made from wood, carved by human hands, must be carried around, for they cannot walk, they cannot hear, and most importantly, they...
6 tags
Spring Break and Baby
I know it’s been much longer since I have last posted and I feel really badly about that. I have had two “half” weeks of Spring break the last two weeks. Two weeks ago, MCC had spring break which freed up Wednesday and Friday, and then last week as ASU’s spring break which freed up Tuesday and Thursday. However, between fixing the car, several appointments for Sarah and a...
3 tags
“If Mark and the organizations he leads do not change, I fear many more will be...”
– “My Story,” by Jonna Petry
4 tags
What is your missional manifesto? →
Hey check this out. It’s a missional manifesto. Reading it gives me all sorts of ideas and excitement about what God could do through His body. :) What’s is your manifesto?
6 tags
Chronologies of Scripture
When I was younger and I came to a list of names while I was reading the Bible, I would usually just skip it. I never saw much application to my own life and thought reading them was just a waste of time. As I matured slightly, I learned that all scripture is useful for one purpose or another. Therefore I realized that to be true to God and His word, I would have to read every word in the Bible,...
3 tags
Humility
Last week on Thursday, I wrote how I feel that Character is the single most important part of a worship leader. I mentioned 7 characteristics and today I wanted to talk a little bit more about one of them: Humility.
Of the seven traits that I mentioned last week, (click here to review) I think Humility is maybe one of the most important. However, I could probably make that case for each of...
4 tags
Weeping for My People
The verse below is the first verse of what we will be studying at our next Wednesday Bible study at MCC when we meet again next week. Since this week is Spring Break at MCC, I decided I would do two posts on Jeremiah 9. One this week, and then one next week shortly before we meet for Bible Study. For this week’a post, I simply could not get past Jeremiah 9 verse 1. This verse just stopped me...
5 tags
"Repent, Because the Kingdom of God has come near"
I was reading in Matthew for my quiet time this week and I came across this simple quote from Jesus. This is in fact, the first recorded sermon we have of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. It’s simplicity is stunning and beautiful and it gets me thinking. I am curious if this sermon would work on a community college campus in 21st century America. Would this be the exact same sermon Jesus...
5 tags
A New Website
I have had an interesting day at work. The internet at the Challenge Building crashed and so I got to spend part of the afternoon on the phone with technical support installing setting up our new modem, and setting up the new wireless router. All is good and working now. I always kind of enjoy working on technical stiff like this. I like the wires, and the configurations and all that jazz.
...
5 tags
1 tag
“They want desperately to forget and rebuild anew; thankful for their lives. They...”
– Teddy Ruge - About Invisible Children’s Kony 2012 campaign.
3 tags
Character
I am convinced that the single most important ingredient in a great worship leader is not their vocal ability, or their musical ability, but it is their character. In our society and culture we focus so much on the externals that we often times think the people in our churches need to resemble great public figures. Either, speakers, or rock musicians, or whatever. However, from my reading of...
6 tags
A Balm in Gilead
Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?
So why has the healing of my dear people not come about?
- Jeremiah 8:22
As we continue reading Jeremiah for our Wednesday Bible study at MCC, we keep discovering some really powerful truths about the way that God responds to us who sin. Here, at the end of chapter 8 after more truth-telling and light shining onto the darkness that is...
5 tags
Jeremiah 7 (thoughts from 2/29)
We read Jeremiah 7 last week. After reading through it, here are some things which stand out to us:
Verse 1 Jeremiah is going to be giving this declaration from the front of the temple. Imagine someone coming into your church and giving you a declaration from the LORD about how sinful and evil you are. Then you can put yourself in the shoes of Jeremiah’s audience.
Verse 4 God is not...
6 tags
Missed Opportunity
How many chances to share the gospel have been missed? I know I certainly seem to keep missing chance after chance. The latest instance was a few days ago. I was driving some people home from a worship night when I got into a conversation with one of my passengers. I was just asking how everyone thought it went when one person said worship wasn’t really her “thing.” This...
5 tags
4 tags
How do you decide where to go to church?
I had this conversation with a student this week. Things have been generalized for the sake of anonymity, but this really happened, and it was really neat to get an opportunity to offer some discipleship advice to a student.
Student: How do I know where I should go to church? I've been going to this one church my whole life, but they don't really have a college group, so I've been thinking about going to this other church where all my college friends go, but I just don't know. I keep feeling really un-peaceful at my home church, but I don't feel like God is speaking really clearly, and I just don't know where to go or what to do. What do you think?
Me: I am probably the wrong person to ask because I have not always made what I consider to be the right decision when I got to that point.
Student: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I really believe that when God is really speaking you will know it. There will be no doubt or lack of clarity. So if you are thinking that you should change churches, but are experiencing a lack of clarity, then you should just stay where you are until God gives you clarity. The problem is that sometimes we can cloud what God is saying because we become discontent with where we are or what we are doing, but the key is to trust God and continue doing what He has called us to and stay where He has put us until we are sure He is releasing us.
Me: The problem is that this is really hard to do. And that is why I am not the best person to ask. When I came to a place where I felt like I should leave my church, I did. I didn't wait for God to provide clarity, and I didn't stay where He put me. And essentially what happened is that I went 2 years without any clarity and ended up right back where I started. :) So it's easy for me to say this, but I know it's hard to do.
Student: I guess that makes sense. Yeah, I can see that.
Me: So, if I were you right now with what I know to be true, I would stay at the church I am at currently and see if I can't start a young adult ministry, or see if I can't be the catalyst that would create the change that I wanted to see.
Student: Ok, thanks !
5 tags
Proof that God exists →
I stumbled upon this website this week while perusing my social media feeds. I found it very interesting and I would hope that it might be a useful tool as a piece of evidence for someone that there is indeed a God. I realized that for more, there is so much evidence that serves as a basis for my faith in God that it would be impossible for me to ever stop believing it. I was not always so sure,...
4 tags
February 2012
23 posts
8 tags
To live without regrets.
3 “This is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Correct your ways and your deeds, and I will allow you to live in this place. 4 Do not trust deceitful words, chanting: This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord. 5 Instead, if you really change your ways and your actions, if you act justly toward one another, 6 if you no longer oppress the...
7 tags
Jeremiah 6 (thoughts from 2/22)
Last Week’s Bible Study Thoughts
Last week at our Wednesday Bible study at Mesa Community College, we read Jeremiah 6 (biblia.com). Here are a few thoughts from our reading and some of the things we discussed about this passage:
Our study was kinda short this week. We only had two participants and the passage was a little short, and difficult, but I still believe that God spoke to us. So, first,...
4 tags
2 Conversations
A few weeks ago at MCC I had the opportunity to meet with several students and have a lot of good conversations about God and the truth of the Bible. Out of all these conversations, there were 2 that really stood out to me and both called themselves agnostic, (which basically means that they aren’t opposed to believing in God, they just need proof before they believe it.)
The first student...
5 tags
I have a Big Dream.
I like to post my dreams and grandiose thoughts on Mondays. Maybe it’s because, like I posted two weeks ago, Mondays are just good days for thinking about life and big things, or, maybe it’s because after weekends with the family and some downtime I come back ready and hungry for ministry. Whatever the reason, I like dreaming. One of the biggest dreams that I have ever had has to do...
3 tags
Watch Live, Tempe Christian! →
Are you going to church today? If not, why not check out our live stream starting at 9:30am.
2 tags
What is your favorite...
What is your favorite thing about the gathering of people you worship God with on Sunday?
3 tags
7 Reasons to Support a Missionary (Me)
I have a financial need. My wife is currently pregnant with our first child and has been working full-time for most of our marriage providing for our needs. We would both like for her to be able to quit working to stay home and take care of baby, but before that happens, we need to be able to cover our expenses completely through your giving.
Your gift is tax-deductible. When you send your...
4 tags
God, You tested us.
10 For You, God, tested us; You refined us as silver is refined.
11 You lured us into a trap; You placed burdens on our backs.
12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us out to abundance.
- Psalm 66:10–12 (HCSB)
This verse really just jumped out at me as I was reading it this week. It makes me think about how sometimes in life (like right now for...
davidmhur asked: Awesome blog. God Bless.
4 tags
The Cajón
One of the things that I have been introduced to recently is a Cajón. Cajón is spanish for box, and that is all that this is. Like I said on Saturday, I went down to visit my dad last Friday and he is helping me build one. I realized that I didn’t take any pictures of it, and that I should have, but I will soon. I had no idea these really awesome instruments existed until a friend of mine,...
9 tags
The ancient path to what is good
16 This is what the Lord says:
Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths: Which is the way to what is good? Then take it and find rest for yourselves.
But they protested, “We won’t!”
17 I appointed watchmen over you and said: Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.
But they protested, “We won’t listen!”
18 Therefore listen, you nations and you witnesses, learn what the...
7 tags
Jeremiah 5 (thoughts from 2/15)
Last Week’s Bible Study Thoughts
Last week at our Wednesday Bible study at Mesa Community College, we read Jeremiah 5 (biblia.com). Here are a few thoughts from our reading and some of the things we discussed about this passage: First, I like to look at see what words or phrases or verses really jump off the page at me:
Verse 3 The wording here makes me emotionally feel sorry for these...
4 tags
A Powerful Witness
A few weeks ago at MCC, our table was one of only two tables on campus near the clock tower. The other table belonged to one of the most active groups on campus: the LGBTQ Alliance. The club represents the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Queer students and plans activities to promote awareness and advocates for these lifestyles. Having our little Christian Challenge table with our...
4 tags
A New Social Media Campaign
I am not sure if you have noticed or not, but recently I have made a sincere attempt to begin posting more stuff here at tumblr. I kinda dislike the idea of using a blog post to talk about posting to a blog, but I am pretty excited about this and want to share with you what I am calling my Social Media Campaign. Why am I campaigning? Well, actually that is what excites me.
God has been doing some...
3 tags
Why don't you go to church?
Seriously. I want to know why. What is it about church that makes you not go. For those of you who do go, maybe you can chime in?
It seems to me like there has been a lot of conversation lately about what is wrong with church and why we don’t go and how the system is broken, and people are Christian enough, etc., etc. However, I really am trying to get to the heart, the core of the issue....
4 tags
A little time in Tucson
If you were following me yesterday on twitter (@jeffmashaw) you might have seen these posts:
Tucson can make me feel very schizophrenic sometimes. ;)
Here are the linked photos:
This is just so pretty to me, and one of the things I miss the most about Tucson is Mt. Lemon covered in clouds and snow.
And then there’s this:
I hate Tucson traffic and its lack of a reasonable freeway...
3 tags
Keeping the Faith
The end of 2 Chronicles makes me really, really sad. We have this wonderful story of King Josiah who began he reign at age 8. He essentially has a heart and desire to return to the ways of the Lord so he cleans up the temple. While cleaning, they discover the book of the law and read it out loud to all the people. Can you imagine that? Having the entire first 5 books of the bible read out loud to...
4 tags
6 tags
2 tags
To boldly Go...
On Wednesdays I spend several hours hanging out at a table in the middle of Mesa Community College (MCC). I do this for several reasons:
1. I might just be a little bit crazy
2. Even though I live in Arizona, I don’t think I’ve spent enough time in the sun
3. I really enjoy having conversations with random students
4. I enjoy talking about spiritual things
5. I am trying to...
4 tags
Monday Morning
Monday morning is a really good time to sit back and think about what the rest of the week might hold. This week I am thinking about how awesome it is that I get the opportunity to do ministry on a college campus. I believe God wants to impact this generation of young people and I enjoy being a part of it. My only hope is that I am faithful to the call and I am obedient to the task at hand.
4 tags
Engaging the Gathering
Today is Sunday. What are you doing today? If you are like most college students, then probably recovering from your hang-over, doing laundry and finally sitting down to homework. However, if you call yourself a follower of Jesus, I would strongly encourage you to consider going to church today. If you don’t have a church you go to, then I would strongly implore you to connect yourself to...
4 tags
Anonymous asked: What are your thoughts on homosexuality?
January 2012
2 posts
2 tags
7 tags
Back to School
I spent most of yesterday on campus at Mesa Community College. I tabled for about 3 and half hours, and then I led our Bible study. It was nice being back on campus after having a month or so off. I really enjoyed the conversations we had with the students, and it was great to hear their questions about scripture as we began our journey into Jeremiah.
October 2011
4 posts
2 tags
4 tags
What do I do?
I feel like sharing a little bit about what it is that I do with my life, as many of you may not know. I am a missionary. Everyone who answers the call to follow Jesus Christ is to be a missionary to the people who are around them. Well I am a missionary on the college campus. I get the opportunity to serve God by hanging out with college students and sharing Jesus Christ with them. I feel as...
“LOST: having gone astray or missed the way; bewildered as to place, direction,...”
– http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lost
4 tags
Mission Service Corps Comissioning
We just returned from a Missionary Commissioning in Atlanta, GA. It was a really neat time to be able to meet college ministres from all over the United States and Canada. The event was put on by the North American Mission Board. This is the organization which sponsors me. It was really awesome to be able to see all that God is doing across the country.
All of these college ministers in the...
August 2011
1 post
4 tags
“Everyone is somewhere on the journey to having a hard time with us.”
– Really smart ministry Mentor