Thoughts on the Last Day of August

'Allo everyone,

I hope this message finds you well on this cool Monday, the last day of August. Can you believe the weather? Is it me or does it seem cooler sooner? I never can remember. I know it gets to be really nice in September (my fav month). Anyway, let me know what you think.

I just wanted to send you a message today to share a thought with you guys. It's the beginning of the third week of school, and things should be beginning to get into a routine, or maybe you are just getting into the swing of things.

And I'm not really sure how things are going with each of you, but I know some are doing really good, and some are struggling. There are many things going on, good and bad, in the lives of we students right now. I know this is true because I've talked to some going through that. It's not just others, it's me as well. As great as the past few weeks have been, it has not come without struggles and heartache.

The same is true for our college ministry. We have started the year off strong, and God has done some crazy awesome things. It's about this time when God is moving that life tends to creep in and overtake us unexpectedly. You know what I'm talking about. Things are going great, and you just feel on the top of the world. Then, suddenly, like the Mat Kearney song goes, "She got the call today, one out of the grey, and when the smoke cleared, it took her breath away," and suddenly a reality of life brings us to our knees.

It may not be as sudden as that. Maybe what is troubling you has been going on for awhile. Either way, when God is moving, that moves our enemy to do what he can to stop us. A verse in 1 Peter comes to mind,

1 Peter 5:7-9
7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Satan has it out for us as believers. He and his demons are always out to bring us down. We have to remember this and always be on guard. Things will fall apart if we are not looking out for the destroyer.

All this being said, I have a couple of thoughts. First, be alert. Find the joy in the greatness of what God is doing, but be watchful for the roaring lion seeking to devour us and our joy. Second, take time, and I mean right now as your reading this, pray for your brothers and sisters around you going through these difficult times. Verse 9 gives us hope that we are not alone in what we are going through. If there is something going on between you and a fellow brother or sister, work it out. It's not worth it to keep a wall up inside the Kingdom.

Hang in there. Be strong. Whatever we are going through, we can overcome through the strength of Jesus Christ. Why? Because He overcame it! Satan does seek to destroy us, but he can never truly win.

Love you all,

Doug
- John 15:13

U2 Vid of the Week - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

So this week's U2 video is actually two of one song, but one not long ago, and one from the 1980s. Their song "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is a great tune that gets a bad rap sometimes. Many who object to the bands beliefs like to point at this song and say they have not found their hope in Christ. However, the song clearly does not point to that. It's about how this life has many hopes and many things to bring us joy, but we will never quite find that peace until that day we are truly in the presence of God.

Anyway, here is a live version in Milan on the 2005 tour, and the other video is from U2's Rattle and Hum and features a gospel choir from Harlem, which happens to be my favourite way to hear the song. Enjoy.