The Bible is Illegal in 52 Countries. Did you know that?

Tonight, God really laid something on my heart- It is a privilege to be able to have a relationship with him and be able to tell people about it. We had "class" devos tonight and only a few people showed up. Thats not why I am writing this post though. However it definitely made me think about this some more.

We have this amazing privilege to be able to worship God in so many different ways and settings here on Concordia's campus, and yet many people don't take advantage of them. How many times do you just think "I don't want to go, so I am not going to." I am guilty of this every day. I chose to eat lunch with my friend instead of going to chapel. I have this opportunity, but I don't take it. Why? I don't know.

 Why do we sit in our dorm rooms and watch tv instead of walking 10 feet out to devos? Why do people need to be begged to come to spiritual things, but yet they come running to other events when they hear "Free tshirt!"

I am tired of this ritual. I am tired of sitting here and being okay with the fact that I don't go to things simply because I don't want to. I am tired of seeing reading the Bible as just another thing we need.  Do you know how many people across the world would love to be able to go to church on Sunday without the threat of being killed? And yet I just don't go to church on Sunday's because I haven't found one that "fits" me yet.

What is it going to take to make Jesus our top priority again? I know life and hwk happens, but our Jesus time needs to be 100% our top priority. What is it going to take to get your attention?!

24/7 Worship

This was one of our songs from Tool Time this past weekend, probably one of my favorites. As I was "recovering" from the weekend last night I started thinking about everything that happened in the almost 72 hours the kids were on our campus. 

I was going to grab some dinner when I thought "Wow. It is really weird not going to the black box every couple hours to do a session and praise and worship. I really miss it."And then a thought hit me- we need to be worshipping God 24/7. Not just when we have worship sessions on campus. 

Now, am I saying that it is realistic to spend every moment of free time that we have in the chapel or in the black box or somewhere else singing praises to God? No. I am not saying that. But what I am saying is that we need to be praising God in every moment of our lives. In our words, actions, thoughts, prayers, classes, homework, everything. Can I honestly say that I do that? No. I wish I could say yes, but it is something that I am going to work on. 

There are many different forms of worship and bringing glory to God. For a little while, I felt that the small group leaders were doing more for God than me this weekend because I was making a video while they were sharing Christ's love with students. But what did I realize? My video making is a form of worship. My video showed God's love to people. It is a form of worship to the Lord. It may not be in a traditional form, but it is still pleasing to God. 

Tool Time knocked me off my feet, just like it has the two times it has done before this. It still blows me away how much of an impact this weekend is on everyone who is apart of it, Concordia students included. I laughed and cried hysterically and got on a deeper level with God than I ever have before. I am excited to again make some changes in my life. 

There are two things I want you to take away from my random thoughts. First, be worshipping God 24/7 in everything you do. Do it all for the glory of God. Concordia's motto is "Christ First in Everything" but do we really live that way? That is my challenge to you. Live your life as Christ First in Everything. Second, I want you to take away how unbelievably amazing and God oriented Tool Time is. I want your church to be at our Middle School Tool Time in March. Talk to me, and we will get the kids there. Pray about it, and know that I am praying about it too. 

God bless all of you, and I pray that you have a God filled, and God oriented Monday.