Needful.

So, hey, been a while, huh? Who knew that the summer would be so busy? The state of my life right now has a Jars of Clay song on my heart... let me share the lyrics with you.

"Needful Hands"
by Jars of Clay

For those under the clouds
Starring up in awesome wonder
As tears come slowly down
I'm reaching up a needful hand

[Chorus:]

You are my eyes when I cannot see
You are my voice, see, sing through me
You are my strength in weakness be

(Holy)

To find that I could fall
And still your grace surrounds, pursuing
To freely stumble down
I feel your hands around my heart

[Chorus]

You are my strength, my voice, my eyes
I lift up needful hands
You are my strength, my voice, my eyes
I lift up needful hands

Could be that you are in a similar position. Let's lift needful hands together.

Look.

Hey guys,
I know you might have already received the official Student Ministry plug about next week's goings on, but I wanted you to hear it from me.

Next week, every morning from 9:00 until 11:30 we will be teaching an intensive course on the New Testament. Matt and I have been planning and we've created a pretty interesting syllabus so next week will include everything from theories of authorship about the books to apocalyptic prophecy... from the politics of the early Christian church to the theology of the Trinity. Also, next Tuesday afternoon, for those interested, we'll have a chance to go see the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Museum of Natural History. This is something to get excited about.

For most of you, what will be taught next week will be an entirely new world. It's a big world, this world where academics and religion meet. You might hear a few things that stretch your mind or make you ask some questions. That's what we want. I want you to be mature, well-informed Christians. I want you to know who this Jesus is that you claim to believe in. I want you to come look.

"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance."

Proverbs 1:5