Beach building

Last Saturday a couple dozen of us visited Atlantic Beach.  The water temperature was mild, allowing us to wade in the ocean’s edge.  Several even immersed themselves in the calm sea completely after a wild contest with the soccer ball.  A couple of us discovered the delights of sand castle construction.  For some it was their first visit to the NC coast and a glimpse of beach society and the tourist industry, including various shops, eateries and available housing.

Construction of homes, stores and hotels at the beach is, of course, an engineer’s nightmare.  There is little or no solid ground available upon which to establish a building’s foundation.  Instead, piles have to be driven deep into the sand to provide some firm basis for the structure.  Owning a home at the beach requires larger than normal insurance coverage too.  Though the chance of hurricane winds hitting a beach location may seem small, the possibility of significant damage or even destruction is strong – if hurricane force winds occur.  How would you like to own a vacation home overlooking the wonders of the ocean?  Would you take the risk of losing everything by building a house on sand?

Ok, so maybe you are content to simply visit the beach occasionally.  Let someone else take that risk.  My children used to sing,

Don’t build your house on the sandy land
Don’t build it too near the shore
Oh, it might be kind of nice
But you’ll have to do it twice
And you’ll have to build your house once more
You better build your house upon the rock
And put a sure foundation on the solid spot

Well, each of us must decide on what foundation to be building our lives.  Some trust on the basis of diplomas, good health, position, accomplishment or reputation; some may rely on personal connections.  Still others build their lives on the belief that wealth shall be able to withstand any storm.  A few are willing to take the risk that no hurricane-level of stress or loss shall ever touch them.

What foundation, what rock of safety, is worthy of building our lives on?  Some look to inner strength, some to good fortune, and some to a higher force they call destiny.  Where is your deepest trust?  On what or whom is the structure of your life depending?

May we recommend a worthy foundation?  Our hope is in the living God and in his emissary Jesus – for good reasons too.

Q&A about Easter

Q.           What is Easter?

A1.         Easier?  Easier than what?

Q.           I said Easter.  What is Easter?

A.2         Easter is… more east than, well, than here!

A.3         Easter is the beginning of spring.

Q.2  Why is the beginning of spring called “easter”?

A.4         Easter occurs on a Sunday, once each year usually in the spring.

A.5         Easter is when people search for colored eggs.

Q.3  Why is the search for eggs called “easter”?  Why are the eggs colored?  Why eggs?

A.6         Easter is the day when the Easter bunny/rabbit visits children, and he brings them chocolate candy and colored eggs.

Q.4  A bunny/rabbit brings eggs!  Where does a bunny get eggs?  How does he color them?  Why             does he bring eggs on Easter Sunday?  Why not Saturday?  Why only once each year?

A.7         Easter refers to the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ.  The origins of the word, easter, cannot be summarized quickly.  But Easter is the principal holiday-celebration among Christian believers throughout the world.  They celebrate God’s victory over evil and death by the literal return to life of one Jesus, circa 30 A.D., who had died.

Q.5  Really!  That is incredible, if true.  And that just raises more questions for me.  To whom can I address my questions?

A.  Ask anyone who self identifies as a follower of Jesus.  Don’t know anyone?  Write to one of us.

Is God Irrelevant?

If you missed the presentation on February 21 by Dr. John Lennox of Oxford, U.K, here it is!

My experience with Alpha

I am from Hong Kong, and am currently a graduate student.   D. asked me to speak about my experience with the Alpha course which I took part in almost two years ago, and I am glad to do so.

I was introduced to the Alpha course by S., who knew that I had little background in Christianity, and that I might be interested in learning more about it. I was happy to accept S‘s invitation, but I remember that I went through a little bit of a mental struggle. To be honest, I didn’t have too positive of an experience with Christians whom I interacted with in Hong Kong. I have met Christian friends whom I found very aggressive. I have heard Christians from different churches pointing fingers at each other. I have also seen clashes between my Christian cousins and their non-Christian parents.

Anyways, I went to the first Alpha meeting. The group leader was G.  I was surprised to find that the atmosphere was extremely friendly. It did take me a while to adjust myself to eat with and talk to so many Christians in one setting. Later I felt comfortable enough to stay in the group even when I found out that I was the only non-Christian left. Every week we had dinner, and we watched a talk on DVD given by Nicky Gumbel, a vicar of the Church of England. Each talk carried a theme, such as “Who is Jesus?”, “Why and how do I pray?” and “How can I resist evil?” We were free to raise questions or queries after the DVD session, and members of the group would give answers. We also sang hymns, with J. playing the guitar in the group.

Here are the two things I like about the Alpha course. First, it is a very systematic way to introduce Christianity to non-Christians. The talks on the DVD were interesting and inspiring. Moreover, participants were free to raise questions. Of course, I had a laundry list of questions to ask. Even Christian participants were welcome to discuss their thoughts and doubts. I believe that the Alpha course is… designed… to discuss religious faith in a pressure-free environment.

The second thing I am thankful for the Alpha course is that I made very good friends.  Throughout this entire year, I have been constantly questioning the meaning and the value of life. I am also baffled by the notion of fairness. All these are driven by the increasing frustration because of work and relationship problems over the past few years. I decided to shore up my efforts in exploring spirituality to look for answers. I am thankful for the Alpha [Course] which has shown me the door to know Jesus and have inspired me to go deeper.

I need to admit that my search for answers is still going on. However, I have come to believe that, politely asking questions on faith and listening to other people’s experience is hugely beneficial for my own spiritual development. While I agree that personal faith may be an inappropriate topic for public discussion most of the time, but if you happen to come across a setting, like the Alpha course, which provides a respectful and care-free atmosphere to discuss faith, why not take advantage of this opportunity by bringing your Christian or non-Christian friends to the course?

CRUNCH TIME

Many are “feeling the pinch” as crunch time in the academic term approaches.  There are papers to write, another mid-term to study for, group projects on which to collaborate and complete and final exams to keep in view.  Some “are sweating over” job applications or upcoming interview opportunities.  AND, before we forget, we have to book air tickets for travel home or a conference attendance or visit to a friend during the semester break.  So much to do – and keep up on Facebook postings! – with so little time!

How do we “handle” the stress of it all?  Which do most people choose?

• hit the gym
• watch a movie with a friend
• make a clever costume for the Halloween party
• pray hard
• do first things first, then worry
• walk from East to West to get the blood flowing
• take a nap
• do “crunches” (sit-ups)
• pray harder
• worry more

YAM JAM

 

After missing out on gleaning last fall because of poor weather conditions, we joined a whole bunch of groups in a YAM JAM. The Yam Jam is an event organized by the Society of St. Andrew, America’s Gleaning Network.  Hundreds of volunteers meet at a sweet potato field to collect the food that cannot be sold but is still edible.  We bag it into ten-pound bags, load it into cars, pick-up trucks and delivery trucks, and send it out to people in need in the Triangle and beyond!  Last month we helped collect over 50,000 pounds of sweet potatoes and sent it to over 30 emergency food relief agencies and non-profits around the Triangle.

All eighteen of us from Duke and NCCU agreed that it was fun and satisfying; many said, “Let’s do it again.”

The Society of St. Andrew * P.O. Box 25081* Durham, NC 27702

www.endhunger.org

Sign up here; join our email list; check out our Facebook page; stay up-to-date and twitter us!

During the early days of a new term there exist countless opportunities to discover about and join an organization, club, service group, or activity.  Scores of invitations and inducements are thrown out to attract new and returning students.  As the president urged, “The university is yours; own it.  Take advantage of the many opportunities for outside-the-classroom learning and service.”  So we sign up.

And in the coming weeks see how the inbox is flooded with announcements, reminders, more invitations.  How does one choose what to join and give energy to?  In the flurry of this activity can be heard – if you listen carefully -

Well-come!

One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself…

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.

Finals!

At this point in the academic year the attention of many is focused on discovering:

• If this is your first year in Durham, then you are discovering what Spring looks and feels like… and what our pollen-rich area can do for your sinuses – “A-choo!”
• With about one month remaining prior to final exams many are discovering what little time there is available to complete final projects and prepare final presentations!
• Some have been discovering the multi-faceted dimensions and challenges of “true success”.
• Many have discovered new and rich friendships.
• Fans of college basketball are eager to discover if their team will win the coveted national championship!
• A lot of us are discovering more of our own potential to contribute to making the world a Good place.
• Not so obvious perhaps, but critical to a dynamic life, there are among us those who are discovering in the living God a meaningful and true ability to center all life in God – through Jesus!

Of course, learning and discovering are desirable and admirable.  Connecting real life with those discoveries is vital.  After all, how many of us often wonder after a discovery, “So what?”

That is why an ISI network – students, staff, friends,partners, volunteers – exists: to walk the path of discovering what is true and satisfying and live those discoveries “full out”!

Explore; discover; and, connect – together!

Great Romance

It is that time of year – midterm exams, Greek Rush, the Duke-UNC rivalry – and a “young man’s fancy turns to… thoughts of love”[i].  Though the latter expression dates back to the 19^th century the meaning still holds.  And whatever one has concluded about the question, where did I come from? (through evolution or by Design), love certainly adds a wonderfully, mysterious dimension.

Don’t you agree?  Or has not Cupid’s arrow ever found your heart yet, even in the form of a teenage romance?

There are several meanings, of course, to the word romance, one of which pertains to the upcoming holiday, Valentine’s Day.  Oh, and have you heard the rhyme that American children used to repeat – often when teasing one another:

Billy and Sally up a tree,

                                                                          k-i-s-s-i-n-g.

                                                                          First comes love, then comes marriage.

                                                                          Here comes Sally with a baby carriage.

Even the young in their own way looked forward to romance and valued being truly loved.  And in cultures where marriage may precede romance (or where sexual intimacy precedes marriage) all couples desire (need?) love to mark the relationship.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love.

                It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of….

Now those lyrics come from a song that is now fifty years old.  Oh, there are so many love songs and poems, both past and present.  Which one is your favorite?  Which one will you incorporate into a Valentine’s greeting to your “sweetheart”? Some songs are silly, some are sad.  But the reality of our longing for love remains.  To be loved by another with no doubt, no compromise, no regrets, no exceptions or rivals, and no conditions – ah, no wonder we keep hoping for true love.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  (1 John 4, New Testament)

DISCOVER!

“True Success” – What is it?  How do I obtain it?  What investment do I need to make?  What guarantees are available?  And while we are asking these questions… is there such a thing as true truth?  Does not truth depend on one’s personal views, e.g. “that which is true for me” (and maybe not for you)?

Hmmm… Is there any way to discover?

And what do we mean by success?

• most toys
• most money
• newest whatever…
• popularity
• power over others
• good family
• security

Here is one opportunity to explore and possibly discover what may turn out to be True and the path to True Success (in academia, in the workplace, in family and in community): Spring Break Discovery Weekend, March 4-6.

Explore.  Discover together.

YAY!

(and we don’t mean for Duke BB this time)  Deanna Hope Yuan, daughter of Scott and Jie Ren, was born safely via C-section on December 15.  Scott reports that her young systems are working very well!

Growing in the Faith while serving

I’ve been volunteering for IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) for 5 years, almost as long as I’ve been at Blacknall.  I’d like to tell you today of how my faith has been changed by my commitment to this ministry.

IHN is a ministry for homeless families, using houses of worship for overnight shelter and the generosity of congregation members for meals and transportation.  When our turn comes up on the rotation – about once every 10 weeks, for a week at a time – we partner with St.Phillips Episcopal church downtown – they provide the overnight shelter – while we provide volunteers who staff the church while the families are there in the evening and overnight, as well as volunteers who provide transportation and meals.

I signed up as a evening and overnight volunteer for IHN after a focus on missions like this.   I signed up because the Bible seemed fairly clear on the point that God wanted his followers to help the poor, so I thought I should start doing something.  I didn’t really have a sense of how those instructions – feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the widows and orphans – were related to living my faith, so I had no urgency about it.  I made a regular commitment, but it was a thoughtless commitment, just checking off a box. But God has used that small bit of service in a totally unexpected way, to teach me about himself, to teach me how to give to the church, and to teach me how to engage the world as a follower of Christ.

Now that’s a tall order, growing out of a few night a year spent sleeping on a church parlor couch downtown. but let me connect the dots best I can.

I think my faith filled out – went from two to three dimensions, through serving the poor with my church.  It all centers for me on this word – promise.  It’s a loaded word for me, as it probably is for many of you, bringing to mind certitude, assurance, hope, expectation, excitement.

Well – God promised us that his Kingdom is to begin on earth.

I didn’t always understand that this was a promise God had made to us.  I didn’t always understand that it’s a promise in the same way that our salvation is a promise – a done deal, victory already won kind of promise.  I take the promise of my salvation seriously – I try to be live my life guided by that promise.  But do I  live as if I believed in the reality of the Kingdom of God, here, on earth – that’s wasn’t really even on the radar.  And it might still not be, if not for my service with IHN with friends at Blacknall.  It started as a thoughtless commitment.  But now, I see service as how I demonstrate my faith in God’s promise that his Kingdom begins here.

Those words – the kingdom of God – had always been inscrutable to me.  My favorite question – what does it look like?  But through faith in his promise I’ve come to think that the kingdom of God isn’t so much something to understand as something to live and embody.  Because he told us how.  It’s all over scripture, the same message.  Feed the hungry, shelter the homeless.  Protect the vulnerable, work for justice.  He told us how, in plain straightforward speech, over and over and over again. He told us what to do. And it is a joyful thing to obey God so directly and simply, out of faith in his promise.

Being able to serve the poor through my church, my home church, has been an incredible blessing for me.  When I had my first vague impulse to “do something”, I didn’t have to go to an outside organization.  I don’t take this for granted – it was a real gift for my maturing understanding of what it means to be a Christian in this world.

Beautiful!

Several of us were treated to the delight of being present for Audrey’s senior recital with violin.  It was a lovely hour basking in the beauty of compositions by Brahms and Bruch, realizing that Audrey had been preparing months for this occasion.  Thank you!

Tower Climbs

“239 Steps” continues to interest members of Duke’s international community – and others too!  We are glad to offer this small service to all who dare to venture up the Chapel tower’s spiral stairway.

Raspberry Ridge

It was fun last Saturday.  There were so many options and not enough time.  Well, we shared a few hours together, just enough to relax a bit and chat informally.  During our “study break” we learned about some of our names, discovered that resting in a hammock isn’t always so restful, identified who is the most competitive on the volleyball court and who seems to know how to shoot a basketball, or how to hold a ping pong paddle; and, we may have found a couple of us who wouldn’t mind ‘baby sitting’ on occasion!

WELCOME to the Kronstad Family!

Dan and Tanya with their three active boys Erik, Caleb and James, are settling into their new home in Durham.  And Dan is eagerly  discovering how to serve international students at Duke in Christ Jesus’ name as our ISI co-worker.  The Kronstads moved from the Chicago area where they worked the past four years as ISI field staff.  Hey, maybe it wasn’t so tough to give up the concrete, the commute and the congestion of metropolitan Chicago for the “quiet” of Durham-Chapel Hill.

They will be learning to shop at Kroger (not Jewel), use I-85 instead of I-294,  explore Duke Forest (not the DuPage County Forest Preserve), visit the Atlantic Ocean (not Lake Michigan), climb the steps of Duke Chapel for free (not pay mega bucks to take an elevator to the observation deck of Willis Tower), put winter coats in storage – you know, learn a new culture!  (I wonder if they like Grits or fried tomatoes.)  He will have to learn the best route to bicycle to Duke campus too!

Tanya is a native North Carolinian while Dan grew up in the U.S. Northwest.  Contact Dan.