Hello from this side of Summer Break! Most of you have either started work, or summer classes, or found "your spot" by the pool at this point.

But I wanted to encourage you to make your quiet time with the Lord a priority. Often times during the semester, we have the excuse that we simply don't have the time to read our Bible or spend more than 5 minutes praying. Then after a vacation is over, we have the excuse that it was too difficult to get into a routine with all the time off. It begs the question, when will we make it a priority? When will we make the time? When will the excuses end?

I was just talking with a friend about the importance of one on one time with the Lord. Let's look at the examples of Peter, Paul, and James. Jesus discipled all of these godly men one on one. They all had precious special time with Christ. Peter gets to go off with Jesus for one on one time after the resurrection (John 21:18-23). Paul spends 3 years with the Lord after the resurrection as well (Galatians 1:11-18). James was the half brother of Jesus and we can easily infer that they had alone time together before Christ's ministry. And after James comes to understand that Christ was the Messiah after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7), it isn't beyond the realm of belief that James thought back to those intimate times together and what he may have learned from Him, his brother. Here these 3 pillars of the early church, and heroes of our faith, have one on one time with Christ! 

What do you need to better understand how important this aspect needs to be in your spiritual life?

And just by way of interesting thoughts... how interesting would it be to sit Peter, Paul, and James down at a dinner table together and hear them talk about Jesus? Galatians 1:18-19  Wish I could have been a fly on that wall!

Tears will flow tonight, and shouts of joy will ring out!  We are so excited for you, our graduates.  As you prepare for graduate school or look for jobs, our prayers are for your success.  You have given your all and you have made a difference on this campus.  We have been delighted to serve along side you during your time at LHU and we are delighted to see how and where God will use you going forward.  Until we meet again...


"I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth.  Your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I also send them into the world." - John 17:15-18 NASB

Today on Russell Lawn at LHU, New Life is hosting a display that the student leadership team created to bring awareness to the problem of modern day slavery - aka: Human Trafficking.  Every white flag on display represents 10,000 men, women, and children who are currently enslaved somewhere in the world today.  Stop by sometime today between now and 6pm to read some of the stories of slaves who are being freed and the organizations who are helping to free them.  You can also take a survey to find out how many slaves your current lifestyle employs.  At 7pm, join us in Ulmer Planetarium for a 30 minute video about slavery in the world today, why we should care and what we can do about it!  
"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free" - Luke 4:18