So, what is faith? Well, it’s the topic of the summer, but that’s not really what we’re after here. There are several ways in which we use the word. We can use it to denote a specific religion, i.e. “the Muslim faith” or “faith traditions”. We can use it to mean “loyal”. But this summer when we talk about faith, we will usually mean “trust”, specifically “trust in God”. That, I believe, is how author of Hebrews uses the word when he writes, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (ESV). (more…)

I don’t know what you’re planning for the summer, but before you firm to much up, you’ll want to take a look at three missions trips in the works at ECC.

In June, a team of 4-5 people will be heading to Thailand to teach English and partner in ministry with an ECC missionary family.

In July, a team of 5-10 people will be heading to Romania and connecting with Chelsea - a former IU student/Connexionite.

In late July or early August, there is the possibility of taking a team to Idaho to work at the Mission Aviation Fellowship Headquarters.

If you’re interested in any of these trips, contact Heather (hnnichol@indiana.edu) or Ellie (macfarl@indiana.edu)

I have had several people comment that they could feel the tension in me on Sunday night as I spoke, admittedly, out of both sides of my mouth. I felt that tension strongly when talking about the spiritual nature of the kingdom vs. the need to allow this spiritual reality to affect our present physical reality. However, I felt it even more intensely when talking about the power that is our in the kingdom. The pendulum seems to swing between those who disavow miracles (functional naturalists) and, on the other extreme, those who think everything is a miracle. (more…)

Bob has said it before, “every sermon is a small heresy”. I feel that every once and while, and I certainly felt it after the first Connexion of this semester. Let me explain. (more…)

Albert Camus invited us into community when he wrote,”Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” We all need those people who will walk beside us as friends in the faith - friends who’ll encourage us when we need it, celebrate with us, enter into our struggles, and give us a kick in the pants when we need it… (more…)

Wow - Heather Nichols is in the Wall Street Journal talking about Urbana!

From the article:

“At the age of 24, Heather Nichols has taught songs to kids in Thailand and has been to Africa twice to assist surgeons. She has led a missionary trip to inner-city Philadelphia and is about to do another. And she closed out her year here in St. Louis with more than 22,000 of her closest friends in Christ.

The convention, called Urbana, has been going on triennially for the past 60 years, but this year it finally outgrew the venue at the University of Illinois for which it is named. So the organizers at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship moved the operation to the St. Louis convention center to accommodate its expanding girth; and Urbana Director Jim Tebbe hopes that St. Louis, as a result, will become known not only as the Gateway to the West but also the ‘Gateway to World Missions.’”

You can read the full article here or check out her Urbana updates here.

Congrats!

Just before New Year’s, we launched a new web site. It’s still at ConnexionOnline.org, but a whole lot has changed. Welcome.

This web site is not for you to look at.

It’s for you to use and build community with one another outside of Sunday nights. It’s not something that we’ve built. It’s a place that all of us will build together by interacting with it, sharing our thoughts and media.

We’ve designed it to help you meet new people, explore and discuss new ideas, share your music, art, and writing, get plugged into new groups, and stay up-to-date with what Connexion is doing. If the plan works out, Connexion will seem a whole lot smaller.

So start using it!

Post something in the Forums. Read a few of Connexion members’ blogs on the “Bloggers” page, like Elise’s, Paul’s, Meredith’s, or Amy’s. Look at the pretty pictures, comment on Dan’s articles, or submit one of your own!

But please don’t just say “Oh that looks nice” (or worse, “Wow it really sucks!”) and head back to Facebook. Instead, start contributing!

Paul Helms replied to yesterday’s post about IUCCC’s annual Indy Christmas Conference. Here’s what he had to say:

Hey guys,

Just thought I’d represent for the Christmas Conference crowd. I got back a few hours ago and have been blessed tremendously by the fellowship, worship, teaching and time in Indianapolis in general. It was my first time to attend the entire conference (though I’m a senior and have been involved with CRU for awhile now) and I must say that those of you who have little to do during your breaks (spring, summer, winter, whatever!) should greatly consider taking part of your time out to join other Christians at conferences like Urbana, Passion, Christmas Conference, etc. or on mission trips. It is well worth your while!

Happy New Year’s everyone!

Thanks to Eric Lee for the photo. Hope to see all of you soon!

Heather Nichols is blogging the Urbana missions conference for us - it’s been a great way to get in touch with speakers, presentations, and experiences that not all of us can access.

So…my question for you:

Is anybody attending Campus Crusade’s Indy Christmas Conference?
I’m looking for someone who can slip away for a few and send updates about what’s happening, what you’re learning, and why all of us missed out. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can even dictate them to me if you like.

If you’re in, drop a message in the comments.

Someone asked me on Sunday night if I could recommend a few devotionals. I thought maybe, with Christmas coming and all, more people might be interested in some good devotional material, so here are a few I would recommend: (more…)