In the crushing and the pressing

November 14, 2021

In the crushing and the pressing

Have you guys heard that song, New Wine, the lyrics go, "In the crushing, in the pressing, you are making new wine"? As I'm writing this, I am recognizing just how much this season has been God using different scenarios and circumstances to crush and press me. He's been reminding me to lean on Him instead on my own strength. This season also reminds me when Paul talks about praying to God to remove the "thorn in his flesh" and God says back to Paul, "my strength is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.." He's been reminding me of the same old lesson I'm so stubborn to understand, that it is in my weakness that God's power is made perfect in me. I don't need to do it all on my own or do it all perfectly, and often that just glorifies myself more than God. No, instead, I need to start first with my absolute dependency on God, not myself and let all that I do flow from my desperate need for Christ. And even though the circumstances God has been using have been painful, I know that God disciplines those He loves and in all of it, it's driving me to my knees before God. And for that I could not be more joyful and grateful.

What lessons has God been teaching you lately in the season of life you are in? I'd love to hear in the comment section or by text!

And despite this season being trying, I've been reminded of the goodness of God in still working powerfully on the college campus! I've been so encouraged by the stories of students studying the bible for the first time and being discipled, both those that grew up Christian as well as those that have never studied it before!

I also was so encouraged by our Fall Camp at SMU and our Fall Retreat Day for TWU Dallas. The goal of these times was to create a space for communal worship and mutual encouragement through student sharing, scripture and vulnerability. And it is also to foster spiritual friendships among students. And God delivered on all these aspects! I can see the difference it has made in those students, both in their personal relationships with God as well as their spiritual friendships with other students. Below are some pictures from the retreat weekends as well as a few other photos of students.

Lastly, I wanted to excitedly announce that our annual Keep Focus Growing campaign is coming up in just a few short weeks! This annual fundraiser is how Focus is able to provide money for evangelistic events and materials on campus, cover administrative costs, and have money to seize new opportunities that come up during the year. This year, some of our generous donors have banned together and agreed to match up to 50,000 dollars in total donations during the campaign. So if we receive 50,000 dollars in total contributions, they will kick in a SECOND 50,000!

So where do you come in with all this? Firstly, thank you all so much for your generosity in supporting me in campus ministry- it makes being on campus and making disciples of Jesus possible! Secondly, I would invite you to pray about this opportunity to give. It truly supports our ministry as a whole and allows us to do things like start ministries on new campuses and provide healthcare for our campus pastors, just to name a few things. Your first chance to give will be on November 30th, Giving Tuesday.

There are 3 ways you can give on that Tuesday:

Facebook: This is the most ideal option because Facebook will charge NO fees. Look for my fundraiser on my page to give to (still goes to the overall KFG campaign)

By Check: Mail to 318 N. Shiloh Rd, Garland TX 75042 and write KFG in the memo

Online: anyfocus.org/kfg

Thank you for your continual support in campus ministry! I want to leave you with this prayer from Numbers 6:24-26

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."