I’ve never seen so many coolers in my life!
We were on an adventure. We were on a hunt. We were looking for a treasure. Six times, the coolers let us know we were on the right path.
The InterVarsity chapter at Bemidji State University has been meeting regularly over the summer to study the book of Daniel, and we had been looking for some ways to share Christ as a group. We landed on two things – a game night next week and a Treasure Hunt tonight.
I think Treasure Hunts originated from Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. You can check out those two links for more information but I want to share our encounter with God with you. We did a modified version of what they do.
After tonights study ended of Daniel Chapter 9, I did a super quick introduction and training session with 6 others. I was so excited, and surprised to see their excitement to try this Treasure Hunt thing out – I’ve never had people respond like that. After I gave my training, we split into two groups, and I prayed a blessing on our adventure as we set out. One group had a group of four, and my group consisted of two others – Mark and Michelle.
I learned a lot in this process. The first thing is that 15 minutes isn’t very long if you are planning to pray and listen for God to respond. Prayer is the first and most vital part of the whole Treasure Hunt. It’s where we go off by ourselves to seek God and ask him to give us clues to put on our map to find His treasure. I felt like I barely had any time at all. Read More…
Read MoreMy favorite Christmas present
For those of you who don’t know there are 5 love languages out there. I first remember taking the “test” or whatever you want to call it back in my early years of college. My top to love languages: Physical Touch and Quality Time. I fully agree with the results and might even add in Words of affirmation. However, Acts of Service and Receive gifts are almost meaningless to me. Don’t take that the wrong way, they just aren’t my love languages.
So, as you might guess, I don’t exactly enjoy getting Christmas gifts. I mean they are cool and what not, but in the end it’s just more stuff that I don’t really need. In the past, I have walked into Christmas with a very bad attitude regarding gifts. Something changed this year. It was a comment my mom made randomly after us kids telling her that she spends way to much time and money buy presents. She replied along the lines of “yeah, I know but I enjoy it so much.” As she said it, I just happend to glance up and see the smile on her face. It was just radiant with love.
I was shocked. Here I was so self-centered, paying attention to myself and how I receive love. But after seeing my mom that way, I couldn’t help but watch both my parents in wonder as the family continued opening gifts throughout the season. Even my dad in all his comments about spending too much money on presents had this joy on his face as we opened gifts.
All of a sudden, it became joyful to open the gifts my parents had got for me. It was their way of loving me and even though it doesn’t always line up with the way I want to be loved, it was by far the greatest present this Christmas. To know that my parents love me more than I will ever know.
So this post goes out to them. Mom and Dad, I love you!
Read MoreWhat’s Up? – Not no more
Scratch that
A little over a week ago, while sitting in the Union at BSU, I became convicted of my use of “What’s up?” Sure, we use it all the time to greet each other and say hello. But haven’t we taken it too far? When was the last time you heard a response other than “not much, you?” or the infamous “the sky” answer?
This short little phrase is so un-relational. It’s like acknowledge that the person exists, but that you don’t really care how they are. Shouldn’t we care how people are!?!?!!
That’s why I challenged myself to go an entire week without saying “What’s up?” and instead ask “How are you?” followed by actually stopping to listen to how the other person is. I did a horrible job at it the first 3 or 4 days. I’d start a conversation and realize I’d forgot about my challenge and have to apologize (I got some weird looks) and half start our conversation over asking how the person I was talking really was.
We are well past a week, but I’m going to do my best to completely erase the phrase “What’s up?” from my vocabulary. I want to care for people and hear how they are doing. I’m going to listen to their response. And when I’m asked how I am doing, I’m going to answer them.
Join me in this challenge. Let’s make a difference in this world. Bless the people you come into contact with and ask them how they are, and make sure you listen to what they say.
Read MoreLost
The Series Finale of Lost was tonight.
And it was a good show. Why was it so good? I think that is a simple answer. It was good because, like any other good shows out there, it told the viewers that they are worthy and accepted. The show took flawed people and turned them into something important.
It was a common theme from the 6 seasons, especially the last 3. I remember a specific episode when Ben was going to Locke’s side because at least there he would be accepted. Then he was asked to stay because he was accepted there too.
It happend again in this last episode. Ben was asked to be number 2.
I think we are all flawed. We are human, and we all want to be worthy and accepted. But the show is over, the good feeling it gave while it was on the air has come to an end. However, there is one place where you can truly feel worthy, where you are truly accepted.
God says He loved us before we were even conceived in our mother’s womb. He created us to love us. Like a parent loves a child, God loves His children. You and I. All we need to do is receive it. I spent 2 years of my life running away from that love, but God showed me time and time and time again just how true it was. And guess what, it doesn’t end after six years. It doesn’t even end after 100 years. Not ever.
So, are you searching for something. Are you looking for validation, for your identity. If you want it, cry out to God ad ask Him for it. Then grab a Bible, go to church, email me, or talk to someone about it!
I pray that right now, as you are reading this God will reveal a new piece of His love for you to you. I pray it would be more than just a feeling or an emotion, but something real. I pray this because He has told me who I am, and I want you to know who you are. You are a masterpiece, a beautiful masterpiece, created by a good God who loves you deeply. I pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Read MoreMoving Mountains
I’ve come to realize something these last few days. Something I should have realized long ago. There is a power out there. It’s greater than you’re darkest of days, or your worst moment. It’s greater than your biggest mistake. It’s so great it will move mountains for you, cross the widest river for you. It’s so great, that the one who wields this power would sacrifice everything for you, even one’s own life.
A friend of mine was visiting the other day. He was talking about his daughter. She was born into a pretty crappy situation, and her mom didn’t want that for her. My friend adopter her. And here is what he was saying: ”There isn’t a thing my daughter could do that could stop me from loving her. She might piss me off, or get herself into trouble, but I lover her. She isn’t my flesh, begotten by me, but I love her has much as I love my own begotten son.”
I know without a doubt my friend would do anything for his daughter. And that is the power I was speaking of. It’s love.
Read MoreDonuts for the Class
Read MoreDonuts for the Class
There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the Western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year regardless of his or her major. Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.
This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor’s class.
One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. ”How many push-ups can you do “ Steve said, “I do about 200 every night.” ”200 That’s pretty good, Steve,” Dr. Christianson said. “Do you think you could do 300 ”
Steve replied, “I don’t know… I’ve never done 300 at a time.” ”Do you think you could ” again asked Dr. Christianson. ”Well, I can try,” said Steve. ”Can you do 300 in sets of 10 I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it I need you to tell me you can do it,” said the professor.
Steve said, “Well… I think I can…yeah, I can do it.” Dr. Christianson said, “Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind.”
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No these weren’t the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson’ s class.
Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, “Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts ”
Cynthia said, “Yes.”
Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut ”
“Sure.” Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia’s desk.
Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, “Joe, do you want a donut “ Joe said, “Yes.” Dr. Christianson asked, “Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut ” Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, till Dr. Christianson came to Scott.
Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, “Scott do you want a donut ” Scott’s reply was, “Well, can I do my own pushups “ Dr. Christianson said, “No, Steve has to do them.” Then Scott said, “Well, I don’t want one then.”
Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, ”Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn’t want ” With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups.
Scott said, “HEY! I said I didn’t want one!” Dr. Christianson said, “Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don’t want it.” And he put a donut on Scott’s desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.
Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, “Jenny, do you want a donut “ Sternly, Jenny said, “No.” Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, “Steve, would you do ten more Push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn’t want ” Steve did ten….Jenny got a donut.
By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say “No” and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.
Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten pushups in a set because he couldn’t bear to watch all of Steve’s work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row.
During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it. Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Dr. Christianson, “Do I have to make my nose touch on each one ”
Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, “Well, they’re your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want.” And Dr. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, “NO! Don’t come in! Stay out!” Jason didn’t know what was going on.
Steve picked up his head and said, “No, let him come.”
Professor Christianson said, “You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him ”
Steve said, “Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut” Dr. Christianson said, “Okay, Steve, I’ll let you get Jason’s out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut ”
Jason, new to the room hardly knew what was going on. “Yes,” he said, “give me a donut.”
“Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut “ Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve’s arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was profusely dropping off of his face and, by this time, there was no sound except his heavy breathing, there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, “Linda, do you want a doughnut ”
Linda said, very sadly, “No, thank you.”
Professor Christianson quietly asked, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn’t want ” Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda.
Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. “Susan, do you want a donut ”
Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. “Dr. Christianson, why can’t I help him ”
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, “No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve, here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes. Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut ” As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. “And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, ‘into thy hands I commend my spirit.’ With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, he yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten.” Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. “Well done, good and faithful servant,” said the professor, adding “Not all sermons are preached in words.”
Turning to his class the professor said, “My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid. Wouldn’t you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it laying on the desk ”
- Author Unknown
About Me
Hello world! My name is Adam Lepp and have I got a story to tell you. It starts off pretty average, has some major roller coaster moments in the middle, and has the besting ending ever. It's still being written, so join me as I continue to tell the story of love.