 Sharing poetry at Cross Training: An amazing night!!
One Cross Training recently stands out as unique and amazing! One of the teaching pastors at a local church (PBCC) who married
Trent and I, Brian Morgan, was wrapping up a three week series on the Psalms. He incorporates parts of
his own life story into his teaching on how the Psalms give us a voice to
process every range of emotion from the deepest grief to the highest
elation and praise. His story is incredibly powerful. I saw many people wiping away tears as his
story gave them a voice for their own pain or praise. He told us that when we share that voice in the form of our own psalm/poem in the context of
community, we connect with one another in a holy, heavenly way that is
truly other worldly.
Last Monday, we truly did experience the truth of that claim when people shared their own poems. I was just floored as to how honest people were, the tears that flowed, and the depth of connection that was cultivated. It was amazing how hearing someone's poem and knowing the context of why that poem was written gave one of the clearest windows into that persons soul. Seeing that person's heart just filled everyone with so much love for and connection to that person. That love brought heaven into the room! After our poetry time was over, there was a deep, sweet spirit of community amongst the group. There were many hugs and tears that continued into the night, and it truly was a night I will never forget! We have also carried poetry nights into our small groups, and those have been amazing too!
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 Annual Easter Brunch at the Stenstroms
The first weekend of spring quarter was Easter, where we packed the
Stenstrom house with over 100 students! Since the rain decided not to
stay away, the house was literally packed:) It brought such joy to our
hearts to see lots of new faces, students hanging out late into the
afternoon, and just a true spirit of joy and community that filled the
air! Easter Brunch is always a great annual tradition.
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We always circle up before eating Easter brunch and read off all of the names for Jesus found in the New Testament. Then Steve shares a brief gospel message before praying. This is always really neat because there are always a lot of non-believers at this event.
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 Seder Dinner on Good Friday
On Good Friday, one of our students, Liz Smith, spear headed a
traditional Passover Seder dinner which is now becoming a Cardinal Life
tradition. The Stenstrom house was yet again packed with about 25
students and the Stenstrom family around a very long dinner table. The
highlight for me was when everyone gave their assigned person a
blessing. The "blessee" would come and kneel by the "blesser" and the
blesser would affirm that person, sharing the gifts they saw in that
person, what their prayer was for them, and what they were proud of
them for. It was truly a holy moment! Then of course the tears flowed
when Steve gave each of his four kids a blessing, and the precious look
on his kids faces while he was doing so was just beautiful. We are
blessed to have their family as such an incredible example of a Godly,
tight knit, loving family! |
Stay tuned...
| We will continue to send out updates, so stay tuned for more. We also have a new website under construction so stay tuned for that as well! God Bless!
Much love from Stanford,
Trent, Natalie, and Emilee
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Personal Message
Prayer verse for the week for us and students:
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in
him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing...This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15)
Please pray that we stay focused on Jesus and that by His Spirit we bear much fruit!
Partnering with us financially:
We
would love for you to prayerfully consider partnering with us
financially so that we can continue the work that the Lord has us here
for. Your investment in the lives of Stanford students sends ripples
around the world!
You can donate online here if you are interested, or send a check to address below. Feel free to email us with any questions!
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