About the Loud Fellows on the Quad
A Higher Ground participant tapped me on the shoulder yesterday to tell me that there was a ruckus on the Quad; She said that according to the so-called preachers there, "Apparently, we don't believe the right things." I went to listen for myself and I was appalled. My job as a pastor is hard enough without these gross mischaracterizations of the Christian faith. After a time, I began offering another perspective to the students gathered, such as the notion that Jesus was a friend of sinners, which zeroed one of the preacher's sites on me. It didn't take long for him to assure me and all those gathered that I was going straight to hell. Maybe so, but I would rather go to hell loving God and my neighbor as best as I can than follow that man into whatever peculiar paradise he foresees. I didn't stay terribly long, in as much as I thought he best be treated as my mother would treat her children when they threw a temper tantrum (my brothers and sisters, of course; I never had one. At least I don't remember having one). She ignored us. I regret that now; I should have stayed as long as they were there to let folks know of another way; I dare say, THE way, and the truth, and the life; God's undying love for you in Jesus Christ, and ESPECIALLY for sinners. That is why Higher Ground is not a sanctuary for the sin-free, but a hospital for those who need healing and hope, forgiveness and peace. Those are the gifts God wants to give you, and freely. I suppose I can be thankful for the loud fellows for at least this; they have given me a chance to say again the truth that sets us free: Jesus loves you. He whose love death itself could not destroy has you in his heart.
One more note; Higher Ground participant Marcus Green said something smart about those fellows: "Take it from a lifeguard, guys; you can't save a drowning swimmer without getting wet." Enough said, except to ask that if people of this sort show up at the Quad again (and surely they will), give me a call at 512-557-8836, my cell phone. I want to make their day as interesting as they make mine.
2009 National Lutheran Youth Gathering Seeks 800 College Students to Help
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America holds a gathering every three years for high-school students; the next one will be July 22-26, 2009 in New Orleans. Unlike previous gatherings, this one will involve three days serving the people of New Orleans through rebuilding, literacy projects, support of arts and culture, and more. The 36,000 students attending will be divided into groups of 45, each one needing a young adult to help lead them, a young adult being defined as someone 20 to 25 by July 22nd of 2009. You can find out more and apply online starting April 15th at: www.elca.org/youth/gathering. Look for the link at the end of this newsletter.
Things to Look For Soon...
1. Dr. Pepper for sale on the corner of Guadalupe and Wood (across the corner from Jones) during finals week.
2. Graduating students honored on April 27th during worship.
3. Higher Ground Coffee Break during Finals, and the building itself being open for studying; we are wi-fi wired. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are a few random opinions about stuff I've encountered lately. I invite you to send in your own reviews of movies, TV shows, websites, etc., and they'll get posted in the next newsletter. -PJB
"Vantage Point" - A movie about an assassination attempt on the president of the United States, told from six different perspectives. I really liked it; very suspenseful, a great car chase, a satisfying ending. It was a bit violent and really didn't address any important questions, but it wasn't jingoistic or even particularly politically charged. It was just a mindless adventure story, and sometimes that's exactly what I need. It stars Dennis Quaid, William Hurt, and a bunch of other people whose names escape me.
Chipotle's - There are plenty of burrito restaurants in San Marcos, and we could argue all day over who has the very best. My tendency is to back the locally owned places, or the small chains like Freebird's. There is something good to be said about Chipotle's, however, and that is their commitment to hormone-free beef and chicken and their support of sustainable farming practices. I talked to the manager of the Austin-area stores, and I've never met someone so enthusiastic about work in what is essentially a fast-food chain. He's geeked because the company, since being split off from McDonald's, is leading the way to bring more environmentally friendly and humane practices to the food industry. And, in my humble opinion, they make a pretty good burrito. Given its size (slightly smaller than a football, it seems), Chipotle's is also a pretty good value for the price.. |
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Campus-Wide Christian Rock Concert
 April 9th, 6:30 p.m., Campus Entry Park on Guadalupe (across from Jones Diner). Grace Over Pressure will play and a free hot-dog supper will be served. This event will take the place of our usual Wednesday night "Bread and Belonging" AND "Windows of Faith." |
| Services of Healing and Hope
As you come to the end of the semester, let God's promise of healing and wholeness support you. A service of healing will be held on April 16th and 30th as part of our last two "Bread and Belonging" gatherings of the semester (April 23rd is the Seder Supper; see the accompanying article). Healing services aren't spooky or weird; they are just a time of prayer for the wounds we all bear, especially those of worry and stress as final exams approach. "Bread and Belonging" begins at 5:30 in the All Saint's Chapel, downstairs in St. Mark's Episcopal. A free supper will be served at 6:15. |
Movie Night! Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. We'll watch (and talk about) "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill," which is as gorgeous and wonderful as "March of the Penguins" and has much to say about the environment and the tenacity of life. Gather in the Higher Ground Lounge, in the basement of St. Mark's Episcopal. Snacks provided! |
Pastor Lou's Triumphant Return
From Texas to Tierra Del Feugo and Back Again
Pastor Lou Flessner will join us on a Sunday evening later in April to worship with us and then show pictures and describe his six-month odyssey to the southern tip of South America and back. Look for the exact date in the weeks ahead; he's off on another trip (less exciting, unless you really like Nebraska), so the date isn't finalized. | |
| PASSOVER - APRIL 23rd, 5:30 p.m. Mark your calendars already for April 23rd, where we will observe the Passover feast of our Jewish brothers and sisters, while seeking to understand what it means from a Christian perspective as well. This is not your average Wednesday night meal, but will be a full dinner with roasted lamb, matzo, wine, and other traditional Passover dishes. Invite a friend! We would also appreciate knowing if you're coming so we are sure to have enough food; sign up through Facebook or call 353-1928 to reserve a place. |
 Our campus mission is to be a welcoming spiritual community, a place for people of any gender, race, national origin, and sexual orientation. Growing together in faith, we seek the unity that Christ envisions for His church through learning, liturgical worship, service, and fellowship. |
| $20,650 That's the federal poverty line for a family of four. For the mathematically challenged, that is $1,720 each month. Figure $1000 for rent, utilities, etc., and you 've got $720 for groceries, clothes, doctor bills, auto expenses, health insurance (ha!) and every other expense. If that sounds like a struggle, remember that in 2004, 12.6% of the population of Hays County lived below that line. Depressing? Sure, but think of it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle, an opportunity to demonstrate the love of God in Christ by picking up one of those $1 coupons at the checkout counter at HEB. Will it solve the problem? No, but it will provide groceries for the local food pantry, which means that a family can use some of their grocery money for something else they might need. Like shoes. $1. That's less than one soda from a machine at school. I suspect that even for the most fiscally challenged student can handle. The only question is, will you? |
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