Chi Alpha

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
~Psalm 119:115

Thank you for visiting our web site!

We are meeting on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM in Hub 109.

Worshiping, Praying, Studying God’s Word and just Hanging out together is really important for us as Christians.

We really hope you will come to one of our Chi Alpha meetings to get to know us and for us to get to know you!

Everyone is welcome!

If you can’t come on Wednesday night because of a class or something please let me know. I will try to find a way to involve you until next semester when you can come.

Eric
elovejoy at plymouth dot edu
(603) 254-8552 cell

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An international student from China had been meeting with me for conversational English all semester. As we met for our last session before exams, he brought me a gift – a print of the Great Wall of China. He told me that the Wall had been built over many centuries to keep out those who sought to invade and attempt to conquer the Chinese.

The picture of the Wall is breathtaking: an engineering marvel; a defensive barrier that stretched for thousands of miles and several stories high; a symbol of protection; Built generally during the Ming Dynasty of 1368-1644.

My Chinese friend informed me that there are some misconceptions about the Wall that I may not be aware of. First, the Wall is not a continuous structure. Some parts of the Wall were built over time by varying ruling parties and do not necessarily all link up.

Second, the Wall is assumed to be more than two thousand years old, but some segments were built during the Era of Warring States from 403-221 B.C. Other more significant segments were built in the last 500 or so years. Third, some have claimed that the Wall is visible from the moon, but it is not true. The Wall is visible from satellites, but not from the moon. Last, every defensive structure has a weakness, and with the right methods could be penetrated.

There is, however, one defensive system that is continuous, eternally tested, sound supernaturally, visible from anywhere on the planet, and impenetrable. It is God Himself.

Read Psalm 18:2-36. God is our fortress, our shield, our rock, our deliverer, our stronghold, and our help. God protects His people by His very name and person. His powerful walls cannot be breached by any enemy. If we trust in His promises, He will not allow us to be destroyed by fiery darts, flaming arrows, false accusations, or fierce temptations. Nothing can overcome His strength. No one can take us out of His hand.

Do you have enemies? Are any of them more powerful than God? What temptation grips you with overwhelming force? God is able to provide a way out so that you can stand up and overcome it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Do you feel weak and susceptible to attack? He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.

The Great Wall of China is one of the most amazing wonders of the world. It is a very impressive structure (even in a poster). But it is a man-made creation. Read and meditate again on the text of Psalm 18. We are more safe in Jesus than we are anywhere else in the universe. Nothing can overpower God’s strength.

Grow devotionally. You need first hand knowledge and experience of who God is in order to know how safe you are in Christ. Make it a point to read five Psalms a day for the next 30 days to deepen your understanding of God. Order a copy of “Living and Praying in Jesus Name” by Jack Hayford and Dick Eastman. The book includes 30 names of God. Read one name of God a day for the same 30 days as you read the Psalms. I believe you will come to know that Jesus’ shield will never yield.

Love is a verb,

Mike O

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Wendy grew up in a middle class family in Dallas, Texas. She was raised in an affluent area of Dallas, and had the opportunity and privilege to attend Princeton University. When her senior year arrived she began wondering what she would do after graduation. She did not feel she was supposed to follow the corporate “white collar” road to financial success many of her classmates were on.

She had a desire to change the world, but struggled with what that could look like. She had explored teaching in the public schools, and lamented the disparities that existed in educational opportunity in America. She decided to organize a conference for students and business leaders to examine the possibility of reforming the United States K-12 education system (not too large of a task, huh?). Wendy believed that depriving children of a good education was a shame that had to be addressed.

During the conference, a light came on in Wendy’s thinking: Why doesn’t America have a national teacher corps of recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in the public schools? That idea later crystallized in a dream to launch Teach for America in 1992, what many have called the most successful secondary educational program of the last two decades.

Wendy recognized the need for more committed teachers in public schools and went out to recruit thousands of the best young people she could find from colleges across the country. The recruits bought into Wendy’s vision to improve educational opportunities for kids and care for children, but it wasn’t easy.

Teach for America started off with an inconsistent funding base and a lack of management experience. Many times Wendy would have to tackle significant fund raising to cover deficits, and was always restructuring budget figures and personnel needs. Her passion and dedication for the mission kept her going when others weren’t so sure of the future of the organization in the midst of so many obstacles.

Wendy invested fifteen years of passionate leadership making Teach for America work. Since it began in 1992, the program has ten thousand graduates, more than half of whom have remained in the teaching profession. Teach for America continues to attract and recruit top college graduates to join the mission and has an established and sustainable funding base for its staff and programs. U.S. News and World Report named Wendy Kopp one of “America’s Top Leaders” in 2006.

Think about it. Wendy Kopp was once a college student carrying a backpack, trying to figure out what to do with her life. She found and discovered something she was passionate about and inspired a lot of other people to join her in a cause that was worth giving their lives to. Wendy took a risk, worked hard, modeled authentic leadership, and affected the lives of countless others. What an example to follow! Read 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Wise leaders know that the real measure of their success is not the money, fame, or influence they acquire, but the quality of their lives. Wise people invest their lives in things that bring the most lasting and gratifying rewards. Serve globally.

Love is a verb,

Mike O

P.S. I want to remind you about our New York-New England Chi Alpha Retreat, Feb 13-15, 2009. This is the weekend before President’s Day, so it’s a holiday weekend. All the retreat info is posted at www.newenglandchialpha.org. The deadline for registration is January 29.

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The Boston Globe had a recent article about steroids in the current Olympics in China. Organizers continue to work to determine to keep The Games as clean as possible by testing, education, and discipline. The article also briefly referenced the 1988 Games in Seoul, Korea, in which sprinter Ben Johnson shocked the world two different times.

The first came in a head-to-head race with American and Olympic champion Carl Lewis. Johnson won the 100 meter race and destroyed the world record with the fastest time ever recorded – 9.79 seconds.

Johnson then shocked the world two days later when it became known that he had participated with the help of banned substances. All of a sudden, the champion runner was stripped of his gold medal (which went to Lewis), and he became the poster child and symbol of cheating in sports.

I would argue that Johnson was also a picture of an ancient principle from the Bible, the principle of sowing and reaping. To put into the language of the street today – “you do the crime, you do the time.” It is not just a bumper sticker slogan about crime and punishment. It is a statement about reality. Words, ideas, and actions have consequences. It is the basis of the way God set up the universe, the world, and His Kingdom, and how they are applied. Take a look at Leviticus 26:3-16. Two key truths are highlighted:

1. You obey God’s laws and you are rewarded. Verse 9 records God saying says to those who observe His laws, “I will look with favor and make you faithful.”

2. The opposite is also true. Verses 14 -16 say, “If you will not listen to me and carry out my commands…I will do this to you…I will bring upon you sudden terror.”

History tells us the people of Israel did not listen to God. The Old Testament records that a couple of captivities and many enemy attacks could have been avoided.

The Creator knows how we can best live life, and much of that is summarized in the Ten Commandments. Four commandments instruct people how to love and honor God, while the last six instruct people how to love others as themselves. We would do well to listen to the Creator in order to best optimize the time we have on the planet.

Ben Johnson thought he could get away with cheating at the highest level of athletic competition. What commandment are you considering breaking? What vice are you entertaining? What pain and trouble are you bringing on yourself (and even others) due to poor choices? Most people’s sin or wrongdoing is not broadcast all over the world and remembered for decades. Imagine how Ben Johnson’s parents feel about their son being labeled a cheater.

With that in mind, how will you live your life? Which do you prefer to hear: “I will look upon you with favor” or “I will bring upon you sudden terror?” Walk wisely. Obedience is all about love for God. Disobedience is all about love for yourself. Will you choose the path of obedience or disobedience? You cannot run from this question.

Love is a verb,

Mike

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I read with fascination several stories about U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps going for 8 potential gold medals in the Beijing Olympics. He has dominated the world of swimming the past few years, yet he would be the first to tell you it is not a one-man show. Trainers, coaches, dietitians, and teammates assist him. His teammates have trained along with him, yet there has a been a strategic plan in place for Olympic competition. A lot has been put in place by a lot of people to give Phelps the chance and privilege for medaling in China.

I also read about Laura Wilkinson, one of the most decorated American divers in the history of international competition. She joined the U.S. National Team in 1995, and she is the ONLY female diver to win the 10 meter platform gold at the world championship (2005), World Cup (2004), Olympic Games (2000), and Goodwill Games (1998). She is also in Beijing for one last run at Olympic glory, yet has said her reasons for competing have little to do with personal gain, but everything to do with honoring her Lord and Savior, Jesus. She credits her parents as some of the most influential people in her life. Laura said “her folks are great examples of integrity and good living examples of Christians who inspired her to be her best and use the talent the Lord gave her.”

Asafa Powell, raised in a Christian home in Jamaica, is among the favorites for Olympic gold in the 100 meters in China because he has broken the world record for the 100 meters four times. Though he trains a lot, prayer and Bible study are daily commitments. Even though many believe he is Jamaica’s most famous son, he credits his parents and many others for praying for him. Asafa is described as a soft spoken, friendly man, quick with a smile by his coach. Asafa says he has to give God thanks because God has blessed him, and his parents, church friends, coaches, and friends have all contributed to his success.

It is the same way in the work of God. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and Ephesians 4:11-16. The church is made up of all sorts of people with a variety of gifts and skills. Some are teachers of children, while others work with adults. Some work behind the scenes with administration, equipment, and budgets. Some are musicians, landscapers, and ushers. But all work together for the common good and the glory of God. The preacher/minister cannot do it alone, no matter how good he or she is. That is why God gave the church a multitude of gifted people. When they all pull together, combining their skills and abilities, the work of God gets done.

Phelps, Wilkinson, and Powell will be on television this week, hoping, aiming, striving, and competing to be honored as the best in the world in their sport. But they all recognize there are many others who contributed to them getting the chance to compete for Olympic gold. I challenge you to follow their example and the call of Scripture in 1 Peter 4:10-11 that “each person should use whatever gift they have to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms…so that in all things God may be praised.”

Live communally. What are your gifts? Skills? Interests? Give them over to God. How have others contributed to your success and current status? Be thankful and humble. Let God use you today for His glory. He has a place just for you. The Team needs you.

Love is a verb,

Mike

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I learned something about email recently at M.I.T. about a virus called KLEZ Worm. This worm is a nasty cyber intruder that reduces the effectiveness of system resources and destroys files. This worm has been around for a while and is the most reported computer virus. Once you get a KLEZ Worm on your computer, you need to use anti-virus software to remove it.

The Scriptures describe another virus that has been around a lot longer with broader and more severe impact on the lives of people – it’s called the SIN Worm. This worm can infect and affect individuals, families, communities, and even nations. Sin can contribute to a person or community avoiding, running away from, and ignoring the will and purposes of God. It is the most common (and the nastiest) virus in the world today. It attacks the heart, mind, and soul. If ignored, sin will destroy you, your friendships, your family, your career, your destiny, and ultimately your relationship with God. Sin has the potential to eradicate the life of every person on the planet.

Read Leviticus 4:13-20. The sin offering mentioned in the Old Testament was God’s anti-virus answer for the SIN Worm. The purpose of the sin offering was to provide
a) an answer, payment, and substitute for unintentional sins,
b) forgiveness of sins, and
c) cleansing from being defiled. The sin offering was a mandatory specific way for a penitent person (and community, if necessary) to be restored to a clean and whole relationship with God.

You do not need to sacrifice a bull, goat, bird, lamb, or ram for your sins to get into right friendship with God today. That is the good news of the Scriptures. Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, once for all, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 10:10). God has provided a way for everyone to be holy and right with God, by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus (Romans 10:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21). He is willing to exchange His righteousness for our sinfulness.

Think theologically. Jesus is God’s anti-virus solution to remove the SIN Worm. He alone is able to remove SIN from our heart-drive. To work the way it was designed, we need to install the solution and trust it. Second, it requires us to practice daily confession – 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Third, you need to live according to God’s Word in order to keep your way pure. Psalm 119:9 and 11 urges us to hide the Word of God in our heart so we would not sin against God.

Have you placed your trust in the sacrifice of Jesus for your SIN Worm? Are you living the way Psalm 119:9, 11 describes? If necessary, have you confessed your sin(s) to God today? God wants you to be holy – deal or no deal?

Love is a verb,

Mike

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Pro football teams are starting to practice for the upcoming fall season. I listened to Bill Belicheck, the head coach of the New England Patriots, describe the goal of the first few days of practice last week. He said their goals were to get a good hold of the fundamentals – conditioning, footwork, timing, teamwork. Each day they were hoping to review and build on fundamentals, and each day get better at the basics.

I’ve discovered that fundamentals are critical to every discipline and profession. They are necessary to not only get in shape, but maintain your efficiency and productivity. One workout program I practice is called the Proverbs Workout. It involves reading and meditating on one chapter of Proverbs a day for a month. The goal is consistent intake of God’s Word, which is fundamental to our spiritual health and growth. The keys are focusing on one chapter, chewing on it slowly and allowing it to take root in your life as God directs. To help you get started, here is a listing of a Scripture McNugget from each chapter:

(1:7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

(2:12) Wisdom will protect you from evil

(3:5-6) Trust God’s wisdom

(4:1) Listen to your dad

(5:3-6) Avoid sexual temptation

(6:6) Learn good work habits

(7:7-9) Learn good judgment to avoid the sins of youth

(8:13) Avoid evil behavior and perverse speech

(9:17-18) Secret sins lead to death

(10:4) Laziness leads to poverty

(11:16) Be kind if you want respect

(12:1) You are ignorant if you do not listen to instruction

(13:10) Pride leads to arguments

(14:14) Faithlessness will be rewarded

(15:3) God watches over us

(16:28) Gossip breaks up friendships

(17:10) Discerning people learn from being rebuked

(18:10) God’s name is a refuge

(19:17) Being kind to poor people honors God

(20:1) Allowing yourself to be led astray by alcohol is foolish

(21:17) Loving pleasure leads to poverty

(22:1) Having a good name is better than being rich

(23:13) The discipline of children is a good thing

(24:13) Honey is good for you

(25:16) Too much honey (gluttony) is not good for you

(26:11) Repeating sin is not good for you

(27:21) You are tested by the praise you receive

(28:24) Dishonoring your parents is wrong

(29:11) A wise person learns and practices self control

(30:5) The Word of the Lord is flawless and helpful

(31:10) A good wife is worth more than rubies

Grow devotionally. Get a journal and keep a record of valuable insights you gain from reading one chapter of Proverbs each day. One chapter of the Bible a day can help keep the weight of sin off and firm up your spiritual muscles. This sort of diet may not get you a job in pro football or add to your resume, but it will help you grow in your knowledge of God and what kind of person He expects you to become. Read Proverbs as a daily habit and start your fundamental training today.

Love is a verb,

Mike

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He was born in 1759 to an upper class family in England. When his father died, he was sent to live with his aunt, who was a committed follower of Jesus. She introduced her nine-year old nephew to the Holy Scriptures, as well as other Christian leaders like evangelist Rev. George Whitfield, and Rev. John Newton, who had been converted from being a slave trader to a disciple of Christ. The young man could not shake off the influence of the Bible, or the examples of Whitfield and Newton, as he grew up and later attended Cambridge University. His college years were characterized by a lukewarm faith in God, drinking and gambling.

Is there a little of Wilberforce in you? His example should inspire you to determine how your faith will affect your academic work and potential career path. Team up with a few friends who share the vision of extending the grace and message of Jesus to the marketplace and the world. Then persevere until victory, or Jesus returns, whichever comes first.

Live globally. God is liberating people with the truth. We are called by Jesus to be salt and light as we seek to impact our culture and make a difference in people’s lives for eternity. Persistence does not come naturally to most of us, yet even William Wilberforce learned it eventually pays off. Galatians 6:9 promises, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Love is a verb,

Mike

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I do not care for hidden charges. I ordered some books recently that cost $24.95, but an extra charge put my order at 39.95 (eight dollars more than it was supposed to cost). I called to protest, the company relented and reduced my bill.

The toughest kind of hidden charges though, are the ones that leave scars.

A student gets caught cheating for a final exam. He and a buddy arranged to get the material beforehand, but only he was caught. He argues it was not his fault and blames the professor. Up to that point, he was one of the top students in the class.

A young woman gets pregnant after realizing she and her boyfriend went too far. She does not want to face her parents and thinks there is only one way out – she’ll have to get rid of the baby.

A student officer has been caught using organization funds for personal use. His face is on the front page of the student newspaper with the headline, “Guilty!” He wonders if his reputation will ever be restored.

A student realizes she has $700 of charges on her credit card at the end of the month with no receipts and no idea of how she spent the funds. The bill is due in a week and she is afraid she won’t be able to pay it. She thinks “What am I going to do? There is no way I can pay it on time.”

What are the “consequences” of bad choices? What are the “hidden charges” of sin?

They could range from a loss of self-respect to the loss of respect from friends. The disappointment of your parents. The loss of respect from a professor or supervisor. The feelings of shame and guilt. A ruined reputation. A loss of testimony to friends and family who do not know the Lord.

You realize that sin can sometimes be hidden from people, but not from God. Scripture says nothing is hidden from God, and that He grieves over the poor choices we often make as His people.

Read James 4:6-10. The author says in verse 8 to “Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” To be cleansed from sin, we need to confess our failure to God. 1 John 1:9 also declares that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Walk wisely. Sin always comes with hidden charges. You can try to hide the consequences of sin, but ultimately the truth will come out. God does not promise that the hidden charges of sin will go away. He does promise to forgive us when we humbly confess our sin and help us get a new start. He also promises the help of others in the Body of Christ – take a peek at James 5:16 for some bonus blessing. Then live it.

Love is a verb,

Mike

P.S. If the Holy Spirit is convicting you right now of a sin, what are you going to do about it?

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I read a presentation from a military leader who said an asteroid hitting our planet could trigger a nuclear war. The general said twenty to thirty times a year a rock from space enters the atmosphere of the Earth and explodes, often releasing energy equal to that of an atomic bomb.
The general said the United States has satellite instruments that can quickly determine if the explosion was a nuclear weapon or an asteroid. He said other nations with nuclear capabilities probably do not have instruments as good as ours. If a situation developed where military forces were put on alert, an asteroid causing explosion could lead to war if a country reacted to an erroneous reading or misperception.

Nations as well as people struggle with misunderstandings, poor conflict resolution, and retaliation. A lot of friendships and families have broken down when someone struck back after a misguided comment or imagined attack. A joke, comment, a look or gesture can be perceived as a deliberate threat. We are most vulnerable to this kind of struggle when we are stressed out.

Read James 1:2-20. The book of James was written to Christians in the first century who had been displaced from their homes by persecution. James wrote to encourage them to persevere under the trials that tested their faith and even offered a warning in v 19-20: “My dear brothers, remember that everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” Did you notice the bold words in that sentence? 1 quick and 2 slows.

What recent misunderstanding (and response) has caused problems for you and others? How could following the “one quick and two slows” method have helped you in that situation?

When you are quick to listen, you try and hear what another person is actually trying to say. Being slow to speak gives you time to hear and process their words without initially concluding they said something to harm you. Being slow to become angry allows more time for a difficult situation to be resolved.

Live communally. When you are tired, under a deadline, fighting off pressure, and emotionally drained, ask God for the wisdom (James 1:5) and strength to avoid a fight or significant conflict. People matter to us because they are made in God’s image and they should be treated with dignity and respect. “One quick and two slows” can prevent the kind of conflict in which no one wins.

Love is a verb,

Mike

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