CSU Staff Connections

We’ll be in Colorado before we know it! For some of us it is a great time of spending time outdoors, getting poured into from great teaching, and connecting with friends. For other staff it’s a time of feeling lost in the crowd or a time when Satan attacks our weaknesses. Are you aware that some staff REALLY STRUGGLE during this time?

As believers together we are a family of faith. A family that cares for one another, encourages one another, prays for one another. I would like to invite you to do just that in the coming days. Look for others who may need an invitation to hike or play disc golf. Look for others who may need a ride to an event or activity or an invitation to join your group for dinner.

Maybe you could take time today to call your newer staff who have never been to a CSU Conference and give them a heads up about a few things... Most dorms don't have A/C, dress for the conference is casual, maybe suggest renting a car or getting a bike from the bike library. I remember arriving at CSU the very first time, only knowing a handful of staff, and wishing someone had shared tips like these.

I know that we care for one another and desire to help others in times of need. Many of us do just that! At the same time I think that many of us miss opportunities to serve others because we are distracted and busy with our own plans. Let's put some of those things aside and really love each other like a family!!!

I am praying for the Lord to open your eyes to be aware of the needs of others around you. For you to open your heart to make others feel more comfortable and included. I am praying for you to live out the following verses:

24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
1 Corinthians 10:24

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[e] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 Andthey were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 
Acts 2:42-47

4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 
Ephesians 4:1-6

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 
Philippians 2:1-4

 

I look forward to seeing many of you in Colorado and I look forward to seeing how the Lord can use us to encourage one another!

Looking for someone’s cell number or info about the conference, check this website https://csu2013.cru.org/ It has info on the speakers, schedule, and even a tab to “Find-a-Friend.”

Erin Mullis
Cru Staff serving on the MidSouth Regional Team

Around the World in 60 days

Just found this cool resource created by Focus on the Family for teaching your kids about other cultures and praying for other countries. The best part… it’s totally FREE!

Have you ever wondered what life is like in other countries? This summer, Thriving Family invites you to join us on a trip around the world! Over the next 60 days, you'll have the opportunity to explore 27 different countries on six continents. For each day of the trip, we've packed a biblical lesson and an activity that will give your family a glimpse into another culture.

Click on this link to get the map, itinerary, and passport.

http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Magazine/2013/around-the-world-in-60-days.aspx 

Do you have great resources to share that would be beneficial to your staff sisters? Email Erin.Mullis@cru.org and I will share them on this blog!

Praying for Ourselves & Our Kids

Hey y’all,

I found this great resource on Pinterest that has a list of 31 Biblical Virtues to pray for your children. We’ve been using it for a few weeks and LOVE it! These are also things that you can pray for yourself. One big plus is that it already looks cute. You can just print it out or save it on your computer. It’s not another “Pinterest Project” to add to your list (my list is already way too long).

http://keepingitpersonal.com/2012/02/pray-for-kids/

Scroll down to orange letters at the bottom. Click and Print, it’s that easy I promise!

More coming on the blog soon! Keep coming back for more info about Summer Projects and Fort Collins.

Here’s a sample. The link has a better format for printing.

broken #hope

By Mary Wallace Wilson

I still anticipate seeing how God will work in our midst even after going to 29 years of Cru conferences! When I recently registered for Encounter, I saw that the theme this year is “broken #hope.” It seems the idea of “brokenness” has been in my path lately . . .

I have used Crawford Loritts book, Leadership As An Identity for our Women’s Council devotions. Crawford says that distinctively Christian leaders live from and lead with brokenness (among other characteristics). There was a time in my life when I couldn’t sing the stanza “Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for. Brokenness is what I need.” I felt like I was experiencing so much brokenness that I couldn’t take any more. And I surely wasn’t going to tell God that I longed for it OR that I needed it!

Check out what Crawford says:

Brokenness is a conscious, core awareness that you need God in all things. A broken person has come to realize that he is nothing and can do nothing apart from God’s presence and enabling power. (John 15:5) . . . For a Christian leader, brokenness is a dear friend, and pride is the enemy. When you are broken, you realize you cannot do it in your own power – you cannot earn salvation on your own, you cannot walk with God on your own, and you cannot fulfill God’s assignments on your own. P. 36

Brokenness is not a onetime event. It is never finished; it’s an ongoing process. P. 36

Sounds exciting, huh??!!! What about considering brokenness as a dear friend? I can’t say that I’m at the place where I consider brokenness as my dear friend, but I CAN say that I understand the benefit of brokenness in my life. That is to break my pride. Ouch. Brokenness does that to me every time. It reminds me that my greatest need in life is God. I can accomplish a lot in my own strength, but if the Holy Spirit isn’t empowering me, then my deeds are worthless.

Humility is where God wants me all the time and brokenness is a vessel that gets me to that place. Thankfully I can find my hope in God; He is always there for me! Let’s pray that God will speak to us at Encounter as clearly as He speaks to the students we recruit to come.

· How do you view brokenness? Is brokenness your dear friend?

· Think of a time when you have experienced brokenness. What did it feel like? How did you respond to those feelings?

· How did you experience God at that time?

How can you apply John 15:5 in your life?

“Whoever abides in me and I in him, it is he that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”