1st week done

Day 4 is complete, and the first week of school has passed.
Most of it consisted of worship time, Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton, and reading the student handbook.
Every day I learn something more, and think about myself a little more. On the first day I felt as if I was in the bottom 10% of on-fire people.
Probably not true. However, I have noticed that my heart has been hardened for about the past 2 years. I'm making progress, and regaining lost ground in the heart area. I will surpass my previous milestones.

Met some really cool people so far. There's ~30 Norwegians, ~30 Kiwis, and people from all over the rest of the world.
Last I heard, there were about 760 1st yr students.
One student is only 15! -- though he turns 16 in 2 days.

I've also heard some great testimonies of 1st year students. Met one guy who hasn't been following Jesus for even a year yet. Was partying, drinking, prayed to God for some good Christian friends, and 1 week later, a bar ministry team from Bethel walks in, talks to him, and he has a Kingdom encounter. He's totally feeling conviction, and comes to be saved. 1 year ago, you'd find him in a bar, he laughs about the idea of attending a ministry school 1 year later!

I also met a guy from Canada who was previously addicted to drugs. He's still struggling with desires for stuff. Please pray for him, and I also humbly request you pray for me, that I'll be able to lead an example for him, and be able to encourage him. Everyone is a work in progress, and some of us have issues that are more visible than others. I found that some students do still have some problems, and need breakthrough. I do also.

Yesterday was my first opportunity to uphold a level of character that I've only recently chose to adopt. I decided to not drink any alcohol while I'm at school. I also quit smoking tobacco, and am going to abstain from that also.

Drinking alcohol in moderation is not banned by the school, but is discouraged.

Whatever, no big deal.. ;)

This is really the first blog of substance since I started school.
I know it's not been as personal as my blogs have been in the past, and I'm looking to further develop my style, cadence, and a develop a protocol/convention/format that suits my purpose and personality -- for this blog.

Please email with any insights about blogging!

Moving forward to claim the victory we've already won,
-Chris

blogged from: YAKS koffee (which just happens to be right next door to: Vineyard City Church)