What's So Good About Marriage?

On my trip to Colorado a few weeks back I began reading Randy Newman's book "Questioning Evangelism". While teaching me ways to engage people's hearts much more conversationally, he covers topics that he has found common through over 20 years as a staff member of Campus Crusade. However, instead of giving you my synopsis, I'll save some time and direct you to an accurate review of this book.

From what I read today, a chapter entitled, "What's So Good About Marriage?" I found this paragraph worthy of passing on:

Marriage makes us better because it shows us how bad we are. Lifelong, unconditional commitment makes us more giving because it exposes how selfish we are. Loving someone who doesn't deserve love makes us more like the God who loved us "while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:8). Unlike any other tool, then, marriage drives home the two-pronged message of the gospel: that we are 'more wicked and sinful than we ever dared believe but, in Christ, we are more accepted and loved than we ever dared hope.' (Newman, p.186)

To read another excerpt from his book, try this link:
Randy Newman Excerpt

Or if you want to spend the $8 on a good book

June 07 Ministry Minute

Welcome to Summer!

We are eager to keep the ball rolling with our ministry as we transition from a time with students to getting all our ducks in a row for another year on campus. Here are the latest happenings for the last month and some things to pray for in June. Thanks for praying!

Praises:

• We have students staying in town for the summer that we will be able to continue investing in.
• I have been making new contacts with students that are here for the summer or will be returning to Wartburg in the fall! Please pray for Nate & David.
• Our support raising has gone well to date and we have enjoyed hearing how God has been working in lives all over the country. Thank God for new friends he has introduced us to in the last year. We are blessed!
  
• Caleb checked out well this week @ his 6 mo. appt. 28 1/2 " & 19' 6 oz.
  

Please pray for:

• God to provide our funds for next year by Aug. 18th. (If you want to keep track of how he is providing and the progress we're making, I've added a chart on the lower right hand side of our blog, benandangienavs.blogspot.com)
• God would continue his work in the hearts of students this summer while they are at home. Pray that his word would be like a fire burning inside them-- Jeremiah 20:9.
• A deeper dedication to his word and the forming of new habits to bring us closer to Him.
  
• Safety as we travel this month
• Incoming freshmen at UNI. This month incoming freshmen begin orientation and it is our first chance to make contacts with them and recruit for the fall!

New Attitude

Hey! I'm currently listening to Eric Simmons' message entitled 'Discern the Graymatters' from the New Attitude Conference in Louisville this May. Check it out to hear why in life there is no such thing as "gray". It's some GOOOOD stuff so I just want to pass along the link where you can get ALL of the messages from the whole conference for free! If you get some time there are also messages from CJ Mahaney, Josh Harris, Mark Dever, Al Mohler & John Piper.

Here's a video from someone who was at the conference this last weekend on YouTube.


Oh and while I've got your attention...