NIPTO, Day 158

Hey all!
Today was another great, long day!

We ate breakfast and then drove over to Luetze Hall for our breakout sessions. I went to Greg Burlile's on meditation&quiet times. And then I walked over to Schwartz (where we're staying) with Darby Creek people to go to "The Heart and Hands of a Worship Leader." David Root&The gang (aka the rest of the band... minus Ben) led that. It was coolio.

Then we ate lunch... and went across campus to the Student Union to advertise some for Pneuma, the church that was just started on campus. (We had chalk and business cards. Epic pairing! [I'm over using 'epic' and 'legit' this week...])

We came back from that and re-grouped and got ready to go to the beach. So we went to the beach and hung out there. It was windy and kinda cold... no sun. Loooots of wind. And big huge waves. Kayla-la and I walked down the beach and said hey to Darby Creek before they left for dinner&stuff. Then I took a bunch of pictures...

It was beautiful. Even if it was super windy and not altogether enjoyable.
I went back to the car with Mom&Hannah for a bit... then we came back and everyone decided to go to Wings (beach store) to do a little shopping... so we did that...
Then we came back to the dorm and took showers and then went to Flaming Amy's for dinner. It's like Chipotle, but it's gooood. They have more of a "set" menu.

Here's our group there :)

I know, I know, I'm not in the picture. But it's as good as it gets for now! (I might photoshop myself into it later... it'll look really bad, but it'll be something =P)

Then we stopped at a grocery store and Mom&Dad went in and got Klondike bars for dessert.
Then we went back to the dorm and had our tie-down. And that was about our day!
It was a good one. More pictures will be on facebook on... Sunday? Monday?  Yeah...

Soooooo NIPTO:
Acts 5:33-42
33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.

Alrighty. Peter made people mad. (Not something new around there!) But a Pharisee (!!) stood up and spoke out for him. Pretty un-heard of.


35Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."


So Gamaliel warned them. He told them to think about what they were doing and to consider a past situation. He told them to look at the patterns and to see that they had failed. So why not, if it's a human made thing, let them go if they're just going to fall away and fail? That's not a big deal. But if it's a God ordained thing, he warned them that they'll just be fighting against God. Not a great thing to do!


40His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

That got them out... but Ow. Hm. How would you react if you were put into prison for what you were doing. Then you were interrogated. Then you were released for a bit. Then you were captured again and flogged... then you were warned not to talk about your entire life story and let go? I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't respond how they did...


41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

They started rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for God's name. If only we were that passionate and zealous!
The apostles (even after being warned) went around day after day teaching about Jesus. Wow. To be as passionate as them would be such a gift.
God, give me passion.

I'm going to sleep now. Tomorrow is our last day. And I'm making an incredible "frownie face" while I'm typing this... *sigh*
I'll see ya on the flip side!