Weekend Wrapup

So, I wrote this on Saturday evening, but couldn't post until right now.

Today, 1 Corinthians 1-2 was screaming at me.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18 NIV)

People cannot desire what the Spirit desires without the indwelling of the Spirit. Therefore, we shouldn’t judge those without the spirit, or expect them to be able to discern right from wrong, as one with the Spirit. Also, 1 Cor. 2:14.

“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom … for I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified … so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5 NIV)

Although the Lord gives us spiritual blessings, as Paul writes in Eph. 1:3, we can’t rely on anything or anyone but the Lord to further His kingdom. I’m reading two books of Christian apologetics, but no amount of apologetics can hold a candle to God’s boundlessly given grace.

Therefore, we deserve nothing when we see success in evangelism – Eph 2:8-9 – and we face no remorse for failure. In fact, when cannot even begin to determine success or failure, because we do not know what God is doing in each person’s heart and life. (1 Cor. 2:11-16).

UPDATES

While it’s great to meet new people, I’ve experienced a lot of joy in furthering relationships with three guys I’ve met this week. They came to our soirée on Friday, and basketball on Saturday, and they want to meet again to go out for lunch or a drink sometime in the next week. Please pray for Manni, Alain, and Charles.

The church Aaron Lane and I attend is currently hurting for people to play instruments for worship. Aaron plays the piano, and I said I could learn some of their songs on guitar, and they were happy to hear it. Please pray that Aaron and I can begin to play adequately enough to lead worship in a foreign language!

At church, Aaron and I have been welcomed in extremely lovingly. It’s a small place, and they want to get to know us better. There are a couple of socials next week that we’ll attend, and a couple who speaks english at the church invited us to dinner at their house at some point. The church has been a huge blessing during this trip. I definitely feel like I have two very tight-knit groups for Christian fellowship, which is rare in such a lost city!

Saturday night was the first free night that we really knew the city. I went out with a few guys to check out a part of town that was wildly recommended to us by some French students. It’s called the “Banana district” and it’s an old WWII shipyard turned into a grouping of clubs and bars. We listened a part of a public concert – people who were clearly French, but sand in English. After, we walked to a bar where we could sit outside, and watch the sun set on the Loire river. It was gorgeous, and there was a band playing Gypsy Jazz music, some songs I recognized as Django Reinhartd. Definitely different from the bars I'm used to at OU.

I got to talk to Marie on Skype for the first time since the trip started. I miss her a ton, and seeing her didn’t help! I know that a lot is going on at home, but I’m sure that when I return, it will feel like I never left. Knowing that, it’s important that I make the most of this trip that I can, and put the trappings of home out of my head as much as possible. I can’t wait to get home and meet with all of you personally and share stories from Nantes!