H2O college ministries

So the other day I happened to find myself hanging out with some pretty awesome people that live down the block from me. I visited their house for a potluck meal, and the next day we went and played bandshell ball. Both activities were very fun and kind of a social stretch for me, also, I kicked my ankle while playing bandshell ball and also learned how to do somersaults. But, that is neither here nor there.

 The house I visited is where most of the Free Winonans are written, and were many of the writers live. Visiting it struck me because I had the certain impression that as soon as I entered the house I had entered a different reality. A place where everything I considered normal was now weird, and everything odd was now in its right place. There was a completely different shift of values and morals, that didn’t seem to shift in a disturbing way, but in a way that surprised me and told me that there is a different way to live. I dont know if that description makes sense, but I think is the best way I can describe it. (more…)

Hey ya’ll.  finally, we got the h2o college ministries website up and running.

www.h2ocollegeministries.com

this blog will still be used to post blogs.

This little story, goes to my everlasting shame!  I am not proud of this story, but now that I look back on it, I laugh.  Don’t judge me.  I know that you got stuff too.  I know your poop stinks as well.

Have you ever done something, albeit small or big, that was done in secret, or in darkness and you thought that you could get away with it?  You know, something maybe shameful that you could tuck away and forget about it.  Well, let’s just say I had a good habit of doing that, with Winona State Parking tickets!  I never took them seriously.  The little parking security are ever where in Winona and no matter where you park these days, they ticket you!  Even outside my favority coffee joint.  Well, they would charge you 10-15 dollars per ticket.  They are not enforced by the police department, so I didn’t take them seriously, especially that I already have my degree.  When I was in school, I wouldn’t pay them either, they actually got sent home to pops and he paid for them. (more…)

I just read this in Dorothy Day’s autobiography, “The Long Loneliness”.
‘The only answer in this life, to the loneliness we are all bound to feel, is community.  The living together, working together, sharing together, loving God and loving our brother, and living close to him in community so we can show our love for him”
Lately I have been wondering what Christ meant when He said, “I have come so that you may have life in the fullest”.  I have been asking myself how is this even possible when I see the scores of alone, disillusioned middle aged people that come in Mugby Junction for their expensive, daily lattes.  I don’t know exactly what it looks like when Christ promises us a filled life, but I am beginning to realize that Community is the heartbeat of the Christian life.

 Go.
He is calling.
Go.
The mind churns
The body hesitates
But my soul YEARNS to answer.
Go, my child, for I have great plans for you.

I am here.  I am where you’ve called me.

Him.
I am.
He is love. (more…)

It is a common thought that the purpose of being a Christian is learning how to not sin.  I think this a seriously debilitating train of thought.  Christ promises us that the closer we walk with him the more we will be aware of the pervasive sin nature in our life.  If anything our sin should appear to be increasing as we grow in our relationship with Christ. 

For me, realizing this has shown me that I need to rethink the way I live my life.  Instead of trying my hardest to not sin, I need to cultivate a relationship with Christ.  Instead of keeping a laundry list of the sins I made that day I have started to think about the amount of time I spend with Christ, how often do I talk with him, how often do I see him, do I let him love me?  Questions that are very important to ask about any relationship but are non-sense when talking about avoidance of actions.

I wanted to tell you guys a little more about ME.  I haven’t shared this with many people, but with recent, pertinent events in my life, I felt that I needed to be more proactive in sharing my story.  Being a ‘miracle baby’ just doesn’t really come up in regular conversation, you know?

My mom’s pregnancy was cut short—so early that she couldn’t even feel me.  Severe bleeding put her in the hospital, on bed rest, for as long as they could draw out her term as long as possible.  When a baby’s development is considered, every day counts.  Realizing that an early birth was inevitable, the doctors informed my parents of ALL of the complications and physical limitations I could (and very likely would) develop as a result of being so premature.  I was faced with the potential of developing cerebral palsy, blindness, detached retinas, respiratory problems, motor function problems, heart problems, and brain hemorrhaging that could result in countless developmental problems, among countless others.  My parents were assured that the neonatologist, nurses and doctors would do all that they could to help me.  They felt helpless—all they could do was hope and pray that I would survive.  (more…)

Please browse through the pages of this website.  We have updated all the pages and events.  Please check them out.

Awaken is on April 25th.

Breathe in the Park is May 1st.

A Belleview Easter is on April 10th…

MUCH MUCH MORE!

I was disturbed by a passage the other day that challenged me at my core.  It was an interesting moment because it was one of those days, when everything you encounter, what you see and hear, all seem to be teaching you one specific message.  Ya, that was this day.  It wrecked me. 

So, I am reading a great book, The Jesus Creed (must read), and I was reading early on about The Shema and the Table Fellowship.  The concept was simple, who is around you.  Who do you allow in, who do you keep out.  Who do you eat with?  Who do you associate with?  People simply like you?  Or ‘those’ people?  Pure people or impure people?  Scot McKnight uses some of Jesus’ examples to break that mold in our life.  (more…)