Exodus & Married Friends

Pizza Theology

Pizza Theology Spring 2019

Every semester we do a thing called Pizza Theology. If you've been following my blogs you're probably familiar with it at this point, but we break down a topic and stop for dinner with pizza in the middle. This semester's Pizza Theology topic was over the book of Exodus. Several of our staff led us through the book and helped us understand what this book is conveying about the heart of God. One of the things that's so powerful to me within the book of Exodus is all of the detailing that goes into the dwelling place of God, the Tabernacle. Once I started reading through those extensive instructions for building the Tabernacle in light of knowing that our bodies are now what his Holy Spirit now dwells within, the highly repetitious instructions had new meaning. I encourage you to read though Exodus if you haven't in a while! 

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Marriage Seminar

The FOCUS staff has roughly 10 newly married couples and several couples who will be getting married soon! It's so cool to have other people around me who are recently married and working in ministry at the same time. Some of our Directors put together a marriage seminar for all of the married, newly married, or soon to be couples. It's really encouraging to me that our Directors value and want the marriages within our staff to be strong and healthy. The seminar was helpful in reminding us to communicate well as couples, be open, vulnerable, and to always put each other before our ministry work. They had a marriage counselor come and speak with us, Eddie Traughber. He talked about how many married couples don't put in the few extras steps to making their relationship with their spouse excellent, but with everything going on we often settle for a good marriage. Not that a good marriage is a bad place to be, but taking steps to have an excellent marriage moves you further away from ever having a challenging or unhealthy marriage. He challenged us to put each other before our jobs and ministry work and be good stewards of our marriages. 

Speaking of married friends, this is Grant and Shayla. They got married the weekend before Tate and I. Shayla works with FOCUS as well and we have so much fun with them! This was a double date a while back, we played a game called Speak Out. Lots of drool. Tate and I are so grateful for their friendship and to have another couple in a similar phase as us to share life with. 

Student Testimony

"During my first semester at Richland College, I was approached by a gentleman who introduced me to FOCUS. At first, I was reluctant and uninterested but as time passed I kept seeing these people gathering every week, playing songs and having a good time together.  These people were different, and it caught my attention. After a few weeks of standing at a distance, I decided to jump all in and be a part of FOCUS at Richland College. Once I decided to go all in I began to experience true community and real relationships. This is my second semester as a small group leader and God has been at work teaching me deep truths about his character. One of the many things he has been showing me is that it doesn’t matter how sinful, broken, or incompetent you think you are, you are God’s child. If you are willing, He’ll gladly do his work through you. The FOCUS community has taught me that everyone is valuable and each one of us deserves good friendships. At first, the ministry seemed like an inconvenience because it required more time than just a once per week service. I have come to realize that it is not an inconvenience, but a blessing to myself and many others. I'm thankful for my community showing me that living for Jesus is not a Sunday morning commitment but a 24/7 opportunity to love and serve others."

Evan Smits, Sophomore

Richland College

Nursing