Friday, December 19, 2014

Leadership

Today's chapter covered the past experiences of leaders, what they did and what they would do differently to share Christ to their chapter. I really loved all of the suggestions they made. Except for the fact that they hope that you start out with freshman then work your way up. A lot of our girls are not saved. So my entire chapter needs work. Now granted next fall I plan on focusing on the freshman and building them up, but for now it's gonna be tough just getting everyone's attention. Another thing they offer is co-ed bible studies. Which is BRILLIANT! Get the guys and girls to come for the first 5 weeks then you split up. Or host a four-house (2 sororities 2 fraternities) and you have a speaker about relationships then you break up and host a hot topic panel. Which is a great idea, it will be tough getting people there. But when we do, I think great things can happen. I also think that I might ask my friend Marcus that is an ATO for doing a coed bible study with them. Honestly because he's the only Greek guy I know that is saved. The only one. How sad is that? But I would love to get something started. But this chapter had some really great ideas but they also suggest that you have multiple actives talk to the new members about their faith. It would have to be just me and/or Brooke doing this because I don't know anyone else that is saved or would be willing to share the Gospel with these girls. So here I am again worried about having to do this on my own. But who cares. The end of this chapter ends with this statement:
"There are only three things that are going to last: God, His Word, and the souls of men. These three things should influence all that we do."
So this is my prayer, that I would have the courage of Christ in me when I begin these initiatives of Bible studies and sharing the Gospel personally. Also that I would follow up on all these things. Lastly to find an advisor or leader of some sort to help me get these things going.

Liep,
Goda

Thursday, December 18, 2014

To Do:

Today in chapters 3-4, I read on the legacy of men serving at Arkansas and Ole Miss. But the more effective chapter that I was able to draw from was chapter 4, concerning what Jenkins would consider to be wise decisions. If acting out on these things it will provide for much more effective ministry:

  • Live in your chapter's housing/be available
  • Pick your battles/ don't be involved in anything and everything
  • Take them with you/ to bible studies, to church, to anything
  • Don't take on other letters/ give your chapter your time
  • Sharing Christ with pledges/ dividing up your pledge class and sharing Christ with a chosen few
  • Being faithful to Bible studies/ have people know who you are completely & truthfully
  • Consider to not get too serious in your dating/ relationships can distract you
  • Get involved in a local campus ministry/ great materials & references
  • Attend a local church faithfully
  • Build friendships with non-believers/
"I once heard a Baptist preacher say that if all there was to life was comin to know Christ ad waiting for heaven, then when we were baptized we should just ask the preacher to hold our head under the water. This was a humorous but true indictment against Christinas who form a 'holy huddle' and do nothing to reach out to the lost around them."
  • Don't just lead by example/ actively share the Gospel
  • Making Christ Lord of your life
Let this be my prayer: I want to be one of those people the Lord strongly supports. I want to be living my life in such a way that when God wants to use someone to accomplish something big, He will use me.

Liep,
Goda

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Something New

So today I started my next devotional. Even though I have one my discipler Molli and I will be doing for the rest of the break covering the Holy Spirit. But for now I'm thoroughly enjoying this book called, "Leaving a Legacy for Christ in your Fraternity or Sorority." And it covers exactly that. It's to encourage those that are in and out of the Greek system and encouraging them to begin ministry there no matter what. Because Greeks are the key to affecting an entire campus. Due to our heavy involvement in everything on campus, our nationwide sisterhood, our involvement with non-Believers, and our strong sisterhood within ourselves; we are the vital key to starting something legendary. Leaving a legacy in your chapter isn't hard. We hold traditions in everything. The way we conduct meeting, who we party with, what we do on Homecoming. Whatever it is, we have a purpose or a tradition behind it. I cannot wait to get into this book and truly learn from it. No doubt it will be a good read, but I hope that  I will be able to grow and act on everything I've learned from it. I was so excited when Elizabeth told me she had a gift for me. Turns out it was this book from her friend Angela from NC, she had gone to China with Elizabeth last summer. She happens to be a Sigma Sigma Sigma at a small university. But it was really neat to hear how hard she works to minister to her chapter. It was encouraging and convicting. Because I feel that yes, Molli and I have been working hard within our own chapter to spread the Word, but there's so much more we can do. There are so many other chapters that need the Gospel. For example, one of my best friends that is a Theta came and talked to me one night and told me she thought I had it all together when it comes to my relationship with God. I have to say I know my eyes got big! But I told her nothing beats Christian community, which I'm not always able to find within Alpha Gam, but I can find it within my Bible study and a select few in my chapter. Taylor can't find that in Theta. She has maybe one friend that will talk about Godly things with her. So creating a Christian community between all believing Greeks is something that I would absolutely love to work on. But for now I'm going to continue to pray for a huge revolution within Alpha Gam. I want hearts to be changed and committed to Christ. I'm going to be praying for that every day. I believe in the awesome power of prayer, so I'm going to utilize it.

Liep,
Goda

Monday, December 15, 2014

This past semester

So a lot has happened. Too much to fit in one post. But I've determined that I will post every day over winter break... starting today. I mean I got off Friday, but it's Monday and who cares. When's a better time than now? I'm glad I'm on break. These last two weeks have been hell. Hell on my heart & mind. I lost a friendship due to a stupid drunken mistake I made last semester. I'm so sorry for what I did, but I'm also really disappointed in the fact that she would chose this guy over me. She can't give up on him and it's so frustrating to watch. But I can't blame her for being mad at me, but her giving up on our friendship and not willing to listen to me explain or apologize in person  isn't worth my time. It isn't worth me exhausting all my emotion and energy on gaining her friendship back. I went about seeking her forgiveness biblically and appropriately, as according to all the lessons I had learned in the past. But it was hell on my mind too, as my tweet said: "5 exams. 4 days. 1 brain. These do not add up." It was really tough, but I fixed a grade, won back a better grade, and maintained overall a pretty great GPA. I'm not happy with the way my grades turned out. Honestly, I'm really disappointed in myself. I can't believe I let my grades slip this much. I realize it was only one C, but there were too many B's and not enough A's. Ugh. Oh well, I guess some people would call this motivation to do better. I definitely agree with this. I will do better next semester. I will also do better with my bible study, all of my VP positions, and especially my grades. I just hope I can actually do that. But in better news, I got my summer internship! I will be working with the Mid Atlantic PGA Section in the Junior Golf Tournament Administration. I killed the phone interview and got a call back two days later and accepted the job on he spot. I could not be more excited, especially when I get a text from another junior PGMer that applied for the same job saying he didn't get it. Quite funny, especially when he's incredibly attractive and probably better qualified than me. But I'm so glad I got it, but I found out that they took three ladies. Which is great, but this could mean they'll either be my best friends or worst enemies. We'll just have to wait and see. I completed all of my finals. It was tough but I got er done! The worst part of finals weeks was completing the Greek Life Standards of Excellence, which included a two inch binder documenting anything and everything philanthropy and community service our chapter has done. It wasn't easy, I even had to stay an extra day but I got it done. So I ended the semester on a high note. I'm glad I'm home. I've already worked out once, done some DIY stuff, and turned in my car to get tommy fixed. Lordwilling it will be soon. So I'm without a car and I should get more done. Speaking of which I really need to work on philanthropy hours. So I'll get back to you soon.
LiEP,
Goda