A new place, a good place

I have been very blessed to end up in a dorm with quite a few other Christian guys. Last Saturday they put together a big meal for all the Christians that included fish, chili, soft tacos and cheese sauce. They invited me even though I had nothing to offer. It was really cool. I hadn't seen anything on that scale since I've been in prison. There were at least thirty tacos and two huge bowls of Ramen, chili and beans.

The guys have a Bible study in the dayroom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I didn't know about it until I was asked to join on Wednesday. Instead of a discussion-led study, I encountered an hour and a half-long message on "Who is Jesus?" that seemed more fit for unbelievers, at least those few who would sit and listen for 1 1/2 hours.

After the "study" I was asked by Vega, the gregarious coordinator of Christians, if I wanted to lead on Friday. Sheesh, I just got here, I thought, but I told him I'd pray about it and let him know what I heard the next day. I felt like I was being led to a topic so the following evening I told Vega I was ready.

I took the guys to Jesus' answer to the lawyer's question "What is the most important commandment?" In a nutshell, Jesus replied. "Love God, love people." I asked how we can honor and love God and got some great discussion going with some good examples, too. For loving people, I took them to 1 Corinthians 13 and we worked our way through each characteristic of love - What does a patient love look like? What does a kind love look like? Again, I received some creative answers that I didn't expect, yet fit perfectly. I closed by challenging them to think about how they are loving God and people through the weekend and the next week.

I had a few guys com eup to me afterward and tell me they needed to think about some of the stuff more often. I'm so glad to be in a spot with other beleivers actively participating in the Christ walk.

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

- Matthew 22:36-40