A Time For Everything by Samantha Ruehl

Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance" (NIV).


Sometimes school and work can become overwhelming and take over our lives. So far this semester I have been very busy, and it has been hard to make time for fun, but when I manage to I find time for fun it's so much more enjoyable. Last semester I had plenty of time to have fun and realized that too much of some things — television, shopping, eating, for example — can corrode our spiritual health. We need a good balance in our lives. We don't want to overwork and miss out on all the joyful things the Lord has made, but we also don't want to have too much fun and lose sight of other important things. Our happiness is important to God. He created pleasure because he enjoys watching us laugh and smile. Having fun helps us balance the disappointments and hard times in life, but God also expects us to work. Like Ecclesiastes says, “there is a time for everything.” Are you using your time wisely, in a way that honors God?

Free Lunch video article from Royal Purple

FREE LUNCH BEGINS FEBRUARY 2!!

Where Does God Want You to be a Year From Now?

At the start of a new semester and a new year, it’s a good opportunity to reflect on where you’d like your life to be headed. This year there are many chances for you to grow in your relationship with the Lord. I know some of you some have a solid and vibrant relationship with Jesus while others wonder if God even exists, and most fall somewhere in-between. But no matter where you fit in that spectrum, the Lord desires more of your heart. With that in mind, here are some upcoming opportunities that the Lord may want to use in your life:

• Pray. Has God laid on your heart to have prayer happening in Whitewater 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Help make it a reality!

• Sign up for the weekly e-mail devotional written by your fellow college students to encourage you throughout the semester or the weekly Bible Study sent out via blog.

• Find our free resource table at Free Lunch.

• Find our facebook group (UW-W United Methodist Ministry).

• Opportunities for Women: Encourage one another through the study of God’s Word- led by Staci Cooper (my wife) and Anne Gibson.

• Opportunities for Men:
  

Gather weekly with me to apply God’s word in a practical way.

Join us for a monthly man outing.

Spend a weekend camping (or in a cabin) with 20-30 other crazy guys in Michigan. (January 29-31)

Work on a ranch overlooking the Grand Tetons, then go backpacking in Grand Teton National Park! (May 16-29)

Discipleship House- While working your summer job around the Whitewater area, live together in an intentional community, pushing one another to become better men. (June 1-30)

• Grow in your leadership through Tentmakers visioning event (January 23) or Campus Outreach Academy. (August 15-24)

• Contribute to the direction of this ministry by attending a University Ministry Support Team meeting. (January 26 or May 6)

• Energize your soul and body with a weekend retreat (February 26-28)

• Spring Break Mission Trip to Texas- Make a difference with your time off! (March 19-28)

• Campus Mission Week. (April 11-15)

• Refresh yourself during finals at Study Central with Free Coffee (May 11)

• Volunteer at Christian Disciple Farm- A Vacation Bible School Day Camp for families with special needs children. www.DiscipleFarm.com (August 7-14)

• Boundary Waters Canoe Area- End your summer and start your school year surrounded by the wonder of God’s creation and good friends. (August 22-28)

• Join the Relational Ministry Team- a chance to build intentional relationships with others during Free Lunch. Next training session will be in the fall of 2010.
  

Information and an upcoming events calendar for all of this and SO MUCH MORE can be found on our website www.fumcwhitewater.org/UniversityMinistries.html. Just think, where does God want you to be a year from now? Let’s make this a great year!

Serving Him and you,


Owen Cooper

Milwaukee Lord's Day

Saturday night we did a Lord's Day Celebration. We didn't include a meal because Chris & Gina bought us pizza. We honored the Lord through readings, shared apple juice signifying the Lord's blessing. We passed around the bread of thankfulness. We prayed around the circle. And sang a couple of songs- The B-I-B-L-E and Lean on Me. We had about 5 neighbor boys from ages 3-17 join us. At this Lord's Day celebration we had Ages 1-32. We finished the evening with a game of Settlers.

Transformation City House

We worked alongside church members and neighborhood kids. Some church members brought us all lunch- chili, bagels, and ice cream! Lunch was served on a donated ping pong table.

Ken & Ben live in this house with the specific intention of building relationships with the neighbors. They are doing an amazing job! There were always kids around and neighbors stopping over to say hi or to join us for a bowl of chili.

Painting the Neighborhood House