mid-term update

time flies when you're busy, having fun and the days are short. they'll officially get longer on the last sun of mar, when the clocks spring forward an hour.

it's week 5 of spring term and i'm halfway through my first year at york. at this time next year, i'll be halfway through my degree. i've been thinking about a lot of things, but haven't had the time to sit down and flesh all of them out. this post itself is being done in a few sittings.

someone (was it c.s. lewis?) once said that you don't really understand something until you're able to explain it to someone else. hopefully i'll be able to clarify my thoughts and post a bit more regularly in the next couple of weeks leading up to easter.

the course

the modules i'm doing this term are rather interesting, especially for philosophy (ethics) and politics (political theory). so that leaves economics. anyway, it's always useful to learn more about the world; though at the end of the day, none of the disciplines actually answer any of the questions they purport to.

incidentally, the centre for criminal justice economics and psychology (ccjep) - established in partnership with the uk home office - is located in york, on campus itself. this has nothing to do with my course, but there's clearly the potential for an internship of sorts. i've been to discuss a few possibilities with the director of the ccjep and we'll see how things develop in time.

christian union and church

it's an immense privilege to be part of two different teams on campus, the james cu college team and the main cu international team. being a small group leader/member of the college team is a great way to get involved in the college, not just by sharing with fellow christians within a small group setting, but also by reaching out to other students in the college through various events.

meanwhile, the main cu international team focuses on reaching out to international students on campus. it's exciting to meet people from different cultures (or even the same culture) and more importantly, share the Gospel with them as the opportunities arise.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" - Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

"And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."" - Revelation 5:9-10 (NIV)

ultimately, the christian union is the missionary arm of the church on campus, just as the church is the body of Christ on earth. speaking of church, i'm quite settled at york baptist church now. i might even be about to start playing the keyboard for service sometime.

life in general

one of a kind! end jan is a good time to visit york, if only for the minster ball.

apart from it being chinese new year, this week also marks the start of lent. lent is the 40 day liturgical season of fasting and prayer leading up to easter. it is symbolic of the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent in the desert following His baptism, fasting and overcoming temptation from the devil.

in the uk, it's a tradition to either give up something or take up something for lent. this year, i'm going to give up worrying about the future.

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)

instead,

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4 (NIV)

God will provide the right thing at the right time; most recently, great housemates and a great house. the lack of faith has nothing to do with how it is given, but with how it is received.