Ladies Night Out 2010

My name is Kent Stephenson and I have been part of ASU Chi Alpha since I was a freshman almost three years ago. Saturday, the 27th of March, 2010, I took part in making the food for Ladies Night out for the third time. Ladies Night Out is a tradition in ASU Chi Alpha with a profound mission: for men to repent of ungodliness with regards to our relationships with women and sacrificially show the love of God thereby raising the women’s expectations of men. Our world is filled with the conceited failures of men, so we let the women attending know they deserve so much more. As guys, we wear our best clothes and ask the girls to dress as they would for a prom, allowing them to declare, “God has made me beautiful and I receive all strength from my identity in Him”. We take care of everything for them – we valet cars, escort them to their tables, pull out chairs for them, cater hand-made gourmet food, provide entertainment, and speak words of life into them – all in the attempt to imitate Christ’s love.As the men show women (to the best of our ability) how God loves them, we discover parts of our identity as well. In serving the women of Chi Alpha by preparing the food, I found a skill within myself I had not known was there. The first year I prepared a meal for 40 people with only one other person helping me. I had never known that was possible, or even that I was able to cook well. Now I use this emerging talent to bless my friends throughout the year by making food whenever possible. Ladies Night Out has also taught me the importance of accepting thanks. My freshman year I wouldn’t let any of the women say a simple “thank you” without saying that “it wasn’t me, it was all God.” Although this is true to certain extent, I have learned that a simple “you’re welcome” is better than false humility.I have seen both women and men grow in maturity and better understand God’s love through these nights of ministry. I pray that this tradition continues in Chi Alpha and only surpasses what has already been done.

A couple Testimonies from LNO:

The last thing I expected from college guys was for them to tell me that they honored me and treasured me as their sister in Christ. Ladies' Night Out has been an incredible healing experience. It has renewed my hope in the Godly men who are future leaders in the church as they pledged to protect and uphold my honor and respect me because I am a beautiful woman.

- Jenni, Junior

*********************************************************************

This was my first year attending LNO and I was just amazed at the caliber of the event. From driving up and seeing the guys waiting to escort us in to their readiness to get us anything (and repeated again "anything") we needed, it was such servitude. They made sure everything was excellent because they wanted to make sure we knew that we deserved excellent. I brought two high school friends and one in particular was just awe struck by the event and upon reading a letter that the guys had written for us, said to something to effect - "I am going to frame this!" For me, the night was an opportunity to learn more about guys and relationships. In one section of the event, called the Panel, the guys were open and honest, answering questions we had submitted. It was eye opening to hear some of their responses to questions and to see them as brothers who fight for us, support us, and are honest with us. It was a night of love and learning - a blessing for each girl present.

- Emily, Freshmen

Stand Firm

I had an awesome opportunity to go to a Beth Moore Conference. Eventhough it was a quick trip to Tucson, it was so nice to connect with other women and to have a chance to be poured into.

Beth taught out of 1 Corinthians 15 - she began with the bookends of the chapter -- first and last verse... these verses alone with such words of life and encouragement to me!

"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand." 1 Corinthians 15:1

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

1 Corinthians 15:58

At times I have felt discouraged, misunderstood and even defeated in ministry...but I am so thankful for God's charge to us to stand firm and a reminder that the work He has called us to is not in vain... regardless to what our natural eyes see and regardless of what man may think.

Praise God that He is at work all around us and that we have the amazing gift to partner with His Spirit! He is looking for willing vessels and His grace is sufficient for us!

"All pain and all gain is to create a space for grace." -Beth Moore

UTAH!!

In case you didn't know, Chi Alpha and hiking go hand in hand. So to Kick off spring break about fifteen Chi Alphans car-pooled north to Moab, Utah. We spent two and a half days hiking and touring through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. From car rides filled with great God-centered conversation, to incredible mountain top views and snowball fights, it was a great way to unwind from stressful mid-terms and break away from the routine of day to day life. There's just something incredibly refreshing and inspiring about being with friends in the middle of God's incredible creation!

Picacho Peak Guys Hike

Sometimes the best way to connect is to just get away... Saturday, March 6th, a group of guys from Chi Alpha headed south to hike Picacho Peak just north of Tucson, Arizona. It was a great day of male craziness, great conversation, and enjoying God's amazing creation!

The Father Heart of God

We often refer to February as the "Love Month" in Chi Alpha since it's a great time to discuss relationships surrounding valentines day. So, what better way to finish the month than with a day devoted to learning about the love of our heavenly Father and his desire for us to know and experience Him as he truly is.

Saturday, February 27th, about 20 students gathered together to take part in the Father Heart of God Seminar. A 12 hour seminar put on by my former mentor from Montana State University and long time Chi Alpha veteran Dick Schroeder. Dick's teaching helps students work through broken areas of relationships in their lives and God's desire for us to live in true forgiveness and love. Students spent time learning the importance of forgiveness and letting go of the weight and captivity that holding offenses brings. Here's a quick testimony from one student that took part in the seminar...

"Going into the Father Heart of God seminar, I did not really know what to expect. I spent the night prior going through the family evaluation packet realizing the true dynamics of my family. I learned that because my parents divorced when I was young, I did not know what a real father was like. That point in particular scared me. I had been viewing God in the same way that I viewed my dad, absent and angry. Though I knew in my mind that both loved me, I felt it was a distant, conditional love. There was a time during the seminar where Dick spoke about the seven common misconceptions about God, it was at this point that I realized just how skewed my views were. I looked at four of those misconceptions to be truth. As we prayed over those thoughts I could feel God working, slowing churning the rusty cogs in my mind, and opening my heart.
Forgiveness was another large part of the day. There had been many times in my life where I had thought that I had forgiven all those people who really hurt me, but there was still a lot of hurt left. Having the ability to go through and let the spirit guide you to all of those people who you have not forgiven yet was really interesting. The people who came up were ones who I had not thought about in years, but looking back those where the ones I needed to forgive the most. Along with forgiving those around us, Dick also made a point to take the time to truly forgive ourselves. That was tough. I had been carrying around so much shame (feeling inadequate, etc...) that it was like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. God has really been working miracles in that area of my life, looking back no more than six months ago, I was soft spoken, quiet, scared, and had a self confidence that was through the floor. I can't say now that I am completely healed and that every aspect of my personality has changed, but it is leaps and bounds better than before. I am no longer afraid to be a strong woman of God, and no longer afraid to stand up for what I believe in.
The very end of the day was saved as a time of prayer and ministry. There were many points in the day that the topic of divorce was brought up, this struck a chord with me because my parents have been divorced since I was four. So I have never really known what family is supposed to look like. The first prayer we spoke was over that; Dick had all of those people who came from divorced families to come to the center. There were three of us. At that point the group gathered around and prayed to break the cycle of divorce in our families, and that we were the ones who were going to change it. That night of prayer was the most honest and heartfelt that I have ever experienced. The Holy Spirit was there guiding and watching over us. Leading everyone back to God in some way. It was one of the best experiences; I also had an opportunity that night to pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was baptized by the Holy Spirit, and received a prayer language. Overall, I could not have asked for a more powerful Spirit lead day. It was an experience I would recommend all students to go through to learn more about yourself, your family, and God."

~Brieanne Kosmata (Junior)

A Changed Life!

I Called and He Came to My Rescue!

First coming to ASU I had a background in the church and I honestly thought I was a Christian. However, I was still involved with alcohol, marijuana, sexual activity and other habits that I struggled with breaking free from. When my roommate first moved into my dorm, I began to see a reflection of myself. My roommate was constantly drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana in my dorm room and I came to the realization, “I don’t want to be like this anymore.” I had this guilt and this conscience leading my heart away from everything. I laid down and I sincerely prayed to God that night. I told God I was sorry for not living a faithful life. I told Him that I was done running, that I wanted Him to renew my heart, my soul, my body and my mind in Christ. I knew something felt different when I prayed that night to God.Well within 2 days, God answered my prayers. Late at night I got a call from my roommate asking me to come back to my dorm room because the police were there. I realized that he was caught for smoking marijuana. I returned to my dorm and I talked to the police officers and I was honest with them. I explained everything my roommate had been doing and I told them there was marijuana in the room. I peacefully gave them my marijuana that I was keeping and cooperated with them to resolve the situation. Before I even had time to comprehend what was going on, handcuffs were on my wrists. I ended up going to jail that night.I knew that despite the unpleasantness of the situation, God had welcomed me back into His arms. I had been completely transformed and it was evident that I had become a new creation in Christ. That week I attended Chi Alpha for the first time. I remember experiencing God’s presence more than I have ever before in my life. I began to noticed that God was healing and changing me in all areas of my life. I literally had died to my old self and was revived in the Spirit of God. As I grew in fellowship with Chi Alpha, I knew that God had directed me towards leadership. Now, I put my hope in God with everything I do, as He has been faithful to me countless times. My heart will always give Him praise, because I know that my God is truly an amazing God. Thank you Lord!

-Corey -Freshmen

*In picture - friends Corey (on right) and Parker (left)

A Fresh Look 2010

XA Girls' Get-Away 2010
Prescott, AZ
A Fresh Look

What an amazing weekend we had! Much prayer and preparation went into this weekend. It was a weekend of fresh revelation, fresh vision and truly a fresh look at how our Heavenly Father views His daughters.
A very full weekend... from swing dancing, watercolor painting, make-up, a photo shoot, workshops, meaniful conversations to awesome worship with the Lord.. we were blessed!

Thank you so much for those of you who helped to scholarship several girls to attend...it was definitely an eternal investment! Thank you!

Here are a just a few comments from the girls who attended:

"Girls retreat was full of mixed emotions for me. God really brought up issues that I had been struggling with for a long time; it was a good time for healing. It was also really great being able to bond with the other girls and see how God is working in their lives."
- Brie - Senior

"Girl's Getaway 2010 was da BOMB, one could say. We were able to grow as women of God while enjoying crazy activities like Swing dancing, Makeovers, Photoshoots, Breakout sessions, Yoga, AND great worship. The presence of God was definitely with us in our short time together and provided opportunities for continual growth and bonding."
- Michelle, Freshman

"A fresh start was what the Girls Getaway was all about. We healed through our hurts, took care of our bodies, checked our hearts with God, and built friendships that did not end at the door. It was a weekend that us girls will not forget."
-Elizabeth, Sophmore


"At girls get away God showed me that I don't just call Him my best friend but that HE calls ME HIS best friend and that weekend God called me in such a strong and unique way that He has never done before to come be with Him in a radical way (to sacrifice and give up things for a time to just be with Him) because He wants to spend time with just me and not share that with anyone one because He is jealous for me. It was like starting saturday night God called me to get out of the boat and leave my dad or leave my tax booth behind or not to wait to burry my dad but drop everything and come into this season with Him to be discipled by Him. I've never felt God so loud and so clear so I'm really excited to see what He's going to do and teach me."
-Jessica, Sophmore