From rshadian@hawaii.eduWed Feb 21 22:28:53 1996 Date: Wed, 21 Feb 1996 21:10:41 -1000 From: Ritchard Shadian To: Chi Alpha Subject: The Brotherly, Volume SP96, Issue 3 *** * * *** * *** ** * * * *** ******* ****** ****** ******* ** ** ******* ****** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ****** ******* ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ******* ***** ** ** ** ****** ******* ***** ** ** ** ******* ****** ** ** ** ****** ******* ****** ** *** ** ** ** ** ****** ** ** ** ** ** ** ****** *** ******* ** ** ****** ** ** ** ******* ** ** ****** *** _ OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA CHI ALPHA CHAPTER ______________________________________________________________________________ FEBRUARY 21, 1996 VOLUME SP96 ISSUE NO. 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ Well, time for yet another edition of the Brotherly. Thanks to a couple of you, I have some articles to include in this issue, but I'm still lacking in this area. It's good that there are articles this time around because there are only a couple of annoucements. ----------------- | ANNOUNCEMENTS | ----------------- HI HO! HI HO! A-CAMPING WE WILL GO! ----------------------------------- It was agreed upon as a good idea to have some sort of a Chi Alpha campout during Spring Break. We have three options currently open to us which will be up for voting at this Friday's (2/23) meeting. I'll try to give an objective overview. Behind Door #1: Hana, Maui The Seven Sacred Pools in Hana, Maui is a beautiful place to camp, and most of those who have been there before would agree with me. There are hiking trails, places to swim and jump, plenty of grassy space, and lovely scenery to gaze at. For those of us who live on Maui, this would be ideal. However Oahu residents, unfortunately, would need money for airfare in addition to food and the other trappings. Although there are specials from time to time, a kama'aina ticket generally costs about $90. But, if you don't mind paying, it's a great experience. Keep in mind that such an event could be scheduled for the summer or other break instead. Behind Door #2: Bellows Beach Another option would be a Chi Alpha campout at the Beach by Bellows Air Force Base via Chris Kihlstrom. Though neighbor island residents would bear some inconvenience, Oahu residents would find this easier to pocket since the food is all that needs to be bought. Like Hana, tents and sleeping bags are required. There isn't much scenery at Bellows, but it is definitely the cheapest option on this list. Behind Door #3: Hope Honolulu Singles' camp Our last option is to hook up with the Hope Chapel Honolulu's Singles Together in Christ (STINC) campout. The theme of the camp will be "Building Right Relationships." It will be March 28-30 at Camp Homelani in Waialua. Jeff McKay of Hope Chapel Mililani will be one of the speakers. Cost is $50 if you register by March 3, $60 by March 17. To attend you don't have to be a member of Hope Honolulu, and you don't have to be single (although you'll probably get more out of it if you are). The cost covers food and, I think, lodging as well. Generally, all you have to do is show up with a receptive heart. Of course, this camp will go on whether or not we decide to join it. Although there is room in the week to do all three, I think it would be more feasible to do only two of them. If you're wondering about the time frame, the first would be done early in the week, probably Mon-Wed. The second one would be late in the week (Thu-Sat or Fri-Sun), and would overlap the singles' camp (unless, of course, one of the choices *is* the singles' camp). So, think about it and vote for your choices on Friday. If you don't plan on attending the Friday meeting, send me your votes through email before Friday 7pm. Vote only for those that you WILL attend if your schedule permits, not only those you *could* attend. ANIMALS AND FISH ---------------- On Saturday, March 9, we will be spending the day in Waikiki to visit the zoo and then the aquarium. Meet at Chi Alpha corner (between Wainani I and F) at 9:00 am. MORE CONTACT ------------ Flover and Jen have set aside another day for us to go out and spread the gospel to the lost. In addition to Fridays at 12:30 pm, there will be contact evangelism on Thursdays. Meet in Campus Center by the Ticket Office/Information Desk at 12:30 pm. FROM THE GRAPEVINE ------------------ The Director of University Fellowship and Youth for Christ here in Hawaii, Kelii Akina, will be debating someone very intelligent, who is not from the campus of UH, in April. Stay tuned for this exciting activity. ______________________________________________________________________________ ---------- | FEATURES | ---------- WE ARE ALL ONE BODY by Marvin Lum During today's prayer/talk story meeting I had an opportunity to speak with John Lee and Zaida from Crusade and Kendall from University Fellowship. Stacey was there too since nobody showed up at our Chi Alpha prayer meeting at noon every Thursday. I had a good time in doing some catching up with my friends in the other Christian groups here at UH. The Crusaders shared about how motivating their retreat was a month ago. They also had a great time fellowshipping. It had a lot of emphasis on fellows and less on shipping. I can see how God has put such encouraging things in our lives and when we share it with other believers it just gives them an even more desire to do their best for God. Prayer time was awesome and I was somewhat disappointed that other people did not show up. The next one will be in mid-March and every month thereafter. People who are called to be a spokesperson or just interested in learning more about the UH family of God are encouraged to come. Stay tuned ! P.S. A Christian night club here in Hawaii? Stay tuned for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IF THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN TODAY... by Joel Elies Joel's understanding of the "technical" gospel, the gospel of John chapter 1. I don't claim that this is perfectly accurate but it may help you to see it from a different light. 1 Before anything else happened, there was a great expression of God. This expression was both seperate and yet one with God. 2 God and this Expression were together before everything else. 3 Everything created (without exception) was made through this expression of God. 4 He was the only source of life; human life is part of that-which- is-God. 5 That-which-is-God is available to that-which-is-not-God but they cannot co-exist. 6 God sent John the Baptist (7) as a proclaimer of truth to talk about That-which-is-God. The intended purpose? so that every single human being would put their trust in That-which-is-God. 8 John was not That-which-is-God. John only proclaimed That-which- is-God. 9 That-which-is-Truly-God was on His way into this world to give away That-which-is-God (Himself) to every single person. 10 When He came into the world (which was created through Him!), the world didn't even notice it's Creator's presence. 11 He went to those who claimed total devotion to their Creator and they didn't even let Him in! 12 But... anyone who did let Him in, trusting that He was Who He said He was, to them --- He extended the privilege to become those- most-loved-by-God! 13 This privilege doesn't come about naturally, nor can we as humans do anything to bring it about...Only God Himself could extend such an invitation! 14 God's Expression became a human being and set Himself up here...close to us. And we actually saw up close how awesome He was! There's only One that could be that awesome! It had to be Him Who came from God the Father, bringing with Him God's perfect truth and God's strange habit of giving extravagant gifts to those who don't deserve it. 15 John talked about Him. He would scream at the top of his lungs, "This is the guy! Better to follow Him 'cause He's the Original!" 16 And you know these extravagant gifts that God gives to the undeserving? We've actually gotten them ourselves! One after another! 17 In order to get such undeserved gifts, you first have to realize your undeservedness. That's why Moses' law had to come first. And then came Christ Jesus, the truest picture of God's attitude towards us... full of unexpected, unmerited, inconceiveable gifts! 18 No one can fully conceive of the infinite God the Father, but God- the-only-One-Who-deserves-to-be-most-loved-by-God, Who is with God, has been the finite Model of the infinite God for all to see. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ KEEPIN' WITH THE TIMES by Ritchard Shadian (This column reflects the personal opinion of the editor and in no way reflects the opinion of UH Chi Alpha. Rebuttals are more than welcome). Recently I caught a small portion of a radio announcement which was advertising a news program on KHON. It dealt with issues currently facing the Hawaii state legislature. It said "find out what Hawaii's residents really think about same-sex marriage, legalized gambling, and public drinking." I sadly dwelt upon the realization that our world is going in the way of godlessness on a grand scale (much like the nation of Israel did some 3000 years ago). I thought about the irony of these so-called "hot" issues. It seems like we, as a state, are faced with the decision of whether or not to give ourselves over to immorality. Now, I've never been one to advocate political action. After all, I personally think that politics and religion mix like oil and water. But even though our citizenship is in heaven, we can use our citizenship in Hawaii to some advantage. In Acts, Paul didn't hesitate to use his Roman citizenship to appeal to Caeser when he was wrongly arrested for preaching Christ. Here are some things we can do: Keep informed. Keep up with the latest news about what's going on in our government rather than remaining in comfortable ignorance. Get angry. Righteous anger can be good. Apathy is probably the worst enemy to God's people. Testify. If you feel led, you may let your voice be heard at the public meetings of the legislature. Hawaii's government officials are receptive to their constituents' input. These issues have been brought up and struck down in the past because of voters' opinions. Vote. The best way to voice your opinion is by marking the right box on the ballot. Pray. This is most important. We are instructed to pray for our leaders. Pray that God will give them the right decisions to make. Pray for their salvation. Perhaps we CAN make a difference and prevent our society from going to hell in a handbasket (literally). ______________________________________________________________________________ Until next time.... In Christ, Ritchard (rshadian@Hawaii.Edu) ============================================================================== Mailing list address: chi_alpha@Hawaii.Edu World Wide Web page: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~rshadian/chialpha/homepage.html