Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Prayers for VA Tech

Nothing really new to report here. The purpose of this post is to humbly request for your prayers for those who have been affected by the VA Tech shootings. Knowing acutely the college campus environment and how safe and secure it was for us, we can imagine how horribly this act of violence can affect students. In your prayers, please remember the following groups of people:

The families and friends of the murdered students-Pray that in their grief they cling to the cross and find their hope and comfort in Jesus Christ.

The family of the student who killed so many- Pray that they would find forgiveness from those affected by him, and that they would be able to cling to the cross in their inevitable time of grief and guilt.

The police officers who responded to the campus- I know all too well how senseless death and tragedy, especially that which is perpetrated to young adults and children, affect the hearts of those who stand guard to protect us. PLEASE pray that they would be given opportunity to help those who they have sworn to protect, that they would be able to separate their struggle from their life at home, that they would not take personally this tragedy that occurred on their watch, and that they would be able to be strong for those who cannot.

The students and faculty who live and work on campus- Please pray that this tragedy would bring them closer and not force them to put up walls in their relationships with each other. Let them lean on each other and find help in their relationships. Please pray that those who are Christians on that campus would be convicted by their love in Christ to minister to those who are in need, and that they would come together as one body to show, and not just speak, the Gospel to those who have not heard it.

And of course, overall, please pray that the Holy Spirit would be moving int he hearts and minds of all of us who have watched it unfold on TV. Pray that we would all remember that we too are human, and that this kind of sin and death is the last thing that God intended for His people. Let us all run to the Cross in our pain and confusion. Let us all run to Jesus.

In His Love,
Brad and Hannah

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

And now that it's spring...

Man, Easter was busy. 3 additional services at our church are awesome, but they are a lot too! By far, the highlight was playing at Soul Expedition (more info at the link on the bottom left of this page) Wednesday night. Thanks to everyone who came! The Spirit was definitely there and in force.

As the semester picks up for its last big push before summer, life has followed suit. Classes are starting to kick my butt, and Hannah and I are starting to pray for a quick conclusion to the semester! Our Community Group is absolutely incredible, and we have been blessed by having so many people in our home every week. It is an awesome opportunity to hang out with other people on fire for what God has in store for them.

A couple other things that have also developed for me:
1.) I got "promoted," I guess as the Managing Editor for the St. Louis Iraq War Veterans Website. Right now, all I do is post some articles and help generate some interest and publicity. But as this thing picks up speed and needs increase, I'll be actively helping with the strategic vision and networking for the organization. It is an incredible opportunity to help and serve our country's veterans. I'm stoked.

2.) I got rehired by Bruce Siddle to continue the research work I was doing while at Truman. For those of you who don't know, he is the CEO of a defensive tactics training company for military and law enforcement (I think, the world's largest now). I used to work, helping him research for his second book, called "Combat Human Factors." I now get to continue that research and help him lay out the outline for the finished project. I'm stoked because it brings in some much needed grocery money, as well as lets me use a skill that I have already developed and contribute to an awesome field of research.

We've been somewhat remiss in updating on here, but things are starting to work themselves out and we promise to update more frequently! Thanks for reading, and leave us some love!

-Brad and Hannah


P.S. As far as prayers go, we would GREATLY appreciate a kind word for our finances and ability to meet the monthly bills, as well as special blessings over our Community Group and other ministries we are involved. Oh yeah, and praying that I survive Greek would be great too!