National Conference LSF (28 Dec 09 - 3 Jan 10)

If you are a regular LSFer or not - you are welcome to register and attend the 'national conference' where Christian students (and friends) meet together from around Australia.

This year the conference will be in good 'ol South Australia where the gum trees grow and we talk slowly.

Theme: Love is a Verb

Where is it: Woodhouse campsite (not far from Adelaide)

When is it: Monday 28th Dec 2009 from 3pm to Sunday morning, 3rd Jan 2010
(you can tell your family that you are going away this year and only coming back next year)

Cost:
􀂅 Year 12 ($180)
􀂅 Student ($225/$240)
􀂅 Worker ($245/$260)

Interested??????

Go to the LSF Registration Page

or download the (pdf) registration form here

any questions? ask these wonderful people:

Contact People:
Mike Pietsch 08 8370 3615
or 0409 725 573
mike.pietsch@lca.org.au

Ben Kuchel 08 8480 7942
or 0419 845 980
conference@lsf.org.au

becoming sharper at study via Christian meditation

Meditation and Study

Many, many years ago, I remember having a friendly argument with a student about "meditation". I was in a neo-conservative-christian-bible-believing phase (one of my many phases) and I understood all meditation to be 'evil' and 'opening yourself up to demons' etc. His argument was that it is scientific also and is a proven way of relaxing and gaining concentration. Well in hindsight, I guess I have to say I was wrong.

When I first went to Bible College, I had an opportunity to do a major study on "Christian Meditation" as a project. So, I immersed myself in many books and lectures old and new and made an amazing discovery = we meditate already, it is natural.

Daydreaming is meditation, thinking about your next holidays is meditation, worrying is a negative form of meditation. We do it anyway.

So what's all this hocus pocus stuff about meditation? And what does it have to do with study?

When you study you need to be in a state of mind to concentrate and not be stressed out of your head - meditation techniques can calm you down and help your mind be in a better place of concentration

Here are the methods common to all sorts of meditation in a nutshell. They come from (gasp!) a non-Christian site Psyblog:
(1)Relax the body and the mind: through controlled breathing, posture, relaxing muscles
(2)Be mindful: don't pass judgement on your thoughts let em go gently pulling em back
(3)Concentrate on something: Often meditators concentrate on their breath
(4)Concentrate on nothing: Most say this can't be achieved without a lot of practice, so I'll say no more about it here. Master the basics first
(5) Zzzzz Zzzzz: That's not meditating, that's sleeping.

But, seeing I'm a Christian - this is where the difference is:
the point of concentration is on Jesus or a Bible truth or Christian prayer.

I'm not a super meditator but usually make time for it when things are getting heavy and full on.
I always ask the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts at the beginning (because I don't trust my human nature or anything else floating out there) - and when unrelated thoughts or 'things I have to do' pop up in my head, I don't shoo them away - but pray about them because I believe God may be bringing them to my mind to get dealt with.

Also, years ago I gave up the hope of seeing 'rainbow ponys' in the sky or 'streams of light' flooding my soul. It's actually quite lame really. However, I've found that after taking time out to pray and meditate that I often feel better and more focussed to deal with whatever is at hand.
So, if you are stressed out with study - make sure you fit in some time (20 minutes possibly) to get in a better state of mind and body...and spiritually. Then you can say "bring it on!"

Let me know your thoughts on this.


*Here's more about Christian Meditaion:
http://www.allaboutgod.com/christian-meditation.htm

spooks part 2

Earlier (June 2009) I wrote about my "Casper the friendly ghost" experiences and my understanding of the Bible's view of contacting departed spirits. Today, I received this short article which I found encouraging that there are others who feel the same way as I do about the subject. I'm quoting it direct from Weekly Wisdom Christ notes:

"Are you looking for right answers in wrong places?
People in the world are desperately looking for answers: answers to problems, answers to difficult questions, answers to pain and suffering -- everyone wants answers to life's questions. But so many people look for right answers in all the wrong places: psychics, mediums, weegie boards (ie ouija board), star charts, spiritists, astrological signs, and other similar places. Sadly, some of the most visited sites on the Internet contain popular horoscopes.


However, God sternly warns His people not to turn to such things. In Leviticus 19:31, God tells us, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them." Only a few verses later, He again warns: "I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people" (Leviticus 20:6).

The Bible instructs us not to turn to worldly things for answers. Instead, we are to turn to Jesus, who is the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). Jesus is not one of the ways; He is the way. You will get real answers to life's difficult questions only from God.
So, instead of spending $3.99 per minute looking for right answers in wrong places, turn to the all-knowing God, himself, the creator of the universe!"

So what does God think?

If you ever think "someone up there doesn't like me!" - have a look at these:

We say: “It’s impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

We say: “I’m too tired”
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

We say: “Nobody really loves me”
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

We say: “I can’t go on”
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9)

We say: “I can’t figure things out”
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

We say: “I can’t do it”
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

We say: “I’m not able”
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

We say: “It’s not worth it”
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

We say: “I can’t forgive myself”
God says: I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

We say: “I can’t manage”
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

We say: “I’m afraid”
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

We say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”
God says: Cast all your cares on me (I Peter 5:7)

We say: “I don’t have enough faith”
God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

We say: “I’m not smart enough”
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

We say: “I feel all alone”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

LSF on Facebook

Last post I spoke about Facebook - if you are interested in the

Lutheran Students facebook Page

-you can find it-

here