Director of University Ministries Chris Lash closes the Vanity Series by asking students to bring their shame, insecurities, and baggage before the Lord in order to fearlessly dream something only God can fulfill. As Ecclesiastes closes, Solomon calls us to follow Him, rest in Him, and trust in Him. 

RISE, which stands for the Road to Independent Living, Spiritual Formation, and Employment, is a brand new program led by Kathy Lambert in which students with intellectual disabilities will have a college life experience within a Christian community. Alongside casting the vision for this new and exciting program, friends from Willow Creek's "Penguin Project" joined. 

Director of University Ministries Chris Lash challenges the Millenial generation to rise above the "lowest common denominator" status that society has put on them. He explains the need for wisdom and the opportunity it offers to move from death to life, put knowledge into action, and master the art of living well. 

Singer, songwriter, wife, mother, and motivational speaker Julianna Zobrist speaks about the wedge that has been unknowingly created between our relationships due to our need of status, popularity, and success. Julianna uses her own story of success to reveal that when we root our identity in anything other than Christ, we are setting ourselves up for dissatisfaction and failure. 

Megan Fate Marshman, the director of women's ministries at Hume Lake Christian Camp, powerfully shares humanity's common destiny; we will all die, we all fall short, and we all need a savior. She weaves the gospel into Ecclesiastes 9 in order that we catch a glimpse of the unimaginable love that God has shown creation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Ian Simkins of nearby Community Christian Church uses Ecclesiastes 8 to show that anything other than God Himself makes for a terrible god. Believers are called to leave the want for control at the door as we enter into God's freeing grace through Jesus Christ.

Daniel Darling, author, speaker, columnist, and Vice President for Communications at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, speaks of the desperate need to love our neighbors as ourselves as an example of light in a broken, conflict-ridden world. He gives a call to Christians to engage in the culture and have peace in knowing that God is sovereign. 

Pastor of nearby Tri-Village Church Wil Franco uses Jeremiah 23 to describe the failure, faithfulness, and fulfillment of politics. While many idolize politics or choose to ignore them completely, Wil exposes God's call on Christians to be the salt of the earth and lead by Christ's example. 

A pastor at nearby Willow Creek Community Church with a past in politics shares the when, how, what, and why we approach politics. He gives an idea of how we are to respond in light of the gospel.

Pastor Joe Thorn, the lead pastor of nearby Redeemer Fellowship Church, gives a brief history of the Baptist beginnings, which in lies Judson University's roots. Pastor Joe shares his belief that Baptists should not be known for what separates them from other denominations, but instead for what unites them with churches around the world - the gospel.

Elliot Anderson, Judson University's Campus Outreach Counselor, shares heartbreaking statistics about sexual assault on college campuses across the nation. He leads through the university's acronym CARES, which states the dire need to support and affirm victims of sexual assault while taking action to stop further abuse.

We continue the Vanity series by talking with Grandpa Joseph as we sit on a beachfront bench in Santa Monica. He'll give us life advice about friends, smelling good, and finishing well. Text: Ecclesiastes 7:1-8.

Nancy Thies Marshall, a 1972 American Olympic gymnast, uses her story to correlate with Ecclesiastes; there is a time for victory and a time for failure. While in her own story God's redemption took years to unfold, it was obvious proof that God only works with purpose.

Brad Hutchison, the Youth Ministry Coordinator for Covenant Harbor Camp, uses David's story from the book of Samuel to demonstrate God's both sovereign and revealing will. Brad also explains the absolute importance of loving the Lord with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Physician, writer, and speaker Lina Abujamra uses Ecclesiastes 5 to portray our human addiction to wealth and fortune. Instead of using riches for selfish satisfaction and comfort, we are to see it as a gift from God to be used for His glory.

Current Judson University students Karita Lipdo, Cortez King, and Nakaya Davis share their personal experiences of racial injustice both in their home towns and at the university. Director of University Ministries Chris Lash shortly speaks about the Bible's pattern of lament and how its practice is crucial to our faith.

Dr. Winfred Omar Neely, a highly esteemed professor of Chicago's Moody Bible Institute, interprets John 2 as a call for Christians to share in God's miraculous work. While Christians themselves cannot change the world, they can walk in humble obedience with the God who can. 

Guest speakers John and Jenna Perrine use Ecclesiastes 4 to illustrate humanity's oppression that stems from envy, individualism, and foolish speech. Yet, even with these downfalls, we still have the opportunity to love and serve the world while being in community.

Nick Mancini, a Judson alumnus, reminisces on the lessons God taught him while at the university over 10 years ago and how they still shape him today. He shares his personal story of how God taught him to let go of bitterness, regret, and fear and instead rely on His grace and timing.

Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, states why the Constitution declares the United States of America "a nation under God." He share the values which he believes make the country great, and the responsibility the current and future generations have to preserve life, liberty, and freedom.

Director of University Ministries Chris Lash continues in the Vanity Series through the book of Ecclesiastes. Throughout the text, Solomon acknowledges that there is a time for everything within our human existence, yet we are powerless to control them.

Guest Speaker Heather Palacios, a strong enthusiast and leader for mental health  awareness, shares her personal story. Before surrendering her life to Jesus Christ, she battled severely with mental health and attempted suicide multiple times. Today, she uses her story as a sign of hope and testimony that nothing is impossible with Christ. 

Director of University Ministries Chris Lash continues to walk through the book of Ecclesiastes. He shares how King Solomon gorges himself on pleasures of all kinds in an attempt to numb himself of the truth; that all is meaningless.

Global Outreach Coordinator Betsy Carr shares why Judson University supports short term missions through Global Outreach and why students are encouraged to participate. Students who participate in these trips can plan to experience different cultures, see the church at work, and grow in their overall college experience.

Author and pastor Eugene Cho speaks about our call to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. He explores with us God's passion and love for people and how we must be willing to exercise His calling on our lives to share the gospel to every nation and people.

In this special episode of the podcast, Chris Lash addresses some questions from students about the first Vanity series chapel. We talk about nihilism, why the message was depressing, where's the grace/gospel, and what is coming next in the series! Check it out!

In the first installment of the Vanity series in Ecclesiastes, Chris Lash discusses how all of life is vanity, vapor, fleeting, temporal. Is there any part of our life untouched by this mist-like existence? 

Join Director of UM Chris Lash as he conducts an interview over donuts and coffee with the president of Judson University Dr. Gene Crume and his family. 

Director of University Ministries Chris Lash introduces the book of Ecclesiastes and its skeptical nature. He explains that the book will deconstruct and reshape the way we view wealth, pleasure, sex, social justice, religion, and all other aspects of the world we live in.

President of Judson University Dr. Gene Crume speaks of the university's passion for prayer and community with one another. Using the book of Acts, he shares the miraculous story of Paul and Silas in prison to show the power of prayer and how it can affect the Judson University community.

Director of University Ministries Chris Lash speaks of the values of Judson University while sharing our desperate need for Christ and the freedom that comes from relying on Him. This message was preached as a part of Welckme Weekend to new students. 

President of Judson University Dr. Gene Crume welcomes the incoming freshman by sharing Judson University's mission of shaping students that in turn shape the world. 

We wrap up the book of Colossians with a discussion on the family into which we are invited. 

Professor Jeffery Carl engages the students in being part of an artistic expression to help spur on a bigger conversation about our lives and the questions of life.

Pastor Mark Bergin talks to us about why Christians should be the ones who party the hardest because of our joy in the Lord.

Sara Thebarge, from Compassion International, comes and tells us about her story and how we can start to be involved with Compassion International.

Jeremy Lindsay talks to chapel about things he has on his heart in his journey of walking with Christ.

John and Jenna Perrine come and talk to us about what it means to be caught up in the melody that the Lord has placed us in. Learn from a grace filled couple as they teach from a difficult text.

Efram Smith, author and President and CEO of World Impact, speaks to Judson about what it means to take the leap of faith to serve those who we might think there is no hope for; rather Efrem tells us that those places of what seems like little hope are the places that God is moving in power, and we can take a leap of faith in joining God in His ministry. He tells us that we can be confident in our gifts that the Lord has given us to serve everyone we meet.

As part of Judson's annual film festival, Imago, Matthew Luhn, former Artist and Animator for Pixar, tells us about his journey of becoming a Pixar animator and how Christ met him in the midst of it.

Student, Roberto Pagan, brings humility and truth to chapel in teaching us what it means to offer a true form of worship through the lens of mercy.

Judson student, Christina Ukachukwu, speaks with pastoral authority as she teaches us how God responds differently to suffering than we expect, and we in turn can change our questions of Why to questions of Who.

In this special chapel, we invited some of our awesome professors to come speak about life and christianity. Guided by our MC, Ian Simkins, this chapel was full of wisdom and laughs.

We pick up in our series on what it means to SEE resurrection - Chris walks us through what it means to put to death our sin and our selves so that we might be alive in Christ.

Judson welcomed Steve Carter, of Willow Creek, as he tells us that life could be so much more exciting and joyful if we do what we are made to do - go and love the lost, and listen to the call of the Lord.

What if the places that seem the most troubling that make us fearful to visit are the places that are most ripe for the gospel, and where the Lord is working? Pastor Amador challenges us to see the most troubling places as the most promising places in the eyes of the Lord.

The last installment of Race Matters week comes to us though the great Pastor Nathaniel Edmond. Dr. Edmond tells us what it means to see people for who they are through the eyes of Christ. He finishes with a powerful time of Q & A based on his life experiences.

Continuing in our week of Race Matters, Dr. Soong-Chan Rah walks us through the book of lamentations and shows us how it is important to hear and respect the laments of those who have been on the outskirts of our society. 

We kick off Race Matters week with Amen Brown-Owen, and her husband DJ Opdiggy who show us, through powerful spoken work and DJing, how God is in the midst of hip-hop and hip-hop culture, and DJs our lives to work for our good. 

Jeff teaches us about the blessings of God that lead us to the Joy that He has for us.

Chris takes a look at what it means to leave religious mindsets behind and to rely on Christ and His abundant Grace.

Lina tells us what it means to be fearless when it seems that our fear in love might overtake us.

Lina's notes!:

Session 6: Fearless when love is scary as s---

Guess who’s coming to din din: 2 Samuel 9

The power of God’s love punches fear in the face

1. It’s an Action Before it’s a Feeling

You will never be willing to risk everything for others until you first clear up some misconceptions about love

1. Love is not a choice I can’t control
2. Love is not a feeling that comes and goes
3. Love is not about my personal preference
4. Love is not compromise for the sake of comfort
5. Love is not a gift that some people have and others don’t

2. It’s Vertical Before It’s Horizontal

You will never be free to love others without fear until you first experience God’s unconditional love for you!

1. God’s love defines your Identity
   1. You are not your past
   2. You are not your stuff

• You are not your looks

1. You are not your sexuality
2. You are not your job
3. You are not your tribe

1. God’s love frees you from your past: NO SHAME
2. God’s love protects your future: SAFE

3. It’s Worse for Them than it is for Me

You will never be able to love others well until you put yourself in the place of the one who is asked to receive your love

1. Where you expect punishment you need to be told over and over again
2. Where you expect exclusion from the table you need to be invited over and over again
3. Where you expect ridicule you need time and space to believe it

SURE OF GOD NO MATTER WHAT!

Lina gives a powerful word on what it means to be fearless even when your life feels to weary and depressed to go on.

Lina's notes!:

Session 5: Fearless when I’m too depressed to go on

#thewalkingdead: 1 Kings 19

Even when I can’t find God, He knows where to find me!

1. It Happens to the Best of Us

Whenever you listen to the wrong voices you end up where you never thought you’d go

1. The obviousness will always blind you
2. The timing will always surprise you
3. The consequences will always bewilder you

2. It Doesn’t Define Us but it Sure Can Stump Us

Whenever you give in to fear you end up making unwise choices

1. Isolating yourself from others will destroy you
2. Self-pity will derail you
3. Self-focus will dim your memory of who you are

3. It’s Never the End of Us

When you think your future is over God will find you and surprise you

1. His love will find you
2. His word will heal you
3. His power will astound you
4. His grace will overwhelm you
5. His solution will shock you! Mentorship!

SURE OF GOD NO MATTER WHAT!

Lina tells us what it means to be fearless when we have a tendency to be sinful.

Lina's notes!:

Session 4: Fearless when I’ve blown it and I know it

Gone Fishin’: John 21

Failure is not final. Failure is for good.

1. Your Failure is not a Surprise to God

Your Failure is your Pathway to Breakthrough

1. Your failure is not a surprise to God
2. Your failure is the very thing God will use to show you His strength
3. Your failure is most needed in the areas you most desire

2. Your Failure is not Final

Your failure is your Pathway to Deeper Passion

1. God knows you so well and still loves you so much
2. God isn’t worried about your past and already knows your future
3. God sees you not as you are but as you one day will be
4. God uses your failure not to prove his faithfulness to you but to give you a chance to prove your faithfulness to him

Your Failure is your Pathway to Dependence

1. God doesn’t need you to ever get strong enough to stop needing him
2. God knows that your inadequacy is the key to your dependence
3. God is always more than enough for your not _______ enough
4. God uses your inability to pave the way to maximum usefulness

3. Your Failure is Not About Them

It’s Your Pathway to your Very Own Story

1. Fear looks at other people’s stories and wants what they have
2. Fear blinds us to what God is already doing in our life
3. Fear hangs on to the lie that God is holding out on us
4. Fear forgets that God is good and is always for us

SURE OF GOD NO MATTER WHAT!

Lina speaks to the "Upper Room" community (a Tuesday night, student lead, worship gathering) about what it means to be fearless, even when it might take more than you bargained for.

Lina's message notes!:

Session 3: Fearless when it might cost me too much

The struggle is real: 1 Kings 17

When you waste your life for God your life is never wasted

1. It’s SCARY to give up everything to God

You won’t see God fill up your empty jars until there’s empty enough to be filled

1. God wants only what you have
2. God does only what you can’t
3. God fills only what is empty
4. God will stretch you in the most difficult places

2. It’s DANGEROUS to give up everything to God

It gets a lot more complicated when you say yes to God and things go south

1. The truth of the matter is that things don’t always turn out well when you give everything to God
2. The test of your surrender comes when you say yes even when you feel like saying no
3. The turning point in your life happens when you give God everything even when everything points against Him!

3. It’s AWESOME to give up everything to God

You will never see more of God’s power in your life until you’re willing to trust him with even more

1. It will always cost you more than you think you can afford
2. It will always be worth more than you think you can even imagine

When you waste your life for God your life is never wasted

SURE OF GOD NO MATTER WHAT!

We apologize for the audio since we had a malfunction on the computer that caused us to lose the first bit of audio, but keep tuned because Lina gives a meaningful message on dreaming in spite of fear.

Lina's message notes!:

Session 2: Fearless when my dreams look dead: Living in the Gap

It’s not what you think: John 11

Every broken dream is a chance to overcome fear

1. God Loves you Even when it Feels like He doesn’t

When your dreams are broken the reason is not what you think

1. There is grace in delays
2. There is purpose in your pain
3. There is love in His absence
4. Therefore: Check yourself before you wreck yourself

2. God Understands you Even when You Don’t Understand Him

When your dreams are broken the outcome is not what you think

1. He can handle your confusion: watch your words
2. He can handle your attacks: watch your conclusions
3. He can handle the impossible: watch your hopelessness
4. He can raise what’s broken and dead: watch your expectations

3. God Does it Even when you Barely Believe it!

When your dreams are broken the turning point is not what you think

1. Your faith is critical to the outcome but it’s not what matters the most
2. God’s faithfulness when we are faithless

SURE OF GOD NO MATTER WHAT!

Lina kicks of Spiritual Enrichment Week with a powerful message on facing fear in every situation while we lean on God.

Lina's message notes:

Session1: Fearless no matter what

Up against the Jordan: Joshua 3

There’s no river wide enough to keep God’s presence from you!

1. It’s All in the Eyes

You will never be fearless as long as your eyes are fixed on your Jordan but when fix your eyes on God and your Jordan will disappear

1. What you need to know is that you will always be up against a Jordan
   1. God knows about your Jordan. He led you there.
   2. God has a purpose for your Jordan: Trust him!

• As long as your eyes are on your problem you will feel afraid

2. Go Afraid but Go with God!

You don’t need to be fearless to get through your Jordan but you have to have confidence in God’s goodness and faithfulness to you

1. What God has done in the past He will surely do again
2. What God has promised He will always accomplish

3. Mind the Gap

You will never be fearless until you take the first step into your Jordan and resolve to let go of your unrealistic expectations

1. It’s the gap between the promise and the miracle
2. It’s gap between your obedience and God’s provision
3. It’s the gap between your first step and God’s deliverance
4. It’s the gap where your faith will grow: He’s preparing you for your Jericho!

SURE OF GOD NO MATTER WHAT!

Shauna Niequest is asked to share her perspectives on life, God, and the Grace the God has poured out on us, and how we fit into this story that God is making.

Chris Lash tells us both from a biblical perspective and from a personal perspective that we can live in triumph because we can depend on a God that is fully Triumphant

Ken Wytsma talks about his background and why the Lord has built in him a passion for Justice.

President of Judson University, Dr. Gene Crume, tells us how chapel truly is the heart of Judson's campus, and shows us that through power examples and stories.