not easy, but great...

teaching at large group went well last night. i spoke on a passage from the gospel of mark where peter and the disciples identify Jesus as the Messiah for the first time and Jesus teaches them what the Messiah and what a disciple of the Messiah really looks like. all in all, i learned that Jesus taught it isn't going to be easy but it is going to be great.
there were so many new people, probably the most since the first week of the semester. having not been there for a while, i wasn't sure if it was just that i was the new person but others told me that there were a greater number of new people than usual. it was great to see. it was also great because people seemed really receptive to me while i was speaking. some even laughed at my jokes, which is great because 1. people never used to laugh while i spoke, 2. it wasn't my funniest of material, 3. it helps the ego a little bit. what was even more fantastic was that i didn't notice any of the new people sitting by themselves and people were trying to get to know them. this is a huge step in a lot of ways for our community and it is so encouraging to see people starting to step up and make a difference.
i am still trying to figure out a halloween costume idea for the party one of the student houses is throwing on saturday night. the deadline is quickly approaching so i will have to find a costume stat...