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I'll be updating this with Bible studies and events soon.
RUF Large Group will start the first Weds of the year - Wednesday August 27th at 9pm - in the Passion Pit on the South Oval.
Hope to see you there with all the folks you bring with you.
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"
There is a deep hole in your being, like an abyss. You will never succeed in filling that hole, because your needs are inexhaustible. You have to work around it so that gradually the abyss closes. Since the hole is so enormous and your anguish so deep, you will always be tempted to flee from it. There are two extremes to avoid: being completely absorbed in your pain and being distracted by so many things that you stay far away from the wound you want to heal.
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Henri Nouwen
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Who are you? Where does your heart go? What has crushed you? What do you hope for? This semester at RUF we'll be looking at the book of John in our Large Group Bible Study on Wednesday nights. John gives us an eyewitness account of his friendship with the most remarkable person who ever lived - Jesus of Nazareth. Come join us at 9pm as we sing and share together. Our theme will come from the middle of the second verse of the hymn below - Watch and wait with patience and question all you will. Let's listen, hear and question together.
1. O heart bereaved and lonely,
Whose brightest dreams have fled
Whose hopes like summer roses,
Are withered crushed and dead
Though link by link be broken,
And tears unseen may fall
Look up amid thy sorrow,
To Him who knows it all
2. O cling to thy Redeemer,
Thy Savior, Brother, Friend
Believe and trust His promise,
To keep you till the end
O watch and wait with patience,
And question all you will
His arms of love and mercy,
Are round about thee still
3. Look up, the clouds are breaking,
The storm will soon be o'er
And thou shall reach the haven,
Where sorrows are no more
Look up, be not discouraged;
Trust on, whate'er befall
Remember, O remember,
Thy Savior knows it all
OURUF Blogs
What Doug Is Reading
(Ergo, What You Should Click and Buy)
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith, A Lamott -  Lamott hates George Bush, but she often entertains and can bring a measure of insight into faith. (7)
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, J Wood - Wood starts libraries and donates books to countries. Inspiring. (8)
Peter Pan, JM Barrie - The ending of this is so bad it really ruins what was so good. (5)
The Commanders, B Woodward - A look at the Panama conflict and Gulf War. Sounded better than it was, strangely . (4)
Into the Wild, J Krakauer - A tragic tale of the ultimate end of freedom (7)
The Name of the Rose, U Eco - I wanted to like this (2)
Water for Elephants, S Gruen - A fantastic tale of the circus and love... (8)
Celebration of Discipline, R Foster - I didn't like this book in college. I do now. A classic. (9)
The Children of Men, PD James - What if no one could have children? A novel that looks at the world, hope, faith and children. (9)
A bunch of Judges commentaries.
A Prayer for Owen Meany, J Irving - God is Sovereign. Owen Meany rocks my socks. (9)
The Face of A Stranger, A Perry - 1880s England. A detective doesn't know who he is. Did he commit the murder. Alas, it's a mystery. (6)
Worship Matters, B Kauflin - A simple but good book on church worship. (8)
The Beak of the Finch, J Weiner - Makes evolution readable, interesting and thought-provoking. (8)
Fast Food Nation, E Schlosser 0 And yet I've eaten fastfood 2 of the last 4 days. (7)
The Holiness of God, RC Sproul - I love this book. It was super important in 1996 and helped change my life. (10)
Things That Cannot Be Shaken, Oliphant & Mays - A nice little book about theology and its application. Written by the RUF national coordinator.(8)
The Good Guy, D Koonz - Koonz is decent in this book. Still good for the beach. (4)
A Thousand Resurrections, M Garriott - Planting a church in Baltimore - a moving story. (8)
Escape, C Jessop - A riveting story on the down side of polygamy (extreme down side). (9)
Pillars of the Earth, K Follet - An epic tale of love, nefarious dealings and cathedral building. (10)
Odd Thomas, D Koonz - One of the better Koonz books I've read. Enjoyable suspense. (8)
The Omnivore's Delimma, M Pollan - Our country's obsession with corn and why it hurts us. (8)
What Is Your Church's Personality?, P Douglass - Dr Douglass does his thing. (6)
Forever Odd, D Koonz - Great character. The end totally falls apart. (5)
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, P Lencioni - A nice leadership book. Quick reading, good principles. (6)
Vintage Jesus, M Driscoll - Helpful, readable book about Jesus. (7)
Asking, Panas - Simple, fast, informative read on fundraising. (9)
What Doug Was Reading in 2007
 TwentySomeone, the book Doug co-authored, came out in December of 2003. Click Here to order.
 NEW RUF T-shirts are in! Click Here or contact Doug for more information.
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 Officially, you could say that RUF is a Christian student organization at the University of Oklahoma. But that doesn't say too much. We're a community of OU students who seek to: know Jesus Christ, know Him better through understanding and committing to the Bible, praise Him in all we say and do, share that love...
more >>
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Poetry Interlude
8/14/08
This is a poem from The Door magazine. Craig Dunham found it and sent it to me and I laughed just like I did when I first read it in 1992.
Amy Grant In My Powder Heaven
Dear Diary: Great news! Was down at House
of Christianity today. Couldn't believe what I
saw amongst tapes and CDs: five foot high picture
of Amy Grant's face! What a babe! Lips
were, like, right there - and so big and luscious.
Could swear her eyes were looking straight at
me. What a witness she is.
Have always loved her music.
Praise the Lord daily for her.
Entry forms to win a ski trip with Amy.
Really! Some kind of promotional deal.
New album. Just like her. So giving of self.
To go with a stranger on ski trip. What
humility and faith she must have!
Will fill out numerous entry forms. Must win.
Wife not impressed. Complains. Amy Grant
pictures all over store. Notices Amy's excess
make up. "What's that all about?" she says.
"Doing the Lord's work,"
I say. "gotta look good."
"Yes, somehow her face does point me directly
towards Christ," says wife. Look at her
suspiciously. Raise eyebrow. Wife shrugs.
Enters Critters for Christ, stuffed animal
section of the store. Continue fantasizing.
Log cabin. Cozy. Alone with Amy.
Drifts of snow outside. Skis stashed away after
strenuous day on the slopes. Muscles sore. Amy
massages my neck, humming "El Shaddai" in front
of roaring fire. Can feel Holy Spirit filling room,
working within me. Ask Amy can she feel
it too. Nods. Gets hot cocoa.
Returns. Sweater hugs body. What a witness!
Talk. Look into each other's eyes. Drink hot cocoa.
Get hot. Peel off shirt. Lay back on sofa.
Amy sits on cushion next to sofa. Sings "Baby
Baby" in ear. Runs fingers through chest hair.
Think great thoughts. Christian thoughts. Many
deep and Christian thoughts.
Wife asks why shirt is of. Snap back to reality.
Look down. Skin glowing under fluorescent
store lights. Matted chest hair not attractive to
teen-age girl in nearby Christian romance
section. Put shirt on. Look at five foot high face
of Amy. Confirmed once again in my faith.
Must win contest!
- Darrel Spenst
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