The Public Health Christian Fellowship at JHSPH

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.  (Isaiah 44:6-8) Dear ones, praying that as you work, study, prepare for exams, churn out deliverables, you plant your trust, your worth, your identity in the One Firm Foundation - in our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, PHCF is joining the Hopkins faculty CMDA in JHH for prayer - 12:15-12:45 in Rm 126 of the Billings Building (where the Jesus statue is located) We will be pausing from weekly PHCF emails til MLK day, but the Whatsapp group is always open for spiritual encourag...

from listserv email 12/10-- Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.  (John 1:14) Dear ones, praying this morning for you to be strengthened in your walk with God, knowing that Jesus came, that he has done the saving work, that we see his glory even now, and that we anticipate his glorious return one day. May you go about your work - in all the busy busy busy ness of this season - trusting that he goes with you and before you, every step of the way.  Please join us this Friday, 7-9pm,  in the PCTB Green House Cafe (725 N Wolfe St), for dinner, a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story, and carols with the International Fellowship. Friends are welcome - RSVP here:  http://bit.ly/ jhifchristmas19 CDMA Northeast Winter Conference: Jan 17-19  (MLK weekend), Christian healthcare professionals at all lev...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Paul prays for the Ephesian church (3:14-19):  For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  ( Plus a little commentary on this verse, courtesy of Christianity Today ) As we enter the season of Advent (and the end of second term/the year 2019), we pray that you too are strengthened to know and trust and love the Lord more, even as he fills you with his gracious abundance. ( Also, here's a nice Advent devotional ) Tomorrow, join us ...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Just before he gives the high priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus tells his disciples,  I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (Jn 16:33).  Dear ones, as you prepare for midterms and meetings and many things-to-do, I pray for you to rest in his peace and to remember your confidence lies not in your own accomplishments but in his strength and purpose. Praying also that you have time this week to reflect and give thanks with friends and family :) Today, Room W3031 will be open over lunchtime for folks to meet and pray and eat - no structured session.  Save the date! Next Tuesday 12/5, Dr. Darrell Gaskin  (professor in the HPM dept) will share his faith and testimony with us at PHCF (lunchtime in Room W3031). Please join us! Other event announcements: CDMA Northeast Winter Conference: Jan 17-19  (MLK...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, A century after the Assyrians in Nineveh repented (see the book of Jonah), the people had forgotten their need to be saved. The prophet Nahum warned of God's coming judgment and justice, and also declared:  The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him  (1:7). Dear ones, in the midst of much hubbub with coursework, projects, papers, midterms, events, meetings, and general busy-ness, will you pause to seek God as your firm foundation, to rest in his presence and promises, to remember that He is God and that He cares for you? Tomorrow  (Tues Nov 19), PHCF will be taking a field trip to join in the  CMDA's prayer meeting  in the hospital,  12:15-12:45pm ,  Billings Building ,  Room 126  (Billings = The Dome in the Johns Hopkins Hospital. If you enter the front door and stand in front of the Jesus statue, turn left and the room is halfway down the hall...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Praying that you can rest this week on the Lord your God who is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, even in the midst of much to do and much to plan as midterms loom ahead and the end-of-the-year/holiday busy season approaches with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming soon. Hear the ending verses of Psalm 102, a prayer of one afflicted:  Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you  (vv25-28).  Tomorrow  (Tues Nov 12), join us at  12:15pm  in  Room W3031  for another  Flourishing in Grad School  Bible study on Mk 5:21-43, led by Ope Abiodun. Bring your own lunch!...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." Dear ones, praying this morning that you learn to be still and abide in the Lord, knowing that only through the work of the Holy Spirit in you can you do any good. So thankful for how he has chosen each of you before the foundation of the world and how he promises that what he has started, he will bring to completion in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ. As you go about your work/studies/projects/ research/events today, may you experience peace because he goes with you. Today  (Tues Nov 5), join us at  12:15pm  in  Room W3031  for a special fellowship/social time - bring your own lunch or snacks to share; we'll share, play games, get to know each other better, and pray for one another. (Thanks Joseph for the suggestion!) Other event announcements: Inte...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, James writes in his letter to the dispersed church,  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  (Ja 1:17) Thankful for a God who is immutable, unchanging, steadfast, constant - and a very generous giver of good and perfect gifts. Praying that today we can have our eyes open to see how he is working in and through and around us, especially as second term begins. Tomorrow  (Tues Oct 29), join us at  12:15pm  in  Room W3031  for another  Flourishing in Grad School  Bible study on Luke 5:1-11, led by Rachel Stinson. Other event announcements: Interministry/outreach Thanksgiving celebration: Sat Nov 23, 6-9pm, at University Baptist Church (3501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218). Feel free to send our information/registration link to your group listserv:  bit.ly/jhifthanksgiving19  We...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Isaiah writes,  From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him  (64:4). Dear ones, praying that as you finish out first term with its final exams and projects and papers or work on research projects or grant applications or anything else set before you, you remember that the Lord your God is with you wherever you go, faithful to complete the good work he has started in you, for your good and his glory. May he - and he alone - be your strength and your song! Tomorrow  (Tues Oct 22),  Room W3031  will be open for prayer or lunch or fellowship; unstructured time to be with each other before the Lord. Other event announcements: The  International Fellowship  meets Fridays 7pm in the PCTB Green House Cafe for dinner and Bible study Q Commons Baltimore , Thurs Oct 24, 7-9pm: Malcolm Gladwell, Francis Chan, Rebekah Lyons, and local...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Asaph ends Psalm 73,  But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.  Dear ones, in the midst of much hubbub (projects, research, writing assignments, events, community programs, meetings galore), it is good to be still before the Lord and remember who he is and what he has done, what he is doing, and will continue to do until he brings his work to completion. Praying that you experience his closeness and goodness as you draw near to him. Will you choose to rest in him as your refuge today? Tomorrow  (Oct 15) at  12:15pm  in  Room W3031 , please join us for fellowship. We'll do a Bible study on "Flourishing in Graduate School", looking at Exodus 16. Bring your own lunch; we'll have chocolate chip cookies for dessert! Other event announcements: The  International Fellowship  meets Fridays 7pm in the PCTB Green House Cafe for dinner and Bib...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Asaph the psalmist encouraged the Israelites that - in a world where injustice, strife, and all sorts of brokenness ran rampant - God "will judge with equity" (Ps 75:2). "For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another" (v6-7). Dear ones, do not be dismayed or discouraged - but take heart and hold onto hope: our God is at work, he desires to work in and through you for the good of this world and for his glory, and he will finish what he has started. Will you trust him, and will you step with courage into whatever he is preparing for you? Tomorrow  (Oct 8) at  12:15pm  in  Room W3031 , please join us for fellowship. We'll do a Bible study on "Flourishing in Graduate School", looking at Mark 1:21-39. Bring your own lunch; we'll have apple cake for dessert (made from fresh-picked apples  )! Other ev...

Dear PHCF, Do you feel overwhelmed or burdened or stuck or pulled in a thousand directions (whether in the plentiful studies/work set before you, in your spiritual walk, or in relationships with family/friends/neighbors/ peers/coworkers)? Our brother Paul the apostle wrote in 2 Cor 12 about a "thorn in the flesh" given to keep him from becoming conceited. Though he pleaded for relief, God answered,  My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  In the midst of trial, will you respond like Paul and say with confidence:  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me ? Will you be content, knowing and trusting in His abundant grace to you? Tomorrow (Oct 1) at 12:15pm in Room W3031,  please join us for fellowship. We'll do a Bible study on "Flourishing in Graduate School", looking at Jeremiah 29. Bring your own lunch! Other event announcements: Apple-picking: join...

Dear PHCF, It's hard to believe that it's the first day of fall (and midterm week) already! In a time of feeling hectic and overwhelmed with projects, papers, studying, things-to-do, and people-to-meet, will you hear God's promise to his people in Ezekiel 11, who were scattered among the nations?  And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and given them a heart of flesh.  He desires to bring his people back to himself, to transform us. Will you let Him? Praying that you lay your burdens at Jesus' feet tonight, that you simply "trust and obey" as the old hymn says, and that you love Him with your whole being as you go about what He has given you to do. Tomorrow (Sept 24) at 12:15pm in Room W3031,  please join us for fellowship. Ope will lead a Bible study on "Flourishing in Graduate School", looking at John 15:1-8. Bring your own lunch! Other event announceme...

Dear PHCF, The Sons of Korah begin Psalm 46 remembering who the Lord is:  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble  (v1). Despite "the earth giving away" or the "mountains moving to the heart of the sea" or "roaring waters" or "mountains trembling" - despite calamity and uncertainty and stress - the psalmist exhorts the people of God not to fear. Dear ones, will you obey today like the psalmist?  "Be still, and know that I am God"  (v10). Remember who he is, what he has done - remember Jesus! - and let that be the root of your identity, the inspiration of your dreams, and the motivation for your work in and around the SPH.  Here is a song for meditation. Tomorrow (Sept 17) at 12:15pm in Room W3031,  Dr. Anbrasi Edward, a dear faculty member and advisor from the Department of International Health, will be sharing. Bring your own lunch; dessert will be provided. Other announcements: The  International...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Paul writes (Eph 2:19-22), " So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."  Praying that tonight you remember your one firm foundation - Christ - who calls you out of darkness into marvelous light, who gives you community, and prepares in advance good work for you to do. Tomorrow (Sept 10) at 12:15pm in Room W3031 , please join us for our PHCF first-term meet-and-greet! Bring your own lunch; dessert will be provided. We will get to know each other and make plans for the year. Other announcements/events you may be interested in: The  International Fellowship  meets ...

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship, Happy first day of first term! Welcome to all those who are new to the SPH, and welcome back to everyone else - after a long holiday weekend (or summer break). We are glad that you are here! Isaiah writes of the joy of the redeemed in Chapter 35:  The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.... They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.  Praying that as you go about your studies/work this week,, not leaning on your own strength, you see more of His glory and his great abiding love for you. Announcements: We start up our regular weekly Tuesday lunch gatherings in SPH Wolfe Street Building Room  W3031  (note room change!)  next Tues, Sept 10 . We will have a lunchtime  meet-and-greet  (bring your own lunch; dessert will be provided). International Fell...