Finished on week of school already and I can tell that this quarter is going to be draining but highly encouraging. I have been looking at my quarter and there are very few large things that need planning for but many small ones.
Greek - 3rd and Final Quarter
Finally … I get to put all the pieces together and have it make sense. Translate and deal with tough stuff and work through some of the intricate things that go on between word relationships. I feel more energy about it than I did last quarter, but then again memorizing verb paradigms is never fun.
Modern Church History
Sometimes referred to by professor name (aka Thompson, John), this is the last bit of church history that I have to take and it has been quite a ride in going from one quarter to the next. This will probably require most of my intellectual energy this quarter, as it is a paper and reading type of class.
Grief, Death, Loss, and Dying
This will hands down be the most emotionally draining class I have every taken and probably will take (except perhaps from the school of hard knocks). I am pretty sure I will be staring down Tuesdays with a mix of joy and dread. Having already finished one book for the class I know that it is just going to be lots of self-examination. I am very happy that the class is not a pile of papers but rather the molding of hearts. Tuesdays have taken on a very odd feeling, I’m not sure if I am a “Tuesday person” yet, I hope to be by the end of the quarter.
Everything Else
I think my room has been the cleanest it has been since I moved furniture in. I actually feel like I can have company over and be hospitable rather than feeling like I have to apologize for the state of my room. Posters are up, I have a table for two that can serve four with a little shuffling around, my room has the feeling that I am able to live and not feel surrounded by chaos.
So I have sifted through most of my new music, and I make the following recommendation to everyone. Pick up Toby Mac’s Portable Sounds CD. The music just sits with you no matter the mood and has lyrics that inspire. It will be getting me through most of this quarter; it works as study music, relaxing music, and free time soundtrack.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Random Musings
Preface:
I have misplaced my brain, all of the below comments referring to specific people are meant in jest, sometimes those moments are wonderful if only for the lack of sleep (apologizes to Sarah now).
The world has officially moved into the computer age: Goodwill no longer accepts typewriters for donation.
So I am officially a tea fan. My dear friend Laura has been a wonderful instructor in the preparation, ritual, and intricacies of tea. I know ‘roughly’ what I like and I must say that it was nice having chai to wake me up to write papers during finals week.
So I’m at home doing Spring, Summer and Fall cleaning at my parents house for a couple of days. (Yes I am talented enough that I can do 9 months of cleaning in the course of one week) This involves yardwork, garage work, and the strange necessity to shower twice a day, and I still have dirt behind my ears …
When I picked up Sophie and Sarah from the airport about … 2 or 3 weeks ago, they both had just come from playing Guitar Hero. Both thought I would love it (not realizing that I already am a guitar hero in disguise), and highly recommended that I find someone who had it to try it out. I have, I like, I want. Anyone wanna sell me a PS2?
Going back to having ‘moments of clarity’ that are basically the realization of something taught in class and then seeing it in reality. I have had quite a few of those while I have been home. Mostly after the fact but I can think of about 7 (and counting) specific instances where I have had my mind wander and then stop on one of these moments.
In the world of 24 … someone is about to get messed up cause Jack is … well ticked off is too much of a understatement, so I think ‘homicidal’ is probably more accurate. That and Charles Logan is officially on my ‘Good Guy’ list.
Is it a bad thing to be taking more stuff back to Pasadena with me when I already am very limited in the space I have? *Looks in his trunk, Looks in Sarah’s direction* “Yes Sarah, my car does have a trunk.”
Having finished Foundations in seminary has left me with a feeling that might be more joyous than when I graduated College. As if a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders and thrown into the lake of fire with great fanfare and pyrotechnics. Followed by a great choir singing in angelic voices giving praise to God for the defeat of a horrible foe ... I think I feel like river dancing.
Junior Highers that I watched grow up when I was at home between College and Seminary now have their driver’s license. I’m getting old(er).
After having 3 months of intense schoolwork I have worn out most of my music collection. Additions have been made that require large portions of my free time to sort out and figure out what I like and what I don’t.
Oh there is my brain … right on top of my head.
I have misplaced my brain, all of the below comments referring to specific people are meant in jest, sometimes those moments are wonderful if only for the lack of sleep (apologizes to Sarah now).
The world has officially moved into the computer age: Goodwill no longer accepts typewriters for donation.
So I am officially a tea fan. My dear friend Laura has been a wonderful instructor in the preparation, ritual, and intricacies of tea. I know ‘roughly’ what I like and I must say that it was nice having chai to wake me up to write papers during finals week.
So I’m at home doing Spring, Summer and Fall cleaning at my parents house for a couple of days. (Yes I am talented enough that I can do 9 months of cleaning in the course of one week) This involves yardwork, garage work, and the strange necessity to shower twice a day, and I still have dirt behind my ears …
When I picked up Sophie and Sarah from the airport about … 2 or 3 weeks ago, they both had just come from playing Guitar Hero. Both thought I would love it (not realizing that I already am a guitar hero in disguise), and highly recommended that I find someone who had it to try it out. I have, I like, I want. Anyone wanna sell me a PS2?
Going back to having ‘moments of clarity’ that are basically the realization of something taught in class and then seeing it in reality. I have had quite a few of those while I have been home. Mostly after the fact but I can think of about 7 (and counting) specific instances where I have had my mind wander and then stop on one of these moments.
In the world of 24 … someone is about to get messed up cause Jack is … well ticked off is too much of a understatement, so I think ‘homicidal’ is probably more accurate. That and Charles Logan is officially on my ‘Good Guy’ list.
Is it a bad thing to be taking more stuff back to Pasadena with me when I already am very limited in the space I have? *Looks in his trunk, Looks in Sarah’s direction* “Yes Sarah, my car does have a trunk.”
Having finished Foundations in seminary has left me with a feeling that might be more joyous than when I graduated College. As if a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders and thrown into the lake of fire with great fanfare and pyrotechnics. Followed by a great choir singing in angelic voices giving praise to God for the defeat of a horrible foe ... I think I feel like river dancing.
Junior Highers that I watched grow up when I was at home between College and Seminary now have their driver’s license. I’m getting old(er).
After having 3 months of intense schoolwork I have worn out most of my music collection. Additions have been made that require large portions of my free time to sort out and figure out what I like and what I don’t.
Oh there is my brain … right on top of my head.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Confessions of a Seminary Student
Ok a slight confession, well maybe two:
1) Most of the time I have no idea what I am talking about:
One of the things that was made abundantly clear to me this quarter is that I am here by God’s grace, because I just don’t think like an academic theologian most of the time. I have found that my beliefs really are more of a cloud than well thought out and cemented into my brain and life. Example: In one of my classes we had to write a paper on Calvin and predestination. While I wrote it myself a friend of mine had a long conversation about the sovereignty of God and how that applies to her beliefs, which began to make me wonder about mine. What I have realized is that growing up I never had a confirmation class where I was taught all these things within the context of the church, despite being a PK (Pastor’s Kid). Now I want to sort this out but the reality of that situation was that the paper was due not 8 hours from that conversation … inopportune? I think so. Now that Spring break is here I have been able to look back and consider some of those things as I begin to put shape to the beliefs that are this cloud in my head.
2) I have a terminal case of Foot-in-Mouth Disease:
What this really means is that my brain fails to engage with the words that come out of my mouth. What results are some poorly timed sharp words that really never should have left my mouth. Most of the time no good comes from it, but hindsight is always 20/20 and some good has. I have learned two things:
The first is how to deal with conflict and to put my self, pride, ego, stupidity on the side and reach a point of sincere apology, and then to work from there. For all the shoe leather that I have tasted over the last year or so, I don’t feel as if I hold the label of being a jerk, but rather that I have jerk like moments.
The second is that I have been fine-tuning my ‘filter.’ Or in some cases I have just engaged my brain, as that is all that is needed. Some of the more delicate conversations I have learned to approach from a safe angle rather than cannonball into the shallow end.
What is really fun is when the two problems I have get together. This is commonly called ‘digging one’s self into a hole.’ When this situation occurs I normally dig with a really big shovel or small explosives, whichever is handy at the moment. Either way those that I have managed to be a jerk to have returned with grace that is beyond what is due, and for that I am thankful. For the friendship, and for the patience to deal with me.
-- Non-serious post coming later when I either feel in the mood, or am on cold medicine, or when my head doesn’t feel like it is 10 pounds heavier.
1) Most of the time I have no idea what I am talking about:
One of the things that was made abundantly clear to me this quarter is that I am here by God’s grace, because I just don’t think like an academic theologian most of the time. I have found that my beliefs really are more of a cloud than well thought out and cemented into my brain and life. Example: In one of my classes we had to write a paper on Calvin and predestination. While I wrote it myself a friend of mine had a long conversation about the sovereignty of God and how that applies to her beliefs, which began to make me wonder about mine. What I have realized is that growing up I never had a confirmation class where I was taught all these things within the context of the church, despite being a PK (Pastor’s Kid). Now I want to sort this out but the reality of that situation was that the paper was due not 8 hours from that conversation … inopportune? I think so. Now that Spring break is here I have been able to look back and consider some of those things as I begin to put shape to the beliefs that are this cloud in my head.
2) I have a terminal case of Foot-in-Mouth Disease:
What this really means is that my brain fails to engage with the words that come out of my mouth. What results are some poorly timed sharp words that really never should have left my mouth. Most of the time no good comes from it, but hindsight is always 20/20 and some good has. I have learned two things:
The first is how to deal with conflict and to put my self, pride, ego, stupidity on the side and reach a point of sincere apology, and then to work from there. For all the shoe leather that I have tasted over the last year or so, I don’t feel as if I hold the label of being a jerk, but rather that I have jerk like moments.
The second is that I have been fine-tuning my ‘filter.’ Or in some cases I have just engaged my brain, as that is all that is needed. Some of the more delicate conversations I have learned to approach from a safe angle rather than cannonball into the shallow end.
What is really fun is when the two problems I have get together. This is commonly called ‘digging one’s self into a hole.’ When this situation occurs I normally dig with a really big shovel or small explosives, whichever is handy at the moment. Either way those that I have managed to be a jerk to have returned with grace that is beyond what is due, and for that I am thankful. For the friendship, and for the patience to deal with me.
-- Non-serious post coming later when I either feel in the mood, or am on cold medicine, or when my head doesn’t feel like it is 10 pounds heavier.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
My Current State of Mind/Mush
I just finished writing one of my many papers that seem to all be due within a few weeks of each other, (Must be finals time) and to celebrate I went and visited my favorite site that tests useless information: You Don't Know Jack. Around December of aut-6 they came out with a weekday series of questions that can be taken online, these can be done in under two minutes and normally inform me of how little I know about Jack. However this morning's adventure left me with a 0 out of 7. I mean ... I normally get at least 4 right and it is multiple choice of two options (most of the time).
Anywho: I hope that 0/7 doesn't give me a sense of how this day is going to go, I'm going to go get something w/ caffinee
Anywho: I hope that 0/7 doesn't give me a sense of how this day is going to go, I'm going to go get something w/ caffinee
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Of Worship...
I have a feeling that I might be doing step exercise on my soapbox here, but I’m well aware of that going into this. This post I think is a result of a combination of things. First is my internal nature to view everything ‘church’ in light of worship. Not just musical worship, but time spent worshiping God with time, energy, talent, etc etc. While music is probably a major part of my theological reflection in that everything that I see about church comes from music and how music interacts with the worship service with special attention to the congregation. Second is a one day worship seminar put on by Fuller’s Brehm Center that looked at worship from an exegetical standpoint (Talks were from Exodus 33 and Isaiah 6). Final is a reading of A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian Mclaren, which has been interesting to read and consider.
A short preface before I put on my gym clothes and probably get a little ‘uppity’ in my choice of words; I have very little training in my denominational background. My dad is a pastor and while I am following in his footsteps, my youth was spent building a church with no programs, youth groups, or even church building until I was in high school. Never had a Confirmation class, or any form of spiritual discipline training until I was supposed to be enacting all these things as a volunteer youth leader.
The catalyst for this fleshing out of worship came from a comment that was made within church service. I could repeat it here but I’m not sure that it would be useful other than getting me fired up. What should be noted is that if the band was mine, the person would be sent on a time of refection as to what worship is, the person would ‘take five’ (weeks) to consider the comment, and the concept of worship, and how good shoe leather tastes.
But enough uppity and more on reflection… The conference this weekend was one of the best events I got paid to attend. (A perk of working for Fuller’s on-campus audio/visual tech group.) The first talk from Exodus came centered around the Tent of Meeting. While I was only listening on and off while trying to read a book for class; the central focus was meeting God, not just worshiping him. Meeting God then required a conversation, which leads to a relationship. That relationship leads to marriage, where God’s people take the form of the bride. The bride language goes through the whole of the Bible. The funny part is Moses in Ex. 33 ASKS to see God’s Glory and get it. As a result he has to wear a veil (Bridal? I think so).
My theology of musical worship is based out of John 3:30 and works something like this: It’s not about me. Strangely enough much of my theology is centered on that statement. John 3:30 is John the Baptist’s statement “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (NRSV) I have always viewed my musical worship in this manner that I am not a leader but a participant as well. Many times in my room, I will sit with my guitar and play it, offering up notes in worship. Many times I do this if I find myself for a lack of words for prayer (which is often) and normally the music and tone affects the sound that my fingers produce as if echo my heart.
--------------------------
I wrote the ‘above the line’ a few days ago. I have calmed down some, and gotten sick so that I have ‘less’ energy to finish my line of thinking. I’m not even sure where I was going with this post. Sometimes I just have to get my head put in some other place if only so I can focus on my schoolwork. While I am very particular about worship, particularly musically, it is because that is where I see most Christians are in their faith. Sometimes called pew potatoes, which is fair to some and not fair to others. Try this sometimes when visiting another church, where does the worship point, and what is the reaction of the congregation to the various things that come up over the course of the service. It is really really interesting.
But I have good news; I have secured my internship for next school year. All is well and I am really excited about learning all the behind the scenes stuff that happens in a church.
A short preface before I put on my gym clothes and probably get a little ‘uppity’ in my choice of words; I have very little training in my denominational background. My dad is a pastor and while I am following in his footsteps, my youth was spent building a church with no programs, youth groups, or even church building until I was in high school. Never had a Confirmation class, or any form of spiritual discipline training until I was supposed to be enacting all these things as a volunteer youth leader.
The catalyst for this fleshing out of worship came from a comment that was made within church service. I could repeat it here but I’m not sure that it would be useful other than getting me fired up. What should be noted is that if the band was mine, the person would be sent on a time of refection as to what worship is, the person would ‘take five’ (weeks) to consider the comment, and the concept of worship, and how good shoe leather tastes.
But enough uppity and more on reflection… The conference this weekend was one of the best events I got paid to attend. (A perk of working for Fuller’s on-campus audio/visual tech group.) The first talk from Exodus came centered around the Tent of Meeting. While I was only listening on and off while trying to read a book for class; the central focus was meeting God, not just worshiping him. Meeting God then required a conversation, which leads to a relationship. That relationship leads to marriage, where God’s people take the form of the bride. The bride language goes through the whole of the Bible. The funny part is Moses in Ex. 33 ASKS to see God’s Glory and get it. As a result he has to wear a veil (Bridal? I think so).
My theology of musical worship is based out of John 3:30 and works something like this: It’s not about me. Strangely enough much of my theology is centered on that statement. John 3:30 is John the Baptist’s statement “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (NRSV) I have always viewed my musical worship in this manner that I am not a leader but a participant as well. Many times in my room, I will sit with my guitar and play it, offering up notes in worship. Many times I do this if I find myself for a lack of words for prayer (which is often) and normally the music and tone affects the sound that my fingers produce as if echo my heart.
--------------------------
I wrote the ‘above the line’ a few days ago. I have calmed down some, and gotten sick so that I have ‘less’ energy to finish my line of thinking. I’m not even sure where I was going with this post. Sometimes I just have to get my head put in some other place if only so I can focus on my schoolwork. While I am very particular about worship, particularly musically, it is because that is where I see most Christians are in their faith. Sometimes called pew potatoes, which is fair to some and not fair to others. Try this sometimes when visiting another church, where does the worship point, and what is the reaction of the congregation to the various things that come up over the course of the service. It is really really interesting.
But I have good news; I have secured my internship for next school year. All is well and I am really excited about learning all the behind the scenes stuff that happens in a church.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
And if a Spuderito sees it's shadow ...
One of my favorite quick stop food places has gotten an extension on it's closing. Rick's is has another 9 months of making my stomach happy. They were supposed to close sometime right around now so that they could be some low income condos (read with dripping sarcasm).
Spuderitios for all!
Spuderitios for all!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Ritualistic Aging
On the 5th (of February) I turn 27. The celebration, however, has already begun. One of the signs that my birthday is arriving is the need to consider what to get my brother for his birthday (on Jan 31st). Now the both of us being guys we have kinda reached the point where we just look at each other and go out and buy something in the name of the other. It is kinda sad, but it works, it is less work and probably a sign of our relationship. (that last part coming from the nagging part of my brain.)
That thought aside I spent the weekend with my family and doing very little schoolwork, with the exception of scouting out my Youth and Evangelism project. Saturday night I played volleyball and, after a shower, drove down to San Diego to celebrate with some old friends from High School and a bunch of my brother’s friends from college. Being the only Christian in the room it made for an interesting evening. I learned how to play a drinking game (they allowed for soda or water to replace your alcoholic beverage of choice), watched another (alcohol required), and had some really grubby carne asada for dinner. It was a good time where the games even allowed for conversation and enjoying a good time of making fun of each other. There was of course the evilness that eventually comes out of a few extra drinks and is not fit to post in a blog, but is still really funny to describe if you ask.
That night I stayed at the brothers-girlfriends-parent’s house. This is an experience that I have had before, and the second visit confirmed some existing suspicions, and made me realize some others. The family has some of the most ordered-chaos that I know of. Let me explain … no that would take too long, let me sum up. The family has 9ish kids, I can’t remember the exact number, but ages range from 30ish to 7 or so. They live by the strict code of “You sleep where you fall.” When we walked in at around 11pm, the dad was on the floor curled up in the fetal position and sawing logs while the rest of the family was getting a second dinner, or chatting about upcoming events. Think Cheaper by the Dozen, but with added chaos and larger variety of ages. Yet the thing that was confirmed for me the most, was the family unity that flowed through that family. That family functions in some form of unified front that defies natural logic. I can’t explain it, nor do I think that I would understand it if I spent a week there (granted I would probably go insane first) but there are admirable qualities within the chaos.
I spent Sunday morning recharging batteries, checking email, talking about life and plans, then drove up to Mission Viejo to scout out my Youth Evangelism project. That is another story, but after spending about 3 hours there I left and met my parents for some pre-dinner dinner. Had a good talk with them about classes and looking at youth ministry and trying to form what I have learned into coherent thought and having only minor success.
After that we went to dinner at a restaurant called The Five Crowns in Corona Del Mar. Spent the evening in fine dining and good company. It was a nice rest, and a good time to just enjoy being a family again, even if just for a moment.
As I get older I realize how much friends and family mean to me. As I get old one of my hopes is that I become wiser. I think it is weird that at almost-27 I still get comments on my teach-ability. I think more than that is an understanding where God has blessed me. I have come to an understanding that one of the greater gifts that have been given to me is that of friends who surround me and are there for me. Those of you who are just around, all I want for my Bday is to enjoy time spent together.
That thought aside I spent the weekend with my family and doing very little schoolwork, with the exception of scouting out my Youth and Evangelism project. Saturday night I played volleyball and, after a shower, drove down to San Diego to celebrate with some old friends from High School and a bunch of my brother’s friends from college. Being the only Christian in the room it made for an interesting evening. I learned how to play a drinking game (they allowed for soda or water to replace your alcoholic beverage of choice), watched another (alcohol required), and had some really grubby carne asada for dinner. It was a good time where the games even allowed for conversation and enjoying a good time of making fun of each other. There was of course the evilness that eventually comes out of a few extra drinks and is not fit to post in a blog, but is still really funny to describe if you ask.
That night I stayed at the brothers-girlfriends-parent’s house. This is an experience that I have had before, and the second visit confirmed some existing suspicions, and made me realize some others. The family has some of the most ordered-chaos that I know of. Let me explain … no that would take too long, let me sum up. The family has 9ish kids, I can’t remember the exact number, but ages range from 30ish to 7 or so. They live by the strict code of “You sleep where you fall.” When we walked in at around 11pm, the dad was on the floor curled up in the fetal position and sawing logs while the rest of the family was getting a second dinner, or chatting about upcoming events. Think Cheaper by the Dozen, but with added chaos and larger variety of ages. Yet the thing that was confirmed for me the most, was the family unity that flowed through that family. That family functions in some form of unified front that defies natural logic. I can’t explain it, nor do I think that I would understand it if I spent a week there (granted I would probably go insane first) but there are admirable qualities within the chaos.
I spent Sunday morning recharging batteries, checking email, talking about life and plans, then drove up to Mission Viejo to scout out my Youth Evangelism project. That is another story, but after spending about 3 hours there I left and met my parents for some pre-dinner dinner. Had a good talk with them about classes and looking at youth ministry and trying to form what I have learned into coherent thought and having only minor success.
After that we went to dinner at a restaurant called The Five Crowns in Corona Del Mar. Spent the evening in fine dining and good company. It was a nice rest, and a good time to just enjoy being a family again, even if just for a moment.
As I get older I realize how much friends and family mean to me. As I get old one of my hopes is that I become wiser. I think it is weird that at almost-27 I still get comments on my teach-ability. I think more than that is an understanding where God has blessed me. I have come to an understanding that one of the greater gifts that have been given to me is that of friends who surround me and are there for me. Those of you who are just around, all I want for my Bday is to enjoy time spent together.
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