Time to File Week Five

Time Flies...

Hard to believe another week is just about over but it's time to file week five.  Overall a very good and productive week as I'm just about finished with Module 3.   I'm really settling into a steady rhythm and while the assignments are getting a little harder, they're also getting a lot more fun and my learning is definitely expanding.  Keep reading to get the skinny this week on my learning development and to check out my statistics after week 5.

Getting to Know Logos

Learning Logos

I'm working on lots of things for BE101 at the moment but the most exciting thing I've done recently is to start kicking the tires on the Logos Bible Software program.  I'll be honest, it's an intimidating package to get started with.  But with a good old-fashioned "wonder what this button does?" attitude, I'm beginning to see the power of this tool.  Well, that and some helpful training videos...  

This Week in Chapel

Fall 2016 Chapel Message

Roots
Don Geiger on September 1, 2016

Pastor Geiger reflects on the history of Dallas Theological Seminary and Dr. Chafer.  He also offers some practical advice to students on how to maximize their time and efforts during their studies.

What's in Your Worldview?

Perspective

Your worldview matters.  It shapes how you approach everyday life and the plethora of challenges that always seem to be hidden around every corner just out of sight.  Your worldview can steer you to hope or destroy you with fear.  So today I'm going to pose the question, "What's in your worldview?"

Also going to tackle my weekly class wrap-up and roll out a new graphic for my BE101 statistics!  Hard to believe that I've already put 20% of this course in my rearview mirror.  Some very interesting numbers are emerging which are testing some of my original hypotheses.

Just Keep Swimming

The Yo-Yo Effect

Life has been downright wacky for me lately.  I fell a little behind schedule in class. Then I got ahead of schedule. Now it looks like I'm going to fall a little behind again in the coming weeks.  Things do happen and there is no sense getting flipped over by the things you can't control.  So when life gets you down ... Just Keep Swimming...

This Week in Chapel

Fall 2016 Chapel Message

How to Ruin Your Time at Dallas Seminary
Dr. Charles Swindoll on September 14, 2016

There is no way I could pass up a message with a title like this.  I'm glad I listened in as it was exactly what I needed to hear.  Dr. Swindoll lays out his first of four points during this Fall 2016 series.

Week Three Debrief

Taking Things in Stride

Time for the week three debrief.  Well, I've been thrown off my schedule a bit due to some things that are happening locally, but I'm still slightly ahead.  Just have to take these things in stride.  Besides, what would life be like without getting served a curveball every now and then?  Hence the importance of planning ahead!

Coursework Ahead

Back to Work!

The next round of assignments became available this morning and I'll have two weeks to work through Module 2.  While I'm feeling pretty good after all I've learned in the first module, I'll need to collect myself and get after some new challenges with the coursework ahead.

This Week in Chapel

Fall 2016 Chapel Message

On Listening
Dr. Stanley Toussaint on August 31, 2016

Heritage week brings Dr. Toussaint to chapel to share a practical message on Psalm 19.  He delivers his message with a patient charm that reveals his love for God and confidence in His Word.

Week Two Wrap-Up

Trying To Find My Pace

As I wrap-up another week, I find I'm settling in quite well.  I've managed to get slightly ahead which is both good and bad.  Good in the sense that it is always better to be ahead than behind.  Bad in the sense that I hit a little lull in the action by mid-week and I'll need to wait until next Wednesday for my next round of assignments.

Overall, it was another good week.  First assignments, first grades, and more getting to know my classmates.  My schedule seems to be working so far and I'm certain that by October, I'll find an even pace in my work.

Achievement Unlocked

First Assignment Submitted

I've been poking at my learning assignment for the past couple of days and I got to the point where the more I tinker, the less I'm satisfied with the result.  So last night I decided to go ahead and submit my first learning assignment and put that behind me.  I think I did pretty well but let's wait and see if that squares with reality.  I can, at any rate, chalk this up as an achievement unlocked!

What now?  I'm a solid week ahead in my class and it doesn't make sense to read ahead quite yet for Module 2.  I have a little bit of an idea what my next assignment will be and if I'm right, I've actually got that one pretty much done as well.  So I have some time to burn.  Tonight I'll attend a chapel service or two and then maybe I'll dive into learning how to use Logos.  But that's really it for now.

Time to Go Wayback

Fire Up the Wayback Machine

George Santayana was famously quoted, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  You might be inclined to wonder, what does that have to do with attending a class in seminary?  Well, that is a very good question and I'm glad you asked!

Last week we began talking about the importance of observation in studying the Bible.  Specifically, the ability to identify the basic grammatical structures and syntax of a text.  How an author used language elements to express thoughts and ideas is important to ultimately being able to properly interpret a passage.

After listening to the professor and reading my textbook last week, I'm convinced I must have been either asleep or brain dead during my English classes some 33 years ago.  I recall nothing!  And this makes up a significant portion of my first learning assignment in BE101.  So it's time to fire up the Wayback Machine because if I have any hope of completing this assignment, I'm going to need to learn some English grammar, and fast!

This Week in Chapel

Chapel Overview

Chapel attendance is a mandatory requirement for all seminary students, even online-only students.  While chapel is held every weekday on campus, online students are only required to attend a minimum 10 chapel services per semester.  Fortunately, DTS provides apps which make keeping up with the services easy.

This Week in Chapel

Overcoming the Fault Lines to Following Jesus
Dr. Mark Bailey on August 30, 2016

Week One - In the Books

Well That Went Well

I waited all summer long to get started and now I get to put week one in the books.  I couldn't be happier with the start of the semester and the structure of the online program.  As long as I stay focused and disciplined, I expect to finish the course without any problems.  I also anticipate being challenged and learning a lot as we progress through the class.