Fall 2017 First Month Review

That Passed by Quickly!

Over the weekend I realized amazingly that we're already through the first month of classes.  Man, that passed by quickly!  So I thought it would be good to give a quick first month review of what I've been doing, how things have been going, and what I've learned thus far in my classes.  I can definitely tell you that two classes is a little more challenging than one class, but it didn't take me long to get organized and into a groove.

The Best Intentions ...

Blog Update Fail

Yep, as you can see, I've been doing a bang up job keeping you updated on my journey this semester at DTS.  I'm feeling great and I'm headlong into my courses, there just never seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything I want or need to do.  So I apologize for the blog update fail thus far.

So I finally feel guilty enough to post something this evening.  Well that and I've hit a little writer's block on one of my assignments, so this will be a short but needed distraction for a few minutes.  I'd love to tell you that I'll get back in my posting groove soon, but sometimes the best intentions...

In general, though, I really like my classes thus far this semester.  Both are exercising new thought processes and changing the way I look at and see things.  While I haven't been posting, I'm keeping good records and hopefully, I'll soon have some time to catch up with more specific details.

New learning, new books, new tools.  Just one tired student at the moment :).

A Matter of Perspective

Gaining Courage:

I caught a Ray Comfort clip on Facebook today and spent some time reflecting on it a bit.  Ray was doing what Ray does, sharing the gospel through love in public.  Sometimes though, he shares the gospel with some pretty interesting people.  People who under normal circumstances you and I would never think to approach with the good news of the gospel.  And this was one of those times.  But that's Ray, if you've got a pulse, you're going to hear the gospel.

It was a really neat clip and I decided to read through the comments section to see what people were saying about it.  The comments were overwhelmingly positive which did not surprise me, but one stream of thought was coming through in the comments that really got me thinking.  Paraphrasing the posters a bit, the comment was, "How do you find the courage and boldness to deliver the gospel to people like this?"  What an interesting question.  Read on for my thoughts...

Long Time No Blog

Seriously Distracted:

Well, the kids are out of school, work has been interestingly busy, and no less than a million other things have been distracting me lately.  All is well though as I continue to heal and get stronger.  I'm really looking forward to getting back into school and getting through my summer reading list.  I'm sorry to say that I'm still working on The Forgotten Trinity but hope to wrap that up soon.  There just never seems to be enough time in the days...

Anyway, in another couple weeks, I'll be away for a short vacation and then return to fully prep for the upcoming semester.  I definitely plan to post a lot more towards the latter half of August as I get back into the swing of things so bear with me for another month as I focus on myself and my family.  Blog soon!

Reading Time: Forgotten Trinity

Back to My Reading List:

I've decided to give the Forgotten Trinity by Dr. James White some of my time over the next couple of weeks.  I have to admit that this is not my first go-around with this book, but last time I didn't get very far.  It wasn't a bad read, I just got distracted by starting my studies at seminary and that was about the time I took ill.  So it just fell by the wayside...

But I want to get back into a regular ready cycle and I just won't feel right if I don't knock this off my list.  Besides, I have two other books from Dr. White that I want to get to but I'm going to wait until I get through this before picking them up.  This will actually be the third book that I've read by Dr. White.  I've previously read Sola Scriptura and The God Who Justifies; the latter of which is one of the best books I've ever read and one which I highly recommend especially as we approach the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

I'll pass along my highlights and thoughts on the Forgotten Trinity once I get through it.

Progress: Well Enough to Register

Getting Ready for Fall 17

Despite a few minor setbacks, I continue to heal well and I'm getting much stronger.  In fact, I'm well enough that I decided to go ahead and end my leave of absence early and register for classes again starting this fall.  This is great progress and I give God all the praise and glory for bringing me this far in such a short amount of time.

So where am I with my recovery and what is the plan for the fall?  Read on to find out!

Nugget of Truth: I Samuel 16:7

The LORD Looks at the Heart

I Samuel 16:7: But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

While studying the early story of David, I came across this wonderful little nugget of truth.  We can spend all the time in the world sculpting the image of ourselves that others see, but we can't hide who we are from God.  In light of that fact, all I can say is...

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,

that saved a wretch like me.

 

Who's Really in Charge Anyway?

Making Sense of Chaos

 

While I may not be living in America right now, it is impossible not to observe the tension, cynicism, and toxic rhetoric that is engulfing the social dialog within the nation right now over its leadership.  This morning, I watched a video on social media that asked the question, “How can Any Christian Support Trump?”

While the presentation was a little more than a crude, profanity-laced, judgment of the nation’s leader, it does raise an interesting question that is worth consideration, “Who’s really in charge anyway?” And as a Christian, “What should we make of all of this?”

Leave of Absence: On the Mend

By the Grace of God

Been a difficult and emotional month but by the grace of God, I am doing well.  While my fellow classmates are digging into their semester, I've taken a short leave of absence to focus on addressing a health issue that arose during my first semester at DTS.  I'm bummed to be stepping away right now, but I'm looking forward to healing up and getting back into the program soon.  God is good, in control, and this is the path that He's put me on.

DTS First Semester Critical Review

BE101 - Highlights and Lowlights

Final grades were posted a couple days ago which effectively puts an end to my first semester at DTS.  I thought it would be a good idea to reflect a bit and offer a critical review of the class and my performance throughout.  As with any endeavor, there were things that were done well, and things that could have been done better.  Without pulling any punches, here are my highlights and lowlights.