Still Kicking

The New Normal

Even by my standards, it's been a while since I posted.  As busy as I've been it's probably a good thing that I wasn't in school this semester.  Life just seems to find a way to eat away at any free time you think you might have - it's just a new normal.  That said, I still have that itch and I'm hoping to find a way to get back into formal studies before too long. 

Rest assured, however, I've been working on several things, many of which I hope to be able to share here soon (as my time allows).  Just as a teaser... First, I want to demonstrate how I've put my studies into practice.  Second, I want to share some of my research regarding other online academic opportunities.  Third, I want to share some of my personal reading that I've been plugging away on - lots of good stuff ;).  Forth, I want to get around to cleaning up this blog.  And finally, I'm working on a large project to produce a properly formatted ebook from an out-of-copyright gem.

So I had my little season of feeling sorry for myself (and no, that wasn't a good thing, I know) and I'm still kicking.  I've learned that it's not the education that is important, it's how you use what you know in service to others.  It would sound pretentious of me to spell this out in detail so all I will really say is that it's very humbling, encouraging, and awesome.  And for this, I give God all the glory and praise.    

Anxiety of Unfinished Business

Waiting for Nothing to Do

There is a bit of excitement in the air as three of my boys are getting ready to start attending new schools next week.  While it's a bit hard for them to appreciate the privilege they have to study and learn, they are none-the-less excited about experiencing new things and making new friends.  I suppose it's also calming for us as parents to know that the chaos of summer will soon settle back into predictable schedules and routines.  But I can't seem to shake a haunting feeling of uneasiness - the anxiety of unfinished business.  It's a feeling of being ready to go but finding that I'm rather only waiting for nothing to do.  It stinks.

Not gonna lie, I'm pretty bummed.  I think that is a natural reaction.  Like training hard for a race and then blowing a hamstring a week before the event.  A longing sense of - just didn't get it done.  So I've had my pout and now it's time to begin focusing on - what now?

When I said that my seminary education was never about the degree or the grades, that was either true or it wasn't.  Just because I'm no longer enrolled in a seminary degree program does not preclude me from continuing to study and grow.  Sure, working hard in an accredited degree program has obvious short and long-term advantages, but what if that just isn't an option?  What alternatives are available for someone like me who has the need and desire for theological training, but lacks the time, opportunity, and means to pursue such an endeavor?

Let's explore that idea a little further.  I'm going to scamper off and do a little research to see what I can find.  I'm a bit curious to see what's available and how that compares to what I've experienced.  I'm really not sure what to expect but stay tuned for more as I begin to look into this.     

 

Protecting the Family

Making the Home Network Safer

Who can forget the iconic sound of a 56k modem as it completed its handshake protocol;  the virtual on-ramp to the digital superhighway known as the internet. It’s amazing to think how much the internet has changed our lives over the past two-plus decades.  But for all the wonderful advancements the internet provides us daily, it also has a dark and dangerous side.  Just under the surface of any search engine through the keystroke pitter-patter of search terms, a vast ocean of pornographic sites set their fishing lines; ready to snag its innocent, curious, naïve, addicted, or defiled victims.

As the father of four young boys racing full speed into or towards their teen years, I’ve struggled with how to protect my kids from this virtual cancer of depravity.  And if I’m being honest, how to protect myself from lure and temptation of an empty pleasure which only leaves me hurting in my shame and guilt; deceptively stealing away from me the joy and sufficiency of God’s grace.  Well, after many days, weeks, and months of trying different solutions, I’ve discovered a way to easily protect my family and my home from this evil and it’s something I feel is worth sharing so read on!

I Miss Being Sick

Being Reminded of the Important Things

Even though I’m only auditing a course this semester at DTS, I’m still required to attend chapel sessions.  It seems far too easy sometimes to simply treat this as another tick-in-the-box exercise that is common in academia.  But every now and then, I stumble upon a message that deeply moves me and reminds me of the purpose of my education, and more importantly, my life.  As the kids scampered off to their Saturday morning activities, I watched a service by Michael Easley that struck me in such a way.  But not in the way you might think, I actually reflected on the fact that I miss my pain.  

At A Crossroads

The Tough Decisions

As I approach the end of my summer semester in ST104 Soteriology I find myself at a crossroads and faced with a very difficult decision.  If you've followed at all the story of my seminary education at DTS, splotchy as my updates have been, you know that I've endured a lot over the past couple of years.  Life changes, health changes, work changes, and everything in between have made my pursuit of a seminary education challenging to say the least. And now it's time for me to make some difficult decisions.

While my spirit is willing to continue to make the necessary sacrifices to see my studies through, my pockets are empty.  I've just run out of the green needed to pay the bills.  I'm having some conversations to consider my options and I've not given up hope yet, but the truth is, it doesn't look good.  That said, whether I find the means to pay for school and continue or not, I know this effort will not have been in vain.

What I've learned in the short time I've been at DTS has already had a profound impact on my life.  I know this is by God's design and according to His will.  And what I've learned I've also shared, and will continue to do so with those around me; in my church, in my community, and at my work.  While the journey may look different for me soon, it will by no means be over.  I'm sure I'll have more to write on this soon as the picture becomes more clear.

But for now I'll continue to grind through the final weeks of my current course.  You know I was really looking forward to taking this class, and I can tell you that I have not been disappointed.  In the shorter summer schedule it's been a little more challenging, but it's been great and I look forward to sharing a lot more about what I've learned very soon.

All Over but the Cryin'

Another Semester in the Books

Well, it was a hard sprint to the end of the semester and plenty of Coke Zero was consumed over a number of sleepless nights.  But all projects and papers have been turned in and it's all over by the cryin'.  Right now I'm just waiting on my final grades and then I'll post my course reviews.  This was a tough semester, but I'm generally pleased how everything went.  Stay tuned as I'll be posting more in the coming days.  Now I'm gonna get back to bed...

Controlled Chaos

Too Busy is a Real Thing

With a little more than a month remaining in the semester, I thought it would be good to post an update on how things are going.  The best way I can describe how things are at the moment is controlled chaos.  Between changes at work, family needs, church commitments, and school, I've been crazy busy and I'm learning that there is such a thing as being too busy.  There are battles raging for my time and admittedly, I'm not doing as well on these fronts as I could - but you already know this as this is my first post in over a month.  Today I'll share a bit about this and how I plan to get things back on track in my crazy life!

The Pernicious Road to Wrath

 Evidence of God's Wrath in Society Today

I'm still struggling a little bit with the mechanics of my Spiritual Life class (palm meet forehead), but the course material and lessons are really good.  As I was viewing the course video "The Results of Sin" I was really struck by a point Dr. Anderson made while arguing for the case that one result of sin is that we live under the wrath of God.  What really slapped me in the face was his interpretation of the evidence of this in society today.  I had my first, ohhhhhhh, moment of the semester yesterday.  I'm calling it the pernicious road to wrath and I think it might be interesting to continue to reflect on this today.

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...

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.

 

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.

Christ and Social Media

What You Share Says a Lot

For the developed world, social media is an indispensable medium that saturates our daily lives.  We use social media to communicate with family and friends, network with industry colleagues, engage in discourse, educate ourselves, and even do our jobs.  Like any other form of communication, how we engage says a lot about who we are.  So what responsibilities do we have towards Christ as Christians when it comes to using social media?

Smooth Sailing

The Benefits of Staying Ahead

Week six is just about to peek over the horizon and for me, that means it's time to start working on Module 4.  I'm still the better part of one week ahead and the extra breathing room is really coming in handy.  It's a nice thing to be able to work at my own pace.

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.

Hodgepodge and Potpourri

 Random Thoughts Before Starting

Today is the Friday before school starts and I'm looking forward to enjoying my last weekend of freedom.  I don't have anything specific to discuss today so I'm simply going to share some random thoughts and little left-out tidbits.  Hence the title, "hodgepodge and potpourri".