Reminders and What's-to-Come
I feel the need to remind my readers that this is an online journal and also encourage any discussion that can and should occur as a result of thoughts triggered by my written words. I openly encourage that in hopes that you will come to me and offer all that I'm sure you have to richly bless me with in return. I'm currently working on some new entries that I hope you'll come back and read later on such as: Advent Thoughts, Controversial Sermons: Same-Sex Marriage, Racial Tension, Real Gender Equality; I'm also working on some entries on Judgment. On a personal level, I'll be giving you updates on school, wedding plans, the appointment process, Craig's adventures, si

10 Days HOME
I'm getting ready to go home. I'm not so sure I've ever been as excited as I am. I have many goals for the trip. I've managed to get 3 works shifts filled; I'm skipping classes next Tuesday; I begged our preaching TA to let us preach tomorrow instead of next Wednesday. I'm packing the car this afternoon and I'm going home tomorrow afternoon. I spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon packing Christmas things to bring home, packing my suitcase, and gathering my large bags of laundry. This afternoon I'll throw most of that in the car. From here on out, every time I go home I'm going to move as much as I can so this time I'm taking a chair, an ottoman, my djembe, a guitar, and a

I Cannot Turn Black
Like it hasn't been present since day no. 1 (@Candler). I guess when you are in the midst of very opinionated people you're always going to hear things that you don't want to hear or you don't necessarily agree with but since we are trying to grow isn't that good? I'm sitting in an ethics class (Christian Ethics supposedly) talking about MLK (for the 800th time in my life) and equality which I completely affirm in EVERY SINGLE WAY POSSIBLE. I can't stress that enough. This is the 2nd day that we are discussing MLK. Personally I think, in talking about equality and the history, that we could maybe address others--not just King. I made a statement the other day that I'd like to also talk abou

Craig's Old Stomping Grounds.
I can't decide if this is poor parenting or poor pastoring--maybe it's neither. Craig visited his former church this morning. They have a crafts fair every year and he wanted to go see if he could find some Christmas things. I didn't want him to go. I have vivid memories of how that church hurt him--yes, churches do hurt people. He was so in love with those kids AND that congregation. You've all read previous blogs and probably know the story, some of you better than others. Craig had a great time visiting with some of the members of the church. I know that it blessed his heart to hear the words, "I wish you'd come back," from a member. Affirmation. He w

Bitter "Stuff"
"As hard as we try to look forward and as hard as we try not to look back, the past always comes back and bites us in the ass." GreysSomeday I'm going to write an autobiography. It will probably start with my childhood and as of now will focus primarily on my last two years of undergrad and my seminary years. I'm sure other things that will be more more important later on will be more prominent. I will not change the names to protect a soul. No one protected me. Yep. I'm nothing if I'm not self-aware, red-headed, and somewhat bitter. It's going to be a great book of life's lessons, tales of hypocrisy, and warnings. (almost laughing out loud)