So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. -Gen 1:27
Man is the glory and garbage of the universe. -Blaise Pascal
I want to see a humans being appreciated as human beings day. I fully appreciate individuals who walk down the streets with the heads held high acknowledging the existence of other human beings with a head nod, a smile, or a simple "hey". Understandably, people in conversation may be enthralled with each other as they stroll, but we have substituted real human interaction with screens that play blaring music, send e-mails, check news and sports scores, or simply just glow as we mindlessly tap them in an attempt to avoid all other life forms around us.
My words are brief here for now, but I have given quite a bit of thought to this ever since I was in college. During that time Jesus took hold of me and I began to see the world differently. Much like when Copernicus discovered that everything doesn't revolve around the earth, but the sun, while in college I began to see that the world does not revolve around us, but God's Son. Put more bluntly, people are not here for me and to serve my purposes. The same goes for you. We all exist - whether we comply or not - to serve Jesus and His purposes; beautifully, He actually came and modeled for us how it should all be done.
This is partly comedic, partly serious. This will be fleshed out over the coming weeks, months, and years - first in my life, but then in print as I hope to see a revolution occur in our lives, one that opens up our eyes to see how the little, momentary, almost effortless acts of merely being human can spark change in the lives of those around us.
This weekend about two dozen of us traveled northward to Wisconsin just to get out of the crazy city for a couple days. Whether one is in school or not, the end of August always seems to be a transitory time for many, so this weekend was wonderful for us to retreat and rest before the storms of life rage.
In our brief time there I made three keen observations (well I think they're keen, but you can judge for yourself. Sidenote: Can someone bring back "keen" as an adjective not to describe something one does, but who someone is? "Gee, you're keen." It'd be real swell if someone could do that.)
You know you've got a bunch of people from the city when at night, pitch dark, in the middle of nowhere, the only thing you have for a flashlight is either the backlight to your phone or the Flashlight iPhone app. Someone says, "Anyone have a flashlight? I can't see." Someone else responds with, "Hold on, I do. I've just got to pull out my phone." Then there's the awkward, repeated need for the person to push the buttons on the phone in order to keep the light at maximum power. This is where the person with the iPhone steps in with, "Put that weak flip phone away. I've got a flashlight on my phone! I don't need to press buttons all the time like you." This is another way iPhones are better, Apple is genius, the App Store dominates, and we are idiots. However, the Zippo app just might make you look cool in that situation. Nope. Nevermind.
City-dwellers like to kill everything within a two foot radius of them. We were sitting outside by a small body of water, reeds dancing as if the wind was playing music. We were surround by trees as we looked out over the water into the distant, green hills. In a group we spent some time in prayer, much of the time in silence; a few folk prayed out loud. During some of those times my ears would perk up to the sound of a foot stomping the ground. I'd look back to catch a glimpse of that same foot twisting in the dirt as if putting out a cigarette. I knew it wasn't a cigarette because they don't allow smoking on the grounds and he's a Christian and Christians would never smoke. I wisely deduced that this person (who shall remain nameless) was killing woodland creatures of some sort. This happened a few times and got me thinking about all the times in the short span we were there that people freaked out at the sight of a bee or a spider 1) as if these critters aren't already in the city and 2) as if the critters in the woods somehow have the power themselves to kill with a sting or a slight touch to the skin. And of course, like with all things unknown, the most logical step to take is to kill them.
During that same time out by the water I found it ironic that some of the most ardent environmentalists and eco-friendly advocates live in cities. Cities made of lifeless slabs of concrete and cold, hard steel. You are aware that in order to make the city from which you battle for all-things-green that there once was open land and free roaming for both person and creature alike, that there was real green before being "green" became a symbol for activism and dare I say elitism? I have no problem with trying to be good stewards of the environment in which we live; in fact, I hope we are all living "green" in some way. I'm just saying we should do so with some humility, understanding that our paved roads (however craptastic), walk-ups, sushi restaurants, and Starbucks haven't always been there.
I-94 can be a trip sometimes. This was one of those times. Enjoy the ride with us as we explore the challenges of chatting with British folk in their Bentleys. They drive on the right side of the car!!!
During my morning drive I usually listen to Greek vocabulary (insert nerd comments here) or I keep the radio off all together. However, when I started the car talk radio was blaring as yesterday I must have been belting out lyrics to the latest Top 40 hits. The topic caught my attention right away so I decided to listen on. The folk on the radio (I don't even know the station to be honest) were talking about how they respond when people are rude to them. I found it intriguing on several levels:
They spoke of doing kind acts where people don't respond in kindness. For example, a guy who desires to be "chivalrous" actually holding the door open for a lady, yet when she passes through she doesn't say anything. Was her lack of a "thank you" rude? How would you respond gents? Should we expect kindness in return for kind actions done to us?
At the check-out counter. They were gave the example of actually trying to interact with the person who is checking out our groceries or clothes or whatever, but the person has no desire to talk. I encounter this quite frequently in the city. Should I expect a person who sees countless people come through the line, many of whom themselves are rude, to be kind to me if I am kind? How should I respond if they don't say a word, don't even look at me, tell me my total, give me my change, and move on to the next customer?
A guy shared a story of a woman in a Corvette flicking him off in traffic. This man at 6'4", 220 lbs said that he got out of his car, walked over to hers, and proceeded to spit on her driver's side window as a way of telling her that she shouldn't be rude like that...awesome. Is that the right thing to do, to respond to rudeness with an equally rude or even greater rude action?
There were several other examples given, but I found it interesting that many of them on the radio, and I would include myself in this, have this high expectation that if I am kind to you that you actually owe me kindness in return, that in fact it is your responsibility as a human being to be kind back to me. If you aren't kind to me then you have violated my right to receive kindness from you and therefore I can in turn be rude to you and show you that you should have been kind. Is that how I think? Is that how you think?
Well, they shared one response that I found cutting in various ways. When asking for response from listeners, they mentioned that someone texted in a response to rude people. What was it? "Jesus loves you" of course. The DJs then said, "Dang!!! That's a good one. That one hurts."
So the posting on both Facebook and my personal blog has nearly ceased this semester. But when something like this comes around I have to muster up all that is within me to get back to the blogosphere.
I am home for my Spring Break so I am making my rounds throughout FL visiting as many people as I can in a short period of time. Last night I was driving to my mom's during the final few days of Bike Week in Daytona. I was on the phone with a friend when I noticed out of the corner of my eye two bikers, one of who looked like he had his dog strapped to his back. I thought "this could not be" so I examined more closely. What I noticed instead was the skin of a wolf on the passenger's head! The entire wolf from head to toe was on this guy's head and every time he turned his head the body wagged back and forth as if it was alive. I pulled right up next to him just in time for him to look over at me, smile with his sunglasses on, giving me a big upward nod--all combined to convey some kind of coolness I didn't really think was evident. Passengers are never the cool people on motorcycles, even if they were to have the skin of a mythical creature like a unicorn or a minotaur on their heads.
Here's the best photo I could find to convey what I'm talking about. I can't even imagine what people who actually went to Bike Week saw.
This has been something going around on Facebook and I realized it might be good to share it on this blog as well, seeing as how some of you who read this (the 2 1/2 of you that do read this) know little, if anything, about me. So here are some random facts to whet your pallet.
1. I am only doing this because I see that those who tag me actually want to learn about me. Other than that I think this is one of those e-mail things that goes on forever and I am fighting it even as I type. However, I will continue.
2. I am a Gator fan. I attended UF from 2000-2004, during the odd transition between the glorious Spurrier years and the anomalous Zook days. Now we are on top and it is a joy.
3. I have my own language which people make fun of. Keeps 'em on their toes.
4. I lived in Italy for a year and have been to 11 different countries. I can speak Italian decently enough to get around and hold a conversation. I would love to move back.
5. I like starting new things and am almost always up for a new adventure.
6. I am a reader, but not voracious. People usually take precedent over books.
7. I like chick flicks, but only those that have a strong male role. This has been discussed at length and I feel justified in sharing this truth here.
8. I now live in Chicago officially. I am a mile south of Wrigley and about 3 miles north of the Loop. I can now also make fun of those people who say they live in Chicago, but are really in the burbs. Haha...you people. You get me every time.
9. I am growing more in love with this city everyday, even with all the mess going on. I do hope to see such great change here, and when I say that I mean deep, heart-penetrating change that can only happen through Jesus Christ.
10. I love sports and am fairly athletic. I am deceptive with my 5'7" frame and love it when guys out on the court (basketball) say, "That cat can ball."
11. I think it's safe to say that I have a "big" personality. Not like Santa Claus big, but one that has some kind of effect on people in both good and bad ways.
12. I love drinking coffee, particularly in the morning at my desk with low light and some good music playing. This is a great environment for some good reflection, prayer, Bible reading, ect.
13. Even as an adult I think Disney World is awesome. In many ways I am still just a kid, even though I'm the ripe old age of 26.
14. I honestly think 30 Rock has passed The Office as the best comedy on television. I'm a sucker for witty, smart, subtle humor and Alec Baldwin deserves mad crazy cred for his performance week in and week out.
15. I am an ENTJ (I stole this one from Angela too...thanks!) and am still wondering what that actually means. I have transitioned in life from an F to a T, which means my heart has gotten colder and my mind has gotten sharper. At least that's how I interpret it.
16. I thoroughly enjoy learning about how we come to where we are at in life. Thus I like the history of places, but more so individual people I meet along the way.
17. I hate running errands. It doesn't matter what they are; as soon as they are in the category of "errand" I hate them. Post office, food shopping, etc. Dumb.
18. My favorite meal is shrimp parmigiana, which I think only my family makes. That makes them all the more better. Yeah, more better.
19. I think long conversation over a good bottle of wine is time well spent.
20. I thoroughly believe I am exactly where God wants me to be in life right now. This is the first time in a really long time and the contentment is wonderful!
21. I once had extremely long hair, not too many years ago. If you don't believe me, you can watch this video:
22. I like to write, but do not consider myself a writer. It would be nice to publish something some day, but I think it is more for the sake of wanting something published than because I actually want to write something of substance for a mass of people. Maybe my heart will change at some point.
23. I prefer cold weather over hot weather. I like visiting hot places in the winter and all that, but do not like living in them. I am glad not to be in FL and I think the winter here is not as bad as people say. They're all just naysayers.
24. I hate sleep, but don't like waking up in the morning. Not sure how that works, but that's me.
25. I'm still wondering if all that I wrote was the best use of my time. The previous sentence gives a lot of insight into who I am.
As a follow-up to the crying child episode I figured I would share that I saw her several times after that fateful day. Each time she stared at me as I walked by her; I feared that she her spontaneous combustion would occur any moment. In fact, when I walked by her, a friend and I actually thought that her head spun 180 degrees so she could see us at all times, even when her back was turned!!!
Well after Octobeard and the free haircut from Dina at Sport Clips, the little girl no longer recognizes me. Her father was carrying her down the stairs of the chapel tonight and she was as happy as a peach in Georgia primed for pluckin'!
I made a little girl cry yesterday. To be honest I'm not quite sure what I did. She was sitting in a friend's lap; she was staring at me. I thought she wanted to play a game. I hid behind the water cooler, trying the classic "Hide 'N Seek" knowing it's a surefire winner. The cute little blonde girl turned her face away so I thought I was somewhat successful. I didn't know that she would then turn her face back toward me as tears began to well up in her eyes. In an instant her cuteness turned to horror as she began to belt out loud wails like a coyote howling at the moon.
However, the dagger that was in my heart was twisted and shoved deeper by her mother when she said, "She's never done anything like this before."
I got back to the office (I work in Admissions) and shared the story with co-workers. One of them was surprised, sharing in my shock, because she was under the assumption that I am pretty good with kids. I would like to think that is true about me, but then again, with children, I never know. I said, "Well I'm a pretty polarizing person. You either really like me, or you really hate me." Another co-worker chimed in with a question: "Are you like that with adults too?"
Here's where the lesson comes in. My answer was, "I don't know." The reason is found in the beautiful innocence of the child who is probably still screaming as I type this. In that moment I knew exactly where I stood with that little girl. I was trying to play an innocent game and though she was afraid of me, she was not scared to let me know how she really felt. Children are good with this in other areas as well. They don't gossip. Little three year-old Billy doesn't talk to his buddies in pre-school about Bobby's bad breath; Billy just blurts out, "Bobby! Yowr bref stinks!"
I said that I don't know where I stand with adults because most of the time adults lack the child-like innocence of forthright speech (or action in the case of the bawling baby). We have the inglorious tendency to laugh with those we laugh at later on that day with friends. Grown up Billy won't tell co-worker Bobby his breath stinks, but he will tell Mike and Tom and Jenny and Tammy. They will all agree with him and start making jokes, all the while Billy thinks he's cool with them all. An older little blond girl isn't going to cry when she sees me (at least I hope not), but she will tell her mom and friends how scary I am with my hairy face (it's Octobeard so the facial hair is a little thick these days).
Somewhere along the way we lose the innocent forthrightness of being a child. We call it being polite. Instead we gossip or play down situations to be less of something than they really are. Rarely these days do people share how they truly feel about one another for the sake of each other. It can be something as small as hygiene. More importantly it can be about reconciliation and sanctification.
Maybe we don't have to shriek like that little girl, but I think we should all take a lesson from her and countless children who let us know how they feel about us nearly every moment we are around them. Then we might see what being adults actually means.
I have heard stories of seminary from many a gent who have made it out safely over the years. Everything always seems a bit hyperbolic, mostly regarding the library--like people locking themselves up in cubicles, students creating their own home at desks in the library, books that literally crumble in your hands when you pick them up from being centuries old, people using the library as a workout facility to get more "mind energy."
Slowly I am discovering these are all true. Here are two examples:
1. There is a "homedesk" just a few work areas away from me. I know this because books are stacked high on the floor; some are nearing the ceiling. This individual--whom I have yet to actually see sitting at the desk--has a makeshift wall built with the solid materials of cardboard and duct tape. Apparently the entire downstairs of the library is filled with these "homedesks," but I have yet to venture down there for fear that I won't come out until I am 45.
2. While studying from my History of Christianity mid-term (which is going to be killer so please pray for me) I saw rapid movement out of the corner of my eye. I glanced over quickly, thinking I myself was hallucinating from my studies. Thankfully I was not, but sadly I was witnessing a lad doing mad crazy push-ups at a pace that makes me think he was doing the "girl style" with his knees on the ground because I think he did about 36 in 15 seconds. He may have even had a white wristband on as well, so I am not sure if he found the actual gym inadequate or if he literally lives here and can't imagine going to the gym when there's a perfect carpeted floor to sweat on in the library!
I am thinking I might start keeping track of all the other oddities I find throughout my time here. The list could be something by the time I am finished. Unless, that is, I actually become one of these people myself!
I was just now able to watch the latest episode of The Office and I must say it was one of the funnier episodes in quite some time, namely because Michael was classic in just about every scene.
Here is a line from Michael after the office finds out that Meredith has been exchanging sex for discounts on supplies and Outback gift certificates:
This, I think was a great ethics seminary. She [Holly] has given us a lot of wonderful things to think about. Right...what is wrong...who's to say really in the end? I mean because it is...unknowable. But let's give her a round of applause.
Oh how I have heard such beautiful post-modern speak spewed forth from the mouths of such brilliant collegiate minds. Classic, Michael. Classic.
Right now it is the coldest it has been since my arrival here. The temperature is a mere 50 degrees. Needless to say this is still like the summer months in the Caribbean compared to what the winter brings come December-June or something hideous like that.
Every person I talk to, after hearing that I am from Florida, gets a frightened look on his or her face. "Have you ever experienced a Midwest winter?" is the immediate question they ask. I say I am originally from New Mexico and then I must quickly back that statement by mentioning that there are mountains in Santa Fe, it actually snows there, and there is some pretty good skiing as well. Once they get over the shock that New Mexico isn't just flat desert lands, they say, "But have you ever experienced a Midwest winter?" I come back with a confident, "No, but I sure do like seasons!" They laugh and say I am in for a big surprise.
Each conversation has constructed a more solidified image of this Midwest winter, where temperatures drop below 100, sometimes even making it close to -273 Celsius--the temperature where all motion ceases. People can't leave home without 15 layers, 12 jackets, and 5 pair of long johns. Then come the 16 pairs of socks, 22 pairs of gloves, and 5 pairs of boots--all at the same time! This just won't do for a Midwest winter though. One has to purchase clothes that have built-in heating systems so that at the touch of a button one can experience bursts of steam and a slight warming through a hot-water filtration system. It's all quite compelling actually. The snow stacks up so high we are actually holding class on the rooftops of the buildings and small city systems come out through the burrowed tunnels created under the snow. But I am sure my imagination in no way compares to what it's actually going to be like--it's probably worse!
Today in class someone actually prayed that I can make it through the winter. As for now, with the temperature being what it is, all I can do is brew a nice pot of delicious coffee, pull out my Bible, and enjoy life. All I can hope for as the weather gets colder is that I don't turn out like this guy: By His Grace.
Besides Chicago, there doesn't seem to be any cities here in close proximity. I have this odd feeling that the great State of Illinois just wants to give that city the only distinction as a city, thus call it the City of Chicago.
There are no towns. There are no townships. Instead, there are villages. Village of Deerfield. Village of Bannockburn. Village of Wheeling. Within 3 minutes one could drive through all three of these and many more, never knowing exactly which village one is in.
Unless, there are those banners on light posts; you know, the same exact ones on each light post. Those are what I saw today. On each post was written, "Welcome to the Village of Wheeling."
But here is the interesting fact about where I live. The light posts are not like quaint, victorianesque light posts one would expect for a village. Instead they are your regular, tall, gangly light post that curves out at the top over the street. To add to this is the fact that while I am driving through this "village" I am on a six-lane road next to semi trucks and other large carrier vehicles. The "village" is made complete with an enormous outdoor shopping plaza filled with your everyday neighborhood stores like Barnes N' Noble & the IMAX movie theater.
So how is this a village you might ask? Well to make sure everyone knows they are not in a city, or a town, but in a village, the local chief decides to make the speed limit on the six-lane country road 35 mph.
I admit it was tough being away from Gainesville today. Gameday in Gainesville is an experience I wish so many others could partake in. And tonight I was reminded just how far away from that experience I was.
Ryan Fields, a buddy who just moved up here from Gainesville along with me, and a fellow Gator, Kahem, seem to be the only three UF Alumni in this entire area just outside of Chicago.
We decided to go to this restaurant/brewery just down the road, thinking we'd be able to watch it on the big screen. Contrary to popular belief, Christians are allowed to go to bars, and are actually able to drink alcohol without melting or disappearing. We saw promise as we walked into the bar area, which was had the capacity and potential to be filled with hundreds of Gator fans for this sweet game. Instead there were five people randomly scattered throughout, two of them playing darts over in the corner.
To add to the excitement, the bar had an enormous high def screen front and center for us to enjoy. We sat down at the perfect table thinking that if we just asked them, they would be more than willing to change the channel, which I might add was showing a Cubs game. Building upon all was the surprisingly refreshing, great tasting Harvest Amber Ale I ordered, brewed right in front of us as the brewery was situated behind the big screen we were expecting to watch the Gator game on.
The waitress delivered the drinks and took our food order. Right before she walked away one of us said, "Excuse me, but is it possible for us to put the Gator game on the big screen here seeing as how we are the only paying patrons in this entire establishment and they are of course The University of Florida Gators?" It may not have been worded exactly that way, but the response was a death blow: "Ummm...nooo...are you serious? Like the Cubs are playing right now. In fact, we only get one channel for that big screen and it's called 'Cub Station.' Sorry." She went on to say, "But for your convenience we have this 4-inch TV over there in the corner right above those two playing darts that you can watch. Oh, and there's no sound, but it is a flat screen. We try to accommodate all our patrons with the finest service." WHAT??? So it may be a bit of an exaggeration because it was a nice TV, but it sure felt that way. We had to move our seat so we could be closer to the TV, which really was above to dart-playing duo and it really didn't have sound (or closed captioning). The place was dead quiet except for the occasional clapping that came when Alfonso Soriano hit home runs. And worst of all, we felt weird cheering. How does that happen?
So we left at halftime. Got back to campus and watched it on a big screen here with sound. It was still rough. The city didn't shut down. People weren't wearing orange and blue around campus. We were able to drive the car and find parking immediately. It was all just wack.
But this is my life now. I must take the bad along with the good.
To be honest, this is a book I have stayed away from ever since I heard the buzz going around back in 2003-2004. Furthermore, I am not too aware of the content, merely the concept. What Joshua Harris suggests in his book is that dating isn't necessarily bad (he would go for a more courtship method), but bottom line is that one should not pursue romance until one is ready to really commit. He writes on his website that "many readers who start out critics [I admittedly have been one] of I Kissed Dating Goodbye are surprised to learn that the core message of the book isn't about "dating," but living your life for God."
Well without having done any real research or inquiry until now, I am a bit curious. And it seems that others, including non-Christians are curious as well. C.J. Mahaney, leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries wrote in his blog about a curious endorsement from an unlikely source:
An endorsement for Joshua Harris’s bookI Kissed Dating Goodbye (Multnomah, 1997) has come from an unlikely source: Donna Freitas, a feminist and liberal professor of religion at Boston University.
That's how much time I and a group of new friends spent in the Windy City last night and oh how so much happened!!! This trip was the first of many excursions to Chi-town. Just so you know, as I have been corrected by my very kind friend Zach Wetendorf, it is pronounced "Shy-town." This is confirmed and also challenged by great nickname masters.
We decided to drive down, which was a bit painful, taking what could be a 30 minute drive nearly two hours. Truth is I didn't mind and no one else in the car really did as we got the chance to have good conversation. This would have been more frustrating of course if we were going to work at one of the ridiculously tall buildings in the heart of the city, or performing at the symphony, or if we had dinner reservations. But none of these were reasons for our little jaunting in the City. The Art Institute of Chicago was having it's final weekend of free nights so I made a last minute decision to head down with a group of about ten to check out some sweet art.
I wasn't too aware of what pieces were in the museum, but was able to see some fairly famous works, which was awesome. The one we are all most familiar with is the one seen here, called American Gothic by Grant Wood. This has been parodied countless times in films, photos, cartoons, etc. It was interesting to read the story behind the photo and to see in person what Wood was trying to depict. Those faces were probably genuine as his dentist likely vowed to pull everyone of Wood's teeth out for making him do this and the daughter stared at her father mad at his volunteering her to do this. Maybe I am reading too much into the painting, adding my own flair, much like those who read too much into the text of Scripture, adding their own flair. Dangerous.
Another piece that was familiar to me and I believe is fairly famous was a Post-Impressionist work called A Sunday at La Grande Jatte by Georges Surat. The only reason I think this one is famous is because I put it together as a puzzle during one of my Humanities classes back as a junior in high school. That and just as I looked it up on Wikipedia I was reminded it is one of my favorite movies, Ferris Bueller's Day Off during the scene where they all go to the Art Institute. The scene is more memorable to me because of the cinematography and score. But I digress.
There were several other works I really enjoyed, including some photography and an entire collection devoted to miniature rooms, but I shan't tell anymore of the museum because there's so many other things I got to do and see.
We split up for about an hour, so I decided to head down to Grant Park for the 30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival. Among thousands of people I arrived as Dee Dee Bridgewater was wrapping up her "Tribute to Betty Carter," which I found fascinating really. I don't know much about jazz, save a History of Jazz course I took in undergrad, but there was something electric about the songs she sang. The final number was a mini tribute to a jazz musician I have heard of, Nina Simone, called Four Women. Extremely powerful.
One observation that brought me joy were two men adjacent to each other. The first was an older black man, maybe in his 50s or 60s, standing, still in his McDonald's work uniform. He had headphones around his neck which were plugged into a sweet 1980s Sony Walkman clipped to the wasteband of his pants. I saw his pearly whites exposed in elation over the smooth voice of Ms. Bridgewater. Just to his right was a white man of a few years younger, shaved bald head, sitting in the grass with his arms holding his legs together in the Indian-style. He was just as enthralled, though his expression was a close-mouthed smile and a continual rocking back and forth. I thought it so neat to see jazz music bring these two gents together. I would be remiss if I did not share that I pray for this kind of elation, joy, and unity found in Christ, where it is true, pure, and everlasting.
I left the jazz festival feeling really good, in awe of the fact that I am living in this place and have been given this opportunity by God. It is still extremely surreal. However, I was brought back to some semblance of reality, though an odd reality, when on the street corner, rivaling the jazz just a block away, was your friendly neighborhood Mennonite choir, singing melodies to Jesus and handing out evangelistic CDs. I can picture Alanis Morrisette singing,
It's like Mennoniiiiiiiiiites in the Windy City, Rivaaaaaaling the jazz festival...
We got to talk with Matthew from Canada who told us they do this every Labor Day Weekend. Though extremely ironic, I thought it was quite cool. I'm surely trying to work through what evangelism and missions looks like in this culture and in a city of this size.
Our final excursion of the evening was hitting up Navy Pier. By this point most of us were content with just standing around and talking. A few got on the famous Ferris Wheel. The highlight to this and the rest of our night was the great theological discussions that took place over eschatology (end times theology) and the spiritual gifts. What a privilege and joy to be in a place where so many are thoughtful about their God, loving Him not only with their hearts, but also with their minds. They also were so kind to sing "Happy Birthday" to me.
All this in just five hours...well seven with traffic.
Today was my first day of real seminary classwork. I have been out of school for four years now, taking just a few classes over two summers through Crusade, but this promises to be different.
My only class for the day was Biblical Theology & Interpretation. To put it in as simple terms possible for both my own understanding and yours, this discipline is concerned with the storyline of Scripture, with one defining characteristic being that it's temporal, or subject to time. I will probably share more in the future, but just think of it in terms of the question, "How do particular themes in Scripture develop in light of the different authors involved through Genesis to Revelation?"
That paragraph was for those of you interested in what I am actually studying. The rest is just a fun story from the class itself. My professor for the course is none other than the Dr. D.A. Carson. Many of you may not know who he is, but I can tell you that he has most likely influenced your understanding of Scripture. He is regarded as one of the eminent scholars on the New Testament and is known widely around the world. He has written mad crazy books (around 45) and speaks at like 200 conferences a year (that is a rough, hyperbolic estimate). His name is venerated here at Trinity and is one of the main draws. Just Google him or check out this funny website about him to get a small taste.
Now I am going to be honest, I have only read a few pages of one of his books, but know enough about him to know he's "kinda a big deal." People know him.
Anyway, we were a pretty social class of about 100-150 this morning at 8:15. Everybody busted out their laptops of various shapes and sizes; I had my trusty yellow notepad in my Gator leather folder. I was a bit intimated and may bring my Mac to class next time.
I was having conversation with a new guy I met named Josh, while hearing all the clamoring of other voices around me. Then I see him come in. We all see him come in. Dressed in a sweet short sleeved dress shirt with tiny red and white checkers coupled with a red tie, theDr. D.A. Carson innocently walks down the stairs to the lecture area carrying a box of papers and a faint smile.
Literally the entire room got quite. People cut their words off mid-sentence. Everyone watched his movements as if we were on a safari seeing a lion for the first time, not wanting to blink.
Was this the guy who writes all the books? Was this the guy at all the conferences? In all the videos online? He's real?
It was quite funny to me. Hilarious in fact. I had a hard time containing a spontaneous eruption of laughter. "Is everyone serious?" was my initial thought. I then turned to Becca on my right and said, "this is funny." Those were the only words uttered out of my mouth in the deafening silence. Other than that I was a sheep like everyone else.
Truth is, Dr. Carson does deserve a lot of respect. His contribution to evangelical Christianity is something I am only beginning to understand, but I do know without much effort that I am indebted to him and what Christ has done in his life both in terms of saving him by His grace and also gifting him with the talents he has to serve the multitudes. I am grateful that Dr. Carson has responded faithfully to God's call on his life and look forward to sitting under his teaching as much as possible.
Well I've made it to Chicago and thus to Trinity. I just finished unpacking and I am destroyed after a couple weeks of living like the Energizer Bunny.
First, Russell and Molliann's wedding was beautiful. It honestly was unlike any wedding I have ever been a part of in terms of detail and number of people. I felt like I was part of a wedding week as opposed to just the rehearsal and wedding day--friends were coming in town all week, we had feast after feast, we all helped get everything together, and there was great fellowship with my boys. I have been thrilled for both Russell and Molliann for quite some time now as I have seen firsthand how they wonderfully compliment each other. As a result they have a healthy relationship that I firmly believe seeks to honor Christ. I have witnessed Russell grow more into the man God is making Him, which is such a joy for a friend to see in another friend. I have also seen Molliann develop such an intimacy with Jesus in such a short period of time as the Spirit has done such great work in her heart. Those two together make a great couple and I am so thrilled to have been part of God's joining them together in marriage.
This time Jimmy and Kelly read Scripture. It was the Scripture that Jimmy read which really touched my heart because of the glorious implications involved in such few verses. It is one of my favorite passages in all the Bible and I got to preach from it my last time speaking at Crusade. It is Philippians 2:1-11:
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My eyes started tearing up at the part which says that God has highly exalted Christ's name above every name and that every single person everywhere will bow to Him one day, it doesn't matter if that person is a Christian or not. We will all humble ourselves before the King--it is just a matter of where we will actually be. I am filled with joy at the thought of worshiping Christ forever and it will be so wonderful to do so with my friends and loved ones, like Russell and Molliann. Congrats to you guys...
We danced the rest of the reception after they left and I got to say goodbyes to a lot of students I am close with. Some came over afterward for a little after party with one main topic of conversation being height. Bottom line, I would rather be 6'2" than 5'7" and there is no 6'2" guy who would rather be 5'7".
I went to bed late, got up early, and hit the road. 17 hours later I was in Chicago. The air was cool and crisp, the sky clear, just like it is right now as I type. The roads suck, but that's ok. The campus is much more beautiful than I remember it. Right now I am drinking from a fire hydrant and everything seems surreal. I have yet to rest, but covet the time I get to, which is hopefully tomorrow. But I am here. I am a Midwesterner now and will be adopted teams in this region as I have no real ties, except to the Gators of course and the Magic.
The first...THE CUBS!!! Oh I hope to go to Wrigley soon to catch a game.
Courses start on Wednesday. I have yet to hear from UPS. They jacked me up today, but that is another story.
I miss Florida and my peeps there, but I am ready to start afresh and anticipate a lot of fun in the coming weeks. Jesus is so good to me!
I am currently at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School as I walk this life in Christ. Where He shall take me next...only He knows. As long as I'm with Him it's all good.
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