So, what's up, guys? :) How was the GA/FL game? (I'm sure you won't read this 'til after you get back, if you went.)
News here: I'm using fall break to study for a big piano literature test on Tuesday. I'm at Jittery's 5 Points right now, and I had to take a wingback chair by the "fireplace" b/c all the tables are full. Full. On a Friday afternoon. Color me surprised mixed with irritation. I am increasingly disappointed by the increasing unavailability of suitable study space here. I may have to move to Hot Corner (which too often smells like burnt coffee beans) or I-don't-know-where-else b/c the new Jittery's on Baxter St. wasn't designed by anyone who studies.
For those of y'all who don't know, yet, I went before Redeemer's Session last Monday and came under care of the Session, in response to the call I feel to be a minister of the Gospel. I will attend the next Presbytery meeting (early '06) and come under care of the Presbytery at that time. I'm excited about being more intentionally under the care and guidance of the Session as I wait to see what God has for me, whether seminary or otherwise.
This means my spring break trip to visit Braunt will have to serve two, maybe even three, purposes: 1) to visit Brent, 2) to go on a roadtrip with my friends, and 3) to gather data and meet people as a prospective student. I hope Brent is having a good week so he won't discourage me (and any others on the trip) from doing the seminary thing.
Anyone else doing anything? If so, you have something to post. If you are doing anything, studying anything, or dating anything, then you oughta post. Let us know what's going on! :)
Friday, October 28, 2005
Friday, October 21, 2005
God is so Good
The "so" is unnecessary, only useful b/c we experience differing degrees of people being good to us here. However, "God is Good" is a statement about an absolute quality--God is fully-Good, both utterly full of Goodness and of the kind of Good that is all-the-way Good.
Anyway, that's just my $0.02, as usual. He is good to us, and we hardy begin to know or express the extent of it. Even the suspicion I have of the things that I could do, whether apart from Him or even being found in Him, they don't begin to acknowledge the extent of what my heart is capable of.
A Good God Who loves me knowing what He knows about me is a terrifying God, a God Who is to be worshipped in awe and wonder. Calvin said that when he was confronted in scripture with a mystery of God, he had to stop his inquiry and get on his knees. I hope that I would do the same, but I also feel that even with the things that are no longer mysteries but have been revealed to us post-crucifixion, even with these I ought to fall on my knees in awe.
Things like "Jesus loves me."
Things like "God chose me from the foundation of creation."
Things like "The promise is not only for Jews but for Gentiles, too."
Things like "The God who designs hurricanes, tsunamis, allows abortion, and loves pedophiles, that same God is Good."
I hope to tremble as Who He is Good is made known to me.
Anyway, that's just my $0.02, as usual. He is good to us, and we hardy begin to know or express the extent of it. Even the suspicion I have of the things that I could do, whether apart from Him or even being found in Him, they don't begin to acknowledge the extent of what my heart is capable of.
A Good God Who loves me knowing what He knows about me is a terrifying God, a God Who is to be worshipped in awe and wonder. Calvin said that when he was confronted in scripture with a mystery of God, he had to stop his inquiry and get on his knees. I hope that I would do the same, but I also feel that even with the things that are no longer mysteries but have been revealed to us post-crucifixion, even with these I ought to fall on my knees in awe.
Things like "Jesus loves me."
Things like "God chose me from the foundation of creation."
Things like "The promise is not only for Jews but for Gentiles, too."
Things like "The God who designs hurricanes, tsunamis, allows abortion, and loves pedophiles, that same God is Good."
I hope to tremble as Who He is Good is made known to me.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Mr. Tom Hart, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Tommy, HAPPY birthday...here's to an enjoyable 21st trip around the sun!
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Thoughts on Freedom
Y'all already know how central the concept of freedom is to the Western world, and it is certainly the mantra of the United States. Organizations have been created to promote these freedoms, such as the ACLU. The most common preposition used in claiming freedom is "from", as in freedom from government intrusion, freedom from restrictions, freedom from religion being forced down our throats.
That makes sense in a secular world. But God reveals that man's true freedom isn't freedom from law, but is instead freedom within His law. True freedom requires boundaries, otherwise there is nothing to measure freedom against. But God reveals that we will only be free within His law, as we submit to His commands and find the freedom to live as we were designed to live.
In this light, we see that contemporary culture is actually contrary to true freedom.
That makes sense in a secular world. But God reveals that man's true freedom isn't freedom from law, but is instead freedom within His law. True freedom requires boundaries, otherwise there is nothing to measure freedom against. But God reveals that we will only be free within His law, as we submit to His commands and find the freedom to live as we were designed to live.
In this light, we see that contemporary culture is actually contrary to true freedom.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Jason or Ben...
Is there a setting that would send an email every time someone makes a new post or comment on the blog? Instead of checking every now and then to see if there's anything new, it would be nice just to get an email and know that someone wrote something. Just a thought.