tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-106375002011-07-30T17:46:24.686-05:00How you live your life is your theology. What do you think about God? These are my thoughts, my ruminations, my pain, and my struggles, my quirks, my joys - all seeking to answer the tough and not so tough questions of this life. How about you? Pull up a chair to the table. Join in the conversation...Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.comBlogger1481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-43381735228041855792009-08-28T15:35:00.008-05:002009-08-28T23:08:50.061-05:00

It has happened to us all. You're going through life, just minding your own business ... maybe you're at the grocery store, at work, or even with the family. It can happen in such places as a hospital (think emergency room, ICU, or even the waiting room), a church's sanctuary, and even your child's bedroom when you're tucking them in at night. It happens in face-to-face conversation, on the

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-71300857516905975312009-08-25T20:00:00.005-05:002009-08-25T21:07:07.971-05:00

While I don't have much in the way of deep thoughts to share, seeing that the new school year begins tomorrow for me and my kids, I'm feeling like I should at least have something "penned" for the occasion. That being said, I'm astonished at how quickly summer passed by. All three of my kids have grown so much over the summer. And we've done a number of fun things together this summer ... the

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-40075351690270305912009-08-06T11:15:00.003-05:002009-08-06T11:20:23.543-05:00

For those interested, my latest sermon is online at http://joycast.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=508393. Thanks to Pastor Scott Hackler for the invite to proclaim and share God's Word on Sunday, July 26. Feel free to give a listen, and share your thoughts. God bless!

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-32387434134240787752009-07-29T21:23:00.002-05:002009-07-29T21:34:32.528-05:00

As the title implies, I am interested in your thoughts, your feelings, ... your reaction to this book, "The Shack". I just finished reading it this evening, and my feelings are ... well, I don't want to unduly influence your own comments or thoughts. Here are some questions to help prime the proverbial pump for discussion:What do you think is Paul Young's purpose in presenting this story?What

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-73281062816689223302009-06-10T09:21:00.003-05:002009-06-10T09:45:51.441-05:00

I'm living in the Chicagoland area, much as I was a year ago. The only difference is that a year ago, I just gotten out here, having driven cross-country to begin a grueling Summer of intensive German language reading studies. Back East, in Philadelphia, my family was adjusting to not having me around. It was hot and humid back in the Philadelphia region. Lots of thunderstorms. Lots. Back here in

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-18357065697157951922009-03-06T18:14:00.003-05:002009-03-06T18:28:30.496-05:00

Is 'Fear' something that never crosses your mind? Something that other people deal with?More than likely 'Fear' is something you know of, something you live with. If you're like me, you are familiar with fear. I know a lot about fear because I grew up with it as part of my life. When I was younger, fear almost won, almost drove me to kill myself. Even today, fear is something that still seeks to

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-11465643711822244732009-02-26T19:36:00.005-05:002009-02-26T19:52:59.046-05:00

I had been reading my daily e-devotion from Scripture Union, UK one morning, and there it was, staring at me ... the familiar but incredible story of Isaiah's vision of the throneroom of God. While this is a story I am quite familiar with, I wanted to read it with an eye toward understanding it wisely.1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-88315315847229792822009-02-03T22:42:00.004-05:002009-02-03T22:56:44.694-05:00

What do you think of when you hear or read the word, 'wisdom'? Is it an amorphous something in your mind? Does it seem like one of those words that you feel like you know it, but can't really describe it? Is it different than knowledge? How does it apply to you?James, the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ, wrote to Christians who were scattered around at least the western Mediterranean seaboard

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-24273744255667136172009-01-24T10:02:00.001-05:002009-01-24T10:04:48.651-05:00

Back on Wednesday, Dec. 17, I spent much of the day at the O'Hare International Airport, wondering if the delay in my flight was going to be short, or the matter of several hours. It seemed all flights to Philly were experiencing some delay due to "weather" in Philadelphia. But in the course of that time, I met two different men, and had two entirely different conversations - both concerning

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-3032154563374968702009-01-23T14:35:00.003-05:002009-01-23T14:40:54.513-05:00

There's an inherent tension in living out the Christian faith. We are confronted by our own sinfulness and sinful behavior by a God who is holy and just, who loves us, but cannot tolerate our sin/sinfulness. His solution? Send His one and only Son to be fully human while also being fully God, so that the Son may take the penalties and sinfulness of the whole world onto Himself. Through His dying,

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-18539729372547139692009-01-01T08:02:00.002-05:002009-01-01T08:19:47.875-05:00

looking back at the stretch of time over the last several months of 2008, and looking ahead into at least the first several months of 2009 should mark some of the biggest amount of change my family as a whole has ever experienced. we spent New Year's Eve "homeless" as we are in transition between the selling of our home in one state and moving to a rental townhouse in a completely different state

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-49950644460302118042008-11-23T00:42:00.003-05:002008-11-23T00:45:48.820-05:00

I'm just excited that with Penn State's win over Michigan State this evening, we have won the Big Ten conference title, and are headed to the Rose Bowl. It is still disappointing that having lost to Iowa two weeks ago, we are no longer in contention for a National title, but at least we're going for the Roses.

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-78640222912976187372008-11-13T18:17:00.003-05:002008-11-13T18:38:15.796-05:00

I'm writing this again from the position of realizing it's been over a month since I last wrote, and even last month was more or the less the first time I'd written in at least a month. So there you have it. This doctoral program is either keeping me too busy to blog consistently, or when I'm not busy studying, reading, researching, or writing, my brain is in a state of mush. That being the case,

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-70427495507177712112008-10-11T09:48:00.004-05:002008-10-11T12:40:52.319-05:00

There are times where the mercy of the Lord is just clearly in front of us. This is, perhaps, one of those times. I don't know why, but the idea of the Wisdom of the Lord has been continually in my mind. Now, I can give you a number of rational reasons why this is so. For one, it's been a recurring idea in both some class discussions (Prolegomena) and readings, as well as something noteworthy in

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-71985154656414507642008-10-05T21:33:00.004-05:002008-10-05T22:05:49.646-05:00

I've been a follower of Jesus Christ for about 23 years. It was a decision I made in what I now understand was a response to the work of God the Holy Spirit. I was the beneficiary of the ministry of several godly: Pete Berner, Dave Bailey, John Gleichman, and many others. Since then, I've lived through a lot of decisions, made a number of moves, and had a whole of experiences, all of which, with

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-20023088743751989862008-09-06T10:20:00.002-05:002008-09-06T10:31:05.406-05:00

I've been in biblical and theological studies for several years now, as well as a youth pastor for many years more. I want to share with you a great resource which I use with frequency in my studies, my research, and my writing. It's Logos Bible Software. It contains an incredible amount of language resources, as well as a theological library. What's more, you have the constant ability and option

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-58278941049826178292008-09-06T09:27:00.002-05:002008-09-06T09:40:39.960-05:00

22 "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.24 They will say of me, 'In the LORD alone are deliverance and strength.' " All who have raged

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-91219304561510147282008-09-01T09:38:00.003-05:002008-09-01T09:51:48.547-05:00

I just got an email this morning me telling me I had not passed a language proficiency exam required for my doctorate. It was the second time I had not passed it.I'm feeling low. Real low. Almost as low as the first time I didn't pass it.I need to find my comfort and encouragement in Jesus.Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8, 11-121 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.2 He alone is

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-58673098899899491012008-09-01T00:02:00.002-05:002008-09-01T00:08:59.258-05:00

This was the Scripture text for worship and the sermon at North Suburban E-Free Church in Deerfield, IL, where I worshipped this morning. I am indebted to the pastor for sharing this message with us. I am reminded that my heart needs to feast on the Lord; that I need to not find things to preoccupy myself. Rather, I need to spend time with the One who created me and knows me best. I need to find

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-79130269446890977372008-08-13T22:21:00.002-05:002008-08-13T22:40:10.045-05:00

hard to believe that tomorrow is it ... the German Reading Exam.I arrived in IL eight and one-half weeks ago and began the roller coaster ride of Theological German studies.now it comes down to tomorrow, August 14.a Thursday afternoon.1 pm, CST.my classmates and I have studied, we have prepared, we have done exercises, and we have prayed together and for one another and for all of our fellow

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-49917491146819785082008-08-10T20:53:00.002-05:002008-08-10T21:08:35.733-05:00

I'm sitting up in my monk's cell, back in IL after a whirl-wind trip back to Philly for a couple of weddings and a quick visit with my family. Both weddings involved former students of mine from NPC's youth group - the first I got to witness, and the second I was invited to give prayers as well as deliver the wedding homily. It was a real treat, and a great blessing to have been able to come home

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-35488071755189078242008-08-05T00:08:00.002-05:002008-08-05T00:25:20.863-05:00

There are times when I wonder what is going on in my life. I wonder where God is - how He can feel real one day, and utterly fictional the next. I wonder why one day I feel so down in the dumps, but after some time in prayer, I feel restored; but the next, when I go to pray, it feels like my prayers are like arrows stuck in the ceiling, and I still feel heavy and weighed down.This is one of those

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-70382569049887895832008-07-28T08:24:00.003-05:002008-07-28T08:31:03.697-05:00

okay, not to be melodramatic, but today, Monday, July 28 marks the beginning of the final leg of German studies, Theological German 2. There are now only three weeks left to prepare for the much dreaded German Reading Exam for which I have separated myself for the better part of the summer months. All so that I may pass it and be able to get that point checked off on my prerequisites.to this

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-86994642216737464302008-06-23T23:29:00.004-05:002008-08-04T20:58:53.311-05:00

The sermon in church yesterday was one I wish we heard more often, in that it tackled a more difficult passage in Scripture. Too many sermons address passages that the preacher likes, or make people feel good. But yesterday, I heard a message based on Jeremiah 20, where the prophet seems to lash out against God, feeling deceived and manipulated into serving as God's prophet, carrying a most

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1196489704992680102008-06-20T08:52:00.006-05:002008-08-04T21:00:07.010-05:00

Every Christian wants to believe in their heart that God's got a plan for dealing with tragedy, one that will surprise the "experts", one that will demonstrate God's power and might. This is our hope when tragedy is no longer a term bandied around on the evening news, when it becomes personal, striking someone we know, someone we love.But God is not a "rabbit's foot", to be pulled out of our

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-2701529335382529022008-06-17T06:20:00.002-05:002008-06-17T06:37:02.963-05:00

First off, thanks to those of you who have been praying for my German studies. Though I feel very 'if-y' about yesterday's midterm (I know I bombed the sentence diagramming and translation), we only had about 58 words to learn for today's quiz, and at least as of this morning, I feel like I know them pretty well. I'll study them a few more times this morning, but at least as of this morning, I

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-84088009965285004172008-06-16T22:35:00.003-05:002008-06-16T22:42:25.152-05:00

This passage comes from Jeremiah 5 ... God is calling on Jeremiah to deliever a very hard word to the people of Jerusalem - it is a message of doom and judgment. But it doesn't come out of a vacuum, as if God were some sort of cosmic kill-joy, or some pathological killer. He created us for relationship, to worship Him alone, and to love our neighbor's as ourselves. Because the people of Judah and

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-23918221707859450592008-06-15T21:10:00.003-05:002008-06-15T21:18:37.680-05:00

It occurs to me that I "talked" about German, but didn't give a context.That context is the beginnings of a Ph.D. program in Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I have to pass this class in order to move to the next class, theological German 1. So please pray with me, that God would be gracious and merciful, that He would allow me to remember all of the words I need to

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-17685498596568421892008-06-13T19:14:00.002-05:002008-06-13T19:18:38.488-05:00

I left German class feeling pretty beat yesterday. I didn't do a blessed thing to do with German for the rest of the afternoon or evening. I "slept in" this morning, read my devotions, prayed, and then went over to school to tackle the German with a new perspective. I went through the article endings (definite and indefinite), verb endings (weak, strong, mixed, and irr. strong), copied all the

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-63719628771577011712008-06-12T21:13:00.002-05:002008-06-12T21:24:52.138-05:00

wow. Am I in a free-fall? I hope not. This intensive Intro to German class is kicking my butt. Or at least it feels that way. I'm paying attention in class. I'm keeping up with the readings. I'm doing the translations. I'm going over the vocab words four, five, six times and more. I'm dealing with German on average some ten plus hours a day.I know I'm not the only one who feels this way, but oh

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-41920706126648416862008-05-31T11:46:00.002-05:002008-05-31T11:53:43.597-05:00

one week from today I'll be on the road to Chicago to truly begin the first leg of this new part of the journey. where has the time flown? I'll be gone for most of the summer. separated from my wife and kids for several weeks at a time. kind of crazy. don't know how it will flow or work. But I'm doing because I think this is what God wants me to do. my family, many friends, my church and pastor,

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-89408650947926604212008-05-27T10:21:00.004-05:002008-05-27T10:54:28.536-05:00

I was catching up on my WordLive devotions from Scripture Union UK, and this was the entry for May 24. The story of the OT prophet Elisha and the hospitality he constantly received from a wealthy Shummanite woman and her husband is meant to show us the contrast he received from the people of Israel. But that's not my focus (nor was it the point of the devotion). Elisha is grateful for her

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-32146366060189127352008-05-19T13:38:00.005-05:002008-05-20T21:09:33.976-05:00

Saturday, May 17 marked a milestone for me. Actually, it was a big day on a couple of counts. For one thing, it was my oldest daughter, Maddie's 11th birthday. That was a big deal - party with four friends to see 'Prince Caspian', breakfast in bed, and her own cell phone (with a camera built in). But it was also my graduation day. My brother, Josh, his wife, Erin, and their two daughters,

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-88414912789229719462008-05-19T13:34:00.002-05:002008-05-19T13:37:59.771-05:00

I've meant to write several times over the last month, but much has happened in that time, not the least of which was that we had to put Toby, our dog, down at the SPCA. I wanted to write about it on a couple of occassions, but just didn't have the energy. I've also been very busy with getting ready for graduation. The next entry will cover that. I'm also getting ready to go away for pretty much

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-39373987833974137202008-04-16T10:20:00.002-05:002008-04-16T12:14:38.680-05:00

okay, this is one of the more random entries I've ever written, but stay with me. For in spite of some stream of consciousness, and excessive prose, all will be made clear as you step into my story, my life this one morning.You see, it all started last night. Last night. The night before Tile Glazer man came over. For several days I've been re-grouting the upstairs bathroom wall tile. Yesterday I

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-18875112144519544422008-04-03T20:20:00.002-05:002008-04-03T20:26:12.638-05:00

just a short muse on where we are in life.we are in "the in-between". this is the time between when one gets "word" and when the "word" is consumated in reality.it is one of those realities where the joys and struggles of faith ebb and flow. it is what it is. it is where faith is proven to be faith, and not just novelty or sentiment.it is where we are right now. having been accepted to Trinity,

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-24760421331160953402008-03-27T08:38:00.002-05:002008-03-27T09:01:30.179-05:00

The last time I wrote was Trinity's Decision Day. I prayerfully went through that day, and wondered what would happen regarding my application. Of course, I was also in thought regarding the upcoming weekend, because I had registered for Trinity's 'Taste of Trinity' open-house, and didn't want to show up and then find out I wasn't accepted - "awkward" redefined.I emailed my Admissions Counselor

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-45814284014622165362008-03-12T08:47:00.002-05:002008-03-12T08:51:41.718-05:00

well, if you happen to be passing by and reading this, please join me in prayer. today, Wednesday, March 12 is the day that the admissions committee is meeting to decide to whom to extend an invitation for Ph.D. study at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.I actually feel some peace. I've done all I can do - send in all the application stuff - so since Jan. 15th, it's been 'hurry up and wait'. my

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-78458098935212237682008-03-03T19:59:00.004-05:002008-03-03T20:11:11.838-05:00

well, this past Saturday marked a first for the young men and women who were counted as my first youth at Narberth Presbyterian Church. Matt Weed, the son of the pastor, was married to Linshuang Lin in a ceremony officiated by his dad. it was perhaps more emotional for his dad than himself, but Matt seemed to take it all in stride.it was a nice reception held afterward. the couple had requested

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-80186820329062287742008-02-29T14:31:00.002-05:002008-02-29T14:35:01.262-05:00

couldn't let this once in a four-year period of time pass by without wishing you all a very happy 'Leap Day'!hope it's been special. Sarah and I took the kids out to the diner this morning for breakfast before dropping them off at school. we'll have a family night tonight and play board games (not that that has anything to do with it being a leap day, but I just thought I'd share).wonder what the

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-77993195206970999902008-02-28T12:32:00.003-05:002008-02-28T13:00:04.886-05:00

I recently purchased a new song on itunes, "Move Along" by The All-American Rejects. I don't know much about this group aside from three songs that were popular a couple of years ago. But I enjoyed this song a lot, and since I bought it and listened to it (I'm listening to it right now), I found some deep stuff embedded in the lyrics.I want to share with you the theology that I find in the song.

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-3870671308382452932008-02-25T13:45:00.002-05:002008-02-25T14:14:41.615-05:00

I'm in a self-reflective mood today. With my eldest daughter home sick today, I've been forced to be a 'servant'. "Forced" certainly gives you insight into my more unconscious feelings on the matter. I suppose I could have edited that sentence - cleaned it up - made it more "christian" sounding. But that would defeat the point; wouldn't it?Maybe it's this season of transition I'm in, but I'm (

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-73448110077707503222008-02-22T12:14:00.005-05:002008-02-22T14:06:22.840-05:00

This past Wednesday night, I was teaching as part of our church's weekly Lenten devotions. The main text was Exodus 13:17-14:14. The Israelites had just celebrated the first Passover, and were in the process of leaving Egypt. The LORD sends them on a particular path, avoiding Philistia, going down toward the Red Sea. Interestingly, the LORD tells Moses his reasoning is to turn Pharaoh's heart

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-82521270503079769422008-02-18T19:37:00.002-05:002008-02-18T20:02:02.581-05:00

Psalm 34:8 says, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the [person] who takes refuge in Him." This verse shows up about a third of the way into the psalm. It follows after verses that talk about extoling and praising the LORD, boasting and glorifying Him, and about calling out to Him, and being saved from all of one's troubles. It is followed by poetic promises: if we fear Him, we will

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-84968797583482473632008-02-15T14:06:00.003-05:002008-02-15T14:23:29.779-05:00

It's a cold day in February, and I'm in the final stages of sending the hard copies of papers and paperwork off to Durham U. in the UK to complete my application for Ph.D. studies in Systematic Theology there. I'm waiting for a couple of references, as well as printing out two papers to send along as well.The challenge is the 'wait'. I am not a good wait-er. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-68014750908236683522008-01-14T16:57:00.000-05:002008-01-15T11:03:41.910-05:00

There's no such thing as a pure or entirely biblically-correct theology. As humans, our thoughts and understandings about God, as inspired or 'Spirit-led' as they may be, are still filtered through the mesh of our own humanity and struggling sinfulness.Are we destined to an impure or polluted interpretation of Scripture? Are we therefore unable to understand what God has revealed in the pages of

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-40616783343754999242008-01-08T19:58:00.001-05:002008-01-08T20:02:20.549-05:00

I need prayer. I am in the midst of trying to come up with options and ideas for what I could possibly present as a valid proposal for a dissertation in some area of Theology. I need to discover the burning questions and issues inside of me. I need to focus these things into a subject that is acceptable for writing a 100,000 word dissertation for a Ph.D.Would you help?Please pray that the Holy

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-5811258041344022872008-01-05T16:39:00.000-05:002008-01-05T17:05:54.073-05:00

I have reached a bit of a crossroads. Though I'm still awaiting my final grades for my summary MTS papers, I've essentially graduated. I am now looking at Ph.D. programs, with most of my professors encouraging me to consider University programs over Seminary programs. I have also been encouraged to look at who is teaching at a particular institution, rather than just choose on name alone. To that

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-43513758592901699662008-01-03T20:33:00.000-05:002008-01-03T20:54:11.996-05:00

Today was day #2 of Palmer Theological Seminary's Jan Term intensive of Intro. to NT Greek. It was a good day. I'm the T.A. for Professor Debbie Watson. My job: make copies of quizes, collect and grade quizes, lead the class through new vocabulary, and be available after class to help tutor and go over the day's material.This is my January. And I like it this way. I enjoy teaching. I enjoy

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-29208010558318405292008-01-01T19:55:00.000-05:002008-01-01T21:54:30.448-05:00

As the title implies... Happy New Year!Our new year's plans changed the day before due to some issues that came up for the hosts of the party we had positively RSVP'd. That being said, we definitely had a better time with our kids than had we gone to said party.My wife and I looked back on last night and felt like we had made some positive family memories for our kids. We took them to Chuck E.

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-82536849548685575772007-12-25T18:02:00.000-05:002007-12-27T22:20:00.149-05:00

Merry Christmas!What a great reason for a celebration: God becomes incarnate - Jesus Christ is born - completely God, and completely human. Amazing. Athanasius, in his writings against Arius, noted that 'what God has not assumed, God has not healed'. We Christians often put all the emphasis on Easter as the culminating point of God's mission on earth. We don't realize that the salvation plan

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-6280111254709931392007-12-14T17:20:00.000-05:002007-12-14T17:42:14.189-05:00

Or at least this stage of things are... Yesterday afternoon, I turned in my the second of my two mini-theses, thus completing the last of my requirements for finishing my Master's in Theological Studies, with a concentration in Contemporary Theology.I must say, it was all very anticlimactic. Though, as I was finishing the very last piece of editing that second paper, one of classmates came up to

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-36408980083345131622007-11-29T21:12:00.000-05:002007-12-14T17:20:45.996-05:00

well, lo and behold... it's been almost three months since I last blogged.Life has been busy. I'm actually about to graduate from Palmer Theological Seminary. But the catch is that I have to turn in two mini-theses in order to do it. That's where most of my mental energy has been going these last few months.I'm about 99.9% finished my first one, and about 75% finished my second. Once they're both

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-79193529730394048782007-09-06T16:42:00.000-05:002007-09-06T16:47:25.074-05:00

Okay, I wanted to share with you that I just finished getting my second thesis proposal accepted. This is a great weight off my shoulders, to say the least. God is good. Now I am free to proceed on my research and writing for both mini-theses. These are the last and final parts to my finishing and receiving my Masters of Theological Study in Contemporary Theology. I am very excited. Both of the

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-7073112380311210172007-09-03T07:24:00.000-05:002007-09-03T08:56:45.635-05:00

a month or so ago I shared the lament that I was struggling to read Scripture on my own, as part of what is an important ongoing discipline in the Christian faith. I was reading as part of Sunday worship, but beyond that it was definitely challenging to either find the time when I thought about it, or I just didn't think about doing it, getting caught up in life in general.but praise be to God,

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-8667091279851347002007-09-01T11:10:00.000-05:002007-09-01T12:02:54.415-05:00

the early but escalating tensions in 2008 presidential campaign. the ongoing implosion of the Republican party. the seemingly powerful homosexual captivity over pop media and politics. the growing godlessness among pastors and laity in Main Line Protestant denominations (even as those denominations lose more and more members).What does all of this mean? What should all of this mean for Christians

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-39976189095963709532007-08-26T18:29:00.000-05:002007-08-26T18:39:24.097-05:00

A friend of mine [we'll call him 'A'] sent out an email yesterday sharing the frustrating experience of another friend [we'll call - yes, you figured it out - 'B'], whereby a tree 'B' was seeking to take down in his back yard ended up coming down on his house. This, coupled with family struggles, both immediate and extended, led to 'A's seeing this as the latest attack of many by Satan on 'B' and

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-7481623900044468582007-08-01T21:11:00.000-05:002007-08-01T21:51:05.157-05:00

As part of the kingdom teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew presents Jesus as reinterpreting the Law, and teaching on the ethics of the Kingdom. In Matthew 7, Jesus presents a word-picture regarding judgment. Noting the sinfulness that each of struggles with, Jesus warns us to make sure we are relying on our own sense of right and wrong, or dispensing legalisms out of our own

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-29479643111046258052007-07-28T19:06:00.000-05:002007-07-28T19:18:17.804-05:00

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and,

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-68655119643353486822007-07-20T15:49:00.000-05:002007-07-20T16:24:53.502-05:00

While I've not formally read any of his publications, I've read a few journal articles by Brevard Childs. Last December I had read 'Invitation to Dogmatic Theology' by Paul McGlasson, which caught my attention, giving me great food for thoughts - McGlasson had been a student under Childs at Yale, and it was Childs who had penned the forward to the book. And with these thoughts in mind, I was

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-88365867379992563062007-07-16T20:01:00.000-05:002007-07-16T21:00:10.795-05:00

Okay, they say the older you get the faster time flies by... this is true, which is to say, you've experienced this for yourself. Time is tick, tick, tickin' away, time's just tickin' away.There's so much I want to say - er, write. This past week I started my studies in intro to Hebrew - the reading and writing right to left thing is pretty cool for this lefty! - got to see my oldest

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-5135625210434846552007-07-05T10:39:00.000-05:002007-07-05T11:29:22.764-05:00

I wanted to give some time for responses in order to see how to proceed. In all, two responses showed up; both giving different angles on the issue. It's my thought that both provide us with good places to dialogue, so here goes...Respondent #1 was to the point, saying something along the lines of, "I think [homosexuals] would just prefer you to leave them alone." The unstated point was leave

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-11226039295279247322007-06-08T15:49:00.000-05:002007-06-08T16:38:35.001-05:00

I realize in opining this topic I'm opening myself up to a lot of criticism. In this so-called "englightened" age, we are supposed to bow to the wonders of science, which in the minds of some, has "proven" that homosexuality is genetic, and therefore, it's entirely natural. Even some Christians who are Biblical claim that homosexuality today is far different from the misunderstood "sin" of the

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-88670591864581535312007-06-07T22:16:00.000-05:002007-06-07T22:30:53.454-05:00

I don't know what provoked me, but the other day I decided to 'google' MEGO, makers of my favorite childhood toys: 8" superhero action figures, and then the Micronauts. Anyhow, these toys were the essence of my childhood. Sadly, they were completely and (at the time) completely superseded by the explosion known as Star Wars, which just violently overshadowed all things imagination. What do I like

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-22078050293616371812007-05-29T11:58:00.001-05:002007-05-29T12:13:29.341-05:00

I like to look around at other blogs, to see (and read) what other bloggers are thinking about, consumed by, or sharing from the heart. Some are obviously interesting, while others are ... 'nuff said.One such blogger had an entry that has caused some extra percolation in my heart/mind/soul that is me. The Real Live Preacher (www.reallivepreacher.com) had this entry concerning an article he read

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-21454271486406625672007-05-21T16:08:00.000-05:002007-05-21T16:38:26.808-05:00

To this point we have considered two different expressions of faith, the 'intellectual' and the 'experiential'. And we showed how in fact they were both extremes of true faith. The 'intellectual' approach tends to feed into a salvation by knowledge, and an emphasis of doctrine overagainst holistic faith. At the other end, the 'experiential' approach tends to subjegate all things to one's feelings

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-20096156879701594172007-05-19T14:24:00.000-05:002007-05-19T14:44:13.473-05:00

There's nothing like your oldest child turning ten to make you suddenly feel really 'old'!While she "turned" ten on Thursday, last night was our daughter's birthday/slumber party with ten friends and her younger sister. This was very chaotic at times, certainly noisy, and all-around very fun for these girls - most of whom were experiencing their first sleep-over with non-family. My son and I

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-8241546755657050172007-05-18T15:30:00.000-05:002007-05-21T16:38:26.808-05:00

Today we want to consider that which is the other side, the other extreme of faith. Originally, experience, to put it simplistically, was the hallmark of Liberal Protestant Christianity and theology. It was seen as the means of understanding Christianity's relevancy in a 'modern' world where miracles and the supernatural were rejected outright as violations of the closed system of nature and

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-28151578010127381222007-05-17T13:20:00.000-05:002007-05-21T16:38:26.808-05:00

This entry will focus on the first of our "extreme" forms of faith, namely, the 'intellectual' approach to faith. Simply put, there is an overemphasis on that angle on our faith in which our faith is guaged by what, or how much, we "know". Too much weight is given to orthodoxy. Pure, correct doctrine is the goal, and any one who lines up properly to all the correct doctrinal categories is viewed

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-54194869389960205702007-05-16T15:10:00.000-05:002007-05-21T16:38:26.808-05:00

Christians, whether we realize it or not, have a tendency toward extremes. And why not? We are human, in spite of accusations to the contrary by our detractors. We are human, and simply put, we like black and white categories.So it is with faith. We see these two extremes most easily identified as the 'intellectual', or the 'experiential'. I'd like to address these extremes from the perspective

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-76870896285118905622007-05-15T17:54:00.000-05:002007-05-15T18:11:14.792-05:00

The last several weeks have been filled with an incredible amount of reading and writing, culminating in the completion of a 5 week Wednesday night course I taught at Narberth Pres. on The historical development of Christology called 'Who Do You Say I am?'; a ten-page paper critiquing Walter Brueggemann's use of 'Counter-Testimony' in his Theology of the Old Testament; a thirty-eight and one-half

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-36331851275862527492007-03-21T14:43:00.000-05:002007-03-21T14:52:34.977-05:00

This Spring 07, I'm taking a class called 'Persevering Hope: The Theology of Evil, Suffering, and the Goodness of God. The first major assignment for this class is due next week. From the title of this entry, you've probably guessed that it's a sermon we had to prepare. Because there's some twenty people in the class, we don't have time to deliver these sermons to the class, as was the original

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-43656880139195851102007-03-20T20:28:00.000-05:002007-03-20T20:34:11.566-05:00

dear friends and family,I was visiting a fellow Palmer student's blog recently, and was interested by one of his entries to visit the above mentioned site (you can click on the title - it serves as a link to Evangelicals for Human Right's site). I was moved enough to read and sign the Evangelical Declaration Against Torture. Forgive me if I seem on a soap box; I don't mean to preach. Christians

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-29401651243622404402007-03-16T16:32:00.000-05:002007-03-16T17:27:34.246-05:00

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you,

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-91320821563486240172007-03-15T22:14:00.000-05:002007-03-15T22:31:10.805-05:00

I'm sitting here at my dining room table listening to some 80's hits on itunes, waiting up for my wife to finish her deadline at work. And I've found that I've gone through a wide variety of feelings, from melancholy to joy, from tears to frustration, and feeling up to feeling down. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's that I keep itunes on shuffle. Maybe I'm manic or bi-polar (no, I'm not making

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-83651905827714956632007-03-11T17:35:00.000-05:002007-03-12T12:39:11.681-05:00

dear brothers and sisters in Christ,I am writing because there are several things that have been ruminating in my heart, things, I believe, that have been placed there by our God Himself. I am writing because this word (these words) are not from me. I believe they have been placed there for a purpose. Now, hear me, please. I am not suggesting these words are on the level of divine revelation, on

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-38247106287169025912007-03-10T15:35:00.000-05:002007-03-10T15:51:50.846-05:00

I was in the bathroom the other morning - it really doesn't matter which morning - going through some semi-morning ritual that gets me ready for said day when I saw it. I was shaving, brushing my teeth, smiling in the mirror at myself, washing my hands after taking a crap - I don't know but it was one of those things - but I was doing something when I looked down. Maybe I was throwing something

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-27122494019382697532007-03-09T16:00:00.000-05:002007-03-09T16:05:15.706-05:00

an hour ago, I logged onto to blogger because there was something on my mind to share with all of you wonderful people. But after an hour of messing around with the "new" blogger, I have all but forgotten what I was going to say. So that's kind of frustrating. But in any event, I thought I would at least put something mundane and meaningless down.

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1172761410383259932007-03-01T09:51:00.000-05:002007-03-01T10:03:30.393-05:00

okay, I've been keeping this blog for over two years now, and gotten bits and pieces of comments in that time, but little in the way of sustained dialog or conversation. I know people read these thoughts intermittently - I get emails here and there, or even passing comments from the people who are local. And I appreciate each and every one.When I first started this blog, I had two ideas at the

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1172675947618417772007-02-28T10:09:00.000-05:002007-02-28T10:19:07.630-05:00

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal. - Isaiah 26:3-4This is one of those days where I just feel down, and have little to no reason to feel so. Maybe it's merely seasonal depression. Maybe it's that deep in my heart

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1172163621033360442007-02-22T11:53:00.000-05:002007-02-22T12:08:07.253-05:00

Someone forwarded this to me - my reply follows...CHEAP LABOR? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about? Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage Consumers don't want expensive produce Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs But the bottom line is cheap labor. The phrase "cheap labor" is a myth, a farce, a lie...an oxymoron. There is no such thing as "cheap labor."

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1172088541642822712007-02-21T15:07:00.000-05:002007-02-22T11:03:38.440-05:00

God our King ismore affectionate than any friend,more just than any ruler,more loving than any father,more a part of us than our own limbs,more necessary to us than our own heart.- St. Nicolas Cabasilas

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1169773547936035622007-01-25T19:07:00.000-05:002007-02-22T11:02:06.603-05:00

There's a great story in the gospel of Luke where Jesus tells this story of a farmer who strikes it rich with a bumper crop that, in his own mind, sets him up for the High Life for the rest of his life. That is, until God shows up to set him straight.Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1169176057011872052007-01-18T21:45:00.000-05:002007-01-18T22:07:37.046-05:00

I'm on a mission. It's a mission to try and do theology grounded in and defined by Scripture, utilizing the various tools and insights that we have at our finger tips, that empowers the people of God to be the called-out ones, the Church. So I've been reading and listening. Reading books, and listening to sermons. One of the things that has been on my mind is the whole thing of how we came to

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1168992534561712562007-01-16T18:54:00.000-05:002007-01-16T19:08:54.713-05:00

okay, so it's not exactly the first day of the new year, but I've been busy; what can I say?But here we are, early on in 2007. How's it going for you? What's new? Are you "off" to a good "start"?As I sit here typing, with my 9 year old kid leaning on me, and looking over my shoulder, I'm reminded at how God uses time to bring His purposes to fruition. This coming Easter 2007, I will celebrate my

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1167154376426798102006-12-26T12:18:00.000-05:002006-12-26T12:32:56.463-05:00

Merry Christmas!I'm sitting here at my laptop while listening to the new ipod Nano that my wife gave me for Christmas. I've packed out its supposed 2 G capacity (it seems to only hold 1.7 G), and enjoying it. My wife really surprised me with it, as I was never expected such a gift. I only hinted at how nice it would be to have one just a week or so ago (she had already purchased it weeks before!)

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1166025840725671402006-12-13T10:43:00.000-05:002006-12-13T12:54:58.493-05:00

My friend, Fred Kofi Afedzi Hagan gave me the 1999 Charlie Peacock album 'Kingdom Come' this past summer, and I found that the second track has easily become my favorite. In a sense, it's a compilation of some of Jesus' hard sayings focusing on what it means to live in the Kingdom. "Wouldn't It Be Strange?" challenges our understanding of "right" Kingdom living. The choruses goes as such:Wouldn't

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1165976400615513342006-12-12T20:50:00.000-05:002006-12-12T21:20:01.110-05:00

In this last year, I came across two quotes that I found complimentary to one another. While I cannot give credit to the "authors", I cannot take that credit for myself. The first was, "The Bible is the soul of all theology." And the second was, "Theology is the wall that protects the Bible." The two must be paired together; they are mutually informative of one another. In giving serious

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1165870740764306282006-12-11T15:51:00.000-05:002006-12-11T15:59:00.806-05:00

As a matter of course, I want to explain some things about my previous entry, this sermon on suffering. What started out as a class assignment (and not necessarily one I was enthralled with), actually took on a life of its own. As I sat down to write it, it proceeded to write itself. It was, for me, a catharsis of sorts.And this is at the heart of what I wanted to share here... In writing out

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1165075219117886172006-12-02T10:52:00.001-05:002006-12-02T11:04:39.280-05:00

This is a sermon that I delivered to my 'Theology of the Exile' class as an assignment. We had to preach from the text of a Post-Exilic prophet. Hey, I like challenges, so I chose to preach from Haggai 2:20-23, with the focus on how do we deal with disappointment with God? It was one of those inspired sermons. As I sat down to write it, it pretty much wrote itself. It's not perfect, to say the

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1165033486514626892006-12-01T23:11:00.000-05:002006-12-01T23:24:46.526-05:00

The title refers, of course, to the fact that with my church severance (ooops, I meant to "say" compensation) package about to run out in the next couple of weeks, God came through for our family. After many months of prayers, our own and many friends, the Lord provided a full-time position for my wife, at the company she's been working at for the last ten years (almost eight as p-t), within her

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1163774396605762182006-11-17T09:35:00.000-05:002006-11-17T09:39:56.630-05:00

I wrote this "sermon" for my "Church as a Community of Compassion" class at Palmer. As of now, I've not given it, but I hope a time will come and soon when I can share this with the people of my congregation... The front “page” of the New York Times web site this past Wednesday was filled with top stories of the ongoing war in Iraq. Interestingly, that same day, the Philadelphia Inquirer

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1163004271751942442006-11-08T11:41:00.000-05:002006-11-08T11:44:31.786-05:00

Okay, I know I've not written in almost two months. Let's just say that it's just where life is right now. Classes are going well, but they are incredibly busy; especially for a Type-A academic personality as myself. But anyhow, I want to share this reflection on a person from my church.You see, not too long ago, I was reminded of the wonderful grace that God gives us through those noble saints

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1158674485373169002006-09-19T08:35:00.001-05:002006-09-19T09:01:25.390-05:00

Two of my classes this semester are The Church as a Community of Compassion and Non-Western Church History, and they have been quite interesting to say the least. They have only fueled my desire to understand more deeply the mystery that is the Church. I want to point out that I find the use of the word Community to be of a different sort than a typical modernist example. Essentially, we're NOT

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1158632511296845192006-09-18T21:19:00.000-05:002006-09-18T21:21:51.306-05:00

my friend Mike and I were hanging out, and the issue of the Pope's comments concerning medieval Islam as being "evil" and "violent" came up.Has anyone noticed the irony what with the angry and violent protestations put forth by Muslim mobs???what do you think?

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1158411681885099692006-09-16T08:00:00.000-05:002006-09-16T08:01:21.896-05:00

how do you define 'Compassion'?do you live it out?is it 'Compassion' if you're not living it out?what do you think?

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1157982902689267442006-09-11T08:23:00.000-05:002006-09-11T08:55:02.733-05:00

Here's my disclaimer: I honestly can't believe I'm writing on 9/11. I know it's probably the biggest national trauma since Pearl Harbor, but I personally would like to move on - not in a way that makes light of people's hurts and fears - but in a way that allows us to grow and be healed without having to rip off the emotional scab every year on this date. Okay, I said it. Now I have to show

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1157640187539027862006-09-07T08:32:00.000-05:002006-09-07T10:05:30.196-05:00

Yesterday [September 6], President Geo. Bush admitted to the public that the CIA has been "detaining" approximately 16 Al-Quida members in prisons outside of the U.S. for quite some time. In his own words, the President said that none of these men were merely picked up on the fields of battle or were non-combatants, but were in fact bomb makers, attack planners, etc. involved in the 9/11 attack,

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1157596711035500972006-09-06T21:14:00.000-05:002006-09-06T21:38:31.073-05:00

I was sitting in class today, and the idea of confession struck me. Not a mere concept, but the actual need for confession in my own life. Interestingly enough, I had read on the web earlier today of a church that has somesort of web-based confessional. This has apparently been widely utilized by a great many people. Perhaps that was the seed for my later thoughts.In any event, I've been feeling

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10637500.post-1157569188286764582006-09-06T13:55:00.000-05:002006-09-06T13:59:59.563-05:00

okay, class starts in less than ten minutes, but my esteemed professor hasn't arrived yet. So I'm sitting here, killing time, trying to figure out something significant, important, or just witty to write about, but the truth is that I don't really have anything to put down except this...I'm excited about this class because of the professor. I've had Adelekan twice before for both Systematic

Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937817314042404496noreply@blogger.com0