It's kind of weird starting what's probably my last semester as a student. I had my first two classes today, one of them looks pretty neat and one will probably just be something to endure. I should be able to learn some ways to do baptism and preach in the practicum in liturgy class, so that'll be nice, but I'm not sure having that class for 3 hours while sitting in the chapel (whose seats aren't the best in the world) is going to make for an engaged Pedro. The early class, preaching the parables, should be pretty engaging though, Dr. Long is an excellent presenter so that keeps things interesting, even if it is at 9:30. I'll have Missions with Dr. Daniel tomorrow, and I've had him before, so that should be interesting.
Tomorrow I'll probably buy all my books, I'm thinking I can get them for under $400 this semester, but we'll see. You never can tell.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Sunday, January 15, 2006
fun with factoids
I had a great time this evening edifying (read annoying) Peter with Alabama factoids. I found them on al.com (Click here for factoids).
Did you know that Alabama has a pledge of allegiance? and a state creed? a state shell, gemstone, insect and butterfly, on and on? I like Alabama history and knew our motto ("We dare defend our rights"), bird (Yellowhammer), flower, tree, fish, etc., but did not know the extent of the madness.
Our state creed reads like something from church.
"I believe in Alabama, a state dedicated to a faith in God and the enlightenment of mankind; to a democracy that safeguards the liberties of each citizen and to the conservation of her youth, her ideals, and her soil. I believe it is my duty to obey her laws, to respect her flag and to be alert to her needs and generous in my efforts to foster her advancement within the statehood of the world."
Really though, I think it is neat, and think that if more people read it and thought about it more often that it might help us to remember our call to be good citizens of the places we love.
Speaking of call, the message at our church this morning (Druid Hills UMC of Atlanta) was given by Myka Kennedy Stephans, a probationary deacon of the North Texas Conference who specializes in theological libriarianship. She talked about her call to ministry. (On a side note, does anyone else think as I do that January is always call to ministry month? I know the lectionary focuses on John and on Jesus's baptism, but I didn't realize that it continued on to the call of the disciples and the call of Samuel. I guess it is not a bad way to start the year, but for some reason I am tired of it.) Anyway, she mentioned her favorite creed is the United Church of Canada's creed. It is mine, too. We actually decided to start going to our current church in part because they use it there. (It made us feel more at home, butthat wasn't the only reason.) If you haven't used it in church and don't know about it, look it up next time you are bored in church. It is number 883 in the UM Hymnal.
"We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen."
Did you know that Alabama has a pledge of allegiance? and a state creed? a state shell, gemstone, insect and butterfly, on and on? I like Alabama history and knew our motto ("We dare defend our rights"), bird (Yellowhammer), flower, tree, fish, etc., but did not know the extent of the madness.
Our state creed reads like something from church.
"I believe in Alabama, a state dedicated to a faith in God and the enlightenment of mankind; to a democracy that safeguards the liberties of each citizen and to the conservation of her youth, her ideals, and her soil. I believe it is my duty to obey her laws, to respect her flag and to be alert to her needs and generous in my efforts to foster her advancement within the statehood of the world."
Really though, I think it is neat, and think that if more people read it and thought about it more often that it might help us to remember our call to be good citizens of the places we love.
Speaking of call, the message at our church this morning (Druid Hills UMC of Atlanta) was given by Myka Kennedy Stephans, a probationary deacon of the North Texas Conference who specializes in theological libriarianship. She talked about her call to ministry. (On a side note, does anyone else think as I do that January is always call to ministry month? I know the lectionary focuses on John and on Jesus's baptism, but I didn't realize that it continued on to the call of the disciples and the call of Samuel. I guess it is not a bad way to start the year, but for some reason I am tired of it.) Anyway, she mentioned her favorite creed is the United Church of Canada's creed. It is mine, too. We actually decided to start going to our current church in part because they use it there. (It made us feel more at home, butthat wasn't the only reason.) If you haven't used it in church and don't know about it, look it up next time you are bored in church. It is number 883 in the UM Hymnal.
"We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen."
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
slow down there
Well, I started earnest work on my thesis today. Sadly, I'm averaging about a page an hour at this point. Maybe it's because I do things like post on this blog . . .
Amanda's sick, which is never fun. We're just hoping that I don't get sick, since that usually involves a lot of grumpiness, which usually leads to me making Amanda feel bad, and that's just no fun.
Apparently, my wife and grandmother are not alone in their obsession with coke in glass bottles. Patsy Willimon agrees, which led to Bishop Willimon's analysis that "this is what's wrong with America, there are people who actually believe there's a difference between coke in glass bottles and coke in cans, as well as between coke with corn syrup and coke with pure sugar" (the coke in Panama is made with pure sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup). Another interesting coke note, during a certain Jewish holiday orthodox jews aren't allowed to have corn syrup, so Coke releases a yellow top coke which is made with sugar. Apparently, those who notice the difference between sugar-based and corn-syrup based cokes hoard the yellow-cap cokes. And that is your daily bit of random information.
Amanda's sick, which is never fun. We're just hoping that I don't get sick, since that usually involves a lot of grumpiness, which usually leads to me making Amanda feel bad, and that's just no fun.
Apparently, my wife and grandmother are not alone in their obsession with coke in glass bottles. Patsy Willimon agrees, which led to Bishop Willimon's analysis that "this is what's wrong with America, there are people who actually believe there's a difference between coke in glass bottles and coke in cans, as well as between coke with corn syrup and coke with pure sugar" (the coke in Panama is made with pure sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup). Another interesting coke note, during a certain Jewish holiday orthodox jews aren't allowed to have corn syrup, so Coke releases a yellow top coke which is made with sugar. Apparently, those who notice the difference between sugar-based and corn-syrup based cokes hoard the yellow-cap cokes. And that is your daily bit of random information.
Friday, January 06, 2006
more on Panama
We had a wonderful trip to Panama over New Year's week.
I got to see and touch the Pacific Ocean for the first time! We stopped for lunch at a beachside restaurant. It was very hot on the beach. The sun was brutal.
We are glad to be back in the U.S. where we can put toilet paper in the toilet instead of in a trash can next to the toilet. It's funny the things that are luxuries other places that you would never imagine. Running water to wash your hands was another from this trip. We used a lot of antibacterial wipes.
The trip was probably the most posh mission trip I've ever heard of, especially to a foreign country. We rode in a very nice, pretty new minibus that had air conditioning, and all the places we stayed (slept) had air conditioning and hot water showers. Yes, it was nicer than Camp Sumatanga (pool camp at least). These creature comforts did help us to rest better and hopefully work harder, but they left cold-natured me wishing I had brought more long-sleeved shirts and pants! I was prepared to be stifling in the heat and humidity! We were stifling at the community multi-use building where we worked painting.
It was not air conditioned (duh) and there was no running water. There were two toilets that were operational if you poured collected river water down the bowls. I installed new toilet seats on them.
The children of the community where the center is located are very sweet. They helped us paint some. I wish I had been able to speak to them more, but some of them spoke a language native to the Ngobe Indians and only knew Spanish from school, and I only knew a tad of Spanish.
Anyway, it was a great trip, we were so blessed to go and meet the people there, experience their culture and the ministry that is going on there. I hope we can go again sometime and visit the building that Peter helped build walls for in 1999 and we helped paint in 2005.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
my appointment
We're back in Georgia after our week in Panama. We had a lot of fun, got to know some of my fellow pastors, and got to know Bishop Willimon and his wife a little better. We had a lot of interesting conversations and stories, which will likely be shared later, but for now I thought I'd just mention that I know what I'll be doing next year.
During a discussion about how lame and stupid Carson Daly is, the Bishop pointed out that "someone just needed to take him out" so we wouldn't have to endure his lameness. I pointed out that I would be coming up for an appointment this year, and that we could probably make a case that me taking out Carson Daly would serve the preaching of the gospel. The Bishop observed that going up to New York, into the "heart of darkness" as I called it, undertaking this mission had a "high risk of becoming a tool," but that since our vision statement is "taking risks and changing lives" I might have to take that risk. Anyway, rather amusing if I do say so myself.
During a discussion about how lame and stupid Carson Daly is, the Bishop pointed out that "someone just needed to take him out" so we wouldn't have to endure his lameness. I pointed out that I would be coming up for an appointment this year, and that we could probably make a case that me taking out Carson Daly would serve the preaching of the gospel. The Bishop observed that going up to New York, into the "heart of darkness" as I called it, undertaking this mission had a "high risk of becoming a tool," but that since our vision statement is "taking risks and changing lives" I might have to take that risk. Anyway, rather amusing if I do say so myself.
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