Tag Archives: The Art of Reading Scripture

What’s Cookin’? 110

Highlight(s) of the week: (1) My seminary retreat. Guest speaker was Andy Crouch, who was awesome! His theme was “Live More Musically” (see notes 1, 2, 3, and 4). (2) Practiced Sabbath this past Sunday, which for me was really turning off my phone. I really enjoyed spending the time with my family without any distractions. (3) Amanda was runner-up for “Teacher of the Month,” which is voted on by students. This is actually a greater achievement than it sounds because she only teaches two grades (versus others who teach 3 or 4) and has only been there for one month. I’m proud of her.

What I’m reading: Currently, reading Relevant Magazine’s November-December issue. Reading very slowly – my friend Derek’s book So You Thinking About Going to Seminary: An Insider’s Guide and The Art of Reading Scripture edited by Ellen Davis and Richard Hays. For class, I’m reading Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Psalms & Wisdom Literature by Ernest C. Lucas and Old Testament Parallels: Laws And Stories from the Ancient Near East by Victor H. Matthews and Don C. Benjamin. I also picked up The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why by Phyllis Tickle.
Listenin’ and lovin’:
  • Podcasts: Mars Hill podcast; Speaking of Faith‘s “The Sunni-Shia Divide and the Future of Islam.” That was really helpful in developing a better understanding of the current state of Islam.
  • New ones that I’m trying – “Best of Mike and Mike in the Morning,” “ESPN Soccernet,” “Best of YouTube” video-cast, and “Divine Office” which gives prayers and readings for each day.
  • Music: Listened to Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell. In the Christmas music mode, thanks to my wife.

What I’ve been vegetating in front of: (1) It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 3 that I just bought. (2) The Office. (3) FIFA 2009 on XBox 360.

iPhone app I’m happy about: (1) “Advent08” that will assist our family in the Advent season. It provides prayers and Scripture for each day. (2) Google app added links to Google Reader!

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Andy Reid benched McNabb? What? I thought I’d never see that. (2) Tim got a flat tire over the weekend. I went with him on Saturday to find a new one, but, apparently, everyone in the Valley Forge area didn’t have the tire for his Mazda 3. How do tire places not have a certain tire?

Job update: still not much progress. I’m talking to InterVarsity. I was denied an English teaching job at a local Christian school. I put my resume on youthspecialties.com and workphilly.com so maybe that will turn up something. I’m going to apply for unemployment compensation. I never wanted to be “that person,” but I’ve been humbled.

Seminary update: we have off of class this week, but our seminary retreat to Valley Forge was awesome! I had so much fun with my friends, and I really appreciated laughing, crying (yes), and talking with many of them.

Looking forward to: (1) What God has in store for me. (2) Finding a place to live on our own. (3) Observing Advent as a family. Amanda and I talked about it today, and we are going to do it. We bought candles and a wreath. We also hope to not eat any meat or junk food during Advent. On Christmas day, we’ll party! (4) So, Advent to begin. (5) Observing Sabbath again! (6) Thanksgiving!

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What’s Cookin’? 108

Sinbad: “You’re in Sinbad’s House. Rob Thomas. Matchbox 20. Sing something. Shut up.”

(-It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: “Dennis Reynolds: An Exotic Life”)

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Highlight(s) of the week: (1) the Emergent Mid-Atlantic Conference (#emergentma08) was a great time. More than anything, I enjoyed hanging with all my friends – Todd, Thom, and Tim - over some beers and meeting Peter Rollins [author of How (Not) to Speak of God] for the first time and spending various times over 1 1/2 days talking with him. Also, I spent time on Saturday with Derek Cooper (a good friend of mine) and John Franke from Biblical Seminary. Great guys. (2) During the conference, I met some new people from other Emergent cohorts. It’s always nice to meet new people who are in the same “conversation” as you. I actually accompanied Charlie from Princeton to 30th Street Station since we were both picking up trains there. (3) Throughout all the curve-balls my life has been throwing me, Amanda has been incredibly supportive, and I love her more than ever because of it [plus, I think she said something in our vows about supporting me no matter what]. (4) Giselle says “Da-da” but not in reference to me. So, all I have to do is make that connection. “Da-da” is beating out “ma-ma” right now. (5) Amanda and I had a good laugh with Giselle the other day when she smacked her head really hard on the mirror from her dressing table – I thought she would cry, but, instead, she cracked up laughing. Kids always keep us laughing, don’t they?

What I’m reading: Hey! I finally finished Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw and The Historical Books by Richard D. Nelson. Two books in one week, woo-hoo! Currently, reading Relevant Magazine’s November-December issue. Also, my friend Derek’s book So You Thinking About Going to Seminary: An Insider’s Guide and The Art of Reading Scripture edited by Ellen Davis and Richard Hays.   

Listenin’ and lovin’:

  • Podcasts: As always - Mars Hills podcast every week. Emergent Village which announced that it is making some changes for the better (i.e., Tony Jones is no longer the head of Emergent Village. He didn’t do anything wrong, but they are attempting to break down hierarchy). But besides that, not much.
  • Music: I listened to part of Oh Sleeper’s When I Am God. Underoath’s newest CD – Lost in the Sound of Separation. 

What I’ve been vegetating in front of: (1) A&E’s Biography on Barack Obama helped me understand more of who our President-elect is as a person. (2) I set up my Xbox and played EA Sports’ UEFA Euro 2008 for some time. I want to buy FIFA 09, but I don’t have a job to make money to buy it. (3) I’m all caught up on Heroes, which has gotten a little weird for me, but I still like it. (4) It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Office put some humor into my life.

Something(s) that blew my mind: (1) Not sure if this blew my mind, but it is mind-blowing – Barack Obama is the President of the United States of America. He is our first black president, and I don’t think that can be overstated. Todd had a great post in reflection about the election (whoa, that rhymes). I’m really interested in seeing how things play out. (2) Barack Obama becoming the President-elect brought about a lot of hate, but even more love. I was really surprised by staunch McCain supporters who said that they will be supporting and praying for Obama – very cool. 

Job update: I haven’t really made much progress in this area. I’m not sure where I want to go with all of this. I’ve been looking though, but I’m confident that God will provide.

Seminary update: last assignment (take-home final exam) for Gary Schnittjer’s class on the historical books of the Hebrew Scriptures is due tomorrow. Also, starting tomorrow is my class with David Lamb on the poetic books of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Looking forward to: (1) What God has in store for me. (2) How Barack Obama’s presidency will go. (3) If “Barack” and “Obama” will stop coming up as an incorrect spelling in spell-check (e.g., for “Obama” spell-check offers “Abeam”). (3) Finding a new place for our family to live. We’ve been living at my in-laws, but we’re looking to move on. (4) Exit-interview with Great Valley Presbyterian, which should provide some closure.

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