i feel i’m approaching the downhill stretch

with being sort of past midterm season during this summer session, i’m starting to fill the heat of all the things to complete before the end of the semester.  i’ve done really well keeping up, but now is definitely not the time to slack off.  So, this is what I’m facing over the next few weeks! (forgive shorthand terms for book names you don’t know)

working on tomorrow:
work on biblical exegesis study guide (4 hours?)
read chapter 14 and 15 in human growth and development (6 hours?)

and then on Sunday:
finish Yalom chapter 3 and read chapter 4 (2 hour)
finish study notes for group quiz (1 hour)
put together the AME paper and send out (1 hour)
get together a couple articles/ideas for group proposal (1.5 hours)
(if I get all this done in 2 days I’ll be a happy camper)

next week I’ll have this…..
the take home midterm from biblical exegesis
write review for handbook of denominations
write review for apocalypse book
finish reading religious diversity book and write review
get to 1/2 way on group proposal
finalize AME paper and turn her in!
read human growth and development ch 16 and 17
study for group quiz
read Corey chapter 8
journal for group

and then what’s left?
Biblical Exegesis paper on Revelation
read and review Hermeneutics book
finalize group proposal
a few quizzes and journals
finals and study guide preparations
a few chapters for group and human growth/development
I GOT THIS!

a sin is a sin is a sin?

In class today, we are discussing the hierarchy of sin.  Of course, there isn’t a consensus as far as what we in the class believe as a whole.  But, since we’re studying the Roman Catholic Church, I’ll start there.  It is my understanding they believe sins are divided into two categories.  Venial and Mortal.  Confessed sins are venial.  But, mortal are those that are left unforgiven at death.  Yet, our class got wrapped up in the idea of some sins being ‘worse’ than others.  I suppose i can understand catholicism in this respect.  I would add that if I see a hierarchy to sin it’s related to consequences here on the Earth.  Additionally, how does it affect others or is it more an internal struggle?

On that same train, I need some commentary on Matthew 18:6.

places I’d like to travel some day

1. vancouver

2. israel and the holy lands

3. black hills, south dakota

4. africa- specifically Tanzania to meet my compassion kid, Furaha….but there’s some much to see there’s no way to limit it.

5. venice

6. ireland

7. the himalayans

shedances.org

This morning, I was catching up on some blog reading.  (shhh!  I was in class, don’t tell anyone)  I came across Daley Hake’s blog.  He’s an artist and I enjoy viewing his pictures.  Check them out here.  He recently made a post about human sex trafficking and a connection to an organization called She Dances.  They have a ministry for young girls in Tegucigalpa, Honduras who have been caught up in this horrible travesty that has become prevalent in much of the world.   If you know me, you know I have a deep passion for the people and the culture in Honduras.  I also just love the land.  Truly, I don’t have the words to express how much I truly miss it.  On the other hand, recently I have feel convicted to geting involved in the fight against human trafficking.  However, it’s one of the hardest social justice movements to get involved in because it is dangerous and it requires specific skills.

This morning while reading Daley’s blog and the She Dances website, I felt my heart leap to see how all of these passions of mine could converge.  Maybe my connection isn’t today with this organization, yet to see the hope and the possibilities is inspiring.  So…I urge you.  Check out the website.

I have a hard time balancing life with school and family right now.  So, the thought of adding something is a bit overwhelming.  Just the same, I gotta try harder…

thought record

I’ve been studying cognitive behavioral therapy this semester.  And one of the tools that is used is the Thought change Record.  And it’s just that…it’s a focused look on continued thought that invade the brain, heart.  Part of therapy is to see how your thoughts are a symbol of your beliefs which inform your behavior and feelings.  What a great opportunity for accountability.  What a great thing to use to return to journaling after my sabbatical over the last many weeks.  And why wouldn’t I blog while sitting in class?  hehe.

nearly 2 months and counting

I know, I know….it’s time to post. But, all I have time for is school and keeping up with the close friends and family that I love. Perhaps I need to take a break to vacuum though…my floor is begging me. Soon, very soon, I will have a break and I’m going to try to return to the blogging world. And I need to return to the journaling world as well. Not because I necessarily think my posts are life-changing. But, I find that when I take the time to journal (and perhaps when I’m blogging on occasion), I take in more of life.

episcopal…

i really enjoy the richness of the writings of the saints that have gone before us.  that list includes everybody from Nouwen to Mother Theresa to Merton to de Sales.  currently, most everything I read is related to school.  and I find most of it compelling, especially a book that highlights the tradition of spiritual direction throughout the major chrisitan traditions.  this week we’re looking at the episocopalian tradition.  i have some history in the episcopal church…and like the tradition.  therefore, this chapter is interesting.  in conversation about the literary works of past theologians,  the author writes “…trying to live in a mental frame of reference from several centrueis back is bad for you.  spiritual maturity involves making some sort of treaty with present-day reality, including cultivating the ability to discern the presence of God within our own intellectual terms.”    In other words, who, today, is writing stuff that provokes the church for an answer, puts people on edge about how they are living their life, and sparks the care of others like they did in the past?  (I have some thoughts about this, but will wait to see what others might say.)

I don’t enjoy Max Lucado and the like.  However, I have read several books that rank really close to the works of old.  with the rise of the Shack, I wonder if we’ll see more writing in narrative form because it tends to be more relevant.

i think I’ll always long for a conversation with Thomas Merton.

jon foreman

spent some itunes gift $$ tonight. loving jon foreman!  doubt i’ll make it to the concert on Thursday night at the Variety Playhouse.  However…. it might be worth staying up all night to finish reading for class this weekend?  should I or should I not?  that is the question.

hi/lo for sunday and monday

SUNDAY
hi: yard clean-up palooza with the messiah boys at my mema and pepal’s.  those boys were showing nothing but love.  they were hard-core with raking and blowing leaves.  seriously- it was a beautiful day.  they were so kind to my memal and both she and pepal were just delighted with our drop in outpouring of love.  also, we had our first student gathering at the well.   had a blast.  a great start!  cool students!  l’m just overwhelmed with the day.  i saw Beauty and God at work with every experience in the day.  

MONDAY
hi: creative planning meeting with andy and kyle for an upcoming series 
lo: not getting my reading done until 1 am.  with a wake up of 6:15 am.  urgh.  i’ve got to be more disciplined on Mondays.

what a word.

Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance. And as we leave this mountain top, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. 

- Rev. Joseph Lowery,
from his inaugural benediction, Jan. 20, 2009.