Coming into Focus (37 Days)

Well, only 37 days left until I attain the status of divine master or whatever getting a Master of Divinity degree makes you. The future looms near, and my picture of it is beginning to come into focus. I can't say much, but count on me being east of the Mississippi River and somewhere below the great lakes. I have been and will be traveling. I anticipate sharing some very exciting news with you all soon.

School becomes substantially less interesting with each passing day it seems. I've got a lot to do, but I'm not so worried about it. Last night, instead of working on papers or projects, I went to a Dodger game, because, who knows if I'll ever go to one again? I have purchased my graduation announcements, but I only have a limited number, so I apologize in advance if you don't get one. If you really want one, start pleading your case now.

Now I'm off to a Ministry Enrichment Seminar on weddings (pre-marital counseling, performing the ceremony, etc.). Now this should be useful! Keep in mind, any of my amorous friends, that I'll soon be authorized to guide you into wedded bliss. :)

90 Days

It's hard to believe it's already been 10 days since we hit the 100 mark. The days are flying now. I got that sermon written - and preached it. It was on baptism, and it went well. Now we're getting ready to head into finals week. I have one exam, one major paper, two shorter papers, and one very minor paper to write. That should be enough for a week's work. The major paper is for the class I took on the Word in Worship. I'm going to argue for Baptists to use the term sacrament instead of ordinance in reference to baptism and the Lord's supper.

The job search continues, and here I'll just say that it seems to be going well. The rubber hits the road in less than three months now.

100 Days

As of today, graduation is now only 100 days away. What an occasion! As the end of my seminary days rapidly approach, many questions surface. What on earth am I going to do with all this stuff that's sitting around me? So very many books. If you know anyone (in southern California) who wants some free furniture, let me know, because I've got some to give away. And where will I go next? I had some job interviews over the weekend that were very interesting. If you want to know more about that, you'll have to ask me.

Here's what life looks like 100 days out from graduation. This quarter is ending soon. We're currently in week 9 of 10. I have one sermon, a book review, a 12-page paper, a 5-page theological statement, and a final exam in Psalms coming at me. The first item on the agenda is the sermon. I'm thinking it will be on baptism, though I'm not sure. I must decide today or tomorrow, because it's due a week from today.

I just spent a great but exhausting weekend in Indiana interviewing for jobs, as I mentioned, and visiting Purdue and Lafayette. I preached at the Found and spent some time with very good friends, but of course it wasn't nearly enough. Now I'm back in the saddle here at Fuller trying not to fall off as this horse speeds around the last few barrels at a break-neck pace on its way to the finish line. I think I'm going to make it.

For those of you who may have forgotten, graduation is on June 9, 2007 at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary of Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. If you need an address for sending good wishes or monetary contributions (haha...no seriously) just let me know. Unless something unforeseen changes things, I plan to depart southern California in the very early a.m. hours of Sunday June 10.