Across the street...

there is a dog. Everyday I walk by him on the way to class. So, I stop and play with him. He jumps up on the fence with a ball in his mouth. Today, I took a picture of him.

His name is Cash.

Dilemma

Yes, I am having one. I have yet another week off in February. Now, normally I would go back to Eureka without thinking twice about it. BUT... I was just there. So, now, I feel like I am there too much and should not go home again. I do not want to be that person who is always back to visit. Yet, at the same time, I want to hang out with my friends and hear Sharon Watkins speak at EC on the 7th. So... what to do, oh, what to do...

Oops... a paper that I thought was due Thursday is due tomorrow... that's what to do right now!

I took this picture...

I like it.

So I have to keep a journal for preaching...

In that journal I have to reflect on my daily scripture reading, sermons I have heard or read, and chapters in a book by Ron Allen (who was a student of Bones). I have to read scripture everyday and a sermon a day from Jan. 18th until Feb. 28th. I also have to do 5 journal entries a week. So I thought, why not use that as my blog as well. So, to catch up, here are my entries from Thursday and today.

18 Jan 07

This evening I read Luke 9: 18-36. I was struck by Verse 27 which says, " 'I assure you that there are some here who will not die until they have seen the Kingdom of God.' " My first thought while reading this line was the link to Buddhism. In order to be born again, one must die. That death is not necessarily physical. The death of one's own impulses and fears (not through submission or fighting them, but rather though facing, embracing, and understanding them) allows one to become whole. My idea of Christianity centers around the concept of becoming complete as Jesus was - emptying one of oneself and becoming full of God. I believe the theistic Buddhists would agree with this concept. Therefore, when Jesus says that some will not die until they have seen the kingdom of God, I am mindful of the choice and the decision to want to die so that one can be reborn. I am continually struck by the parallels between religions. I try to incorporate at least one other religious tradition into each one of my sermons. Should I ever preach on this text, I would discuss the significance of death in Buddhism and how that can inform the faith of Christians.

20 Jan 07

Today I read Chapters 49 and 50 of Genesis. I found the juxtaposition of the descriptions of the twelve tribes and the story of the death of Joseph’s father to be interesting. The author who describes Joseph in Chapter 49 seems to be foreshadowing, or prophesizing, the acts of Joseph in Chapter 50. As I was reading the descriptions of the twelve tribes of Israel, I was reflecting upon how often we, as Christians, take on one of these personas daily. Sometimes we are strong. Sometimes we are downtrodden. Sometimes we are violent and vengeful. Our moods change several times throughout the day. Often it feels as if we are reacting to events around us rather than responding from the depths of who we are. This text reminded me of our responsibility to respond to situations rather than react to them. If we act out of the innermost parts of our hearts, then we are truly responding thoughtfully. We will be less apt to take on different personas throughout the day and more apt to be the fullest expression of ourselves. I also listened to the sermon, “How Loud Should You Preach,” by Fred Craddock. Having read The Cherry Log Sermons for another preaching class, I am familiar with Craddock’s sermons. However, I have never heard him preach. I appreciate his humor. Within this particular sermon, the movement and flow struck me. Craddock has a comforting rhythm, which keeps one’s interest. I especially like the intonation of his voice. In regards to the content of the sermon, I enjoyed the message of "You just can't yell everything all the time." The distinction between false speech and genuine speech was particularly effective. I loved the definition of genuine speech. Overall, I loved the sermon. Craddock is able to shout through a whisper. Sometimes the softest-spoken person can really be the loudest.