1. I’m praising God for helping me get through another impossible week. I taught (or co-taught) eight class sessions in four days. Between those times I was able to squeeze in some work on my dissertation. So, yes, I’m now officially wiped out for a few days. But it’s a good kind of tired—one of those “I left it all on the field” kinds of tired. My weekend treat will be going out for lunch today with my new personal assistant (my daughter)! But first, I’m taking the morning off. 🙌 🙌 🙌
2. The extra load this week was because of the special “gathering” our college has a couple times a year for its master level students. These gatherings are in addition to the three doctoral residencies we have every year, which are likewise intensive. Most students gather online, so we usually have a bit of “Zoom fatigue” by the end of the week.
3. Our theme this time was “A Theology of Place.” I gave a presentation (three times) called “God with Us Is Now Residing: Sacred Space in Israel’s Tabernacle.” It was tangentially related to my dissertation topic, and I was happy with how it went. I met a lot of people for the first time, which is always a delight. Our recent merger has added hundreds of students to the network, so we’re well positioned to keep having an impact into the foreseeable future. I’ll post a few slides from the presentation below. (There are way too many to include in a single post.)
4. Last night we had our first live stream equipment training session at our church. I went there exhausted but came home energized. We’ve taken another step toward improving our online presence—adding yet another option to our radio ministry, which kept us “open” during the pandemic. And, little by little, more folks are coming back to the live service, though some of our elderly members are still playing it safe. My hope is that we’ll have the livestream working within a month or so. That will replace the Zoom broadcast, which isn’t really the right application for what we’re trying to accomplish.
5. Speaking of church, ours was exceedingly kind to me again for Pastor Appreciation Week. There were oodles of cards, gift cards, baked goods, etc. I think we should have a Parishioner Appreciation Week, too, don’t you? Maybe that will be the week when I finally give a really short sermon. 🙂 (That would be a bona fide miracle!)
6. I have no clue when the dissertation will be finished, but I won’t post a whole lot of content from it until it’s all wrapped up and officially approved. Right now, the bibliography stands at 61 pages, and the list of abbreviations stands at 12 pages, so you can probably see what a massive undertaking this has become. Blessedly, I’m strange enough to enjoy this kind of work!
7. But all this good stuff is why I haven’t been posting much lately. My apologies! I totally miss it when I can’t get on here as often as usual, but I do stop by to read your posts and to read the comments you send my way. All are very much appreciated, so thank you. I also love the likes! 💙 🙂
8. Still, I try to scan the best blogs from a wide range of interests as time allows. Everyone seems like they’re just trying to make life work in a fallen world (and under a largely broken and disappointing administration)—parents trying to raise their kids in a difficult time; fledgling writers trying to hone their craft and become respected authors; home schoolers trying to educate their children as the government schools keep getting more and more ridiculous (something we would do if our kids were still in school); and one young lady trying to stay in recovery from anorexia, now speaking around the country about her ordeal. Bravo!
9. I wish I could leave comments on all your sites for how you inspire me. Maybe that can happen when this season of my life is complete. We need to encourage each other on the journey because life can be tough. We need to remind each other that pressing on is a good thing and that “love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8a). ❤️ 🙌
Grace alone
Which God supplies
Strength unknown
He will provide
Christ in us
Our cornerstone
We will go forth in grace alone
