Prayer Request

I'm safely back in Austin, Texas!

But there is no rest for the weary (yet). Beginning at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, the Presbyterian Church (USA) will be administering the four standard ordination exams required for all candidates for the office of Minister of Word and Sacrament. Those of us studying for exams are feeling a bit anxious, as you might expect. Words and prayers of encouragement would be deeply appreciated.

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© 2006 All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: Ordination Exams, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Trinity Redux

I hope to soon publish my thoughts on the recently completed General Assembly. Until then, here is an amusing editorial cartoon that appeared in the Tulsa World newspaper.

Technorati Tags: Trinity, Presbyterian Church, Cartoon

I'm Very Busy

But there is a wedding update. Click here!

Grandpa Died in this Chair

It's tough to visit your hometown and clear out the belongings of those you lived with for your entire life. Grandma's house is now largely vacant with the exception of some miscellany. This piece is particular tough to see. My grandfather died of colon cancer in this chair. Now it sits alone, watching over the empty house. It's as if Grandpa is still sitting there, making sure everything is okay.

Grandpa Died in this Chair Originally uploaded by whatnext.

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© 2006 All Rights Reserved.

Temporary Relocation

Your blogging seminarian friend is about to temporarily relocate to his hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah. Reason: I'm doing one unit of Clinical Pastoral Eduction at a local hospital. Total Mapquest milage: 1,491.05 miles. Below is the two-day itinerary:

Day One: Austin to Colorado Springs

Day Two: Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City

Jodi will be along for the ride, which will be interesting given the cramped quarters.

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© 2006 All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: Road Trip

Major ::What Next?:: Announcement! [Updated]

I have exciting news: On May 19, 2006 at about 2:50 pm (CDT) on the top of Mt. Bonnell overlooking the Colorado River, I asked my sweatheart if she would marry me.

Sara said "Yes!"

We're both very happy, and looking forward to a lifetime of adventure. Special thanks to Jessica who was instrumental in making this a surprise. I'm deeply grateful for the help!

The present wedding target date is March 10, 2007. Here are a few pictures to memorialize the event (click to enlarge):






The Proposal

The Kiss

The View

The Ring

A surprised fiancée

Very Happy Couple

[UPDATE: Here are a few more photos courtesy our friend Jessica.]






A little celebration followed

First engagement toast

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© 2006 All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: Engagement, Announcement

John 14:15-26

Watch the video

A hermeneutical bridge into John 14:15-26. This short movie is meant to visually represent the relationship between Jesus' love command (13:34) and the Paraclete (introduced at 14:16). I chose a variety of images and set them to the Thomas Tallis' (ca 1510-1585) mystical piece entitled "If Ye Love Me."

My translation:

(14:15) If you love me, my commands you all will keep. (16) And I will ask the Father, and another Helper he will give to you all, so that he might be with you all to the end. (17) This is the spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You all know him because he remains with you all, and he will be in you all. (18) I will not leave you all orphans. I am coming to you all. (19) In a small time the world no longer sees me, but you all see me; because I live, you all also will live. (20) In that day, you all will know that I [am] in my Father, and you in me and [I] in you all. (21) The one having the commands of me and keeping them, that one is the one loving me; the one loving me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and I will make myself visible to him.

(22) Judas (not Iscariot), said to him, “Lord, what has happened, that you are about to reveal yourself to us and not to the world? (23) Jesus answered and said to him, “If a certain person loves me, my word he will keep, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and we will make a room with him. (24) The one not loving me does not keep my word, and the word which you all hear is not mine but is of the Father, the one having sent me.

(25) These things I have said to you all while still abiding with you all. (26) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, that one will teach everything to you all, and will remind you all of everything which I said to you all.

All work for the semester has been completed!

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© 2006 All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: Love, Paraclete, Bible, Gospel, Advocate