Strivings & Stress

Almost a year and a half since my last post. Apparently this blog thing is high on my priority list. In fact, it's so high I had forgotten completely about it; part of the reason is I had tried a different blog server and just plumb spaced this one out. Someone mentioned word press and how easy and great and perfect and yada yada it was. So I gave it a try, set up a page, never posted, and then moved on with life.

I think now my blog may be a place for me to process through what I'm learning. Update for yourself so when you look back in another year and a half you'll know what happened and is happening in your life. I moved from Laramie to Littleton. First year at Denver Seminary studying in the MDiv program. Not sure what I want to be when I grow up so this is a great opportunity to sit under some amazing teaching, read some incredible books, think through some hearty (in every sense of the word 'heart'y), be stretched in spirit, soul and body, grow closer to Chris by learning how to be close to her, etc etc.

I have a church that is praying through offering me a position as their pastor, I have a church that is considering me as their youth pastor, there is a church I like and want to attend where the Sr. Pastor is considering being my mentor through the MDiv program. God is growing me. So far it has hurt immensely and forced me through some knot holes of forgiveness and humbling. The Word of God is taking on several new hues as I learn historical & cultural context. It is also great to understand the Word in it's literary flow and how this shows It's relevance to my life in a grand new way. It liberates me from fundamentalist dogmatism that would interpret the Word in a sloppy way to put a religious yoke on the adherent in order for the congregation to sense one is 'in' in the right, doctrinal way. How great that Jesus through His Word liberates through knowledge and understanding. Knowledge has liberated me from bad doctrine caused by lazy exegesis. And this has only been 9 weeks in the process; praise God I have a whole program ahead of me.

Hopefully this becomes a place for me to think through some things as I write. I won't enjoy it as much if it is another year and a half before I write again. We'll see.