Poverty

Everyday I

Sleep until I wake up

Eat until I'm full

Drink until I'm not thirsty

Shower until I'm clean

Dress until I'm fully clothed

And wonder why I don't desire Christ.

Evangelism

I'd like to be more intentional about evangelism.

My time is not my own.

If this means sitting through a crappy choir concert at Minneapolis Technical College on the outside chance that an opportunity might arise (it didn't), so be it.

And how can I complain when I get cookies and lemonade after? I didn't even have to give blood.

The Boxer

I recently bought The Best of Simon and Garfunkel. Of the 20 songs on the album, at least 10 are very good. That's not a bad percentage.

A verse from "The Boxer" has caught my ear lately.

In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of ev'ry glove that layed him down
Or cut him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
"I am leaving, I am leaving"
But the fighter still remains

I feel that part of the beauty of good writing is that explains itself, but allow me to risk a few words. I can relate to the image of a boxer, considered strong and proud, yet standing alone, holding onto the memories of those things which have hurt him in the past.

There's probably more to say, but I'll leave it at that. It's a good song.

Well, I've moved back to Minnesota

So that's cool.

Ingredients for a good road trip

Combine:
1 close friend (a Guy Magno or a Julie Stoner will do)
gas prices that drop the further you drive
1 I-pass (to be held against windshield while driving through toll as Julie laughs at you)
sunflower seeds to liking (original flavor best, BBQ or dill pickle acceptable, nacho cheese just gross)
1 spitter (empty pop bottle to spit seeds into)
Mr. Pibb
cheesy popcorn (and napkins to wipe cheese from fingers)

Mix in 1997 Chevy Lumina. Allow to sit for 6-14 hours, as desired. Rest frequently for potty breaks (if with Julie) or less frequently (if with Guy). Supplement with solid conversation, and if desired, pull "the switch" (use caution).

Avoid: driving without a friend, snow, politics, fast food more than once, missing exits, forgetting sleeping bags, uncharged cell phones.

Seminary is great: I quit. An Ode to Laura.

For the readers living in the Eastern block.

Southern Seminary has been amazing. The guys I have met are fun and love Jesus. The chapel services are great. The professors are pretty much all published in their field, their books are used at other seminaries, and on top of that they are humble and approachable. I have learned a bunch and know that if I were to get a degree there I would be well prepared for the ministry.

So I'm quitting.

Reasons:
It's hard to live 800 miles from everyone you know and love.

Southern, while being one of the more affordable seminaries, still necessitates that I take out more student loans to add to the ones I already have from NDSU, and I hate the idea of being any more in debt.

The Bethlehem Institute, at Bethlehem Baptist, John Piper's church, is starting a four year M.Div. program next fall which will be unbelievably amazing, and I think I would regret not taking a serious look at.

So, I have decided to leave Southern, take a semester off of school, move in with Jess and Andy in Brooklyn Center, find a job somewhere, and apply at Bethlehem. That's the short version of the story.

They're sitting on my desk, and I'll probably never use them, but I can't bring myself to throw them away

rubber band

several twisty ties

a randomly sized allan wrench

a small pamphlet entitled "The Baptist Faith and Message"

It all adds up to create: a cluttered desk

How about your desk?