Currently Listening The Ringing Bell By Derek Webb This Too Shall Be Made Right see related

Rethinking my position on universal healthcare

What does it mean for the United States to have healthcare universally? Is it as chaotic as I have understood it to be? Or, am I simply being influenced by the Republican agenda? And above all else, what should we do as Christians who believe in compassion?

This thought has been swimming in my head for some time over the past couple of weeks as I was talking with a friend about it and all the absurdity surrounding the issue. He then made a great point: Should we subject human life, made in the image of God, to the corruptable systems of man and allow those financially able to thrive? My cynical mind immediately took me to the fact that the system would be in place after the time I really needed it, but in all honesty it would make life much less of a headache. I currently work at a ophthalmologist's office, and though I do not know his position on the issue, I know for a fact that he has two people constantly working with the insurance companies and patients in order to get the money rightly deserving to the doctor. If the patient causes too much trouble, our legal system gets invovled and people are tracked down for their debts. Oftentimes there is little the people can offer although they get intimidating letters in the mail about owing thousands of dollars at a time.

This was a reality for me after breaking my arm last year playing ultimate frisbee (I know, that does make me really intense). But at the time I did not have medical insurance. In fact, I had only been out of college for a month and had not really had a lot of time to get it. I do claim stupidity in this but the fact is that many people do not have insurance. Many who really can't afford it must pay for it for their family to avoid being in great debt. I spoke to a single mother yesterday who makes $8/hr to support a 4-person family and obviously cannot afford the extra expense of medical insurace when she can barely afford rent for the month. Do we really care about this woman who has been jerked around from here to there but is seeing the light of the gospel in her community?

I think it is an interesting conversation and I hope that we as Christians, many of whom typically vote Republican, rethink some of the issues at hand for this upcoming election and vote FAITHFULLY nor FEARFULLY. That seems to be the reason why so many Evangelical Christians vote Republican, they FEAR what will come about if a Democrat is in the White House. I pray that we persue santification in seeking a president and not merely chose someone based upon the walls we have built up around issues in the past. Sometimes you need to look into those walls and see if there's something there to rethink. Sometimes you will find a treasure or a precious person. Sometimes you will find yourself.

Currently Reading The Doctrine of Humanity (Contours of Christian Theology) By Charles Sherlock see related

This current semster began on January 28th but it feels like it's been so much longer since then.

Today is March 16 and is the start of my spring break from the 1st year of seminary. To say the least this semester has been a doozy. Looking at all the work/reading that I've done I would have been dying this time last year. Fortunately God has been gracious and given me the ability to read faster and helped me learn more efficiently. The bad thing with efficient learning is sometimes there is little heart workings going on and more brain workings. My brain has definantly been challenged but I've seen my heart being stretched more and more. The truth is that I'm going to have to really believe the things we're learning here so I find myself more and more discussing school stuff with my good friends here and verbally processing the information we learn.

I must not step into all the stuff learned because a lot is still in process but I want to touch on something that I'm itching to get out for others to hear about. I heard once that seminary is worthless in and of itself unless shared with others so here's a little nugget (comments are helpful and should be posted). 

For the longest time I have viewed the Scriptures and personal devotion to the Lord as something I need to accomplish by myself. Through deeper study in Colossians and study of evangelism in the early church it is evident that the church is placed in our midst on purpose. In other words, we need each other! We need to be intimately involved with each others lives not simply for encouragement, discernment, and comfort but also for the spiritual growth of one another. How does this occur when we're all supposed to have our own quiet time or time along with God? This is something we as an individualistic culture in America have promoted. The more time we spend with God and personally/individually get closer to him the more fully devoted Christians we are. We tend to forget the fact that we are fighting "the good fight" alongside those who may be weary, weak, or tired or fighting.

Recently when watching Band of Brothers with my dearest friends at seminary we found ourselves comparing the times as students comparative to soldierhood. We are called to a great mission and the truth is that we are only as strong as the guy beside us fighting. I like to think of seminary as a sort of Officer Training School and a place to learn to train other guys so I will want to fight beside them. Plus if they go out with another batallion they will be prepared to fight alongside with another officer. What I'm proposing is when we are in Christian community to be intentional about not simply encouraging and being comfortable around one another but reading the Scriptures and faithfully praying for one another.

The cool thing about being a Christian is that you are responsible for those who are not soldiers and are responsbile for praying for them. How often do we meet in discipleship groups and talk only about our own piety? If we are on mission with God, we need to be concerned with unbelievers, believers and ourselves. One strong challenge (which I have yet to live up to) is to pray for an unbeliever daily. I hope to do this especially since there are many who are dear in my life who are not converted but I challenge anyone reading this to think less about yourself and more about others, especially those who do not know the truth of the gospel.

I hope this encourages some who read it. I hope to hear some comments that I can follow with because I feel like I opened up something for conversation.

Three Month Seminary Summary- War Eagle!

I have really been neglecting this blog but I wanted to give a little update on life in seminary...

There is so much to say and not a lot of time or energy on my part to say it but I'll give it a shot. First off, I'm really enjoying St. Louis. The city, people, weather (thus far has been pleasant) and especially community at Covenant and the church I've been attending. I did finally get settled into a church after searching long and hard for a body to worhsip with. This decision has become of great importance after I realized how much in the past five years I relied upon a college ministry and body of same-aged people to fellowship with. When I came to seminary I found that most people were older than me, and although that is cool, I needed to be involved in a church not just a social club.

The second reason it has been so great is the stretching seminary has done in my life. I made the metaphor the other day to some friends that it's like I was a "Stretch Armstrong" doll lying on the shelf waiting to be pulled apart because I had the capicty for stretching but had lived in such comfortable environments that it wasn't necessary. God has revealed lots of sin in my life and has made me think less only about myself and love others (since as a "Stretch Armstong" I would have bigger arms to hug).

Lastly seminary has made me realize that I need to be content with what has been given to me. Piggybacking from the stretching reference, although I have know much of my capacity for loving people, serving them, teaching, etc. I must also understand that not everyone has equal giftings. For instance I might be great at realating one on one with someone while another guy in my class might be better with small groups. There is a lot of competitiveness in the MDiv program (which I enjoy) but bitterness and envy can ensue. I hope to "seek ye first the kingdom of God" not my own will- and have giftings from the Lord added unto me.

I'd love to talk with anyone interested in seminary- I know it's not for everyone and it is quite tough but has been such a joy. I hope to hear back from some folks and hope to update this thing more often.

Currently Listening Illinois By Sufjan Stevens see related

Like Sand Through The Hourglass

It's time for an update... well past time.

Things are well here in Mizzo as three days after my last post I found a job... and a sweet one at that. My undergrad degree was in Sports Medicine and although it appeared that I would never use that experience in my life again I am working for an ophthamalogist (eye doctor/ surgeon). The work is mild and requires me to clock in and clock out without worrying about anything after my shift is over. Because of this I plan on working 20 hrs a week which should suffice me financially through the semester.

Last week was my first classes on Thursday and Friday and they went well. Although last Saturday's orientation was a bit intimidating the classes seemed great and the profs really seem to care about the students. I haven't been able to talk with any one on one but am anxious to get in with the "take a prof to lunch" program that they have at Covenant.

I am looking for a church and have attended three thus far, with one particularly looking promising and the opportunity to work with youth at another. Never before have I wanted to serve at a church but there is so much support from the faculty and staff here to get involved in a congregation and really be plugged in and get plugged into. I am looking at getting involved somehow with a college ministry here in St. Louis to get another perspective as well as keeping connected with the undergrad age group.

Also I love Ethiopian food, am addicted to Sufjan Stevens and microbreweries.

Currently Listening Memory Man By Aqualung Pressure Suit see related

I'm alive (and in St. Louis!)

So here's the deal: in the past month I have come and gone from an incredible fishing trip to Alaska, closed some great deals in business, and packed up my life and moved it to St. Louis, MO. Simple enough, eh? Well although the transition has been a wee bit difficult it appears that this will be a great place to study and be taught during my time in seminary. This week I have had the opportunity to hang out with my three awesome roommates, get oriented to the school, scour around the city, and find time to meet and chill with some new compadres. This is quite an exciting time and although transitory it seems to be a great move. We start classes officially next Thursday on August 30th where I will begin Greek, take my first preaching and systematic theology classes and take a course on finding my gifts and harnessing them ministerially. So as of now I need to be looking for a job and read some while I have a little break before everything gets crazy.

Note to the reader: I went to a St. Louis Cardinals game on Wednesday night and although I haven't offiically converted am likely to become a fan because of the great pride this city has for their team (and because of the proximity it is neccessary for me to inherit them). Additionally college football starts next Saturday with Auburn v. Kansas State. War Eagle!