kingdom travelin'

I want to post a commercial. This year I have given several students copies of “Daily Light on the Daily Path.” I was first introduced to this helpful volume by an older pastor who was wise enough to know that young students and young families often would not make time for reading Scripture. He gave me a copy of this volume. I have used it off and on in my morning devotions since. In the last few years it has become the first step of my morning connection time with God. I have found that more often than not, just what I need to hear from Scripture meets me on the screen of my Palm (yes, its on my Palm, don’t act surprised). God’s word is amazing and Daily Light is ALL God’s word. So, check it out online by clicking HERE. or using the link over on the right listed as Daily Bible Reading. It’s always there for your reference. So, as you commense a new day, look at God’s word and it will be a “Daily Light on the Daily Path.”

The 2009 Covenant School Commencement ceremony is over. I am gratified. I have posted the text of my speech over on LASTBIBLECLASS for posterity. I had it taped because Joanna wanted to see it. It is up on Youtube in four parts and is linked over on LASTBIBLECLASS as well. I am exhausted and am glad that, if I am smart and plan well, I will be able to rest up over the next two weeks. Here is a preview.

The rest is over on LASTBIBLECLASS and Youtube…

In one his ancient letters, Paul said that we should do everything we do with all our hearts. This is true for us if we are young or old, excited or bored, talented or not so much… do everything with all our heart. As I wind down to the last couple of weeks in my current role, I am reminded to rekindle my spirit of service and perform my tasks with all my heart… This is in keeping with the mind of the man who poured himself out like a drink offering… pressing on!

okay, okay, I know, Kingdom Travelin has turned into a diary… sorry, but that is the way it is right now… BTW this post is from the Palm ‘cuz I’m rest’n on the couch before headin’ to my last Baccalaureatte at Covenant… so go easy on the miss-spells, okay? okay, thanks.

This mornin’ was my last chapel. It was a blessed time. Most of the seniors from the music team came in and we went out for the annual senior breakfast before the last chapel. Thanks tons to Doug S. who came in early with me (0630) to finish set up after athletic awards last night (another ‘last’). Doug works hard. In Chapel, the seniors did ‘Blessed Be’ (my fav) and then Boss 3 had some kind words for me. I gave Bryan, now Covenant’s Upper School Chaplain a challenge using some of Paul’s words to Timothy. which brings me to the thot for us all…

I reviewed Paul’s letters to Timothy as I thought about what to say to Bryan and remembered that these letters are about leading a community. So they are about leadership, but more, they are about attitudes and doing the right thing in the right way. I urge you people following Jesus to invest some time in these letters. They have rich instruction. Sorry, no link since I’m on the Palm. You can click “daily reading” in the right column and search for 1Timothy and find it quick.

On the left ,you see the pile of papers that have been read and had little red numbers assigned to them. On the right you see the last one. I wrote “The last one” on the cover. Its author stated in our last class meeting that he gives me five years before I’m back in the classroom. I saved his to be the last one.

The “Beliefs Thesis” is an idea that I brought to Covenant where students are given basic categories of theological query and then given reading assignments and assigned to think about this reading in light of those five categories. Then we talked about it. You don’t have to agree, just consider it. This course work is designed to prepare them to think their way through their beliefs. They must wrestle with what they believe about the Bible, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and then they grapple with man, sin and salvation. Heavy questions. 

I have taught church-going Christians, agnostics, atheists, Muslims, Jews, Mormans and a lot of people who just could not yet pin themselves down. In the last 14 years here and 2 back in Roanoke, I figure that I have read well over 7,000 pages of these theological musings. It has been humbling to read the honesty with which my students have written. This year’s batch (seen above) is no different.

I don’t think many remember much of what they wrote. But that wasn’t the point. The point was that they will have wrestled with thier beliefs and with God in such a way that they have, at least once, articulated them to someone (me). I am grateful to have had the chance to take part in this important exercise.

Now, on to the last paper.

I’ll be coming into Nyugati with some friends behind one one of these engines, only to get right on another one to go to Vac. What a great way to start a trip!