Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Cover to Cover
I am ashamed to admit that not only have I never read the Bible from front to back, I actually never read many of the Old Testament books all the way through. The other day I decided that needed to change and had the brilliant idea of making a plan and actually setting the goal of reading the Bible cover-to-cover this year. OK...maybe it was someone else's idea, but the fact remains that I am now on Day 4 of said plan, and so far it has been pretty amazing. Just thought I'd share.
I am ashamed to admit that not only have I never read the Bible from front to back, I actually never read many of the Old Testament books all the way through. The other day I decided that needed to change and had the brilliant idea of making a plan and actually setting the goal of reading the Bible cover-to-cover this year. OK...maybe it was someone else's idea, but the fact remains that I am now on Day 4 of said plan, and so far it has been pretty amazing. Just thought I'd share.
Green!!!
Yesterday was beautiful! As I drove to work, I just praised God as I looked at the miracle of bright green bursting forth from the trees. The tiny buds were apparently just waiting for the rain. Then, yesterday evening...a rainbow! How happy!
I wish I knew how to change the color of my font for this post, but, unfortunately, I'm just not as cool as Adam.
Yesterday was beautiful! As I drove to work, I just praised God as I looked at the miracle of bright green bursting forth from the trees. The tiny buds were apparently just waiting for the rain. Then, yesterday evening...a rainbow! How happy!
I wish I knew how to change the color of my font for this post, but, unfortunately, I'm just not as cool as Adam.
Monday, March 29, 2004
Coffee by the Book
What a novel concept (pun intended)! A bookstore and coffee shop all in one...wait, no...OK, so it's not necessarily original, but this is a LOCALLY owned, quaint lil' coffee shop and bookstore located in a cute, old house in historic Roswell. It is open until 9 on weeknights and 10 on weekends. $1.59 for a bottomless cup of coffee. And...not a teenager in sight (nor anyone else for that matter, which is all the more reason for us to support them). New and used books, cheap coffee, decent hours, locally owned, quaint setting...who could ask for more? How did we not find this place sooner? Well...I'll let Adam answer that one.
BTW, I feel I must apologize for the strange turn my blog has taken. In the future, I hope to do more than simply review coffee shops.
What a novel concept (pun intended)! A bookstore and coffee shop all in one...wait, no...OK, so it's not necessarily original, but this is a LOCALLY owned, quaint lil' coffee shop and bookstore located in a cute, old house in historic Roswell. It is open until 9 on weeknights and 10 on weekends. $1.59 for a bottomless cup of coffee. And...not a teenager in sight (nor anyone else for that matter, which is all the more reason for us to support them). New and used books, cheap coffee, decent hours, locally owned, quaint setting...who could ask for more? How did we not find this place sooner? Well...I'll let Adam answer that one.
BTW, I feel I must apologize for the strange turn my blog has taken. In the future, I hope to do more than simply review coffee shops.
Friday, March 26, 2004
Ahhhh...the soft tapping of a brand new keyboard.
I am writing to you from the brand new Dell in my classroom...Are your papers graded yet? What papers? Can't you see that I have more important things to do like entertain my friends with pointless posts on my blog? Who has time to grade papers?
Last night, I went to "grade papers" at a coffee shop. Because the Bou would close too early, I had no choice but to visit the Dark Side. I saw another Bou regular there, but we just looked away in shame, not wanting to discuss the matter. I must admit that the coffee was better, and the lack of high school students was refreshing and relaxing. Unfortunately, the cup of coffee was more expensive and...they charged 54 cents for refills (however, engaging in small talk with the guy behind the counter can get you around this minor detail). I missed the Alaska-themed decor,cheerful greetings, friendly staff and cozy fireplace at the Bou, but, all in all, my visit to the Dark Side was surprisingly enjoyable. They seemed to have their own regulars there and everything! I long for the days of Blue Sky and Jittery Joes, but, alas, there is a scarcity of local coffee shops in the suburbs. Metanoya, the only one I know of in Roswell, closes at 5.
OK...enough...I suppose I should work now...Have a great weekend!
I am writing to you from the brand new Dell in my classroom...Are your papers graded yet? What papers? Can't you see that I have more important things to do like entertain my friends with pointless posts on my blog? Who has time to grade papers?
Last night, I went to "grade papers" at a coffee shop. Because the Bou would close too early, I had no choice but to visit the Dark Side. I saw another Bou regular there, but we just looked away in shame, not wanting to discuss the matter. I must admit that the coffee was better, and the lack of high school students was refreshing and relaxing. Unfortunately, the cup of coffee was more expensive and...they charged 54 cents for refills (however, engaging in small talk with the guy behind the counter can get you around this minor detail). I missed the Alaska-themed decor,cheerful greetings, friendly staff and cozy fireplace at the Bou, but, all in all, my visit to the Dark Side was surprisingly enjoyable. They seemed to have their own regulars there and everything! I long for the days of Blue Sky and Jittery Joes, but, alas, there is a scarcity of local coffee shops in the suburbs. Metanoya, the only one I know of in Roswell, closes at 5.
OK...enough...I suppose I should work now...Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Well, isn't this nifty. I type up my thoughts, click publish, and they appear on the internet. Interesting.
OK. OK. I know it has been a while. But I really do have a good excuse. You see...I no longer have internet access at my house. And...I can't access Blogger in my classroom. And...the teachers in the workroom talk too much for me to blog in there. And...I actually have work to do when I'm teaching because I am no longer teaching someone else's class. Right now I am at church for "prayer." So just be thankful that I'm writing anything at all.
As you might imagine much has happened over the last several weeks. But most of it is not necessarily blogworthy. I have a feeling that most of you have no desire to hear about my trials and tribulations trying to engage, educate, and inspire 118 14-15 year olds. Neither do you want to hear about the 118 papers I have to grade tonight or the fact that the students in my seventh period class still think bodily functions equal humor. So I will spare you the details.
What have I been learning as of late?
1. Teaching the same class all day is, strangely, much easier than teaching 6-8 different classes. Hmmm...
2. It is difficult to keep students awake and focused the day after a Brittany Spears concert.
3. ADHD is a reality and 75% of my seventh period class has it.
4. Despite the popular belief of hyperconcerned parents who think their students must have a learning disability to be getting bad grades, "laziness" is not covered by special education laws.
5. Making myself run after 8 hours of teaching is much more difficult than making myself run after 4 hours at Caribou.
6. Teaching pays more than hanging out at Caribou.
7. I still like hanging out at Caribou (but I can't go right now because ours now closes at 8pm)
8. I should be grading papers right now...or praying...
Um...gotta go. Rumor has it that I will get a new computer in my classroom on Friday. Perhaps you will hear more from me after that...no guarantees.
OK. OK. I know it has been a while. But I really do have a good excuse. You see...I no longer have internet access at my house. And...I can't access Blogger in my classroom. And...the teachers in the workroom talk too much for me to blog in there. And...I actually have work to do when I'm teaching because I am no longer teaching someone else's class. Right now I am at church for "prayer." So just be thankful that I'm writing anything at all.
As you might imagine much has happened over the last several weeks. But most of it is not necessarily blogworthy. I have a feeling that most of you have no desire to hear about my trials and tribulations trying to engage, educate, and inspire 118 14-15 year olds. Neither do you want to hear about the 118 papers I have to grade tonight or the fact that the students in my seventh period class still think bodily functions equal humor. So I will spare you the details.
What have I been learning as of late?
1. Teaching the same class all day is, strangely, much easier than teaching 6-8 different classes. Hmmm...
2. It is difficult to keep students awake and focused the day after a Brittany Spears concert.
3. ADHD is a reality and 75% of my seventh period class has it.
4. Despite the popular belief of hyperconcerned parents who think their students must have a learning disability to be getting bad grades, "laziness" is not covered by special education laws.
5. Making myself run after 8 hours of teaching is much more difficult than making myself run after 4 hours at Caribou.
6. Teaching pays more than hanging out at Caribou.
7. I still like hanging out at Caribou (but I can't go right now because ours now closes at 8pm)
8. I should be grading papers right now...or praying...
Um...gotta go. Rumor has it that I will get a new computer in my classroom on Friday. Perhaps you will hear more from me after that...no guarantees.
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Only You
Louie gave a great message at 7:22 on Tuesday. The series, focused on discovering God's will for our lives in the midst of conflicting messages from our culture and media, is not just for singles. Tuesday's message was particularly encouraging and challenging. God has given each of us unique gifts, talents, and skills. And he has placed each of us in different spheres of influence. We don't have to be working in a church to be serving his kingdom. In fact, those of us in secular jobs have a greater opportunity to reach people outside the church than those working in the church. We are called as Christians to do everything in His name, which means we need to do our jobs, whatever it may be, with excellence worthy of Him. I am doing a poor job of communicating Louie's message, so I will stop writing now and let you listen for yourself here.
Speaking of spheres of influence, I have a second interview at Roswell High School tomorrow. It's a great location for me and many of the youth I work with at church go there. Pray that God's will is done as they make their decision and I make mine for next year!
Louie gave a great message at 7:22 on Tuesday. The series, focused on discovering God's will for our lives in the midst of conflicting messages from our culture and media, is not just for singles. Tuesday's message was particularly encouraging and challenging. God has given each of us unique gifts, talents, and skills. And he has placed each of us in different spheres of influence. We don't have to be working in a church to be serving his kingdom. In fact, those of us in secular jobs have a greater opportunity to reach people outside the church than those working in the church. We are called as Christians to do everything in His name, which means we need to do our jobs, whatever it may be, with excellence worthy of Him. I am doing a poor job of communicating Louie's message, so I will stop writing now and let you listen for yourself here.
Speaking of spheres of influence, I have a second interview at Roswell High School tomorrow. It's a great location for me and many of the youth I work with at church go there. Pray that God's will is done as they make their decision and I make mine for next year!
Friday, March 12, 2004
LEAP of Faith
Last Tuesday, Cheryl scored free tickets to see a world-premier play at the Alliance. LEAP is a play about faith--what we believe, why believe, and how we believe. The inter-faith cast developed the play from a series of monthly meetings in which the cast members gathered to discuss what they believed. Constructing the play as a type of worship service complete with call to worship, offering, prayer, etc, each member of the cast (playing themselves) shared their personal testimonies as they explored the different ways people satisfy the need to worship and connect with a high power.
Although the play was a fairly balanced look at many belief systems including atheism, the gospel was briefly presented by Tom Key in his testimony. But I think the real importance of this play lies in the questions it raises as it challenges people to "wake up" and consider what this life is all about and what comes after this brief moment of existence. Is there a higher power? And if so, how do we respond? Along the way, the play provides some pretty accurate commentary and satire concerning how we approach this higher power. Perhaps my favorite part was when the cast members begin praying via cell phones and PDAs, approaching him as if working out a contract.
It may not have been theologically sound in every way, but it was thought provoking...
Last Tuesday, Cheryl scored free tickets to see a world-premier play at the Alliance. LEAP is a play about faith--what we believe, why believe, and how we believe. The inter-faith cast developed the play from a series of monthly meetings in which the cast members gathered to discuss what they believed. Constructing the play as a type of worship service complete with call to worship, offering, prayer, etc, each member of the cast (playing themselves) shared their personal testimonies as they explored the different ways people satisfy the need to worship and connect with a high power.
Although the play was a fairly balanced look at many belief systems including atheism, the gospel was briefly presented by Tom Key in his testimony. But I think the real importance of this play lies in the questions it raises as it challenges people to "wake up" and consider what this life is all about and what comes after this brief moment of existence. Is there a higher power? And if so, how do we respond? Along the way, the play provides some pretty accurate commentary and satire concerning how we approach this higher power. Perhaps my favorite part was when the cast members begin praying via cell phones and PDAs, approaching him as if working out a contract.
It may not have been theologically sound in every way, but it was thought provoking...
What do you say?
What do you say when a 14-year-old looks at you in tears and asks how can a good, loving, all-powerful God let me go through this? If He loves us so much why does he allow innocent people to suffer all over the world? What about my grandmother who already died, but didn't know Christ? Do you think I'm going to hell?
We've all heard those questions--from friends, from family, from the voices in our head...It's these moments when you need God to show up in a big way.
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Pet 3:15
What do you say when a 14-year-old looks at you in tears and asks how can a good, loving, all-powerful God let me go through this? If He loves us so much why does he allow innocent people to suffer all over the world? What about my grandmother who already died, but didn't know Christ? Do you think I'm going to hell?
We've all heard those questions--from friends, from family, from the voices in our head...It's these moments when you need God to show up in a big way.
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Pet 3:15
Monday, March 08, 2004
Hey folks!
We really did have an amazing service on Sunday. Check out some pics at [ex]changed.life.
We really did have an amazing service on Sunday. Check out some pics at [ex]changed.life.
Sunday, March 07, 2004
So...um...hi...
This is a bit awkward. It's like when you don't talk to someone for a while, and you just aren't sure what to say:
"So...what have you been up to lately?"
"You know...work, ministry, drinking coffee, etc."
"Where are you working?"
"Lassiter High School."
"Really? What are you teaching?"
"Ninth grade English."
"Wow. Better watch my grammar. I admire you. I couldn't do that. High schoolers seem scary."
"Yeah...well...I actually love it."
"So..."
"So...what about you?"
Blah. Blah. Blah. Yes, I'm officially back in the classroom and love it. Can't imagine doing anything else. I can't access blogs from the school (I guess because of all the subversive material on them). My computer crashed at home (thanks, Adam). And I'm still trying to figure out how to balance my work with the rest of my life here in the suburbs.
I enjoyed our one day of winter, but I must say that this spring thing we have going on is pretty exciting--I haven't been here for spring (or pollen) for three years! It smells like nostalgia outside--North Campus and the River Park. What are those pink trees everywhere? They are so cool and happy! Um...I suppose I should stop rambling now. I'll try to find some way to be more consistent this week but there are no guarantees until I have either a fixed computer or more hours in the day.
This is a bit awkward. It's like when you don't talk to someone for a while, and you just aren't sure what to say:
"So...what have you been up to lately?"
"You know...work, ministry, drinking coffee, etc."
"Where are you working?"
"Lassiter High School."
"Really? What are you teaching?"
"Ninth grade English."
"Wow. Better watch my grammar. I admire you. I couldn't do that. High schoolers seem scary."
"Yeah...well...I actually love it."
"So..."
"So...what about you?"
Blah. Blah. Blah. Yes, I'm officially back in the classroom and love it. Can't imagine doing anything else. I can't access blogs from the school (I guess because of all the subversive material on them). My computer crashed at home (thanks, Adam). And I'm still trying to figure out how to balance my work with the rest of my life here in the suburbs.
I enjoyed our one day of winter, but I must say that this spring thing we have going on is pretty exciting--I haven't been here for spring (or pollen) for three years! It smells like nostalgia outside--North Campus and the River Park. What are those pink trees everywhere? They are so cool and happy! Um...I suppose I should stop rambling now. I'll try to find some way to be more consistent this week but there are no guarantees until I have either a fixed computer or more hours in the day.
Monday, March 01, 2004
Grrrrr... I have no time to blog! Give me a few more days to settle into my new job, and I'll get back into this.
music
fiction
- Sophie's World Jostein Gaarder
- Atlas Shrugged Ayn Rand
- The Name of the Rose Umberto Eco
- Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen
- War and Peace Leo Tolstoy
- I'm sure I'm forgetting many!!!
things above
- The Consolation of Philosophy Boethius
- Desiring God John Piper
- Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis
- The Ragamuffin Gospel Brennan Manning
- Jesus with Dirty Feet Don Everts
random
- metanoia
- runner's world
- relevant magazine
- jane austen society
- tununak
- appalachian trail conference
- espn
blogs
archives
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