All too tragic, all too often

Heathcliff Andrew Ledger: April 4, 1979 - January 22, 2008

This is utterly tragic. Someone who according to the world's standards had everything...good looks, a successful career on a great trajectory, lots of money and lots of fame, and yet apparently suffering from despair that characterizes so much of our culture. Maybe this seems a little more stunning since he is my age. 

May God have mercy on his soul. Remember his 2 year old daughter and the rest of his family in your prayers.

Our only comfort in life and in death, our only hope, our salvation is Christ alone and yet our culture tells us we can save ourselves.

Anti-foundationism

Could I get in trouble for posting this? Well, I'm gonna go for it anyhow...

Joe Thorn has something interesting to say about foundation.

I'd have to agree with him, I don't know if it's 100% of men, but its probably pretty darn close.

A Peculiar Case to Watch

An English theologian is suing the Bishop of Liverpool because she was fired from Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, over differences in theology. The case is set to be heard by an employment tribunal in June. 

This case presents some interesting questions, least of which are its testing of religious freedoms and the possibility of a government getting involved in theological matters (thankfully the tribunal has asked that try and work this out on their own before the June hearing). Churches and associated organizations (colleges, charities/development organizations) with a religious basis need the freedom to operate outside of secular governmental intrusion into theological matters, so this could having interesting consequences for British religious groups.

It also points to the upcoming issues the Anglican Communion will be dealing with at the Lambeth Conference set for this summer. The most glaring problems arise from the unresolved question with the Anglican Communion over the ordination of homosexuals. I'm not sure there is a resolution that will keep the Communion from splintering, but we certainly should be in prayer for our Anglican brothers and sisters, that they would be faithful to the Word of God, especially as they struggle with the Lord's standards for his ministers and the prohibition of homosexuality. 

Taking Up the Challenge

With the new year upon us, it is that time when so many decide to make a resolution that they hope will somehow change their lives for the next year. Unfortunately most of these resolutions dissolve by February, whether its a new diet or workout regimen, a commitment to stop smoking or to spend more time with family. However while that is often the case, it is not always so; some people do indeed find ways to bring about tangible (as opposed to this year's politically intangible) change in their lives. One of the best ways to do this is to set realistic and attainable goals that you are held accountable to by someone else or even a larger community of people. We are doing this at work with a set of ministry, professional and personal goals, but I have also decided to take up a challenge set out by another blogger. Over at his blog, Timmy Brister has laid down the 2008 Puritan Reading Challenge, a challenge to read one book by a Puritan each month. This coincides with some of the goals I have at work (to read more theologically minded books in preparation for seminary and future ministry, and to have not only a consistent, but also a meaningful and organized quiet time of scripture study and prayer). My plan is also to blog on these readings as well. So keep checking back and check out the challenge as well.

Happy New Year!

2007 is done, 2008 is here...

Last night a group of us went to the Luau, a Polynesian restaurant down the street from my house, for a little food and New Years merriment. They do an annual pig roast and it was pretty darn good along with some collard greens, red beans and rice and some very good spicy cornbread. It was fun and I got to sleep in this morning, so that was a huge plus as well. Work starts back in ernest tomorrow and a real down day is great.

 

I wanted to take a few minutes and look back at 2007 as well. As I look back I am reminded that the Lord is faithful through everything; it has definitely been a year of ups and downs. January started with my boss at UPC leaving for a new position and all the uncertainty that such a vacancy entails. The next few months were exhausting, but a new boss was hired and we closed out the year successfully. In July I made the decision to accept an offer from my church (CrossPoint) to take the Executive Administrator position. Since starting in August this has been a continual blessing and learning experience. I am sticking around until summer of 2009 when hopefully I will be headed off to seminary (yes they know this). It has been great to work with PK, John, Jonathan, Ed, Sandy, Rick and everyone else at CP. This next year promises to be great as well...

I was blessed to be a part of David and Blythe's wedding in March and to be able to attend many other friend's weddings throughout the year...it seems it may not slow down this year either.

Over Thanksgiving I took some very much needed vacation time and visited the Brodines in Pendleton, SC. We celebrated Thanksgiving Day with Sarah's family and their friends from the Clemson area. We then spent the rest of the week watching football (Luke mourning KU's loss to Mizzou and me mourning Washington's loss to Wazzu... fortunately it wasn't all tears as Sarah was able to celebrate Clemson's win over the SC), lounging around, hanging with the Brodine's friends and eating lots of Turkey day leftovers. It was a good trip and a great chance to see old friends.

My family is doing well. Chase graduated from high school and is not at SPSCC; Hailey got her drivers license and got to come and stay with me for a week while she was at the UW volleyball camp; Mom started back at school and did pretty well in her first math class in many years; and we found out that Dad likely will not have to have surgery... many things to be thankful for. 

It was also a year of loss... a few more friends moved elsewhere and I mourned the loss of my uncle and my friend's mom. My uncle Calvin passed away in March, but I am thankful that my parents and I got to see him in February to say our goodbyes. That has been hard, especially seeing my aunt and cousins mourning and learning to live without him around. The Lord is certainly good and will see them through. My best friend Matt also lost his mom and while she is no longer in pain and now with her Lord, it is still a great loss and she will be greatly missed.

Well, that pretty much wraps up the year... we had a beautiful Christmas Eve service and I had a good day with my family in Olympia on Christmas Day. Oh yeah, I got a new computer too (a Macbook)... so I can actually blog from home, put more than 1 GB of music in iTunes, have wireless access and get some things done without it freezing up on me. Its going to be great fun, but it will also be good for school when I finally start.

Have a blessed 2008 (& try to avoid as many presidential campaign ads as possible).