WORLDS ARE FORMING

Apparently, Herr Hasselhoff is hooked on...something.

Earlier this week, Adam posted something about everyone's favorite Baywatch alum, Herr David Hasselhoff.

I've found further evidence of Hasselhoff's talent, in this single he released in Germany.  Shock and awe, friends.  Shock and awe.

Oh, Herr Hasselhoff, you truly are fascinating.

Lord, You Have My Heart

I hadn't heard this song by Delirious for some time -- it was a favorite worship song in college, and just what I needed on this day.

Lord, You have my heart,
And I will search for Yours;
Jesus take my life and lead me on.

Lord, You have my heart,
And I will search for Yours;
Let me be to You a sacrifice.

And I will praise You, Lord.
And I will sing of Love come down.
And as You show Your face,
We'll see Your glory here.
                         (c Martin Smith)

Living in community with a pyromaniac.

So.  I live in a dorm.  That means we share things...bathrooms, hallways, laundry rooms, and kitchens.  Let's talk about kitchens (or, in our case, kitchenettes).  We have a small one on my floor, where all sorts of smells (mainly shrimp and fish and burned popcorn every other day) like to permeate the hallway.  That's fun. 

What's not fun: our microwave.  This little gem is circa 1998, $9.99 Wal-Mart special.  It really is good for nothing.  Or...almost nothing.  What it IS good for is scaring me.  Last week at Target I bought a box of popcorn, and have been popping a little bag every day or two. 

Here's the deal. Ghetto-microwave must have been born on the fourth of July.  It likes to spark and shoot flames once in awhile.  Not every time, not all the time, just sometimes.  Keeps me on my toes.  It really scares me.  I have to run out of the room whenever I am popping my bags of corn delight. (Hey, I have to have my popcorn.)  It can't be safe.  And, as much as I like fireworks, I've put in a request to get a new, 2006 Wal-Mart $15.99 special.  (Only the finest here at PTS.)

Click the link below to see my favorite moment of tonight's popping adventure...

Where were you...

...twenty years ago today?  Do you remember where you were when the Challenger exploded?

I was in my classroom, watching it live on television.  (Could you imagine being that teacher?  What do you do with that?)

Something new.

It's almost February.  Time for a new look, friends.  Banner picture is a detail of a stained glass window, depicting the Holy Spirit at the baptism of Jesus.  Taken at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox cathedral in Tarpon Springs, FL.

Spring Classes. PTS. Middler Year.

This will be a semester of basically fulfilling requirements for ordination in the PC(USA).  Sixteen credit hours.  None feel overwhelming.  I would have loved to take Philippians or Augustine or Newbigin, but it is what it is.  Thankfully, I have some good time in the afternoons to do homework, work out, and maybe work a few hours.  I think I'll like this schedule.

Introduction to Biblical Hebrew: Dr. Seow 

I will be happy to survive and finish this course, with he who literally wrote the book.

Christology: Dr. Migliore 

Hands down, this will be my favorite class of the Spring.  Looking forward to it.  Dr. Migliore...so Reformed.  A refreshing voice.

Presbyterian Polity: Rev. Prince 

Rev. Prince seems great.  Hopefully Polity will be made exciting and relevant!

Preaching: Dr. Saldine

I like Dr. Saldine.  Dr. Saldine seems to likes me.  I like to preach.  Lord willing, this will be a good semester.

Worship in the Reformed Tradition: Dr. Brown

Surprisingly, I am excited about this course.  I don't really know Dr. Brown, but the subject matter interests me...hopefully it will help me to become more familiar with the ole' Reformed tradition.

Field Ed: Clinton Presbyterian Church

I really enjoy working at Clinton.  Sundays are busy there, but good.

Death & Dying (auditing): Dr. Evans

Excited to sit in on this class and glean some wisdom before this summer's CPE.

I am saddened and speechless.

Friends, let's pray for this family.

Sufjan Stevens: Chicago.

My friend Molly recently told me a great story.  She was leading the youth group at her Field Ed site, and played Sufjan Steven's song, Chicago, from his album Illinoise.  Not long after, one of her students confessed: "I finally get what the Gospel means."  Wow.

His lyrics are paradoxically complex and simple, his music is unique, and his voice is haunting.  From what I understand, Sufjan is a Christian, but definitely appeals to a broad audience.  His music is by no means explicitly Christian, but you can definitely see the Gospel in much of his work. 

Click on the link below to read the lyrics to Chicago, and look for the Gospel message within...

The Colbert Report!

Late last fall, I entered my name into the lottery to win free tickets to Comedy Central's comedy news show, the Colbert Report.  I'd forgotten about it...until today. 

Got an email confirming that I had won FOUR tickets to a taping of the show in NYC.  March 13th is the day...Nick, Almanza, Zirschky and I are going. 

It had better be funny...or the show will be dead to me.  Dead.

Stephen Iverson: Prayer.

A few years ago, while at a Youth Specialties conference, I participated in a time of contemplative worship led by Stephen Iverson.  I cannot say that I was deeply moved during that time, but over the years, his music has come to mind, and I have been forced into a time of worship.  Today, while in a coffee shop reading about Reformed worship, his Jesus Prayer would not leave me alone.  So, I came home and downloaded a few songs.  Though his voice is still not my favorite, it is good, worshipful, and reflective.  Three I recommend from his Prayer album:  Jesus Prayer, Surely God, and Peace, Be Still.

To whom do you listen when you need to find a center in Christ?