WORLDS ARE FORMING

Traveling...

As I left my room this morning, I was reminded of that prayer of Dag Hammarskjold's:

"Lord,
For all that has been,
Thanks. 
For all that is to come,
Amen."

From now until June 1st, I will be a traveling man.  I will be in... Princeton.  West Park, NY.  Boston.  Cape Cod.  Maine Coastline.  Vermont.  Rochester, NY.  Boston.  Princeton.  Seattle.  Aaaand, I like all that.  Alot.  All on a budget.  No worries.  Since I don't have my computer, I am not sure how often I'll find my way to the blog.  But, upon my return, you know I will post some pictures and tell some stories.

Until then...think about Psalm 105:4

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."

Peace,

       Josh

Mother's Day.

 

       Mom:  Thank you for who you are and for all you've done.  I love you! 

Re: Previous Post. A TOUGH DECISION.

"I'm sorry Mr. Cleveland, but the only computer we can offer you as a replacement is the new model we sell at our stores.  They don't make your model anymore.  Would it be okay if we sent you that one as a replacement?"

Um.  Yes.  Sennnnnnnnnnd it. (P.S. Growling like a rabid wolf really does work!)

Guess Whose Computer is Broken Again?

December, January, February, March, and May. Five times in six months.  I thought the computer had hit a milestone in April, deciding not to break down.  Guess not.  I should be glad that I really don't need it fixed immediately - no papers to write, etc.  However, this does put a cramp into my minor/major addiction to emailing, photography, and blogging when I am on break.  And, it is just inconvenient, seeing as I am about to go on a roadtrip.

I'm going to march right in to the Apple store today and GIVE THEM A BIG OL' PIECE OF MY MIND, because that's totally how I work.  Anyways, hopefully they'll just give me a new computer.  Last time they said it might happen...if it doesn't, though, this is the face I am going to give them...

From Austin I've Come.

To Austin I Go.

I'll be in Austin until Wednesday...meeting for ordination stuff on Tuesday.  I'd appreciate your prayers!  I am excited to see great folks from my church, as well as some old friends, and just to see my favorite city in Texas. Peace.

Freed From Serving 15 to 20.

So.  I haven't talked about this at all on worldsareforming all semester...just because I really edit a lot of personal stuff on this site, and I don't think it is my style, and well, ya.  But, I wanted to share this, only one time.  Through eating well (but also enjoying what I eat), and through consistent and disciplined exercise, I've lost somewhere between 15-20 pounds since January. 

Feels really good.  Cliche as it is...if I can do it, so can you.

God is a Protester.

As I have bemoaned on here recently, during the last two weeks of the semester, I wrote a paper for Dr. Migliore's Christology course.  My topic had to do with Jesus' resurrection, and its implications for Christian life.  Basically, a "So what?" paper. 

It was helpful to write this paper so soon after Easter.  The resurrection is fresh in my mind, and the empty tomb still seems, well, empty.  The phrase that stuck out most in all my research, was one from Jurgen Moltmann.  I appreciate much of his theology -- in some areas I think he goes too far, while in others I think he does not go far enough -- and in this quote, I think Moltmann hits the significance of the resurrection dead on.  Moltmann exclaims,

The resurrection is: "God's protest against death."
                    (from Moltmann's Experiences of God)

Think about that.  God's protest.  Of death.  How beautiful is that?  Death has been conquered: for Christ and for humanity.  God will have none of death's destruction.  God is opposed to death.  God is passionate about fullness of life.  This protest against death is for us.  For you, and for me.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

What, if anything, does Moltmann's quote strike up within you?

DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies. Trenton, NJ.

Josh, Nick, and I went to DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies on Hudson Street in Trenton tonight to enjoy some dinner and to celebrate life together.  Over this past school  year, I've been there prooooobably about 10 times or so. 

Huge tomato pies (different than pizzas, mind you).  Super fresh ingredients.  Thin crust that doesn't make you feel gross...like you would after Papa John's.  All in all good.  The service exhibited the extreme Jersey customer service mindset of, "Oh.  You're here?  So what?  I care, because?" That's part of it's charm.  I love it.

Pizza of choice: Large Sweet Pepper or Pepperoni.  My mouth is watering just thinking about those bad boys. About $10 for a small, $13 for a large. DeLorenzo's was recently crowned #2 tomato pie in America.  If you are in Jersey, take some time to head over to DeLorenzo's on Hudson.

An Appropriate Time to Sing the Doxology...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.

No joke. I've sung that several times in the last few days.  I am done with Middler year.  (That is, assuming I've passed all of my classes.)  It has been a good, busy year.  I'll reflect more in the next few days.  For now, my brain is tired from thinking, my hands are tired from writing in-class tests, and my body is just generally tired.  Even in my weary state, life is very good, and I am grateful.  One year down.  One to go.

While I'm on this singing kick, I know firsthand, that truly, God is faithful...