Seminary Favorites...

Hey all,

I am getting a little closer to graduation (finish coursework in June, walk in December), so I have been reminiscing over the last couple of days. I think that I am going to put together a series of posts on some of my seminary favorites.

Today's Topic: Favorite Seminary classes=

3. Pastoral Ministry, with Larry Ashlock. I learned that a professor with a heart for his students, and a heart for his parishioners can teach you the sacrifice it takes to be a good minister. I learned h0w much prayer it takes to be a pastor, and how much utter brokennes before God is needed to lead a flock.

2. The Bible and Moral Issues, with Craig Mitchell. I had sort of an epiphany in this class. From Mitchell's lectures on the history of philosophical though I learned why people think as they do, and how to recognize bias in the works they produce. This has been extremely valuable in the reading that I have been doing. Also, Dr. Mitchell made me think about how I was going to perform my ministry. I had to decide: Was I going to be influence by the world, and get along; or Was I going to stick by God's word no matter what it cost me? I also learned the importance of researching the Biblical basis for how to react in regards to certain topics, and how to defend my beliefs with love, but to also stick fast to my beliefs. I also learned how to correct your heretical brothers without burning them at the stake.

1. Theological Hermenuetics, with Scott Swain. This class single handedly changed the way I read the Bible. Before this class, I fell into the Historical Critical camp of Hermenuetics. Now, I read the Bible with that it will explain itself, and that its themes will teach me what I need to know.

(As I wrote this post I realized that I loved so many of my seminary classes, that I feel like I am leaving out some of the great ones. I also loved all 4 classes I had with Dr. Crutchley, my preaching classes with Dr. Pearson, and the Systematic Theology classes I had with Drs. Yarnell & Swain. God has been good to me here.)

So, what about all of you; my seminary friends? Who were your favorites? Post it on your blog, or give me a shout on mine. Let me hear from you.

In defense of my character...

Well, once again my character has been defamed by a certain friend of mine. This friend has oft maligned my good name with misinterpretations, and misquotations of episodes and anecdotes that have proceeded from my mouth. Well, the latest one is this: I was attempting to show a group of teens at ARBC that though God is full of wrath towards those who are dead in their trespasses, he also is full of mercy towards those who believe in his Son.

I was innocently reading verse 4 of chapter two in Ephesians where Paul states: "But God, who is abundant in mercy,..." I read the first two words of that verse, and then interjected: "And that is a great but by the way." I was meaning for the kids to understand that with that conjuction came something great for us. For you see that "but" begins a clause that spells out the great mercy God shows us in salvation. It shows us how much love God has for us. However, all my friend heard was: "God has a great butt!" All the students in the room understood what I meant, and none of them laughed, not even a giggle! However, my friend can't help himself, and is laughing in the back of the room. Leave it to the "adult" minister to have the potty brain.

The picture above is another oft misquoted individual. Some people like to say he is dumb, I like to say he is misquoted. Check this out to see how our President is often misunderstood.

A Special Message for Patrick...

HeyPatrick,

I wanted to write to you and tell you that I had a lot of fun playing with you when I came home. I enjoyed playing Batman with you, but my favorite game we played was Star Wars. I like your lightsaber, and you are a good Sith. None of my friends here play Star Wars (or at least not that I know!), so we will have to practice next time I come home.

I want you to know that I love you, and miss you, and want you to be a good boy. So be nice when you go to school, and play nice with your friends. And remember, you have to work hard on your homework, so you will grow up and be smart. I love you Buddy.

Gooogellaaaaahhhhh!
Uncle Chris

My trip home for Christmas...

I was blessed to go home for ten days. Georgia is still beautiful, and my family is still loving. I was able to get some rest, and relax for a while. The only downside to this trip home was the fact that I lost my girlfriend. You see my nephew stole her from me. I brought Bonnie home to meet my folks, and the second she walked into the door; my nephew threw out his best six year old game. He smiled that cute smile, and played coy. Then he hugged her and said something cute. I had lost her from that moment on. I mean who can compete with six year old cute? Certainly not me. Oh well, I am working hard to win Bonnie back, and maybe I will.

Apart from losing my girlfriend, I had a great time though. I met Bonnie's Dad and Step Mom. They are great people, and treated me well. The picture at the bottom is a picture of Bonnie and I next to a mountain stream on Signal Mountain. The sights from there were breath taking.

The picture in the middle is of a little park in my hometown. I used to walk the trails of Wilshire Park all the time. They hold fond memories for me.

A moment of clarity...

Last night, I had a moment of clarity. I was sitting in the biggest recliner you have ever seen, watching the UGA v. West Virginia game. I was screaming and yelling at the tv. I was furious about how poorly the Dawgs were playing, and enraged at the poor officiating of the game, when it happened. Have you ever had one of those moments when God makes something clear to you, and I mean crystal clear. I had just gotten finished ranting at the officials of last night's game, when God showed me myself. It was as if I was hovering 6 feet off of the ground watching myself, mad at a team, and angry at men I don't even know. It was ugly, and not becoming of a man of God.

You know, I used to make fun of Big D. for things like this. He told me one time that it was hard being a Tennessee fan, because they were good. He was right. When your favorite team tastes a little success, you begin to like the taste, and every loss is all the more bitter. Since my beloved Bulldogs have become one of the nations' better teams, I have found myself more and more upset when they lose. I actually sort of miss the ho hum Bulldog days. It was easy to be a fan then. If the Dawgs won 7 games you were excited because they played above their capabilities, and were going to a bowl game. Now, I get upset if they don't win their BCS bowl game. There is something wrong with that.

So, you guys straighten me out, and help me get a proper perspective on everything. I will try to get myself under control. As a matter of fact, I will discipline myself. I will not watch any University of Georgia football games until August of 2006. ;)

Willard' s Bowl Predictions...

Well, Willard and I met up at my Aunt's house over Christmas. Willard gave me a jar full of his county-wide famous smoked, pickled eggs, and I gave him a toothbrush. (The one I gave him last year was near to the nub, and only had a few bristles left. That's alright because Willard only has a few of his own teeth left.) We had a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior together. And as you know, no meeting between the two of us is complete unless we talk a little college football. Willard and I talked about how we both hate all these minor bowls, and how we wish we could get rid of them. I mean really, who wants to see Akron and Toledo play? After we commiserated for a while, we got down to the business of Prognosticatin'. Willard made me write down his list of Bowl winners and seal it in a Mason Jar, so that everyone would know how many games he picked right, and that he didn't change his choices part way through the bowl season. I will have to call Willard on Jan. 5th to tell him where I burried the jar.

Well, enough has been said about Christmas, here are Willard's Winners for the Bowl season:

Capital One Bowl: Wisconsin v. Auburn= Willard's Winner, in a blowout; Auburn

Gator Bowl: Louisville v. Virginia Tech= Though his new second favorite team has had a few tough games lately, Willard says that the Hokie Birds will squawk a little louder than the Cardinals. Willard's Winner; Virginia Tech.

Outback Bowl: Iowa v. Florida= Willard's Winner; Florida

Cotton Bowl: Alabama v. Texas Tech= The Boys from Bama will invade the Lone Star State looking to rumble over the Cowboys from the Caprock. The Red Raiders will fun and gun up and down the field, but the Crimson Pachyderms will stomp them flat. Willard's Winner; Alabama

Peach Bowl: Folks, I want to be real honest with you here. This is the best bowl game of the year every year, and this year will be no exception. Miami v. LSU= Willard's Winner; Miami

Music City Bowl: Minnesota v. Virginia= Willard's Winner; Minnesota

Holiday Bowl: Oregon v. Oklahoma= Willard's Winner; Oregon

Emerald Bowl: Georgia Tech v. Utah= Willard's Winner; Whoever does not have to watch this game

Alamo Bowl: Michigan v. Nebraska= Willard's Winner; in a blowout, Michigan

MPC Computers Bowl: Boise State v. Boston College= Willard's Winner; Boston College

Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame v. Ohio St.= The Buckeyes are a tough nut to crack, but the Fightin' Irish are planning on bringing their big sheleighleigh to pop the nuts from Ohio St. Willard's Winner; In the DonnyBrook game of the Bowl Season...Notre Dame

Orange Bowl: Florida State v. Penn State= The folks from Happy Valley are extremely happy to be in Florida for the Winter, but the Seminoles will rain on Joe Pa's Parade. Willard's Winner; Florida St.

Sugar Bowl: West Virginia v. THE Universty of Georgia=Willard cried when he thought about our Beloved Bulldogs once again playing in the sweetest bowl of them all. But Willard got himself composed, and laid this one out for me to give to you. The Mountaineers of West Virginia will bring their long rifles and try to sharpshoot themselves a Bulldog or two. But let me tell you, "That DAWG will bite you!" Willard's Winner, and Sugar Bowl Champeeens agin'; Georgia!

Rose Bowl: USC v. Texas= The national championship game will roll through the Rose Bowl this year, and it will pit the two best teams in the nation against each other. The Bovines of Texas will try to gore their long horns deep into the Trojan flesh, but coach Carroll's armored assassins will be too quick, too powerful, and have too many swords in the arsenal! Willard's Winner, and National Champions; in a good game; USC

An Oldie but a Goodie...

Well, an old joke, but a good joke has resurfaced at ol' Fort Worth Hall. A few years ago, someone found these fliers at the Doctor's office and decided to post one on my door. Tonight I came home to find another one posted on my door again. It was as funny this time as it was the first.

Don't worry gang, I got the culprit back. As you read this post, the culprit has a copy of this sign plastered to his door with a note explaining that this would be the last time I filled out one of these forms for him. I also explained that he is a big boy now, capable of filling out his own forms, and able to stop wee-weeing in the bed! (tdwjr)

The Prayer Chair...

Hello all,

Well, I am a little bored, and somebody reminded me of one of my favorite things in all of the world, so I thought I would blog about it. You see this is the Prayer Chair. It is a wonderful chair, comfy, broken in (way broken in considering I am about the 43rd owner of said chair.), just the right size, etc. I love it.

Not only is the Prayer Chair comfortable, but it is where I do most of my praying. I sit in the chair, and talk to the Lord. The chair is special to me because of that as well.

My friends make fun of the Prayer Chair because it is so old, and honestly rickety. They also accuse me of sleeping in the prayer chair instead of praying. Blasphemers they are! They also have defamed the Prayer Chair at times. (You know who you are, NL, and shame on you!)

But even though my friends make fun of my Prayer Chair, and defame it; I love it, and will keep it until May when I move out. Then I will pass it on to a worthy individual, as it was passed on to me.

A profound moment...

Well folks the genius of college football prognosticators has done it again. Lee Corso is known for his exciting commentary on the games of the day. He was a coach for 2o+ years, and knows a little bit about the game. (emphasis on little bit) But his real attraction is his energy. Corso always keeps College Game Day lively. But once again he is not the sharpest pencil in the bunch.

This leads me to one of Corso's most profound moments. This morning, I was watching College Game Day, and with my own ears heard Corso say: "The only way UCLA can beat USC is to out-score them." Whoa! did everybody catch that? Lee Corso just said that the only way to win a College Football game was to score more points than the other team! What, has he got a team of Monkees working as his writers. Way to go Captain Obvious!

Willard's Winners...

Willard called today, with this weeks batch of Winners. This is of course champioship weekend, and though there are not as many games, the ones we do get to see are going to be good ones.

West Virginia v. South Florida= Willard's Winner, and Big East Champ- West Virginia

Virginia Tech v. Florida St.= Coach Bowden's warriors want to spear Beamer's Super Gobblers.
But the Hokie Birds will be a little to wiley for the Noles. Willard's Winner, and ACC Champs- Virginia Tech

Texas v. Colorado= The Horns are still stinging over a couple of years ago and their debilitating loss to Colorado, which knocked them out of the championship game. Could Colorado play spoiler again..... Heck no! Willard's Winner-Texas

UCLA v. USC= Orange County will be known for more than stupid dramas this weekend. This might well be the best game of the day. UCLA has the highest rated passer in all of college football this year. They also have a good running back that could rumble past the Trojan defenses. Can the UCLA Bruins sneak past the Trojans of USC? Oh yes! Willards Winner, and he is going crazy here folks, UCLA.

Navy v. Army= The Corp of Cadets are loading their rifles and taking aim at the Midshipmen's fleet. They will do their best to sink the Annapolis Armada, but in the end, the big guns from the sea will blast out the Corp. Willard's Winner- Go Navy Beat Army!, NAVY

Georgia v. LSU= The Bayou Bengals will invade Atlanta looking to cook up a little Bulldog Gumbo. The Dawgs will scratch and bite skin for skin with the Bengals. This one proves will prove to be a great game. Willard's Winner- in the Donnybrook Game of the Week, Georgia.

Now, Willard has stayed out of all the Heisman talk, but now feels ready to chime in with his pick for the best college football player of the year. Willard thinks this is a real no brainer, it has to be a Trojan. Not because they are the best team per say, but because they do have the three best talents in college football. Matt Leinert, is a great quarterback. Lindale White, is the best running back in the nation. Reggie Bush is the second best back, but the best return man, and the best receiving back in the nation. So who do you pick? Willard says it is not that big a question. Willard says that Leinart can throw the ball, because White and Bush keep defenses honest, not just bull rushing him all the time. White can run because Leinart and Bush make him look good. But Reggie Bush makes both White and Leinart look like champs. He always gives USC great field position on kickoffs and punts. He runs with power like a mack truck running downhill. He makes impossible catches, and always adds yards after the catch. Willard's winner of the Heisman Trophy, Reggie Bush.