Ephphatha

I have been meaning to blog everyday for the past two weeks and have not managed to do it...I guess I am a loser...

Perhaps the reason it has been so long since I last blogged is because really there has not been that much new and exciting going on. One exciting thing is that in 60 days I will graduate from seminary- yipee! We are also adding a new family member in about a week- we will be getting a new boxer puppy to join Riley (perhaps as much so that Logan quits acting like a dog as it is for Riley to have a playmate). Tonight, Anna and I are getting tatoos- I have two already and she one, but we thought it would be fun to both get the same one to signify this change in our lives (graduation not the dog) that lies ahead.

I am feeling even more ready to part ways with Luther as time winds down...perhaps it is because I can really start to see that I will be in Michigan soon- a very exciting adventure... or maybe its because Leland is as bitter and ready to be done as I am...or maybe its because I have finally learned everything I need to know (yeah right)...or maybe its because my son's energy is way to much for our little apartment and needs desperately a house with a yard (great idea adding a new dog to the mix)...or maybe I am ready to be done because I hav been in school for my entire life and am ready to be in the "real world".... Okay, enough with that.

What one thing do you wish clergy type people knew about you? This is a question I am going to ask 10 or so young-adults who are either new to the church, or consider themselves to be on the "edge" of the church for one of my independent studies. How would you answer that question with regards to faith, spirituality, and finally Christianity?

jg

Wow, I cannot believe that it is the middle of March already. Yet, looking outside at the snow-covered ground and feeling the cold air as I walked to work really made me want to check a calendar to make sure it is March. The good news is that baseball spring training is in full swing and that March Madness is about to begin. I love the NCAA tournament- it has been a tradition of mine to stop doing whatever it is I am doing when the first two days take place. That tradition will continue this year as well.

Our trip out to Whibey Island (Just Northwest of Seattle) was incredible. Logan had a ball, and Anna and I had a great time hanging out with good friends. The weather was beautiful and we were able to spend a little part of each day at the beach playing with Crabs and dead star fish. It was exactly what we all needed- a break from this place- and I think it refreshed us all enough to finish this year and our time here strong. It's amazing to think that in a few months both Anna and I will graduate and then we will be moving to somewhere in Michigan and hopefully be moving into a house- I can't wait for the space!!! We are hoping that adding more chaos to our life in the form of a new puppy will help the time go faster. It's kind of funny- I am going to miss a ton of people here- great friends that have surrounded me, but at the same time I can't wait to be done, and move on- to leave the seminary and the small little world that it has become. I guess it is fair to say that I have developed "senioritis". Oh well!

As I begin to envision the type of ministry I will be doing, I have started to read Pete Ward's Liquid Church. Ward presents an image of Church that does not have the typical Sunday gathering at its center. He encourages church to be more about small group ministry focussing on the changing culture and molding with that culture. Interesting stuff- and I wonder why are we just now truly starting to see this type of thing take place? What's the big deal with the new "postmodern" movement anyway? Are we still in postmodernism or have we moved now beyond that? Just some questions I am having....

My family and I are traveling to Seattle today to see some friends. Should be a nice break from school and a great time to just relax and enoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. It has been a crazy couple of weeks- and I realize I have not blogged in an eternity. I did find out that I will be heading to Michigan next year for sure- to the Mitten Synod which consists of all of Lower Michigan besides the greater Detroit area. We are very excited for this move, and I cannot wait to learn more about where God is leading us. At the same time, several of my friends are still in the unknown- hopefully to find something out this weekend- my thoughts continue to be with them!

Off to catch a plane.