I was reading in the book of job this morning and was struck by the powerful imagery used by the poet. The whole book is full of vivid imagery, but I found this excerpt particularly poignant. “God gives me up to the ungodly and casts me into the hands of the wicked. 12 I was … Continue reading →

Hi All, Maria and I have officially entered into a time of rest as all our papers are handed in. Christmas is always a much anticipated time for me as a student – focused time with the family and friends, and time spent with the Lord are my priorities for these few weeks. I’m reading … Continue reading →

Hey all, Last week I wrote a reflection paper for my Systematic Theology class on the implications of the statement, “Scripture is the word of God.” This is a short piece (5 pgs), and I am not a seasoned theologian or exegete, so obviously there will be holes in my reflection, but maybe as you … Continue reading →

Wycliffe College hosted a Preaching Day yesterday (Oct. 16) which provides the resource of a one day conference for pastors in the church to take part in lectures and seminars designed to help hone the art and practice of preaching. Maria and I were blessed to take part in this day. Yesterday was actually a … Continue reading →

Hey all, I just posted a new sermon on the Sermons page. It’s on the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. I delivered if for my preaching class. It is a bit shorter, 15 minute delivery, but maybe that will make it a more enjoyable read. Please excuse any typos. Blessings A.

It was brought to my attention today (by my Dad) that I haven’t posted anything in a while. This is due in part to the fact that I couldn’t muster the energy this summer after a hard day’s  work in the sun, and having fallen out of the routine of writing and thinking in general, … Continue reading →

I’ve been reflecting on a conversation I had with a Muslim man on a flight from Toronto to Georgia.  We sat next to each other and we didn’t stop talking until we parted ways at the terminal in Atlanta. I appreciated how he was quick to point out commonalities between our faiths, the main one … Continue reading →

As you may or may not know, Maria and I were in Alabama this weekend rejoicing in the marriage of Amanda Joy and Randy Wilson.  For us personally, this was a beautiful time of connection and celebration over the story God has been writing for them and their community. It was such a blessing to … Continue reading →

Hey y’all, I’m writing today from Birmingham, Alamaba, USA.  I am here because Maria’s best friend, AJ Horsely, is getting married to Randy Wilson.  Maria is AJ’s maid of honor and has been here all week helping and supporting AJ in any way she can. I flew in yesterday, with a stop in Atlanta Georgia, … Continue reading →

Dear readers, It’s been a while since I posted.  This is mostly due to my working as a “Carpenter’s Assistant” at a landscaping company.  I get home at night and I find myself worn out from physical work in the sun (or rain), and so I’m not able to engage with issues beyond daily devotions … Continue reading →

The time following exams has always been a toughy for me.  There are a mixture of factors at play that make it feel like a strange time. Firstly, there is the issue of my not having deadlines to meet and work to finish in order to meet them.  During the semester, it seems as though … Continue reading →

Wow, it’s hard to believe that my first year at Wycliffe College has elapsed.  In the next few days I’m going to take the opportunity to reflect on the year. My last papers were submitted last Friday night.  I had a greek exam last Tuesday, which went pretty well. [rabbit trail]  Contrary to my expectations, … Continue reading →

An exercise we did this morning in my New Testament class.  Crazy how fast this semester when by… Who is Jesus for me He is the Risen Lord or who reigns and is seated now a the right hand of God.  the portrait (s) of Jesus found in Revelation are significant for me right now; … Continue reading →

“It is not the faith that heals; it is the God Whom the faith touches. There is no other way of touching God except by faith” A. B. Simpson – A Larger Christian Life

A key part of my Leading Missional Congregations class has been the realization of the effect of the post-enlightenment conception of the human. “I think therefore I am.” This is a statement that has seriously messed up how humans see themselves.  It conveys the notion that a human is fundamentally a MIND.  This thinking encourages … Continue reading →

Well, I ‘ll kick of this journal with some thoughts concerning a meeting I had yesterday with my field education superviso, Annette Brownlee.  She helped to think out some learning goals for the three field placements I’ll be doing over the course of my MDiv.  She emphasized that I need to think about what I … Continue reading →

I posted another paper on the papers page. It’s what is called a comparative exegetical paper, comparing Hebrews 1:1–4 and Philippians 2:5–11. Blessings.