Biblical Censoring

I'm currently taking a Judges exegesis class. If you've never read the book of Judges in the Old Testament, you're missing out. It is filled with adventure and murder and rape and horrific tales. You know, pleasant things to read in the Bible.

We're working on translating chapter 4 which is the story of Deborah the judge and how Jael kills Sisera. She drives a tent peg through his temple which is not a cute way to die. I was curious how The Picture Bible (comic-book Bible from the 1960's) would portray this story. I was very disappointed.

Chocolate Shavings

One of our homeletics (preaching) professors talks about chocolate shavings in the sermon writing process. Whenever we preach, there is bound to be material that just can't find its way into the sermon but is still good. Like when a chocolate bunny is made, there are shavings left over from when the bunny's figure is formed. It is still perfectly good chocolate, it just isn't necessary for that bunny. Here are some chocolate shavings from the sermon I'm currently working on. The passage is Mark 8:31-38.

In the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ, we see God reaching into humanity. Wanting to be in solidarity with us. To reconcile humanity in our broken condition. This is God’s great gesture of love. God’s way of saying “yes” to humanity. Martin Luther says that through Jesus on the cross, we are liberated to become “imitators of God.” Not as a requirement for righteousness, but as a response made in love. When we understand the love of God, we respond with love.
When Jesus calls us to pick up our crosses and lose our lives, he’s telling us that to follow him requires radical discipleship. But it isn’t just to follow. Not just to be with Jesus. It is to do as Jesus does. Mimicking, imitating the actions of Jesus. When Jesus says to pick up our cross, he is calling us to stand up against the wicked forces that oppress. Those forces that cause poverty, suffering and injustice. That is the cross Jesus calls us to pick up and bear alongside him.
These crosses are heavy and burdensome. They are filled with splinters that pierce our skin. But as we pick up these crosses we are abiding with Christ. Christ beckons us to join him in the work for justice and peace. We have a mutual responsibility that as Christ comes to be in solidarity with us, we are asked to bear crosses to be in solidarity with him. As we look to Christ on the cross, standing in opposition to the wicked forces of his time, we are strengthened for the task of standing up to the wicked forces in our own day. As we pick up our crosses and bear the resulting suffering, we know that we are abiding with Christ. Amen.

Little Disciples

The church where I attend and currently serve as intern has a weekly dinner on Wednesday nights. We call it a potluck, but not many bring food to share because the church provides plenty for all. And it's free.

This might be one of my favorite things about this church. Besides the Passing of the Peace which usually takes 10 minutes in the service, I love these Wednesday night dinners. I love to fellowship with these wonderful Children of God and learn their stories.

I was particularly struck tonight as we gathered to eat. I sat down and was chatting with one of the kids before dinner was ready. Once everyone hopped up to get their food, this young child offered to get my plate for me. She told me to come with so I could pick out the food. She has a broken arm in a cast, which made it a bit hard for her to hold the plate, so I helped her with that. But she insisted on putting the food on the plate.

I was amazed by her servant's heart and her desire to serve another person. I had to laugh though, when she yelled her mom to fix a plate for her. Guess she wasn't interested in serving herself!

I love these little glimpses of disciples really getting what it means to live in community and serve one another.

Burrito Goodness

The alarm clock goes off and I spend a brief minute trying to remember what day it is. Tuesday. I don't have class until 1pm. Why am I getting up so early? Oh, right! It's burrito day! This is the day when I make my weekly pilgrimage with a good friend to La Cocina De Consuelo, a hole in the wall restaurant with the best breakfast burritos in Austin. We drive the 2 miles to the restaurant, and are hit with the aroma of freshly made tortillas as we walk in the door. The man behind the counter knows our faces and he almost knows what we're going to order. Perhaps in a few weeks he'll know our "usual." We order at the counter and take a seat, anticipating the deliciousness that is about to hit our taste buds. So much goodness wrapped in that delectable tortilla. We chat about life and school as we scarf down these amazing burritos. Time stands still. Is this heaven on earth? Maybe, just maybe.

Ah, burrito day.

School Stress

Two years ago I had a breakdown. My world collapsed due to stress and anxiety. I was taking Intro to Biblical Hebrew which is stressful in and of itself. On top of that I was taking Intro to New Testament, taught by the most stressful professor I've ever had. And then I was working 35 hours a week at Walgreens. I weep thinking back on that semester.

This week I find myself experiencing anxiety, though it doesn't compare to what I went through two years ago. I am strengthened as I recall those stressful days and realize, nothing could be worse than that semester.

In the next two weeks I have a lot on my plate:
Tomorrow I help lead worship at Chapel.
Wednesday I have a presentation in my Judges Exegesis class.
Thursday I have an exam in my Mission/Evangelism class.
Sunday I preach at my internship church.
Monday I have a Hebrew quiz.
Tuesday I preach a wedding homily in my pastoral celebrations class.

After that, Spring Break arrives and relief sets in!

Our Engagement Shin-dig

Today my fiance and I hosted an engagement party open house. We've been trying to figure out a way to celebrate our wedding with all of our loved ones here in Austin. Our solution was to throw a party and entice the guests with food. It worked.

For four hours, the house was filled with friends and family, and new friends and new family. We were able to blend our communities by inviting them in to share our joy. It was overwhelming at moments and I was exhausted by the end of it, but it was worth it. At a few points, I looked around admiring the wonderful people we are blessed with. I think it is fortunate if a person can have 5 friends to love and be loved by. We are blessed by an abundance of such friends.

The Fam

My parents are coming into town today, primarily to meet my fiance's parents, but also to see the beautiful city of Austin. I couldn't be more excited! It is a bit of a rough time in the semester to be hosting them, but my hope is that I'll be able to put aside the anxiety of the looming tests and sermons.

They fill my heart with joy.