When Will it Come to an End?

I watched The Agony and the Ecstasy in a high school art class.  It is the story 0f Michelangelo painting the Sistine chapel.  I have seen his ceiling in art books and with my own eyes and it is beyond words.

In the film, Michelangelo takes a long time to complete the work.  In actuality it did take him 4 years.  As he began to complete his masterpiece Pope Julius II would walk into the chapel, under all the scaffolding and drapery and ask “When will it come to an end?”

Charlton Heston, who played Michelangelo magnificently, would always reply “when it is finished.”  He would never sacrifice his work for a deadline or pressure from the holy father to get done.

This week my dissertation, at least in the draft form, will come to an end.  This document is a little more than a year in the making.  My prospectus was approved in June 2008 and it has taken me about a year to get all the research and writing done.

Come Friday morning when I email the draft version to my dissertation chair, I will feel like Michelangelo.  The major work will have been complete.  Sure there will be some edits and touch-ups from the various review boards, but for the most part, my Sistine chapel will be complete.

Today, however, I am making many final edits, so I am feeling much more like saying “When will it come to an end?” than “It is finished.”

Main Street Week 1

Week 1 back at Main Street Church in Alexandria was soo good.  It was good to be home.  It was amazing to see everyone, catch up with the news and get so many hugs.  You know you are home when you have been gone for a while and when you come back, it’s like there hasn’t been one day a part.  This summer is going to be awesome.

I preached the first message in the He Gave, I Give series.  We looked at Acts 6-7 and the life of Stephen.  Stephen gave of his time to serve, his testimony before the council and ultimately his life before his persecutors.  He called upon Jesus as he gave up life for the sake of the Gospel and our Lord.

Next week, we will look to Barnabas in Acts 4 who gave of his property and calling.

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Debts and Credit

If you look close enough certain financial terms are interchangeable with spiritual terms.  Consider the fact that a “debt” can be either a loan or a sin.  A “debtor” can be either someone who takes out a loan or someone who has sinned against you.  Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matt. 6:12 NKJV).  Is this spiritual or financial?  More spiritual, don’t you think?

Could was instead pray, “Forgive us our credits, as we forgive our creditors.”  Forgive us Lord for borrowing money that we can not repay, as we forgive our lenders for trying to collect.

Debts and credit.  Are we not indebted to our creditors?  Of course we are.  We owe them money.  However, “indebted” is also a word used when someone gives generously and we are indebted to them for their gracious gift.  “I am forever indebted to you, my friend.”  Is that what is happening in our American credit system?  We have become indebted to our creditors for their gracious gifts to us.  I think not.

Jesus taught, “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.”  Is this spiritual or financial language?  “The one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?”  (Luke 7:41-42)  I believe this is a financial parable with a spiritual meaning.  The lesson teaches more about the forgiveness of sin, not the forgiveness of the debt.  Neither of the debtors could pay back their loans, but the creditor [one who extends mercy] forgave them both.  Sounds a lot like Jesus.

So the next time you’re checking out at the grocery story and the cashier asks “Debit or Credit,” ask yourself a spiritual question, “Have my debts (sins) been credited (atoned) by Jesus.

Year One Complete

It is always good to finish your first year at something.  As of yesterday (Saturday – 5/09), I finished my first year of teaching on the college level.

As I look back, I taught nearly 300 students in 10 classes.  My ministry classes (Youth Min, Teaching for Life Change, Spiritual Formation, Grad Youth Min.) were great.  Getting to know students on a personal level.  Encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ in the Gospel for work in all sorts of ministries.

My Religion In Life classes (gen. edu.) were also great.  It is a challenge to teach the basic Christian faith to the Millennial generation (18 to 22 year olds).  Many have heard the Bible stories, but have missed the life application.  Others (very surprising to me) have never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel.  Everything is tainted with cultural Christianity, revival preaching with “turn or burn,” and legalistic finger-pointing, which this generation does not care for at all.  The amazing gift of the Gospel is brand spank’n new to many.  I have a great opportunity to be the first exposure to what Jesus did on the cross.  I have seen lives changed.

There have been other significant adjustments.  Working for an institution, not a church.  Working with over 300 employees, not 20 or less.  Going from being a key leader in an organization to being a underling.  Understanding the systems, policies, and structures that no one really tells you about but expects you to learn very quickly.

All in all, it has been an amazing Year One.  One of the best years of my life.  I believe I am here to stay.   Oh and by the way, I got a Year Two contract.  PTL!

Finals Week & Commencement

10 years ago, May 1999, I was finishing my last finals week at Campbellsville University.  I was getting ready to walk across that line, decked out in my black robe and hat, ready to receive my Bachelors diploma.  And now, May 2009, 10 years later, I am GIVING and GRADING final exams and will be watching MY students receive their Bachelors and Masters diplomas.  It is like the circle of life has hit all in 10 years.

10 years.  10 years ago, I hadn’t met Jennifer.  10 years ago, I hadn’t lived in Fort Worth, TX and in Northern KY.  10 years ago, I had no children, no wife, no job, only a calling by God to go wherever He leads.  God has been so faithful these last 10 years.

In 10 years, serving on three church staffs.  In 10 years, completing two Master’s degrees and my doctorate.  In 10 years, meeting, marrying, and serving alongside my best friend in the world, Rose.  In 10 years, growing way too much GRAY hair..but not loosing any.  In 10 years, praying for and seeing the births of my two beautiful sons.  In 10 years, returning to my alma mater to prepare students for the ministry and to share the Gospel in the classroom every single day.  All in 10 years.

What on earth will God do in the next 10 years.