My last "Hurrah!"

Heidi and I will be officially moving off the "holy hill" of Gordon-Conwell, not June 30th, as originally planned, but around July 15. This is a huge relief to both of us. Mostly me, because I'm currently on sabbatical. Well, sort of. Actually, I'm attending what's called the Spurgeon Sabbatical. It's about 15 pastors and one token student (that's me) whose soul purpose the next 10 days is to exhaust our lives for Jesus together. So moving next Thursday would have been a nightmare! Check out the schedule:

8:00am-8:45 Breakfast
9:00-9:30 Community Worship
9:45-12:00pm Study of 1 Peter
12:00-2:00 Lunch and Pastoral Reflection
Free time (i.e. take a nap)
5:30-6:30 Supper and Pastoral Reflection
6:30-7:45 Theological Discussion
7:45-8:30 Community Worship

As you can see the days are quite jamm-packed! But this is one the best experiences of my life. I've been so encouraged and challenged by the love and witness of these dear brothers. Each day after lunch and supper one of us shares with the rest something about our ministry and/or lives and then we pray for that particular person. Yesterday I shared. That was so powerful, Spirit-led, hope-renewing.

Studying through 1 Peter is fantastic. Dr. Hafemann leads all of our study and discussions. He is an exegetical machine. It is truly a gift to be able to learn under him this one last time, just in the nik of time. Exaltation of the Exiles our study is called. Lot of talk about suffering and our hope in the promises of God. I'll probably write on some of that over the weekend.

Link:
Spurgeon Sabbatical

Store Wars

If you thought Revenge of the Sith was the conclusion to the Star Wars Saga, you thought wrong! Check out the short film by the Organic Trade Association: Grocery Store Wars.



Link:
Grocery Store Wars

I'm ready to blog again!

A lot has happened since April!!! Check out the pics below for some highlight of our Post-Seminary-Graduation Life.

First Congregational Church, Hamilton--our home church for the past 3 yrs

Heidi and I celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary at Periwinkles.

Fenway Park--Boston 5, Orioles 1

"WIning and dining" at Plymouth Plantation

Nobska Light at sunset in Falmouth

Eroding shoreline (and fence!) on the Cape

Sunset on Cape Cod

Why call them "hoods" if you don't wear them on your head? Brian and I thought the colors were much more spectacular this way.

Me, receiving my degree (holder). None of us actually recieved them on stage. Nope. We had to trek through a Nor' Easter to get the fine piece of paper.