what it feels like to die... or just finals week

I've been busy since I've returned from Thanksgiving, and it's not about to let up!  This is not the most enjoyable time of the year, but for whatever reason it seems to be much more busy than last year, or even last May.  Perhaps because I had one or two less exams for those semesters, and perhaps it's also because I wasn't married.  Perhaps it's also because I have an internship that requires much more involvement, and I allow it to involve more of me.

grace unlocked

I used to have a problem with grace.
Not the southern genteel type grace... Although, I'm sure I know a few people who think I have a problem with that now.
The grace I had a problem with was specifically with that of forgiveness in God through Jesus; however, the issue revealed itself elsewhere as well, such as being given to generously in some form or another.
My problem was, and at times still is now, that I'd much rather have reciprocity.

i'm a cynic and a skeptic

It's true.  I have increasingly become more and more cynical and I hate it.
It's because I am, at the same time, an idealist; this is an odd balance, I know.

To be honest I find it extremely frustrating, and I know I'm not the only one, thankfully.  Recently, at my wedding, I was having a conversation with one of my groomsmen who had just graduated from grad school, essentially a seminary, with a degree in counseling.  He said that he has increasingly become, like myself, a cynic, and also like me, hates it.  It's a very frustrating view to have on life, the world and everyone you know.  And yet, neither he or I can seem to fight it.
It seems like a loss of innocence or naivete, but I wouldn't call it that; I think it is more so the loss of ignorance and the frustrations that come when finite hopes become infinitely impossible to realize.  I do still have hope, but I know that, in all likelihood, they will remain only hope and never become a reality.

hope and fear

Friends, Co-Workers Seek Clues in Search For Missing DC Christian Outreach Worker: MyFoxDC.com

I'll admit I am very scared right now and worried.  This is a guy that not only did I spend a whole summer with but shared a room with along with 2 other guys at Myrtle Beach during my heydays in campus ministry.  Of all the summers in college, I'm not gonna lie, that one was probably my most favorite.  Due in no small part to him, of course there was also Springer and Ryan and that was a unique situation in itself.

will it still be a while? not the wedding at least

Well it has been quite a long time since I have been regularly active on this thing.  Seminary has sucked the life out of me this past year, seriously.  I spent most weeks exhausted from reading.
Hopefully, though, at least for summer, I'll be able to post more thoughts up here.  I miss just writing with no particular thesis to prove; it's freeing and pointless, sometimes I need that.

The event that looms large in my mind is a particular wedding. No! not the royal wedding, MY wedding.  I'm excited and I think, after 11 months of engagement it's starting to finally hit that I am getting married.  Like I am going to be a husband.  Woe be unto this unfortunate bride! 

love. Osama.

I’ll admit that, as of late, I am confused by those around me who are confused over whether or not they should be joyful over the death of Osama bin Laden or remorseful. 

First I’d like to point out that in being remorseful one is saying that it is better for a man to live on encouraging actions of ungodly hate.

Second I feel like such a view is pushing beyond Christians' call to love.  It is through Christ we are able to fully love God as well as fully love man.  However, when something happens, such as killing Osama, are we to mourn over it?  We are saying that what has happened should not have happened; that is saying what is better for the world is another type of world.