Preaching...

I decided to blog about something disturbing I overheard at Bible Study tonight. Now, normally I'm not even in Searcy during the summer very much, so Bible Study on Wednesday during the summer is usually just where ever I am that week. Anyway, so I'm sitting there tonight waiting for class to get started, and I hear this conversation between two women. I'm not sure what all was said except what caught my ear. Here's what I heard, "See, I don't understand why we even need preaching. Why can't we just come and praise God through our singing, praying, and have some testimonies." The lady she was talking to obviously didn't agree with her because all she was doing is saying "uh huh" and having this uneasy look on her face. You also have to understand I don't know either of these women. The church has about 1200 members, and I know about 10 people. Please keep that in mind.

So, now here is why I decided to blog about what I heard. Obviously being a "preacher's kid" my view on preaching is slightly different. It's kinda like having a dad who is a doctor and when to school specifically to help people get better, and then listening to all his patients, who went to school to be a flight attendant, constantly complaining about the treatments he prescribes. In a nut shell...it's irritating. Not just because of my dad and the tendency I have to be bias for the need of preaching, but because I was raised to understand my faith in God not just as a emotional high every Sunday but as an intellectual reasoning that is not based on my emotions alone but through study of the scriptures and respect for the purpose for being a Christian. Not to just get a great feeling when I leave worship, although that's not necessarily bad, but a feeling of growth spiriually in knowing more about what I believe and why I believe it. What better way to learn about how to be a better Christian than from a man whose whole job in life is to study the scriptures. I think our culture bleeds into so much of our persepective of this idea of "experiencing God" because it is easier and more comfortable and would be content to do away with any thing that requires them to think deeper than what they feel or sit longer than it takes to hear an entertaining story. I think the key is balancing the importance of an "intellectual understanding" of God and just "experiencing God". I'm gonna go out on a limb and call it...FAITH!

What do you think?

...AND WE'RE BACK!!!!

Now don't everyone have a heartattack! I know, I know...it's been like....a year or something like that. Maybe a little more than a year. But, let's not focus on the negatives - right?


Ok - so I figured I would come back with an update and pictures of my recent vacation to Canada. I think a blog about my visit to another country would be appropriate return.

Lets start with what I did when I got back from Togo. I actually went on a fishing trip with my dad and some family friends of ours last year in the middle of July. It was great to just spend time with familiar people. After I got back and went and visited my sister and my brother as well as making frequent trips to Searcy for job interviews. Long story short, I got a job at Augusta Elementary School teaching 7th/8th grade Reading and GT. Which, turned out to be wonderful and a huge challange all wrapped up. I did however end up teaching with one of my really good friends from college and grad. school. Ironically we didn't even know we had both gotten a job at Augusta until after we were hired. Amazing how God provides for you!!! Anyway, I am returning to Augusta as a 3rd grade teacher in the fall and can't wait to meet that new challange! They say that if you surive your first year and you don't want to quit - then you are suposed to be a teacher. Well, I'm sill breathing and am willing to try it again so - I guess I'm suposed to teach.

So - that kinda roughly gets us to my present situation. Currently, it's summer time and for teachers - it's our favorite time of year. It means you get paid for all the work you did that you felt was "over the top" and left you consistantly saying "I don't get paid enought to do this" during the school year. Seeing as this is the first summer - it's looking good so far. Anyway, this summer I have been keeping Wendy's baby, Ava, while she teaches and does some consulting for the area co-ops. She is so sweet and for your viewing pleasure, I have put a picture on here.

The most recent trip I took (as stated earlier) I went back to Canada on a fishing trip with my dad, my brother, and two other guys that are extremely close to being family! We had a great and very eventful trip! Bascially we go back in the middle of no where in Northern Ontario and camp for about 6 days. All we do is fish and enjoy great quailty time together. It's a wonderful experience that makes youu so greatful for what you have and also for what God has created! It shows his power and creativity in so many ways. It's also a great escape from life for about a week and a great time of fellowship. I put some pictures on here. Hope you enjoy them!