winter quarter in review

it has been almost two months since my last post. some of you might be wondering where the hell i've been. let me tell you, so am i. i have had essentially five classes this quarter, all theology, and have thus dropped off the map for a bit. particularly the last two-three weeks i have been somewhat of a phantom. today, i am allowing myself a semi-sabbath. i have been powering through 30 pages worth of papers before finals next week, and I'm on my last one that's due monday. it's time for a mental health break. this semi-sabbath is also needed for another reason. there is a particular opportunity that has been presented to me that is a pretty big deal. i will refrain from sharing the details just yet, as there are still many to be worked out and i haven't actually committed to it. let's just say it would be a giant leap out of my comfort zone, and the opportunity to practice a lot of what i preach. in the next few days i will be doing a lot of praying and reflecting on this choice. to give you an idea of some of the things that have been on my mind this quarter, here is a summation of my activities and books read: - With Justice For All, John Perkins - Good News and Good Works, Ronald J. Sider - visiting with Chris Hoke and Tierra Nueva ministries in Burlington WA - a paper articulating my philosophy of ministry (which might end up posted on here) - books of the Bible read (not necessarily every verse, but large chunks): Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Chronicles, 1 and 2 Kings, Joshua, Judges, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, Psalms, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Revelation. - The Prophetic Imagination, Walter Brueggemann - The Dangerous Act of Worship, Mark Labberton - visited a Buddhist meditation center - paper comparing and contrasting the theology of God in Christianity and Islam - exegesis of Isaiah 58, and corresponding paper about the relationship between worship and justice/ministry - celebrated the jewish feasts of passover, sukkoth, purim, hanukkah, sabbath, yom kippur, shavuoth, and rosh hashanah. as you can see, it has been a busy quarter. and that's just school. i'm looking forward to moving on from this quarter, going to haiti in about a month, and summer vacation.