I'm Engaged

A week and a few days ago Jennifer agreed to be my wife. It happened on Valentine's Day (what a sap) at Olive Garden in Pittsburgh. If you want more details than that I will tell ya. Yesterday, while visiting my best bud family in Cleveland, I was told that Jen is too good for me. So true, God is very gracious.

I have the greatest girlfriend in the world. (I am very biased). This past weekend I was at her house and we played tennis and rock climbed. It was so cool and lots of fun.

School begins in one week exactly and am looking forward to it with much delight. My man Seth is already here for RA training and other students who worship at Rose Point are here for various reasons. As the school year dawns on us, we are searching for ideas on what to do for the college ministry and wondering how are we going to do our Bible study - i know it sounds simple but it really is not :-) But a great opportunity is that GCC invited Rose Point this year to come to their church fair on August 31. that is going to be fun

Transformers

When I was younger I got a happy meal at McDonald's once and the toy was a cheap transformer. That was the extent of my morphing car toys (I know... it is sad.) Instead I picked up legos. But I am glad that Hollywood did not turn my aquanauts into a movie and instead when with the cult classic, Transformers.

Being that summer is the seasons for movies, yesterday I went out with Jen to see Transformers. I looked forward to watching it since I saw the trailer. Short story - it was great. The transformers were not the main actors, instead brought Even Steven's Shia LaBeouf and Tad Hamilton's Josh Duhamel (Jen noticed that one) to the big screen. I appreciated this and brought more than just special effects to theaters, acting, plot and theme were all huge parts of the film.

Topics of this visual sermon included loyalty, friendship and commitment. There are negetive aspects as well, with Shia and his female counterpart being highschoolers you have some high school humor, but that only goes to show you the reality of the characters and helps people identify. And just to have that Hollywood element of teenage sensuality.

My kid sister saw it and loved it, so did my buddy Seth (the Mountain Man), so if my word is not good enough for ya there are two more. Harry Potter and Bourne Ultimatum are the next blockbusters to come, But I am not sure which is better of the three... Ocean's 13, Transformers or Live Free or Die hard as they are all in their own genre and world.

Sabbath thoughts on a Sabbath

Today is/was a big day. Jen and I began to review the Sabbath together seeking to unite where we diverge in our thoughts, convictions and understandings of this blessed day. We took turns reading a chapter each from Celebrating the Sabbath: Finding Rest in a Restless World by Bruce Ray. I will just say that so far I love this book. Ray brings great pastoral insights to this lovely subject as he writes to to an audience who "work hard five or six days a week and would like to know how God wants you to enjoy the seventh [day]." At the end of every question there is a series of review and reflection questions- I must say that a few are worth pointing out.

1.) Do I prefer a McSabbath over the real thing Do i Get upset when the sermon or prayers have gone longer than I think they should?

Ray comments, "McSabbath is here- worship services that are quick, easy, convenient and user-friendly. No muss, no Fuss. Little or no Sacrifice required. Consumers can be in and out in under an dhour. McSermons may not be as nutritional as the real thing, but, like Big Macs they have a predictable quality that fills a void at least for a while. The question is, however, do they fill the purpose of worship, which is to please God?

2.) How much of my thinking about the Sabbathis based on Scripture, and how much of it is influenced by the culture and society in which I live?

prayer request:
Over the weekend Jen's church burnt down. No one was hurt in the fire, which is a huge praise. The congregation is hoping to rebuild their building in the same location. The church was there for over 80 years and has had a long testimony throughout the life of the Orthodox Presbyterian Chruch.

sundry things

My dear Jen wrote a few very convicting words on the Holiness of God. She and I are reading the Holiness of God by RC Sproul together-Boy is it good. Seeing God as Scripture presents Him is humbling. We should not feel high and exalted because we are Christians. Check it out she has some enduring reminders for us as we seek to develop a more holy passion for God.

It has been exciting 7 days for us, as our good friend Leah is now engaged. She and I go way back.. we went to Middle School together. Her fiance, Andy is a first year student at the Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.

I was blessed this past Sabbath by two very nice gifts. Two books by Anthony Selvaggio, from Pastor Selvaggio himself. The first one, dubbed The Prophets Speak of Him: 12 perspectives on Christ from the Minor Prophets. I am going to be using for a paper (very providential) on Zephaniah. The title says it all, these books are about Christ - Pick up and Read!

The other book that I was given was only published this year - and it only came out on the Evangelical Press Website this week! What does the Bible teach about Marriage is intended to be used for newlyweds, engaged couples, or for those who are courting. It is an applicable commentary on the Song of Solomon that brings to life how this poetry speaks to our romantic lives. I am definately going to be reading this one... hopefully soon.