Top 10 Photos of 2010...

Old Man at Inch Abbey

Astronomical Clock

Olaf Barn

St. Patrick Cathedral 

Graffiti Jesus

All Star 

Charles Bridge and Prague Castle at Dusk

Matt 

Peter

Morning on Charles Bridge 

WHAT I'VE BEEN READING...

dIn my last post I mentioned one of my love/hate relationships with school... juggling so many classes. Reading falls into this same category. I find myself reading 7 books at the same time, which for some may not be a problem. For me it is. They are  all so interesting and hold a wealth of information but I struggle to read these books well. If I have to read a book fast, I miss a lot of gems and if I read at a speed that allows me to really connect with the book, I won't finish it in the allotted time. However I enjoyed all the books I read for this semester, so I thought I'd share incase anyone is looking for a new book to read.

1. Revelation: I read four commentaries for my Revelation class.  Craig Koester's Revelation and the End of All Things, Apocalypse and Allegiance by J. Nelson Karybill,  Eugene Peterson's Reversed Thunder and The Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham. Revelation is a seemingly daunting book, but after this class and after reading these books, I find it a shame that the book of Revelation is not taught more by churches today. There are a lot of different views about Revelation, but these books go into great detail of the history and background of when the book was written and who it was written too. Koesters book is a 'big picture' book, it gives the whole of everything from background to every chapter details. Kraybill's book is much more historically focused, in which his opinion helps in understanding what John of Patmos was writing. Reversed Thunder was more like a devotional reading, that was driving more of the application of Revelation to Christians today, and Bauckum is a very detailed and wordy account of the book. All were interesting!

2. For my Evangelism and Discipleship class we read four books. Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World by Rebecca Pippert, More Ready Than You Realize by Brian Mclaren, The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman and Growing True Disciples by George Barna. Out of the Saltshaker and Into the World and The Master Plan of Evangelism were definitely my two favorites from the class. I had read Coleman's book before, but it was great to look at it again. Essentially it describes Jesus' structure to his ministry and how it useful for outreaching and discipling ministries today.

3. In Art History I read two books one by Ross King called Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, a very well rounded look into the history around the painting of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling and the people involved. The other was The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen. This was a personal reflection by Nouwen and what the story of the Prodigal Son meant to him, all inspired by Rembrandt's famous painting.



4. FREE READING! This semester because of other books and projects and school work I didn't get to read as much as I hoped. I did read Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken with letters from C.S Lewis. This is by far one of the best love stories I've ever read. It's a beautiful account of a husband and wife and the love they share as friends, lovers and eventually they come to know the Lord and find a true lasting love in Him.  Definitely shed a few tears while reading this one!

LOVE / HATE RELATIONSHIPS...

I have a love / hate relationship with being a student. There are a number of reasons for this, but I've been thinking about one in particular this past semester. As a student I get to take interesting classes from brilliant professors, an opportunity that doesn't come around everyday... this is the love part. As a liberal arts student I'm juggling different subjects with 5,000 processes and new concepts that all deserve ample amount of attention...but receive half the attention due... this is the hate part. I still learn A LOT a long the way, but I just think if I could focus on two maybe three classes (in the same subject realm) it would be wonderful, and there would be a whole lot more depth than breadth to what I am learning. There is just so much offered at a liberal arts university... some that is required that can turn a semester into misery! On the other hand it's tempting to take all the classes in the communications, political science, history, peace studies, music, theology departments (and so many others not mentioned) because they are at the tips of my finger...literally with one click I could be in whatever class I want! Anyway, all I'm trying to say is that school provides this wonderful predicament of so much to learn, and sometimes it can be exhausting (like my past semester) ... Still I am so thankful for this wonderful gift of education!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POP...

"Happy... Birthday, Happy... Birthday, 

  Happy ... Birthday, Happy ... Birthday, 

Well they say it's your birthday, happy birthday to you!

May the good Lord bless you

Happy birthday day to you!" -PK

Happy Birthday dad!
Love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO...

All little brothers have their moments of pushing their big sister's buttons...Jonathan and I are never like that... ok well maybe sometimes... But I must say I have an amazing and very talented younger brother! I may have to tell him "STOP IT JONATHAN!" or he may have to say "STOP IT LAUREN!" but when it comes down to it we love each other and for that I am thankful. Love you and Happy 14th Johnny Boy!

Community

"Love cannot exist in isolation: away from others, love bloats into pride. Grace cannot be received privately: cut off from others it is perverted into greed. Hope cannot develop in solitude: separated from the community, it goes to seed in the form of fantasies. No gift, no virtue can develop and remain healthy apart from the community of faith." - Eugene Peterson in Reversed Thunder

Silent Night : Foy Vance and Duke Special

A 'Special' Christmas treat by Northern Irish Singers Foy Vance and Duke Special!