hibernation

The Scottish Wisdom will be going into hibernation for the remainder of the summer. We will probably emerge sometime in the fall. Seeya when the leaves are turning.

a potpourri of nothing in particular

This blog post is written almost entirely under the duress of obligation, not from any external force, but from an internal well-spring of self-imposed ought...

I don't really have anything in particular to say right now in this particular forum, frankly, I kinda re-evaluating what I want this blog to be... on the one hand I want to get into more theological speculation but think I ought to wait to dive into controversy and such until after I've found a new job, seriously though... on the other hand, I'm kinda bored of the whole blogging thing... blah...

Yet I feel like I ought to write, because I haven't in two weeks. And that is silly.

And I am learning that much of my life is governed by a list of self-imposed 'oughts' and 'shoulds'.

And that is all about that for now.

Have you read any good books lately?

I just read a book called Think and Make it Happen by Dr. Augusto Cury. It explored how we govern our emotions, our inner thought life, using Jesus of Nazareth as our example, pretty good.

I also just watched Religulous yesterday. I know I probably should have been offended, but the film really didn't bother me. I laughed more than anything else. No one should put too much stock in Maher arguments, because frankly, he spends 99% of his time tearing down his own straw-men. I've never really cared for his comedy either, but this movie is worth watching. If nothing else, it highlights the near ineptitude of most Christians to provide any sort of intelligent apologetic on the spot... if you are easily offended don't watch it.

I spent last week in the inner city of Chicago with my high school kids serving and volunteering. Totally refreshing to put others first for a whole week. We ought to do these things more often.

There seems to be a correlation with my ability to be creative and the temperature. The warmer it gets, the less creative I become... maybe MN is a good place for me after all. I have like ten creative months and two that are wasted being outside running around lakes and playing baseball.

This weekend I'm preaching on the calling of the disciples. I'm pretty stoked about it actually. It's one of those sections of the gospels that is easy to breeze past, in my opinion.

And now, I ought to stop writing. Peace out.

last week

Last week was crazy. On Wednesday, all of the staff (except for the senior pastor and associate pastor) at the church where I currently work were informed that they were being fired... well, it's a little more complicated than that, but that's what it comes down to. All of our job descriptions were rewritten and we were encouraged to reapply for the new jobs... yeah...

And then a few days later I graduated from seminary, which was really special. I can almost explain what Transformational Leadership means now.

So I'm at one of those obvious points in life where something new is just around the corner which is both exciting and terrifying all at the same time. There doesn't seem to be an obvious next step, though. I'm running into lots of closed doors, doors which I think should be swinging wide open but simply aren't. Anyone have any ideas?

the finish line

I can see it.
The finish line.
I hope I get a free t-shirt
One paper.
One test (who gives tests in grad school?!?!?).

Then rest.
I'll be back soon, friends.

Until then, grace & peace...

he didn't like them

OK, so I'm not sharing this with you so you think I'm super awesome but so you can share in my confusion...

After my conversation with the homeless man with the duct taped socks I went to Target and bought him a pair of shoes and sandals. I guessed he was about a size 11.

I gave them to my barista friend at Caribou and told her to give the shoes to our homeless friend the next time he came in to the store and that he didn't need to know who gave him the shoes. Simple enough, right?

Well, I went to Caribou yesterday and as I approached the counter to get my daily light roast coffee my barista friend handed me back the Target bag containing the shoes and sandals. Curiously, I looked inside to see the sandals and shoes still in the bag, tags still on both.

I obviously had a quizzical look upon my face as my barista friend offered these words before I could say anything: "One little problem... he didn't like them... maybe they were the wrong size..."

He didn't like them? Really? Dude.

I saw him again this morning shuffling up to the counter in his duct tape socks to get his refill of coffee. No shoes. Just socks. Share in my confusion. What am I missing here?

Lord, help us all.

iPhone + iPod + Macbook vs. duct tape socks

As per usual, my Caribou (yes, my Caribou) was packed to the hilt on Wednesday morning. Only one open spot, next to the bearded homeless man who shuffles when he walks...

That's fine, I don't mind sitting next to him, we have occasionally enjoyed some pleasant small talk before. But I confess I felt a little foolish as I began charging up my iPhone & iPod with my Macbook as the man I sat next to had duct-taped socks for shoes.

I smiled at him, said hello, made some chit chat and then he asked me what kind of phone I had, I told him it was an iPhone and he said he thought so... paused a few seconds, then proceeded to ask how much something like that cost... I pause a few seconds, and answer, "about $400". How much is it a month he wants to know? That's a little bold don't you think, I think... "About $75"... but I get unlimited data and 1500 texts I wanted to say!!!!

He smiled, sorta chuckled and very politely said, "Lord, help us all".

Indeed.

happy anniversary scottish wisdom

Last Friday The Scottish Wisdom celebrated it's one year anniversary! Hooray!

I fully expect to kick it into high gear come June 1st as I will have lots of time on my hands. But my posting until then may be rather sparse as I'm making the final push to get my masters done at this moment. Rad.

_david