One of the many benefits of pursuing a Master's of Divinity is the networking. I am not a networker, which I consider both a strength and a weakness. However, in the realm of all things theological I am learning the benefit of networking (I am not talking about hanging out with Chesterton or sippin one with Lewis at the Eagle and the Child in Oxford). The networking I speak of takes place anywhere there are dog-eared pages and the inevitable coffee stains on a repeatedly read page. This morning I networked with Augustine as I watched early morning sail boats drift by, after I hadn't slept a wink.

Consider what he says in Confessions:

The desire for happiness is not in myself alone or in a few friends, but is found in everybody. If we did not know this with certain knowledge, we would not want it with determination in our will. But what does this mean?

If two people are asked if they want to serve in the army, it may turn out that one of them replies that he would like to do so, while the other would not. But if they are asked whether they would like to be happy, each would at once say without the least hesitation that he would choose to be so. And the reason why one would wish to be a soldier and the other would not is only that they want to be happy. Is it then the case that one person finds joy in one way, another in a different way?

What all agree upon is that they want to be happy, just as they would concur, if asked, that they want to experience joy and would call that joy the happy life. If one person pursues it in one way, and another in a different way, yet there is one goal which all are striving to attain, namely to experience joy.

I know what the pursuit of joy is. I know the aim has largely been confused by most; yet, though I know what the pursuit of joy is... I can't affirm what Paul says in Philippians. I've heard all the arguments about the difference between joy and happiness. The cliche's abound--choose joy, joy comes in the morning, joy-Jesus, others and you. As I evaluate my walk with the Lord over the past eleven years, I'm not seeing the joy. I see the duty. I see the obligation, but I don't see the consuming pleasure of Christ motivating my steps. Augustine hints at it, as does Paul, Edwards, Lewis and here recently Piper... my not experiencing joy doesn't have to do with not wanting it.

Becky and I were up late last night discussing where the Lord has us in life right now. We have a lot of uncertainties. In all aspects of life, what does the Lord want from us? I do believe God wants us to find joy. I pray that Becky and I strive to attain that one end for which man was created, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We've learned that one cannot bring glory to God if there is no joy. Vis-a-vis, one cannot have true joy without brining glory to God.

Charlotte/Cornelius is a stop through for many beach travelers, including Pop! Everybody hung out at J's house for the day, which was tons of fun. Of course, 'bella got some great goodies to play with while we enjoyed J's back porch! Thanks for making the stop guys.




Sorry Dad, I couldn't resist this one!

What an action shot-Becky preparing for some mad distance, 'bella holding on for life, Gatsby preparing to pounce. Thanks Nikon!All of the dogs--Max, Gatsby, Gracie and Dink.
Becky's new haircut--awesome!
Chillin with dad... going for a walk on the point. We didn't get any of the boats, but 'bella kept pointing to them saying "boa, boa!" She also liked to look over the edge at the waves on the rocks. Becky wasn't a fan of us being too close to the water.
Again, money shot... dig the hair dear.
Cool perspective, though the next is my favorite. It took some maneuvering on my part.

While the rest of the family was spending week 2 at the beach, Becky and I were able to relax by the lake. What a vacation--renewal, good food and peace and quiet!

I grew up in the Charlotte area, but Becky has relatives there too. We spent an evening with the Parkers, who had us over to their house for dinner and good conversation. We braved the wicked weather in the Charlotte area, though 'bella didn't seem to mind.

Becky and I tried to make going on a daily walk a priority while at the beach. On this particular evening, a large storm had pelted the coast throughout the day though, the clouds left afterwards were breathtaking (Not to mention the sun goddess).

In the background are four shrimp boats. We thorougly enjoyed their spoils throughout the week. Calabash, NC is one of the S. East's largest fishing ports. Just up the Cape Fear River basin is the small town of South Port, which you may remember from Dawson's Creek, I Know What You Did Last Summer, or the movie Cape Fear.

We weren't quite sure how 'bella would respond to the sand. Last year, remember, all she did was sit there and sleep. We've also heard horror stories from friends about their children putting handfulls of sand into their mouths! 'bella did great, with shovel and little red bucket in hand. Jeremy took her for a nice dip in the ocean. All she could say the entire time was, "Whoa!"

Full circle.
Becky and I loaded up the gas guzzler and returned to my roots for a couple of weeks. Our time in NC started off with a Precept workshop at a sattelite campus of the church where I grew up. Though I didn't see any familiar faces from when I went to church there, it was a blessing to see some of the different Precept participants throughout the NC, VA and even Maine areas. The forty participants in my class were eager to discover truth for themselves, apart of the greater endeavor of 300 people being trained in inductive study throughout the entire weekend. As we used the book of Titus to determine how to study the Bible inductively, it was both humbling and invigorating to see so many people begin or continue to mine the depths of God's Word. It was humbling simply because I am so much younger than many of the participants. It is invigorating because the Lord is the teacher as students determine to accurately handle His word. He moves them past intimidation and fear towards excitement and wonder as they discover who God is and their responsibility to both uphold the sound doctrine and live the sound doctrine.

It was also a priviledge to have in attendance both my mom, the one who forced me to start studying inductively more than a decade ago; my sister, who honed in some of her mad study skills as apart of reflection time away from the kiddos; and even my first Precept leader from back in the day when I was 16.

Everyone knows that our life is a sitcom. Let me explain-our July 4th plans had been cancelled due to kiddie illness. We were looking forward to some time together as a family--grilling out, going for a long walk, and watching the fireworks on TV. Around 2 or 3 in the afternoon it sounded like we were in the middle of a concert pavillion, with Johnny Cash and Lyle Lovett wannabees outside our back patio. Oh the neighbors! We have many neighbor stories, but like to pull those out over dinner or coffee... but this one... I wish I would have got it on video! Redneck Karaoke was set up almost in our backyard for all of Chattanooga to hear. Becky was upstairs, taking a shower... 'bella was in bed... Becky came downstairs and we both just stared in amazement as 50 or so people were boozin up, singing horribly and getting their jig under the big oak tree. Around 5:30 we couldn't take it any more, so we left. When we returned around 9, that is when the Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture occurred all around our house. Every neighbor, on every side invested in hundreds of dollars worth of firecrackers! Instead of setting them off at a safe distance, they began shooting them down the road. It was a war between the neighbors... I could hear the trumpets as the booms and bangs erupted all around. As 'bella tried to sleep through the night, we just decided to go outside and watch. We came in around midnight... the fireworks continued until 3--Unbelievable! The next day, paper from the spent fireworks was everywhere.

Last night I was humbled to speak at the second week of Precept's Boot Camp. A fresh crop of 14-18 year olds learning how to mine the depths of God's Word for themselves prepared to go home to the reality of a generation that does not love truth. In my typical fashion, the last time I spoke I barely got through my introduction. In try number 2 I felt that the Lord gave me clarity of thought, economy of time and precision in regards to the application of treasuring Christ. We looked at Luke 12, focusing on the parable of the rich fool where Jesus states that life is not about accumulating stuff. We concluded that the individuals in James 5 who were labeled as rich were definately not belivers because of both the context of James and Jesus' radical call to discipleship in Matthew 16--"If anyone wishes to come after Me He must first deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me."

So, if they are singing the repetative song of the world, "Money makes the world go round" then they aren't believers! Man! Well, what is a beliver, a James type real, genuine, faith in action believer look like? We jumped to Ephesians 5:15-17 and Colossians 3:1-5--SINCE you have ben raised with Christ... keep seeking the things above. In the life of the believer, Christ is our life according to Paul. The son or daughter of God rejects the song of the world and realizes that, "Where your treasure is there lies your heart!"

James gives encouragement to the bros in James 5 to wait patienty, endure and wait for the last days through prayer. We jumped over to 2 Timothy 3, making the connection that we are in the last days... men being lovers of pleasure and lovers of money... but we are to continue in the sacred writings--the word of God that brings one to salvation. So, if we are listening to the song of materialism that is all around us and being influenced by it, we are not intent on the things above or treasuring Christ. Finally, the treasure of Christ shines more vividly and brightly in the midst of suffering and loss, not prosperity. The following is a video that I used to get past my 39 minute introduction! (I'm not sure why there is no sound... I'll get to the bottom of it)