Callings #3

By David Edwards on February 5, 2010 2:40 PM | No Comments

     The Flowing Light of the Godhead was written around 1269, Mechthild of Magdeburg (approx 1210-1280) after her confessor "urged her to write done an account of her vissions and reflections. Mechthild was raised in a noble family but left that life to join a Beguine Community. The main point, I think, that Mechthild was trying to get across was share her "her ideal of leaders who would be truly the servants of those thy led." In regard to the question posed for Christianity at this time "Being a Christian can't be that easy, can it?", Mechthild shows through her writing that being a good Christian, in her mind, is anything but easy. Throughout the excerpt, she emphasizes the importance of putting others before oneself and examining oneself instead of just being sitting around doing nothing and not recognize our sin and need for forgiveness.

    "Aimless activity is a very harmful trait for us. Bad habits harm us everywhere. Earthly desires blot out in us the holy word of God. Base strife because of self-will brings about in us many a harmful murder. Enmity in our heart drives out the Holy Spirit. An angry temperament robs us of God's intimacy. False Holiness can never win out. Pure love of God can never perish."
   
 I'm glad I came across this part in my reading (which I suppose would hard not to do, it was pretty close the beginning of reading) because it really stood out to me when thinking about my project. In order to be successful in my project, not only as far as grades go, but more importantly in regard to actually helping the people I am working with and making a difference in their lives, showing them the love of Christ, I have to be doing. This can be difficult for me because a bad habit of mine is that I tend to think more about doing things rather than actually doing things. But in doing this project, I am learning to put aside the other things want to do (although I still do the other things more than I should) in order to get stuff done for the project. This quotation also reminds me of how important it is to be patient with everyone I work with and be real with them. Since I am mostly working with younger children the patience part can be especially difficult, but necessary none the less. If I allow myself to become frustrated with the children (not to say that I never have, but I rarely do and make strong efforts not to) then I can easily lose the servant's attitude and forget that I am not their for my own good, but to help these children and love these children to the best of my ability with the help of God. Being real and honest with the everyone that I work with is important because, for one thing "False holiness can never win out." and I don't how exactly how Mechthild intended for this sentence to be taken, but in my situation, it reminds me that presenting a false front, wearing a "holy mask" doesn't will not benefit anyone. If I desire to be a role model for those I work with, mainly the children, I can not make them think that I am better than I am.  In doing that, I would not only be giving them a person to look up to that doesn't actually exist but I would also be bringing glory to my self rather than to God. But through being honest with them, I can better share with them the awesome gift of forgiveness God has given to us, and how I have experienced it, and how no one is excluded from receiving the gift (I know those thoughts were sort of scattered, but I hope you at least understand the main point I was trying to make). And lastly, one thing I should remember,   not only in working on my project with the children at Kool Klub, but in all situations, is that when all else fails, God's pure love does not.  


Callings #2 (unfortunately, I can't seem to come up with a creative title)

By David Edwards on January 29, 2010 11:07 PM | No Comments
The Life of Antony was written by Anthanasius, one of the great theologians of the early Church and a "defender of the Nicene Creed and explainer of the Trinity." The reading we had was an except from the book Athanasius wrote about Antony's life, written during Anthanasius' exile in Egypt, where he met Antony. Antony's life was very influential and many Christians followed Antony into the desert.

In Antony's youth,he, unlike me and many of my peers today, was much more heavily influenced by his parents than his friends, which is probably due to the fact that he didn't have any. And it wasn't that he didn't have friends because he couldn't, it was because he didn't want them, he just wanted to be home with his parents, which is why they had such a strong influence on his journey to Christian asceticism, whether that was there intent or not. As the years passed and he experienced the loss of his parents, he felt compelled to sell all he had and give it to the poor, after having heard Matthew 19:21 being read in church. Later he heard the words of the Lord in Matthew 6:34 and realized that he could not any longer stay where he was, so he placed his sister in the care of "known and faithful virgins" in a convent and gave everything he had left (since he had kept some for his sister) and went to a hermit in another town and began his journey in Christian asceticism (I know the Bible verses aren't really people, which kind of goes against the specification of the question, but they did have a profound impact on Antony, and God does speak to us through them, so I decided to include them). After meeting the hermit he imitated his piety, and began living in places outside the village, but every time he heard about a good man like the hermit, he sought them and learned from them. Along his journey, Antony was seen by many people who recognized and admired his faith and devotion, especially after he came out on top after his particularly intense battle with the Devil, with the help of the good Lord. And many of those people who had seen these things, and were taught by him, embraced the solitary life. 

In my life many people, who I would consider role models have influenced my vocational discernment, but a few in particular normally come to mind. The first of which would have to be grandfather, who has been and ordained minister for 50 or so years and served actively in parishes form 30 or 40 years, so needless to say, he has plenty of wisdom and experience to impart upon me, and impart he did. He has always been more then willing, and even enjoyed to answer questions of mine about the pastoral ministry and just faith in general (wow, that was a pretty long sentence, try and read that one in one breath). I have also always admired my grandpa's faith.  Secondly my parents have been very influential in my vocational discernment. They have always been supportive but not pressuring, in my considerations the  pastoral ministry. I have had many a conversation with my mom, when I had doubts or felt discouraged, and can always count on her to live as admirable Christian role model. Lastly, (of course not putting these in order of importance, but simply in the order that they come to mind) my friend and old DCE Chris. He showed me how you could have fun, and still be pleasing to God (which may sound somewhat medial, but I think it is a misconception among many non-Christians, and even some Christians, that the afore stated action is not easily taken). He too encouraged me, not just through actually what through things he said to me, but also indirectly, through displaying his passion for the ministry and the joy he received from  doing it. As far as what kind of role model I want to be in 10 or 15 years, I do actually have a sort of vision. I want, first to always be available to people, for answering questions, providing wisdom and guidance, or simply prayers and encouragement. I would love to be the type of role model that is not just admired from afar, but one who is actively participating in a person's life. And in 10 or 15 years, God willing, that is one of the things I will hopefully be doing as a Pastor.

Callings #1

By David Edwards on January 24, 2010 3:27 PM | No Comments

For my first honors blog of this semester, I chose to write about the Martyrdom of Perpetua  because I've always had a great deal of respect and admiration for martyrs and because I thought I had to write about both readings, before I read all the directions, and I started on this one first. Perpetua's Martyrdom took place in the year 203 AD in North Africa. The writing of the account of her imprisonment, torture and subsequent death may have been done by Tertullian, not long after her death. Perpetua's personal account of her imprisonment is also included. Interestingly, the background information preceding the actual account mentions that Romans were not overly eager to kill Christians and were more than willing to let the Christian go, granted they provide a sacrifice for the Emperor, which helps to show the resolve and strong faith of many Christians when they opted out of the easy way. Perpetua undoubtedly felt it was important to be a Christian, had she not, she would not have endured the physical pain and suffering she endured, and most likely would have taken the opportunity to make a sacrifice to the Emperor and be freed. She must also have felt it somewhat important to be public about her faith, if she hadn't, it is doubtful that she would have been arrested for that faith.

The only real mention of the Christian community interacting with Perpetua and imprisoned companions was when the two Deacons, Tertius and Pomponius, bribed the guards to let the Perpetua and her fellow imprisoned Christians to move a better part of the prison for while, in an effort to take care of them. From this example, descriptions of interaction between Perpetua and her imprisoned brothers and sister in Christ, and from prior knowledge of early Christians, the primary role of the Christian community at large was providing care and encouragement.

As a Christian today, especially one living America, I don't have to worry much about being thrown into prison, tortured, and finally killed before an audience because of my faith. I do, however face the very real possibility, of ridicule, and not so much because of what I believe and have faith in, but more because of how I go about showing that. But although the persecution it self and reasons for it are different for us now, the role of the Christian community has remained much the same. We should always keep our fellow Christians in our prayers, when we see our brother or sister being ridiculed, we too should go and show our support for them and even take part in the suffering for Christ, and when our fellow Christians are going through times of trial and tribulation, we should over our support, encouragement, and again, keep them in our prayers.


Project Blog #10

By David Edwards on December 17, 2009 8:38 PM | No Comments
Well I seem to have come to my last blog...atleast for this semester. So far in my project I have learned a fair amount. First, I have learned that a liturature review is alot more work and more difficult to put together than one migh think. I have learned that there is alot of information out there about my issue, so as we continue working on the project, I will have plenty of information to sift through so I plan to take advantage of that. One experience in particular that I have had so far, that really made me think, and saddens me, was when a little girl, a child of about 6 or 7yrs old, told Pastor Raddatz that her dad had to come take her from her mom's house for like a month, because she got "crazy drunk". I know I talked about this in my presentation but it just really struck me, how she could just say it so matter of fact, and that it obviously wasn't the first time something like that happened and probably wont be the last. It just kind of makes me wonder what kind of impact that sort of thing can have on a child, and how many other children are in a similar situation. So hopefully as this project continues we will be able to address this issue and many of the prevalent issues that urban youth face, and do something about it.

Project Blog #9

By David Edwards on December 17, 2009 8:14 PM | No Comments

Plans for Kool Klub

One of the things I have mentioned in talking about my project, on  more than one occasion, is the fact that I have such great and somewhat unique opportunity to play a Key role in determining what directioin Kool Klub goes. One small thing I had already thought about doing was, keeping an attendance sheet for all the kids. Although it may seem like something small it can be used for than just making sure certain people show up. We can use it to keep track of all the kids who are showing up and how often they are showing up, and it will be easier to know if kids are not showing up for periods of time and then we can try and follow up with them and find out why. We can also more easliy see which kids are comming on a consistent basis and follow up them too and find out why it is that they keep comming. Speaking of following up reminds me of another thing I am planning on doing, home visits. It will one, show the children that I do care about them, enough infact, to come see them at their house. It will also give me a better opportunity to get to know the children and their families and their living situations and make connections between how their living enviroment is and effects it maybe having on their lives. I also would really like to expand Kool Klub to more than once a week and hopefully opening it up also to older youth and possibly having days set aside for just tutoring for the children/youth that will be attending. So those are a few of my ideas, just figure I could share those with you.

 

Project Blog 8

By David Edwards on December 17, 2009 5:10 PM | No Comments

Well this project so far has not been what I expected. But saying that I guess I don't really know what I expected. Admitadly I assumed it would go smoother, I kinda just figured I would be able to plug into LINC Twin Cities, just like I could with LINC North Texas at home, but boy was I wrong. I came to discover that LINC TC was much newer than LINC in Dallas and that they didn't have any specific intership postions which posed a bit of a problem considering that I hadn't really looked into alot of other organizations. But as I was trying to figure out what other organizations were availible to work with, Kool Klub just kind of "fell into my lap". Working with Kool Klub was just about exactly what I wanted to do (except I would prefer workin with older youth, but thats it). It gave me an opportunity to work with inner-city youth, develope one on one relationships with them, and really have a positive impact on their lives. Something in particular I was excited about with Kool Klub was the flexibility with what I get to be doing their, and the fact that I am in a position to really have a voice in how Kool Klub is going to change and grow, and since urban ministry is something I would be interested in as a Pastor, if, God willing, I continue down that path, it is a really good opportunity get first hand experience. So before I start just rambling too much, basicaly I just want to share how I think it is really awesome how everything seems to be coming together and I pray that God will do his will through me and though all of those envolved in the honors project. 

Project blog #7

By David Edwards on December 16, 2009 7:16 PM | No Comments

Well monday night I did my presentation for the project, and I actually felt pretty good about it. I mean I went past the time limit, but I felt like, if I had had more time, I could have said alot more. I also felt good about it because, unlike my last presentation I wasn't really supper nervous, I just went up, dove right in and didn't give my self to time to be nervous, which worked out well. Over the break its gonna be a little tough to get hours in for my project, but I think I'm going to work on putting together some of the ideas I have for improving/expanding Kool Klub. And I suppose thats about all I can do for my project over break, but it will be good, and when I get back I can implement the ideas, after going over them with Pastor Raddatz of course.

 

Project Blog 6

By David Edwards on December 10, 2009 8:08 PM | No Comments

Holy Conola Oil Batman! Chapter Two was tough! But my hands are clean of it, atleas for now. Over the break I am going to try and figure out what I am going to do to  get hours for my project. Since I am going home to Texas, I'm going to have to come up with some creative way to still log hours work on my project, but I think I have some ideas. Like I said in my last post, I am looking forward to really getting into my project, I just hope I will be able to arrange my schedule so that I will be able to devote plenty of time and effort to my project. I suppose we will have to wait and see, but not too long because next semester is comming up quick! 

Project Blog #5 (i figured it wouldn't hurt to start numbering them)

By David Edwards on November 30, 2009 12:31 PM | No Comments

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! I finished chapter 1 and the project contract! w00t! It is a pretty big releif to have that stuff done, especialy since it was a wee bit behind schedule, and I finished just in time to begin working on chapter 2, which has to be in on time. Absurd, I know, turning an assignment in on time, what is this?! College?! But hopefully chapter 2 goes well. I am looking forward to really diving into my project working at Kool Klub, I know there is so much I can do, and alot God can do through this program, the only I am worried about is, having enough time to devote to my project. I have to keep remind myslef, that the fairly open schedule I have this semester is not going to carry over to next semester, and so I am going to have to plan accordingly, to be able to stay on top of my school work, and devote alot of time and effort to my project. So we will see how it goes, but I am deffinently excited about it!

P.S. I was going to try and have some kind of consistant signiture/ending for all of my project blogs, but I always seem to forget what I put at the end of the one before, which is a problem that I suppose could be solves by just looking at the previous blog, for what ever reason I haven't done that, so I will end my post with a thought Living in the past is dumb.

Project

By David Edwards on November 20, 2009 12:23 AM | No Comments
Well here is the update. Kyle and I went on our second trip to Kool Klub yesterday ,and I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to working with Kool Klub more and having more kids attending. I'm looking forward to becoming more envolved with Kool Klub and helping it grow. And its really great to work with Pastor Raddatz, because he is just so mission minded, which is something our churches seem to have a fairly serious of, and supportive of new ideas and making changes, and he is deffinently looking to expanding the program. Now I don't want this make it seem as if things were going smoothly ( although that would be nice), because they're not...Just today Kyle and I met with Carl Wendorff, one of inagural members of the Honors Program, and we came to the unfortunate conclusion that we wont really be able really LINC for any substansial hours, so I'm in another search for somewhere to get more hours, we'll see how it goes...
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