Reading Update

So now that all the graduation and wedding craziness is over, I thought I’d finally update my “currently reading” section.  

My goal is from here on out (and this will be easier said than done) is to be reading four things all at the same time.   1) Something from Karl Barth 2) Something contemporary in theology 3) Something classical in theology 4) Something related to Youth Ministry.

So, currently here’s what I’m working on

1. Karl Barth – Church Dogmatics 1.1
2. Jurgen Moltmann – Theology of Hope
3. Hilary of Poitiers – On the Trinity
4. Starting Right – Thinking Theologically About Youth Ministry.

What I’ve found is that I actually do better reading multiple books at the same time rather than trying to focus on just one book and read that all the way through.  Of late I’ve spent more time with the Starting Right book.  It’s a book that was assigned for my Foundations of Youth Ministry class so I’ve read sections of it, but never the whole thing.  I thought it was pertinent for my situation.

I started Church Dogmatics 1.1 last spring but it got shelved during the school year.  My goal is to finish the whole church dogmatics by the time I’m 40.  I’ve read all of 4.1 and significant chunks of 1.1 and 3.4 so I think I have a chance of making it.  

Theology of Hope my Moltmann is part of a larger project through which I’m trying to get a grasp of eschatology.  I’ve found that eschatology seems to be a neglected area of thought in the reformed tradition, at least the part in which I’ve come out of it.  But, if “eschatology is the orienting factor for the mission of the church”, as Grenz and Franke contend it’s an importa area of study.  I’m actually prefacing Moltmann by reading a number of articles on eschatology from various biblical and theological dictionaries.  

Finally, since I don’t think just because something is newer that it’s better, Hilary of Poitiers On the Trinity makes the list.  I was introduced to Hilary through my study of T.F. Torrance, and more recently through my good friend Matt Bell who relied on him extensively in his Masters’ Thesis work.  

So, you might ask what does this have to do with real life?  After all, I certainly don’t expect that my parishioners (including teenagers) will start reading Karl Barth right?  Of course not.  However, my “field of study” has a living subject, The Triune God and regardless of “cool” I am or regardless of what techniques I use to teach, or how fun an event is – If I’m not faithfully bearing witness to the God who is, my participation in God’s ministry will be severely hindered.

Logos Resource Sale

So as graduation approaches I need to unload some electronic books. Here’s what I have available:

SPECIAL OFFER: All four resouces for $450

Lexham Hebrew-English Interlinear (List $99.95/ My price: $75)
A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament (List: $34.95/ My price: $25)
NET Bible (List: $19.95/ My price: $15)
New International Greek Testament Commentary (List: $499.95/ My price: $375)

If you’re interested let me know brian.wallace@gmail.coms

For more information go to http://brian.wallyandnay.net/Logos

Let’s Go Buffalo!

There’s a great article on ESPN tonight about the rising Buffalo Sabres.  Well worth reading!

The Next Two Months

So it’s crunch week here at PTS for Seniors – our papers are due Friday May 12th.  At this point I have my first draft of one of my papers completed (The Trinity and the Adolescent) and I’m about half way through with my Hebrew exegesis paper, so I’m in pretty good shape.  This week is also the innagural for our President, Dr. William J. Carl, but given my schedule I don’t know how much, if any of that I’ll be taking it.  

After Friday I have a two farewell events tied to the end of my time at Northmont.  Saturday from 1-5 we’ll be gathering at Devlin Park and then on Sunday I’ll have my farewell at Northmont.  That evening I’ll be preaching, for the last time, at the SON Service.

After that the next big event in my life in May 25th, which is baccalaureate/commencement which my parents will be coming down for.  Sadly, because its scheduled on a Thursday, Renee won’t be able to make it.

After that, it’s June 2nd-3rd which are the wedding rehearsal and ceremony.  Then its off for about a week and a half to Maryland to Renee can finish up teaching before we return to Pittsburgh in order to…

Close on our townhouse on June 15th.  So we’ll have a couple weeks to spend getting moved in and settled there before…

July 2nd, which is my first Sunday at Hampton and July 3rd, my first day at the office so to speak.  Renee and I are being formally introduced on July 9th however because of the holiday.

After that… July 16th-22nd I’ll be gone as part of Hampton’s Senior High Mission Trip to Tennesee, which I am really looking forward to.  

So, pretty much from now till the middle of July I have one major event scheduled every two weeks.  As busy as it will be, its also incredibly exciting to watch all these changes happening.  

Mom’s New Computer

So after many years of faithful service, my mom’s iMac (circa 1999) finally decided to retire a few weeks ago. So my parents opted to buy a new mac, and tonight I picked them up a new iBook G4. So, tonight, while taking a break from writing my paper for Doctrine of the Trinity, I am setting it up and playing with. Needless to say, I have Mac-envy – my mom has a much nicer laptop than I do.

But… not for long. He he… as part of my job I’ll be using a Powerbook G4, and then my Mac-envy will cease.

Lyrics for the week…

For Elora…

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!”

– From Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Elora

“Elora Geisler Geier, 14, showed others what it means to love and to live. Elora, a 7th grade student at North Allegheny, lost her courageous fight with Leukemia Saturday, April 29, 2006, surround by many of those who love her.”(Full Obituary Here)

That line, from today’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is bittersweet news for those of us who knew Elora. Elora was active with the Jr. High youth group at Northmont. Her life had been indelibly marked by tragedy, as when she was young she had been struck by an automobile which had resulted in long term physical and cognitive effects. But that was part of what made her such a beautiful person. She was genuine in all she said and did. She truly did show what it meant to love and to live. And losing her is the bitter part, but she is free of her suffering.

Late in the summer Elora was diagnosed with Leukemia and she has battled it ever since. She came to youth group just once since then and there was not a person in the room who wasn’t happy to see her smiling face and hear her voice. I guess in youth ministry they tell you you’ll deal with a lot, and this is one of the things that you deal with. And, it goes without saying that the loss is sad and devastating. However, one thought that has been on my mind ever since I heard the news is how Easter has taken on a new meaning because of Elora this year. I was reading my bible this morning and read 1 Corinthians 15:21-28

“For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-28, ESV)

The good news of Easter is that death does not have the last answer. The final chapter in Elora’s life remains to be written because the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the sign and promise of our own resurrection. We know, that even in the midst of our grief over the loss of Elora, that she will be raised and transformed along with the rest of the Saints. Until then, Elora is in the hands of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Praise be to God!

More House Photos

So today we had our townhouse inspected and it passed with flying colors.

Here are some photographs that I took today

Our address as of June 15th will be
806 Bruton Drive
Gibsonia, PA  15044

Union Cafe

From BJ Woodworth

In 16 days the Union Station will open at the Union Project 801 N. Negley Ave. For those of who do not know the Union Project is home of the Open Door ( Pittsburgh Presbytery New Church Development) and the Union Station café is going to be a huge gift and blessing to the East End, the Union Project and the Open Door.

So come buy and bring a friend or two for your morning or afternoon cup of coffee, for lunch or an evening dessert. It is a great place to study! The great thing about this café is it has a plethora of outdoor seating which is hard to find in the East End. It offers free wireless as well! So help us spread the word! Here is the official press release.

Union Station Cafe

The Union Project provides neighborhood space to connect, create and celebrate. Through the restoration and reuse of the abandoned, blighted, former Union Baptist Church, the Union Project provides gathering and working space for artists, community builders and people of faith. Additionally, as key to meeting its mission and focusing on sustainability, the Union Project is initiating several social enterprises that employ local at-risk youth and low-income individuals.

The first of these social enterprises, Union Station café will open for business on May 5. Hours of operation will be 7 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week. Union Station café will serve coffee and cold drinks, light breakfast and lunch menus, and dessert options. Join us for an opening party on Friday, May 5 as part of our monthly First Friday Happy Hours. Contact antwan@unionproject.org for information about Union Station Café.

“The Union Station café is the new hot spot in the neighborhood. Join neighbors in a relaxed atmosphere were you can sit and chat, utilize the free Internet connection, read, or have a quick snack.” says new Union Station manager Antwan Davis.

Holy Week and Discipleship

One of my favorite texts for some time has been Luke 14:25-27

“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even life itself—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-27, TNIV)  

While I’ve had no trouble explaining what Jesus meant by “hate” (Gk miseo, “to be disinclined to, disfavor, disregard” – BDAG) or as I explained it to our Jr. High group last weekend, to hate is to put everything else, family, friends, etc. as a second priority to your faithfulness to Jesus Christ, such that is being faithful to Jesus Christ and being faithful to someone else contradict, you get rid of whatever is hindering your faithfulness to Jesus Christ.  The usual and quite appropriate response is usually, “But I don’t think Jesus wants me to leave my family.”

As I was preparing for our Good Friday service I was given John 19:25b-27

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25b-27, TNIV)  

Here Jesus demonstrated precisely what he intended by Luke 14.  When it came to the mission he had received from his Father he ultimately had to give up everything, including his family.  But what Jesus demonstrates is that faithfulness to one’s calling does not justify a callous and blatant disregard for family, as here he entrusts the care of his mother to the beloved disciple.