Two Updates

So I've been back in North Carolina for a little while, and I have two updates. Well, three really. 1 Timothy is a pretty tough book to tackle, first of all. I mean, it sets those guidelines for a Godly overseer, bishop, or pastor in chapter 3, which is something for which all men should strive. The second chapter has that controversial bit about women being saved through childbirth, and then I'm on the fourth chapter, which starts off with the part about apostasy. I feel very much like I'm in the later times, fighting off false prophets and those falling away from the faith. The last part of the chapter, though, is what particularly hit me this morning:

"¹²Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

¹³Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.

¹⁴Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through ^AH)">prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

¹⁵Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

¹⁶Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you."

We used to talk about the twelfth verse quite a bit back when I was in the youth group at my old church. We'd always get pumped up and come screaming into the sanctuary about five minutes before "big church" (the service of corporate worship and preaching, usually following Sunday School), demanding to be heard by our elders, pointing to this very verse. But I am reading this with very different eyes today. I've been thinking about evangelism lately, and what the church's and my individual roles are in the American culture at present. Verse fifteen is particularly striking. Go ahead and read it again. I'm not so sure that I always am careful to "take pains" in Paul's instructions. I am more apt to serve my leftovers to God than to take pains to see that I am progressing in example, so others salvation will be ensured. That's a pretty weighty task overall. I'm still pondering these things, but I have other updates to which we must attend.

Bessie is still in the shop. They've got her completely taken apart, and it seems that the solution to the problem will be a bit cheaper than we originally thought. I still don't know exactly what happened to ol' Bess', but she still won't be ready for awhile. Poor Bessie, she just can't catch a break. Hopefully by the time mid-June rolls around, I'll be able to drive her back to her home here in North Carolina. She's just been aching to lie out beneath those Carolina blue skies.

Then came the third update. I visited the Woodhams. Yes, tis true, and I bring good news: I am still alive, and I had a good time. Shocking to some, perhaps, but much expected by those who know these Ohioans to be gracious hosts. We certainly had some adventures. As is necessary for most of my adventures, we got lost at one point. Now, don't let anyone tell you otherwise--we wandered off the trail, were separated from the rest of our party, and could not tell you exactly where we were in the metro park. My friends, if that is not the definition of lost, well, then I would question your language skills.

The evenings were always filled with the comforts and nutrition of home-cooked meals as we ate together around the table (which, by the way, is not entirely foreign to me; I have experienced this phenomenal gathering of humans, myself included, at our annual festivals celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas). I wasn't exactly sure what to do; we weren't going around the table talking turkey or opening presents, so I just kind of winged it. I think I did okay overall. Nobody stared at me (at least, for more than 30 seconds or so), so I assume that I didn't go too much against tradition.

I've always wondered what it would be like to have sisters. I don't really wonder what it would be like anymore.

I've also wondered what it would be like to have another brother, and what it would be like to take these familial friends to kick back a couple of pops (cokes) while blistering our tongues with hot wings (traditional or boneless, your choice), followed by renting violent, er, rather, action-packed! movies that still contained the security device which we, being men (of course), had to destroy with our hands and weapons in an all-out, car magazine-reading, smooth jazz-listening hour of masculinity. I no longer wonder what this would be like, too.

All in all, what a wonderful time I had. In fact, I really can't wait to go back. First, however, I have to make a trip to Dollywood with a friend. :-) Then we can go back. That's a lot of information, and I am tired of typing. Happy Memorial Day!

Like little pigs running around in the forest...

I flew to Ohio. I am there (here) now. I am spending time with the Woodhams, and we are having adventures at every opportunity. I am leaving Thursday. At that point, I will actually be able to sit down and blog. Right now I have to make a salad with my helper, Diana. Actually, I think I'm her helper. Either way, I have to go!

Down, but not Out

Well, Bessie is in Tennessee now enjoying the fresh mountain air and taking a much-needed respite from the daily grind here in Greensboro. I hope, when they're not working on her, that they'll let her play with the other cars in the shop. My parents came in for a visit this weekend, and they left this morning in a rented car, leaving the Volvo behind for me. It's nice, but certainly no Bessie. My parents will have to share a car until I come in next weekend for a wedding. Hopefully, Bessie will be up and running by then. I'd like to take her to Ohio, but we'll have to play it by ear to see if she's ready for that kind of travel. You may be asking, why would you want to take Bessie to Ohio? Well, if you're not a Facebook stalker like myself, then I'll speak to the matter.

I have been pursuing (as in a romantic way, not like chasing her around the building, although there has been some of that, too) a young lady at UNCG for the past couple of months. I'm not sure if you ever really catch the girl, but we have come to a mutual conclusion that we're going to pursue God (and the lesser mysteries of life) together. That's probably all I'll say about that, not because I have no more to say, but because I'd rather you see the joy and sincerity on my face as I talk about Debbie. Blogs just don't do it.

In other news, I'm currently looking for jobs. I had an interview this past week, and hopefully I'll receive a call soon so I can go through the next part of the hiring process. I've applied to be a voice teacher at the Music Academy of NC. I'm also looking into some private schools around the area. I know of at least one that is definitely hiring and one that might be. We will see. I'm also looking forward to reading! I am going to read this afternoon! Isn't that so exciting! I'm going to finish up "Jo's Boys" today and then hopefully start either 1)Emma (Austen) 2)The Two Towers (Tolkien) or 3)Anne of Green Gables (Montgomery). I'll probably also read the Twilight series at some point, but only because Debbie liked it. Probably not for any other reason than that. Yeah.

Off now to read and eat lunch! "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord." (Proverbs 21:31) Random? Yes, but I like it.