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I think my blogging hiatus is about over…

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It’s been quite some time since I’ve blogged regularly. I think things have slowed down just enough for me to get back into it.

This past year has been quite an adjustment in many ways. I’ve been adjusting to the demands of being back in school. This is the first time I’ve gone to school while working “full-time.” I always thought I worked a lot in college and seminary but the increased level of responsibilities at the church in combination with the higher academic expectations of PhD courses has been daunting at times.

I’ve enjoyed teaching more regularly at Nansemond River Baptist Church. In fact, I just uploaded a recent series on “Discipleship” under the resources tab. I’ve been very happy to watch our church embrace a vision of shared leadership. I must say that I pastor alongside some of the most talented and godly men on the planet. In addition, the church has been very receptive to the Scriptures. I believe NRBC has a bright future as a church that embraces the Great Commission in every area of life.

This summer has been busy as we took the teenagers at NRBC to camp. Also, we’ve been using Dare2Share’s “Gospel Journey Maui” curriculum on Wednesdays. The thoughtfulness and openness of the discussion among our students has been an encouragement. I sense a desire among them to embrace a radical vision of obedience to the call of Christ.

On a personal note, Whitney and I have also been adjusting to a lot of things. Whitney will be starting classes at William and Mary this fall to pursue a Master’s of Higher Education. In addition, she starts a new job at W&M on August 18. She is very excited about all of these changes but they are changes nonetheless. In addition, God has been teaching Whitney and I a lot about risk, obedience, faith, and contentment. We are wrestling with what it means to leverage our marriage for the cause of Christ. It is scary to ask such questions but we are convinced that whatever we must sacrifice is well worth the reward.

I hope this fall will allow me time to post my musings on life, culture, mission, and miscellany. I know I have some music and book recommendations and I am rarely want for an over-the-top rant.

Thanks for reading.

humor, miscellany

The Top Three Embarrassing Moments

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As I was having breakfast with a friend on Monday we randomly began talking about that awkward moment in elementary school when you call your teacher “Mom.”  We’ve all been there.  I generally like to brag that few things embarrass me.  In fact, only three moments of my life are what I consider genuine moments of embarrassment…

1.  Wearing vomit-orange tights in a performance of “Merchant of Venice” in high school.  I felt that people were just staring up my skirt tunic the entire performance.  Thankfully, the silver lining to this cloud of embarrassment was the beginning of a long and enduring friendship with Ariel Adkins.

2.  Having to kiss a classmate in a school play (I’m seated in the recliner center stage in the picture below).  You would think from this list that high school theater was the most embarrassing possible experience.  The fact is, I loved theater despite these few moments of awkwardness.  Either way, I had to kiss a classmate (red dress in the picture below).  The rehearsals were continually awkward and the performance proved even more uncomfortable with both my parents and her boyfriend (think burly, muscular football player) in the audience.

3.  The king of all embarrassment was when I shattered a glass door by inadvertently walking through it at the house of a girl on whom I had a fairly serious crush.  Needless to say, it did not help my chances with her or endear me to her father!