Well, that was a riveting discussion on Conditional Immortalism :)
In other news...
We've finished the 5th week of classes. We are tearing through this semester.
I just went running. It was very hard... That's all I have to say about that.
Have a good weekend!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Conditional Immortalism.
http://wisdomandfollyblog.com/2009/08/04/a-defense-of-conditional-immortalism/
Hey faithful readers:
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above blog post.
The more traditional view of Hell is that if you don't believe in Jesus you will go to hell and suffer conscious torment for eternity.
Another view of hell called Annihilationism says that there is no punishment in hell...when you die you are just annihilated.
The view presented in the blog, Conditional Immortalism, does hold to a very real punishment in hell...however, it is only for a designated time. Ultimately, a non-believer, after punishment is destroyed and will no longer exist.
The blog, wisdomandfollyblog.com, is my professor's and his wife's, Jim and Amy Spiegel. Spiegel is a professor of philosophy at Taylor University. At Taylor I was in a band with him and with Steve and Chris Jones. I got really close with them and with Jim's family my last couple years at Taylor.
Many of you know I start many thoughts and stories with, "Well, Spiegel says..."
I hope you are able to get something from his and Amy's blog.
Hey faithful readers:
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above blog post.
The more traditional view of Hell is that if you don't believe in Jesus you will go to hell and suffer conscious torment for eternity.
Another view of hell called Annihilationism says that there is no punishment in hell...when you die you are just annihilated.
The view presented in the blog, Conditional Immortalism, does hold to a very real punishment in hell...however, it is only for a designated time. Ultimately, a non-believer, after punishment is destroyed and will no longer exist.
The blog, wisdomandfollyblog.com, is my professor's and his wife's, Jim and Amy Spiegel. Spiegel is a professor of philosophy at Taylor University. At Taylor I was in a band with him and with Steve and Chris Jones. I got really close with them and with Jim's family my last couple years at Taylor.
Many of you know I start many thoughts and stories with, "Well, Spiegel says..."
I hope you are able to get something from his and Amy's blog.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Motorcycle.
I went and looked at a motorcycle today. Unfortunately, the mechanic was working at it so it wasn't in a condition to ride. The bike is pictured second from the left. It's a Kawasaki KMX 200 2 stroke dirt bike/motorcycle. Scott, my roommate, and I rode over on his bike to the mechanic. He left his bike there to get some maintenance done on it. It was awesome riding on the bike over to the mechanic. So freeing to be on a bike...feel the breeze in your face...there's not the jerking and bumping and crowded stuffiness that comes with public transportation. I'm really excited to have a bike of my own and to be able to explore the city with more freedom. The bike I'm looking at is owned by the mechanic...so hopefully, that means it's in good condition.
Should be ready on Wednesday. Perhaps the next post will be sitting on my new motorcycle.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
from Bolivia..
My first post from South America. I arrived here in La Paz, Bolivia on July 26, 2009 at about 6:30 am. We had a very warm welcome from the other staff and other local missionaries as we got our luggage and made our way out of the airport. It was really nice being greeted by warm hugs and handshakes. We were even each given a bottle of water to drink. Hydration is very important the first few days as you adjust to the altitude and the climate.
We were then all shuffled into various vehicles that were to take us to our new homes. Isaac and I are living in a house. It was an interesting adventure getting into the house. None of the keys we had actually worked... So we were forced to jump the gate and open it from the inside. Then the house keys wouldn't work. So we were forced to find a broken window, jimmy the latch, and climb in. Actually...not very encouraging how easy it was to break in :)
But, no worries, we rolled with it. Alison, one of the returning teachers, made us some muffins. She even went to the store while we unpacked and got us a few things to eat, i.e. yogurt, eggs, bread, fruit, milk, cereal. So even though we had to break in, we still felt welcome.
The first week was spent with Ashlyn and Alison showing us the city. Ashlyn and Alison are both returning teachers. They came early to organize and run the orientation week. We learned our way around the city. We learned how to use public transportation. We got cell phones. We went shopping for blankets and things we forgot or were planning on getting here. It was a good week. It was a fairly smooth process...surprisingly. Moving from one Country to another Country can come with all sorts of complications...but I'm actually amazed how quickly I began to feel comfortable and at ease.
This second week has been a Teacher Work Week. All the teachers are here now. And we've been going to the school every day (except today (Thursday) because it's Bolivia Day! Don't forget to celebrate Bolivia's independence!). We've had meetings. We've organized classrooms. We've organized schedules. We've prepared lessons. It's been busy but really good.
It's starting to really sink in that I'm going to be an actual teacher with an actual classroom with actual students giving actual lessons and grades in an actual accredited school...sort of intimidating...okay, very intimidating! But I'm liking my schedule. 8, 9, 10, and 11/12 grade Bible classes. The curriculum looks good. There's just a lot I'm going to have to remember to do, like give out homework assignments and grade papers and stuff like that...teacher stuff that I've never really had to think about doing.
Altitude. Thankfully, hasn't been a huge issue. There's the occasional shortage of breath when going up stairs or climbing hills. I had a couple of interesting experiences going for a run and riding my bike to work...both were fine until the road goes up...then it's amazing how difficult it becomes. Like you're breathing very hard but it's not really helping at all.
...
Well, i started the above post on Thursday evening. It's now Saturday morning. It's rainy out. And we have to go to the school again for Open House for the parents and students. With the rain, I'll be interested to see how many people come.
If no one comes, it will still be good to be there and work on some more lesson plans.
We were then all shuffled into various vehicles that were to take us to our new homes. Isaac and I are living in a house. It was an interesting adventure getting into the house. None of the keys we had actually worked... So we were forced to jump the gate and open it from the inside. Then the house keys wouldn't work. So we were forced to find a broken window, jimmy the latch, and climb in. Actually...not very encouraging how easy it was to break in :)
But, no worries, we rolled with it. Alison, one of the returning teachers, made us some muffins. She even went to the store while we unpacked and got us a few things to eat, i.e. yogurt, eggs, bread, fruit, milk, cereal. So even though we had to break in, we still felt welcome.
The first week was spent with Ashlyn and Alison showing us the city. Ashlyn and Alison are both returning teachers. They came early to organize and run the orientation week. We learned our way around the city. We learned how to use public transportation. We got cell phones. We went shopping for blankets and things we forgot or were planning on getting here. It was a good week. It was a fairly smooth process...surprisingly. Moving from one Country to another Country can come with all sorts of complications...but I'm actually amazed how quickly I began to feel comfortable and at ease.
This second week has been a Teacher Work Week. All the teachers are here now. And we've been going to the school every day (except today (Thursday) because it's Bolivia Day! Don't forget to celebrate Bolivia's independence!). We've had meetings. We've organized classrooms. We've organized schedules. We've prepared lessons. It's been busy but really good.
It's starting to really sink in that I'm going to be an actual teacher with an actual classroom with actual students giving actual lessons and grades in an actual accredited school...sort of intimidating...okay, very intimidating! But I'm liking my schedule. 8, 9, 10, and 11/12 grade Bible classes. The curriculum looks good. There's just a lot I'm going to have to remember to do, like give out homework assignments and grade papers and stuff like that...teacher stuff that I've never really had to think about doing.
Altitude. Thankfully, hasn't been a huge issue. There's the occasional shortage of breath when going up stairs or climbing hills. I had a couple of interesting experiences going for a run and riding my bike to work...both were fine until the road goes up...then it's amazing how difficult it becomes. Like you're breathing very hard but it's not really helping at all.
...
Well, i started the above post on Thursday evening. It's now Saturday morning. It's rainy out. And we have to go to the school again for Open House for the parents and students. With the rain, I'll be interested to see how many people come.
If no one comes, it will still be good to be there and work on some more lesson plans.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Missionary
I'm currently in Southaven, Mississippi. I'm here attending the PFO (pre-field orientation) for my new job teaching through NICS (Network of International Christian Schools) in La Paz, Bolivia.
PFO is 2 weeks of meeting teachers, learning about third culture kids, learning what to expect living, teaching, and serving in a new culture.
It's been good.
I wasn't super excited about these 2 weeks. Mostly because my time is running short here in the US. It's hard to give up 2 weeks when I only have 5 left. However, I'm very hopeful that this will be an invaluable and enriching time.
I had a really interesting and good conversation with Nate at dinner tonight. He's the director at the school in Venezuela.
He was explaining something of the political and spiritual climates in Venezuela and Bolivia...I guess South America in general. It's a dark place. The Bolivian president, Ayma, has been on television offering animal sacrifices...
And the nature of these schools is powerful ministry. Since these schools offer an excellent international education people from all walks of life are willing to come and learn. They are receiving a Christian education along with all the other subjects. But they don't mind "putting up with" I guess the Christian aspect because they are respected, accredited, international schools.
So these schools have a platform to ministry to people that many churches and ministries don't have!
This director, Nate, warned me that it is a battlefield. I need to have people specifically praying for me. I need to specifically begin preparing for ministering and serving in what will definitely be a very difficult place to live and work...
I think the conversation for the first time really brought home what I'm going to do. I'm going to live and serve Jesus Christ as a missionary in La Paz, Bolivia. It can easily feel like just a really cool job...a sweet new opportunity...an awesome international experience in a new culture...which it is ALL those things. I'm excited for the adventure of it all.
However, I don't want to forget the strong spiritual opposition I will encounter.
I definitely need to be prepared. And I definitely need all the prayers I can get.
PFO is 2 weeks of meeting teachers, learning about third culture kids, learning what to expect living, teaching, and serving in a new culture.
It's been good.
I wasn't super excited about these 2 weeks. Mostly because my time is running short here in the US. It's hard to give up 2 weeks when I only have 5 left. However, I'm very hopeful that this will be an invaluable and enriching time.
I had a really interesting and good conversation with Nate at dinner tonight. He's the director at the school in Venezuela.
He was explaining something of the political and spiritual climates in Venezuela and Bolivia...I guess South America in general. It's a dark place. The Bolivian president, Ayma, has been on television offering animal sacrifices...
And the nature of these schools is powerful ministry. Since these schools offer an excellent international education people from all walks of life are willing to come and learn. They are receiving a Christian education along with all the other subjects. But they don't mind "putting up with" I guess the Christian aspect because they are respected, accredited, international schools.
So these schools have a platform to ministry to people that many churches and ministries don't have!
This director, Nate, warned me that it is a battlefield. I need to have people specifically praying for me. I need to specifically begin preparing for ministering and serving in what will definitely be a very difficult place to live and work...
I think the conversation for the first time really brought home what I'm going to do. I'm going to live and serve Jesus Christ as a missionary in La Paz, Bolivia. It can easily feel like just a really cool job...a sweet new opportunity...an awesome international experience in a new culture...which it is ALL those things. I'm excited for the adventure of it all.
However, I don't want to forget the strong spiritual opposition I will encounter.
I definitely need to be prepared. And I definitely need all the prayers I can get.
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