Oh, Insomnia!

hey everyone! hope all is going well! I took a long nap and can't really sleep now so I decided to update this blog! Final Exams start this week. Its getting a little stressful, but I'm done Friday so I do get to come back a little early. I cannot wait to be home....even though I was just home.. haha. I really miss being there though. Im ready for a long break.

Hey, while Im on here I'd like to ask that you pray for a friend of mine. Her name is Tati (pronounced Tah-chee lol). On her way back from TG break she had a car accident. Her car hydroplaned and she swerved and hit another car. Her car flipped over a few times. They had to use those "jaws of life" things to cut her out and life-flighted her to Chattanooga. She's doing okay now and really her only injury is to her leg (praise God!). She broke her leg 3 times and will have to have three surgeries. She has already undergone two of those, but she is really in a lot of pain. She is going to have to have a leg cast and wheel chair for a little while after her final surgery. In addition to the injuries, she is having to miss the last two weeks of school, including finals. Please pray that she would heal quickly and that everything would work out with her classes so that she does not have to stress over them. Thanks

I should really try to get some sleep. I have an 8am class tomorrow. BOOO!!

This morning me, Tempest, and Jenn went to Hamilton Life Church. This is the second time we've gone. We met the pastor there today, Damon Passons. He used to be the children's pastor at Cornerstone. I think he was also in choir or something with Mrs. Jonna when Pastor David was DYD? We will be home next sunday so we cant go, but I think we're going to try to have lunch with him and his wife the week we get back. Soo that'll be good. I really like the church, and its much closer than some of the other I've looked at.

I've been putting of my four exam paper for Mission of the Church forever, and now they are due tomorrow. I have to work tonight too. lol I have like 3 hours to write them. yikes. I better get going.

I just got news that I've been accepted for the retreat! yay!

Annnnd I'll be home for fall break next wednesday!!!

I have lots of things to blog about too, but Im a little crunched for time right now

So I just got some good news and I wanted to share it with you all!! I got a letter today from the school saying that I was nominated by one of my professors in the School of Religion to go on the 2008 Poiema Exploring the Call Reflective Retreat! "It is a reflective weekend retreat focused on calling and vocation guided by School of Religion faculty!" There will only be 20 students there so this will also give me a great opportunity to get to know my professors!! I feel so honored! Everything is paid for through the school too so it wont be any burden on me to pay for it or anything! The only thing is, more than 20 students were nominated but only the first 20 to respond will get to go. So pray with me that I get this opportunity! I'm turning in my acceptance form first thing tomorrow!

life

Well, I have msot of my 1st roud of exams out of the way. The last one is tomorrow. phew. They all went pretty well. I still waiting to hear back from a few though, but i think i'll be fine.

Not a lot has been going on other than school. I've been thinking about a lot of things I want to do next semester. I didnt know about a lot of things on campus until later into the semester so I'll have to wait to take part in them, but that's okay. I'm back at good ole SnS. hah, go figure. I dont like it too much, but its money and a job I already know how to do. so, whatever. The one in Hendersonville is a billion times better. Management here is bogus. (i hope none of the managers come across this blog...lol) Let's see...... Im tyring to scrapbook. I dont have a lot of time, but when I do get some free I try to be creative I guess. lol Next week is convocation. Service Sun-Wed. night plus our normal chapels. That should be good. We dont have any tests or homework during that time either so that will be really nice. We deserve some time off. haha Me and some girls in my dorm have started our own little small group time on Monday nights. each week a different person brings a devotion. So far its been really great.

fall break is the 16th-19th. =) I guess that's all I have for today..

modern day church vs. traditional

So I had to write a short reflection essay on a guest speaker who came to our class. He spoke about new emerging churches and how they were different from more traditional churches and so forth. The essay didnt really have any guidelines, we just had to..reflect. lol I thought the topic was pretty interesting so Im just gonna post up what I wrote. Its probably a little lengthy for a blog post, but if you do read it, I'd like to hear your opinions on the subject.

i know it ends kind of abruptly, but its 1am and im tired!!! =)

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Church is changing. The concept, the purpose, the model, the customs, and even the people are all changing. Part of the purpose of the “Body of Christ” is to minister to the specific needs of the community surrounding it. As our culture transforms into something new and fresh, the church must adjust to meet the needs of the people.

Blayne Waldrop gave some interesting observations about our world today. He pointed out that our culture is in a state of “radical individualism and hedonism”. Everyone wants to have their opinions and ideas heard. However, the choice of words can be a bit misleading. Individualism and hedonism would normally seem slightly immature and possibly even egotistical, but when in relation to a community-supported organization such as a church, it can in fact be quite revolutionary. Waldrop said that modern-day churches are becoming more “organic rather than institutional.” Meaning, rather than the traditional model, church is slowly becoming decentralized. For example, instead of a pastor being the central person in leadership (traditional), its becoming more of a democracy, if you will, among it’s members (modern).

I actually experienced this type of church this morning. It was probably the most decentralized church I’ve ever been to. There was not any one person designated as the “Pastor”. They had a group of leaders who basically ran the church together. Also, as expected with an emerging church, service was not typical. It was much more laid back and people-oriented. They had couches and patio chairs set up in small warehouse. Church was not just the building, but more importantly the people in it.

Of course, this structure, like any other, has its pros and cons. I think essentially the emerging church is grasping the idea of spirituality better than long-established churches, who are seen as being more religious and conventional. The concept is definitely modern and much like what people of today’s culture are looking for. However, I’m not sure as to how well a completely decentralized church would operate. It seems to me that it would be necessary to have a final voice. The pastor serves as much more than the person that preaches. He/She is appointed by God to lead. With several leaders, the church is making itself more vulnerable to division. Also, while a church must meet the needs of its community it must also serve the purpose of Christ. It would be easier for a church with less structure to become more consumed with pleasing the wants of its members than serving God.

The most logical solution would be to develop a happy medium. It’s important to have a church that can shift with culture, but at the same time keep from becoming like the secular world. I know God will lead His people and I feel confident that as a whole, the Christian community will develop well and be very healthy no matter the time or culture.

Gas Prices Suck!

So i know i said i probably wasn't going to work buuut...i start monday. haha I'll be back at the ole steak n shake. And they still wear the bowties here. lol But I'm gonna need a job if I'm planning on driving AT ALL with gas prices sky rocketing! ERRR.

I start lovely mid-terms next week. Sounds crazy doesn't it? Most of my classes have 2 mid-term exams and 1 final. My first one is my hardest class, New Testament Survey. That's Wednesday. Then I have Environmental Science mid-term the following Tuesday. Im not sure about the rest. So basically, today will be spent doing some homework and hardcore studying. blehhhh.

Im going to Hamilton Life A/G tomorrow morning. I'd love to keep going to Bethel but it's just too much gas and doesnt work very well with my schedule around here. =/