I’ve been spending money this week like it’s water. Evidently, my credit card company noticed this. They must have noticed that my credit card went from $30/month (give or take) to a couple of thousand dollars all at once.

So I got to be the slow person in line at Target today: not only was I buying a lot of stuff (bedding, cups/glasses, flatware), but I was the guy whose credit card was messed up. Even though I was nowhere close to my limit, they wanted to speak with me by phone to verify that I was really me - like perhaps someone had stolen my card and went on a spending spree.

It was nice of them to check, I suppose. A little freaky, nonetheless. Is Big Brother watching?

I’ve arrived in Ohio, and my Internet connection is up and running. But since it’s late, I’m going to bed.

Peace!

I’ll see you at the end of the week, once all the wires get re-connected.

If you are in Champaign and want to help move, we’re starting at 4:15 PM at my brother’s place, moving to my parents’ place, and then ending up at my apartment.

If you know my number or any of theirs, you’re welcome to help; just give us a call to see where we are!

Surrexit Christus

Iesus autem iterum clamans voce magna emisit spiritum.

Tonight was Maundy Thursday. Our Christ-centered dinner group gathered this evening a little earlier than usual to hold a Maundy Thursday service before the meal began. This was the last such meeting at which I will be present.

Our service was excerpted from the Book of Common Prayer, and included both foot-washing and communion. It was a time of sanctity.

Following that, we watched the Illinois basketball game during the meal of lamb and Greek cucumber salad.

To me, this was a good example of the life of the believer: we brought daily life (the basketball game, a good dinner) into the time of holiness - and instead of desecrating that which was consecrated, the “holy things for holy people” made the entire time holy. Framing our time thus, we were able to use this holiness to bring joy and peace to the evening.

Christ entered everyday life - even everyday life’s dirt and filth - and made the ordinary into something extraordinary. By allowing him in to our daily experience, we stand to gain much.

Several people have asked me about the source of the words “Maundy Thursday”.

As with several other common phrases in English, the word “Maundy” is an English-speaker’s corruption of Latin.

“mandatum” is the Latin word for “command” in John 13:34.

mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos ut et vos diligatis invicem

or

A new command I give to you: that you should love one another. As I have loved you so you should love one another. (trans. (M^2)T)

Good Friday is similar: the English “God’s Friday” became corrupted over time to “Good Friday.” After this, much theology was developed in the English-speaking world relating the “Good” to the work of the cross. The theology was all well and good - describing why the cross is a good thing for us. Nonetheless, (call me picky) it developed from a “false cognate.”

I didn’t realize that I would have to shred so much paper on my way out of my job. All the post-its that people would leave me with sensitive info that I kept on my “to-do list” spot on my desk have to be shredded. Anything with a password has to be shredded. Anything disciplinary has to be shredded.

So far, i’ve shredded about 20 liters of paper. (5 gallons)

Try to piece that back together!

I’ve been packing this evening. Packing and talking to one of my brothers and his fiancée.

I hate packing.

I’m leaving… and I want to say goodbye to people. I’d rather not worry about my stuff - or about the fact that I haven’t got my sermon(s) prepped yet.

What really annoys me is that I probably won’t get a chance to hang out with and say goodbye to one of the important people in my life right now. The timing just probably won’t work.

And that sucks.

Digital video is cool! I’ve been working with Adobe Premiere 1.5 to take a sermon I taped in February and put it on DVD.

Only 5 hours to go to get a DVD, now.

So what do people think of a semi-permenant installation of a DV-camcorder in the church sanctuary?

I think reviewing the video of my sermons will be useful as I develop preaching style and habits. Seeing my “fidgets” and listening to my vocal dynamics will help me produce better sermons.

So now for the video camera! I’ve still got to buy one: I’ve been borrowing others’ cameras.

It’s gonna be a good day! There’s going to be oodles of celebration.

I’m celebrating St. Joseph’s Day today, because, after all, it is March 19th…

NOT!

There are two celebrations, actually:

1. My great-great aunt’s 90th birthday
2. My birthday

My friends just took me on a “bar crawl” as a going-away party. Instead of hitting multiple bars and getting progressively more impaired, we remained at one establishment and consumed moderate amounts of food and beverages.

There was some good card-game action: hearts & UNO. Lots of talking, college basketball (go Illini), speeches (yes, speeches), hugs and photographs of our antics.

I told the assembled group (totaling around 14) that they were indeed the group of people I really wanted to see before I left town. I’m going to try to keep in touch with everyone from C-U, but this group is the group that I will try to keep in touch with with greatest gusto.

And yes, photos will be forthcoming. I have to get the film developed!

So thank you, friends! And thank you, Murphy’s Pub!

God bless you as you continue to strive after Christlikeness!

The good folks at University Laboratory High School just threw me an amazing going-away party. I’m leaving Champaign-Urbana shortly after Easter to start my new job as the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Warren, OH.

So they gave me some great gifts, and we had a lot of fun!

I’ve spent 13 years connected to Uni High in one form or another: first as a student (1992 - 1997, yes, it is a 5-year high school), and then the rest as an employee - Computer Systems Administrator. During that time, I’ve learned a lot about so many different aspects of life and leadership and ministry that I can’t really give a good summary here. I’ll do that later… maybe…

As for now, thank you, Uni High, for a great 13 years! May God bless you as you continue your work!

Well, two weeks from today I’ll be leaving for Ohio. And there’s so much to do between now and then. It’s kind of incredible, really. 26 years, more or less, in the same town. Same address since I was 5 years old: retained even during college to dispense with the mail forwarding to various university residences.

Ministry will look different in the new setting for a number of reasons. But it will still be ministry, still be a pursuit of the call.