What Paul's breathing today...

Today I'm breathing Oxygen, the ultimate oxidizing agent.

Sorry for now recent updates, but grad school is keeping me really busy. I know the bad ones from the good ones based on how easily I fall asleep.

Last Friday we had our Grad IV departmental dinners. Well, our discussion was over dessert. The non-life sciences and life science groups joined together to discuss the types of truth claims that we make being scientists. I came away from this exceedingly encouraged and wondering why we don't have these meetings more often. This is what para ministries should seek to promote - incorporating faith, beauty and truth with learning. The academic environment is not only a place where I can share Light through relationships, but a place to soak in the glory and righteousness of God in the very things I'm learning. For instance if God had not given isotopes of atomic nuclei different spin states we wouldn't have the modern NMR or MRI. Because of these devices (NMR and MRI) God's wonderful healing grace has been administered to hundreds of thousands. Furthermore, God gave us rational minds able to preform the complex mathematics behind all of the calculations in order that we could use the varying spin states of isotopes. Praise be to God!

My Iranian officemate was so interested in the reason for our meeting that she insisted on skipping a friend's birthday party to attend the departmental dinner. Talk about out reach!!! This is what God calls us to do as students - seek truth and beauty in our work - and he uses it to speak to our neighbors.

Sunday afternoon I visited an open house at the local Mosque. This highly-promoted event introduced the community to islam, and it helped explain the Islamic response to the political cartoons published overseas and locally. (Our campus made the mistake of republishing all six cartoons). This was really good for me. I was being evangelized while there, and being on the receiving end gave me a different perspective on sharing my own faith. My best advice is to listen to the people you're talking with and inquire about what they think and why they think what they do.

So I've been looking around for apartments this week, well checking out websites. I've decided that living alone next year will just be too expensive. So I need a roommate - problem solved! A friend of mine who also helps with International Friendship Link, as well as being a physics PhD student, was looking for a roommate to share an apartment with. I'm not really wanting to live in a house next year and my current roommates have already filled my spot, so everything's working out just great!

My space bar is hard to push down, as a result I'm tired of typing!
But before you go take a look at some pics from the 21st Annual Insect Fear Film Festival last Saturday evening. Nina and I attended to see the Praying Mantis Kung Fu demonstration and to watch the '50s Mantis horror flick. We also picked up bugs! And, yes, that grasshopper is the size of Nina's hand!




Oh, I'll be in St. Louis with some friends on Tuesday to see Jars of Clay and Derek Webb in concert. Anyone up for a road trip???

Dis on God or dis on engineer?

Ben (my roommate) sent this link to me. It's a CNN article containing some Catholic opinions on ID. I think Ben was more taken back by the dis on engineers than the dis on God.

"The intelligent design movement belittles God. It makes God a designer, an engineer," said Vatican Observatory Director George Coyne, an astrophysicist who is also ordained. "The God of religious faith is a god of love. He did not design me." (second to last paragraph)

My 55 minutes

David was successful in recording the panel discussion at Graduate Intervaristy's large group meeting last Friday. As a part of the panel, we (this includes myself) discussed how we define ourselves in different situations and our purpose behind those definitions. The array of answers were quite diverse, reflecting the diversity between each individuals faith journey. I think the members of the panel also reflect well where the members of Grad IV are at right now, spiritually. I don't agree with everything said (some was sarcasm, and I hope you can filter it out), but it's worth listening too.

Here's the link:
"Workaholics and procrastinators"

Be consciencious and don't spread mono!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Heed the advice in the title (Nina's warning to me) and you'll do well on this ancient holiday. From what I know the holiday commemorates the martyr of St. Valentine who preformed illegal marriages during a time in Rome when the such was illegal. Evidentally, single, young men make better soldiers, so marriage was banned for those under a certian age. The covenant of marriage is far more important than a mere rule of man, enough so to lose your life over.

I have a test in physical inorganic chemistry on Thursday. I worked over the weekend to finish this weeks problem set, planning ahead for extra study time today (Monday). I've been meeting with a classmate to go over the problems and it just so happens that we compliment each other quite well.

Last week was marked with some wonderful events: I enjoyed a few conversations w/ friends regarding faith in Christ and union between my work as a scientist and my life as a Christian. I also shared similar thoughts while part of a panel discussion at graduate Intervarsity large group. I tried to describe that interacting with people differently was a result of faith in Christ and the presenence of the Kingdom of God. Introducing myself to my people as an environmental chemist doesn't hide the fact that I'm a Christian. Because I presuppose that the best scientific thinking is born out of Christian conviction, it is a boasting in the Cross when I myself as a scientist. I've been commissioned, or called, by God in this occupation.

Saturday morning I made cottage cheese pancakes over at Nina's. Her, myself, Austin and Dwayne had breakfast together. The pancakes were mediocre, something you should try atleast once. Who knows, I may even make them again. Nina's crepes w/ freshly whipped creme and blueberries were quite delicious. Sunday I put together a pot of Chilli - Casie's recipe, of course.

It's been cold the last few days, so I've been indulging my mind thinking about a PhD program in Arizona or California. Who knows what lies in store?

Grace and peace to all of you!

Also, Chris, if you're reading this, thanks for calling me yesterday. It really ment a lot to know of your continual care for our friendship.

"Like a woman in a trance...

I wanna dance. I wanna clap my hands all night long and dance." From Webb's song "Dance". But really, Saturday evening after the b-ball loss we had our first dance party. We got down and boogied on the Dance Dance revolution video game system for X-box.

I was all over the place.

Austin was workin' both pads at the same time!

Michael was bustin' old school moves all night long!

Here's the whole gang from the evening. From the left: Michael, Sarah, DW, Sarah, Josh, Dan, Austin, Linda, PB

Currently listening too...

Nothing! At church last Sunday I heard a comment that listening to too much music can keep us from appreciating the artist's intent in writing and composing the work. So this week I severely limited my music intake - like fasting. I hope that this will help me *hear* the words in worship Sunday morning, rather than just singing along.

My week has been busy - as usual. Some of the highlights:

The homework I turned in for physical inorganic came back with high grade on it, praise God! I'm really enjoying the class, even amidst racking my brain trying to figure it out. Finally, NMR makes sense!

My checkup at the doctor turned out to be another good experience. At the least, there wasn't any snapping of rubber gloves, telling me to drop my drawers, and - you know the rest. No pneumonia, though. I'm to continue taking one of the inhalers and go in for another check up in four weeks.

Sheri T., Pastor Dave's wife (PCA church plant), called me wedensday evening to see how my health was. She was sooo sincere and loving, it felt great to have the local body of Christ so concerned for me. Definently a highlight!

I also met with the associate pastor from the E-Free church (CEFC) to talk about life and church. This was profitable, as we discussed the role of para organizations and church membership. I sure have some decisions to make regarding my place of worship, but I'm leaning to commitment to the PCA church plant, and letting the congregation at CEFC know that I'll be with them another 6 months.

I celebrated Groundhog Day after Bible study yesterday evening. We watched the movie "Groundhog Day" for our party. It's a darn funny movie for us old folk.

Tommorrow morning I'm serving with my Intervarsity small group at St. Jude's soup kitchen. After that I'll burn about six or seven hours in the books and then head to the basketball game. It will be a full day.

Last, but no least, it is my mother's birthday! So wish her a happy birthday by leaving a message. She's absolutely wonderful in every way! I love you mom!