A renewed beginning

I'm in a very unusual semester and am just now getting into a comfortable routine. While a number classes interested me this semester, like Surfaces and Colloids or Soil Organic Matter, my adviser and I thought it best if I spent my time focusing on research. My obligations to the school are two research and to assist in teaching an upperdivision class in my department. TAing isn't too difficult and provides me the opportunity to lecture. For instance, the professor is out of town for two weeks and I'm lecturing in his absence. I'm stepping up my commitment to research and speeding up my timetable a little bit.

I've also sheered back my commitments to extracirricular activities. Yes, I've decided to race in some Mountain Bike races, but this is a weekend activity that incorporates spending time with friends. Seeing the PCA church plant off the ground is something very important to me. God has been and continues to be with the church, blessing those involved, the unchurched community, and the rest of the local churches through this ministry.

Thirdly, my semester is purposefully marked with spending time with my friends. It's true that my friends help me enjoy and see God. Likewise, they're in need of the same thing - mainly, joy and peace. Together as friends, bonded by the Spirit, I hope that we'll be encouraged to bring in the foriegner - those that don't know blessings of being in communion with one another through Christ.

I guess you could say that the semester is marked by mission: Mainly, what it means to see God work through my talents as an academic and teacher; how the local church is a vessel of unity and healing (personal and community) to the glory of God; and finally, the role of close, personal fellowship in the Covenant community as a means of knowing and sharing Jesus.

Let us press on to know Him.