You know, I really really wish I could sing well. I'm reminded of that every so often.
Anyway, one of the fellowships here is extremely similar to Manna. The guy who preaches (named David) has the exact same sermons as David (so obviously they're very good). I wonder if there's some sort of presbyterian database of sermons somewhere (since this fellowship is affiliated with the PCA).
This week's talk was on relationships. Quoted Into the Wild, "Happiness is only real when shared", in reference to the Trinity and Creation. I like that quote.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
age
One grad student's perspective on why he's getting his PhD:
"I don't particularly enjoy my research. But I guess I'm here more for the social scene. Here, there are a bunch of young people, but once you start working it's very hard to meet and connect with people your age."
Not everyone sees things this way, of course, but I guess it's somewhat understandable? Most grad students are more or less at the same life stage? And I guess age is a somewhat important thing to have in common with someone if you want to connect with him (or her) on a more than superficial level. And groupings of people by age seem to occur only in educational institutions. Oh, and maybe retirement homes.
But I do have this one image of people of different ages really getting to know one another and spending time together. And that's in the context of a church bible study group. It's really cool how you can go to a church and (ideally) meet a bunch of Christians, and identify with them on the basis of Christ and not age.
"I don't particularly enjoy my research. But I guess I'm here more for the social scene. Here, there are a bunch of young people, but once you start working it's very hard to meet and connect with people your age."
Not everyone sees things this way, of course, but I guess it's somewhat understandable? Most grad students are more or less at the same life stage? And I guess age is a somewhat important thing to have in common with someone if you want to connect with him (or her) on a more than superficial level. And groupings of people by age seem to occur only in educational institutions. Oh, and maybe retirement homes.
But I do have this one image of people of different ages really getting to know one another and spending time together. And that's in the context of a church bible study group. It's really cool how you can go to a church and (ideally) meet a bunch of Christians, and identify with them on the basis of Christ and not age.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
embarrassment
A few observations.
1) My ability to articulate a prayer publicly often serves as a rough litmus test of the state of my private spiritual life. E.g. I find it harder to pray over a meal (when asked) when I haven't been actively praying in private.
2) For me, embarrassment can serve as a much better motivator for change than guilt. But usually I'm only embarrassed of the foolish things I do. Maybe I should try to associate the wrong things I do with an embarrassment-inducing foolishness? Maybe embarrassment can lead to repentance? Not sure how biblical that is, haha.
3) 1 & 2 in this case are related.
4) Somewhat random, but I kind of like Djokovic more after seeing him play against Federer in this year's US Open. Oh, and isn't this crazy?
1) My ability to articulate a prayer publicly often serves as a rough litmus test of the state of my private spiritual life. E.g. I find it harder to pray over a meal (when asked) when I haven't been actively praying in private.
2) For me, embarrassment can serve as a much better motivator for change than guilt. But usually I'm only embarrassed of the foolish things I do. Maybe I should try to associate the wrong things I do with an embarrassment-inducing foolishness? Maybe embarrassment can lead to repentance? Not sure how biblical that is, haha.
3) 1 & 2 in this case are related.
4) Somewhat random, but I kind of like Djokovic more after seeing him play against Federer in this year's US Open. Oh, and isn't this crazy?