this is how i’m doing: in case you were wondering…

In a podcast a professor at Regent made the statement regarding worship and how the Church needs to learn to celebrate: “we don’t celebrate the fact even though we might have had a bad day, this is the worst we’ll ever be. That this is the furthest we’ll ever be away from God. That this is the closest we’ll ever be to hell.”

What do you celebrate?

Well, I’m back. In case you didn’t know I was in Baltimore since Thursday for work. Well, it was a conference — so I guess it was really for “work”. Here’s a summary:

I stayed here (and had a beer) — The Renaissance Harborplace hotel where I racked up major Marriott rewards points.
I ate fish and chips and drank beer here — the Wharf Rat English Pub.
I also ate seafood and drank beer here — M & S Grill
And I ate seafood and drank beer here — The Rusty Scupper
Oh, and I ate REALLY good seafood (but no beer) here — Legal Seafood.

Between eating great seafood and trying new beers I also went to a bunch of sessions on academic advising and stuff like that. The conference was actually really good — I learned a lot about my current profession and look forward to putting some of my newly acquired knowledge into practice. Well, that’s about it. I had a blast and now I’m going to bed because I’ve got to go back to work in the AM. I should have taken the day off…

I was just looking in my fridge and thought “When did I buy that?”

Since my mind tends to think in the form of blog posts, here’s a little game. What are 3 things in your refrigerator that you think nobody else (reading this blog) will have? If your a college student we’ll just say try to list 3 things in your refrigerator (hey, I’ve been there: potato, half a stick of butter and the light bulb).

Here are mine:

1 - A jar of Tahini (ground sesame seeds)
2 - A Shiner 98 (a limited edition amber beer, made in Shiner, TX)
3 - Imported Italian Anchovy paste - can’t remember why I have this one…

What you got?

I Boast No More

No more, my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done;
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of thy Son.

Now, for the love I bear his name,
What was my gain I count my loss;
My former pride I call my shame,
And nail my glory to his cross.

Yes, and I must and will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus’ sake:
O may my soul be found in him,
And of his righteousness partake!

The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before thy throne;
But faith can answer thy demands
By pleading what my Lord has done.

Isaac Watts - Philippians 3:7-9

I’ve been listening to the Sandra McCracken version today.  My favorite is the 4th verse.   “But faith can answer thy demands by pleading what my Lord has done!” - Amen.

Concerning the travel to Cuba for organizations conducting “religious activities” -

The meaning of the term “affiliated.” To be considered “affiliated” with your organization, individuals or groups traveling under your license must be involved in religious activities with your organization apart from their travel to Cuba. This authorization may not be used for soliciting the affiliation of persons for the purpose of their travel to Cuba. For instance, you may not solicit the participation of individuals not affiliated with your organization for purposes of engaging in travel related transactions involving Cuba through the use of your website or television or radio advertisements. Individuals who associate with your organization primarily for the purpose of traveling to Cuba are not authorized to travel under your license. Such unauthorized use of your license can result in suspension or revocation of the license, fines, and criminal penalties.

Sorry, you can’t go on our mission trip to Cuba because the government said you aren’t “affiliated” with the Church…

http://www.treasury.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/cuba/cuba_cl.pdf