Aimate: Faith Series

Today, the Animate DVD came in. Thus, I have popped it into the computer and am listening to it as I write this article and do an ad for the study. We are going to use the study for our Thursday morning study at the Campus Religious Center on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University. Our ministry: Element 26 (Lutheran Campus Ministry) will be meeting for breakfast and then watching and discussing the series.

Here is the study:

January 23 - God | Faith is a Quest | Brian McLaren                                         

How can we chart a course through the often-murky waters of Christian tradition and find our way to God?

January 30 - Religion | Spirituality Is Not Enough | Lillian Daniel            

In this age of religious pluralism, is it possible or even desirable to stick with our age-old traditions?

February 6 - Jesus | The Revolution Of Love | Mark Scandrette                     

What does it mean to walk in the way of Jesus?

February 13 - Salvation | Abundant Life Now | Shane Hipps                          

The cross of Christ stands as a symbol of God’s saving work. But what, exactly, does it mean to be saved?

February 20 - Cross | Where God Is | Nadia Bolz-Weber                                                     

Our theories about the cross tell us as much about ourselves and our view of God as they do about Jesus and salvation.

February 27 - Bible | A Book Like No Other| Lauren Winner                         

Why read the Bible?

March 6 - Church| An Imperfect Family | Bruce Reyes-Chow                          

What does it mean to commit ourselves to the church family, for better or for worse?

My Three Words

Three Words.

In a few different circles, I have seen individuals promoting 3 words. Each one of them is doing it in a very different format. I decided that I am going to choose three words and then develop 2014 around those three words. I am not being creative as many of them: using abstract words. However, I am using three w's even though I did not intentionally seek to use the same letter. The three words: wellness, writing and wisdom.

Word One: Wellness

The ELCA has been using the "spiritual wheel" for awhile. With wellness being one of my words; it was only an obvious choice (a wise choice - more on that in word three) to use the wheel. There are six components of the spiritual wheel:

- Social
- Emotional
- Physical
- Financial
- Vocational
- Intellectual

It is hope that I can improve my wellness in all these areas.

Word Two: Writing

I have never really been a good writer. I have never really invested much time and energy into it. Writing for me has always been limited to school reports, newsletter articles, a little blogging and not much more. However, in 2014, I want to focus on writing. I am not making any major goals: writing a blog every day or attempting to get a book published. However, I want to be more intentional in writing and sharing views and sparking conversation. I also want to try to use my writing to be more of an advocate. There are multiple places where a voice needs to be lifted up.

Word Three: Wisdom

Luke 2:52 - And Jesus kept on growing—in wisdom

In the past, when I led children/family ministry; we used 252 Basics and Wisdom is one of the key phrases that they use. 252 Basics is based off of Luke 2:52. So, maybe, I am going back to my childhood. In all seriousness, here is the definition of wisdom:

the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.

So, in 2014, I want to make good judgment in all areas of my life. I will need to have wisdom in making wellness and writing to occur. I will need wisdom in my daily life as I navigate my vocational waters of youth ministry and campus ministry. Thus, I want to have wisdom in my mind so as I go through my daily life, I can make wise choices.

There we go, my three words. Now it is time to place these four pictures up on my wall, so I can be reminded of them everyday that I am in the office.

2014: Back to Blogging

2014 will enter the 9th year that I have been on blogger blogging. I have not blogged in a long time. The last post has been about 8 months ago. It actually took me awhile to get into it because of changes of emails and passwords.

It was interesting to see the 'data' on the dashboard. How many people were coming to the blog still and what they were reading. I then scrolled down to look at the years and how much I posted in those years. Here is the list:

2006 - 45 posts
2007 - 345 posts
2008 - 465 posts
2009 - 145 posts
2010 - 97 posts
2011 - 26 posts 
2012 - 46 posts
2013 - 6 posts

Thus, it has been awhile since I have been active. I am hoping that 2014 will be a year where I will be active again. i I am also going to go back to blogging across the spectrum: life, church, campus ministry, family activities and more.

There has been a challenge of 3 words. 3 words are choosing 3 words that will define your year. I am planning on doing this tomorrow at my quiet time. Maybe, writing will be one of the three.