Passion

The other night I was at work answering questions from a colleague about my background - what brought me out here, what I am doing at school, etc. I shared with her my interest in the academics, that I would rather sit in my room reading a book on doctrine than anything else. This individual - as well as most of the other people at this new job - spend a lot of time out and about in Lexington. They constantly share stories of parties, bars, and hangovers. So, you can imagine my surprise when this girl replied to my terribly boring agenda with, "Wow, You know - I wish I was passionate about something."

This has not been an isolated incident - I've been overwhelmed with opportunities to witness here. If you know me from Adam you know that I am not big on evangelism. Believe me, all of these opportunities have fell on my lap, I am not searching them out.

Much different from California however; sure these people are not living out their lives with Christ - but many if not all of my colleagues were raised in the church. They are shocked that I would come to the church without the help of my parents. Instead of being like myself - simply being unaware of church, these individuals have found something wrong or not good enough in the church. They have found it boring or lacking.

I'm just thinking out loud here.... but I'm glad that I've been able to witness.... I'm just surprised that they have equated me at all with "passion" =)

Coram Deo

"facing God" or "before the face of God"

Wow... I am really falling in love with this phrase. All of us know that God is all knowing and all seeing. We realize that He knows before we do all that is going to happen (or atleast, should admit that in my presence - you open view people just keep walking)
I don't know about you but, sometimes I put this thought on the backburner. I know that God is around and knows all that is going on, but I "purposefully forget" this idea from time to time. Sometimes when I am closing myself off from community - it includes God. I think to myself, "Nope, I don't want to talk to Him right now." Isn't that silly? and petty? Moving on - I read this phrase in Mouw's Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport. It's a wonderful read and any thinking Christian could enjoy it.

It's similar I guess to the WWJD thinking but seems more awe-inspiring. Consider that your life, that all you do, beyond your choices to your relationships, to your thoughts (2 Corin. 10:15 anyone?) are all before God.

It's been a rough season but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've begun to see again the freshness of theology. I've started to remember the first joys of it again. That excitement in the pit of my stomach when I consider how all these wonderful things fall neatly into place.

To put it most simply, I've begun to contemplate Him again. To live Coram Deo.