Why Doth Thou Hidest Thy Face?

On this day twelve years ago, four groups of Muslim terrorists boarded American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93, and, after commandeering each plane, they crashed each plane into the World Trade Center towers in the district of Manhattan, New York City, into the Pentagon of Washington D.C., and in an open field of Shanksville, PA on its way to Washington D.C. As the events of the day unfolded before Americans' eyes on television, fear and horror seized the hearts of men and women of America and the world. People were confronted with the gruesome and heartless face of evil once again. They tried to piece together the pieces that led up to this event and make sense out of this brazen act of terrorism against humanity under the banner of the Islamic God, Allah. They also asked on that day, "Where were you, God, when this happened?"

Back in the land of sweet tea, barbecue, and football…

The past nine months has been, quite frankly, overwhelmingly busy (although amazing)! I took ten classes this past year (five per semester – for a total of 28 credits, or almost 1/3 of all credits to complete my M.Div. degree!) in addition to completing a 10-weeks summer internship in Cleveland, OH with Grace Christian & Missionary Alliance Church’s Signs of Grace Deaf ministry. While I passed all of my classes (I got the highest semester GPA ever this past Spring, and I was elated!) and completed my internship on a great note (here are some pictures from Signs of Grace’s Classic Car Show, Soul Surfer Dinner Night, Deaf Chat & Beach Party, and Summer Family Fun Night events, and also Signs of Grace’s first-ever Deaf Worship service), I was worn out by the time August rolled around and needed a bit of vacation. I was happy to see my family for a short time before heading back to the Deep South to start my third year at Beeson Divinity School. The picture on the left was taken on my first day of classes; as you can see, it was a drop-dead gorgeous (but hot) day!

Prayer request from Houston, TX

Prayer warriors: I will be speaking to a bunch of teenagers (about 1,000 total) at St. Martin's Episcopal Church tonight (see the excerpt below) and at Episcopal High School tomorrow morning. I have been looking forward to this opportunity and please keep me in your prayers as I strive to faithfully proclaim the hope and glory of Christ and his resurrection.

March Prayer Update

I am on my Spring Break right now, but I'm nowhere near a beach! I'm staying in town because I need to finish several papers for my classes due next week. It is hard to believe that I am halfway through my semester, and it has been a busy one! In fact, so busy that I have not been able to find time to update you on what’s happening in my life through this blog. But here's my prayer update letter for you, my readers and prayer warriors!

Our Only Comfort

Something celebrated its birthday today, yet it deftly maintains its youthfulness! Rest assured, my readers: I am not that old (I will confess that my birthday did took place a few weeks ago). Today marks the Heidelberg Catechism's 450th birthday!

The Christmas Bells That Still Ring

Yesterday morning, I attended Trinity Lutheran Church with my family, and Pastor Virgil Cain gave a brief yet excellent meditation drawing from a poem-turned-into-a-hymn penned in 1863 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), a great poet and literary scholar, titled “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” As I listened to the pastor, my heart was encouraged and comforted by his message and I had to share this poem with you.

Winter Prayer Update

At this moment, I am home sitting in my parents’ house’s family room under a blanket, surrounded by Christmas lights, as I happily write this prayer update letter to you, my valued readers.