Break
It's a brand new day. I've completed fall semester at Millersville University. I must say it wasn't my best semester. I may have to retake an major-related course. It's Electronic systems and I'm allergic to all things that have to do with the theoretical aspects of electricity, electromagnetism, and so forth. I've forgotten about everything I've learned this past semester or at least my mind is a blur. Spring 2008 semester is my final semester. Wow, so soon?
Over the break I have a lot of things to do with the future. First I have to schedule a visit with two culinary schools: the International Culinary Center in NYC, and L'Academie de Cuisine outside D.C. Then I have to apply to six seminaries: Regent, Duke, Gordon-Conwell, Western/Multnomah (these two possibly are merging), Princeton, and Trinity Evangelical for fall 2009. I'm trying to get these applications on a roll. I haven't taken the GREs yet so I'll be commencing the study of the coursebook over my one month.
I started to read How to Read a Book: A Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer Atler. I read about this book a couple months back. I want to increase my understanding when reading difficult reading material. It's very good so far.
It's good to be back to rest from my labor. But I can't dilly-dalley for too long. I have a lot to do and I don't want time to pass me by. However, I don't want to stress about it either. God has been good to me and I want to think and pray these things through. I hope to meet my short-term goals (which includes getting a passport and driver's license). In addition I have to initiate some plans for BCM.
I hope and pray this Advent season we may all reflect on the One who is the Reason for this season and all others. As my brother in the Lord Halden Doerge reminds us, "He is coming." Even so, Come Lord Jesus!
Blessings.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Pressing through the Pain and all that Follows
This weekend was a hard one. It was full of agitation. I was agitated when I went home to Drexel Hill this past weekend. My grandmother is spending the over for my grandfather's funeral. The house is cold. The heater in the basement needs oil. I almost blew a gasket. I felt so stressed because the funeral so happens to be on finals week. Life sucks. But I have to press through. I have been over analytical with my emotions during this time. I haven't had a good cry. It's like when you about to sneeze but it just won't come out. Yeah, that's what it feels like. Nevertheless I have work to finish. I have a take home exam I haven't started yet. It's due tomorrow...i think. I also have an exam in Electronic Systems. I hate that class. I love the professor. Dr. Brusic is awesome but I'm not electronically-inclined. I have an aversion to all things mathematic and scientific. I'm failing that class.
A lot has been on my mind. Will I make it to grad school? I feel burned out already. I've been in college for five years. I've developed a passion to learn about communication theory, cultural theory, and theology during my time here. I'm not fit for the entertainment business. I was mean't to be a talking brain.... uh I mean scholar.
Is this failing grade going to keep me out of grad school? Maybe I need to independent study of some sort in the next semester. Maybe I should write a paper. I don't know. I better hurry up because I got work to do.
I keep wondering why I haven't cried yet. Maybe I'm saving it for the funeral. I know Pop is not there. He's certainly in a better place. I miss him.
Well, I gotta press through 'til I reach Saturday. That will be my Sabbath. I'll rest for a good while. In the meantime my studies awaits. Gotta go!
This weekend was a hard one. It was full of agitation. I was agitated when I went home to Drexel Hill this past weekend. My grandmother is spending the over for my grandfather's funeral. The house is cold. The heater in the basement needs oil. I almost blew a gasket. I felt so stressed because the funeral so happens to be on finals week. Life sucks. But I have to press through. I have been over analytical with my emotions during this time. I haven't had a good cry. It's like when you about to sneeze but it just won't come out. Yeah, that's what it feels like. Nevertheless I have work to finish. I have a take home exam I haven't started yet. It's due tomorrow...i think. I also have an exam in Electronic Systems. I hate that class. I love the professor. Dr. Brusic is awesome but I'm not electronically-inclined. I have an aversion to all things mathematic and scientific. I'm failing that class.
A lot has been on my mind. Will I make it to grad school? I feel burned out already. I've been in college for five years. I've developed a passion to learn about communication theory, cultural theory, and theology during my time here. I'm not fit for the entertainment business. I was mean't to be a talking brain.... uh I mean scholar.
Is this failing grade going to keep me out of grad school? Maybe I need to independent study of some sort in the next semester. Maybe I should write a paper. I don't know. I better hurry up because I got work to do.
I keep wondering why I haven't cried yet. Maybe I'm saving it for the funeral. I know Pop is not there. He's certainly in a better place. I miss him.
Well, I gotta press through 'til I reach Saturday. That will be my Sabbath. I'll rest for a good while. In the meantime my studies awaits. Gotta go!
Sunday, December 09, 2007
An Honored Man: Pop Pop's Obituary
Reverend Ora Marcus Locust, Jr. was born on October 30, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was the fourth child of the late Reverend Ora Marcus and Mary Ruth Greenway Locust, Sr. He received his early education in Pittsburgh and later graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, TX in 1954.
In 1955 Ora Locust, Jr. married Verona Lee Douglas and their union was blessed with six children: Ora Marcus III, Michael, Joyce (my mother), Wayne, Christopher, and Stephanie who preceded him in death. Among his many services for our Lord Reverend Locust, Jr. was choir director for many churches in Philadelphia and New Jersey and was a talented musician and gifted singer of the Gospel. He was called to preach in 1961 and ordained in 1965. He pursued studies at Temple University, Philadelphia College of the Bible, and received his Bachelor of Theology from Inter-Baptist Theological Center in Houston, TX in 1967.
Reverend Locust, Jr. pastored the Pine Street Baptist Church in Scranton, PA from 1965-1968, First United Baptist Church (Philadelphia) from 1968 to 1984, and was the founding pastor of Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church until his retirement in 2000.
Reverend Locust had the heart of a true servant and for much of his life was dedicated to community service and civic responsibilities from early years as a civil rights leader in Scranton and as Director of the Neighborhood Community Center he continued his committment for many years of work in crime prevention as Director of R.W. Brown Boys and Girls Club in North Philadelphia.
Upon retirement Rev. Locust, Jr. joined Loyal Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Reverend Floyd Locust. He was a faithful servant in ministry and family.
Reverend Locust, Jr. was preceded in death by three sisters: Harriet, Lois Paris, and Viola Jackson. He leaves to cherish his memories Verona and their five children; his sister Ruth Martin; two daughters-in-law Deborah and Kimi; one son-in-law James; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Sorrowfully submitted,
The Family
Reverend Ora Marcus Locust, Jr. was born on October 30, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was the fourth child of the late Reverend Ora Marcus and Mary Ruth Greenway Locust, Sr. He received his early education in Pittsburgh and later graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, TX in 1954.
In 1955 Ora Locust, Jr. married Verona Lee Douglas and their union was blessed with six children: Ora Marcus III, Michael, Joyce (my mother), Wayne, Christopher, and Stephanie who preceded him in death. Among his many services for our Lord Reverend Locust, Jr. was choir director for many churches in Philadelphia and New Jersey and was a talented musician and gifted singer of the Gospel. He was called to preach in 1961 and ordained in 1965. He pursued studies at Temple University, Philadelphia College of the Bible, and received his Bachelor of Theology from Inter-Baptist Theological Center in Houston, TX in 1967.
Reverend Locust, Jr. pastored the Pine Street Baptist Church in Scranton, PA from 1965-1968, First United Baptist Church (Philadelphia) from 1968 to 1984, and was the founding pastor of Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church until his retirement in 2000.
Reverend Locust had the heart of a true servant and for much of his life was dedicated to community service and civic responsibilities from early years as a civil rights leader in Scranton and as Director of the Neighborhood Community Center he continued his committment for many years of work in crime prevention as Director of R.W. Brown Boys and Girls Club in North Philadelphia.
Upon retirement Rev. Locust, Jr. joined Loyal Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Reverend Floyd Locust. He was a faithful servant in ministry and family.
Reverend Locust, Jr. was preceded in death by three sisters: Harriet, Lois Paris, and Viola Jackson. He leaves to cherish his memories Verona and their five children; his sister Ruth Martin; two daughters-in-law Deborah and Kimi; one son-in-law James; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Sorrowfully submitted,
The Family
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Sabbath Rest
My grandfather, the Reverend Ora M. Locust, Jr. entered into his rest Thursday morning. He was 73.
Memory Lane
Pop founded and pastored a storefront church in West Philadelphia called Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church at 5333-35 Market Street in 1984. I was born into that church. My grandfather was my very first pastor. I came to know Christ at the tender age of seven. He baptized me. I remember living on 58th and Spruce Street at my mother's house and playing church on Sundays with my brother and our childhood friends Riko and Shanelle. I was the preacher. My "pulpit" was the steps. I would shout just like my grandfather. I remember it like yesterday.
The Call
I was called to preach the Gospel on May 6, 2006. I called and told my grandfather a couple of days later. He "grilled" me. Pop wanted to know if I was really called. I told him the scenario. He told me that he wanted to speak with me about this call. I remember him telling me that he might be dead and gone someday and told me it was necessary for him to speak with me. It took me a couple of months after this phone call to actually speak with him. I was a very busy college student and I didn't make the time to speak with him.
Our meeting lasted a few hours. It was the best time I had with my grandfather. He was concise and clear about what he wanted me to hear. His words are still impressed in my heart until this day.
Final Days on Earth
Pop was diagnosed with stage-4 cancer a few months ago. Metastasis spread throughout his body. He had chemotherapy and radiation. But on the Wednesday before thanksgiving he was hospitalized. I got to see him on Thanksgiving. He was feeble but feisty. He couldn't eat a lot but he had a couple bites of sweet potato pie. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, he had a bad fall in the hospital. He fractured his neck and was bed-ridden. He had to wear a gawky neck brace to stabilize his spine. Metastasis spread to is spinal column. There was no bone wear he fractured his neck, just cancer. That Monday I visited him along with a bunch of my relatives. It was the last time I seen him alive.
Eternal Rest
Thursday around 11a.m. my cousin called me while I was at work. She told me she got word that Pop Pop passed. My mother called me an hour ago and told me that when she went up to see him that he looked peaceful. She said that Pop wanted to pass knowing that his kids would be okay. So he went in his sleep with no one in the room. Now is joins his God and the Church triumphant in eternal victory and fellowship. To God be praised.
My grandfather, the Reverend Ora M. Locust, Jr. entered into his rest Thursday morning. He was 73.
Memory Lane
Pop founded and pastored a storefront church in West Philadelphia called Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church at 5333-35 Market Street in 1984. I was born into that church. My grandfather was my very first pastor. I came to know Christ at the tender age of seven. He baptized me. I remember living on 58th and Spruce Street at my mother's house and playing church on Sundays with my brother and our childhood friends Riko and Shanelle. I was the preacher. My "pulpit" was the steps. I would shout just like my grandfather. I remember it like yesterday.
The Call
I was called to preach the Gospel on May 6, 2006. I called and told my grandfather a couple of days later. He "grilled" me. Pop wanted to know if I was really called. I told him the scenario. He told me that he wanted to speak with me about this call. I remember him telling me that he might be dead and gone someday and told me it was necessary for him to speak with me. It took me a couple of months after this phone call to actually speak with him. I was a very busy college student and I didn't make the time to speak with him.
Our meeting lasted a few hours. It was the best time I had with my grandfather. He was concise and clear about what he wanted me to hear. His words are still impressed in my heart until this day.
Final Days on Earth
Pop was diagnosed with stage-4 cancer a few months ago. Metastasis spread throughout his body. He had chemotherapy and radiation. But on the Wednesday before thanksgiving he was hospitalized. I got to see him on Thanksgiving. He was feeble but feisty. He couldn't eat a lot but he had a couple bites of sweet potato pie. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, he had a bad fall in the hospital. He fractured his neck and was bed-ridden. He had to wear a gawky neck brace to stabilize his spine. Metastasis spread to is spinal column. There was no bone wear he fractured his neck, just cancer. That Monday I visited him along with a bunch of my relatives. It was the last time I seen him alive.
Eternal Rest
Thursday around 11a.m. my cousin called me while I was at work. She told me she got word that Pop Pop passed. My mother called me an hour ago and told me that when she went up to see him that he looked peaceful. She said that Pop wanted to pass knowing that his kids would be okay. So he went in his sleep with no one in the room. Now is joins his God and the Church triumphant in eternal victory and fellowship. To God be praised.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Sola Deo Gloria!
Touchstone Magazine has become a frequent website I visit. It is a magazine promoting Christian orthodoxy or as the editors borrow from C.S. Lewis in its subtitle: "mere" Christianity. It features the writings of Christians from the three major streams of the Christianity: Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. It has an traditional (i.e. conservative), yet ecumenical approach to Christianity. Yet all the writers are maintain an allegiance to their respective Christian traditions. Timothy George, J.I. Packer, Thomas C. Oden, and R. Albert Mohler, are frequent contributers representing the evangelical wing of Protestantism.
I tend to like the overall gist of the magazine. Orthodoxy comes form the Greek word orthodoxos meaning "right opinion; praise; glory". Christian orthodoxy is basically outlined in the ancient Creeds developed in the ecumenical councils of the early Church.
But I have this against Touchstone. There are hardly any contemporary orthodox authors from non-European backgrounds. Where are the members of the Majority World? Where are the African Americans, Latinos, and Asian American theologians? Now are are female authors, but rarely are evangelical egalitarians (Christians for Biblical Equality). Most of the theologians, biblical scholars, and intellectuals featured in Touchstone espouse a complementarian theology and strongly maintain it is important for Christians to adopt such in order to included in the boundaries of Christian orthodoxy.
I feel for my sisters in Christ who maintain orthodoxy have to wrestle between it and their identity as women. To be truly female in orthodox Christian traditions is to maintain one's place: under the "sacrificial leadership of men within the divine creation order." Although their is rich biblical and theological scholarship have challenged hand have refuted the exegetical claims from the complementarian camp, egalitarians are in the minority within classical Christian circles. Wesleyan-Holiness and Pentecostal traditions early in their histories have argued a biblical and theological case for women's call to preach the Gospel and minister in pastoral leadership for over one hundred years. The African Methodist Episcopal Church has ordained women since nearly its inception. In recent years three women have been elected to the bishopric. Because of the current historical climate of feminism and the gay rights movements, anything that "smells" like feminism (especially for many editors of Touchstone), it is shut down and dismissed as borderline, if not, downright heretical and inimical to the Gospel (i.e. Together for the Gospel official document link).
Though women were ordained clergy in the early history of the Church, Christians theologians maintained that only males can sacramentally represent Christ fully in the ordained priesthood (Orthodox, Roman Catholic) and/or that males in church leadership is analogous to the "headship" of husbands in the home and Christ and his Church (conservative evangelicalism , see Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood's magna carta, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood).
Some like Leon J. Podles and R. Albert Mohler have asserted that a "feminization of Christianity' over the last fifty or so years, if not, centuries ago. According to a 2006 report in the New York Times, women make up 51 percent of recently enrolled seminary students yet in mainline denominations women clergy make up 3 percent. Most evangelical denominations, with the exception the Wesleyan-Holiness, Evangelical Covenant, recently the Christian Reformed, and the Pentecostal Churches (AG, Church of God TN, Pentecostal-Holiness, Foursquare), do not ordain women. The Church of God in Christ, the largest black trinitarian Pentecostal denomination does not officially ordain women to the pastorate. Women are licensed evangelists and missionaries and ordained military chaplains. However, bishops can appoint women to pastor church within his jurisdiction but they are not officially called "Rev.", "Elder", or "Pastor" but the traditional Sanctified Church title for revered older women "Mother", "Evangelist", "Prophetess" or "Shepherdess".
What's an orthodox Christian egalitarian women and man to do? She or he do not have a kindred fellowship with those of a liberal theological stripe. She or he has more in common with her complementarian Christian brothers... and sisters! Yet when one Christian women is convinced by Scripture and the Holy Spirit to minister as the Spirit wills, she is giving "biblical boundaries" to minister because of her womanhood. Where is she to go? The harvest is ripe for the harvest. The sheep need a shepherd but she is denied the office because she is told God does not call women to shepherd the sheep because it would undermined the divinely ordained social hierarchical relationship with male and female.
Why is this an important issue for me, you ask? Because as the title of this post says, it is for God's glory alone I write this. I believe the most fundamental relational issue in the world today second to humanity's broken relationship with God is humanity's broken relationship with humanity. Male and female are in a constant struggle. Though most say it's for control and that may be true. I must say it is essentially the quest to relate with each other as male and female. It is truly a crisis of identity. What does it mean to be human as male and female. For centuries theologians have labored to study this theological problem. Yes, this is a theological problem. Sin though defeated at the Cross, it has residue with the barrels our humanity.
We as the Body of Christ still await the Second Advent of our King and the redemption of our bodies. Our bodies are sexed. We are sexual beings. Yet with the modern theories that have developed the category known as "gender" has been included in our cultural lexicon. Gender means the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex. Gender is formed and informed by our various cultures. Yes their are biologically gender differences. But cultures play a key role too. The paradox is gender has helped and even confused the debate among sincere orthodox believers.
This will be a long journey of discovering what God has created. We are a undone people. The Church really has to dig deep in the wells of Scripture and in the unsearchable depths of the Spirit of God. The Gospel of reconciliation doesn't just reconcile us back to God but reconciles us back to each other. The Church is the new Eden. Yet we are a undone people ever submitting ourselves in the hand of the Potter to mold us into the image of his Son. I hope to continue in faith in this discussion within the Church. The issue of women in ministerial leadership should be a non-essential issue in the Church. But the issue has roots in the essentials; the doctrine of God, the doctrine of creation, the doctrine of sin, the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of the Church, and so forth. The Gospel is truly hindered when believers refrain from speaking in love. Anger rests in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). Our witness must be true to Christ and the glory of the Father. A dying world is watching for us to fulfill the Master declaration that we are the city upon the hill whose lights shines for all men to see. May it shine bright so the world may glorify the Father who is in heaven and his Son who sits at his right hand forever. Amen
Touchstone Magazine has become a frequent website I visit. It is a magazine promoting Christian orthodoxy or as the editors borrow from C.S. Lewis in its subtitle: "mere" Christianity. It features the writings of Christians from the three major streams of the Christianity: Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. It has an traditional (i.e. conservative), yet ecumenical approach to Christianity. Yet all the writers are maintain an allegiance to their respective Christian traditions. Timothy George, J.I. Packer, Thomas C. Oden, and R. Albert Mohler, are frequent contributers representing the evangelical wing of Protestantism.
I tend to like the overall gist of the magazine. Orthodoxy comes form the Greek word orthodoxos meaning "right opinion; praise; glory". Christian orthodoxy is basically outlined in the ancient Creeds developed in the ecumenical councils of the early Church.
But I have this against Touchstone. There are hardly any contemporary orthodox authors from non-European backgrounds. Where are the members of the Majority World? Where are the African Americans, Latinos, and Asian American theologians? Now are are female authors, but rarely are evangelical egalitarians (Christians for Biblical Equality). Most of the theologians, biblical scholars, and intellectuals featured in Touchstone espouse a complementarian theology and strongly maintain it is important for Christians to adopt such in order to included in the boundaries of Christian orthodoxy.
I feel for my sisters in Christ who maintain orthodoxy have to wrestle between it and their identity as women. To be truly female in orthodox Christian traditions is to maintain one's place: under the "sacrificial leadership of men within the divine creation order." Although their is rich biblical and theological scholarship have challenged hand have refuted the exegetical claims from the complementarian camp, egalitarians are in the minority within classical Christian circles. Wesleyan-Holiness and Pentecostal traditions early in their histories have argued a biblical and theological case for women's call to preach the Gospel and minister in pastoral leadership for over one hundred years. The African Methodist Episcopal Church has ordained women since nearly its inception. In recent years three women have been elected to the bishopric. Because of the current historical climate of feminism and the gay rights movements, anything that "smells" like feminism (especially for many editors of Touchstone), it is shut down and dismissed as borderline, if not, downright heretical and inimical to the Gospel (i.e. Together for the Gospel official document link).
Though women were ordained clergy in the early history of the Church, Christians theologians maintained that only males can sacramentally represent Christ fully in the ordained priesthood (Orthodox, Roman Catholic) and/or that males in church leadership is analogous to the "headship" of husbands in the home and Christ and his Church (conservative evangelicalism , see Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood's magna carta, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood).
Some like Leon J. Podles and R. Albert Mohler have asserted that a "feminization of Christianity' over the last fifty or so years, if not, centuries ago. According to a 2006 report in the New York Times, women make up 51 percent of recently enrolled seminary students yet in mainline denominations women clergy make up 3 percent. Most evangelical denominations, with the exception the Wesleyan-Holiness, Evangelical Covenant, recently the Christian Reformed, and the Pentecostal Churches (AG, Church of God TN, Pentecostal-Holiness, Foursquare), do not ordain women. The Church of God in Christ, the largest black trinitarian Pentecostal denomination does not officially ordain women to the pastorate. Women are licensed evangelists and missionaries and ordained military chaplains. However, bishops can appoint women to pastor church within his jurisdiction but they are not officially called "Rev.", "Elder", or "Pastor" but the traditional Sanctified Church title for revered older women "Mother", "Evangelist", "Prophetess" or "Shepherdess".
What's an orthodox Christian egalitarian women and man to do? She or he do not have a kindred fellowship with those of a liberal theological stripe. She or he has more in common with her complementarian Christian brothers... and sisters! Yet when one Christian women is convinced by Scripture and the Holy Spirit to minister as the Spirit wills, she is giving "biblical boundaries" to minister because of her womanhood. Where is she to go? The harvest is ripe for the harvest. The sheep need a shepherd but she is denied the office because she is told God does not call women to shepherd the sheep because it would undermined the divinely ordained social hierarchical relationship with male and female.
Why is this an important issue for me, you ask? Because as the title of this post says, it is for God's glory alone I write this. I believe the most fundamental relational issue in the world today second to humanity's broken relationship with God is humanity's broken relationship with humanity. Male and female are in a constant struggle. Though most say it's for control and that may be true. I must say it is essentially the quest to relate with each other as male and female. It is truly a crisis of identity. What does it mean to be human as male and female. For centuries theologians have labored to study this theological problem. Yes, this is a theological problem. Sin though defeated at the Cross, it has residue with the barrels our humanity.
We as the Body of Christ still await the Second Advent of our King and the redemption of our bodies. Our bodies are sexed. We are sexual beings. Yet with the modern theories that have developed the category known as "gender" has been included in our cultural lexicon. Gender means the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex. Gender is formed and informed by our various cultures. Yes their are biologically gender differences. But cultures play a key role too. The paradox is gender has helped and even confused the debate among sincere orthodox believers.
This will be a long journey of discovering what God has created. We are a undone people. The Church really has to dig deep in the wells of Scripture and in the unsearchable depths of the Spirit of God. The Gospel of reconciliation doesn't just reconcile us back to God but reconciles us back to each other. The Church is the new Eden. Yet we are a undone people ever submitting ourselves in the hand of the Potter to mold us into the image of his Son. I hope to continue in faith in this discussion within the Church. The issue of women in ministerial leadership should be a non-essential issue in the Church. But the issue has roots in the essentials; the doctrine of God, the doctrine of creation, the doctrine of sin, the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of the Church, and so forth. The Gospel is truly hindered when believers refrain from speaking in love. Anger rests in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). Our witness must be true to Christ and the glory of the Father. A dying world is watching for us to fulfill the Master declaration that we are the city upon the hill whose lights shines for all men to see. May it shine bright so the world may glorify the Father who is in heaven and his Son who sits at his right hand forever. Amen
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