A Post On Theological Education (But Applies to All)

I read this quick article titled, "How to Waste Your Theological Education."  I was ready to write it off because I am not currently in any sort of formal theological education, however I gave it a quick glance.  

Honestly, this post is for everyone!  Granted, there are a few things that do not apply to everyone, but there are some good suggestions. 

Here are a few that convicted me:

8. Practice misquoting and misrepresenting positions and ideas you don't agree with.  Be lazy and don't attempt to understand opposing views; instead, nurse your prejudices and exalt your opinions by superficial reading and listening.

23. Day dream about future opportunities to the point that you get nothing out of your current opportunity to learn God's Word.

Numbers 30, 32, 35, 40 were also great (in that they forced me to deal with my own inadequacies).

A Trip to the West Side (of the Nation)

This past weekend I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Seattle, Washington.  While there, I visited a cousin, a very close friend, and did the stuff an average tourist would do.  What set this trip apart were the conversations, fellowship, and interactions with a close friend and his group of friends.  

Many people will say that post-college graduation is some of the hardest years of life because most people are distanced from a large group of their close friends.  In Seattle, I was blown away at the pure, authentic fellowship that I experienced.  For some reason I thought that the community I was surrounded with in college would never be experienced again.  In just a few days across the country, I realized that thought was terribly inaccurate.

See below for pictures.  I must say, it was beautiful too!

How to Have a Spiritually Sweet Summer

I just read this post titled, "Don't Waste Your Summer (9 Resolutions)." This is a great article for those who are enjoying summer vacation from middle school, high school, or college.

Here are a few more suggestions or further explanations from the article.

1) Really take your time through the Bible. The key is not how much you read, but how rich your times are in the text that you are working through (quality over quantity).
2) Have a Bible reading plan. Set aside a certain time, place, and what you will read. This will prevent you from feeling lost when you set aside time to read.
3) A book I would add to the list that the link mentions is "A Call to Die" by David Nasser. It is a challenging book and is great to do with a group of people. I also like "The Jesus I Never Knew" by Philip Yancy.

Blue Earth

Somewhere in Minnesota. The sunrise service in Dell Rapids is over and I am on my trek across Minnesota. I'll be making a wick stop in Rochester and then back home in Kenosha.

Happy Easter!
Joshua Mathews
joshmathews@gmail.com

Goodbye Dell Rapids

Joshua Mathews
joshmathews@gmail.com

A Real South Dakotian Truck

Joshua Mathews
joshmathews@gmail.com

cupcake

This is a picture of Matt Hupila's mom's famous cream cheese cupcakes.

She literally went to Target today and bought all the cooking utensils (and ingredients) just to make them!
Joshua Mathews
joshmathews@gmail.com

Sonic.jpg

Sonic beakfast burritos....check
Joshua Mathews
joshmathews@gmail.com

No Frills

Interesting check out @ grocery store in Omaha.
Joshua Mathews
joshmathews@gmail.com

University of Iowa

Came into hawkeye country last night. It was pretty hard to be surrounded by black and golf, but I survived.

This morning I had the opportunity to see part of campus. I must say it is pretty nice. However, Carlson at the U is much nicer than the business school down here.

Going to see the famous (at least around here) Hamburg Inn and then off to Omaha!
Joshua Mathews
joshmathews@gmail.com