We’re excited that today is Dee’s dissertation defense for her PhD in Mathematics.  She is scheduled to present her research (Laminations: A Topological Approach) at 1 pm CST and, hopefully, will complete the defense around 4 pm.  Her presentation is around 45 minutes long, followed by a series of questions from the general audience, then her committee.  So, she’s just a few hours away from being “Dr. Dee.” 

Also, we finally moved all our stuff into the house in Cleveland.  Whew!  It was quite an ordeal.  Before we left Pelham, we held a pretty large yard sale and sold (or gave away) quite a bit of stuff.  It’s amazing the things that we collect over the years.

In light of our recent move, last Sunday was our first (official) Sunday at Gateway church.  We’re excited to join the faith family at Gateway in service for God’s Kingdom.  We’ll be working with the lead pastor, Jason Daughdrill, in areas of discipleship/teaching.  Special thanks to everyone who has been praying for us concerning this transition from BHM to TN.  Time seems to be flying by and what was once an “upcoming transition” is actually here.  And, as always, God’s grace (and infinite wisdom) is definitely in the mix.

Blessings

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the lack of posting in the past few months.  Shannon and I have been very busy and “wow!” do things change quickly!  :biggrin: I wanted to give you all an update to let you know how God is working in our lives.  I have been hired at Lee University as Assistant Mathematics Professor for the Fall, so Shannon and I will be moving (back) to Cleveland, TN this summer when I finish my dissertation.  Thank you, God, for a job.

With the economy in a lull, it is becoming increasingly harder to find jobs, not to mention good jobs.  Thus, I am very grateful that God has provided an awesome job at Lee.  I so much enjoyed my time there during my undergrad degree, that I think I will have much fun going back.

Please keep praying for us, as we have lots of work and many decisions to make in the next few months.  I have half of my dissertation to finish, and then I have to defend it, which is so much work that I can’t quite see the end of the road just yet. :blink: We need to find a house in Cleveland, which is a little difficult while we still have so much to do in Birmingham.  So, rejoice with us, but please don’t stop praying for God’s blessings and guidance.

We love and miss you all,

Dee

Well, it’s been an eventful few weeks.  Dee and I traveled to Georgia the weekend of the 16th in order to preach the homecoming service at Cornerstone church.  My mom and grandmother were able to join us in service, which is always a tremendous blessing.  The message, The Cruciform Life, was from Ps 19 and 1 Cor 6.  It just so happened that I injured my neck the day before service.  Wouldn’t you know it?  A neck injury to bring in the 30th birthday!  Thankfully, our chiropractor is anointed to deal with such issues.  Yet, it still was a bitter reminder that life is on the move.  :blink:

I was blessed by my family with a very helpful birthday gift.  They gave me the German edition of Rosetta Stone, which I’ve been considering for a while now.  After working through several lessons with the program, it seems to be an excellent resource for introducing one to the language.  From what a RS representative told Dee, one could have “conversational fluency” after several months utilizing the program (of course, that’s studying for an hour  a day, at the least).  So, we’ll see how things go.

This past Saturday, several friends from our local church surprised me with a “you’re over the hill-now-you’re-30!” birthday party.  It was hilarious.  They put up signs in our neighborhood (thanks Carrie and Brandy!), grilled out (thanks Brett and Ken), and, all in all, helped Saturday to be a blast for us (kudos to all!).  [a special shout out to Sonny for the bookstore-breakfast distraction!  It worked like a charm... :biggrin: ].  I’m grateful for their friendship.  At the core of being in the faith family is doing life together.  And what better way of doing life together than partying your socks off?  :w00t:

As many of you know, D’s been swamped writing a computer program with a “research language” (Python) that is required for her comprehensive exams (in order to become an official PhD candidate).  Good news.  Yesterday, she completed the program (thanks Clinton for all the help!) and is submitting it for approval this morning.  As of right now, she will be graduating (Lord willing) next August.

Well, that’s an abridged update.  We hope everyone is doing well and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Blessings

Shannon and I went to Georgia this past weekend to visit our new baby nephew, Alex Emanuel Acosta.  He was born Wednesday, June 14, 2009, weighing 8 pounds and measuring 21.75 inches in length.

I was amazed!  How beautiful he is, and precious, and innocent.  I am amazed at how wonderful God is – that God can form a child.  Wow.  And to top it all off, God knows each and every child that is conceived, even if they do not live long enough to be given a name.

Moreover, each one is different from all others.  Even identical twins are not “identical.”  They may be similar enough to make it difficult for me to discern between them, but there are differences.  I just want to thank God for his unimaginable creativity and ask him to help me celebrate the differences in all of us. 

Dee

I‘ve been fighting this allergy / sinus funk for several days now.  This morning I broke down and went to the doctor.  Sure enough, I’m allergic to nearly everything that is out and about for the next month or so (living in Pollen, AL).  Got some nose spray, antibiotics, antihistamine/decongestant and a steroid shot.  Hope to be rid of this crud in the next few days.

On the upside, these last few days have been an opportunity to finish up Mere Discipleship by Lee C. Camp, as well as listen to the videos from Woodland Hills Bridge (see my last post).  I think Camp’s book should be read by everyone upon entering God’s Kingdom (especially in the Western world).  He has a knack for confronting many things which plague the church in America (even our own congregation).  The read is very accessible and has a helpful study guide in the back (with chapter summaries, discussion questions, and recommended readings).  I hope to revisit the study with a friend who is purchasing the book soon.

The next few months should be quite eventful.  I’m still studying for the GRE, which I hope to take in August.  As most know, the GRE includes the horrible four letter word… MATH!  Thankfully, I spend most of my time with someone who knows quite a bit about the subject (lol).  Dee has fit me in her schedule for math sessions.  Which is really cool considering she has a way of making the craziest math insights (and jokes) accessible for the hubby.  Her incredible genius combined with her God-given patience gives me hope. 

While preparing for the GRE, I’m also trying to get two more languages under my belt, which should help in my application for a PhD program.  I’m interested in the field of Christian Ethics (maybe getting into a program in Fall 2010).  Further, we’re scheduled to be in several ministry services next month at SMCoG; and, hopefully, another church in the area come June.  It’ll be good to visit Georgia.

D and I are still teaching students on Wednesday nights at ACoG, and I’m still researching a possible 2-year curriculum which will help add proportionality to our theological trek.  I’ve been wondering a lot about the direction of our sessions (a.k.a. Kingdom Seminars).  One of the challenges of student ministry (and any ministry for that matter) is getting a good mix of enjoyable activities (conducive to fruitful fellowship) while, at the same time, teaching the students the called-for commitment of discipleship.  How discipleship is more than “coming to church,” or having an “awesome event.”  I’m afraid that many of our ministries expect too much from big gatherings (whether it’s Winterfest, sports teams or youth “rallies”.)  What is the lasting fruit of such things?  I’m not saying “throw the baby out with the bath water.”  Only, are we really learning what it means to live a life in submission to the Lordship of Jesus?  Have we embraced the challenge of going beyond ourselves (e.g. in our preferences for church events) and caught on to the mission of God’s Spirit in everyday relationships in which we share the love of Jesus with those around us?  I digress…

Dee has comprehensive exams this summer.  Although she is at the half-way point of her PhD studies, she has to pass these exams to be officially considered for candidacy.  I’m sure she will do fine.  However, she doesn’t enjoy the tests (who would?).  So, please keep her in your prayers.  Let’s see, what else is going on?  Well, I’ve got an interview this week about a possible (hospice) chaplaincy job.  Not sure how this will turn out.  I’m hoping to hear back from some other apps as well (in the teaching field).  We’re praying for the Lord’s guidance.

Blessings,

Shannon

I recently found out that Dr. Adewuya (my advisor at Seminary) preached a message last month in Edmonds, Washington. Fortunately, the church made the sermon available for download.  So, we have his message available via The Bridge LIVE and encourage all to check out this timely word.  (*Remember that once you visit the site of The Bridge LIVE, you can subscribe to the podcasts via iTunes.  For those who cannot access the podcasts onsite, iTunes works well in allowing you to download the messages to your computer.)  

Dr. Adewuya and his wife, Sis. Grace Adewuya, (M.Div.) are some of the most committed Christians that I know as it relates to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As a brief intro:

• He and Sis. Grace have four children, Toluwalope (“Praise belongs to the Lord”), Iyanuloluwa (“the Lord is wonderful”), Ruth, and Jonathan.
• He is a member of East Cleveland Church of God.
• He is the Associate Professor of Greek and New Testament at the Church of God Theological Seminary.
• He is a seasoned preacher, pastor, missionary and church planter.
• From 1984-2001, he served in the Philippines as a missionary and church planter.
• He served several years as adjunct faculty at Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary and Asia Seminary of Christian Ministries.
• He is an active member of Society for Pentecostal Studies, Wesleyan Theological Society, and Society of Biblical Literature.

Dr. and Sis. Adewuya have extensive ministries which serve various persons in need of God’s love.  You can find more information about these ministries at the following sites:  Amazing Grace Christian Foundation and Hope and Abundant Life Ministries International.  As co-laborers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I encourage all to pray for these tremendous ministries as they are impacting so many lives with the love of Jesus and furthering the Kingdom of God. Also, as God leads, I would invite all to contribute to these ministries in every way possible.  I know without a doubt that Dr. and Sis. Adewuya are persons of integrity, and they serve as conduits of God’s love and mercy to all those around them.

Blessings, 

Shannon

I’ve been a Christ follower for just over ten years now.  When I first surrendered my life to God, through faith in Jesus, a friend of mine (the fellow who led me to the Lord) kept reminding me over and over – “Shannon, you’ve got to be ‘in it to win it’.”  At first, I was like, “I know, I know.  Of course, I’m in it to win it (the good fight of faith that is).”  A bit later (not that long really), I soon discovered why my friend was constantly reminding me of this. It’s because no matter the elation of one’s present, there come times when we are tempted simply to quit – on God, on others, on goals, on ministry, on and on and on the list could go…

I’ve heard various sermons about persistence, resilience, stick-to-it-tiveness, encouragement, etc. (and I love the picture above, D’s parents have it on their refrigerator).  Also, the Scriptures are replete with evidence of God’s persistence and determination.  Yet, sometimes God even seems to draw the line. 

When I got home tonight from church, I was standing at our kitchen counter flippin’ through a book that a friend recently gave me. I haven’t read the book as of yet, but one particular story in it jumped off the pages as I skimmed through.  The story was of a young minister and his family who recently accepted a ministry position.  The couple was so excited about graduating bible school, working hard to provide for their family, ardently seeking God’s direction for their lives (as to where they were best to advance God’s Kingdom), and finally being appointed to a very promising ministry position.

Upon working there for a short while, the book said that the couple met much resistance in the ministry.  None of the exuberant hope-filled dreams with which they began seemed to come to pass.  One thing led to another, until finally, the couple was removed from their position of ministry (because they did not meet people’s expectations).  Shortly afterwards, the family gave up on God and, over a period of time, gave up on each other.  

I remember thinking (praying) while I was reading this – God, please don’t let this happen to us.  My question is, for those who are following the Lord, do you ever struggle with just giving up? When times like this come your way, what do you do?  Are there folks in your life whom you trust enough to share this?  Are there certain things which help you during “dark nights of the soul,” wherein you feel like you’ve reached bottom?  Now, of course, the standard responses might be – pray more, believe more, just be positive, etc.  And each of these definitely has its place.  But, if you will, please be a bit more specific as to what you do when faced with the temptation to quit.

For my friends, don’t worry, I’m not in this season right now.   The story in the book just brought this to mind.  And although the skies are bright and currently clear.  I’m old enough to realize that the storms are sure to come.

Blessings,

Shannon

Hey all!  

I have been working through Wolfgang Vondey’s newest book, People of Bread: Rediscovering Ecclesiology.  (“Ecclesiology” means “the study of the Church as a biblical and theological topic”)  Now the Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Regent University’s School of Divinity, Vondey is a COGTS alumnus.  He is originally from Germany and was raised Roman Catholic.  But now he is an ordained minister in the Church of God.  It reminds me of what a good friend said a few years back, “Catholics make good Pentecostals.”  (But that’s another post altogether.)

This week, I would like to explore some important points in chapter one – A New Image for the Church: Reviving the Theological Imagination

Throughout the Scriptures there are numerous images which represent greater (sometimes ineffable) objects and/or realities. Whether pictures, symbols, figures, metaphors, or analogies,¹ these images “stand between us and the reality we envision, often because we have no direct recourse to the object itself” (p. 14). This is not to say that the image is just like the object which it represents, but that there is a relationship between the image and its object.  ”Images help us visualize, illuminate, and comprehend, in the true sense of the word, ‘to imagine’ a reality that is otherwise distant, invisible, and incomprehensible” (p. 14). And no one biblical image portrays the fullness of God, the Church, etc.  Hence, there are various images used in the Scriptures which together portray the dynamic reality behind what they represent.

When talking about the nature and purpose of the Church, early Christian writers commented on images used especially in the NT. Of note, the most popular images discussed were concerning the Church as the people of God, the Body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Such an emphasis was “greatly influenced by the emerging doctrine of the Trinity” (p. 16).  Yet, there were other early Christian writers who suggested additional images.

• Clement of Rome (1st century bishop) used the image of the Church as Christ’s army.
• The 2nd century document, Shepherd of Hermas, used the idea of the Church as a primal creation of God, represented by the image of an old woman.
• Cyprian of Carthage used the image of Noah’s ark, the sun and its rays, a tree and its branches, and a fountain and its many streams to illustrate the unity of the Church.
• Cyprian, Tertullian and Augustine often called the Church “mother.”
• Hilary of Poitiers, Ambrose and Jerome also referred to the Church as a woman.

Importantly, when the early Christian writers used additional images, they were careful to relate such images to the thought world of the NT.

What are some images of the Church which you have heard or used that attempt to capture the nature and purpose of the Church (or God, salvation, etc.)? What are some of the benefits of the image/s?  What are some dangers in these images?  Is there a particular image that you remember from childhood (or another time) that helped you understand a difficult theological idea?

Peace,

Shannon

¹ Paul Minear notes some ninety-six images of the Church in the NT.  See Vondey, People of Bread, p. 15.

Well, school is back in full swing for Dee.  In addition to her own classes and research, she was asked to teach a graduate level course.  She is very excited to do so, to say the least.  We went home for several days over Christmas break and enjoyed hanging out with family and friends (esp. Cranium night at the Jay’s Inn!).  And as always, time finds a way of eluding us.  For the most part, I was hidden away in an extra room finishing up my thesis (entitled – Hospitality in the Spirt: A Christlike Embrace of the Other).  

Reading back over the paper, the work seems more like a survey than a research paper.  The resources which I utilized are just so rich.  Take for example, Stephen Seamands book, Ministry in the Image of God: The Trinitarian Shape of Christian Service.  Wow.  Seamands offers insights as to how the biblical witness of God as Triune gives shape to what ministry should look like.  That the Church in her (Christlike) intra/inter-relations bears witness to God’s existence as Father, Son and Spirit.  And the read is very accessible.  Seamands is a pastoral theologian who clearly speaks to the relational needs of the local church. Another great resource is by Wolfgang Vondey, People of Bread: Rediscovering Ecclesiology. (ecclesiology = “study of the church”)  This one I am still working through; however, the section on hospitality is very insightful.  These are two examples of the various resources used.  I hope to continue reading and amending the work to reflect better my thoughts of the material.

For those who may be curious, here is a copy of my abstract for the paper:

The undercurrent of Western individualism tends to constrict our confessional reading of the Church of God Declaration of Faith here in the U.S.  By and large, our ecclesial structures tend to disclose a rather compartmentalized notion of spirituality and tendency to withdraw from our neighbors.  This study explores the grounding of the Declaration of Faith in the hospitality of God.  In so doing, this writer suggests that God’s relationality has significant implications concerning our confession of God’s providence, the nature of salvation and the agency of the Church.   

A Trinitarian framework informs our ecclesiological identity as a people of a transformed lens and Christlike embrace of the other.  The hospitality of God, therefore, should characterize the Body-life of the Church.  In this way, the missio ecclesiae mirrors the relationality in God and, therefore, grounds our confession of faith in compassionate solidarity with and Christlike love for our neighbor.

Anyhow, change is surely on the horizon.  The details of which are a bit fuzzy at the moment.  We do ask for everyone’s prayers during this season. We need wisdom and discernment concerning the post-grad transition.  Thanks.  All in all, God’s infinite wisdom and loving character give us confidence that he is working within our lives in order that our witness of him blazes.  

 Peace,

Shannon

I was able to add a bit to the “About Us“ section of the blog yesterday. Dee is working on a snapshot introduction as well, and we’ll post that as soon as it’s complete.  Again, we want to say “Thanks” to everyone for your support of the blog thus far.  We look forward to future conversations. 

Blessings to all