February 3, 2009 — 4:02 PM
Today was the first of 14 class meetings I will hold with the second-year students in the M.Div. course at SFTS. The one-unit course is on the topic of Vocation and discerning one's call. Such a course did not exist when I was a student here so I am making this up from scratch. I have enjoyed planning for the course and hope the students will enjoy being a part of it along with me.
I have posted the syllabus for the course here if you're interested to see how I plan to lead (torture?) the students.
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February 8, 2009 — 9:08 PM
Presidents' Day weekend is coming and for the fifth year in a row that means that pro cycling is coming to California.
Once again the Amgen Tour of California will kick off the spring cycling schedule. Since its inception, this bicycle race has grown in popularity. Each year more areas of the state have worked to be a part of the route. This year was no different.
To allow for more of the state to be host to this race, the Tour of California now will take place over eight days instead of seven. As with the past races, the route starts in Northern California and ends in Southern California. And, as in the past years, I will be following the opening days of the race.
It all starts Saturday with the Prologue in Sacramento. Then on Sunday it finishes in Santa Rosa (only a maybe on my schedule because of obligations at church). And, thanks to Presidents' Day, I will enjoy Monday's spectacular route from Sausalito, up over the Golden Gate Bridge, and then down the coast and mountains to Santa Cruz. Throughout these three spectacular days I will be present to soak in as much of the cycling action as possible.
I love having the chance to be up close to the riders whom I spend the rest of the spring and summer following online and on TV as they race through the season - sometimes on U.S. soil but mainly in Europe. I will cheer for many riders but my all-time favorite is George Hincapie. Watch for me along the side of the road proudly sporting my Hincapie cycling sweater.
The season of sports I like is now beginning. Hooray!
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February 20, 2009 — 11:37 AM
I love to preach!
No big surprise to you I'm guessing since I've chosen to become an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA). But, I just had that fact re-confirmed for me this morning. I was invited by the Chaplain to preach and administer the sacrament of Communion during the chapel service today. And I gladly accepted that invitation.
So this morning, I got up and preached away and then sang and spoke the liturgy for Communion. The preaching went well, the Communion liturgy had a few rough spots and then I bungled the benediction! You'd think I don't ever do these things. Ah well. God works through imperfect vessels. I know this to be true from many personal experiences.
God is good. All the time. And all the time. God is good.
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February 23, 2009 — 10:13 PM
As I have mentioned previously, I have registered to participate in the 8th annual AIDS/Lifecycle ride from SF to LA that will happen from May 31 - June 6 this year. I am doing this to celebrate turning 40 as well as to help support the SF AIDS Foundation that does amazing work trying to end HIV/AIDS in SF as well as around the globe.
I have made a few attempts at asking people to support me. And those were somewhat successful. But my friend Bruce decided it was time to take it to the next level. And since he didn't see me stepping up and doing that, he jumped in. He created a Facebook Group to support me throughout this whole adventure.
If you're a Facebooker, please join the group. I'll try to post periodic updates to keep it interesting. And, if you haven't supported me yet with a small donation to the SF AIDS Foundation, please consider doing so now.
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