New Testament I: The Gospels

    Dr. Mournet began our first class of New Testament 1 by saying that we would never look at the gospels the same way again. Though that seemed a little scary to some of us, he reassured us that it was a good thing. Over the past six weeks, I have learned more about the gospels than I have ever known before. This is saying a lot, because I took a gospels course in my undergrad, and it was also very informative.
     Dr. Mournet was right, I do not look at the gospels in the same way. I have a much deeper appreciation for the incredible task that the evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John undertook in writing down an account of the life of Jesus. These four books have changed my life forever. One of our assignments has been to sit down and read each gospel all at once and take notes. I don't think I have actually sat down and read a whole gospel in one sitting. You start to see the big picture of what the author and God are trying to reveal to the reader. I would recommend setting apart an afternoon this week to read through a gospel as if it was the first time. Meet God in the text of the Gospels.

-David M

Happy 2012-What will it bring?

So, Dawn West has been bugging me for months to write a blog post. I have been putting her off because I felt like I had nothing on my mind to write about that would be relevant to Seminary students and grads. You see, I haven’t been in any classes since this past summer and up until two weeks ago had been M.I.A. from the Seminary all together. The reason is on November 1st I had my first baby. Let me take a short moment to brag. He was born at about 3:30 am on November 1st-so an All Saints’ baby. His name is Josiah David. Josiah was 7 lbs. 2 oz., 22 inches long, born at home and it was wonderful! He is now 2 and a half months old and is smiling and cooing and so much fun! Parenthood is a wonderful journey.

So, for the nine months leading up to November, all I could think about was this little being that was going to come into my life and change it forever. I’m blessed that I was able to actually concentrate enough to pass all my classes in the spring and summer quarters. So, when Dawn wanted me to write a post for the blog all I could imagine writing on was my little baby that was about to born. Since that really isn’t “Seminary” related  and I couldn’t think about anything else, I just pushed Dawn off for a few months. :) She loves me, so it’s OK.

So, here I am now, a Mommy of a two and a half month old. And having just come out of the holidays I have to tell you, Josiah made them all the more special. I think Josiah’s impact on my life hit me more at New Years’ than at Christmas. As we counted down this year to 2012, I was reminded that this year my baby would learn to crawl, eat food, walk, and probably talk too. In 2012 there are going to be so many changes for us. To think ahead to all this was bitter sweet and amazing. It was a reminder to me of how amazing God is.

For all you parents out there I am sure you can relate to this. Having a child is truly an experience that teaches you so much about God. Since New Years’ the realization of God’s awesomeness has been on my mind. When I was pregnant, it was so cool to think of how God was crafting together a child inside me. Now that I can hold and see that child, it is even more incredible. And as this year unfolds, I am sure I will marvel in that wonder even more. Psalm 139:13-14 has so much more meaning- “You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful— I know that very well.” (Common English Bible-check it out- it’s a new translation with contributions from Dr. Hawk, and Dr. Byron and editing by Dr. deSilva). So, I leave you with this; spend 2012 marveling over what God has done and what He will do, for He is an amazing God!