In the Classroom

Lecturing, 2006

Classes begin at Moody again on Monday.  This semester I am a “visiting lecturer” and am teaching “Short Format Radio Production” (for the 12th time) and team teaching “Introduction to Electronic Media” with my good friend Curt Wilkinson (I think we’re on our 9th time). 

People often ask if I miss the classroom.  Frankly, since I left the faculty in 2008 I haven’t had a semester when I haven’t taught at least one class, so its hard to say if I miss it…though I do know that I don’t miss the committee meetings, department meetings, etc. 

I am looking forward to another semester…though it feels like it may be my last at MBI, but hopefully there will be other opportunities in the future.

From Proverbs 30:

Surely I am more stupid than any man,
      And do not have the understanding of a man.

(hopefully this isn’t the life verse of any of my students this year…)

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Learning Contentment

Resting, 2009

Since we remodelled the house, I have to admit that I have not watched our books very carefully.  In fact, I have not been the financial leader that my family needs.  Thanks be to God, I have an understanding and forgiving wife who is standing beside me as we begin taking steps to bring our finances under the headship of Christ.

So, we are “tightening the belt” and living on a budget (novel idea).  One of the things we started was a “treat jar” where all the pennies, nickels and dimes we find in the parking lot go, as well as any money from the recycling center visits, etc.  From this jar we pay for the occasional ice-cream, large McDonalds french fry or other unbudgeted treats.

Last week the kids learned that we were going to go the Lake County Fair (in Indiana) and they decided to sell some of thier unwanted items during an impromtu rummage sale and add the proceeds to the treat jar.  The neighbor kids bought about $15 worth of their goods.  The kids decided that this $15 would be the money they would bring to the fair for rides.  When we arrived, we found out that the rides were $3.75…each…if you do the math, that’s only one ride for each kid with $1.25 left over.

As we discussed what to do, I was tring to figure out how to provide more money for them, but the kids didn’t ask for more money, they decided to find the one ride to spend their treat money on.   Here, surrounded by dozens of rides, my children set their mind to enjoy the one ride and be content.  We knew they were disappointed yet they focused on the one thing they could afford instead of the 32 they couldn’t.  What a testimony to Pamela and I about contentment.

Someday, I look forward to providing them (or their children) with an unlimited ride pass, but this time God had another lesson for us, one we are slowly learning.

From Job 36:

If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.