Another year completed at Trinity brings another reflection period.

A dear friend and colleague of mine, Jaclyn, teaches psychology at Trinity. (Amazingly we were friends at Grove City; she just graduated a year behind me.) Every season she tailors her course to her students; Jackie hits on all the hot topic issues that students want to discuss: addiction, the male vs. female brain, basic psychology 101, mental illness and disorder, etc. If a student wants to talk about it, it gets brought up and a thorough discussion. In my opinion it is one of the most popular classes at Trinity- part of that is from Jackie’s personality. She loves Jesus, people, and her field. In one of our discussions on her class, which we have many, she made the point that students sometimes are more comfortable talking to her about certain issues than their own parents. “True dat,” I thought. 

One of the parents of my student’s says that teachers have the privilege of seeing their children more than parents do. Yesterday I went to a graduation party for one of my seniors who I was very close to. His mother commented that we, his teachers, played a crucial part in the formation of their son. Teachers do that. We help weave together the fabric of youths. That’s been a major lesson of my second year of teaching. I have an immense responsibility before me- to assist parents in raising their children. 

So students come up to talk to me about various things: could be anything. But this is something that happens at Trinity with a lot of teachers; Jackie is only one example. But we as teachers must acknowledge the awesome duty of parenting. We’re not parents; instead, we serve parents in their parenting. 

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Two words: “boo yah!”

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I need to learn this lesson.

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Totally copying my man Sam. 

1. How People Change by Tim Lane and Paul David Tripp I am a fan of the CCEF men and the material they keep pumping out. I believe this volume will add great perspective to my studies at RPTS. 
2. Surprised by Hope by NT Wright I learn a lot from Wright. I loved his Simply Christian and need to learn more about the realities of the resurrection. 
3. After You Believe by NT Wright Might as well finish the trilogy. 
4. Justification by NT Wright I get a lot of flack for digging Wright’s historical scholarship and his apologetic. With that said I need to learn how Wright’s system merits such criticism. 
5. The Basic Christian by Roger Steer This is a biography of John Stott. I’ve heard lots about this guy and want to get to know him on a personal level.
6. Bonhoffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxes I know little, but I like what I do. 
7. The Federalist Papers by James Madison Two words: Professional development. I need to beef up my Government class. Might as well start from the founding fathers. 
8. Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller Got this as a gift from my students. Loaned it to my father in law who loved it. (It is a good thing when your students decide to give you a book by an author who have immense respect for. 
9. CrossTalk: Where Life and Scripture Meet by Mike Emlet Counseling meets preaching. I want to preach in a way that connects the whole counsel of God to reality. 
10. Something else. I just wanted the title to rival Sam.

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My church history class went on a field trip today. Destination: the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh and the East Liberty PCUSA church building. Our purpose at the Nationality Rooms was to witness the impact of Christianity on the development of nations. At the presbyterian church it was threefold: (1) experience Neo Gothic architecture – cause it makes you feel very tiny, (2) get to know a liberal church, and (3) walk their labyrinth. 

A labyrinth is a maze. Historically the labyrinth arose as a substitute for the pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Later monks used them as a method for contemplative prayer. As you journey to the center you are drawing to the mind of God; a feat accomplished by conversation with him. (Prayer = discussion with God through Jesus.) Once you get to the center, turn to walk back out. The idea is that you have a problem; so take it to God. Once you reach the center, wait till you get your answer and “walk” out. As you leave the center, apply the answer to your life. Meditate on the relevance of Jesus to your life. 

I have no problem with labyrinths. In fact I like them. But I am not going to say that every Christian has to try them. I think they are useful for sustained periods of contemplative prayer and communion with Jesus. Find something that helps you spend time with Jesus and do that. 

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The psalms are a treasure trove of biblical truth, divine revelation, human expression and emotion. These lyrics are meant to be sung for they were the song book and prayer book of the Hebrews. (Though the Hebrews did not sing these exclusively.) Taking all this into consideration, we as Christians should sing them… a lot. Here are my reasons why: 

• These songs are written by David and God. They are co-authors. All human emotion put before God without any fault or flaw whatsoever. Psalms are relevant to our lives for they communicate very deeply into the depths of our souls. I teach a lot of kids. One thing that stands out about them is something that stands out in my life and my peers- we have a hard time making sense of what we are thinking and feeling. This prayer book has a lot to teach us about making sense of our affections and thoughts. 
• Continuing that thought, that these songs are written by God, psalms are songs from God for us to sing and to pray. 

When we sing, we should sing things frequently. The songs should become part of our DNA and draw us into the rhythm of godliness. When we sing God’s word that happens. When we sing the psalms, that happens as well, for our emotions and thoughts get on the same wave lengths as God’s. 

Resources for Psalm Singing (my only critique is that the psalms need to be put to new music more accessible to our context):

• Crown and Covenant Publications (publication branch of the RPCNA) 
• Reformed University Fellowship 
• Brian Moss and the Prayerbook Project 
• Sons of Korah (an Aussie band) 

Anyone got some other resources for this? 

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Tonight I had my Doctrine of the Church class where Dr. Gamble argued for a cappella worship. Singing without instrumental accompaniment is an amazing thing to witness. I recall Calvin 2000 where there were 1700 strong psalm singers belting out the greatest hits of the RPCNA psalter. It was lovely. Gamble’s argument was that instruments were connected to the temple worship. But now, because of Christ, instruments and everything else associated with the temple is abrogated. The argument is solid. Incense had ties to the temple. As did the priesthood. So did other things too. But instruments were not. 

Neh. 12:27-43 informs us that instruments were used outside the sacrificial system and the temple worship. To me this blows a major hole in the argument as suggested by my professor. I need to ask him how he makes sense of this. 

So brothers and sisters. Strum on. Make a joyful beat to the Lord. (But remember that instruments are cultural preferences to aid and support the congregational singing.) 

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Jennifer and I are now proud homeowners. We have the blessing to make a house into a home. We believe the Lord has called us to live in the Churchill area of Pittsburgh for this season of our lives. There are many good practical reasons for this: close to RPTS, TCS, the parkway (so a quick drive for Jen to work), and our church. A major blessing is that there are several church friends in the area; some that I work with too. 

Part of being a church is being a community. A community that worships and serves together. It is easier to share life when you live close to one another. These are a few of the many practical reasons that we believe the Lord used to reveal his will to us. But as we now have a house there are a few things that jump out from God’s word:

• Love people. 
• Use my stuff to love people. 
• Open my house to all those who come by and trust in the Lord to keep me (and Jen) safe. 
• Be a city on a hill. Light in the darkness. Salt in the world. People should know Christ lives in our home. 

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