some night shots of the monuments as well as trip out to arlington right when the leaves were in full fall color....
double click on any picture to get to the main picasa album...
6.12.08
aric goes methodist on it...
never thought i'd preach at a methodist church, but a friend from class was kind enough to offer up his congregation for me to fulfill my preaching course requirement...
preacher's wife??? :)
preacher's wife??? :)
The bookends are Boo's friends from State who were supportive and kind enough to drive an hour out to Baltimore to hear me preach...Behind me is Boo's close college friend
The man, the myth....
23.10.08
step inside my office...
i jest of course...though my real office is only slightly more full than this picture.
now that we're in the new apartment, i'm confined daily to a 6x6 white room which tests my sanity each day as i sit by in tinkering silence. the rattle of the typing keys keeps me company before i jet out to the gym where i get a glimpse of human civilization.
seriously though, this apartment is so nice it's tempting to pine away all my time here either being corporate america's bitch or flexing my culinary muscles on the stainless steel, modern kitchen set up.
i do miss the eagle rock sunset of course. but overall DC has been quite a hospitable place.....boo and i have found a good church---school is humming along and it's definitely fun getting up and commuting to work in my undies (kidding....i only work in my undies on mondays, tuesdays and every other friday---the opposite fridays are hawaiian shirt day around the house).
heading to LA in a couple of weeks for business. be sure to look me up....
5.9.08
the bearable lightness of being...
Waiter: I think God sometimes gives us opportunities rather than answers.
Joan Baxter: What do you mean? Why wouldn’t God just grant our prayers?
Waiter: When you pray for patience do you think God just gives you patience? Or does He give you the opportunity to learn patience? When you pray for your family to love one another, do you think God gives you a loving family? Or does He gives you opportunities to learn to love each other?
If you’ve ever watched the movie Evan Almighty, you’ll most likely remember this rather rich (and paraphrased) dialogue between Morgan Freeman as God pretending he’s a waiter in a local restaurant while talking with Lauren Graham’s character, Joan Baxter, as she sits in the restaurant troubled over the comical state of her husband who’s building an ark in modern-day upstate New York.
At issue was the prayer she had prayed in the beginning of the movie asking God for her family to become closer throughout the upcoming events of her husband assuming a new job. Morgan Freeman’s God character casts an interesting light on how prayers might be addressed by an active, participating and loving God.
I’ve been praying for a while to have times of quiet…rest…stillness. Anything to free me up from the daily rigors of waking early in the morning to commute off to work, leave work to commute to class and sit through class until late at night only to return home to get started on homework or focus on my church internship.
Those who’ve known me over the last year or so have seen that stillness elude me all too often as well as the effects of burnout.
What I’ve seen from the last week here in DC with Boo is how God doesn’t always give you what you’re asking for in prayer but instead God grants opportunities to experience what you’re asking for. Here at our new apartment, we’re without a TV, about a mile and a half from the nearest train station, and surrounded by luscious forests and rolling hills. It’s been a retreat of sorts for me and Booyeon. A chance for us to calm our pace, collect our breath and experience peace and stillness.
We’ve eaten lunch and dinner together in Wesley’s cafeteria each night in front of floor to ceiling windows overlooking the green campus. We’ve taken long walks to and from Tenleytown, a local town center, to enjoy great local meals. I work from our apartment and take my lunch breaks either napping with Booyeon or simply talking with her about her “vacation schedule.”
And through it all I’ve appreciated God’s gift of providential opportunity rather than providence alone. I think it makes me feel as if I’m in participation with God rather than simply a recipient of God’s. It’s as if I was a child who wanted a bicycle. And my father or mother offered to build the bike with me instead of just giving me a new bike they buy from the store. There comes with the process of building an experience of relationship—talking, sharing, laughter, struggle. Throughout the building process, I feel closer with God—able to share with God through the experience rather than simply the result.
1.9.08
what's in a name?
so...first day in DC and i realized one thing...
i
am
a
WUSS.
a big one.
catastrophic.
planetary.
when i'm cut, i bleed WUSSY....
after walking 2 hours around beautiful downtown DC my feet ached like i was a 80 year old nursing home abject looking for a lost bowl of easily soluble food....
but to back up a bit:
DC is a beautiful place without a doubt...we arrived last night and boo and i enjoyed a quiet italian meal in a sleep little outskirt neighborhood called tenleytown which is located near the american university campus and near wesley where i'm taking classes for the fall.....
the drive in from the airport was more than i could have imagined....for those who have spent time on the east coast, you'll no doubt remember the sweet, sugary smell of summer evening air after the lawns have been mowed and the trees are flowing back and forth....this was the smell boo and i swept in as we passed through to our final destination....
this morning we decided to take a venture into DC and spend labor day exploring some of what DC had knowing we would only nip at the surface...
we pranced---more like 'slugged' for me---around central DC to see the white house, our (much smaller) future house and generally get a feel for the area. pictures are sure to come if you close your eyes and wish upon a fleeting star....
if you've read this far you are no doubt a good friend....and good friends help other friends:
since i'm now on the Beast coast...what do i name this blog? my usually pedantic mind is void of options...
suggestions are wanted...
no, needed....
24.8.08
"what will you miss the most about la?"
it's a question i've been asked at virtually every good bye moment during this past week...
and my answer is simple: the view.
and before you make any cracks, i AM NOT referring to the calvacade of catankerous ladies huddled around a coffe table and making entirely too much noise for four people. i mean, seriously, is no one else disturbed by the faint cloud-like glow which permeates the studio on the show? it's as if they're floating in some ethereal nightmare of overly chatty malcontents...
but i digress..
what i meant was the picturesque view from our balcony we have been able to enjoy watching the sunset over the distant mountain tops every evening for the last two years.
and while i meant it as a way to signify my inclination towards selfishly lounging on my former papa san chair and shutting the world's noise out while staring blankly at the setting sun, booyeon of course had a much more riveting and sentimental summation of my otherwise pedestrian thoughts.
so typically "in touch" with her "emotions".
she remarked how this very simple response encapsulates all that i loved about LA. our view: the parties that lasted well into the night. long evenings sharing cigars and wine with close friends on the balcony. rainy days (yes, those occasionally do occur in LA) sitting under the blanket with booyeon falling asleep to the soft sound of rain in the night. there were too many laughs to count, too many stories to remember....they have all blurred together to form a lasting memory of a simple balcony that enjoyed so much life.
and these are just a few of the reasons why i'll miss "the view" the most...
and my answer is simple: the view.
and before you make any cracks, i AM NOT referring to the calvacade of catankerous ladies huddled around a coffe table and making entirely too much noise for four people. i mean, seriously, is no one else disturbed by the faint cloud-like glow which permeates the studio on the show? it's as if they're floating in some ethereal nightmare of overly chatty malcontents...
but i digress..
what i meant was the picturesque view from our balcony we have been able to enjoy watching the sunset over the distant mountain tops every evening for the last two years.
and while i meant it as a way to signify my inclination towards selfishly lounging on my former papa san chair and shutting the world's noise out while staring blankly at the setting sun, booyeon of course had a much more riveting and sentimental summation of my otherwise pedestrian thoughts.
so typically "in touch" with her "emotions".
she remarked how this very simple response encapsulates all that i loved about LA. our view: the parties that lasted well into the night. long evenings sharing cigars and wine with close friends on the balcony. rainy days (yes, those occasionally do occur in LA) sitting under the blanket with booyeon falling asleep to the soft sound of rain in the night. there were too many laughs to count, too many stories to remember....they have all blurred together to form a lasting memory of a simple balcony that enjoyed so much life.
and these are just a few of the reasons why i'll miss "the view" the most...
14.8.08
10.8.08
just had to share this...
taking a brief departure from my postings on becoming a government asset...
this is an excerpt from the online course i'm taking...it's all about how to "do church"...what is church? how do we define it and how can that definition be limited?
we have to post writings on contemporary issues...the question at hand: What is your vision of ecumenism and the unity of the church?
the bitterness grows with the thread.....
aric:
While conceptually I align with the intention of ecumenism and unity in the Church at large, I have consistently remained skeptical of its feasibility. If the third Assembly of the World Council of Churches has identified Pentecost as the ultimate manifestation of the Church’s unity, then I would argue that the further in time we move away from that event, the further away we pull from the reality of unity it brought about. The very nature of humans is to define our institutions and practices. As we define our idea of religion, we necessarily place it over and against others’ definitions of religion. And thus unity becomes less and less tangible.
I do agree with Karkkainen that a well-founded view of unity and ecumenism comes about by acknowledging the Spirit’s work and not human effort in the process (Karkkainen, 79). If I had an idealistic (and I do mean idealistic) vision of how to bring about unity in the Church, I would imagine a gathering of varying denominational backgrounds and leaders—but not for the purpose of discussion or issue resolution. As I noted above, I believe this only pits one side versus another. Instead, using Acts 2:1 as a simple model, I believe unity can be achieved only we are “all together in one place” praying towards the goal of unity, humility to put aside personal beliefs, and the empowering of the Spirit through a Pentecost-like experience which tears down the practical barriers blocking unity (in Acts it was language—for our modern-day context I imagine it is the particular theological beliefs we hold dear).
response from another student:
Interesting post Aric. This, in particular, stuck out to me: "the very nature of humans is to define our institutions and practices." I think I understand what you're getting at here. If you mean that we will necessarily develop different ways of being "the church" and we are, by nature, inclined to define these different ways, I'd agree. Some have critiqued the ecumenical movment as too hasty to do away with definitions and focus on praxis -- praxis over dogma. It seems to me that this simply sidesteps the inevitable. The only way to true unity is through the "definitions" (church tradition and their particular theological history) and this is where we get gummed up, as you note. Like you I want to believe that unity is possible and like you I'm sceptical. My sceptism troubles me though . . .
aric:
My skepticsim troubles me as well...I feel it grows as I see church upon church promote "spreading of the kingdom" but only by the means of the vision statement its denomination employs, or the popular books its congregation reads or the particular church tradition it inherited.
I get a little leery when I'm at one church and someone tells me "You should read this book by ABC, it explains how ministry is the act of God for the purpose of..." and I'm visiting with a friend from another church and I hear "You should really read this book from XYZ, it explains how ministry is the act of God for the purpose of..."
There's just so many ways to slice the issue of "how to do church" that I wonder if everyone one day can put down their books with lovely paperback covers of sunlight breaking through soft clouds, walk out of their church building and drive down the street to have coffee with another church-goer from another church.
Again...my skepticism troubles me as well. :)
this is an excerpt from the online course i'm taking...it's all about how to "do church"...what is church? how do we define it and how can that definition be limited?
we have to post writings on contemporary issues...the question at hand: What is your vision of ecumenism and the unity of the church?
the bitterness grows with the thread.....
aric:
While conceptually I align with the intention of ecumenism and unity in the Church at large, I have consistently remained skeptical of its feasibility. If the third Assembly of the World Council of Churches has identified Pentecost as the ultimate manifestation of the Church’s unity, then I would argue that the further in time we move away from that event, the further away we pull from the reality of unity it brought about. The very nature of humans is to define our institutions and practices. As we define our idea of religion, we necessarily place it over and against others’ definitions of religion. And thus unity becomes less and less tangible.
I do agree with Karkkainen that a well-founded view of unity and ecumenism comes about by acknowledging the Spirit’s work and not human effort in the process (Karkkainen, 79). If I had an idealistic (and I do mean idealistic) vision of how to bring about unity in the Church, I would imagine a gathering of varying denominational backgrounds and leaders—but not for the purpose of discussion or issue resolution. As I noted above, I believe this only pits one side versus another. Instead, using Acts 2:1 as a simple model, I believe unity can be achieved only we are “all together in one place” praying towards the goal of unity, humility to put aside personal beliefs, and the empowering of the Spirit through a Pentecost-like experience which tears down the practical barriers blocking unity (in Acts it was language—for our modern-day context I imagine it is the particular theological beliefs we hold dear).
response from another student:
Interesting post Aric. This, in particular, stuck out to me: "the very nature of humans is to define our institutions and practices." I think I understand what you're getting at here. If you mean that we will necessarily develop different ways of being "the church" and we are, by nature, inclined to define these different ways, I'd agree. Some have critiqued the ecumenical movment as too hasty to do away with definitions and focus on praxis -- praxis over dogma. It seems to me that this simply sidesteps the inevitable. The only way to true unity is through the "definitions" (church tradition and their particular theological history) and this is where we get gummed up, as you note. Like you I want to believe that unity is possible and like you I'm sceptical. My sceptism troubles me though . . .
aric:
My skepticsim troubles me as well...I feel it grows as I see church upon church promote "spreading of the kingdom" but only by the means of the vision statement its denomination employs, or the popular books its congregation reads or the particular church tradition it inherited.
I get a little leery when I'm at one church and someone tells me "You should read this book by ABC, it explains how ministry is the act of God for the purpose of..." and I'm visiting with a friend from another church and I hear "You should really read this book from XYZ, it explains how ministry is the act of God for the purpose of..."
There's just so many ways to slice the issue of "how to do church" that I wonder if everyone one day can put down their books with lovely paperback covers of sunlight breaking through soft clouds, walk out of their church building and drive down the street to have coffee with another church-goer from another church.
Again...my skepticism troubles me as well. :)
5.8.08
these are a few of my favorite things...
there are few things as distinctively American as an artery-clogging carcass, a mobile memorie-maker, a roughshod red-neck with overly patriotic tendencies, or a stumbling source of saddening solecisms.
and i will miss them all.
but it just dawned on me while camping with friends this weekend: i'm leaving california. and while that momentous realization has no doubt shocked you, it was jarring for me to realize i will soon be saying goodbye to all my close friends here.
and please spare me all the crap about it not being "good bye" but just "see you later."
we all know that as soon as my butt hits the cushy (government-paid-for) airline seat heading to washington, all the relationships i've forged will quickly become a thing of the past.
let's face it: i'm heading overseas and, frankly, you're all quite replaceable.
ha!
of course i only jest....
the friendships i've made here in cali have been the deepest in my life. i know, i know--"with that award winning personality and passionately warm soul, how could you not be loved the world over, aric?" you will say....but sadly it's true...
here's looking forward to hooking up with each of you before i sail off into the sunset...
22.7.08
onward and eastward...
for those of you who don't already know, boo and i will be headed to the pantheon of political prowess, the citadel of seated senators, the...oh, well, you get the point:
WASHINGTON, D.C.
the state department--in spite of her husband's shady background--has graciously accepted boo to train for the foreign service starting in september of this year. so, we'll be packing up (actually, we'll let the government do that for us) and moving out (again, the government takes care of this--starting to see a theme?).
i'm five classes and one internship shy of finishing my degree. i'll be taking 3 of those courses this fall at a d.c-based seminary and then trying to fit the other two in somehow.
i'm sure i'll post my memories of la soon, but overall i'm going to miss the eternal sunshine which causes spotless minds here in socal. i've taken advantage of most everything this place offers and so i feel good leaving--sort of a sense of accomplishment. i'll miss our new church but i'm looking forward to my career as a scotch commercial spokesperson in tokyo or whatever asian city we land in.
more to come...
17.6.08
31.5.08
why so much talking?
if you're wondering why this blog has turned into an aric-sermon-post sans real commentary on life it's because, well, i don't really have a life.
7am Wake
8am Work
5pm Commute
6pm Class
9pm Kiss wife on cheek and thank her for being patient enough to deal with me
10pm Pretend to do homework while reading up on the Dallas Cowboys
10:15pm Actually do homework
12am Sleep (oh, blessed sleep)
and in the midst of all that i've been preaching more at new city and i've realized one thing....
I NEED YOUR HELP
i would love to hear what you all have to say so please post comments on the sermons....what helped you hear the word of God and what didn't....it's all useful to prepare for a future life of [fill in the blank]
thank you, God bless, happy kwanza and march into oblivion with the rest of us....
21.5.08
why talk about Jesus?
the sermon i preached this past week at New City...just the audio this time...
(if you see a red "X" instead of the audio player, just look at the top of your internet browser window and run the ActiveX control for Windows Media Player...don't worry, it won't bite)
(if you see a red "X" instead of the audio player, just look at the top of your internet browser window and run the ActiveX control for Windows Media Player...don't worry, it won't bite)
14.3.08
round 2 of the gab
here's the graded version...
here's the bible verse for it....
thoughts on how to improve are greatly welcomed...
here's the bible verse for it....
thoughts on how to improve are greatly welcomed...
16.2.08
word up...
from my recent adventures in homiletics...would love your critiques on what made sense, what didn't and what would have helped you hear the points better...just no cracks about the thin hair...
here's a link to the bible verse.... (disable the pop-up blocker if it ain't workin)...
here's a link to the bible verse.... (disable the pop-up blocker if it ain't workin)...
9.1.08
what's in a word?
well, i guess that all depends if it's a word as in The Word...
taking a homiletics course these days and we've spent an interesting amount of time studying why preaching has taken on such a negative connotation, even, and sometimes most noticeably, in the Christian community..."don't tell me what to do!"...."well, now you're just preaching at me"..."geez, thanks...that was a good sermon."
for you language buffs, this can best be seen in the contrast between the indicative versus the imperative...our gut level understanding of preaching is the latter rather than the former....but it seems God has some different goals at times for preaching...
while imperative (see: prophetic) preaching has its place...how much better would the Church be seen if we preach indicatively---explaining who God is and what God has done....
after all, we're supposed to be all about reconciliation as Christians, right? so it makes sense we would preach about God rather than just about what other people are supposed to do...
UPDATED:
totally agree with larissa. the imperative ought to follow the indicative. the Bible seems to preach about God's nature first and then what that means for our lives...
i think this is best seen in acts 2 when peter addresses the crowd....first he goes to great lengths to talk about what God's done....with just this, the people were cut through and then they asked "what shall we do?".....peter then gives them the commands....funny how one follows the other....
taking a homiletics course these days and we've spent an interesting amount of time studying why preaching has taken on such a negative connotation, even, and sometimes most noticeably, in the Christian community..."don't tell me what to do!"...."well, now you're just preaching at me"..."geez, thanks...that was a good sermon."
for you language buffs, this can best be seen in the contrast between the indicative versus the imperative...our gut level understanding of preaching is the latter rather than the former....but it seems God has some different goals at times for preaching...
while imperative (see: prophetic) preaching has its place...how much better would the Church be seen if we preach indicatively---explaining who God is and what God has done....
after all, we're supposed to be all about reconciliation as Christians, right? so it makes sense we would preach about God rather than just about what other people are supposed to do...
UPDATED:
totally agree with larissa. the imperative ought to follow the indicative. the Bible seems to preach about God's nature first and then what that means for our lives...
i think this is best seen in acts 2 when peter addresses the crowd....first he goes to great lengths to talk about what God's done....with just this, the people were cut through and then they asked "what shall we do?".....peter then gives them the commands....funny how one follows the other....
14.12.07
this is NOT a test
actually it is...of my new google-branded flip video recorder. it's nice to know after we shell out bucks to them on ad campaigns that they reward our loyalty so handsomely...
here's a shot of my new office fishies...beau and ella. they are tiger barbs from sumatra. ella is the fat one and beau is the one with orange lips. ella chases beau around the tank all day nipping at his fins.....so the man wears lipstick and the woman is a bully....things are pretty weird underwater...
here's a shot of my new office fishies...beau and ella. they are tiger barbs from sumatra. ella is the fat one and beau is the one with orange lips. ella chases beau around the tank all day nipping at his fins.....so the man wears lipstick and the woman is a bully....things are pretty weird underwater...
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