To revisit the old argument

I know this is opening a vermiculous can, but I was able to read snippets of some excellent articles in Modern Reformation magazine regarding the topic. Because I am far less eloquent and organised in my thinking and writing than the author, I have copied some excerpts that were altered by another blogger.
In all actuality, I'm not sorry for bringing this up. It's a very important distinction that need be understood.

Jesus led the Purpose-Driven life. We lead the Promise-Driven life.

"The unchurch [PurposeDriven] offers the unchurched "life application" preaching. Why? This is what the unchurched expect. The unchurched always expect less than God gives. The unchurched expect preaching that gives them practical solutions to their everyday problems.[But] the [Promise Driven Church] church has something better. To begin with the church doesn't preach to the unchurched. The church doesn't really care whether someone is churched, unchurched, underchurched, overchurched, mischurched, dischurched, prechurched, dechurched, or rechurched. The church preaches to sinners - sinners who are unchurched and sinners who aren't; sinners who are seeking and sinners who aren't; sinners who are unbeliever's and sinners who aren't."

"The world will never consider 'Christ crucified' relevant. The unchurched will never tell us that they WANT to hear the message of the cross. This is why the [Promise Driven] church doesn't ask people what they want to hear. the [Promise Driven] church preaches what people NEED to hear.The unchurch offers the unchurched lots of things to do. They typical unchurch is a very busy place. Why? This is what the unchurched expect. The unchurch expect the church to be like any other volunteer organization. [But] the [Promise Driven] church has something better. The church isn't interested in giving sinners something to do. The church is interested in giving sinners the things God has done for them."

Another article that I'm currently chewing my way through can be found here.

Once in a university career

Maybe if I'd worn my glasses I would've gotten the dates right...

Such is the stuff nightmares are made of.
Remember that dream where you walk into class and are instantly horrified to discover that there's a test that day...and you knew NOTHING of it?

Yeah, you guessed it. For the first time in my 5 year university career it happened.

I thought I was on top of all assignments this semester, and for the most part, I was. However, way-back-when (during the first days of this semester), as I sat down to write up my weekly-monthly-semesterly planner/diary I somehow managed to flub the date of one test. I'm not quite sure how I managed to change the date from 27 April to 2 May ('tis alluding...) but I did.

Imagine my shock: I was sitting outside in the glorious sunshine studying with a classmate.
Says me, "Boy, I hope I get a handle on this material before Tuesday."
My statement is met with the swift upward jerk of my friend's head, her face registering confusion. "The test isn't Tuesday. It's today." She says this gently, tinged with disbelief.
"NO." Says I, emphatically and slowly, "it’s Tuesday."
Smiling slightly, as if to ease the blow, "no, it's today."
Me: "I know it’s Tuesday. You're joking. You're kidding me..." My voice trails off as it all registers.
I can see the 2nd of May on my two calendars, neatly printed with "Patho test 7" and highlighted in orange. How could I have been so wrong?

I tried to study but was so full of adrenaline that I couldn't read the words on the page. I've had so many assignments due that I'd entirely put off this class until this weekend. I thought it worthwhile to plead for grace from my lecturer. The worst she could do, I reckoned, was to tell me I must take the test today. So I carefully explained it all to her, about how I had mistaken the date. Her eyes widened as her mouth formed a neat, surprised "o." She's letting me take it on Monday. I can't believe it.

In other news, I purchased my first set of scrubs today. Navy blue in colour, I selected the top with TWO belly-area pockets (not the typical solo breast pocket - useful only for a pen or two and the attatchment of credentials) and the pants with cargo pockets. Just in case I wanted to carry my life belongings with me. And I discovered that they actually make flare, yes, flare scrub pants. Ahh, the power of the consumer.

Grand finale: I've just caught wind of the fact that two of my dear, newlywed friends are expecting! They're hoping to head to NZ in January, baby in tow, for a little WWOOF participation. How I'd love to join 'em.
...off to study. Two more weeks!

To Murk :o)

...this is for you! I hope your fingers warm up soon. Try battery-powered gloves. Or wrapping your hands around a dish of rehydrating mince. But you have to wait a really long time before you can eat it. Best to get it soaking long before you want to eat. Send someone ahead on the track.

One Red Ring

Two more weeks of class, three finals and then...blessed graduation! Hallelujah! (it also means I will lift the self-imposed "fun ban" I've placed on myself...)

Aislinn and I are going to have a rockin' party in celebration of the momentus occasion. I hope it's nice and hot. I've been looking forward to my first-summer-in-two-years with great expectation.

It was a fun night of ferry rides, fish, and film faking.

Sign of a friend (Danny): Willing to undergo public humiliation for someone else (me).