Eric, Bonker, and Josh might find this interesting...I met up with one of Jack Miller's converts a few weeks ago. Bob Heppe is a missionary with our church (University Presbyterian) here in Florida. He works over in London with World Harvest and had come back on a furlough. Our church's mission committee took him out to eat, so I got to listen to him tell a good number of stories. It was reminiscent of Sonship (or is it Billship) hearing him talk. What was also interesting is that as he told of his conversion experience, it reminded me of a story I had read from Jack Miller's book a Faith Worth Sharing and sure enough he confirmed that he was the kid in an asphalt parking lot where Jack Miller came to share the gospel among a bunch of hooligans. He eventually was brought into the kingdom of God and then went on to marry Jack's daughter. Crazy.

On another note, Krisha and I had a fun and rather unique Valentine's Day. We went over to the local community center where I had recently discovered they had a rock wall. I don't know why we did this, but we decided to eat some Mexican food before climbing. I think it weighed me down, but I did manage to get to the top a few times. We had a lot of fun, but I realized that I need to lose some weight.

As the Westminster Larger Catechism Q136 says:
What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?
Answer: The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves,[1] or of others,[2] except in case of public justice,[3] lawful war,[4] or necessary defense;[5] the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life;[6] sinful anger,[7] hatred,[8] envy,[9] desire of revenge;[10] all excessive passions,[11] distracting cares;[12] immoderate use of meat, drink,[13] labor,[14] and recreations;[15] provoking words,[16] oppression,[17] quarreling,[18] striking, wounding,[19] and: Whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.[20]

a great break

I've been back in Florida for awhile and only finally getting around to posting. It was really a great time. I saw a great number of friends and family, a new year befell, my sister got married, I climbed two more highpoints, and my wife and I picked up a "new for us" 1990 Volvo with only 40,000 miles.

Getting up to Virginia was a blessing in itself. A wonderful family in our bible study was heading up to Harrisonburg for a winter ski trip. They were taking a van and had room for Zoe and myself to tag along. This was great because we were picking up the Volvo to drive back down. Krisha was able to get a cheap plane ticket and meet us up a week later.

In Harrisonburg, another great family friend let me stay with them and borrow an extra car they had. Zoe had a fun time playing with their kids. Zoe even met a horse that she enjoyed sniffing. While in Harrisonburg, Zoe and I also traveled over West Virgina and conquered Spruce Knob.

It was then down to Richmond, where I met up with Krisha and celebrated Christmas with Krisha's extended family. Zoe got to meet two dachshunds here. Unfortunately, they did not get along very well. Much barking was heard.

Then it was over to Roanoke. I headed over to Mt. Rogers and climbed that highpoint, which was absolutely beautiful. (If you want to read more about my highpointing trips and see some pictures, go to www.climbinghighwithbrian.blogspot.com.

Then the real fun began. A large group of college friends got together. There were multiple games of Settlers of Catan. (Unfortunantly, I had lost my touch and could not pull out a single victory. Andrew also joined me as the Supreme Losers of Catan. Josh would be the Supreme Lord of Catan with two wins.) Bar none, the best event was the White Elephant exchange, which included such gifts as a taxidermy dog, pickled pig's feet, and items from Chris France such as an IPOD, computer, and underwear.


Next, it was over to Fredericksburg for my sister's wedding. While in Fredericksburg, Zoe got to meet her future bullie husband, Wyland. Wyland was one of the things that inspired Krisha and I to get a bulldog. He lives across from my parents. If they ever to have babies, we plan on calling the boys, Wylies and the girls, Zoelands.

The wedding was beautiful and I'm very excited for the newly married couple. They invited me to read the Scripture for the wedding, which I was grateful to be a part of. The selection was Jonah 2, which is the prayer that Jonah says from inside the great fish. The concluding verse in this chapter is, "Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land." This will probably be the first and last time I get to say the word vomit at a wedding service. If you want to know how Jonah 2 fits into a wedding service, you will have to track down the groom.

Krisha and I are now back in Orlando. She just finished a Hebrew class and did very well. I have one year of seminary left to go. And then it is off to ....

Behold the Lamb of God

Last Saturday, Krisha and I got to attend a great concert that our church sponsored, Behold the Lamb of God composed by Andrew Peterson. In addition to Peterson, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, and others were there, truly it was a talented ensemble of musicians.

My favorite song was Deliver Us. It really made me feel like I was Jew waiting for the Messiah. God has been so quiet, is He even able to deliver us? The lyrics are below.

Our enemy, our captor is no pharaoh on the Nile
Our toil is neither mud nor brick nor sand
Our ankles bear no calluses from chains, yet Lord, we're bound
Imprisoned here, we dwell in our own land

Deliver us, deliver us
Oh Yahweh, hear our cry
And gather us beneath your wings tonight

Our sins they are more numerous than all the lambs we slay
These shackles they were made with our own hands
Our toil is our atonement and our freedom yours to give
So Yahweh, break your silence if you can

Chorus

'Jerusalem, Jerusalem
How often I have longed
To gather you beneath my gentle wings'

Another Semester Bites the Dust

Exams are over!!! Winter is here...and that means a trip to Virginia to visit some wonderful friends and family. Here is a list of the events. Time in H'burg where I get to meet the newest addition to the Noll family, Noa. I'm definitely excited about that. Over to F'burg to pick up my new wheels, a 1990 Volvo. It is true, the Buick is no longer. Then down to Richmond with my in-laws. They get to meet Zoe for the first time. Then over to the 'Noke, where a big bonanza with some old JMU alumni is planned. To finish it off, it is back to F'burg, where my wonderful sister Jennifer and her equally great fiancee, Tyler will get married. Needless to say it will be a jammed pack time.

Check back in a month or so for some pictures and a recap of the events.

I also hope to bag a few highpeaks (VA, MD, PA, WV possibly) while on the trip. Which also brings up another thing. If you have heard the national news recently, 3 hikers are stuck on Mt Hood, the highpoint in Oregon. Currently, there is a massive search underway. To bring it closer to home, one of the hikers, Kelly James, is the brother of RTS:Orlando seminary professor, Dr. Frank James. Feel free to offer up a prayer for those hikers and their families.

Papers and Exams...

Well, it is that time of the semester...Final Exams. Thankfully, I have finished most of my papers. While, I normally hate the practice of writing papers, I found it to be tolerable this go around. And I was actually very pleased with what I turned out, which is not always the case. Nevertheless, I'm ready for the semester to be over. Virginia, you are only a few weeks away...Are you ready for me?

Test Update

Well, some not so good news. I was right, the systematics test was hard. I got my grade back and it wasn't so hot. But, life goes on. I'm thankful that my significance is not found in a test grade, but solely in Christ. I need to remember that more.

Also, I'm looking forward to the end of the semester and the start of Christmas break. Highlights will include: hiking with my wife, seeing Zoe the Bullie play with my parent's dog (Apollo), and hanging out with a gaggle and I do mean a gaggle (last count was 23) of some great college friends.