Polity Woes

This January Term on Presbyterian polity course has been rather difficult. We only have seven total sessions, but I feel like a semester's worth of work has been crammed into the class. I've been consistently disappointed with the grades I've gotten, and I can't seem to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I usually do very well with writing assignments, but I don't feel like I've been able to write what the professor wants. This is frustrating, as I feel like every paper I've written for this class is good material that I've put a lot of work into. Ultimately, I feel like I have a pretty good handle on what our polity looks like, but I don't feel like my grade will reflect that. Sorry for the complaints, but I just had to vent a little bit. Other than that, things have been going pretty well here at LPTS.

I taught my second class at 2nd Pres Louisville today. I'm teaching the 6th and 7th graders, and we had a lesson on baptism today. I really do like teaching middle schoolers, so it looks like I'll be doing that more often.

I also thought I'd throw in a plug for my friend Adam's newest CD 'Beautiful Break' which you can listen to here mctill.bandcamp.com and I'll post his song "Be the Church" below.

Thanks for all those out there supporting me. Pray for Haiti!

2009 Recap

Wow! What a year! I'm laying on a blow-up mattress at Adam's house in Cincinnati thinking about the year gone by. It has to be one of the most interesting, yet difficult, years thus far. Here's a quick recap.

Jan - started off on a winter youth retreat in Michigan, right after the honeymoon. Talk about a complete turnaround. Disney World with just me and Amber to Ski Slope with 30 adolescents!

Feb - begin freaking out about planning for Mexico trip. I still can't believe I was able to pull that one together. With lots of really great support at Tab, I learned a lot about taking leadership on a big project. Also bought a new car for Amber.

Mar - confirmation programming, another first. Really cool experience with a lot of great teachers and students involved. I think I'd like to do this again!

April - fundraising Easter breakfast, yet another first. Amazed by how generous people can be when given pancakes and eggs! Raised a significant amount of money for Mexico.

May - school year comes to a close. Have to say goodbye to the Oaks and Tab to make the decision to enter Seminary. Hard, hard task. My two bosses were super-supportive, thank you Jesus!

June - breathe! My wonderful wife begins adjusting to the fact that we have about two months left in Indianapolis. Reality hasn't set in for me yet.

July - Great Escape...an insane experience with 600 middle schoolers. A great way to end my time with the youth of Tab. Love you guys. Reality about moving still hasn't set in.

August - Moving time. Reality sets...no, still hasn't set in. Move into our new apartment. Sit down on the couch. Think to myself...what am I doing??? It's now set in. Classes start immediately.

September - First semester gets into full swing. Hundreds of confirmations that we've made the right decision. Still miss home.

October - Hillcrest Blvd. The most over-the-top display of Halloween cheer I've ever seen. Street preachers condemn the people, I just think they need a better hobby than decorating their yards with coffins.

November - Theology fatigue... Hermeneutics. Eschatology. Soteriology. Christology. Good stuff, but my brain can only stretch so far.

December - A semi-normal Christmastime spent with family and friends. So beautiful! Celebrated one amazing year with my beautiful wife. Life is precious!