The school year is finished for my three children, and they couldn't be happier! Pool time at Granny's and summer vacations are just the highlighted summer treats that await my summertime "bums."
I finished classes early in May and am trying to line up my class schedule for the fall. But wait! School is back in session for me--at least for two weeks.
I'm leaving this afternoon to do some graduate study at Ohio State University by attending the Digital Media and Composition Institute.
During this time, most of my blogs will be posted to my Wordpress.com blog (beckdunk's wordhouse) and will relate to my study. You are more than welcome to join me there! The link is down on the right of this page.
Enjoy your summer!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
I Love being a Mom!
Sunday was Mother's Day. It was nice to be remembered, honored, celebrated for what I do as a Mom everyday, all year.
Mostly, however, I was happy and proud to BE a Mom! Our church also had baby dedication, and my thoughts fondly went back to each of my three children's dedications: Leia wearing a little headband to match her soft cotton dress, Dakota in his little "tux" suit, and Karli in a long baptismal gown. There was no way to know what the days ahead would hold for them or for us. But eager and hopeful, we dedicated each child to God and ourselves, as parents, to God and to that child.
My two oldest children, both teens, honored me by sitting with me and Geoff for the Sunday service. And I did feel honored, humbled, and proud - all at the same time.
This is a picture from last May when I graduated with my master's degree. They were so understanding and supportive as I studied and prepared.
I love my kids and am keenly aware that I have just a few years left with them under my wing, in my home, under my daily care.
Sure, it isn't fun cleaning up messes, washing endless dishes, and chasing schedules. But my kids are really cool! I like being with them. I think their jokes are funny. I think they are the best-looking, smartest kids in the whole wide world!
I love them and I love being their mom. Everything else around me changes. Very little will transfer from this life to the next. But my children will.
They will always be my kids. I will always be their mom. And my prayer is that I will enjoy the present, the future, and all of eternity with them
Mostly, however, I was happy and proud to BE a Mom! Our church also had baby dedication, and my thoughts fondly went back to each of my three children's dedications: Leia wearing a little headband to match her soft cotton dress, Dakota in his little "tux" suit, and Karli in a long baptismal gown. There was no way to know what the days ahead would hold for them or for us. But eager and hopeful, we dedicated each child to God and ourselves, as parents, to God and to that child.
My two oldest children, both teens, honored me by sitting with me and Geoff for the Sunday service. And I did feel honored, humbled, and proud - all at the same time.
This is a picture from last May when I graduated with my master's degree. They were so understanding and supportive as I studied and prepared. I love my kids and am keenly aware that I have just a few years left with them under my wing, in my home, under my daily care.
Sure, it isn't fun cleaning up messes, washing endless dishes, and chasing schedules. But my kids are really cool! I like being with them. I think their jokes are funny. I think they are the best-looking, smartest kids in the whole wide world!
I love them and I love being their mom. Everything else around me changes. Very little will transfer from this life to the next. But my children will.
They will always be my kids. I will always be their mom. And my prayer is that I will enjoy the present, the future, and all of eternity with them
Friday, May 11, 2007
taking a class about blogs!
Today I am in a computer class about blogs! And I'm learning all kinds of uses for blogs beyond a journal use. Some are for educational uses. Blogs are great collaborative tools. Brides are communicating with bridesmaids. Families are staying in touch.
Earlier this week, I set up my Facebook account, complete with photo albums. This is fun! But it takes some time. Blogging, however, is fast, fun, and easy!
Our class will also discuss podcasting, RSS feeds, and widgets.
Earlier this week, I set up my Facebook account, complete with photo albums. This is fun! But it takes some time. Blogging, however, is fast, fun, and easy!
Our class will also discuss podcasting, RSS feeds, and widgets.
Monday, May 07, 2007
What is truth?
The question that Pontius Pilate asked Jesus of Nazareth is still asked today (John 18:38). What is truth? Is it mere facts, supported by empirical data and accumulated observation? Is it based in law or reason? Can feelings also be a kind of truth? Is one’s personal experience simply a personal truth or is it the whole truth about a matter?
Truth cannot simply be a fabrication--a man-made construction based on convenience, preference, or delusion.
Is truth reality? Or is reality just a perception?
Jesus said you can know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:32).
But how? Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims Himself as the one bringing the truth, being the truth, and speaking the truth. In fact, he told Pilate that he (Jesus) was born with the purpose of bringing truth to the world (John 18:37).
In His final words to His disciples, Jesus told them that He was the Truth (John 14:6), and that He would send the Spirit of Truth to guide them into all truth (John 16:13) when he left them bodily.
Believing such a claim requires some faith, but also some discretion. Not everyone crying “Lord, Lord” is truthful. The Scriptures themselves warn of false Christs.
Note this: Christ’s integrity was never in question as he underwent trial by his accusers. Before the high priests who initiated the arrest of Jesus, he reminded them that all of his teachings and actions were done publicly (John 18:20-22). No covert operations. No clandestine conspiracies. When he was struck in the face for his remark, he challenged them to reveal any evidence that what he had ever said had been wrong, had ever not been the truth (John 18:23). They could not. Not then. Not later. Not ever.
At first, followers failed. Peter denied Jesus that night. Judas betrayed him. All but John abandoned him at the cross. But never once was Jesus Christ found to be anything other than what He professed: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His resurrection removed any doubt from the disciples' minds: they all died a martyr's death for their belief in His truth.
So when I discuss “truth” with my students, what I am really often discussing is man’s various perceptions of truth or his levels of understanding and coping with his realities. These are debatable. Temporal. Earth-bound and situational. Cultural and frequently circumstantial.
Borrowing from the wisdom of Solomon, “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart” (Proverbs 17:3), I believe much truth is discoverable by man over the process of time and testing, but that the ultimate revelation of truth cannot be attained apart from God who knows all and sees all.
Therefore, the pursuit of truth cannot be fully realized without spiritual knowledge. It is the secularized mind that is not fully enlightened.
Can I, flawed and limited, know truth? According to Christ’s own words, yes. But as the Apostle Paul wrote, right now we know only in part, although one day we will know everything completely, just as God knows now (I Cor. 13:12).
Truth cannot simply be a fabrication--a man-made construction based on convenience, preference, or delusion.
Is truth reality? Or is reality just a perception?
Jesus said you can know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:32).
But how? Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims Himself as the one bringing the truth, being the truth, and speaking the truth. In fact, he told Pilate that he (Jesus) was born with the purpose of bringing truth to the world (John 18:37).
In His final words to His disciples, Jesus told them that He was the Truth (John 14:6), and that He would send the Spirit of Truth to guide them into all truth (John 16:13) when he left them bodily.
Believing such a claim requires some faith, but also some discretion. Not everyone crying “Lord, Lord” is truthful. The Scriptures themselves warn of false Christs.
Note this: Christ’s integrity was never in question as he underwent trial by his accusers. Before the high priests who initiated the arrest of Jesus, he reminded them that all of his teachings and actions were done publicly (John 18:20-22). No covert operations. No clandestine conspiracies. When he was struck in the face for his remark, he challenged them to reveal any evidence that what he had ever said had been wrong, had ever not been the truth (John 18:23). They could not. Not then. Not later. Not ever.
At first, followers failed. Peter denied Jesus that night. Judas betrayed him. All but John abandoned him at the cross. But never once was Jesus Christ found to be anything other than what He professed: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His resurrection removed any doubt from the disciples' minds: they all died a martyr's death for their belief in His truth.
So when I discuss “truth” with my students, what I am really often discussing is man’s various perceptions of truth or his levels of understanding and coping with his realities. These are debatable. Temporal. Earth-bound and situational. Cultural and frequently circumstantial.
Borrowing from the wisdom of Solomon, “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart” (Proverbs 17:3), I believe much truth is discoverable by man over the process of time and testing, but that the ultimate revelation of truth cannot be attained apart from God who knows all and sees all.
Therefore, the pursuit of truth cannot be fully realized without spiritual knowledge. It is the secularized mind that is not fully enlightened.
Can I, flawed and limited, know truth? According to Christ’s own words, yes. But as the Apostle Paul wrote, right now we know only in part, although one day we will know everything completely, just as God knows now (I Cor. 13:12).
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