Author: Wick

Like I said, “it’ll get done”. Spent most of the lunch time during day 3 pulling together my notes from the book of Micah, along with a couple other resources I found. We were supposed to begin our short oral reports late in the afternoon. I was gonna be ready.

I was ready.

I wasn’t needed.

The lecture/discussion went up until class ended = presentation will be tomorrow. Which was totally fine, cause it was good stuff. Not like, buy this book and give it to all your friends stuff. But more like, this is great, but I’m glad I don’t have to read a book that says this….kinda stuff.

I really enjoy our professor, and learning the historical context behind all the minor prophets has been very interesting. Not that anyone had ever purposefully hidden these things from me…in fact, I took at least one Old Testament course in college. But still, much of this has been great learning, and encouragement to take it home with me into life and ministry settings.

So yeah…I’m totally ready for my Micah background presentation. Here are a few highlights, to whet your appetite. (cause I know if you’re like me, your appetite for information on the minor prophets could use more whetting):

Micah – written between 722 and 701 B.C. He was from Moresheth, which is 25 miles SW of Jerusalem. He is warning both Israel AND Judah (but primarily Israel, the northern kingdom) that they are going to be punished for neglecting the poor.

For too long, people played religion well. They “know” God is with them, and they acknowledge Him, going through all the motions. Meanwhile, the poor are trampled on, and “love your neighbor” never quite happens. Micah proclaims that God is going to discipline them for this, etc.

Sound like an irrelevant, old testament, boring obscure message with no purpose in our context today?

Pssh. Look out religious pride.
Micah just opened a can of “thought you knew religion” on ya’.

Whew. So it’s the morning after the second day of J-Term. What to talk about? All the information that was packed into our heads concerning the minor prophets in general? (some pretty cool stuff all in all, usually overlooked) All of the instruction we’re receiving in regards to preaching in our ministries? (extremely stoked about the new emphasis all of this offers) How about the few details of how to properly give a 3-5 minute devotional? (4 words that end in”-ook”)

Maybe about how cool it is to hang with Free Methodist people in ministry from all over the United States? (even the one I see every day at home) Or how much I appreciate the freedom my wife is giving me this week, and feel semi-guilty each morning as I forgo sleeping in for a 6am run to whatever coffee shop is open, able to sit quietly with my laptop and/or a good book? (I would offer to let her do the same when this is all over, but I think she’d rather sleep in anyways)

How about how I’ve procrastinated on my research of a certain minor prophet whom I’m supposed to be knowing better these days? (no worries, it’ll get done) How about missing my girls, and seeing them on Skype which gives Addison plenty of time to tell me how many times she’s “gone yellow” that day. (congrats Addie!)

Nah. I don’t think I have enough time to breach most of the topics listed above. If I’m feeling generous, maybe you’ll hear a bit after day 3. Until then, just know that I’m enjoying this J-term stuff.

Rockin’ the flops. Drinkin’ coffee. Readin’ like it’s going out of style.
Sleeping with Brobee. Woot.

Side Note: Update from Decatur, IL – 5 names were removed from the ballots due to the ill-prepared paperwork (really dumb reason – both for happening, AND for being sued) Check out this article for the final names. Only two choices for Mayor. Maybe I WILL run someday. 🙂

So today was my journey to Indianapolis in “Hermes”, my 1994 Saturn SL1. A few highlights from all that occurred today:

– Addie pooped (a great one) in the potty in time for me to get a picture, and send it to her proud uncles before leaving. They can thank me later.

– I forgot to plan ahead, and burn some cd’s of sermons/speakers I enjoy, so I was forced to listen to local radio stations along the way. Turned out to be a treat. Caught some great mid-90’s music on the journey to Indy. Including, but not limited to: Blues Traveler, 311, Sublime, Live, Hootie & and Blowfish (guilty), and yes – even a little from the Cranberries. (wonders why no one plays classic late-80’s hip-hop anymore?)

– Hermes survived the entire trip on highway 36 (so I wouldn’t have to go over 55mph) without having to stop due to a malfunction. This is awesome, due to his not leaving Decatur, IL since we arrived in 2005. It’s kinda relaxing to drive 3 hours, without any desire to pass anyone or speed.

– I arrived with enough time to hang out with my brother, his fiancee, and her fam. a lil’ before launching the week of classes. Rockin’ out at the Groover’s this week. So grateful for their hospitality while I’m in town, and it saves my church more than a few bucks.

– Found 3 Starbucks’ and one Panera (top choice) between where I’m staying and where I’m taking classes.

– Realized that as much as I poke fun at it sometimes, God may actually have something to do with what class I take and when I take it. I’m looking forward to what this week of learning/Spiritual growth has to offer my ministry, my life, and my future for the Kingdom. I already enjoy/am encouraged by the emphasis on God’s calling on us to be people of prophetic ministries. Not so much in the “Jonah going to Ninevah” sense, but in a very real “seeing and proclaiming what God sees/desires” sense.

– Upon the assigning of books for various things by our professor, Micah and I realized we’ll be spending some very indepth time together. I’m looking forward to getting to know the man he was, the time he was, and the message God uses him to proclaim.

– Realizing I’m going to miss the 3 females I usually share the behind the scenes moments of life with very much. God be with them…:)