Today is my first day of graduate classes! I'm excited. Wes and I are taking Systematic Theology I from 6.30-9 p.m. with Dr. Wellum. I've heard great things about him and his teaching. One of our options for tonight's reading assignment was Chapter One in Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology, entitled "Introduction to Systematic Theology" (appropriately). I found this quote that I really like:
The more we know about God, about His Word, about His reationships to the world and mankind, the better we will trust Him, the more fully we will praise Him, and the more readily we will obey Him. (Systematic Theology 33)
Shouldn't that be the goal of studying theology? I never want to become consumed with learning for the sake of learning, or for the sake of achieving letters after my last name, or for the sake of winning an argument, or for the sake of being superior in any way. Let all the glory be to God, who has given me "eyes to see and ears to hear," as it were. And let my learning of Scripture be imparted in humility and love:
Who is wise and understanding among you?
By his good life let him show his works in the
meekness of wisdom.... But the wisdom from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
open to reason, full of mercy
and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.
And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace
by those who make peace. (James 3.13, 17-18)
(Systematic Theology 33)
Today is a day of firsts altogether--it is Wesley's first day at Starbucks! I spoke to him at lunchtime and he said that it had been a riveting morning of reading new employee manuals. I could hear the excitement in his voice! We are really thankful for this job opportunity, though, and I'm anxious to see all of the things God has in store for him there.
Wesley's parents came for a visit over the weekend ("the in-laws are coming!! the inlaws are coming!!"), along with his sister. It was nice to have them here--they were our first official visitors! My mom is coming for a few days around Labor day. We're still curious to see who our first non-family visitors will be... any takers?
Overall, I'm thankful. Thankful for Systematic Theology, thankful for Wesley and Starbucks, thankful for our wonderful parents, thankful for our friends (far away as some of them may be), thankful for the gift of today (it is just that--a gift, and one quite undeserved), thankful for the gospel and for the fact that, because of Christ, i'm truly alive. it doesn't get any better!
Song lyrics of the day:
i'm gonna soak it up
every little bit i can
enjoy all my days
before all my days end
whatever i get--always let that be enough
[let me] never forget to soak it up*
-Warren Barfield
9 years ago
2 comments:
Hi Beth! Great to see you blogging. It is so much fun even though we don't blog a ton. I hope to keep hearing what is going on in your lives. That the great thing about blogs is you get to catch up on what people are up to!
Hey! Brent didnt tell me you had a blog! I love the picture. And if you weren't so far away we would love to be your first nonfamily visitors.... wanna come to the beach anytime soon?
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