Well, this week is over and I am glad. I worked a lot this past week, and today was a nice day to relax with family. My sister came to Michigan for a wedding, so it was great to see her. The next time I'll see her will be my brother David's wedding! It's crazy that it's coming up. He's got a great girl in Anna, and I'm very pumped for them!
The reading-the-Bible-in-a-month-plan is working out well so far. There is so much in that book! Honesty time: some of it has been really great and some of it has been a little tedious. Reading most of Leviticus in one day is tough. But in all honesty, I am so glad I am doing this. It has kept me very busy, for sure, but it is exciting! It's dawned on me in the past couple days that what I am reading is what I am basing my whole life upon. I talk a lot about the Bible in theory- themes in the Bible, different interpretations... but to just read it straight through like any other book is different.
These days I spend my time on a few different things: reading, work, facebook, sports, movies, and hanging out with people. I'm satisfied with this arrangement, but I am also looking to work 10 more hours a week or so. I had a job driving a lady around, which gave me about 10 more hours per week, but she has moved to a faraway land, and so I am hoping to find another way to make some more money.
Well, that will be all for now. I still have to do my Bible reading tonight, so I'd better get to that. Peace!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sigh
Nation, I am exhausted. Yesterday and today have just felt long and tiring. I worked both days at the pool. Basically, my job is sitting there making sure the right people are in the pool and that nothing harmful happens. Some days are very relaxing; others feel like babysitting a bunch of unruly kids. Today was one of the latter days.
I can't complain. It's a good job, and I'm thankful for it. I sometimes have to remind myself to be thankful, but in the end, I thank God that He gave it to me.
Yesterday I started a Bible Reading Plan. I've never done one before. I created it, and it's for reading the Bible in 31 days. It's a lot of reading, but even so far it has been rewarding. A constant goal of mine is to become more God-conscious, or God-focused. I hardly ever pray, but that isn't my sin. My sin is that the reason I hardly ever pray is because I hardly ever think about God. So, my constant prayer this month is to become more God-conscious.
There are so many things I'd like to elaborate on, but I am too tired. I will lay in my bed, probably not moving for several hours, reading (of course), and then go to bed.
Thank you for indulging me as I just spit out my day!
I can't complain. It's a good job, and I'm thankful for it. I sometimes have to remind myself to be thankful, but in the end, I thank God that He gave it to me.
Yesterday I started a Bible Reading Plan. I've never done one before. I created it, and it's for reading the Bible in 31 days. It's a lot of reading, but even so far it has been rewarding. A constant goal of mine is to become more God-conscious, or God-focused. I hardly ever pray, but that isn't my sin. My sin is that the reason I hardly ever pray is because I hardly ever think about God. So, my constant prayer this month is to become more God-conscious.
There are so many things I'd like to elaborate on, but I am too tired. I will lay in my bed, probably not moving for several hours, reading (of course), and then go to bed.
Thank you for indulging me as I just spit out my day!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Intentions and Directions
A while ago, while visiting Rich and Laura Pomales in Ohio, I was visiting their church, C3 Church. Pastor Konan was talking about intentions and directions, which he borrowed from Andy Stanley. Anyway, the point of the message was that sometimes we have the best intentions, but the way that we're heading (our direction) isn't the way we really want to go.
I was just watching a Youtube clip of Jennifer Knapp on Larry King Live. Larry King had a conservative pastor along with Ted Haggard on the show to converse with Jennifer. Jennifer Knapp is a Christian recording artist who recently came out of the closet, announcing she is a lesbian. The conservative pastor, it seemed, wanted to try to convey that he loved Jennifer as a "sister in Christ." However, he spent most of his time talking about how the Bible condemned her, this of course not only on national television, but also only an hour after meeting her.
Ted Haggard came in and, it seemed, wanted to offset this conservative pastor by telling him he had no right to judge her, that her circle of friends and mentors were put in place by God to do that. He avoided any direct question as to whether homosexuality was wrong. Yet, he said he was just as concerned about the truth as the conservative pastor was.
The video reminded me of Pastor Konan's message. I sat for several minutes thinking about how I would have responded if I were in either of their shoes.
I don't yet have an answer. Each person wanted to convey both the truth and love (or, speaking the truth in love). In my opinion, both failed.
It's an art, really. Conveying what you intend to convey, that is. I often find myself totally and completely ill-equipped to respond no matter how much studying I have done on any given subject. Perhaps what is more important is an even greater art- the art of trusting in and listening to God for His help.
So I pray: God, please help me as I attempt to line up my intentions with my direction, and please help me as I attempt to line up my direction with Your intentions.
I was just watching a Youtube clip of Jennifer Knapp on Larry King Live. Larry King had a conservative pastor along with Ted Haggard on the show to converse with Jennifer. Jennifer Knapp is a Christian recording artist who recently came out of the closet, announcing she is a lesbian. The conservative pastor, it seemed, wanted to try to convey that he loved Jennifer as a "sister in Christ." However, he spent most of his time talking about how the Bible condemned her, this of course not only on national television, but also only an hour after meeting her.
Ted Haggard came in and, it seemed, wanted to offset this conservative pastor by telling him he had no right to judge her, that her circle of friends and mentors were put in place by God to do that. He avoided any direct question as to whether homosexuality was wrong. Yet, he said he was just as concerned about the truth as the conservative pastor was.
The video reminded me of Pastor Konan's message. I sat for several minutes thinking about how I would have responded if I were in either of their shoes.
I don't yet have an answer. Each person wanted to convey both the truth and love (or, speaking the truth in love). In my opinion, both failed.
It's an art, really. Conveying what you intend to convey, that is. I often find myself totally and completely ill-equipped to respond no matter how much studying I have done on any given subject. Perhaps what is more important is an even greater art- the art of trusting in and listening to God for His help.
So I pray: God, please help me as I attempt to line up my intentions with my direction, and please help me as I attempt to line up my direction with Your intentions.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Pretending
It's funny how "I don't know" can feel like a revelation, a liberation, when you've been pretending to know something you didn't. - Brian McLaren
So often in my life I've felt trapped by something I was supposed to believe, but was unsure of. It really has felt like I've been trapped. On many different issues, I've started out believing something, only to start questioning it and find that what I first believed was wrong. It's also been the case that I've started believing something, questioned it, and come full circle- once again affirming it.
The problem that everyone comes across is the fact that it is really difficult to look at evidence objectively. Different presuppositions affect the way we look at evidence. That's why sometimes you can argue with someone about something you feel passionate about, and the other person simply will not realize he is not looking at the evidence objectively. He will never change his mind. On the other hand, look first at yourself. It could be you who is wrong. Sometimes we care more about winning the argument than coming to an understanding of truth.
My good friend (and mortal enemy theologically- just kidding) Matt Hall and I have been discussing a certain issue for a while. I find myself sometimes caring so much about winning the argument that I forget that we both want to come to the truth. To Matt's credit, he seems to always desire the truth, which is why we can continue the discussion peacefully.
My point is this: start with the statement "I don't know" and go from there. It may hurt, but it's the only starting point when the ultimate goal is truth.
So often in my life I've felt trapped by something I was supposed to believe, but was unsure of. It really has felt like I've been trapped. On many different issues, I've started out believing something, only to start questioning it and find that what I first believed was wrong. It's also been the case that I've started believing something, questioned it, and come full circle- once again affirming it.
The problem that everyone comes across is the fact that it is really difficult to look at evidence objectively. Different presuppositions affect the way we look at evidence. That's why sometimes you can argue with someone about something you feel passionate about, and the other person simply will not realize he is not looking at the evidence objectively. He will never change his mind. On the other hand, look first at yourself. It could be you who is wrong. Sometimes we care more about winning the argument than coming to an understanding of truth.
My good friend (and mortal enemy theologically- just kidding) Matt Hall and I have been discussing a certain issue for a while. I find myself sometimes caring so much about winning the argument that I forget that we both want to come to the truth. To Matt's credit, he seems to always desire the truth, which is why we can continue the discussion peacefully.
My point is this: start with the statement "I don't know" and go from there. It may hurt, but it's the only starting point when the ultimate goal is truth.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Awkward?
Awkward everyday moments are funny to me. Here are a few examples from today:
1. When you're talking to someone and there's very little or lots of eye contact. The great thing about this is that it's not uncommon at all. It happens in lots of converstaions. (The average amount of eye contact is about 60%).
2. When you're standing in line and someone comes and stands next to you. You feel the need to let them know that you are in front of them, so you slowly move in front of them to show them their line inferiority.
3. When you ask someone how they're doing and they don't respond. Do I just pretend I didn't ask? Do I say it again? I usually go with pretending I didn't ask.
4. When someone brings up something really depressing while smiling, and you have no idea what to say.
5. When you've got your radio on loud, not paying any attention to it, and ubeknownst to you a girly song comes on, and then you look over and there are tough-looking guys next to you.
That's it for now.
1. When you're talking to someone and there's very little or lots of eye contact. The great thing about this is that it's not uncommon at all. It happens in lots of converstaions. (The average amount of eye contact is about 60%).
2. When you're standing in line and someone comes and stands next to you. You feel the need to let them know that you are in front of them, so you slowly move in front of them to show them their line inferiority.
3. When you ask someone how they're doing and they don't respond. Do I just pretend I didn't ask? Do I say it again? I usually go with pretending I didn't ask.
4. When someone brings up something really depressing while smiling, and you have no idea what to say.
5. When you've got your radio on loud, not paying any attention to it, and ubeknownst to you a girly song comes on, and then you look over and there are tough-looking guys next to you.
That's it for now.
Friday, June 4, 2010
What's happenin'
Well last time I told you I'd give you a little more of an update on my current life situation. Here it is.
I graduated college a little over 2 years ago and went home (moved in with my parents) for a year. This was a good year in certain respects. I guess I needed time away from what I got comfortable with in college. Not that all of college was bad, but I needed a change. I started working and reading quite a bit. During my last semester in Bible College, I had a Biblical Theology class with a man named Dale Brueggemann. It was during this class I realized I did not have a very good grasp on what the Bible really said. So, when I graduated, I began a quest to learn.
It may sound ironic that the real learning began after I graduated from Bible College, and that's mostly my fault, but it's the way the cookie crumbled. I had lots of friends becoming pastors and whatnot, and I felt grossly unprepared to enter that kind of situation. I felt I needed to learn more. I felt I had a lot of growing and changing to do. After one year of working, reading, and growing personally (and a summer living in Pennsylvania), I decided it was time to go to Seminary.
So, I moved to Grand Rapids Michigan to go to Calvin Seminary. I am living with my older brother Bryan, his wife Jen, and their 2 year old daughter Anna. It's a great situation for me, and I try to do what I can to thank them non-monetarily (due to my lack of steady income during the school year). I have loved Calvin Seminary for the most part.
The biggest news is that I'll be spending the next semester in Jerusalem, Israel. It's basically a study abroad program. I'm very excited about it, ready to learn! Once I get back, I will have one more year of classes, then graduation.
I won't get into exactly what I want to do after that, but at some point I want to be in Church work- as a pastor or whatever else.
So that's my life! Now that you're basically caught up, I'll just be able to fill you in on what happens from here on out!
I graduated college a little over 2 years ago and went home (moved in with my parents) for a year. This was a good year in certain respects. I guess I needed time away from what I got comfortable with in college. Not that all of college was bad, but I needed a change. I started working and reading quite a bit. During my last semester in Bible College, I had a Biblical Theology class with a man named Dale Brueggemann. It was during this class I realized I did not have a very good grasp on what the Bible really said. So, when I graduated, I began a quest to learn.
It may sound ironic that the real learning began after I graduated from Bible College, and that's mostly my fault, but it's the way the cookie crumbled. I had lots of friends becoming pastors and whatnot, and I felt grossly unprepared to enter that kind of situation. I felt I needed to learn more. I felt I had a lot of growing and changing to do. After one year of working, reading, and growing personally (and a summer living in Pennsylvania), I decided it was time to go to Seminary.
So, I moved to Grand Rapids Michigan to go to Calvin Seminary. I am living with my older brother Bryan, his wife Jen, and their 2 year old daughter Anna. It's a great situation for me, and I try to do what I can to thank them non-monetarily (due to my lack of steady income during the school year). I have loved Calvin Seminary for the most part.
The biggest news is that I'll be spending the next semester in Jerusalem, Israel. It's basically a study abroad program. I'm very excited about it, ready to learn! Once I get back, I will have one more year of classes, then graduation.
I won't get into exactly what I want to do after that, but at some point I want to be in Church work- as a pastor or whatever else.
So that's my life! Now that you're basically caught up, I'll just be able to fill you in on what happens from here on out!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
New Endeavor
Hello world! Well, here I am. It's been about 2 years since I've written on this blog. I thought I'd pick it back up, but this time I'ma have a completely different focus. This time, I'll just be talking about life in general. I won't be writing many "inspirational" or supposed-to-be-inspirational things. Instead, I'll be writing on here like it's my own personal journal. Only, it will be online for all to see.
This is my first journal entry. Honestly, there were only two reasons that I decided to pick this back up. First, my good friend LaNika told me that I should start one so I could post pictures of while I'm in Jerusalem and let people know what is happening. Second, I was looking through a list of things I want to do before I die. Most of the things on the list have a point. For instance, I want to go skydiving because I am insaaaaaaanely scared of heights, and I want to face that at least once in the most extreme way. Well, one of things I wrote on my list was to keep a journal pretty consistently for at least one whole year. The reason behind this one was just so that I could leave behind something of myself. I wanted people to at least have an idea of what it was like to be Michael Van Hal. So, I decided to start it right now, June 2, 2010.
Well, to start, I just wanted to give a brief overview of what will be happening here, so you know what to expect. Right now, I'm sitting in Biggby coffee in Grand Rapids listening to some people (who are sitting on my favorite comfy chairs and are about to get up, at which time I will pounce on them-- the chairs, that is)... anyway, these people are getting married and are talking to their wedding planner. When they told the story of when they told his grandmother the good news, she said, "Well it's about dang time." They both laughed like it was really funny. I didn't find it funny.
So that's what's going on. My next post will give a brief update on what has happened in my life up til now. Enjoy.
This is my first journal entry. Honestly, there were only two reasons that I decided to pick this back up. First, my good friend LaNika told me that I should start one so I could post pictures of while I'm in Jerusalem and let people know what is happening. Second, I was looking through a list of things I want to do before I die. Most of the things on the list have a point. For instance, I want to go skydiving because I am insaaaaaaanely scared of heights, and I want to face that at least once in the most extreme way. Well, one of things I wrote on my list was to keep a journal pretty consistently for at least one whole year. The reason behind this one was just so that I could leave behind something of myself. I wanted people to at least have an idea of what it was like to be Michael Van Hal. So, I decided to start it right now, June 2, 2010.
Well, to start, I just wanted to give a brief overview of what will be happening here, so you know what to expect. Right now, I'm sitting in Biggby coffee in Grand Rapids listening to some people (who are sitting on my favorite comfy chairs and are about to get up, at which time I will pounce on them-- the chairs, that is)... anyway, these people are getting married and are talking to their wedding planner. When they told the story of when they told his grandmother the good news, she said, "Well it's about dang time." They both laughed like it was really funny. I didn't find it funny.
So that's what's going on. My next post will give a brief update on what has happened in my life up til now. Enjoy.
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