Saddle up, people.

I write this blog from the Oakland Airport, my flight delayed, probably the 7^th or 8^th roundtrip I've done this semester.

I'm not much of a blogger, that's clear.

But here's some thoughts on seminary, Year 2. One-fourth through the year. 7/12's done with seminary. Not that I'm counting.

Seminary is different, better. Better with some seminary under my belt. The existential crises are passed for now. I actually feel like I know why I'm here. It's a good feeling. Time to get down to work.

Seminary is also harder. The work is harder. More reading for my classes. More writing, meaning more deciding. Giving sermons in front of my peers, an audience both friendly and demanding. Looking directly at God, or at least as best we can when we seek God. If I thought that I had a few assumptions challenged last year, that was an introduction. Time to re-think God. There isn't much more fundamental than that.

Seminary is good. It's a good feeling. Let's put some things together. Saddle up, people, time to figure out your theology for today. What a gift, to be able to have time and help to do that.

Seminary is different. Seminary is different after a summer spent in the hospital with people dying, grieving, suffering. Families looking at me and all I can do is be there. Different after a good program that made me take a hard look at myself. A little perspective never hurts.

Seminary is different with some new faces. My face from last year. People struggling, trying so desperately to listen to a God who is mysteriously right there and so, so, far away.

“Listen, I will tell you a mystery!” St. Paul says (1 Cor 15:51a). Time to make friends with mystery. Amen.