In the Coracle

Final Course Reading List

May 6th, 2009, 3 Comments

Here are the books that I’m reading for the final course in my D. MIn program at Bakke Graduate University. The course title is “Rhythms of Living – Exploring Christian Spiritual Practices in Shaping Hearts of Compassion”; it’s a course in spiritual formation and spiritual practices.
  
Here’s the course description:
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This course immerses students in the study [...]

Another perspective on my ministry context.

December 21st, 2008, No Comments

The paper that I’m finishing up tonight on my Orthodox Trail trip and class has me thinking again about where I am currently ministering, or where I’m participating in the Kingdom. I’d like to think that this is a 24×7, everywhere and anywhere type of answer, but I think that there are certainly areas and [...]

Video from the Orthodox Trail

November 24th, 2008, No Comments

I just learned that Randy White, the Associate Director of BGU’s Doctor of Ministry program, put together a video of our experience on the Orthodox Trail.
Here it is – enjoy; it brings back good memories for me and I’m happy to see several of my own photographs used in the video.

Orthodox Trail Trip Journal – Journal Reflections

November 10th, 2008, No Comments

Summary

Writing this journal a few days after the Trail ended, I’m conflicted about the class. On the negative side, of our ten days in the course, four included at least ten hours’ travel time on the bus. During our travel days, we struggled to maintain a reasonable schedule, didn’t eat well and had less than [...]

Orthodox Trail Trip Journal – Thursday, Oct 30

November 8th, 2008, No Comments

Day 11: October 30, 2008

Thursday was our final day of class.
After breakfast, Robert Calvert, Gea Gort and I took a car to Bucharest for our evening flights; Jeff Lewis went to Iasi airport for an afternoon flight, and the rest of the class remained at Neamt for a short while until traveling back to Bucharest [...]

Orthodox Trail Trip Journal – Wednesday, Oct 29

November 8th, 2008, No Comments

Day 10: October 29, 2008

We awoke for our last day in Iasi and packed for a couple hours’ travel to Neamt Monastery, where we would stay for our last evening together.
I created many CD copies of the photos I had taken to this point on the trip to share with other students and teachers, and [...]

Orthodox Trail Trip Journal – Tuesday, Oct 28

November 7th, 2008, No Comments

Day 9: October 28, 2008

Tuesday’s activities began with an immersive experience in liturgical worship in the Orthodox Church.
We walked from our hotel to a small church where Father Varlaam serves as the priest. Although we arrived late we were able to observe the liturgy and after a brief while were offered chairs to sit upon. [...]

Orthodox Trail Trip Journal – Monday, Oct 27

November 7th, 2008, No Comments

Day 8: October 27, 2008

If today is Monday, this must be Bucharest.
Having arrived at our hotel at 4:30AM after a 22-hour bus ride from western Turkey, we got a few hours’ sleep and were awake again too soon.
During most hotel visits on this trip I have showered in the evening before bedtime so that I [...]

Orthodox Trail Trip Journal – Sunday, Oct 26

November 5th, 2008, No Comments

Day 7: October 26, 2008

Sunday was the long bus ride from western Turkey, across a ferry, through Bulgaria, into Romania and to Bucharest.
It lasted 22 hours.
Although we’ve learned to stop every 2-2 1/2 hours along the way for rest breaks, bathroom and snack opportunities, we still haven’t gotten into a rhythm for meals. The best [...]

Orthodox Trail Trip Journal – Saturday, Oct 25

November 5th, 2008, No Comments

Day 6: October 25, 2008

Halfway through the trip was a high point for me.
On the bus on the way to Ephesus, Father Varlaam (one of the Romanian priests with us) spoke to us about early church history. He spoke of Ephesus in its context as one of the critical cities in early Christian history. We [...]