My Master's Degree

Our life most recently (and most consistently) has been described as a whirl wind. This Saturday we will move out of Seminary housing and into our new home. For the story and updates on this progress you can follow my wife's blog. With this move we are officially removing any ties we have with seminary and my progress there of. I have started a training program through Porterbrook and begin a new job next Monday (Sept. 17).

This decision was not easy.
The Porterbrook program is not easy.
Buying a new house is not easy.
My new job is not going to be easy.

Leaving the thought of my Master's degree behind has not been easy.

From the audience's perspective it may seem that I am taking choice B, the wide road, or "the white slide"; allow me to explain: My wife and I both worked at Sky Ranch Camps for 3 summers. One of the events was the water slides, which consisted of 3 slides, a red, white, and blue. The blue was known for throwing you every-which way possible most often ending with a sore neck the next morning but never unsatisfied. The red slide was the most popular among counselors. If you knew how to "dry-slide" (which was definitely against the rules) and burito-wrap your slide mat, you could end the epic slide several feet in the air guaranteeing for your splash to not only reach, but drench the life-guard. Last was the white slide. This slide was longer, but with the added distance you also lost incline which created a slow-ride which most often ended with you getting stuck and having to push yourself the last 10 feet to eventually enter the slide pool (insert small splash).

A lot of what I have learned and who I have become involves my experiences at Sky Ranch. I learned to not waste my time on the white slide, but I also learned to not be scared of something different, something unseen, and something that doesn't "fit".

For years, I have been on one path, which in my mind always included me receiving a Master's of Divinity. The path over the last 10 months has been one, wild, ride. This summer God brought me to a realization that I was putting the approval of Men above himself. I wanted this age-old ministerial degree so badly that I didn't care if it wasn't part of my Master's plan, direction, and calling for me. I have been on the white slide, pushing myself along, hopefully, someday, arriving in that perfect wherever-ville. Why have I been on the white slide?!

I am three weeks into Porterbrook, moving into a new house in two days, and starting a new job in four.

Whether I find myself with a stiff neck in the morning or flying through the air, I now know without any doubt that I am serving my God.

It is not easy, but it is fun!