again

I've been emailing back and forth with someone and as I write, I notice things that seem to belong here. I think I'm going to copy/paste some of them and try to expand on my thoughts.

I'm finding that I miss the learning that comes from college. I can read a book or two or five on my own, but I don't learn as much. The Dmin always seems the easiest Doctorate to get, but its not the one I want and its not even possible for me since I'm not in the ministry and it usually requires active ministry. Anyway, that is the more recent problem I have. One of the possible solutions that I have found is SES.

I have been considering this school http://www.ses.edu/Home/DoctrinalStatement/tabid/70/Default.aspx after I finish my current MA. I was looking at their MA in Apologetics. I noticed where the profs got their degrees, and was happy with that. I was looking at the distance learning. I would have to start slow since I don't know what I can handle, but I'm thinking 5 years for 60 credits (hopefully max). I think i can do it faster, but I don't want to get my hopes up. The other thing is money, and one of their classes must be taken on campus. I can't find anywhere if it is a module, or if I have to be there an entire semester. That would rot. I was looking all over for an MA in apologetics, and it was hard to find anything that even looked reputable offering that. So I found a list of schools offering it, and this had distance option, plus I was happy with the profs education.

I've been considering writing a book for some time now. It was always a KJB book, since I don't really know too many things, and I have a pull to write something. I love the format that Whitaker uses. I've got quotes, references, several different 1-2 pages starts, etc. About a week ago, I almost started really going at it....then I stopped again. Does it even need to be written? This has gone on for around 100 years; would anyone read it? Would it accomplish anything? Maybe writing like old reformers won't accomplish anything today. Maybe it needs to be easy to read. Can it be deep and easy to read? Then I wonder if writing anything accomplishes anything any more. Those are my thoughts on writing; though I still want to write. But I have decided not to pursue this topic currently. I still want to write. I just need to find something worth pursuing and writing about.

I was directed to BBC in Clarks Summit. This tends to be a better solution than the SES, although it completely abandons the Apologetic trail. They offer a PhD in Theology online and through modules. The modules occur three times a year for one week. That would be fantastic. They want a MDiv before you enter the PhD, but they also say they will work with MAs to get them to the proper place for the PhD. Just what I need. Of course, it takes 3 years full time. For most who have fulltime jobs, etc, it takes 5-6 years. For me, who needs to finish my current MA (1 year) and then fill in the gaps I'm missing (1-2 more years) and then the 6 years of PhD work, I'm now 35. Honestly not too bad.

I am 20 minutes from Clearwater College and I can use their library for $35 a year. That is a great price to get into the library if it is any good. I'm guessing it has to have enough for me at this time. If only I knew what I needed to reference.

I have also debated on many occasions writing a commentary. If I were to preach through a book, I believe that I could write a commentary on it at the time. Since, I am not a greek scholar I would have to go easy on the Greek, but not all commentators have greek, and indeed, even at the MA level not everything I read disected the Greek anyway. (The cool part then was that since we didn't know Greek, we were permited to skip any Greek exegesis. . .we liked books with pages of greek/endnotes. ;))

I made list of all the things I would like to accomplish this year and numbered them, and put Greek fairly high up. . .and then I realized that both my Greek books and index cards are in my parents basement. I don't know how I will ever get three huge bins down here. . .maybe someday I will have a house, and an office and all my books.

The other good news about BBC is that they only require Greek and Hebrew. Only, you say? Yes, most PhD programs require two modern languages as well, usually German and French (Latin is usually permitted if desired). Though this sounds like good news, maybe it isn't. Maybe I should be pushing myself to learn those other two languages. Maybe I need to make my brain study like that. Maybe I will find it necessary to read Barth in the original language and not be able to, /GASP. At the moment I think, meh.

I have been inspired by my sister, and am trying to read the Bible 30 minutes a day. That is more than I have purposefully planned in a good while. It is going well thus far.

I started working out again. I missed it. It feels soo good to be sore again. Interesting sentence that. Yes, I have to make myself to deadlifts now. And yes, I force myself to work my legs. But it is good for me. The creatine/protein that I read is the best costs an outrageous amount. . .but the guys in the trial added over 80lbs average to their bench in 12 weeks. That would be fantastic. But, forget that. I'm even going to try *whispers* running.

Kaylynn has been looking at houses and apartments lately. We like where we are, but thought it would be good to look around as well. Our rent is going up $10. That isn't at all bad considering they wanted to charge us that last time but the lady had told us in a moment of weakness that since it wasn't a pool view she would take $10 off. Ha! Plus, we have a Washer/Dryer here.

We aren't sure what she will be doing this year. We won't have William =(, so she has been trying to think about different things. I was told today that tons of people were applying at the school for positions. I guess they have lots of people wanting to Sub. She was considering subing, but after I heard that I don't know if she would get it anymore. Last year it was like a shortage. They made it sound like it is always hard to find subs. This year they made it sound like they weren't going to be able to use everyone that wanted a job.

I was offered the after-school job again. I got my email a couple weeks ago that said "I hate after school care!" Yeah, I remembered how much I hated it, buuuut, it would be nice to have the extra money. The few classes I have left are going to be about $600 each, and afterschool care will take care of the rest of this degree. It will be nice to know that I won't have to find that extra money some place. . .if I take it. If I do, that would mean being at school from 7-6. That is a long time. And since we only have one car, Kaylynn will either be home alone, or we have to find her a job in the next two weeks. Just pray. We are trusting the Lord that He will provide whatever we need. She really really doesn't want to be home alone for 11 hours. Who would?

I've played a good deal of poker over this past weekend. Won a good amount. Lost a fair amount. I came in 3rd out of 90 in the last 90 person I played. I was quite happy with that honestly. I'm at about $19k, fake of course.

I keep updating Mike's website as I am told things, or invited to things through FB.

I've been struggling to make it through this book. I told myself I needed to finish it before I start the next one, and I told myself I *had* to finish the next one before school starts. I am also reading a book on writing on the side. It is good, and I have always found it helpful. If only I was a good writer. I need a better vocabulary. But I don't have time. I have every hour planned out for the next semester/year and I don't have much free time. If I end up watching an extra TV show, or playing a computer game then I suddenly lost something important. That can be good or bad.

The Truth Project will be starting up again in January. I thought they had said it would be in the fall, but I guess not. So, January it is. For a brief moment today, I thought Mrs. Coney was going to say something about it not being that great afterall. . .but no, it is that great and amazing etc. Maybe it really will be. Maybe I will have to get on here and say I was completely wrong and it is fantastic. I doubt it though.

I bought Psych seasons 1 and 2. We have one episode left. /shrug.

Time to go. Goodnight all. And remember, I have nothing constraining me right now, so it is your responsibility to call me when you are free. I don't want to wake you up or disturb you. :P