We'll I've been away for awhile, but I haven't forgotten about this blog.  A quick update:

 - I finished a bicycle ride across the United states. Jimmy Moncrief and I completed this 2,600 mile journey in 29 days.  I was an awesome experience where I was challenged physically and spiritually.  

I mentioned a few weeks back that I was planning a bike trip across the US.  We'll, it's official and planned.  I've just finished getting a website up that provides information about our route and preparation process.  I also hope to be able to update the site during the ride with pictures and stories.  

So go ahead and follow my bike ride across the United States.

A few weeks ago I read a New York Times column called "Mass-Market Epiphany: As the varieties of religious experience in America multiply, will true faith suffer?" After finishing this column by Ross Douthat, I was surprised to find someone from the New York Times arguing for religious experiences that sometimes contradict our lives. (After a little research I discovered that Ross Douthat is a conservative catholic.)

We'll, it's not official, but pretty close.  In the month before starting school at WTS, I'm planning on riding a bike across the United States.  The idea is to ride from Savannah, GA to San Diego CA in 30-31 days.  This means an average of 90 miles a day for 29 days and one or two rest days.  I think it's a pretty ambitious plan, but am excited about it.  I just hope my body can survive!

I graduated from Covenant College in 2004 and I like keep my eyes open for news about Covenant.  My sister recently emailed me about this interview with Professor Steve Corbett on NPR.

Many people found it surprising that I've decided to attend seminary.  My hope is that this essay will help to explain how God worked in my life to bring me to this point.  

As a prospective seminary student writing about my spiritual experience, I initially thought I would need to show a continual, upward march of spiritual growth. I would hate for a seminary to think that my spiritual experience has been anything but me becoming a better and better Christian.  Right? 

I was really excited to find the below email in my inbox a few days ago: 

 

Dear Jon,

I am very pleased to inform you that you have been admitted to Westminster Theological Seminary’s Master of Divinity program with an emphasis in Pastoral Ministries for Summer 2010!  Congratulations on joining a long line of Westminster students over our 80-year history, ministering and teaching all over the world for God’s kingdom. 

I have to admit, I think this video is pretty sweet...