Confessions of a Seminarian

God in Your Story

In my last post, The Truth of the Gospel, I shared my story of being saved from suicide and subsequently coming to faith. I also talked about how when I became a Christian, I realized that God was with me even in those horrible circumstances. I realize that many people share stories similar to my own, and many have stories of far worse things happening to them. It is very tempting to ask, either during or after, where God was in those times. While it may seem as though God abandoned you to be raped, beaten, neglected, depressed, empty, etc and chose to love others by blessing them with talent, good looks, money, opportunity, intelligence, friends etc, there is another question that my personal experience has lent me to ask:

Why wasn’t it worse?

Why wasn’t I molested?

Why wasn’t I cut on?

Left in a ditch for my parents to discover?

I said before that my still being alive is evidence of God’s work in my life, and it is, but all the evil things that didn’t happen to me are further evidence. Read more »

The Truth of the Gospel

Many articles I write and discussions I have in the blogosphere are academically oriented.  This is because I believe Christians shouldn’t surrender their intellect; the more you mine the depths of the Bible, the deeper an impact the truth of Christianity can have on your soul.  However, I have noticed these conversations lead me away from the personal nature that characterizes the pursuit of God (and discovering His pursuit of us).  I wanted to share a personal story of God’s relentless pursuit of me, and why to me this continues to be deep-seated evidence of His existence and character. Read more »

God’s Grace And The Army Chaplaincy

I’m currently at Fort Jackson, SC for Phase 1 of the U.S. Army’s Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course. I’ve settled into a daily rhythm of waking up at 4:30 to get to PT by 5:15. PT lasts until 6:45, and then I get to go back to my room and get ready for Chapel at 8:15. Between stuffing down some food, scrubbing that South Carolina grit off my skin, throwing on my uniform, and running out the door, I’ve been able to squeeze in 5-10 minutes of stillness and reflection every morning. Read more »