Last Thursday was my first day of school in quite a long time. This event transported me back to a time almost forgotten; to a place of recollection of school preparations from days gone by. I recalled having an intense discussion with my mom in the boys department of a local JC Penny. She wanted me to try on a "fabulous" pair of dark green pants. I protested with great vigor, and offered up my best defense. But, the green pants became a staple in the wardrobe cycle of the schoolboy. Other years would bring new requests for clothes, as I became much more fashion savvy. I had to own the original "Air Jordan" tennis shoe by Nike. These shoes were so tremendously ugly, oh but so much in style. I also owned a "Members Only" jacket. In Jr. High, I even strutted around the small halls of T.E. Mabry with a pair of Jordache jeans, and every other day...a pair of Calvin Klein's.
This "Back to School" experience has been quite different. Since I am only taking 7 upper level English courses, I know that my time there is brief , yet filled with purpose. I am here to learn, and begin the alternate certification process for teaching secondary English in South Carolina. With much excitement and timidity, I went a few days early to Coastal Carolina University to scope out the situation. My friend, Jimmy, a recent graduate, gave me the necessary tour of the campus. I found out where to park, and even walked to my classes a few days in advance to prevent being late. I was beginning to feel like this would be a fairly simple adjustment process.
After my first class, I walked to the coffee shoppe. The house of caffeine addiction is housed in the Library. I think this is a great idea. Perhaps, they should put turnstiles at the entrance so that it appears that the Library is actually getting some traffic for academic reasons. Anyway, I made my way to the coffee shoppe and was greeted by a super friendly, customer service oriented barrista, in her early fifties. I had my book bag slung over my shoulder, half cocked...just like the cool students. She looked at me, and after I placed my order asked, " Are you a new professor here." After answering her question, I left...with my head hung low. (Perhaps I just looked intelligent???) (Much Laughter)
My Adolescent literature class was the first of the day, and I entered and scoped out my seat. I did not sit too close to the front, because the last time I was in college, I missed a ton of classes. I wanted to sit near the back so I could blend in. At this juncture, as it was prior to the coffee house deflation experience, I hoped that I actually looked similar to the other students. I found the desk for me. It was a little small, but compared to the Korean Airlines seats...they were VERY ROOMY. After the other students found their way to class (some were late...I assumed that they did not scope out the class location prior), the teacher said that we needed to play a game together. Since we were going to be spending a great deal of time together, we needed to know each other. We were a community, and were working together on a journey of learning to appreciate adolescent literature. So...the game began.
She started with the first person on the opposite side of the room. Person # 1 said her name, then person # 2 said the name of Person # 1 and their name. Person # 3 repeated the process...and so on. I was person number 16 or so, and I am sure that you are curious as to how I performed on my first test? I made 100. I wrote down every ones names and read them back when it was my turn. Now you understand why I needed the coffee!!!
Dr. Osbourne was very profound in her statement about community. If she had been wearing a Genevan gown, she could have been a Presbyterian clergy member, delivering the Sunday address. We too are a community, a people of faith, gathering together today with a common purpose. She got me thinking about the power of being called by name.
Back in the days of the "Air-Jordans" and Jordaches, there was a fabulous sitcom on television. Reruns today always make me laugh, and I have a hunch with this crowd...that you laugh too. The show centered around a bar. The theme song went something like this:
Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name.
Hmmm, sound like a church doesn't it? But the sad part is, often the local bar is much more friendly than the people of faith. Look around...who do you not know? This group of people has a core group of 30 that are here each week, and then another 35 or so that change each week during the off season. During the summer, our attendance is over 100. Imagine... if we knew the needs of each, and could openly share our wounds together?
Now, I see from the fear on your face that you think that we are going to play the name game. The gospel is "good news" and I have some good news for you. Grace will be extended if you, on your own get to know someone new today. Why does this matter? The text for today takes us to the answer:
Galatians 6:3-4
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
We are to bear each others burdens. Next week I am going to work more with this passage. But if we do not take the time to know someones name, then it is very unlikely that we will actually care enough to bear their burdens. So, just like in elementary school, we will start with the basics. Today, we will learn new names. We may have to ask again next week, but today...we will try.
Closing hymn
Prior to benediction: I took Sarah with me to school on Friday. I needed to go by the bookstore and pick up a few things. This served two purposes: I wanted all the young girls to know that i was married already and that they should leave me alone, and I wanted Sarah to feel old too. (much laughter)
Names...so important. I am glad that God knows ours, and has them written upon his heart. I am glad that we know his, and that he forgives us...when we confess those failures to him. His Son had a name too..." and at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord."
Benediction
This "Back to School" experience has been quite different. Since I am only taking 7 upper level English courses, I know that my time there is brief , yet filled with purpose. I am here to learn, and begin the alternate certification process for teaching secondary English in South Carolina. With much excitement and timidity, I went a few days early to Coastal Carolina University to scope out the situation. My friend, Jimmy, a recent graduate, gave me the necessary tour of the campus. I found out where to park, and even walked to my classes a few days in advance to prevent being late. I was beginning to feel like this would be a fairly simple adjustment process.
After my first class, I walked to the coffee shoppe. The house of caffeine addiction is housed in the Library. I think this is a great idea. Perhaps, they should put turnstiles at the entrance so that it appears that the Library is actually getting some traffic for academic reasons. Anyway, I made my way to the coffee shoppe and was greeted by a super friendly, customer service oriented barrista, in her early fifties. I had my book bag slung over my shoulder, half cocked...just like the cool students. She looked at me, and after I placed my order asked, " Are you a new professor here." After answering her question, I left...with my head hung low. (Perhaps I just looked intelligent???) (Much Laughter)
My Adolescent literature class was the first of the day, and I entered and scoped out my seat. I did not sit too close to the front, because the last time I was in college, I missed a ton of classes. I wanted to sit near the back so I could blend in. At this juncture, as it was prior to the coffee house deflation experience, I hoped that I actually looked similar to the other students. I found the desk for me. It was a little small, but compared to the Korean Airlines seats...they were VERY ROOMY. After the other students found their way to class (some were late...I assumed that they did not scope out the class location prior), the teacher said that we needed to play a game together. Since we were going to be spending a great deal of time together, we needed to know each other. We were a community, and were working together on a journey of learning to appreciate adolescent literature. So...the game began.
She started with the first person on the opposite side of the room. Person # 1 said her name, then person # 2 said the name of Person # 1 and their name. Person # 3 repeated the process...and so on. I was person number 16 or so, and I am sure that you are curious as to how I performed on my first test? I made 100. I wrote down every ones names and read them back when it was my turn. Now you understand why I needed the coffee!!!
Dr. Osbourne was very profound in her statement about community. If she had been wearing a Genevan gown, she could have been a Presbyterian clergy member, delivering the Sunday address. We too are a community, a people of faith, gathering together today with a common purpose. She got me thinking about the power of being called by name.
Back in the days of the "Air-Jordans" and Jordaches, there was a fabulous sitcom on television. Reruns today always make me laugh, and I have a hunch with this crowd...that you laugh too. The show centered around a bar. The theme song went something like this:
Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name.
Hmmm, sound like a church doesn't it? But the sad part is, often the local bar is much more friendly than the people of faith. Look around...who do you not know? This group of people has a core group of 30 that are here each week, and then another 35 or so that change each week during the off season. During the summer, our attendance is over 100. Imagine... if we knew the needs of each, and could openly share our wounds together?
Now, I see from the fear on your face that you think that we are going to play the name game. The gospel is "good news" and I have some good news for you. Grace will be extended if you, on your own get to know someone new today. Why does this matter? The text for today takes us to the answer:
Galatians 6:3-4
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
We are to bear each others burdens. Next week I am going to work more with this passage. But if we do not take the time to know someones name, then it is very unlikely that we will actually care enough to bear their burdens. So, just like in elementary school, we will start with the basics. Today, we will learn new names. We may have to ask again next week, but today...we will try.
Closing hymn
Prior to benediction: I took Sarah with me to school on Friday. I needed to go by the bookstore and pick up a few things. This served two purposes: I wanted all the young girls to know that i was married already and that they should leave me alone, and I wanted Sarah to feel old too. (much laughter)
Names...so important. I am glad that God knows ours, and has them written upon his heart. I am glad that we know his, and that he forgives us...when we confess those failures to him. His Son had a name too..." and at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord."
Benediction
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