1 James 3:1-9

Last week I attended College Metro 2008 at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. I had big plans to catch up on email, write on the blog, etc. during the evenings. However, when I arrived I discovered that my laptop cord had been left in the office. I had never done that before but knew exactly what had happened. On Monday (the day before I left for NC), after work, I attended the FCA Banquet. Well, I needed to leave the office aroudn 4:30pm to pick up Michael before heading over to the Banquet. It wasn't easy to finish up by that time so I was racing to get out of there in which I packed my computer but not the cord. So after using what battery power I had for work emails, I was dead in the water. My attempt to buy another cord was successful until it didn't work with my laptop so it actually turned out to be unsuccessful. Oh well...it was a great week nonetheless.
College Metro is a group of collegiate ministers (both from campuses and churches) that meet together once a year to share ideas and encourage each other. I was there to represent NAMB and Embrace Baltimore in talking about mission opportunities for college students. In the meantime I was able to sit in on their breakout sessions- some taught by the seminary professors- and really get a lot out of it personally. The weather was beautiful, the campus was beautiful, and I was extremely happy sitting outside taking it all in.
I got back Friday night and then on Saturday (April 19) I went to Lansdowne at 8:30am(!) for their 100 year celebration. There was a parade and small section of booths and the FBC Lansdowne youth were selling water and soda as a fundraiser. Michael was supposed to be going but had to attend Upward Sport Camp training the same day so he didn't make it until the afternoon. We raised $235 largely in part to the water, soda, and ice all being donated.
Work this week was productive. We were able to make our MayMester assignments so that's one big thing checked off my list. Now if only we could get these college kids to finish the application process as they are scheduled to be here in a week!
Tonight I write this sitting in the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel. I flew down Friday evening to attend my good friend Steve's wedding. It was my first Catholic wedding, which was neat to see, but the interesting story comes from the New Testament reading. Steve had called me a week ago and asked if I would do a reading in their wedding. I said of course and asked what passage they wanted. He couldn't remember what they selected but said he'd let me know. No problem. Forward to Friday, the day before the wedding, and still no passage. Steve mentions I should be at the rehersal dinner but due to work I won't be there. He says Janet (now his wife) knows it and she should have gotten it to me. Forward to Saturday- day of the wedding. I ride over to the wedding with Stefany and Jason- still with no passage but with a Bible just in case. We get the church and look in the program. It says New Testament Reading by Jamie LaFave, 1 James 3:1-9. For those of you who don't know, there is no 1 James! I turned to James and chapter 3 is about taming your tongue. While that could be applicable to marriage I somehow didn't think that was right. The best man then approaches and says that the bridesmaids have the reading, he'll get it when they come in and give it to me. Stefany, Jason, and I take a seat and before you know it, the wedding started and I still had no idea what I was supposed to read! When the priest announced the NT reading I walked up there with the Bible I had brought having no clue what I was supposed to do. I had marked 1 Corinthians 13 just in case because you can always go with that. Fortunately, when I turned around to the microphone the Priest suddenly came up to my left, handed me his book and pointed at the page to read. Turns out it was 1 Peter. I read the passage, handed the book back to the priest, and went back to my seat with hopefully only a few people really knowing what really happened.
That's enough typing for tonight...pictures to come.