Gradulation

I have graduated seminary! At least I think I have. I don't have a degree in hand (or on wall) yet, but I believe I have completed all of the requirements. I now have a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary (highly recommended if you've ever felt a little more liberal than your conservative surroundings or a little more conservative than your liberal surroundings).

For the past five months, I interned as a chaplain at Children's Hospital Los Angeles in order to complete requirements for my degree, as well as for future ordination. It was, as you might guess, an amazing and challenging experience, which can be briefly summarized in this way: I know I do not want to be a chaplain, but I do feel like I am becoming a pastor.

What's next, you might ask? Well, Becky and I plan on living here in Thousand Oaks for another year or so before moving to Chicago, where I will be doing my "Lutheran year" for ordination in the Lutheran church. For now, I am back to working at Starbucks (Ventu Park & Hillcrest in Newbury Park - come and visit) close to full time, while also continuing my job as coordinator of the contemporary worship service (11:00 Sunday) at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks (www.alcto.org), as well as various musical endeavors (www.myspace.com/poiesis). Becky is working as a bank teller at Chase Bank (formerly Washington Mutual) in Westlake Village, and also continuing as director of some of the children's and teen choirs at Ascension.

Hooray for summer!

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog. I have created this space as part of an effort to live life with more intentionality. I have the tendency at times, as many of us do, to float through life like Lamar Odom can float through a basketball game. I would like to take more time to reflect on moments of significance, which I already do at times - but this will give me to opportunity to do so publicly (and intentionally). And that's where you come in!

So please, respond at will. I would love for you to respond to something and anything I write. Like, seriously. Just respond. That way it won't feel like I'm just talking to myself. I do enough of that already without having to type it out. I know you have thoughts in that brain of yours. You can even respond to this introduction if you like.

By the way, if you couldn't tell already, this post represents the very beginning of my blog. So if you are completely fascinated with my wit and must read every thought that proceeds from my mind, you have reached the end. :) You must now go elsewhere. A couple suggestions:

www.myspace.com/poiesis

www.myspace.com/poiesismatt