Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

I’ve been asked a couple of times what the difference between a D.Min. and a PhD are and so, although I’m no expert, I thought I’d give it a shot.  I am working on my D.Min. (Doctor of Ministry) which, unlike a PhD, is a ministry-based degree.  What I mean by that is that a D.Min. is intended to be directly related the specific ministry the individual is engaged in.  In other words, if I were to leave Dunningville today, I would have to come up with a different thesis project than the one I’ve been developing since it was in direct relation to the peculiarities of my current setting.

A D.Min. is a “real” doctorate, but it’s realm is primarily ministry, not academia, whereas a PhD’s main area of focus is the world of academics.  That means that whereas a PhD’s research may be fully based in the area of theory, a D.Min. is based primarily in practice, so the thesis I’m working on is directly related to a specific practical project that we will be doing at Dunningville.  In this case, a project related to the development of integration and discipline.

Integration, in this case, refers to the concept of having one’s faith fully integrated in one’s life.  Or, to put it differently, to ensuring that there is integrity between the different areas of our lives.   It’s based on the most basic belief that I cannot accept the idea that it’s appropriate for someone to be a completely different person when they’re at church than when they’re at school or work or home.  Jesus saved some of his harshest criticisms for hypocrites - those who said they believed one thing but acted contrary to their confessed beliefs.

The project is intended to foster that integration and to promote the self-discipline needed to “live out” what we say we believe.  Christianity cannot simply be a faith of words… it must also be a faith of “being” and “doing.”

I hope that makes sense.

On another note, let me level a public condemnation against QueerJoe for providing a link to the Sue Knitting Game on his blog.  The instructions are entirely unhelpful (as they are in Japanese); it’s music is mind-numbingly annoying; the game is a ridiculous waste of time; and it’s far too infantile for the energy I’ve spent on it….

[For those of you without a sense of humor, note tongue fully lodged in cheek.]
Grace and Peace,

`tim

Unbeknownst to me, without any intention to do so whatsoever, I managed to finish the final touches on my labyrinth just as the clock was turning over to my 33rd birthday. Fun. huh?! Anyhow, just thought I’d share. Here’s a pic.

Obviously, it pulls a little in the middle (maybe some light blocking will fix that, we’ll see). Oh, and yes, it IS backwards - this is an original chart AND the first time I ever used a chart… apparently you’re supposed to start in the lower RIGHT corner, not the lower left. Oh well; live and learn.
All in all though, I’m really happy with it.

Here’s a finished (unblocked) pic:

Grace and Peace,

`tim

Yep… I’ve done it again; it’s been weeks since I last posted.  That’s meant a lot of church, a lot of reading, and a lot of knitting that’s gone entirely unreported (I can tell you’re really missing it, huh!?)

Well, here’re a couple of updates:

• I knit another Koolhaas hat (this one for JJ) — all done.  Turned out pretty well, maybe I’ll get a picture of it for you.
• Also picked up some “recycled” silk yarn from the Hunger Site Store that will eventually work it’s way into being a “Brittany Jumper” for Sophia.  It’s discontinued, but they have some left if you’re interested - it’s a much better price than I’ve seen elsewhere… it’s for a good cause… and, well, it’s cool! (Smells a little “musty” but I think that’ll go away when I wash it.)
• I’ve picked up the Labyrinth that I was knitting and started working on it again… it’s getting closer - I’ll post pics when it’s done rather than bore you with step by step updates.
• I’ve been reading a lot about community.  Perhaps the most enlightening book I’ve just finished is called School(s) for Conversion: 12 Marks of a New Monasticism (by the Rutba House).   It’s a pleasant change from the pop-oriented lit. that’s so common in “post-modern” and “new monasticism.”  I highly recommend it.  Particulalry, I’d point you to the chapters on “Intentional Formation in the Way of Christ and the Rule of the Community Along the Lines of the Old Novitiate” (Mark 6), and “Peacemaking in the Midst of Violence and Conflict Resolution Along the Lines of Matthew 18″ (Mark 11).
• My Thesis proposal is still up in the air.  They required more to be done on it than I was expecting and seem to have latched on a couple of weak spots that weren’t particularly integral to the concept.  I’m hoping to have clarified that in the newest version, but I’m not certain.

Perhaps the most interesting thing to happen lately is that we’ve finished studying the Isaiah Vision in our Adult Sunday School class and are going to be re-working our way through the Heidelberg Catechism (by request.)  What’s so interesting about it is that, although I’ve worked in several congregations, I’m actually convinced that Dunningville has the potential to live into the Isaiah Vision really well.  I’ve been tired and rather worn out lately, but the congregation is doing well and starting to engage some questions about justice/ministry/faithfulness/etc. that many congregations never even bother to notice.

Anyhow, I thought I’d at least touch bases.  I hope and pray you are each well.

Grace and Peace,

`tim

Good morning and a happy new year to one and all — may it be a year of joy and blessing for each of you and those you love.

As we’re watching the Rose Bowl Parade, I finished the “Koolhaas hat” for Emily (our babysitter and our church’s bulletin secretary) — I’m really happy with it (now, to make one for JJ!)

Grace and peace,

`tim

Every once in a while I have the privilege of helping Peggy Kurpinski, owner of Adventures in Diving, with a “try scuba.” A “try scuba” is just that - it’s a chance for people who have a little interest in scuba diving to give it a try under closely supervised and carefully managed conditions (i.e. in a pool with trained instructors and helpers). Last week I helped with one and we took a few pictures. Like always, it was a blast! Peggy is great and Adventures in Diving is the best dive shop around. If you’re looking for something give her a call! Mention my name, and maybe she’ll give you a deal… then again, maybe she won’t

Anyhow, what’s the point of this post? I got a copy of one of the pics. I’m the one on the right (with the Santa hat); the guy on the left is Tom. Fun, huh?!

Grace and Peace,

`tim

First let me say… I usually detest it when people jump on bandwagons. It’s annoying and generally reflects a lack of confidence and creativity, as well as a (usually inappropriate) desire to fit it and make others happy (often at the cost of one’s own joy and happiness). But for several weeks I have been watching people over at Men who Knit making the Tychus Hat from knitty.com and I’ve thought it looked like fun. So, I decided given it a try. Now I know why. It may be the warmest hat I’ve ever seen. It’s easy to make. Fun. Quick.

I had originally made it as a gift for someone… I might not give it away

It’s made out of Vanna’s Choice Acrylic which is megacheapo (2 skeins for $5) but I’m pretty happy with it. The pattern is here, if you’re interested. Be careful though - the pattern must make a hat that could probably fit Goliath; I only made 4 panels and it’s already a pretty big. It took about an hour a panel.
Anyhow, here’s what it looks like:

Grace and Peace,

`tim

Well, I officially reached the half-way point on the labyrinth I’ve been knitting.  It’s not the best picture, but you can see how it’s turning out.  I’m pretty happy with it:

Oh, and what do you think of my Habaneros?!  (It finally put on some peppers!)

As for my thesis proposal, I’m afraid no news… ugh.  Trying not to get too excited or too discouraged.
Grace and Peace,

`tim

We had a potluck last night at church (as every last Wednesday of the month) and a friend mentioned that I hadn’t posted much lately. So true. Where has the time gone?! Anyhow, thought I’d drop out a note. First, maybe a glimpse of the current knitting project. I’m working on a labyrinth. It’s made of out pure, local wool from Marr Haven — a farm here in Allegan. It’s a tricky little beast for several reasons: (1) It’s the first time I’ve ever worked off of a color chart, (2) I created the pattern (and there are few kinks to work out in it), (3) I’m using the Fair Isle technique on both knitted AND purl rows (the purl rows are demonically difficult to do (and I had to fuss around forever to figure out how!). Despite that, I’m happy with it, for a first (on a lot of fronts).

I started off wrong and the whole thing is somehow inverted (maybe I should have started with a purl row?) but here’s what it looks like in progress:

As for other things,

• I’m woefully behind on where I hoped to be on my Thesis proposal.
• I’ve submitted an article on “church size” to Perspectives but it took them weeks to even let me know they got it and I doubt it’ll be printed.  Oh well.
• My parents and sister came up for Thanksgiving, which went pretty well (and included Christmas presents - which Sophia has decided she REALLY likes).
• My habenero plant (which is growing in our living room) has about 15 perfectly ripe peppers on it - WAY Cool!
• My coffee plant (which is about 3 years old) isn’t doing so well and is only about 6 inches tall.
• Darkness has set into Michigan.  The sun has gone away for the year and seasonal depression is lurking just around the corner… Again… oh well, time to pull out the light and start tanning.
• And finally, of course, Advent is here which means another busy season.

Hmmmm… I guess I seem blah… yep.  Pretty much.

Actually, though, life is going well.

Winter is here which means that 2 things are a fairly constant reality in my life: (1) I think back on the days when I was a child and considered it slightly embarrassing to heat with wood (something I find difficult to believe now since I intensely lust after the possibility of some day having a fireplace!) and (2) Hot drinks are in season, even for those people who don’t normally drink coffee.

Knowing that this season was just around the corner, I picked up a little booklet by Goosberry Patch (Cookbooklet #19) entitled “hot cocoa.” It’s an entire booklet with recipes for making - yep you guessed it - hot cocoa. Unfortunately several of the recipes start with “chocolate drink mix” which seems to be cheating and kind of grates on me, but one of them that doesn’t is the “Spiced Hot Cocoa Mix” on page 18.

It’s not as creamy as hot cocoa “should be” and I’m all about Splenda, so here’s my revised version. Enjoy!

Mix all ingredients in a 1-gallon plastic bag:

• 1 1/3 c. Splenda
• 2 c. Powdered Milk
• 1 c. Baking Cocoa
• 3 Tbs. Instant Espresso Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. Cardamom
• 1 (10.2 oz) container of French Vanilla Coffee Mate (I use the sugar free)

Put 1/4 c. in about a cup of hot water. mmmm… Gotta love winter!

Grace and Peace,

`tim

I just finished the “Wonderful Wallaby” for Sophia… I’m really happy with how it turned out. If you’re looking for a reasonably-quick, pretty easy, fun little sweater pattern, this one’s great (it took me under 2 weeks). The owner of one of our local yarn shops recommended it - I like that the booklet contains pattern instructions for everyone toddler to adult. You can’t really tell from the picture (nearly-2-year-olds aren’t always very cooperative!) but it has a hood and a center pocket in front.

Incidentally, the armpits and the center seam of the hood are woven together with a Kitchener stitch which, for the first time ever, actually turned out correctly thanks to instructions at: http://www.northtipton.com/kitchene.htm — look for the entry by Jennie Merritt.

I used Size 6 and 8 needles.
The yarn is TLC’s “Wiggles” Color 699.
The Pattern is by “Cottage Creations” ($6.50 at our local shop)

For the record, I wouldn’t recommend this yarn for children. Although it knit up nicely, it’s handwash-only and the little wigglies are apparently fun to pull off… ugh. (Something I didn’t think of until today when Phia pulled several dozen of them…) it was cheap though, I think I paid less than $2 a skein and used about 1 1/2! Can you believe that — a sweater for under $5!

Grace and Peace,
`tim