On our way...

Smokey downtown Jacksonville, Florida

By the time you read this we will be in New York City for our summer project. We spent the last few days traveling up to Maryland where my (Kirk's) parents live. We traveled through wildfire zones (Jacksonville, Florida - the pic of the city skyline is Jacksonville, that's not fog, but smoke) stopped over night in Charlotte, NC with Scott and Audrey (thanks you two). We then drove through the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia (I was reminded of my Civil War history and "Stonewall" Jackson) before arriving today in Elkton, MD. It was two long days and I am quite tired - I hope I recover enough for the project.

I-81 in the Shenandoah Valley

Tomorrow we are taking the train into the Big Apple where we will begin the project for the staff - the students arrive on Monday. Sarah will be making furious preparations for the art work to be done and I will be doing more prep for the teaching times. Please pray that we focus and are able to get work done.

little white church on the way

We will be sending out a "funds update" (probably something referring to "pie") soon, but in the meantime ask that you continue to pray for God's provision for our summer.

Thanks for your continued prayers!
Kirk and Sarah

In my reading...

I've really come to enjoy reading the theology of Herman Bavinck (more on him click here). I came across this passage in my reading as I prepare for teaching college students this summer about the importance of the arts to the mission of God.

In no way should the Christian faith be represented as otherworldly or anti-creation. Rather, grace and nature are united in the Christian faith, and general revelation links the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of earth - it joins creation and redemption together in one great eschatological cantata of praise. Grace restores nature, a religious life is woven into the very fabric of ordinary human experience. Finally, God is one and the same loving God in creation and redemption; grace restores nature.

This comes from his Reformed Dogmatics, volume I, Prolegomena. His entire dogmatics have recently been published by Baker Academic. I commend all four volumes to you. I only say that to you all because my wife also has come to like Bavinck. In a recent paper I did quoting him often she said, "I really like this Bavinck guy!". And we all know her opinion is much more important than mine could ever be.

Peace,
Kirk and Sarah

More info please...

I looked at the date of our last blog post and realized I hadn't done anything in 4 months. That is waaaaaaay too long.

Seminary is a bit to blame for that as I had four papers to do for my four classes. that isn't all that big a deal for a Master's level program EXCEPT that the topics of the papers were all ones related to the arts, and of very high interest for me. I finished them, some better than others, but I am satisfied to know I will be returning to those same topics again in the course of my career.

This summer Sarah and I will be on the road for two months, spending three weeks in NYC, 10 days in Colorado, and a week of vacation in the Outer Banks with family. Squeezed in between will be travel and seeing family and friends - some we haven't seen in quite a long time. (If you are interested in helping out with the ministry expenses of the summer - which we would be most grateful - go to https://give.ccci.org/give/View/0402593)

This summer marks the start of what we are trusting is our permanent return to NYC. It is our hope that we will be moving to (or very close to it!) The Big Apple by September 2012. The thought of getting back to the City excites me to no end. We are grateful for your continued prayers and support.

Peace,
Kirk and Sarah

Jesus and the Rockettes...

A friend of ours posted this story (click here) about a veteran Rockette and how Jesus impacted her life and those among the ranks of lovely ladies with the high kicks. It brought home to me how even in the most unusual places the Nazarene appears in the life of someone who trusts in him.

The world of dance is not known as a culture that "knows Christ", in fact in many ways it is completely opposite. I found this story extremely encouraging and leading me to pray that God would shine more of His light in the dance world of NYC and beyond.

"...you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful."
Jeremiah 31

Peace,
Kirk & Sarah

Fujimura interview...

Thought this might interest you. This is an interview Mako did recently that he has said is one of the best he's given. (click here)

Enjoy,
Kirk