Been a while since I had a moment to peek at TMan. Started Dallas Theological Seminary studies a month ago and heading back to studies, especially at the graduate level, is pretty tough and intense but it's all "do-able". Sorta like trapping coyotes - just don't quit. Perhaps my biggest lesson thus far is simply that faith precedes knowledge - not knowledge precedes faith. Backwards of how we've lived our lives as the humans with the most opportunity to gather information as anyone before us in human history. Hope all my trapping brothers are doing well and getting geared up for the fall season!

The statue here at DTS of Jesus washing Peter's feet. This spot, in our central courtyard on campus gets a lot of prayer time... especially around exam time!


I'm going to need the fur market to start paying more for fur... the cost of books is real. These are my first semester reading materials. Good thing I like to read!


Blessings from Dallas y'all!
Mark

Wish I were that with you .
Dont think I would pass the enterance exam tho.

Newt,

Regardless of whether you passed the exam or not, I promise you - they'd remember you sir!

Keep on keeping on Mark.

Thanks senior trap,
Got to.
I miss that weather in Michigan though!
Whew, it's hot in Texas.

Nice to hear from you glad your enjoying your studies. Books are unreal wife and I couldn't believe some of the cost when she was studying for her masters.
Take care God bless
J

Proud and happy for you. Sounds like you are enjoying your new challenge. Funny you pop up I was just bragging on you to a friend yesterday.

I'm glad it's going well Mark. Thanks for the update. I recognize a few of those book from my School of Ministry days.
How are you liking Greek? When is Hebrew? I haven't learned Greek yet, but have studied Hebrew. I'll see if I can dig up my Greek lexicon for you.

Thanks illinitrap and turkn8rtrapper, appreciate the kind words.

Adam m, I'm actually headed to study Greek right now as exam on Tuesday. It's tough, no doubt as the pace is swift. I'll take 6 semesters here at DTS and 4 semesters of Hebrew. Hebrew doesn't start for my schedule until next year and they say it's a bit easier. Greek is somewhere between Spanish and German as far as complexity and degree of difficulty for us who speak English.

As far as the Lexicon, I'm all set. Good books plus a premier program called Logos that we'll have for life. It's an incredible resource that we use every day.
Appreciate the offer.

MJ

Awesome, good luck on the test Mark. I've heard Greek is tough. We were supposed to study it during my classes but courses changed at the last minute. Sweet. Hebrew can be a challenge. If you need some great materials I can dig them up for you as I have several different books. Hopefully they are ther ones you'll need so you won't need to buy them. Logos is awesome for sure. I dropped my laptop it was on and lost it all my sermons included
You're welcome.

Good job Mark.
My BA is from St. charles Boromeo seminary in philadelphia.
Yep...was going to be a priest once when I was a young man. Wasnt for me, but the BA and the experience were priceless. Taught grade school every Thursday in west philly, st Ignatius parish. Was a long trolley ride from st charles and way different world for a kid who grew up in a town of just 1,600 in southeast nebraska.
Got to serve for installation of a new cardinal at philly cathedral. Got to serve meals at a soup kitchen in bronx over Thanksgiving weekend too. I took two years of Latin and Greek at same time. Ugh! Way too many cool experiences to list on here. Most humbling and rewarding career there is.
Good for you for taking a stab at this and I pray you have a rewarding journey.
Jim

Great to hear that your getting along good Mark! My daughter and I have been watching reducing the numbers over and over the last few weeks trying to keep the scratch itched leading up to season. Your buddy RJ gave her an ounce of RJ 138 to use this year so she’s dead set she’s gonna catch her a coyote! Good luck with your schooling

Mark I think you will love the Greek once you catch hold of it. To me it was a very
Expressive language. Knowing the Greek makes the actions of scripture come alive in my mind.
Those Greek verb tenses are wonderfully expressive. I know God will use you in great ways

Glad all is going well. What religion church are you studying to become?

Good luck on the test sir.

But I must confess I thought the title of the thread when I first glanced at it was " Checking in from the SANITORIUM" LOL

Prayers and best wishes for you and your family.

One of my brothers is the pastor of a medium size church. Years ago, before he finished and got his first church, I used to think a pastor worked on the sermon for a few hours a week, preached on Sunday, and had the rest of his time to do as he pleased. Wow, was I mistaken. I don't know anyone who is busier with their job than he is. It is a rare thing for him to get away more than a few hours a week.

Good luck in your studies. It is a good thing you are doing.

I bet that's tough schooling, but awful rewarding. God bless!

Thanks for the nice comments and the PMS from a good many friends also. Very humbling and very much appreciated.

It was my birthday today and we spent it watching our 11 year grandson Cameron play in a baseball tournament. Great day with the family. While some were saying that my "son" was doing well today, I'm blessed with good health and it was fun to tell folks he's my grandson. Heck Donna looks so much younger than this old dog, that'll really confuses 'em. But I guess I'm not too old yet to take a different path in a major way to be obedient to the calling that's on our hearts.

My blessings certainly include a wife who supports me in so many ways, as we trust in God for tomorrow's plans.

....And when I'm not in studies, (DTS is a non-denominational seminary), Donna and I will be trapping a bunch as usual. So the coyotes aren't all outta the woods quite yet!

My family is praying for you and your family. DTS is a special place. Take care!