Internet Silence

(this isn't a poem, it just kind of looks like one)

The truck is waiting to be picked up.
The Internet, cable, and phone are turned off (still have cell phones and satellite radio, of course).
The boxes are sealed.

The Wymers in Wilmore experiment is just about sealed.

Thanks, Asbury.
Thanks, Grandview.

Signs of the End Times

We're running out of places to put boxes, so we're stacking the boxes to the ceiling.The upstairs bedrooms, however, are nice and empty of everything but linens.

Meghan is saying goodbye to good friends.

Tonight we had VERY special treat. The Wymer family received an invitation to have supper at the home of Phil and Lisa. They just moved to Lexington from Savannah, Georgia.
We finally got to meet Benjamin, Casey, and Danielle--the three surviving quadruplets.

We also got to see big sister, Ashley (whom I met when she was very little).

We also had ANOTHER bonus, proud grandparents, David and Donna, were there as well. We had a great night.

Memorial Day at Asbury Theological Seminary

This video is a bit misleading. There are still three Beeson families who haven't moved away. The Layers are here this weekend, but the Buchers are gone. While historically inaccurate, this video captures the feel of the place.



Happy Memorial Day.

A Wunderkind

Cora was in a talent show at her school. I, of course, made a video. If you have a four minutes, check it out. She is the ballet dancer:

Kalas, Baucum, Green, and Holsinger,

• Today I had the pleasure of having lunch with Dr. Kalas. I didn't take pictures, so you'll just have to trust me. It happened. I appreciate his stories, his wisdom, and his encouragement. I'm hoping that we can coax him into visiting Grandview once he's finished being the interim president of Asbury.
• Dr. Tory Baucum, our second semester preaching professor has announced that he is leaving Asbury to become the rector the Truro Church in Fairfax, Virginia (an Anglican church). If you wish to know more about Truro, follow this link.
• Dr. Joel Green is leaving Asbury to become a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. He was one of the main reasons I was interested in Asbury. His work on theology, narrative, and science is fantastic. He will be missed.
• The big news around campus is that President Bush has nominated Dr. Jim Holsinger (pictured below) to be the next Surgeon General. Holsinger spoke to our Beeson class last November. His topic was Situational Leadership and I could tell back then he was very sharp. Here is the entry from last November: link.

Closing Shop

With the end looming for "The Wymers in Wilmore: A Year at Asbury Seminary," I'm sitting in front of the reflecting pond that is my Dell Latitude D620 laptop computer. My thoughts:

• To the faithful (and unfaithful) readers of this blog: Thanks. Besides being a small way of keeping in touch, this space has been good for processing the events of the year. It has also been good, I think, for helping me to retain memories.
• To the people of Grandview: I'm looking forward to being back home with you. In this case, absence has made the heart grow even more fond. See you in one week. Thanks for supporting the church and for supporting the idea of sabbatical. Your kindness has been blessing to me and my family.
  
• To the faculty and staff of Asbury: Thanks for all you do to keep a seminary up and running. I know it has been an exceptionally difficult year in the various Asbury front offices. Your ministries have blessed me. Thanks for wading through all of the difficulties that are a part of keeping any institution functional.
  
• To my Beeson brothers and sisters: Thanks for making this a good year. I look forward to watching you all live into the ministries you've been entrusted. Thanks for showing me that Wesleyan hospitality.
  
• To my family in Indiana: It was nice being only 3 1/2 hours from you. Now we go back to 7 hours. Come see us. (to my family in New Mexico: you won't even notice the change).
  
• To my family in my house: Thanks for being so great about this huge disruption in our lives. I'll never forget the first time we drove through Wilmore together, Cora throwing up in the back seat, the rest of us wondering if this could really happen (Meg hoping that it wouldn't). Well, it did, and you made the best of it. You're great.
  
• As the weather heats up and the summer arrives, the readership of the blog is taking a serious nose dive. Also, with no more cool trips to London, Houston, or Seoul on the horizon there just isn't as much to write about. Which brings me to the following question:

• When I return to the ministry at Grandview, would it be worth my time or yours for me to continue blogging?
  

• You can email me your thoughts privately or hit the comment button. I am interested in what kind of content you enjoy, how often you check the blog, etc...
  
• I have not decided if I should start a new blog or just be done with it. It does take a good bit of time. I don't consider it wasted time--even so, I'm not sure it's exceptionally well spent time. Let me know what you think. If you don't comment I'll assume that closing shop is the best thing to do! Which is fine.
  
• The year isn't over yet. Stay tuned.
  

Back to Cane Ridge

Before we moved to the Lexington area I told some of my friends that I had to make sure to take a trip with the family to the Cane Ridge Meeting House. while we were here. Well, we'll only be here another week and a half, so I decided we had better do it NOW!

With schools closed for Kentucky State primaries, we scooted over to the Paris, Kentucky area to see the church building were Stone helped launch the Christian Church.

It gave me the chance to talk to the girls about the history of our churches. We even got into the the discussion about how denominations came into existence and what it meant for Christians.Then, because it was such a nice day, we stayed on the Cane Ridge grounds and had a picnic.Sandwiches, potato salad, sodas, and pie never tasted so good.

It was just a really, really good day.

Cindy pointed me toward this exhibit in the Cane Ridge museum. It is a key to the Cane Ridge Church that was lost for over a hundred years. It was returned in 1989. Some things never change.

The Girls are Alright!

The girls have been working hard at school this year, but we took a little time to take some pictures for Mother's Day. Meghan received two certificates on Awards Day. She was given the "Best of Class-English" award and one of the six "Principal's Awards" for being an all-around student, citizen, and for involvement in extra-curricular activities. She also received a band award for "Best Personality". Not bad for being a new kid at school.

Cora made the first cut for the all-school talent show. She worked up a ballet routine to a song on the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack.

And, tonight, Anna graduated from fifth grade. Here are some shots from the big graduation celebration.

Here is Anna now with her friend, Jennifer.

And here is the whole crew following the grand event.
Congratulations, Girls. Mom and Dad are proud of you.

Beeson International Leaders Graduate

Today is graduation day for Asbury Theological Seminary and marks the first graduating class of the Beeson International Leaders component of the Beeson Program.

The Lexington Herald did a nice article on them: link. (Thanks, Bryan, for the heads-up on the article).
Pictured below are Dr. David Rambo (leader of the international component) and Dr. Randy Jesson (leader of our national component) as they get ready for the big day.

Happy Birthday, Cora!

Yesterday was Cora's birthday. The little'n is now nine years old. She, like her sisters, has done a great job this year of rising to the challenge of living in a new place.

She had some friends over after school. Here they are as they prepare to eat the birthday cake. These three are in the same class together at school.

Bryan gave Cora a ride on his new motorcycle. She enjoyed it.

She had a great day. Happy Birthday, Cora!

More Beeson Pics

This was taken just before the banquet. The only family missing is the Muse family.Here is the Beeson Pastors with spouses picture.And, lastly, another full 2006 Beeson Pastor picture.

Beeson Closing Banquet

As far as the group goes it's all over but the packing up and going home. We gathered for our last official time last night. To our surprise some of our professors from the year were at the closing banquet. It was good to see the ones who could make it.Dr. Jesson led the events of the evening. We were each given a New Testament with our names on it, and a clear Lucite "trophy" (not really a trophy, but you know what I mean) with the school logo and our names.
Travis and his wife, Ginny, were already packed up and ready to go. They don't have any kids in school and they need to get to Oklahoma before their next baby comes along. Ginny is due any day now. They pulled out of town this morning. Feel free to pray for a) safe travel, b) no delivery of baby en route to Oklahoma.
Dr. Arnold was seated at the table where Cindy and I ate. It was good to talk to him and his wife (who, by the way, is from Bristol, Tennessee). I found out that Dr. Arnold co-authored a book with Dr. Jerry Mattingly (the professor from Johnson Bible College who led my trip to the Middle East back in 1994).
And so, that's it for the official functions. We have begun packing. The truck for moving is on order. The dissertation is almost ready to turn in for it's first big school edit. And I'm beginning to work on my sermons for when I return.

Home soon!

A Trip to India(na)

On Friday we made a quick trip to Indiana to see Helen and Richard Uriah (they are brother and sister). Helen was a student at Milligan while I was a student at Emmanuel and our families go way back. During those three years she was like a fifth sister, and Meghan (who was two or three years old back then) looked up to her.

Richard graduated with a Masters degree from Johnson Bible College last week and Helen accompanied him to the states. It was great to see them. They both work with Jainta India Missions. Helen is a doctor for the state during her day job, but helps out in the countryside during her spare time. Richard is growing into an evangelist and leader. It was great to see them both.

Meghan and Helen, together again! Helen talked to her about life in the mission field and gave her the inside scoop on what it's like.
Cindy, Meghan, me, Cora, (cousin Lily is standing in for Anna, who had already run off with her Aunt Margie), Helen and Richard.

A bunch of us at my brother's supper table.

Uncle Aaron loves being around Marcus, Olivia, and Marie.

And Claire and Allison and the other cousins (who aren't pictured)I was briefly reunited with my old '52 Chevy truck. It should be back in Tennessee sometime this summer. I sure miss it. The girls and I went on a joy ride--though they were just a little unnerved by the lack of seat belts.Anna, Cora, and Meghan with their Grandpa.
We made it back on Saturday night and prepared for a great Mother's Day.

A Beeson Luau Digital

Here is the promised video of the Luau.



Today was a good one. After showing a potential students around the Beeson Center I got to have lunch with Glenn Schneiders of Crossroads Christian Church. Later I was a timer at Meghan's last track meet of the year.

Oh, I also worked on my dissertation--I promise. It's coming along nicely.

Now . . . off to bed.

Piggy-Back Post

Whilst I am dissertating I am going to point you to Scott Layer's fine collection of pictures from last night's Beeson Pastor Luau. A good time was had by all. Enjoy the pictures . . . and thanks, Scott!

I hope to make a video of this event, but that may be a day or two away.

Link to Scott's Blog

It's Official: I'm ABD (all but dissertation)

Our last class began with Dr. Baucum receiving thanks from the Beeson program for being instrumental in bringing Cantalamessa to campus earlier this year. Then we launched into the final three sermons of the year.Alicia presented a sermon on Joseph from Genesis. She drew interesting parallels between modern examples of people with a favored upbringing who were able to make the journey from the arrogance of youth to the wisdom that sometimes comes from experience.
Bryan preached a sermon that was waaaay better than his attempt to pay up on the Ohio State vs. Florida wager from earlier in the year. He tried to pass off a plain white t-shirt with a blue "magic marker" M in the middle as a Michigan shirt. On the back of the shirt he labeled the M as standing for mediocre or Michigan. Hmmmm. Does OSU stand for Over-Stated & Unsuccessful? (look...I've got work to do...that's the best I can do right now!)

In his mind the debt is paid. All I can say is that it is a good thing I was supposed to critique his sermon and not his fidelity to the wager he instigated! The sermon was excellent.
Jason ended the year for us with a fine sermon on the "Unburied Bones of Joseph." Interestingly, he was the first one to preach to us this year. Nice symmetry.
Last night the girls and I were able to make it to a restaurant near I-75 to meet my dad, Wendy, and the Vorholzers for supper. We had a good time. They are on their way to Johnson Bible College for the graduation of Richard Uriah, a friend of the family who lives in India.
The girls had a great time. The only one missing was Cindy, who is in New Jersey visiting her grandfather (he's in the hospital).

Cane Ridge History Nerds

I have wanted to visit Cane Ridge, Kentucky for a long time now. It's an important site, historically, for the Christian churches. Some of you know all about it...others don't.

In 1801 Barton W. Stone (in the portrait over my shoulder) was the minister of the small Presbyterian Church near Paris, Kentucky. After visiting a Methodist Camp Meeting he decided to hold one at his church. And the rest is history. The meeting became a phenomenon that broke barriers of denominations and (some would say) propriety. Over 20,000 people wound up flocking here from all over. A documentary on Kentucky Public Television claims that this number would be roughly the equivalent of 200,000 people today.


There were all sorts people moved to become Christians along with a barrage of manifestations of the Holy Spirit. One of the lasting impacts of the meeting for Barton W. Stone was the realization that he could so easily worship with Christians from other denominations. It became a defining event in his life and then in the life of the churches that grew out Stone's influence.

That's the brief history. Below is a picture of my friend Carter (left) and Robbie (right) as we gathered in front of the stone structure that now surrounds the old, log meeting house. I went to seminary with Carter and Robbie . They came to Lexington because Robbie and I rarely get to see Carter.Here is Robbie in front of that same structure.
Here are Carter and Robbie looking at artifacts in the museum on the property.


The following videos are not very good because I used my phone to capture them, but if you're at all interested in seeing the log cabin meeting house, then you might enjoy them. They are each about thirty seconds long.







I should go back with a better camera . . . but you probably wouldn't watch those videos either!