A Collegiate Journey

If you haven't caught wind of it yet, my friend Matthew Morine is blogging his way through Christian colleges (from his past, that is).

Having attended quite a few Christian colleges myself (3 to be exact), I find his collegiate journey interesting. Everyone's experiences are different.

I was always encouraged to get a variety of experiences if I ever wanted become a professional academic. Matthew has certainly done that.

Warning: your experiences at any school could be radically different from Matthew's!

When Words Mean Something

In our postmodern culture, some wrestle with whether or not words "mean" anything at all, or if they are just "representations of perceptions" which are easily misconstrued in the communication process. That argument was often brought up in my high school Bible classes, when it would be argued, "Who made *&#! a bad word! I didn't!" and so on and so forth. Despite the remarkable nature of that curious argument, that is not what the post title is referring to.

I am much more concerned about the motivation, intent, and sentiment that lies behind the words that we speak each day. I have met many people who toss words out like yesterday's garbage. The words are vanity.

I have met those who puncture souls with words. The words are a weapon.

I have met those who encourage with their words. The words are reconcilers.

I have met those who don't necessarily mean what they say. The words are confused.

There is one person I have never met. The person whose words don't mean something.

Let us pay attention to our words.

The Semester's End

I've learned in my short tenure as an educator that the last two weeks of the semester are the most insane time of year. The last three weeks of the calendar year (ending in graduation) are by far the worst.

What I never realized is that it is just as bad for professors as it is for students. Everyone gets worn out towards the end and is looking for a little renewal.

The crazy part is that in a month or so the classrooms, library, and hallways will feel like peanut butter that needs jelly. They will need students to reinvigorate the atmosphere of the educational experience.

For now, I will savor the peanut butter. The jelly will come soon enough.