May

11

Thanks for the memories.

Filed Under general, Philadelphia, Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, Steve Earle, Al Gore, Anne Lamott | 3 Comments

With only four days left in the City of Brotherly Love, I wanted to slowly look back on the semester that was with a collection of photos. In compiling this list, I realized that what I’ll take away when I leave this place in mere days are the unexpected blessings from the last two semesters: […]

May

6

Thank you, dear Lord, for this good life and forgive us if we do not enjoy it enough.

Filed Under general, Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, farewells | 2 Comments

Every so often, I take the opportunity to close myself up in my room—often dressed in pajamas (as I am now)—while I crank up the quiet acoustic stuff, brew a big cup of tea, and allow myself to get properly sentimental. I’ll flip through old Facebook albums or read lyrics or meditate on wise sayings. […]

Apr

26

“Hunger only for a taste of justice, hunger only for a world of truth.”

Filed Under general, Philadelphia, Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, home, learning | 5 Comments

Leaving Philadelphia has me feeling particularly melancholy. Today, describing to Dr. Peterson a wonderful encounter I had on the City Hall bus, my favorite Messiah professor said to me, “See, those are experiences you just can’t have in Harrisburg.”
“What are you doing to me!?” I exclaimed. “Don’t say that! I have to go back and […]

Apr

6

I am grounded, I am humbled, I am one with everything.

Filed Under general, Philadelphia, Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, academics, Grantham, Kimya Dawson | Leave a Comment

This was me last weekend, cutting through the collapsing mesh fence (for the purposes of putting up another, better one) that once surrounded the Uber Street Garden. Later in the day, I somehow contracted poison ivy. (Eying the picture you will note the strangeness of this occurrence, as I was wearing long sleeves and pants.) […]

Mar

31

“In this moment, we have each other.”

Filed Under general, Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, me, learning | 1 Comment

A few weeks ago the RA staff organized and planned one of the campus’ weekend Gatherings, a time when the entire MCPC community comes together for corporate worship, fellowship, and engagement with a speaker working in and contributing to the city. This week we decided to prepare a time for reflection, complete with old hymns […]

Mar

7

Not exactly a day at the beach.

Filed Under general, Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, home, Grantham, spring break | 1 Comment

Unlike you unfortunate folks in Grantham, my spring break starts today. Unfortunater (sic), I’m still here in the City of Brotherly Love, not on the way to Florida, as was the plan. It’s rainy here, and while I sit curled up in the comfy chair cradled against the three (almost) floor-to-ceiling bay windows in The […]

Mar

4

We have our beliefs, but we don’t want our beliefs. God of peace, we want you.

Filed Under general, Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, government, Christianity, theology | 1 Comment

This morning in Practical Theology of the Urban Church, a class I find occasionally boring and more-than-useful in my current intentional setting, a guest speaker from Palmer Theological Seminary shared about the early church and the pacifist roots of Christianity. Drawing on the writings of post-apostolic theologians of the second, third, and fourth centuries — […]

Feb

9

Update your holiday calendars accordingly.

Filed Under general, Philadelphia, Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, embarrassment, satire | 1 Comment

False Fire Alarm Day is a annual holiday celebration held on February 9 at Messiah College Philadelphia Campus that honors and celebrates fire alarms that activate with no provocation, often when least expected.
Modern customs of the holiday include rousting grumpy, poorly rested college students from their beds as early as 7:30 a.m. with a […]

Sep

3

Where the rubber meets the road.

Filed Under Philadelphia, Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, Temple University, academics, nerd | 2 Comments

Fear not, dear readers—I’m back. I have to apologize for being gone so long. Two weeks ago, I moved from my comfortable spot in the tiny hamlet of Grantham to the bustling metropolis of Philadelphia, where—for the next three or so months—I’ll be attending Messiah College’s Philaelphia campus (MCPC) and taking courses at Temple University, […]