I need to engage my brain

It's been a while, hasn't it? I've been semi-purposely avoiding my blog because I didn't want to engage my brain. I want so much to write something profound, something new, something different, but it takes a lot. I actually have to think!

So here's what's been going on in my life thus far...
The KJV conversation has dried up. If you haven't been reading, I was discussing through e-mail whether or not the KJV was the one true bible with a person who held this position. He presented me with a lot of evidence backing up his position, but in the end I don't buy it. I think the word of God is inspired and divine, but not above being restated in understandable language. I understand his argument that in the newer translations, there are things missing from the KJV and things added. I also understand the scripture that says not to add or take away from the word of God to mean not the bible, but the will and desire of God. In other words, don't twist his will and desire and claim that they're God's (i.e. Waco, Tx -early '90's). I believe that the new translations are not false and do contain the truths of God, and that's where I'm leaving it for now. As for "Brother Eric," I didn't change his mind and I didn't want to. Whatever he believes is fine with me, I just don't agree. I think he puts too much faith in the bible and not enough faith in the will and desire of God. In the end, it's not worth arguing over, and I feel that he wanted to take the conversation that route.

What's ahead for my future? I don't know, I thought I had it pretty settled but now I don't think it's so settled. In December, I graduate with a batchelor's in Psychology. My plan was to avoid graduate school at all costs and continue in my current position as youth director at a local church. Thigs don't seem to be gravitating in that direction. It seems that my pastor, who really is a nice guy when you get down to it, isn't satisfied with me. I think he feels I should have more responsibilities before he will pay me for the full time work I've been doing (for the last three years I've been "part time" pay with full time hours.) I was originally hired to lead the youth, but since have become youth leader, secretary, computer guru, children's ministry teacher, and personal assitant to the pastor...all for part time pay. I don't mean to make our pastor out ot be a bad guy, he's just got a business sense and wants to get the biggest bang for his buck, which I would say he's making out like a bandit. He doesn't want to pay me for just doing the youth, he wants me to be in charge of numerous ministries before he'll bring me on full time, which isn't cool for me.
So now I'm thinking of going off to graduate school. I could stay at the college I'm at now and do graduate work, but I also have a really good opportunity to pursue a degree from Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle. Wow. Seattle. I could write for days on this, but it's weird because I never wanted to move away from where I live now. I've lived here all my life, grew up here and love the place (well, most of the time.) Then to move 3000 miles away? It's something I'm wrestling with, so if you would, say a quick prayer for me. My wife's on board, it's just going to be tough. That is, if I get accepted to Mars Hill. It seems to be a great school, not too big. Plus, Brian Mclaren (author of the New Kind of Christian trilogy) is a professor @ MH. I'm a big fan of his and his writtings have really challenged me and pushed my thinking.

But anyway, that's where I'm at right now. Hopefully I'll get to write more often. My last semester begins in two days...so here we go.