ARRIVED!

“Howdy!” from Aberdeen.

Finally, I’m here! After a thankfully uneventful trip, my bags and I made it upon Scottish soil together.

The bracing chill in the air immediately got my attention! “This sure ain’t Texas,” I said to myself. With temps at night in the 30’s and 60’s during the day, it felt as if I were back in Boston in the Fall. Nice (till it snows, of course!).

I was picked up by a fellow grad student (they call this species of scholars ‘postgraduates’ here), a DTS alumnus, who got me fixed up in my apartment and then proceeded to give me a tour of Aberdeen.

It’s gray! Everything is. It is not for naught that Aberdeen is called “the granite city.” Even the sky is gray much of the day. The ancient buildings, however, are charming and I got to explore a few churches that date back to medieval times. King’s College, where the School of Divinity of the University of Aberdeen is housed, is one of those august structures with an incredible amount of gravitas!

The people I’ve met are very amicable and eager to make me comfortable in new settings. The other Ph.D. students in the School of Divinity, especially, have been very helpful and generous, as also, incidentally, was the American community in town, helping me with everything from cutlery to comforters.

Yesterday, I was privileged to be taken on a trip to the countryside and the coast north of Aberdeen, where we hit a few castles and the odd Renaissance ruin (the picture above was taken at the imposing gates of Fyvie Castle--an hour from Aberdeen), got a résumé of Scottish history (from a Ph.D. student specializing in that rather esoteric subject), and consumed the national staple—fish and chips. Not bad, for my first week, huh? (And, no, I haven’t summoned up the guts to sample haggis yet!)

Slowly, I’m settling in to the rhythm of life in the U.K., securing a phone, opening a bank account, ordering broadband, prepaying utilities, making friends, attempting to comprehend the brogue (I use “Pardon me” a lot! And I confess, the Scots use the phrase equally liberally with me, too), ….

I plan to get together with my dissertation supervisor, Prof. Francis Watson, this week. Once more, may I request your prayers for efficiency and fruitfulness and that God’s wisdom may be granted me in abundance as I undertake this formidable (but exhilarating) task of completing a Ph.D. in hermeneutics.

A major move like this, in one’s mid-forties, I don’t recommend. But God is gracious; as He prevails upon me to depend on Him in circumstances strange and foreign, I learn, once again, that “‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”

“My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness.”
Most gladly, therefore,
I will rather boast about my weaknesses,
that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)

DEPARTURE!

Well, folks, this is it. In a few short hours, a new chapter opens in my life.

I fly out tomorrow (Sep 19), at noon, from DFW headed for Aberdeen.

The last few years in Dallas have been so eventful! God has been gracious, especially in allowing my life to intersect with many loved ones and dear friends, all of whom will sorely be missed. Being far away from those whom I care for so much is difficult. One friend likened this to amputation! That might be a rather draconian analogy, but I do I feel the pain, that's for sure. The "goodbyeing" has been quite an emotional drain. But in all things, the grace of our great God is sufficient, and upon that grace I prostrate myself; unto that grace I surrender (2 Cor 12:9). I am thankful beyond degree for all of y'all. God's richest blessings on all of you.

I am looking forward to my time at the University of Aberdeen--the focus on reading and writing, the challenges of producing a dissertation, the change of pace, the learning experiences, the bonny anatomy of the land, making new friends, exploring ministry opportunities in a new setting .... All of this promises to stretch me. Stretching is good! May God enable growth--in more ways than one. Thanks for your prayers.

I will keep in touch: through email, phone calls, and--here's a new one for me--through a blog on http://www.homiletix.org/. My intention is to keep journaling in this fashion on the web (I am calling it the aBeLOG) at least on a weekly basis. At some point in the future, that site will also serve as a clearing house for matters homiletical, especially scholarship in this vital area of pastoral ministry.

As I wind up this dispatch, may I take this opportunity publicly acknowledge my gratitude, again, for lives that have, in incredible fashion, impacted my own. I praise God for you and continue to hope expectantly and excitedly about such impact continuing into the future.



If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:9-10 (NIV)

UNEMPLOYED!

I have hereby formally been inducted into the Hall of the Unemployed!

Last day of work was Friday, Sep 9, 2005. A momentous day for me: in all probability, Deo volente, I will not be undertaking the practice of medicine at this level ever again. A sad day, too. I didn't think, when I made the decision to quit--in the early part of this year--that I would miss dermatology. I do, and, even more, the people--patients, staff, coworkers, associate ....

But some things are more important than others .... (And, some things will, I'm expecting, be even more enjoyable!)

So on to Aberdeen ...

I leave Dallas on Mon, Sep 19, at around noon, and get to Aberdeen also around noon, local time, the next day.

Thanks for your prayers all these years. I covet them for the future as well.

Please know that you are being prayed for, too.

Rejoicing with you, in the firm grip of our Master, wherever we might be ...

Abe.


Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

Edward Hopper (1871)

HOMELESS!

August 27, 2005

Well, the deed's done (literally!). Signed off the house, money was wired into my account, keys were handed over! I have until tomorrow 6:00 pm to vacate. Cell phone's active until that day, too.

God's been gracious in the less-than-2-week sale of the house. And also for past few years of my life here in 4039 Azure. Momentous and life-shaping five years!

Now for the next chapter .... Thanks for your continued prayers for me. May I make known a few more requests?

Short-term:

Had an external hard drive crash last night--nothing to major lost, except some pictures (which, of course, turn out to be irreplaceable). I am hopeful of getting back some of the data. Please pray that I'll find the right person to do the job. And, usually, I've seen things like this (computer problems) happen as I embark on some ministry venture. This time seems to be no different. So please also pray for protection for me as the days draw closer to my departure.

Apartment in Scotland is not finalized yet. Please pray that it would be, before I leave here on the 19th of Sep.

Finishing up with derm patients--leaving my practice is not as easy as I thought it would be. I am going to miss my patients, staff, fellow-dermatologist .... All the "goodbyeing" is promising to be painful. A "good" kinda pain, but pain, nonetheless.

Settling in to Aberdeen.

Safe transportation of goods.

Longer-term:

Finding favor with supervisor (Prof. Francis Watson).

Expeditious and efficient completion of dissertation.

Ministry opportunities (esp. preaching) in Scotland.

Practice opportunities (to do derm, that is), perhaps in the Eastern US.

Thank you for partnering with me on this enterprise. God's blessings on you!