When I changed my major from Mechanical Engineering to Bible shortly before my first semester of college, I realized that what I was studying was not going to make me rich. So, throughout undergrad, seminary, and into a Ph.D. program in theology, the notion of “bi-vocational ministry” (serving the church while also making money outside…… Continue reading My Coding Bootcamp Journey: How a Pastor Became a Programmer
Category: Personal
What Color is My Parachute? The Flower Petal Exercise
I’m working my way through the classic job search guide What Color Is Your Parachute. Here are my results from the 7-part “Flower Petal” exercise—a comprehensive self-assessment geared toward the workplace. https://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2021-ebook/dp/B08681HM8W/ My Preferred Kinds of People to Work With Reliable and dependableHonest, people of integrityLooking for and open to ways of improvingHave a sense…… Continue reading What Color is My Parachute? The Flower Petal Exercise
It’s Official. I’m Hitting Pause on My Ph.D. for a Year
I received word yesterday that the Ph.D. Committee voted to approve my request for “Excused Program Leave” beginning in January 2021 and lasting until January 2022. At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, 2020 has been a particularly difficult year. Attempting to complete my “Barth, Bonhoeffer, and the Bible” dissertation has taken a toll…… Continue reading It’s Official. I’m Hitting Pause on My Ph.D. for a Year
I’m looking for a new role to supplement my part-time work for Anglican Compass
Hey everyone! Just a brief update to note that I’m looking for a new role to supplement my part-time work as Managing Editor of Anglican Compass! I’m pretty flexible at this point, but I want to do something that benefits the church. I think I would make a great Assistant Rector! 🙂 Any advice, opportunities,…… Continue reading I’m looking for a new role to supplement my part-time work for Anglican Compass
Josh+? On the use of the sign of the cross (plus sign) in clergy signatures
This is, admittedly, a half-baked opinion. However, I need to get back in the habit of blogging/writing regularly, so here goes. In my opinion, the use of the sign of the cross in clergy names/signatures—unless it’s done in official ecclesiastical communication or immediately after a blessing or prayer for the recipient—is pretentious. It’s showy. At…… Continue reading Josh+? On the use of the sign of the cross (plus sign) in clergy signatures
It’s Time to Get Some Help
Due to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety in recent weeks, I’ve decided to try out a combination of counseling and medication. Sure, I’ve still been able to get out of bed in the morning. And I wasn’t having any serious thoughts about hurting myself. But still, I was feeling hopeless and trapped often enough…… Continue reading It’s Time to Get Some Help
A Prayer for Trustfulness in Times of Worry and Anxiety
I needed this prayer this morning, and I plan to return to it often in the days ahead. Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless…… Continue reading A Prayer for Trustfulness in Times of Worry and Anxiety
First Day of 24th Grade!
Not sure how this is going to go, or even why I’m doing this anymore, but here we go! Still praying for either a dissertation break-through or a clear sign that I should quit. I hope to receive or discover one of those before the end of the calendar year.
It’s time for another social media fast!
After listening to the Blinkist summary of Cal Newport’s Deep Work (I’ve read the book, this was just for a refresher), I’m convinced that it’s time for another 30-day fast from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I think I’ll still keep my micro.blog up and running, but between running Anglican Compass and sprinting for some last-ditch…… Continue reading It’s time for another social media fast!
The Ph.D. Plan (Or the Lack Thereof)
For months and months now, I’ve been praying for either (1) a breakthrough on my “Barth, Bonhoeffer, and the Bible” dissertation or (2) a clear sign that I should quit the Ph.D. Unfortunately, after countless confusing dead ends in my endeavors to put Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer into precise conversation with each other regarding…… Continue reading The Ph.D. Plan (Or the Lack Thereof)