I’m not doing as much with this blog as I have in the past, and I’m not sure what the next few (or many) months will look like. This research/writing project is taking more time than I had hoped. I had planned fixed boundaries, both on each day and for each book (of the Bible). But even doing work I’m not proud of, I can’t maintain both boundaries. That is, I either work late (in the day/night) or I miss my deadline. If I go over on one book, it’s very hard to catch up. By working late, I’m not working on my photos or reading, as I had planned (I am, however, still being a husband and a father). Nor I am doing much blogging. Besides that, I am writing a lot. I am probably writing 30-40 pages (double-spaced, most of it) each week. So when I finish writing, I’m not sure that I want to write more.
I don’t have the problem that I’m not learning anything worth communicating. The problem is more that I’m learning too much worth communicating. Of course, that’s part of the idea, as this program (and this year in particular) is the foundation for the rest of my life (as I envision it). The combination of I’m-tired-of-writing with I-can’t-pick-what-to-write results in less blogging than I anticipated.
Today I almost finished Hosea. If you ‘re wondering how I got here, think chronology. I worked my way through the Primary History (Genesis to 2 Kings), plus I did Ruth and Chronicles. A few of those books I had written the majority of before this year (Genesis, Samuel, Chronicles). Rather than continue with the post-exilic history (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther), I’d rather stay in the same historical period. So I’ve jumped over to the prophets. I wrote on Amos a few days back. He’s the earliest writing prophet unless you date Obadiah or Joel to the 9th century (I don’t). When I was taking my entrance exam for the PhD program, I was asked who my favorite prophet was. I said Amos. That’s no longer true. But I still really like him for his wonderful use of language. And he’s much shorter and easier to understand than you-know-who. Next week I’m going to work on the other two 8th-century prophets, Jonah and Micah (though there’s one potential snag). Passion Week will be Obadiah and then I ‘ll spend the month of April in the Writings, namely Job, Psalms (2 weeks), and Proverbs. April may be my most difficult month, both because I am largely ignorant of these three books, and because they don’t lend themselves as well to “arguments.”
Well, I started this post thinking I’d tell you something about Hosea, but I got caught up instead with a progress report. As if you were my boss or something. Actually, you ‘re about the closest thing I have to one. One day I ‘ll show up at school with this big paper and they ‘ll say, what have you been doing this whole time?
Tomorrow I’m off with the boys and a couple of friends on a real Texas-style outing. Some of you will be able to figure out what that means.
Todd,
My prayer is you will finish well, and that you will be able to balance the multitude of tasks you have chosen. As much as I enjoy reading your blog, because I tend to learn stuff, I would vote for less blogging and more time as a husband, father and student, even though I would miss the updates. I will just have to keep in mind that the eventual output re: this blog, will be so great after the placing of the blue hood, that it will be worth the wait.
I would think that since it is a real Texas-style outing you may be driving your truck to a rodeo, wearing boots and punching doggies, as you clean your gun??? its either that or 6 flags!
Blessings to you Kelli and the family.
Thanks, Todd, for your continuous PhD updates and insights into your studies. I’ve enjoyed and been encouraged by them…glad to see you’re enjoying the best of Texas while you’re at it.
However much or little you blog, thank you for your challenging and good thoughts as they come.
Dan and Julie – thanks so much for the encouragement. It means a lot.
Dan – not Six Flags!