Quick update!

     Just a quick update, and then back to reading. Had a good 4 days at home, although busy. Hope to post a longer update tomorrow, but right now am deep into early church history reading. Each class I have is challenging in its own way, but the most challenging to me is this class (at least right now) due to the amount and detail of reading required. Not only am I learning new stuff, but I am re-learning how to read for content and retention. My first attempt at reading this material showed that even though I finished the material, I did not retain as much as I needed to. Still I got 8 out of 10 on the quiz covering the material, so it wasn't a complete disaster. So, instead of just reading, I am reading with pen in hand, underlining important facts, looking up definitions of words as I go, and then trying to summarize the info on paper prior to the quiz. We'll see how it goes, but this method actually makes it more enjoyable and I am learning. Of course, the time commitment is steeper, so I didn't get to go pick up supplies at the local Wal-Mart grocery store, but I will survive.
     The early church was a mess. I mean that it was sloppy in the fact that doctrines and practices where still trying to be figured out as well as what scriptures where authoritative and what was not. There probably is not one of the early Church fathers that we would agree with on all things, and by that I mean, major things like the trinity. But they were so influenced by the Greek philosophers, that it literally took a few hundred years for the church to untangle itself from them. There were some amazing men at that time, intelligent, who may not have gotten everything right, but nevertheless were instrumental in working toward and contributing to what we understand today. I am amazed at the amount of information we have of that time and how detailed it was. Of course, the inconsistencies do not set with my personality of wanting everything to be worked out, tidy, and orderly, but it is amazing to see how God worked it all out (and still is) Gonna go for now, but thanks for listening. Any questions, just ask!