I was born and raised in a Christ-loving covenant home. I cannot remember a time when I did not name the name of Jesus with reverence and trust.

Although Christian walk is no tiptoe through the park, I feel like I'm swinging into an "up" point. I am so thankful for my church, which just finished its second year in existence. It is good to have a place to call my spiritual home.

A great deal of my attention is right now directed to the building up of this fledgling congregation. We are a small group, but united in vision and purpose, and always sharing in joyful fellowship. As Christians, we are called to worship--to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him as the holy and royal priesthood of believers. It is good to have a place where I can do that in the way that God has led me to believe is right and Biblical.

Christ Covenant Church of Chicago

In the past couple years I've immersed myself in the Church's history and practice of corporate worship, from the earliest New Testament times, to the ritualistic and spiritual dark ages of the beginning of the second millennium, the return to Scripture in the Reformation, the life-sucking period of the Enlightenment, and finally to the liturgical renewal taking place today.

I've found both good and bad in every period, to varying degrees, but most importantly I've had an ever-growing sense that God's Spirit has been at work in the Church at all times and in all places, bringing her to maturity.

Most recently, I've been taking a closer look at the Reformed tradition and its more recent developments. I've been more of a Biblical studies and early Church History guy until now, so this is good for me. Again I continue to be amazed and encouraged at the work of the Spirit in the Church.

For a real answer, you would have to ask my friends . . . but from what I gather:

Intelligent . . . principled . . . generous . . . loyal. If I were to add a fifth, I'd say stubborn as a mule.

I love Christ and His church, here and throughout the world. My family and I have recently helped to start a local church. We are still a small congregation, so much of my time is taken up in working for the church directly and indirectly.

I love studying history and theology (I double-majored in both), but these are not just academic pursuits. I pray that down the road God will use what I have learned in my studies to build his Kingdom in a real and tangible way.

Honesty, open expressiveness, love for God and for God's people, brightness of spirit, gentleness of heart, an inquisitive mind, and the childlike wonder of discovery.

Generosity and thoughtfulness for others. A spirit that unites people rather than one that divides

Quickness and sharpness of wit in language, both spoken and written. An understanding of subtext in conversation.

A love for aesthetic beauty found in God's created universe.

A little fire in the veins doesn't hurt either . . . okay, actually, this is a must!

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For myself? I am apparently an ENTJ (official test results), for those who know what that means. I'd have pegged myself as an INTJ, but . . . hey, what can you do.

More than that, I rather think there is enough about me on this profile. The rest you'll have to get to know me to find out.

N/A

Yeah, I know. Short answer to a really long and wordy question.

"Come, let us return to the LORD;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth."

This is the only passage in the Old Testament that has an explicit reference to rising on the third day, and I hate how dynamic equivalence translations render it "after a short time."

Also, because it defines my beginnings:

Psalm 22:9-10
Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

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From St. Patrick's "Lorica"
"I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same
The Three in One, and One in Three,
By whom all nature hath creation:
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation!
Salvation is of Christ the Lord."

I spent the last three years employed at Tyndale House Publishers. In February I left Tyndale to pursue other opportunities. I am currently working with my dad and my brothers to get a graphic design / photography / videography / A-V production company off the ground. Should be fun.

Oh, speaking of which, I am starting wedding videography and also do photography with my brother. So all of you soon to be former-singles out there, if you're in the Chicago area, give me a holler!

I am also learning the business of hardwood lumber production and export. Hehe. Yeah, betcha didn't see that one coming!

Leisure time? What is that? Okay, kidding. I love studying history and theology whenever I have a few spare moments, but also I read novels, keep my writing skills sharp by blogging, and online window-shop for A/V equipment.

Table tennis and workout room activities to keep in shape. Backyard football, watching the Michigan Wolverines during college football season. Choral singing, music comp and orchestration. Some television shows; favorites include/included: Battlestar Galactica, The Vampire Diaries, Castle, NCIS, and 24.

I was born in Evanston, IL. I like to travel. Been to east coast, west coast, mountains, and to Taiwan (where I lived for a year), Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Many more venues on my list of places to go. Top of the list is probably Europe, UK, China, Maine, and Nova Scotia.

My family is close. I am a 7th generation Christian on my dad's side. I am the oldest of four brothers, and we stick pretty close together. Relocating is not an option for me right now. I am committed to building the church here.

Besides, I like living in the boring Midwest. It ensures that anywhere else I travel will hold newness and wonder for me.

Also, I have a blog, mostly theology and Biblical studies, but some random thoughts and if you dig a little, some poetry:

Awenydd, my blog