Where in the World Is John Babri?

The last time I updated this blog was Feb 10 and many people have been asking what happened to John? Well, life happened. I fully intended to reenter the blogosphere but too much life happened and my blog fell into ruins.

So what was I doing? Well working about 30 hours between 2 jobs (I tutored and worked at Chick-fil-a) and taking Systematic Theology I, Greek Syntax and Exegesis and New Testament II. I also got to connect more with my church in Louisville and make some awesome and amazing friends. Anyway it all kept me out of the blogosphere. Its funny too once you leave you begin to realize that its definitely easy to stay out once the blogging bug wears off.

But now I wanted to let everyone know why I was gone so no one would worry. I also want to thank you for the calls checking if I was ok since I was not blogging, as well as the emails, and comments. I ‘ll also tie up some lose ends. What was up with “Brother Top Ical”? It was a little comedic series I was going to do featuring the audio bloging of my roommate Mike who had a hysterical impression of the stereotypical topical Preacher who makes all his points alliterate but makes sure they are not tied to a text. But unfortunately I will not be doing that since I have now moved back home for the summer and far away from my funny roommate. Ok next question. Will John finish his series on the existence of God? The answer is a definite maybe. I want to especially since I want to share my testimony of how I was converted out of atheism but I am not going to making finishing the series a priority. But continue in periodic installments along with other posts.

Nest question what is John up to now? Well, I finished my first year at Southern Seminary. I love Southern! It definitely was an awesome year. It definitely had its own difficulties and joys . But much too tell. Some highlights though were getting to meet awesome new friends in Louisville, have great professors, I got hear R.C. Sproul in chapel, be part of an awesome church, learn new things, gain a deeper understanding of scripture and grow. It definitely was not all easy though. My schedule was particularly taxing, things were often hectic and it was also very easy to play devil’s advocate with new things that I learned, I also got very sick for 2 weeks this spring. Also this semester I always wrestled with the disconnect of head knowledge and heart knowledge as well often found that knowing more does not always help in knowing God more. I also learned you have to fight to maintain your own spiritual life and that Seminary is not the “promised land”. But overall the experience was positive and I am thankful that God brought me to Southern and with the semester behind me it is easier for me to see the good and realize how good I had it.

What else is new? I started work back at my home Church First Baptist Church of Aurora yesterday! Crazy when I was in Louisville Sunday morning. Things are a little different around the church. My old office now houses 2 people who are not me. But ahwell they deserve it since I left and I am now just around for the summer. My role is going to a little different than it was last year too. I am very excited about this summer. I had a good time connecting with my Senior Pastor yesterday and just talking about this summer. I am anxious to see how God is going to be at work this summer. It is also has been very refreshing just being back at the church and being plugged back into full time ministry.

Will John blog again? Yes. Really ? He has said that before. Yes and here is why: I am going to be becoming up with lots cool material since I am back at my church Plus I want to recover the spiritual discipline of journaling. I also have come to realize when you journal on the computer you can copy and paste it and it will come in handy for other things. (The journaling that makes it to the blog though will of course be edited for content) Lastly, hopefully my blog can also be way for me to keep people back in home (in Louisville) informed on things that are going on in my life. Anyway grace and peace to you all.
-John