Life of David

I'm teaching a course on the Psalms this semester and in fact almost through the majority of my lectures and now in the midst of presentations. A big section of the course is centred around the life of David & how we relate to his story. One of my favorite musicians Michael Knott did an album which essentially is his own story interwoven with the life of David. The album is from 2001 and here's the promo:

Magnificent

I love what I do & I can't hide it. Teaching puts a spring in my step and I can't help but grin like the Cheshire Cat at all the opportunities I've had to challenge, encourage, & inspire during my lifetime. 52 days left in the semester and 7 years of teaching at a college level will have passed. Hard to believe just how fast time flies. SO many things to ponder - am I better teacher than when I first began? Or have I lost some that enthusiasm & optimism I had during graduate studies? I'm still being stretched as a teacher and I do think I've become more relational & less tied to my teaching notes. I still feel I'm just exploring the realm of experiential teaching within the classroom - it's hard to let go of the reigns I suppose. I've always believed that experience is the best teacher but I've also learned that you need a phenomenal guide for the learning experience to be of value. We need boundaries to explore - we need boundaries to push against.

I've written about why I do what I do but perhaps I should muse about why I can't not do what I do? So much to explore in this life!

I wrote a little speech 7 years ago that compared my graduate studies to that of the sport of whitewater kayaking. I think that challenge still rings true - we need to face danger, we need to face obstacles, otherwise we grow complacent & cloudy like a stagnant pool. We need change to grow and learning is all about change. I still have an incredibly strong passion to teach but I'm restless & admittedly tired. I'm due for a sabbatical (overdue actually) and I'm looking forward to January 2010 & the "great escape" with Wendy & our kids. New places to discover, new things to learn!

I purchased the BBC Planet Earth series for our family and this past Sunday enjoyed Disc 1 - which includes an overall look from pole to pole. One word captures it all - magnificent! In fact it reminded me of a new track from U2's new album (release tomorrow) No Line in the Horizon:

Magnificent
Magnificent

I was born
I was born to be with you
In this space and time
After that and ever after I haven't had a clue
Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar

I was born
I was born to sing for you
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise...

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar

Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love unites our hearts

Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent