I was not a conventional Seminary student. Consequently, I hung around other Seminary students who were not conventional ... meaning we were often in trouble with the Ayatollahs and Dictators that ran the Seminary.
When all was said and done, I actually graduated ... with the assistance of Stan Wexell, my attorney. God does work in mysterious ways.
By no means was I the most unconventional of Seminary students though they were my friends.
Michael was great! He made an "A-" in his "Marriage Enrichment" class as his divorce was finalized. Now that's an accomplishment!
He was also the one on the last day in the "Exit to Ministry" class, raised his hand and said, "I think we've all made a mistake. If Jesus were here right now, he'd rent a bulldozer and level this place." He skipped graduation a couple of days later and never got his degree. He did go to Law School is a very successful attorney in Georgia.
There was Tim, my favorite because of his wild red hair, white tee-shirt and blue overalls. He was closer to heaven than everybody else in Seminary ... because he was high the whole time he was there. His room in Mullins Hall had an easy chair made entirely out of six-packs of beer. Sitting in it, he'd reach down and jerk a can out of the chair he was sitting in and slug it down! I've never seen that at Rooms-to-Go.
In "Debate" class, Tim stood there listening to a proper Seminary student dominate the argument he was losing. The whole grade came down to this debate and Tim hadn't said anything choosing instead to suck on a toothpick.
"Don't you have anything to say," the Professor finally asked as the proper Seminary student had presented an excellent ... albeit totally one-sided case.
"Yep," Tim replied taking the toothpick out of his and pointing it at his opponent. "I know what a Philistine feels like now."
Then he stuck the toothpick back in his mouth and looked out the window.
"What," the Professor asked?
Taking the toothpick out again and pointing it at his opponent with narrow focused eyes, Tim explained, "I've been beaten by the Jawbone of an Ass."
I fell on the floor laughing as did the rest of the class.
Tim never graduated but is a very successful politician now.
Then John who never studied. When finals rolled around he hadn't cracked a book. It was common for Seminary professors to call upon students to offer a prayer at beginning of each class. Before the test John was tasked with the job. Standing by his desk, he closed and eyes and proceeded to pray ... for an hour ... then the bell rang ... he said Amen and strolled out of the classroom without ever taking the exam.
I love these people!
All right, I got to go to work.
Samuel Adams, who plays damn good live music on Tybee Island, has asked that I deliver the opening prayer for the Easter Sunrise Service on the pier. Sam is Palmist at Bar Church where I am Senor Pastor. All of the island's churches come together for the Easter Service where Bar Church is by far the most unconventional. However, the Methodists, Episcopalians and Catholics work with Bar Church to put on the service.
Last year the Baptists even came back after having boycotted the sunrise service for a while.
So I've got to get myself ready. I must get in a prayerful and holy state of mind. It's a nice day for it ... sunshine and with highs in the 80's.
Yep.
Time to worship the sun.
