Recent Posts

  • Chapter 3 Resubmitted

    After heavily revising Chapter 3, I’ve resubmitted it. The chapter grew by 50%, which helps my bottom line tremendously. I’m now 49% done by page count (48% by word count).

    Continue Reading…

  • Dissertation Update

    Asking for substantial revision on Chapter 3, my committee has given me some helpful feedback on improving my content structure for each word study chapter (3-7). I’m working through that revision now on Chapter 3 and will be applying the same criteria as I revise Chapter 4 before submitting it. The additional work required by this improved writing plan is challenging and time-consuming. Fortunately, I’ve also edited my overall chapter plan and will only be writing 7 content chapters, not 8 as I’d previously anticipated.

    Continue Reading…

  • Chapter 4 Complete

    This chapter will be flying in a holding pattern until I submit it after I get chapter 3 back in the next week or so. Until then, chapter 5, here I come.

    Continue Reading…

  • Christians and Debt: “Owe no man any thing”

    The phrase “owe no man any thing” (Rom 13.8) is commonly misquoted as a prohibition on incurring financial debt. This verse is often twisted to mean, “Don’t put that TV on your credit card,” “Only buy used cars,” and “Don’t borrow money from your relatives.” (Strangely, those who misuse it in this fashion almost never take it to mean, “Don’t sign a mortgage to buy a house…”)

    Continue Reading…

  • 30/30 Timer – My New Favorite iPhone Productivity App

    30/30 Timer AppWhen I started my dissertation, I knew that it would be hard to keep myself productive and motivated on a year-long, self-planned schedule. What I didn’t realize until recently was that the key to keeping myself on that schedule was not to plan monthly deadlines, but to manage my hourly productivity each time I sat down to work. I’d sit down for an afternoon of research or writing, hit a block (obstacles are everywhere in a dissertation!), and spend 2-3 hours chasing bad leads, looking for distraction, or just staring and waiting for inspiration. Apparently, even a 4 hour block of time is too long for me to be left unsupervised! Enter 30/30.

    Continue Reading…

  • Chapter 1 Approved

    Both my initial committee members have approved Chapter 1! Hopefully I can finish Chapter 2 within the next week or so.

    Continue Reading…