I started soon after being married. Wow...!
I spent the weekend in Dallas putting behind me the last physical in-person class for my double Master’s degree at Dallas Seminary (Masters in Biblical Studies, Masters in Christian Education with a focus on Person Theory) – I have literally dreamt of that moment many, many times for the past 7 years. I couldn’t believe it was finally here.
As life has shown me plenty of times it wasn’t exactly like I had planned it to be. In fact, I’m not even sure what I was planning and/or hoping it to be at all – I just thought it wasn’t going to be like “that.” You’ve probably had similar experiences – it’s not that it was a disappointment and it’s not that it was the best experience you’ve ever had in your entire existence – it was just, well, not supposed to be like “that.”
But I tried – as I sat in class I waited for one of those “Aha!” moments, or some new truth to suddenly dawn on me and for me to gain that new incredible perspective – nothing like that happened. I attended the class, worked on the assignments, finished my exams, just like I had done a hundred times before. I said “Hi.” to a few people that I had met along the way and shook a few hands with new classmates, many of whom were very “green.”
In the end it was entirely rote. The clouds didn’t part and it didn’t rain so no random lightning strikes were apparent. Heck, I didn’t even get a burning bush – what a rip…! And so as I closed out the last class I began to ask myself what it had all meant – the last 7 years and what I had learned from the experience.
I was still thinking about it as I drove to the airport and even as I boarded the plane – it was rather difficult to come up with anything conclusive! Perhaps it was all still too fresh, but then one small truth hit me: I realized that it was what I have been continually doing for as long as I can remember: Execute. Do the work. Get it done. Do it with excellence. Find the next adventure and challenge.
That was lightly comforting and at least it was a starting point.
And I’m not limiting or putting down the work over the last 7 long years nor am I saying that the completion part isn’t special – it really is very special and I have to give a lot of thanks to all my professors and those that have supported me from the first day I enrolled. A lot of things have changed since that first class and even my motive for being there in the first place has shifted in some very dramatic ways, but I finished what I started and for that I’m glad.
Most importantly I must thank my wife who never gave up on me and who gave me the permission, every single semester, to take yet another class, to earn another credit hour to get me one step closer to finishing. The only time she asked me not to take a class and take a semester off was when we had our second child – I took the spring semester off to give her support and be more available, but I was right back in the saddle for the summer semester. Other than that I have been taking classes for 7 straight years without a break!
But it’s simply not enough to just leave knowing that the biggest lesson learned was one of execution – I mean, one would think I would have learned something outside of the actual classwork and I’m sure that I did – I’m just going to have to take the time to process it, talk about it, and pray about what’s next.
I apologize to my wife in advance for this image...
Ah, how much has truly changed since then! At the time my first hadn’t even been born yet, I had just walked (or crawled) through one of my very first tech startups with imploded in the worst way possible and was entertaining offers from large companies like Dell while pulling shifts at Starbucks all while taking classes in the evening. Oh, the stories I could tell you! The failures, the success, the disappointment, the joy. A lifetime captured in that one year when I first started my coursework. Too much to share in one measly blog post, that’s for sure.
But, I can tell you with absolute clarity though the things that I won’t miss at all like the time away from family, the flights out to Dallas for classes, and all the money spent on those flights, hotels, car rentals, and the like (actually, I do miss all that money… … just kidding…!).
Oh, I can’t forget! I also received tons of help from people who took me in, let me stay in their house, the nights on people’s couches, and rides to and from the airport – all via the power of Twitter! Now that’s an incredible story. I’ve made some neat new friends and a bunch of great memories to boot – the best ones included local meals that really knocked my socks off!
It’s hard to imagine that it’s over – actually, to be honest, I still have to finish out my thesis which will be done in the Summer of this year. Graduation will be that semester as well, and come fall, I’ll be out of (that) school officially and I’m not even sure what to do with myself. I’ve already looked into local degree programs for an MBA that I’ve always wanted – but I’ll save that for another post.
Never stop learning – never stop improving. You and I are never too old to become more educated and if you stop learning you’re probably six feet under (or living like it).
But praise God for helping me get this far – I would never have done it without Him.
Congrats! Now you’ll have to find new reasons to visit Dallas.
#LOL
Congratulations, bro!
This is an encouraging post for me to keep pushing through to keep learning and to finish my masters as well.
how far are you along?
I finished two masters degrees. And while I was a full time student, and unmarried for half of it. I spent seven years paying it off.
And less than two years after I finished the degrees I was laid off and since then the work that I do does not have any need for those degrees.
Maybe in the future I will rely on those degrees to get me a job, but I have been out of grad school for 13 years now, so I doubt it.
I would not be where I am intellectually without the degrees. So even though no one else really cares about the degrees, I care that they played a part in making me who I am. The struggle was useful.
That being said, I would never redo my social work degree. I was in a dual masters program with Social work and Divinity. I struggled a lot about whether to do a dual degree in Public Policy and Divinity instead. I was talked out of it and still think I would have been better off going the other way.
GREAT perspective as usual, Adam.
you can feel free to complement me more on Friday at the 8bit meet up if you want
excellent.
(How am I going to be in the same room with Adam, Chris and John. I’m an idiot.)
Congrats John!
you understand things I can’t even dream about understanding. I just read books.
I went back to school to finish my degree as soon as we had our first child. Working full time while going to school full time and having a new baby was incredibly difficult, but I’m so glad I did it and finished strong. Congrats to you!
awesome! well done!
Right on!
At the moment, I’m content with a bachelor’s degree
you’ll be headed back shortly….. i’m sure….
congrats! I’ve been contemplating taking a Masters degree at Regent College. But so far the cost of it (not cheap to get a seminary degree) and the time commitment (so much studying!) have deterred me. Why did you decide to get a Masters degree at a seminary?
i started because i wanted to go into vocational ministry. there’s a huge story behind this, but that’s the simplest explanation…!
Ah, that makes sense. With that explanation, I now see the significance of your website title, a play on words of tentmaker. I like it! Continue doing your ministry through your vocation and your writing, I’m encouraged.
Wow John, that is seriously intense! Question though… what in the world is “Person Theory”?
the study of psychometrics, personality, flow, energy management.
stuff like.. freud, maslow, jung, and contemporaries.
Congrats John!
I just got my Master’s Diploma in the mail a couple of weeks ago after 9 years and 184 credit hours. It sure feels good to have that piece of paper….
….So is a PhD in your future?
perhaps. perhaps…
Congrats, John! That’s huge! I know too many people who didn’t finish their degrees at DTS.
What will the tentblogger do with all his free time now? lol
LOL. i have things i’m working on, that’s for sure.
Awesome, John. Congratulations! But I’m sad you were at DTS and not a more reputable seminary. LOL
………!
Way to go, John! Congrats on completing your Masters’ degree!
almost… one more thing to go…
What an achievement man! It must feel good. Did you go out for some ice cream? I know I would.
it would be impossible to go out for that much icecream… it would take me a year to celebrate.
Congratulations John!
thanks dewitt!
That’s so awesome. Congratulations!
thanks danny!
Hi John,
Loved this post! I’m fairly new to your blog and had only read your technical blogging posts (and they are great!). I enjoyed hearing a little bit about your life, struggles, and faith. Congratulations on your graduation. Is that picture on the Riverwalk?
that it is……..!
Congratulations on your degree! I hope you find it useful.
we’ll see.
Congrats bro!! This by it taking 7 years it allowed me the opportunity to have you stay in Houston and meet you. Your awesome! 7 years is not that long with all the relationships, knowledge and fun you have made.
thanks joey! really appreciate that bed!
Congratulations, John! I am sure you learned a lot, not only from the books but also from people as you said, and the best thing about learning is to put it into practice.
I am glad that you are already excited about what to do next. Keep going always!
thanks cris! i plan on it!
Congratulations, John. That’s awesome. DTS is known for many great scholars like Lewis Sperry Chafer, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ken Boa and others (and for mega church builders with innovative ministries). I’m sure those 7 years were rough. Well done, kid.
thanks celia! how are things?
Congrats, bro!
thanks paul!
Congratulations, John!! What a journey it has been.
You’re already considering going back for an MBA? I just finished mine through Arizona State University last summer while working full time and balancing family stuff too.
Besides personal enrichment what is your motivation behind pursuing an MBA?
you finished an MBA?
personal and professional would be the motive.
Congratulations.
Thank you so much for sharing. It’s easy to think that we’re the only ones with challenges, and find excuses for not accomplishing what we should…
but then people like you show us all that there will always be challenges, but they should never stop us.
Keep learning, keep growing.
Congratulations! Forget about what’s next and just enjoy the moment.
thanks osayi! appreciate it!
First, my hubby graduated from DTS in 2004, then we promptly moved to France to plant a church. So much happened in our time while he attended DTS–great friendships plus a lifelong appreciation of thinking deeply about scripture.
Second, your wife is absolutely beautiful, particularly in the pregnant picture.
Third, congratulations on finishing. No small feat. Take a moment to celebrate well.
thanks mary! wow, had no idea…!
Congratulations on your achievement John; and you’ve set a great example for your children as well. They can always look upon what you accomplished and say: “If dad could do it…so can I”.
ah, didn’t think about it that way. thanks for that marcia.
You are welcome!
I’m in school now taking two courses. I’m doing a bunch of other things at the same time too. What’s your tip and advice to organization and priorities?! I know you’ve talked on this a million times on your site.
boundaries, not priorities. i’ve never been good at the latter.
Ah, you and me both!