In between my two computer science lectures from 11 to 12:30, I spent a long time up in sather tower, looking out into the bay. Though it was sprinkling and overcast, the view was surprisingly clear. However, the wind up in the tower was fierce and freezing, and I had to go all the way down to fetch my gloves.

I took a timed self portrait with my small digicam after shooting for quite a while with my SLR. In the picture it looks like I'd been crying. It was really, really cold, but my gloves made it a little more bearable. Next time I go up on a cold, windy day, I'm going to wear a sweatshirt so I can use the hood.

At 2, I discovered that I was accepted into the documentary class I'd been interested in. I'm missing the basic prerequisite of having taken a basic college level photography course, but somehow I was accepted. I think one of the main reasons was that the professor needs a web developer on the team for the final project, but she also said some nice things about the informal "portfolio" I submitted to her.

There was about 30 students who showed up to the class on tuesday, and today the class was reduced to just 13 photographers. We're going to be working intensely this semester, documenting downtown berkeley. By the end, we're going to have a few books made, an exhibition, and a website. The books will be given to various organizations, including our school library.

I really wasn't expecting to make it into this class, since so many other students had satisfied the prerequisites. I've never worked with film before, and I have no idea how to do anything in a darkroom. However, we have the option of working with digital photography for this course, so that's the path I'm taking.

In the evening, many of us went to Unit 2 to study and play ping pong.

Devotion time notes:

Romans 15 (continued)

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
Romans 15:14

I was struck by Paul's willingness to commend the Roman Christians for their faithfulness and knowledge, even though he had not had any personal interaction with the members of that church. I often find myself being overly skeptical regarding people's sincerity and motives, especially when I don't know the people on a personal level, but Paul's words here really reminded me that I mustn't be so skeptical of others as to never commend them for what they do. I need to do my part in supporting and encouraging fellow believers in serving God, and leave the analysis up to God.

Paul describes his calling to be a minister to the Gentiles as grace, meaning that God was showing him unmerited favor by allowing him to witness to unbelievers. How often do we feel like we're doing God a favor when we obey his command to spread the good news? We are not benefiting God, but rather he is benefiting us! It is a blessing from God to be able to partake in his miraculous work for the salvation of souls.

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.
Romans 15:20

At first I thought of Jim Elliot and how he was called to witness to a people who had not been exposed to civilization yet. However, I realized that this actually applies to many places that I find myself on a daily basis.

continued tomorrow...