Less than a week after it began, my career as an unemployed blogger has ended. This weekend I formally accepted a job as the manager of Internet Development for The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity. When Matthew Eppinette, the Director of Research and Technology, wrote to ask if I would be interested in the position, I thought he was joking. I don't know that much about the Internet much less how to develop it but the idea of working for a Christian think-tank was too appealing to pass up. Somehow I was able to convince my wife to give up her job and move with me across the country.
The Center is located at Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL so my wife and I flew up this weekend to meet the staff and find a place to live. We’ve found an apartment in the northern part of Chicago near Loyola University and will be moving up there during the second week of March. I’m excited about the change and look forward to being able to play a role, however small, in promoting a Christian view of bioethics.
Thanks again for all of the advice, prayers, and support over the past few weeks.
2
Congratulations! I've always enjoyed the CBHD's articles.
posted on 02.22.2005 1:24 AM3
Congratulations, Joe! An answer to many people's prayers, I am sure :-)
posted on 02.22.2005 1:37 AM6
As the good Dr. Walker would say in these parts - Well praise God in this place!
If it is about Him and not about us he should get the praise.
Are you going to blog the process so we can give thanks in detail to the mighty one who answers prayers? Keep us posted on how we can pray for you and your new career.
Blessings,
Bob(A.)
posted on 02.22.2005 7:27 AM7
Congrats, Joe. Looks like they are a pretty shrewd organization to pick you up.
posted on 02.22.2005 7:50 AM9
Congrats, Joe! I'm sure you'll rise to the challenge and do well.
posted on 02.22.2005 8:47 AM10
Congratulations on your new venture! You'll like TIU, I'm sure. My husband just finished up with his M.Div. from there last year.
posted on 02.22.2005 9:10 AM11
Congratulations, Joe! I'm sure this will be a great move for you.
posted on 02.22.2005 9:14 AM13
Let me add my congrats to the pile Joe. Next time I'm in Chicago, I'll have to look you up. If you and the wife feel like a road trip, Minneapolis is not that bad of a drive. Other than the fact that you have to cross the entire state of Wisconsin that is.
posted on 02.22.2005 11:25 AM14
That's wonderful and exciting, Joe. Congratulations!
posted on 02.22.2005 11:40 AM16
Congratulations, Joe. Now you might have to change the name of your blog from Evangelical Outpost to Evangelical Epicenter!
posted on 02.22.2005 12:41 PM17
Good deal Joe, all the best to you and your wife. Sounds like you'll be living right in the same area of Chicago I recently left! As you're looking about for a church, I highly recommend a visit to Moody church on LaSalle.
posted on 02.22.2005 12:54 PM18
Best wishes to you and your family, Joe, as you begin this promising new stage of your life.
Amy
posted on 02.22.2005 2:22 PM19
You're working in Deerfield and living on the north side of the city? That's far, and atypical. Usually people want to live the antiseptic suburban life.
posted on 02.22.2005 3:22 PM20
And Joe said, "As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord" as he and his wife set out on their great adventure, following the promises of God into the "Windy City" of the northern plains.
And the Lord said, "It will be good" and sent the Archangel Michael to clear a path through the lions and tigers and bears, oh my.
Then Michael took a coal from the brazier before the throne of God and going to Joe he first touched it to to his fingers, so that all that he typed might be pure, then to his lips, so all that he said might be pure, and then to his forehead where it cleansed the imaginations of his heart.
As Michael left, he said to Joe, "Remember, to whom much is given, much is expected."
posted on 02.22.2005 3:24 PM21
Wonderful news. The job seems like a great fit with your ability to use the web as a means for worldview influence.
posted on 02.22.2005 4:01 PM22
Congratulations, Joe. This sounds like a really interesting job. I suspect you'll be challenged and that it will be an opportunity to grow quite a lot professionally. It sounds great!
posted on 02.22.2005 7:43 PM25
The Lord has spoken! :) I'm sure they'll make you keep up your blogging.
posted on 02.22.2005 10:21 PM26
Congrats...and good luck with the commute. That's a nice place to live - I used to live just south of there. You're in luck if you like Indian or Middle Eastern food - check out Devon Ave west of you (ok, that was dumb, as there is no Devon Ave. to your east, just lake).
posted on 02.22.2005 10:37 PM27
Just like Gideon, God often guides us using direct signs. You mention that you are considering looking for a job. A nice group offers you a job...
God bless you!
posted on 02.22.2005 10:57 PM28
Congratulations!
My parents actually live down the road from Trinity and I grew up in nearby Northbrook. If you need recommendations on places to eat by Trinity or in the city, just email me (i'm a food lover... hole in the wall places to upscale). And also places to visit and shop.
posted on 02.23.2005 1:10 AM29
Congratulations Joe,
I'm a lifetime Chicagoan and I worked for 8 years in the area near Trinity. I also lived for 10 years near Loyola's North Side Campus. Additionally, I spent many years working in the loop, so I know my way around this overgrown cattletown pretty well.
If you need any help navigating this nutty place, feel free to e-mail me.
Sincerely,
posted on 02.23.2005 2:27 AM30
Congrats, Joe. Your new job is certainly an answer to prayer and one which I think you are uniquely positioned to make maximum impact for the Kingdom of God. Hopefully, other organizations will soon catch the vision of CBHD and hire experienced bloggers to increase their outreach.
"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
posted on 02.23.2005 8:45 AM31
Joe,
Congrats! That's terrific. You'll do a wonderful job - of that, I'm sure.
posted on 02.23.2005 1:54 PM32
Congrats Joe! A most excellent choice on their part. Keep us up to date on the transition.
posted on 02.23.2005 3:56 PM33
That's wonderful news, Joe. Chicago's one of my favorite cities, so I'm sure everything will work out.
posted on 02.23.2005 8:34 PM34
Joe, As I posted on my new blog, www.faithblog.org, I am very excited to find out that you are joing an organition like CBHD because I also care greatly about human dignity. I am married to someone who suffers from multiple chronic illnesses. In some countries, my wife would be considered unproductive. We must not allow America to become such a place. So go forth and help fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
posted on 02.23.2005 11:35 PM36
Congrats, and welcome to the neighborhood! There are a couple more great places to eat to explore: The Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park, Sizzle on Broadway (the Wednesday night $10/12 oz. ribeye special is wonderful), Moody's Pub (best burgers on the north side) and Gino's North (tiny little pizza joint - cheap and great) in Edgewater. Hope you love the area as much as I do!
posted on 02.24.2005 3:48 PM37
Congrats and welcome to the midwest. You can hlep us work on rebuilding the Republican base up here. It's in shambles.
38
Congrats on the new position. Trinity was one of two places I was looking at to get a Masters in Biblical Studies. Seems like a good place to work.