Prepare Ye

Sorry I haven't written in a while, but it is the end of the semester, and I'm doing enough writing (and you all aren't giving me a grade). I might post parts of some of them later. It's tough here at The LTS. We live in a fishbowl, always being observed, both by the Church and each other. Sometimes it can get daunting. Some of my friends have had it a little tougher, being in the headlights of the rest of campus. I've tried to be supportive, and hope I have. It has been interesting to observe from some what of the sidelines and see how an off handed comment can be hurtful (even when not intended) or taken out of context. Then I wonder when I have said something insensitive, or jumped to conclusions. And I realize how broken we all are - and how much we break each other. I'm sorry for any breaks I've made, and any breaks I haven't stopped. And I wish that glue could make the pain go away. Our Lady Peace -Somewhere Out There Last time I talked to you

One of my professors here at The LTS (and my professor for OT in the NT) was named Biblioblogger of the Month , and I thought it would be nice to spread his acclaim around to the thousands (counting in base 2) of readers I have who regularly visit (or stumble accidentally) across this little corner of cyberspace. (Plus, he still has to read my project on Isaiah 40:3 that is scheduled to go WAY over the page limit.) So, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! BTW, in an honest and not totally sucking up manner, his CrossMarks site is pretty awesome.

While we may not always be where we want to be, and we man not have all of the people with us whom we want, We give thanks and praise to our Creator for giving us all that we need. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Thanks to Crystal Cheats at YouTube & pinnacleproducts.webs.com

Professors who are ordained Pastors giving unmerited gifts of grace to unworthy students. Sure, all of the stuff is still due, but its due a week later, and we all know what can get done in 7 days! Heck, 6 days and take one off!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I was invited to talk to the Junior Class here at THE LTS about CPE and when I finished, I realized I may have been a little on the dark side while talking to them. Chatting with some of them, and some of my classmates later, I guess my dark was not quite descriptive enough. I didn't have fun during CPE. I don't think anyone does, but my CPE at the Chocolate Factory was really tough. I'm still dealing with my dad's death and spending the summer in a hospital away from family was not my favorite idea. But the experience was good for me. It made me confront some issues, raised a bunch of others, and has some issues that I'm still coming to grips with. While writing a reflection paper on CPE, I found I wrote a couple of sentences that made me confront feelings I hadn't expressed or really acknowledged. Things I haven't shared much because it is still too sore. Sooooooooooo, maybe I wasn't the one to talk to a bunch of nervous, up to their eyeballs newbies w

The other best thing about Seminary this weekend ... I receive an official letter from my synod. I have been positively endorsed. To translate from Lutheran ... I'm doing well, they're proud of me and want me to go on internship somewhere. To quote London Tipton ... "Yeah Me!"

The best thing about Seminary ... is the mutual shared suffering. A discussion during the lunch about how long it has been since we've had to write a research paper. One of my classmates asked me a question about how to write one, and I stopped her before she got started. I said it has been a "long time" for me. She (she's a neo-pipeliner TM - someone in Seminary after just a few years in the world) said, "The last time I wrote one was my junior year in high school." I replied, "My last research paper was my junior year in college, and you were probably eating paste." She looked at me with a puzzled look. I said, "What were you doing in 1985?" She realized she was in kindergarten and admitted a craving for paste. What was really nice (and polite) was the true pipeliner not getting engaged in that part of the conversation because she would have been only a gleam at that time. And we all are dreading the 10+ page research papers that are s

This is another great devotional from Pray Now from the Church of Scotland. Relationships of Power - Sarah and Hagar Abram said to Sarai, 'Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her as you please.' Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. - Genesis 1 Prayer Power, for us, is such a tricky business. We ascribe it slickly to you - God of power and might - And instantly you challenge us, Revealed in the flux of worldly power As the powerless, crucified God. But power, and who has it, still shapes our relationships - our lives. We expertly read its flows, its peaks and troughs. A shake of filings on a sheet of paper reveals the field of a magnet. A sprinkling of people in a story Reveals to us the field and play of power. We are not innocent, or naïve, where power is concerned. It is Sarah's house; she writes the rules, sets the emotional thermostat. That is power! The power to make life hell - albeit from sheer insecurity. Hers is the present, and hers th

The best thing about going to a Seminary (especially THE LTS) is the people. People who truly appreciate you, and make you feel appreciated.

I received a phone call today informing me that my candidacy committee has endorsed me, which means I am approved to go on internship and continue my call to ordained Word & Sacrament ministry. Happy Happy Joy Joy!

One of the programs I used to coordinate in my previous life was a sports competition between my hometown and a city in Canada. We would get together during the fall and winter to plan what we would do next year and how to fix what went wrong the previous year. Usually, some of the Canadians would come sporting a felt poppy. I found out they were celebrating Remembrance Day, when the (first) War to End All Wars ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Sting - Children's Crusade Young men, soldiers, nineteen fourteen Marching through countries they'd never seen Virgins with rifles, a game of charades All for a children's crusade Pawns in the game are not victims of chance Strewn on the fields of Belgium and France Poppies for young men, death's bitter trade All of those young lives betrayed The children of England would never be slaves They're trapped on the wire and dying in waves The flower of England face down in the mud And stained in the blood

You can always find someone to talk to. Or listen when you need to talk. Or to whom you can listen when they need to talk. Y'know that whole pastoral care thingy.

I'll post the results from the Luther Bowl 2008 as they happen & I get back to my computer. DIVISION A 9:00am - Gettysburg 24 - Chicago 18 10:10am - Philadelphia 22 vs Virginia TS 14 11:20am - Gettysburg 20 vs Philadelphia 14 12:30pm - Chicago lost to VTS 14-12 1:40pm - Chicago beat Philadelphia 2:50pm - Gettysburg beat VTS 18-6 DIVISION B 9:00am - Trinity Lutheran 8 - Southern 18 10:10am - Trinity Episcopal 22 vs Union 14 (in OT) 11:20am - Trinity Lutheran 8 vs Union 16 12:30pm - Trinity Episcopal beat Southern 1:40pm - Trinity Episcopal beat Trinity Lutheran 2:50pm - Union beat Southern The Championship Game Trinity Episcopal beat LTS Gettysburg 14-6. Congrats to the Kneelers!

This may turn out to be a running series ... or a not-so-good that fades like the leaves from the trees. The best thing about seminary is that when you sneeze, dozens of people say "God Bless You." And sometimes they do it even when you don't sneeze.

Barack Obama Remarks after the New Hampshire Primary on January 9, 2008. We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't try, or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people. Yes we can. It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation. Yes we can. It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom through the darkest of nights. Yes we can. It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed west

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord , the Lord 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, ‘My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall be your territory. No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, s

No matter what they are saying, my thoughts on how each campaign feels about their chances can be determined by their election night plans. Barack Obama is planning a giant rally in Chicago's Grant Park. John McCain is NOT GOING TO HIS OWN PARTY at a Phoenix hotel. Tickets are limited. Instead, he will make remarks to just a few reporters.

Each month, I write an article for my home church back in Michigan. I used the article this month to think through some of the things I have been learning this semester. It's a mix of Pauline exegesis, Confessional theology, mission strategies and putting 2 + 2 together. [Paul speaking to Peter] But we have always known that no person is justified by works of the law, if not through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And even we have faith in Christ Jesus so that we are justified by Christ’s faithfulness and not through works of the Law because of works of law no one will be justified. – Galatians 2:16 One of the wonderful experiences here at the Lutheran Theological Seminary is when the subjects we are studying in one course spills and blends over into others. The doctrine of justification by grace through faith is one doctrine that has been soaking up all of my courses. Three courses in particular: the Lutheran Confessions, Studies of the Epistles and Mission Strategies, have cov

A couple of weeks back, I responded to a request by the Matthew 25 PAC to send an email to James Dobson's Focus on the Family after his repulsive "Letter from 2012," which was his piece of fiction about how an Obama presidency would lead to the end of civilization as we know it. (But I thought Dobson wanted to hurry on the End Times? No, that's Hagee. I get my mega-conservative cultists confused.) I got a very condescending auto response back. I responded, but after a week have heard nothing. That's probably because it went nowhere. Dr. Dobbie's website contains NO EMAIL addresses. If you want to tell them something, you can only do it through their limited feedback system, or snail mail. A telling way to tell you they don't want to hear from you. SO ... here's my initial letter, their response and my comeback. Initial letter Pastor Dobson, While I respect your use of your call to be a prophetic messenger, but your absolute rejection of even the most

Why? Why are you anti-American if you dislike John McCain or Sarah Palin? Why is liberal a bad word? Why does John McCain equate it with socialism? Why is any policy proposed by the Democrats risky or dangerous? Why is it disrespectful when Barack Obama suggests something the GOP doesn't like? Why is the right SO convinced they are always correct? Why can't someone disagree with the Republicans and be patriotic? I think the most patriotic thing I have ever seen is in the above picture. That unknown man did what he felt was the best thing for his country. And did it at the probable loss of his life. That's what happens when you have a total authoritarian government. That's what happens when you can't oppose. That's what happens when you can't disagree. This is the second time that I've posted this song, and the second time I've used almost the same title for a post. The first was when I said something rude to a friend. This time isn't as serious

Separated at birth?

The members of my candidacy committee who came out to the LTS are recommending that the entire committee endorse my candidacy and recommend me for internship. Yeah, me!

I've changed by blog's background color to pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

According to CBS Early Show, Guinness has less calories than skim milk. Guinness and Cheerios for everyone!

While watching the post-debate spin from the VP debate last night, I have come to a realization. While I do not, and will not support the McCain-Palin ticket, I readily admit Gov. Palin did well and connected with the viewing audience. She is a very engaging person. Would I like her to be my neighbor? Sure. Would I enjoy having her as a friend? Doggone it, I'd have to say yeah. Do I want her anywhere near the nuculer launch codes or to have more power than Dick Chaney? Gosh Darn It, No Way in Hell! I want my political leaders to have some gravitas. I want them to be smarter than I am. I want them to understand the complex issues the rest of us struggle with. I think it is the same with parishioners and their pastors. They would like someone they can sit down and talk and connect with. But they need their pastors to have some heaft and be able to help them walk through the complex issues and problems of their lives. They would like to have a friend. They need a pastor.

Another great devotional from Pray Now from the Church of Scotland. Astonishing relationships - Zacchaeus and Jesus When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him,'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.' Luke 19:5 Prayer When we feel we are unimportant and not noticed You see in us the potential and possibility we fear to live up to You surprise us with an unexpected, 'I choose you.' When our wealthy lives are lived out at the expense of the poor You encourage us to be uncomfortable with our extravagance You challenge us with an unexpected, 'I choose you.' When we worry that our bodies may be too fat or too small You see that which is deep within us and be

From Pray Now from the Church of Scotland Astonishing relationships - Anna and Simeon . . .or mine eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples. . . Luke 2:30 - 31 Prayer There is subversion in waiting, in the tenacity of those who hope and dare to long for revelation, for justice, for truth. And subversive beyond that is when old eyes recognise, fulfilled in a newborn, the hope they have been harbouring for generations. May we see in each new generation, the evolving of the world, in lives that will carry on our story, with the chance for a new revelation of Gospel. The subversion of old age, is the placing in each younger generation, the ongoing story of faith, and the whole hope of the Gospel. May we recognise what is good to pass on, and the right time in which to pass it. Readings Luke 2:25-38 Simeon and Anna Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 A time for everything Ecclesiastes 12:1-5 Remember old age Job 32:6-10 Not only the old are wise Blessing May Go

I'll apologize again for not writing on a regular basis, but the back to school time has been special here at The LTS. Those of us in the middler class have been adjusting back to academic life after a couple of months of being thrown into the deep end of the practical theological pool that is CPE. People have had their theological foundations given a mighty shake. In addition to that, everyone is dealing with their own volume of emotional baggage. I've been trying to help people with that, counseling, cajoling, commending and listening. If I can help any of my colleagues deal with their dramas, than I feel I have been useful. In terms of my class work, it seems as though much of classes are answering the two questions I have been pondering all summer. The first is why bad things happen, and the second is since we are justified by God, what have we been justified for? I'm still trying to put everything together, but I may have a deep thought (or something that passes for a

Why, oh why, is it that the most insightful political commentary this year is coming from people who are really comedians? I don't mean the funny by accident fools at Fixed Noise, or the over the top rants of Keith Doberman, but the people on TV who are supposed to be funny. Thank God SNL is back to rip both sides (Obama will get his share of slams) and the Daily Show & Colbert Report will be back on the air soon. Here are a few of my favs. Saturday Night Live 9/13/09 - Palin/Hillary Opening (Tina Fey/Amy Poehler) This may be one of the funniest openings on SNL. Amy Poehler deserves an Emmy nod just for this. Craig Ferguson-The Late Late Show 9/12/08 John Stewart-The Daily Show 9/5/08

We sang this hymn in our Chapel service this afternoon. It was written by former LTSG President Herman Stuempfle about the 9/11 attacks. When foundations sure are shaken when the flames of hate consume, when the treat of sudden terror shadows life with fear and doom, help us hear your certain promise: "I am with you; do not fear." When the bonds of love lie broken, when death's grip around us winds, when our grief and tears seem endless, when the heart no comfort finds, help us hear your certain promise; "I will wipe your tears away!" When the future's path lies hidden, filled with danger, void of hope, when our way is dark, uncertain, when for light we vainly grope, help us hear your certain promise: "I will turn your night to day!" God, when evil seems triumphant, all your purposes defied, when the pow'rs of chaos threaten and our trust in you is tried, help us hear your certain promise: "I will not forsake my own!" (Her

Sorry for another lapse in posting. But since my last real post in mid-August, I flew back to Michigan, saw my former football team in a scrimmage, loaded my furniture in a rental truck, drove to PA, unloaded the van, set up my apartment, worked on my endorsement essay, saw my Mac die, had to actually TAKE NOTES, spent Thursday in Baltimore getting the Mac resuscitated, reloaded everything, and watched a ton of football. I've also watched the conventions and just don't understand the republicans. Palin is qualified. She's over 35 and a natural born citizen. But she & McSame are so full of it; saying one thing and having done another. I'll try to blog on a more regular basis as crisis allow. God Bless

Is it just me, or does McSame's running mate look like Tina Fey?

Today, I led worship for our mid-day chapel service. Most of the audience was made up of the Summer Greek students, but there were other guests. I targeted my message toward the Summer Greek students, but I think it is broad enough to reach others. The lesson for today is Romans 11:13-24 (Paul writing about the Gentiles being grafted onto the olive tree that is Israel.) These are the notes I worked off of. ♥ These are things I wish I would someone would have told me 370 days ago before I started summer Greek. Just a disclaimer, that the opinions expressed by me may not reflect those of LTSG, the ELCA or most anyone else. Another disclaimer, there will be NO references to THAT language during this service. ♥ The No seminarian left behind program really works. Summer Greek is survivable. ♥ There are 2 good places for Chinese food in Gettysburg. The May Flower buffet is your choice if you prefer quantity over quality. Ping’s is your choice if you want quality food and don’t mind

This clip is sacrilegious but funny as hell (where we'll all be going for it.) I don't know if Hamlet 2 is going to be any good, but this is a good start. Rock Me Sexy Jesus from Hamlet 2

Summer Greek started yesterday at The LTS, and it was interesting to see all of the new faces, full of anxiety, apprehension and excitement. I've tried to be reassuring and telling the people I talked to that things will go well. I can't believe it's been over a year here and I'm packing up to move just along the ridge to a REAL apartment. I can't believe it's been a year since I was concerned about which way an accent was pointed over a Greek letter. I can't believe it's been over a year since I was getting boxes out to think about re-packing and heading home to Michigan. I can't believe there are two weddings today for my classmates and another pair just got engaged. I can't believe how time slips away. Time Slips Away - Dave Matthews Band

I'm doing well. I've had some people, especially after reading my last few posts, who have been worried about me. Now that the 900 lb. gorilla of CPE is off my back, I'm in a good mood. I've gotta write an essay to continue to pursue my dream and move my furniture out from Michigan. But I'm resting, recharging the batteries and getting ready for the next semester. Reflecting back on CPE, the words of one of the great speeches I ever heard kept echoing through my mind. Jim Valvano was the head coach for North Carolina State in the 80's. He lead his Wolfpack team to one of the great upsets of all time over the Phi Slamma Jamma team from Houston with Hakeem Olajuwon & Clyde Drexler. After his coaching career was over, he became an analyst on ESPN with Dick Vitale for some of the most enjoyable segments ever on TV. Jimmy V was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1992. At the 1993 ESPYs, Jimmy V was given the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. His 9 minute speech was a bit of

Just got back to the 'burg after the graduation ceremony from my CPE site. (Pomp & Circumstance is sooooo moving.) My evaluation was fair, the things I did well and the things I could have done better I agreed upon with my supervisor. I told him that while the experience was valuable, enriching, educational and reaffirming, I can not say it was fun or that I enjoyed it. While I am glad I did it at the Sweet Big Deal State School of Medicine/Trauma Center and did it during the summer, I am not glad I did it now. Every day felt like it tore open new stitches on emotional wounds that had not yet healed. In my 73 days of CPE, I had contact with over 800 patients, family members and staff. I responded to 42 traumas, 9 heart alert codes, 1 brain attack and 3 death ministries. And I can tell you details about each one. I can still hear the flatline tone from the monitor of the patient who's room I had just walked into. I can still feel the wife's hand turn cold, clammy and fla

Here are my three favorite political ads of this week. Barack Obama's response to McSame's claim that he is a maverick. If maverick means liar and deluded, well... See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die Paris Hilton has a use! Yeah Paris!!! Barack Obama - Change (not a real ad from Obama or Apple.)

This may be blatant plagerism, but I'm posting a copy of this post that a classmate & friend of mine wrote for Bread for the World. Ending Hunger Takes Time by Norma Malfatti When Bread for the World started producing Leaven, a newsletter for Covenant Churches , I was three years old. Almost 30 years have gone by since that first issue and, as I have come to realize after reading sixteen years of hunger facts, bulletin inserts, reflections, activity ideas and so much more, many things have changed. However many things remain the same regarding the plight of poor and hungry people in the world. In 1980 people in developing countries used 85% of their income on food. Today that figure is about 80% - an improvement to be sure, but only a small one, and with the rising food prices and global hunger crisis, that number is rising every day. During the mid-1980s 500 million people were food-insecure and one person died every second from hunger and hunger-related illnesses. Today nearl

I'm in a bit of a funk from CPEeeeek, so please pardon the weak rip offs of quotes of the 60's. I saw the best souls of my class destroyed by sadness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the hospital halls at dawn looking for a happy fix; Angel-hearted chaplains burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the heartache of night. - apologies to Allen Ginsberg's Howl Ask not what your God can do for you - ask what you can do for your God. apologies to John F. Kennedy

I've noticed that ever since I told people that I was going into the ministry, I've been forwarded EVERY religious e-mail they get. I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm tempted to sell all of the addresses to spammers. Sometimes, I get them with comments. Here is an email that I was forwarded by one of my laped Catholic friends. ORIGINAL EMAIL When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! 'The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. If you believe, send it. If you don't believe, delete it. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close. If you need God to open some doors for you...send this to ten people. ...Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing... MY FRIENDS COMMENT (either she was upset, or didn't notice the Caps Lock light

The only thing schlockier than my affinity for the musical stylings of the Man Who Wrote The Songs (except that one) is my delight in the music of Swedish sensations, ABBA. So I am looking forward to the premiere of Mamma Mia!

Twenty-three years ago today, the Live Aid concerts were held. Their goal to feed the starving still goes on, just as it has since Christ commanded his disciples. To continue the fight, visit Bread for the World or ONE.org . Here are some YouTube highlights of the concert. If you don't remember or weren't alive for it, rent the DVD's. You'll have to endure A LOT of British synth-bands, but you'll understand why some bands like U2 & Queen became legends. Queen's set part 1 Queen's set part 2 Queen's set part 3 Queen's set part 4 (Is this the world we've created?) U2 set - Sunday Bloody Sunday U2 set - Bad David Bowie - Heroes Dire Straights (w/ Sting) - Money for Nothing

IT'S BIKE WEEK HERE IN GETTYSBURG. IT'S REALLY COOL TO HEAR ALL OF THOSE MOTORCYCLES REVVING THEIR MOTORS. AND REVVING AND REVVING AND REVVING. I WOULD LIKE THE BATTLE'S CANNON FIRE TO QUIET THINGS DOWN. Maybe I've been doing CPE too long, but when I see motorcyclists riding down the street sans helmets, I'm thinking, "Will they be a level one trauma or level two?" And "Will I be able to find their ID and contact information in the wallet chained to their pants?"

One of the suggestions that my classmates had for me from last week’s mid-term review is to be aware of over-connecting with families and trying to do too much. I’ve taken that to heart, and have developed a new goal. I want to change the world. And I am going to do it. I have read that every time water flows over a rock in a stream, it takes a little piece of the rock away with it, and it leaves a little bit of water behind. Sometimes, the rock is dislodged and travels downstream with the water. Sometimes the rock diverts the water into going somewhere it had never intended. On October 23, 1984, a singer for a moderately successful Irish band watched a BBC news show about the famine in Ethiopia. He decided to try to do something. He wrote a song and made some phone calls to see if some of his friends would be willing to sing on this charity single. They quickly booked a studio and rushed the song our for the British Christmas market. He hoped that it would make £70,000. “Do they know

This is the homily that I delivered on Wednesday during our weekly noon worship service. The devotional that I read today I made up on the drive up from G'burg. When I can (over the weekend) I'll write it up and post it. I think that we can find God everywhere in the world. I think that we can hear God in the voice of friends. I think that we can see God in the actions of those around us. I think God speaks to us in the surroundings and situations that we encounter and face each and everyday of our lives. We only have to keep ourselves open to the message. One of the ways that I have heard God is in music. Songs can contain a message that speaks to everyone differently. Songs can speak to you differently at different times in your life. The combination of word and music form a unique communication method. We hear the language of the lyrics, and can process the message intellectually. We feel the melody and the emotion it carries, and it speaks to our hearts. Their union provid