Prepare Ye

I haven't seen this many signs since I read John's Gospel. THE LTS has had a busy week putting up new uniform directional signs across the Ridge over the past week. Because I am an influential member of the blogosphere, they decided to pander to me by doing two things: ONE - everything refers to this institute at Lutheran Theological Seminary. No location! Now, there is no THE, but we have 24 ways to graffiti it in for the summer Greek hazing, err learning. TWO - the signs are color coordinated to match this blog, and the Coach's alma mater, Alma! Now that my ego trip has ended, it is off to slay more evil projects and papers.

The new and long forgotten power ballad video for Robin Sparkle's has been rediscovered. Robin Sparkles - Sandcastles in the Sand I can't believe Robin & Barney hooked up. HIMYM

I will lead the blind by a road they do not know, by paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them. - Isaiah 42:16 I will be spending the summer here in Pennsylvania going through my Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in central Pennsylvania. CPE is interfaith professional education for ministry. It brings theological students and ministers of all faiths (pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and others) into supervised encounter with persons in crisis. Out of an intense involvement with persons in need, and the feedback from peers and teachers, students develop new awareness of themselves as persons and of the needs of those to whom they minister. From theological reflection on specific human situations, they gain a new understanding of ministry. Within the interdisciplinary team process of helping persons, they develop skills in interpersonal and i

I found this on Andrew Sullivan's The Daily Dish from The Atlantic.com. Like Wintley Phipps, I want to meet Unknown as well.

I'm Batman!

As a student who has taken 20 years off between my bachelor's and master's degree, sometimes I wonder back on how did we do things back in the 80's? I can't ask my pipeliner classmates, most of them would have been soiling themselves around that time. Pop culture references back then, either you got it, or didn't get it. You couldn't google it or find it on YouTube. But since you can now, here are some pop culture references that got into class on the past two days: Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams "I'm Kind of a Big Deal" - Anchorman:The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Brian Wilson by the Barenaked Ladies If you want to find me, I'll be out in the sandbox ... yelling Fun, Fun, Fun

A new theory of salvation is that there is a giant pile of gift certificates of salvation. We have to tell people about it. They have to redeem the certificate (what those criteria are could range from faith to faith + good works, dependent upon your flavor of Christianity). If people choose to redeem their certificates is up to them. Gift certificates are not one per customer. Actually, they're available everywhere at anytime. That's why Judas got one, even if he went to the wrong place to redeem it.

When life gives you lemons, through the power of Christ, turn them into wine. That'll freak 'em out and piss 'em off. >>> --- <<< Remember, you give a blessing by holding up TWO fingers.

From Pray Now at the Church of Scotland . Relationships of Challenge - Abraham and Isaac ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains ...’ - Genesis 22:2 Prayer If love is a good thing, why is it tested? If family is so sacred, why is it hard? If parenting is precious, why is it painful? If you, God, always provide, Why do we sometimes feel we will lose everything? Thinking of Isaac; innocently asking ‘Where is the lamb for the sacrifice?’ We offer our prayers today for vulnerable children In our time, naïve and trusting. Thinking of Abraham; following without question, Acting without hesitation, strangely focused We offer our questions, our doubts and discomfort. Thinking of Jesus; your only son, Given to die because you l

Random Political Thoughts (with a touch of religion) With the already but not yet, have we already won the war in Iraq, but we do not yet realize it? McCain says if our troops leave Iraq, Al Qaeda will declare victory. So what, W declared victory years ago and what did that get us?

Apologies to my hundreds of readers (I've started counting in base two.) Here are a few more Random Seminary Conversations - The Holy Spirit is an active verb. The Holy Spirit is our adviser, advocate, coach, comforter, conscience, consoler, counselor, encourager, helper, intercessor, mediator, mentor, and motivator. We need to be like the Chinese Food Lady in "Dude, Where's My Car?" We need to keep asking "and then." We can never do enough. Do good, and then....