GroshLink

A proposition: If your beliefs are any good, you needn’t be afraid to bring them out into the light. The proof: “The Mormons,” a thoughtful two-part series tonight and tomorrow on PBS.  The tenets of the Mormon church may not be to everyone’s tastes, but the church members and leaders who speak in this program are admirably forthright about their religion’s history, strengths and challenges. It’s great to hear people who believe in something and can articulate it without sounding crazy or defensive. -- Modern-Day Look at History of the Latter-Day Saints

I'll be watching tonight. Would be helpful for me to continue to learn more as The Church of Latter Day Saints has significant emphasis on campus ministry and I regularly pass by their office in Elizabethtown, which has door-to-door in town. I'm sure, I'll have opportunity for conversation in the coming months. We had regular interactions in Pittsburgh as both IVCF and the Church of Latter Saints are part of the InterFaith Council. Maybe you might also find it of interest to tune-in and let me know your thoughts.  Check out the PBS page at The Mormons.

The brothers Darrenkamp listen ... buy E-town store . . . Yeah! Our sources had been talking about this for months. Could it be that their voices were among those heard and were part of the decision making process? Business follows public demand, but will there be enough? We'll do our best to support the new local store, gas pumps, and cafe/buffet take-out (?), which will be the closest providers of these necessities, except for the 19 cent lb bananas on Tuesday at the Melon Man across the street. It's a great piece, here's a paragraph regarding the son of the store's founder, more about the route at The brothers Darrenkamp listen ... buy E-town store:

Now Jerry and his wife, Jane, 75, are retired, but they still help with the business. Jane stuffs more than 600 paychecks every Thursday morning, and Jerry travels the southern end of the county in an old step van two to three days a week, peddling food to about 150 Amish families. "He just loves it," said Larry . . .

Millions of film lovers around the world will get a glimpse of the magic beauty of river Soca, often called the emerald river, as parts of "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" are to be filmed in Slovenia . . . for a brief report, see Parts of Disney's Chronicles of Narnia to Be Shot in Slovenia.  See you in the theatre in just over 1 year (5/16/2008), vote with your ticket or is it all about the money in Hollywood (caught in this conversation regarding The Kong and the Lion, Make Narnia #1 this weekend, and Narnia Sneak Peek).  Nothing like the conversation, hopefully headed in helpful direction, regarding Christians being a market niche.

Also, news that Michael Apted, who most recently helmed Amazing Grace, the film about William Wilberforce, will pick-up the Narnia series with the third chapter, Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Previous Narnia posts include:

Worthy is the Lamb: Revelation 5:1-14
Caspian becoming a reality
Disney's Narnia . . . entering the Wardrobe
Narnia Film's Susan Interviewed
Science Fiction, myth, Tom's favorites?

Time for me to write posts on C.S. Lewis, beyond Space Trilogy Ramblings.  When will I get to it?  Anyone have interest?  Anyone have a particular question? 

Not sure what category to place this in, but I came across a list of how to get to a real human when talking to a computer for lots of different companies when browsing a CMU alum's blog.  Very helpful, thank-you for the info!  Wish we would have had time to chat at the IVCF-CMU reunion, next time.

Last week, the speech therapist observed that Eden has many nouns, but not many verbs and adjectives. She does a lot of imitating, although the words aren't very clear. Most of the day is spent with babies and reading books. What joy to be a two year old!

So, during baby play, we're to bring out verbs like feeding, patting, burping, changing, dressing, etc. When reading, we're to continue to introduce new books, Theresa picked up five new ones at the library today, and talk about verbs, i.e., what is going on in the book.

New words to add to the list include:

ah-ga (all gone)
ba (banana)
bye (very clear)
br (bread)
coo (coat, revised from kee)
ga (glasses)
gr (girl)
hi
huh-wo (hello)
my baby
truck
wo (home)
Previous posts on Eden's verbage include:

Eden's Symmetry
Eden's words

We rejoice with the Bowersox family.  By God's grace, they are home.  For an update go to http://bowersoxfamily.blogspot.com/index.html. 

Earlier posts include:

10th Reunion and more
Bowersox family prayers

However, Biblical Christians - whether mourning the Virginia Tech massacre or daily repenting or clinging to Jesus for life and breath - hold to "the theology of the cross:" that it is only in the weakness and foolishness of the cross that the Lord helps us (1 Corinthians 1:21-30); through small things like bread and wine, water, words, men - in other words, the Means of Grace: Holy Communion, Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, Holy Bible, Holy Ministry, Holy Church. "The theology of the cross" focuses on what the Lord does; as the Creed confesses: he creates, he saves, and he sanctifies us. But the Lord does not deal with us as he did with ancient Israel, with armies and by direct revelation. Rather, he deals with us, the New Israel, mediately in weak sinful pastors and through his Means of Grace. -- excerpt from Rev. Eric Andrae, On Glory, Suffering, and the Cross.

In addition to the earlier materials posted at Virginia Tech Update: IVCF, I commend to you the above essay and others found at Christ on Campus:  Special Edition: Virginia Tech as we continue to pray for the students, faculty, administrators, and family members (close and far away) as they return to their daily rhythm with a deeper awareness of continual struggle with the evil that is within each of us and reminds us of our need for the grace of God.

I can't articulate it yet, note: there many times are no words for the mysterious work of the Spirit, but I was deeply moved by the time of worship that our family experienced with the Body of Christ last night. It touched roots of faith that extend beyond our short lives to the work of God among sinners across the ages who have come to him At the Cross and continue to find Him their Vision until they Fly Away with Him. More later, as I find words to express my experience/thoughts which almost kept me up all night praising God in song . . . let me know if the Spirit has likewise moved you by the hymns of the faith. Would love to read your stories.  -- from 12/1/05 post The Sparks. 

Recently, Scott McKnight posted on singing/music as I spiritual discipline. Since a meeting with my spiritual director last week, this has been a topic I've been considering. Why? Because of the power of the psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in my life, not just in assembled worship, but in daily life.  I find praying through and singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs a regular reminder of my direction as a follower of Christ and at many times an overflow of gratitude for the grace of God by which I am filled and surrounded.  See Ephesians 5:18b-20, Colossians 3:15-17, and Psalm 19.  By-the-way, I find this the case despite of my lack of ability to lead or read music with any proficiency . . .

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Rob Gagnon has recently posted another helpful piece for those seeking discernment with regard to homosexuality: Rowan Williams’ Wrong Reading of Romans. He has a number of articles posted on-line.

Update: Please join me in prayer on this Sunday for many to choose the TBA Alternative Game Night over the annual TBA pornographic film at CMU (note: more prep time as the date was pushed back from Easter Sunday).  Rejoice in the continued growth of a new, countercultural tradition on campus.  FYI:  Some notes from last year's coversation posted at CMU Pornography Conversation Continues and check out the article on the Harvard group which promotes abstinence

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4/22  TBA Alternative Game Night
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In response to the annual pornographic film shown on CMU campus, a collection of campus organizations (including InterVarsity, Muslim Student Association, and others) have organized an alternative game night on campus.  It is completely free!

When: 7-11pm on Sunday
Where: UC
What: Video & board games, free pizza and ice cream in Kirr Commons (black chairs in the UC) Also an interactive table to raise awareness about sex trafficking at the value of human beings in Wean Commons, UC
Who: Anyone!

Praise God! IVCF Students at UW-Superior Win Re-recognition.  Good news is also coming from other campuses at which we've had issues. Continue to pray for God's leading, direction, and sustaining grace for our ministry in Higher Education.

Came across a 30 minute interview of Dr. Paul Zahl, Dean and President of Trinity Episcopal School for the Ministry, on The History & Teachings of Christianity. A great encouragement for the People of God as we seek to follow Christ today. Hope to pick-up a copy of Zahl's new book some time in the coming months: 2000 Years of Amazing Grace: The Story and Meaning of the Christian Faith The Christianity Primer. May God continue to bless His work through Trinity Episcopal School for the Ministry. 

Note: After Zahl, continue to listen as Where is God in Catastrophe & Disaster? with Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, Hope Lutheran Church  Aurora, CO, comes right afterward.  You can find an essay by him on this topic posted here.

For IVCF's response to the situation at Virginia Tech, go to http://www.intervarsity.org/studentsoul/item/virginia-tech  Please join us in prayer for and grieving with the campus, students, administrators, and campus ministries/local congregations.  In case you haven't already heard the NPR piece One Pastor's Prayer Vigil, I'd encourage you to listen to it.  If you're not familiar with Matt Rogers, you might have interest in checking out New Life Christian Ministry and his piece Divine Complication.  In addition, a powerful interview featuring a friend in campus ministry, Rev. Eric Andrae of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, PA, along with Rev. Marcus Zill of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church & Campus Center in Laramie, WY, can be found at http://kfuo.org/ie_main.htm under Hour 1, Tuesday, April 17, A Campus Pastor's Perspective on the Virginia Tech Shootings. The piece runs from about 5:50-22:47.  And Walt Mueller, a friend in youth ministry in Lancaster, has a helpful word to share Resting in what I know. . . .

Note:  Virginia Tech's website  has been transformed into a somber memorial, including a link to yesterday's service.  It is good to see they have chosen to cancel classes this week, hope the media doesn't abuse it to provide nonstop coverage for the remainder of the week. 

Continuing to yearn and pray for the Son of Man and the City of God to descend from the heavens.

The basement is moving along with the office slowly being organized and a downstairs bathroom in working order.  We have a fair amount of work to do with the family room before Karen, Theresa's sister, arrives with the boys in late June.   But we'll make it with the tile for the back door area and the sink countertop ready to pick-up, the IKEA floor ready to snap together, the drywall ready to tape/spackle, the lighting ready to purchase, the ceiling tiles, the paint, the entertainment area, the basement furniture . . . ok, lets do one thing at a time.  Email us if you'd like to help us move along.  We'd love to have you over for a work day  

Here's the bathroom and a before/after weekend pic of the family room, more toward the bottom of this page.

 

Looking to catch-up with my tech support at the IVCF-CMU reunion on Saturday, came across the below piece at David Koyzis' blog 

Ever think about which Church Father you're most like?  I have and a friend on IVCF's Graduate and Faculty Ministry staff passed along a link to help me out, with disclaimer it was weird (I'd rather say it's a little too short to be accurate).  I came out as Origen, but the description wasn't quite right so I tried the quiz again and now I'm Justin Martyr-like.  I can live with that   But Theresa couldn't even finish the quiz as she couldn't find answers to agree with for several of the questions.  Well there's some of the difference in our personalities/perspectives.  Let me know how you turn out and whether you agree with the findings . . . Note:  I'm not hip on Staying in my cell in anticipation of it teaching you everything. Some comments on the desert fathers in a future posting.

You’re St. Justin Martyr! You have a positive and hopeful attitude toward the world. You think that nature, history, and even the pagan philosophers were often guided by God in preparation for the Advent of the Christ. You find “seeds of the Word” in unexpected places. You’re patient and willing to explain the faith to unbelievers. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

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AI: A View from the Inside (Mike Bowling, 10/01)

Note: written for the Graduate Christian Fellowship's (GCF) vocation project (VP).  Now that the GCF site has been taken down, over time I'll post the pieces for your blessing.  Thank-you to all the alum who participated in this work.  Alumni friends, I would love to have to hear your current thoughts on your vocation.  Maybe we can have that conversation at the alumni reunion on April 21.  We'll have a 9am breakfast at the Seigfrieds, a 1pm reception most probably at the Adamson Wing, and a 6pm dinner at the Moores.  Email me for more details if you haven't received an invitation by email.  Current GCF activities can be found at http://www.u-connectpgh.org

Preliminaries¹

I'm not a philosopher. I'm not a historian. I have no intent on adding to the extensive discussion on the philosophic underpinnings or historical development of artificial intelligence (AI). There's enough good stuff that I need not say anything, and enough bad stuff that I dare not. What I do hope to contribute is a view from the inside. I am a Christian. I am also a doctoral student in the field of AI. I've been doing research for eight years, in the areas of computer vision, machine learning, robotics, and game theory. I also have the scandalous confession that I'm an AI pessimist as I believe many closet researchers are. Although I seek to push the cutting edge, I often consider the entire enterprise somewhat shaky.

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Eden just came back with her new pair of glasses, to address a slight near-sightedness, her left eye being a little worse.  Pray Eden to adjust well to this new feature of her care.  If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

 April 13, 1742: Handel's famous oratorio Messiah [note: not The Messiah] premieres in Dublin's Fishamble Street Musick Hall and is met with critical praise. -- source This Week in Christian History. 

Although many times associated with Advent, first performed for Easter (and what a joy to have pieces incorporated over the past 2 weeks at our local congregation which ended our Easter service with the Hallelujah Chorus).  David Lyle Jeffrey has an excellent piece regarding Sawyer's The Fifth Gospel: Isaiah in the History of Christianity in which he includes a part regarding John Newton's use of the text in a sermon series.

After having the opportunity to hear Baruch Maoz present on Passover and Jesus - a Jewish Christian's Point of View, on Good Friday (great work InterVarsity Dickinson Christian Fellowship, John Newton Center, The Christian Legal Society of the Penn State Dickinson School of Law!), I desire even more to dig into the relationship between the prophetic anticipation of the Messiah and the fulfillment in the coming of our Lord Jesus. At present, enjoying the presentation of Handel's Messiah by Minnesota Public Radio.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Fur unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

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College Administrator’s Dual Roles Are a Focus of Student Loan Inquiry brings a former CMU administrator into the news and has a current one clarifying a number of details.

Note: for more see the NY Times' earlier piece Federal Official in Student Loans Held Loan Stock. On a previous post I commented that the story speaks for itself. But that's not entirely true as the web of relationships and dealings in our highly connected, competitive, and financially focused culture which gives rise and advancement of such busineses is not simple.  But their direction and intentions many times speak for themselves. Pray for followers of Christ to have redemptive influence in this area.

When I was first invited to join in the Transforming Community experience, I thought the description "Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership" was a bit of an oxymoron. I could imagine strengthening the "mind" of my leadership, but where did this soul thing fit into leadership?

You see, I come from the intellectual world and that world has always been my comfort zone. -- take a few minutes to read A Heart of Stone to a Heart of Flesh: Experiencing Transformation in Community, a brief piece by InterVarsity's Tom Boyle, Director of Staff Development and Training.

What a joy to read this testimony to the work of God in the heart of an IVCF ntellectual. Personally, I've found a number of the materials provided by the The Transforming Center and written by Ruth Hayley Barton to walk, maybe I should say breathe, in/through Christ.

Keeping our focus on the resurrection, here's what Scot McKnight posted on Easter morning.  Take some time with me to return to this passage:  I Corinthians 15 connects resurrection and redemption more profoundly than anywhere else in the Bible. He became what we are so we could become what he is; our union with Christ ushers us into the resurrection. Here’s a scriptural reading for Easter morning:

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

There is a remarkable image in the closing pages of Scripture that has become a touchstone for the way my colleagues and I think about faith and culture. Amid its descriptions of the New Jerusalem, Revelation includes "the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations" (Rev. 22:2). The tree holds out hope that whole cultures will be healed and mended, becoming places where people can flourish. And it sets an agenda for faith as a way of life that contributes to that flourishing, in anticipation, here and now.

Too often, however, Christian faith neither mends the world nor helps human beings thrive. To the contrary, it seems to shatter things into pieces, to choke what's new and beautiful before it has chance to take root, to trample underfoot what's good and true . . . (The Church's Great Malfunctions)

Miroslav Volf, a native of Croatia who by the grace of God lived by faith through the crisis of the former Yugoslavia and currently serves as a theologian at Yale Divinity School, has much to share about resurrection living with a vision toward the completion of the coming age when the city of God comes down from heaven to earth.  A few months ago, his compelling work on forgiveness became a focus of conversation at our small group: 

-Miroslav Volf: Religious commitment that promotes peace, not violence (A Calvin's Institute of Worship resource page with a great introduction to Volf and a number of practical examples and next steps in reconciliation/forgiveness/peace)
-The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World (2006)
-Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace (2006), Archbishop of Canterbury Lenten book for 2006
-Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation (1996)

So for those of us with regular conversations regarding The Church's Great Malfunctions, let's take some time to meditate and reflect upon this piece written for the Christian Vision Project . . .

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As you've probably noted by the volume of postings regarding the Anabaptist movement (e.g., Power of Forgiveness Preview, Lessons of Love, From the Buggy to the Byte, Amish Enterprise: From Plows to Profits, Bush Fever: Amish & Old Order Mennos in the 2004 Presidential Election), I've taken advantage of a number of the offerings provided by Elizabethtown College's Young Center

Over the course of the past several weeks, I've had brief conversations with Ron Burwell, Messiah College's Sociology Department chair and coordinator of the Brethren-in-Christ Profile (note:  overall I'm excited about the findings), and Musa Mambla, Provost of Theological College of Northern Nigeria who gave a presentation on the relationship of Muslims and Christians in Nigeria (Praise God for the choice of the path of reconciliation/forgiveness by the followers of Christ!). I blessed to learn that they both have positive connections with IFES/IVCF which extend back a long way. Looking forward to following-up with them.  I'm meeting with Don Kraybill, the Senior Fellow of the Young Center later today. Pray for opportunities for partnership to emerge.  Hoping to arrange a presentation series by him in Pittsburgh on the Amish, Forgiveness, and From the Buggy to the Byte (at CMU).  Maybe I should encourage book discussions of his recently updated The Upside-Down Kingdom on campus and as part of Adult Education. Upon a quick review, the new discussion questions at the back of the book and the on-line study guide appear to be quite helpful.

Hard to read about how some have become involved in the the business of Higher Education . . . Federal Official in Student Loans Held Loan Stock. The story speaks for itself. Pray for followers of Christ to have redemptive influence in this area.