GroshLink

For those of you reflecting upon following Christ in the midst of campus culture, I'd recommend you take a look at 2 essays recently discussed by a group of faculty at CMU:

1. Richard Neuhaus' lecture at Beeson Divinity School on Christ Without Culture, which engages H. Richard Niebuhr's Christ and Culture.
2. Mark Schwehn's The Academic Vocation: "Specialists Without Spirit, Sensualists Without Heart.

Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to join the whole Fleming family in celebration of Larry Fleming's retirement from Grove City College's Accounting Department.  It was a great joy to give testimony to the Fleming family's deep care for students expressed by a years of connection with InterVarsity's work at Grove City College and Cedar Campus.

Now we are joining them in ardent prayer for the healing of Anna, Scott and Nalene Fleming's 3.5 year old daughter, who is currently in Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Earlier this week, she had a tumor the size of a grapefruit removed from her abdomen. That tumor had burst and was malignant. As of right now, Scott and Nalene are waiting to hear what kind of cancer it was and what treatment is going to look like for Anna. You can keep up with Anna day-by-day at this website: http://foranna.wordpress.com/. We ask you over the weekend to join us in approaching the throne of grace as we lift up Anna over meal time, devotional, and bedtime prayers.  In addition, pray for

1. The Father's continued gracious gift of physical strength and discernment for Scott and Nalene as they step forward minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, day-by-day managing the complexities of Anna's care, her attentiveness to details, and the pressures of their regular responsibilities from a perspective shaped by the Word, guided by the Spirit, and enacted in the reality of our fallen world.

2. The People of God to be Christ for the Fleming family during this time of emergency treatment and beyond through the time of recovery . . . providing care, meals, space, and ears to listen. 

3.God’s sustaining work at Rocky Springs PCA, even a deepening of his Presence during a time of dependence upon his power in Fleming family and the lives of the local assembly as a whole.

I just couldn't refrain from commenting on Hospitality: Now and Then. I confess that the thoughts I share are true blog comments, i.e., basically the typing out of verbal processing. But I'd encourage you to take some time to read through McKnight's post and the other comments. This quote from Peggy led me to prayer and affirmed our family's commitment to walk alongside young families seeking direction/encouragement/support: Hospitality, in the era of the nuclear family, is almost impossible when your children are young and you have no family nearby. All my time is taken up in surviving … there is little left over for ministry at church, much less hospitality. More to share, but it will have to be later as our families are in the midst of hosting.

Almost forgot, I focus on Arlene Miller's Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing in my first comment and also check out the related post at Women Authors: Christine Pohl.

This question came up at our faculty conference in relationship to where we place our longing, desire, hope, security . . . in what we find our greatest joy/satisfaction.  Tuesday's email from www.wqotw.org reminded me of this conversation and I took some time trolling their archives for some clear definitions of and insights into worship.  I found the below quotes of greatest value with regard to this topic: 

1. Ralph Martin's brief etymological tracing of WEORTHSCIPE to WORTHSHIP to WORSHIP ("to attribute worth" to an object).
2.  D.A. Carson's strong definition. 
3. our response to what we value most, Louie Giglio
4.  consciousness of God, Patrick Kavanaugh
5. the contrast with idolatry by Marva Dawn and Noel Due

Here's a slightly explanded list of quotes, with references, which I found of particular interest at www.wqotw.org:

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Wish I had the opportunity to visit Yale this summer, but I'm not going to pass up my road trip to Engaging the University: Student Mission and the Christian Mind at Tyndale Seminary, Toronto.  But as I read End of Memory, I can imagine having an edifying conversation with Miroslav Volf (systematic theologian and Director of Yale Center for Faith and Culture) and Lamin Sanneh (historian and missiologist), while catching a glimpse of Indiana Jones teaching and then escaping those seeking his life.

If only Sean Connery could be convinced to come out of retirement to reprise his role as Professor Henry Jones. Hard for me to imagine Harrison Ford in action, seems like his day is done and I liked the way Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade wrapped up the series, but maybe Spielberg can resurrect both the actor and the series.

At our Pittsburgh reception on Sunday, I chatted w/the Beidemans, fellow Grovers and former IVCF staff, with regard to strategy games for kids with some chance/randomness to provide a leveling factor across kids of close age (they have 2 boys, ages 10 and 7). The family already enjoys Carcassonne and Settlers of Catan.  In addition, they were looking for what GCF-ers termed Das Flicky Game.  I introduced them to Cartagena and recommended Bohnanza (a favorite of mine) and Lost Cities.  On Monday I emailed our game master friends for advise.  From the Great North, Mike shared the following (note: to research these games and more, go to Board Game Geek):

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In an age of increasing diversity and stronger calls for tolerance, we are further and further from knowing the stories of the people with whom our paths cross only once in a lifetime or daily.  Instead, we converse more and more only with those with whom we share particular interests, becoming pot bound as our roots circle in on themselves.  Even online, we search the vastness for someone who, from what we can tell from his or her Facebook profile or site membership or blog, has something in common with ourselves.  It is natural to seek out kindred spirits, but it seems that such seeking should be balanced with a vulnerability to chance encounters, to mystery, and yes, even to embarrassment and disappointment. -- Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma, "Don’t talk to me about...anything" in catapult magazine

As I mine through over 125 messages (which I didn't get to while I was at Faculty Conference 07), the above quote caught my attention and reminded me that Christ Jesus, by the Spirit of God, leads us into relationship beyond ourself to the Other (i.e., the Father) AND through the Other to true relationship with others (i.e., the intentional community of the People of God and those with whom we labor in sowing the seeds of faith). 

The opportunity to spend a week at Faculty Conference 07 with 80+ brothers-and-sisters in Christ from a wide geographic, disciplinary, and age range is a Kingdom event and a great blessing.  When reflecting upon our time on Sunday with partners-in-ministry from Pittsburgh (special thank-you to Allegheny Center CMA for hosting), it comes to my attention that many of the friendships around the room (alum from CMU, alum from Pitt, friends from Allegheny Center CMA) began from scratch . . . slowly, awkwardly, mysteriously, but over time have taken root and by God's grace are but a small step into an eternity in which to flower (and flourish). 

Join me today in loving God and loving our neighbor (even within our family, those with whom we are most familar; even those who we term the other and by instinct distrust) w/abandon, to the glory of God and without concern for self, reputation, future. 

But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. -- Isaiah 43: 1-2

Yesterday, it was a great blessing to be with friends in Pittsburgh at Allegheny Center CMA, some pics are posted at Trip to/from Cedar Campus). During our time together Ernie Frederick, a IVCF-Pitt alum from the 1950s who received his call to ministry while at Cedar Campus (the conference site from which our family was just returning after a week encouraging/equiping faculty), led a time of prayer for our family and ministry.   (More)

We have family legends to share regarding our trip to and from Cedar Campus. For starters, here's some pics of

1. Hayley and Ellen taking turns steering a motor boat (great prep for their time in a motor boat at Cedar Campus and in a jet boat on their trip to Mackinaw Island w/Theresa) at a BP customer appreciation day (an excellent idea considering the cost of fuel) at which we learned about semi-twins (twins which are not fraternal, w/fraternal being defined as one being a girl and one being a boy, and not identical, of course) from a semi-twin as we received our hand-dipped ice cream.

 

2. BRONNER'S CHRISTmas WONDERLAND. The other year we hit Sea Shell City. We couldn't pass up the tourist World's Largest Christmas Store and the opportunity to drive through Frankenmuth, MI.

3. And what may be an annual deja vu playing on the swing set which Carl built at 3366 Parkview Ave and having lunch w/neighbor friends.

4. The memories are still being made. Libby told me it was a good thing I brought my laptop as I wouldn't have anything to do. While the younger girls are in bed, I believe the older ones are shedding tears over Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front AND we still have 2 days to go!

 That's right, pray as preparations are already in motion for a gathering which will include a number of helpful resource people for the equipping and encouraging of faculty as they seek to be redeeming influences in Higher Education, including  Dallas Willard and Kelly Monroe Kullberg, for more go to http://www.facultyconference.org/.  W/regard to faculty conference 07, I have some pics posted at http://groshlink.net/album/07-faculty-conference and reflections on In Thy Light We See Light:  Theological Acuity and Academic Vocation will come after we return from our road trip.  Pray for our safe travel and time with friends (tonight w/Libby, tomorrow with Toby at the Seigfrieds, and Sunday with our friends from Allegheny Center CMA and the wider Pittsburgh area).

Heading out to Cedar Campus for Faculty Conference 07. Pray for safe travel, helpful conversations regarding vocation, the girls to be well occupied on the road and at Cedar, and good connections with friends in Ohio and Pittsburgh which we'll see while we're on the road.  Don't worry, updates will be come from afar.

It's been awhile in coming, but here's some more notes from Urbana's Open for Business, previous posts include Urbana . . . Welcome, Open for Business (OfB), Urbana 06 CSB Porridge.  Hopefully these brief notes will encourage you to go to Open for Business for audios of the plenaries:

What is Business as Mission (BAM) versus just business from a Christian perspective? (Panel)
-Global, expanding the Kingdom of God (KOG)
-New kids on the block, uphold the dignity of our individual clients through micro-loans, motivated by Christ's call to serve the core; triple bottom line looking for wholistic transformation
-Diversity: race/gender and every relationship you have recognizing people are different; everybody is BAM
-Social entrepeneurship in order to advance the KOG
-All panelists agreed: the involvement of the KOG

Workplace as Ministry Movement critiques the vocational hiercharcy: evangelist, pastor, missionary, nurse/doctor/teacher, businessperson, lawyer . . . is there a new hierarchy being created?
-No. Obey God's calling for our lives, each one of us will take another path. Not just that of our parents or our society
-We've confused skills/talents with personal spiritual gifts. The engineer at Boeing can be a gifted evangelist at the workplace. Train/cultivate

Is business a calling or any work/career one part of my calling?
-Not so much what exactly is the calling, but how committed are we to the calling? Yes, business in itself business can be a calling or a specific aspect of a calling. Both/and rather than either/or.

What's the next step for a college grad with a BA?
-Go into business or a dump? Be used by God where He wants you to be. Listen to what God is doing in our lives. Look for the vacant spot. Get on with what God is putting in your place, where you find true joy.
-Lord you can do whatever you want with my life.
-Bono insight: The biggest lesson he learned was not to ask for blessing on what he's doing, but to go where God is already going.

When we engage in production of goods/services, we are getting close to the gates of hell. We operate in a grey zone. Are we producing goods/services as far as possible adding benefit to people's lives. Materialism is a personal choice.

What's the role of your Christian community in helping you decide and live out your calling in business?
-Wisdom of your elders, direction, sometimes its only you and your God alone through Word and prayer, many Christians in the workplace movement
What about the failure of a Christian business?
-Take more risk as we already have identity.  Non-Christians look at how we respond to failure
-Regarding financial needs of employees, give clear communication, be honest without giving away company secrets. Sometimes managers need to advise people to move on, be aware of family needs.
-Pastoral support for BAM professionals. Invite clergy and laity to have conversation, e.g., Ezra and Nehemiah. Priest, Prophet, and King. Let's work together to usher in the KOG.  A tough gap. More pastors need to be aware of the workplace movement. No great answers, but a great desire.
-Partnering with a local church because one of our interests is the transformation of the donor community by traveling to developing contexts.

 With some extra time this morning, Theresa happened upon the newly opened Fractured Prune (note: even the chain site doesn't have them listed as open), right next to the Elizabethtown AmTrak station on High Street. For made to order options click here -- how about the Sundae Glaze / Nut / Mini Chips?

If I have the story right, Theresa was going to try one out for us, but they gave her a free OC Sand honey glaze, cinnamon suggar and it was too good to be true and she brought a 1/2 dozen home for us to divide and conquer.

Initial reviews, These are good donuts, I have 2 more to try . . . I have one more (donut) to taste . . . Dad, quick you better eat lunch to get your dessert!. Looks like Conewago Coffee already has some in town competition which opens much earlier 6am rather than 9:30am). We'll see if it carries on like Rita's, struggles along like the Etown Diner, or goes the way of the Hardees (happy to have missed those days).

Theresa saw the Scharmers on-site. Wonder how Seattle's Best Coffee compares to Dunkin Donuts? I'll have to get over to breakfast sometime on my own to get a fresh hot donut made to order.

Taking advantage of the first night of summer vacation and a promise of a clear night, Hayley, Ellen and I camped out last night on top of our sand mound, not because of any special affinity for our sandmound, but just because our backyard is essentially all sandmound. Some of you faithful blog watchers may recall reading about our last camping adventure, in the woods, on the "family" farm. Suffice it to say, that adventure was ill-fated from the start. This one held much more promise. My mom and dad recently bought a "fire pit"; I don't know what it's called. It's a metal drum contraption on legs that you use in your "outdoor living" environment. One can make a wood fire in it and roast marshmallows or grill. So they wheeled that over and we made smores. We kept Eden up late so that she could wear, I mean eat, one. Then of course H and E were too excited to settle until I finally went to bed with them. I think they fell asleep around 9:45pm. And were up at 5:50am. Normally they sleep from 8pm-6:30/7am. Grandpa was already over here when we awoke, getting the fire going again to cook pancakes and bacon. Pancakes cooked in bacon grease over an open fire, smothered in real maple syrup are sufficient to make you forget any rocks you slept on top of the previous night. By 7:15am breakfast was over and we were cleaning up! How did this camp out compare to the last one?

1. It didn't storm. Therefore, we remained in the tent all night.
2. No flat tires.
3. Indoor plumbing was conveniently only a few feet away. My dad did suggest bypassing the indoor plumbing on account of our proximity to the sandmound, but I decided against that.
4. No one sleeping next to me was suffering from a hacking cough.
5. No one threw up in the middle of the night.

You be the judge. Check out our new file of 07 summer pics, which at this time are mostly of this adventure.

A great first day at The Amish in America: New Identities and Diversities, hosted by The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College.  To name a few things:

1. connected with GCC alum Loyal Hall (2000).  We had the opportunity to chat about urban ministry (he lives in Lebanon, PA), share pictures of our kids, and set-up a lunch appointment for tomorrow.

2. attended the first screening of the new documentary Amish Backroads to Heaven which had the most direct footage of Amish which I've seen and significant interview time with Don Kraybill, Elizabethtown College, and Steve Nolt, Goshen College.

3. talked with the director of Amish Backroads to Heaven and I'm in the process of securing a copy of Amish Backroads to Heaven to share at the upcoming faculty conference.

You never outgrow the need to preach to yourself the Gospel . . . He has not destined you for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for you so that whether you wake or sleep you will live with him (I Thessalonians 5:9-10) . . . Do not try to be strong in your own strength.  It will not be there when you need it.  Only one strength will be there when you need it.  The strength that God gives according to the Gospel.  Don't put it off.  -- John Piper

Amen.  Watch the whole Six Minutes (thank-you for the forward Miller). It's the Gospel and a testimony to the power of it by one who has been touched it.  I have comments on the Gospel and the power of it in relationship to my own life.  But those thoughts will have to wait as I'm currently immersed in Why should I consider pursing an academic vocation? for the Emerging Scholars Network and must stay focused as I'm trying to complete the six session draft today before attending The Amish in America: New Identities and Diversities at The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College, for the remainder of the week. Pray for the grace to find a good stopping point, to let go, and to receive feedback.