GroshLink

Surreal experience the other day . . . on the way into the Elizabethtown Public Library (PA) I saw a poster of a local media personality holding up a copy of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. While checking out, I saw a huge banner for The One Book, One Community: Our Region Reads Campaign focusing on The Curious Incident behind the librarian's desk.

You may remember, a faculty friend passed along a copy of The Curious Incident to me awhile ago and I didn't get beyond commenting upon it on a post by Theresa in which she shared her thoughts on Born on a Blue Day: A Memoir by Daniel Tammet. Well, the time has come, I mean will come. I need to pull it off the shelf, if it's unpacked, and remind myself of some sections. How are these books chosen? I was tempted to express interest in the selection committee, but I am creating boundaries/prioritizing.  By-the-way, I received a buy 1 sandwhich, get one free coupon at Isaac's for having read the book . . . the benefits of reading ;-) Hope I'm available for the upcoming library conversation.

Great to read of the New life for sciences. One can visit F&M's own description of The new Life Sciences & Philosophy Building which will bring together three distinctive departments--Biology, Psychology, and Philosophy--and two interdisciplinary programs--Biological Foundations of Behavior, and Scientific and Philosophical Studies of Mind--reinforcing an established environment of interdisciplinary collaboration that mirrors the finest practices in scientific inquiry today here. I've enjoyed getting to know Michael Murray, a follower of Christ, chair of the philosophy department, and an active member of the project. Pray for insight for Michael and others to not only take advantage of the new resource to provide excellence in research and teaching, but also through the interdisciplinary programs give testimony to how the mind has been shaped by God, to be used to the honor of his glory.

Earlier on Wednesday three women, identified as Ahn Hye-jin, 31, Lee Jung-ran, 33, and 34-year-old Han Ji-young, were handed over to representatives of the Red Cross.

Hours later five more hostages -- four women and one man -- were freed by their Taliban captors in Afghanistan, according to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent . . . Under the terms of the agreement, South Korea agreed to stick by its previous decision to withdraw its 200 non-combat troops from Afghanistan, which work mostly in an engineering and medical capacity. In addition, Seoul promised to halt all Christian missionary work in Afghanistan. -- Eight South Korean hostages freed, CNN.

Praise God for the release of the captives! Pray for God's healing in their lives, their family's lives, and in the captors' lives. May the word and action of the former hostages (and may they all be released in the near future as promised) speak the Gospel to their captors, their friends, and a watching world.  Yesterday, I read Future Contingency- highlighting Philip Jenkins' new piece God's Continent: Christianity, Islam, and Europe's Religious Crisis. Looks to be well worth the read, as most of Jenkins' work and pertinent to conversation reading the conflict of faith. (More)

On Sunday, Pastor Bob Ives preached on Mark 7:1-23 focusing on Tradition and Church. During the introduction, he described how ritual and tradition builds group solidarity (e.g., worship on Sunday in tie or dress reading from the NIV), but must give room for the spirit to work. Jesus, echoing the words of Isaiah, came head to head with the cleansing rituals which cleaned the outside, but did not recognize the heart as what needs to keep God's commands. Christ's teaching's bring salvation freely, an undeserved grace . . . not a list of do's and don'ts. He urged us to beware of substitutes for a relationship with God whether tradition (or on the other extreme popular culture).

What pollutes a person isn't what one swallows, but what comes out of a person. And Jesus brought healing to a leper (Mk 1:41), the unclean (5:27), sinners (2:15), Gentiles (7:24ff). In Mark 7:20-23, he commented: What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' Bob shrewdly noted, each time one sins in a particular area, the slower one's resistance the next time [as one becomes more comfortable with the particular sin]. Using the picture of My Heart's Christ Home, don't come forward to be part of a ritual, but open up the smelly hall closet for Jesus' cleansing. There is nothing like the washed feeling of Jesus coming through all the rooms of one's life.

Yes, My Heart's Christ Home! Afterward, I referred to this powerful picture in our Sunday morning fellowship group time on prayer and at a morning breakfast with some guys from our local assembly. Later in the morning I took time to dwell upon the new, expanded edition (1986) with the picture of an open door on the cover.  When Ellen and Hayley returned from a great 1st day of school, I pulled off the shelf the kids' version for our debrief and setting direction for the coming year.

Our inner beings were strengthened (Ephesians 3:16-17), as the Spirit of God examined the study of our minds (i.e., the control room of the house), the dining room of appetites and desires, the living room of daily Word/prayer, the workroom of the gifts and talents given for the Kingdom of God, the Rec room relationships/entertainment, the bedroom of marriage/family, and the dark, smelly hall closets of death. Personally over the course of the last day I have returned again and again to the importance of transferring the house's title to the Savior, living as a servant taking care of his creation (Thomas B. Grosh IV created in the image of God to be His child) and I had this conversation with the Ellen and Hayley.

As this new term begins, not only are our kids returning to school, but I too recommit to the School of Christ, the daily walk in the Presence of God.

Come Lord Jesus make yourself known in all aspects of my life, family, neighborhood, campus ministry, and beyond. Shape me more into your image that I might be a blessing to others, bringing to life one more shard of the Kingdom of God here on earth in anticipation of the full coming of the heavenly city. Cast out all anxiety and fear of keeping step with the spirit, by the crucifixion of my sinful nature and the bearing of that against which there is no law: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-25).

Not only does school open for Ellen and Hayley at Donegal Springs Elementary, but on many colleges and university across the country a new academic year begins.  How in touch are you with new generation of collegians?  Browse to BELOIT COLLEGE'S MINDSET LIST® FOR THE CLASS OF 2011. For a taste of what those born in 1989 understand the world, how about

1. What Berlin Wall?
2. Humvees, minus the artillery, have always been available to the public.
3. They have grown up with bottled water.
53. Tiananmen Square is a 2008 Olympics venue, not the scene of a massacre.
66. The World Wide Web has been an online tool since they were born.

Please destroy any letters or anything I have written.
— to Picachy, April 1959 

Could Time and the Church have the integrity to respect Mother Theresa's wishes?  I've wondered about the release of journals and supervisor coorespondence after one's death, possibly more difficult (or on the other hand financially advantageous) for those with family and children.  What constitutes private, sacred dialogue?  What personal, spiritual conversations does one have verbally and in written form when they may very well become public? One must burn one's own materials, which some have done, and be willing to investigated to one's honor and/or critique.  Yet each person and institutional structure must take responsibility for their action.  I chose to read the piece.  While meditating upon it, I prayed for the Father's Presence to be with me and enable me to follow Jesus every step of the way in all aspects of my life. 

Related piece Blogging vs. Journaling 

[Update 8/29/07 Brief NY Times Op-Ed A Saint’s Dark Night by James Martin, Jesuit priest and the author of My Life With the Saints.

After receiving our ministry update, Byron Borger of Hearts and Minds Bookstore passed along his enthusiasm for our work and shared the following resources:

The blog the other day told of my speaking to faculty at Geneva, and at least one book I touted, there. The next one was the “Top Ten Worldview Books” biblio that I passed out to them. Soon, I will post the “Top Ten Books on Christian Scholarship” and then, the “Top Ten Books on Christians in the University” lists. Stay tuned, and spread the word!

I’d encourage you to check out his blog. Well worth it, a number of superb pieces to consider for your Fall term reading list.  You'll note the overlap with some of the books I've highlighted:

The University, Postmodernism, Worldview Books
The yearnings of young collegians
Book Review: The End of Education
New apologtics resources
The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship
More on the Outrageous Idea
Questioning Evangelism

PS.  Looking forward to the September release of Amish Grace:  How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy, a new book by Donald B. Kraybill, Steve Not, and David Weaver-Zercher, exploring the Nickel Mines school shooting and the Amish community's response to it.  I wish I could be more than one place at once, as it turns out I'm in Pittsburgh when the authors share on Sept 25, 7:30pm at E-town Church of the Brethren.

The writings of John Piper have been a blessing to me and it is with great joy that I pass along that a number of them are posted in their entirety (or at least significant elements of them) in the Desiring God resource library.  Ones which I've read and particularly commend to you are Desiring God, Future Grace, A Hunger for God, Let the Nations be Glad, and The Passion of Jesus Christ.  I've mentioned before the value of The Gospel in 6 minutes, but a new piece I've come to enjoy is Noel Piper's Treasuring God in our Traditions.

PS. It was brought to my attention that a number of R.C. Sproul's audio pieces can be found at Ligonier Ministries

The recent Grove City College alum mailing focused on sports.  Buried in various factoids (e.g., longest continuous sport being football since 1892, the exploits of fullback R.J. Bowers which propelled him into the NFL, 20 athletes named coSIDA Academic All-Americans in the last few years, more than 275 students compete in club sports, 32 intramural sports in operation), one found the relationship of the athletic program to the unique story/vision of our alma mater:

In the 1970s the College began building its women's intercollegiate program.  Alumni will recall that from the mid 1970s until the 1980s, we were involved in our famous Title IX case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.  In that landmark case, some of our opponents across the country cried out that we were anti-female (Title IX is the federal law abou equity and non-gender bias in intercollegiate sports).  Fifth President Dr. Charles S. MacKenzie was careful to point out that we opposed this new law only because we didn't take federal money.  He added that our support for the building of women's sports program would continue because we believe it was the right thing to do, not because it was mandated by the federal government.

How have Dr. MacKenzie's words played out?  Today we have a robust intercollegiate program for both men and women.  In fact, we have 10 women's NCAA Division III teams and nine men's teams.  More than 420 women and men compete at the College on the intercollegiate level.  Because no athletic scholarships are given in Division III competition, our students play for one primary reason -- it's what is in their heart.

As our summer vacations come to a close, take a moment to ask the question whether your family, neighborhood, business, alma mater, local congregation, local/state/federal government remembers it's guiding story and steps forward through that vision in daily decision making.  If not, has a positive new direction been taken or has one's story/purpose just faded from memory due to a lack of attention?  Take some time to pray for God's Word to be the primary story for one's decision-making and to provide insight as one serves into the various secondary callings into which He's placed you.

Did I mention at the end of June that the family room was completed in time to be hospitable for visits by Theresa's sister with her 3 boys, Theresa's brother staying overnight, IVCF-staff friends from 'da Burgh, and whose next?  Now that our summer visitors have left and the school year is soon to be starting up, we're turning to the two remaining basement rooms. But we have not worked on our timeline.  Any volunteers to give a hand with some flooring, framing, drywalling, electrical, painting?  The deck coming out of the dining room is on hold until next year, but if you're interested let us know.  Lord willing, we'll be mostly moved in by December. One year isn't too bad, we couldn't have made it this far without the support of our families, our friends, and our local congregation. (More)

Last night significant conversation occurred between the public and the Mt. Joy Twp Supervisors regarding the Mt. Joy Township landfill.  I believe the citizens are being heard and are influencing the negotiation process.  Pray for the health and safety concerns of the community and their representatives to receive support each step of the way and for the citizens to clearly articulate their concerns to the appropriate structures (time for me not only to speak in public, but to write some letters). 

During the public interaction time, I was very encouraged to receive word the township will be meeting with Walt Dinda from the DEP.  I am confident he will be helpful in the next phase of the development of waste stream plan, including an increased emphasis on recycling.  As follow-up to my participation in PROP's Conference:  I shared various materials including London Grove Township's recycling initiatives (note:  I suggested checking out their website and consider the addition of links such as freecycle, DEP's benefits of recycling, and Earthday.net to our own site), the educational benefit of tapping into not only DEP's Walt Dinda but also Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority's (LCSWMA) Recycling Coordinator Tom Adams, and the services provided by Waste Management Recycle America (a flyer and a promotional video).

Several of us had the opportunity to discuss our traffic safety concerns with the chief of the regional police force and were invited to voice our concerns at the Regional Police Commission Mtg next Tuesday.  On the calendar, I'll be there. 

The next twp mtg is Monday, September 17, 7:30pm.  Pray for adequate preparations to be made so public interaction and supervisor time will be focused on the key issues at hand.  Looking forward to the next meetings w/DEP regarding 1.  the landfill, 2.  recycling.

[Update: the mtg was a step forward!  More tomorrow].  Borough of Mechanicsburg's Recyling Video has been inspiring as I move to preparations for tonight when I continue to voice Trash Stream Concerns in Mt. Joy Township along with other citizens. Pray for me to articulate insights gained from the Professional Recyclers of PA (PROP) Conference in a focused manner.

At InterVarsity's Mid-Atlantic Regional Staff Conference (RSC), I had good conversations regarding faculty ministry with staff from Bloomsburg, Dickinson, Elizabethtown, F&M, Millersville, Penn, U. of Delaware, a number of campuses in the Reading area, and the incoming regional director (Praise God for his vision for the whole campus mission!).  I'm refining materials (i.e., pulling materials out from visits to Duquesne, Penn State Behrend, Washington & Jefferson) to consult and assist undergraduate field staff on these campuses to integrate faculty into our whole campus mission.  

 (More)

Over the years I've been connected with CMU, I've witnessed members of this educational corporation/institution struggle with the lack of community (i.e., enthusiasm for shared relationship, time, story, journey, etc) in a variety ways. To become a regular participant in ministries or organizations that are not directly associated with one's educational success appears to be more difficult the higher one climbs the academic ladder. Those that take the time to look over the edge of their computer screen look around and wonder why getting to know people takes so much counter-institutional time and energy.

The older alum which I interacted with in the locker room after morning basketball (or at various alumni gatherings) in my years on campus recalled a much different era, one in which the community came together . . . but that was an era when CMU was a Tech School drawing from the Pittsburgh region, not vying for international attention and honors. Is it possible to be successful in the eyes of the world, yet not be driven by individualism channeled in the direction of economic gain and recognition as the best of the best? Such is one of the challenges our graduate student and faculty ministry face when gathering students and faculty for not only regular fellowship but also special events. Last week I had several conversations in preparation for our campus ministry this fall.  Pray for God to grant those of us laboring in this context to give us greater insight into how to share the community of the People of God on CMU campus, particularly through more partnership with the undergraduate ministry.  Check back for updates, in mid September I'll be in the 'da Burgh to assist in advancing this effort.  Pray for fruitfulness in the debrief the career fair, the presentation of ESN materials, and a gathering of graduate students for consideration of future direction.

Searching for a campus ministry with which to connect this fall (as you, the kids from your youth ministry, or your very own kids head to college), then check out InterVarsity's campus fellowships . . . to throw the net a little wider peruse Liveabove which just recently came on-line.  Liveabove has arisen out of a remarkable partnership between campus ministry organizations, churches, and high school ministries to help address the attrition of young Christians during the college years through helping students connect with local Christian communities on campus. Liveabove desires to be a one-stop place for high school students to investigate college ministries on campuses they are considering attending.

If you've tracked w/me for awhile, you know transition from high school to college is of great interest to me.  Here's a few new pieces to add to the mix, I'll place my Soulsearching driven thoughts on hold:

1.  The loss of faith with a link to What College Did to My Religion (note: necessary to be a subscriber to access), written by a 26-year-old Philip E. Wentworth for the Atlantic Monthly in 1932.

2.  Life changes or life situations cause young people to leave the church . . . “Clearly the reasons young people leave are a reflection both of their past experience in church and the new opportunities they have as young adults,” McConnell summarized. “To remain in church, a person must have experienced the value of the teaching and relationships at church and see the relevance for the next phase of life” . . . Stetzer noted, “There is no easy way to say it, but it must be said. Parents and churches are not passing on a robust Christian faith and an accompanying commitment to the church. We can take some solace in the fact that many do eventually return. But, Christian parents and churches need to ask the hard question, ‘What is it about our faith commitment that does not find root in the lives of our children?’” -- LifeWay Research Uncovers Reasons 18 to 22 Year Olds Drop Out of Church, LifeWay Research: Parents, Churches Can Help Teens Stay in Church [thank-you Susie!]

3.  Mark Regnerus, author of Forbidden Fruit: Sex & Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers (Oxford University Press, 2007), argues that college is not as destructive to faith as commonly assumed, because colleges have largely abandoned their commitment to the liberal arts in exchange for market-driven education:

The result is that very many young adults are no longer even asked to wrestle with issues of faith, religion, values, and ultimate beliefs. They’re just in college to get good grades (for graduate school) or to earn technical or professional certification in order to boost their career start. And universities seem okay with this because it pays. [thank-you Mike]

4. More regrading the work of Marc Regnerus at Students and Faith

The two female hostages who were released, Kim Kyong Ja and Kim Ji Na, arrived back safely to Korea. Join me in praising God and continuing to pray for the larger situation.  I continue to track via eugenecho. May the People of God not be ashamed of the Gospel and where Christ leads us!

Here's some tips on fishing and rollersurfing spin by the Eden, Ellen, and Hayley's cousin Jibril.  What a trip ;-)  "I like it!"  (Hayley)  "It was funny!" (Ellen) 

Now Theresa goes to pick more tomatoes while Ellen and Hayley turn to the Preferred Realty Group's Annual Coloring contest for the Elizabethtown fair.  Hope they win the four reserved seats to a Hershey Bears Game! 

Due to her developmental delays, Eden watched almost no baby DVD's and videos.  Instead she has burst onto the scene with kids materials alongside Ellen and Hayley.  What is the truth and what is marketing?  Are we in a scenerio similar to bottled water? Disney claims the University of Washington report to be just plain wrong in its assertion that infants who watched DVD’s and videos designed for babies understood fewer words than did infants who didn’t watch the recorded programs.

PS.  The Genius of ‘Baby Einstein’ takes the conversation in a helpful direction.

Update: 4:01pm  Now the furor has moved to the credibility of research, see UW President rejects Disney complaints, referenced by Chronicle of Higher Ed piece and I'm sure the Chronicle has just opened a can of worms regarding higher education vs. media/business.  Check out the post/link given below for some helpful thoughts.

Still reflecting upon Barry R. Glassner, Executive Vice Provost at the U. of Southern California's April 20, 2007 piece Protect Your Perceptions: If you haven’t already done so, start a diary — not a blog but an old-fashioned diary that you write for yourself to preserve your private observations, feelings, and questions about what you have experienced these past several weeks. No one else possesses these, and they will slip away from you faster than you can imagine.

When I started groshlink, I moved a number of dairy/journal items to the public domain. But I have not always been able to share as much in this venue and I've noted a growing desire for more consistent journaling of my walk with God. I've placed some thoughts on-line, but at other times material has stayed in the paper/laptop journal (note:  I still have various papers which assmbled make a paper journal for sermon reflections, as I haven't started bringing my laptop to our local assembly, but as time permits, I prefer to transfer the material on my laptop). Anyone else have some similar ruminations?  Any recommendations or articles you've come across which give thoughts on the topic?

How does one not become immersed in and pursue a nostalgic, commercialized, feel-good Christmas?   Share the fears, challenges, special moments, and customs of your past Christmases.  Celebrate the Word becoming flesh and blood, and moving into the neighborhood through Scripture, song, and various spiritual practices.  Receive insight to embrace the call and find accountability to reproduce the likeness of Jesus during this upcoming Christmas season.

The above paragraph is the description for the fall adult elective I'm leading at Elizabethtown Brethren-in-Christ (beginning Sept 9). One might find it quite a stretch to be thinking about Christmas when the Elizabethtown Fair won't begin until Sunday, but the class was generated by the press of Christmas which struck me when I prepared and shared Christ of Christmas as part of last winter's adult elective Questioning Evangelism (based on Randy Newman's Questioning Evangelism).  I noted the need to get ready, it was heard, so here we go.  I'd love to have your input with regard to materials, practices, resources you suggest I consider incorporating (would love to have practices/traditions from non-Western countries).  Stories to share as ancedotes or case studies would also be great!  Below are some materials I'm building upon: (More)

The above title says it all. 

Principia College, a small Christian Science institution in Illinois, is believed to be the only other college that declines both federal and state money.

Not surprisingly, our alma mater Grove City College is also mentioned in the Chronicle of Higher Education article.  Although the Grove does not accept federal funds, the college intends to continue to let its students accept state money, as long as there are no ties to federal dollars.

Dear Mommy, You never lossed hope when Elise died.

Dear Daddy, Work hard becaus you are a good worker.

love, Ellen

Love, Love!

[Touching note of encouragement, which included lots of hearts, received from Ellen while at Regional Staff Conference 07.  Typos included]

Lots to share from Mid-Atlantic Regional Staff Conference 07 (RSC 07).  On the family side:  all the girls loved the pool and Theresa's family (including her mom, sister Karen and 3 boys) came to swim with them, but they were rained out when they tried to camp overnight.  Our whole family participated in the daily family worship times with a lot of energy.  The girls made a special run home and back again one evening to host the Tomans as they stopped by our house in their travels (overnighting again next week on the way back).  Ellen and Hayley loved playing with their friend Kelsey.  A number of staff remarked how much Eden had developed (yes, what perspective a year away can bring).  Here's some notes from the childcare providers:

Dear Eden, You are such a fun girl, and I have loved playing with you this week.  Thank-you for all of your smiles.  I love you!

Dear Ellen, It has been so much fun playing with you this week.  You are such a sweet and caring girl.  It was fun to worship Jesus with you too!  I love you!

Dear Hayley, I have had so much fun with you this week.  Thank-you for all of the hugs and smiles.  Keep singing, smiling, and dancing for Jesus.  I love you and will miss you!

What a blessing the childcare providers and the worship leaders were, already looking forward to next year!  More on other aspects of RSC 07 to come . . .

I remember very vividly, some years ago, that the question which perplexed me as a younger Christian (and some of my friends as well) was this: what is God's purpose for His people? Granted that we have been converted, granted that we have been saved and received new life in Jesus Christ, what comes next? Of course, we knew the famous statement of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: that man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever: we knew that, and we believed it. We also toyed with some briefer statements, like one of only five words – love God, love your neighbour. But somehow neither of these, nor some others that we could mention, seemed wholly satisfactory. So I want to share with you where my mind has come to rest as I approach the end of my pilgrimage on earth and it is – God wants His people to become like Christ. Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God.  -- The model – becoming more like Christ (More)

A friend on InterVarsity staff is writing his DMin thesis on the book of Revelation.  He desires to include in his writing and in a 4 part sermon series this September, illustrations from a popular sci-fi/fantasy piece which focuses on apocalyptic themes.  LOTR and Matrix have come forward as the top suggestions -- a special thank-you to Andy for giving me some counsel in the early stages of the inquiry.  If my friend chooses to use one or both of these pieces, would you have a helpful academic paper/resource for him to reference (note:  on-line links would be appreciated).   Does anyone happen to have another option or 2 for him to consider?  How about that topic for conversation at an InterVarsity staff conference . . . anyone tempted to join me on staff to have such opportunities? Let me know. 

In case you haven't read, more available on Prince Caspain and beyond and Walden Media's site. Looking forward to the claimed consistency, hope that it doesn't go astray with the chance to embellish. With an annual release goal, maybe it would be a good time to start reading the series again and proposed an adult elective at our local assembly. It's been awhile since I've explored Lewis' material with others.