GroshLink

Time to start taking the Narnia Chronicles off the shelves in order to prepare your family and friends for the wider conversations regarding Aslan, Christ, Christmas, Lewis, etc. You still have time with Christmas still about 3 months way, Prince Caspian seeking safety in late spring (May 16, 2008), and with the Dawn Treader, in consideration of the challenging schedules for our young actors, remaining in the dock until May 2010. 

My response to a brief scan of comments on Narnia Web:  (More)

Mother Theresa sent these short pieces for posting by me while I'm still in 'da Burgh. I'm sure they were passed along from our sources. But here you go . . .  

 

William Tell Mom  (More)

Received this quote today.  I have to open up Life Together to review how this quote is used.  The other day I finished Corrie Ten Boom's The Hiding Place.  When time permits, much to share about her sister Betsie.  What a life of gratitude lived in the Presence of God and in the midst of suffering and the work of the evil one . . .  (More)

If it had been God in his chariot that had flown over, I could not have been more impressed. It was awe-inspiring. Sputnik looked like a bright star that moved with such utter purpose that nothing could stop it; and I, in that moment, realized I wanted to be part of the movement into space. -- HOMER H. HICKAM, author of “Rocket Boys” . . .  We were really very privileged to live in that thin slice of history where we changed how man looks at himself and what he might become and where he might go. -- Neil Armstrong (don't miss the diagram and timeline w/articles at 50 Years Since Sputnik). (More)

Have you ever thought about mysticism?  Would you define a Christian mystic as ethereal, flaky, spooky, weird, one with unexplainable experiences/powers, practicing a unique form of Roman Catholic spirituality, New Ager, guru, one out in the desert seeking one's inner being?  Or would you define a Christian mystic as one who hears, follows, and calls others to follow the voice of God just as Abraham, Moses, the prophets, the disciples, the leaders of various reform/missional movements (e.g., Benedict of Nursia, Patrick, Hildegard of Bingen, Clare and Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila/John of the Cross, Menno Simmons, Martin Luther, John Calvin, the Wesleys, George Muller, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, Corrie Ten Boom, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa)?

On the first day of Mystical Spirituality, Graham Standish, Pastor of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople, PA, defined a Christian mystic as one who (More)

Harvest has taken on a new meaning for me this year. This is the time of year for gathering the bounty from what was sown in faith this past spring. Our tiny garden continues to yield, from a second crop of lettuce planted in late July and from the carrots planted in the spring. Our 8 tomato plants (4 plum, 4 Big Boy) keeping pumping out tomatoes and even our zucchini and cucumber plants surprise me now and then with another round.  And the squash vines continue to snake across the yard.

The tomatoes have kept me the busiest. About once a week I cook up a batch of spaghetti sauce. I've now canned about 12 qts with more to go in the refrigerator and more tomatoes ripening each day. Today (9/21) I'm making applesauce -- just 1/2 bushel for this round. The apples are cooking while I type. I've also made jams, pickles, and red beets. I find it very rewarding to put to good use the fruit of the land. But I couldn't do it without my SauceMaster. If you'd like to can sauces, you must get one of these beauties.  It's a hunk of change, so if you find one at a yard sale or Goodwill (as I and my mom have) don't think twice about buying it.

For tomato sauce you don't need to cook or peel or seed your tomatoes first.  Just cut them in 1/2 or 1/4s and throw them in the hopper, turn the handle and voila!  For apples, you need to quarter them, cook them until soft and then throw them in the hopper.  No need to peel or seed.  I also make vegetable juice this past week and to the tomato base I added various veggies which I cooked in water until soft and then threw in the hopper.  I canned 5pts. of that.  Haven't tasted it yet, as I don't like vegetable juice!

I even gathered nuts the other day.  And then I learned that grubs live in nuts.  Nothing like seeing a mealy white grub scrunch his way across your kitchen counter.  Yech!

Well, my apples are cooked. Time to sauce! Pray that Eden takes a long nap today!

God of heaven and earth, we pray for your kingdom to come, for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Teach us to see our vocations and occupations as woven into your work in the world this week. For mothers at home who care for children, for those whose labor forms our common life in this city, the nation, and the world, for those who serve the marketplace of ideas and commerce, for those whose creative gifts nourish us all, for those whose callings take them into the academy, for those who long for employment that satisfies their souls and serves you, for each one we pray, asking for your great mercy. Give us eyes to see that our work is holy to you, O Lord, even as our worship this day is holy to you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. -- from Finding our way to great work, even in politics: Making peace with proximate justice, a piece to meditate upon as we enter the election season.

May God moves in a mysterious way (cyberhymnal link) be an encouragement to you as it is to me as I enter this full day, week, and fall season. 

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

—William Cowper (1731-1800) from John Newton's TWENTY-SIX LETTERS ON RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS, TO WHICH ARE ADDED HYMNS &c., 1774

Jesus said heaven is a place for people of all nations. So if you don’t like Clarkston, you won’t like heaven. -- The Rev. Phil Kitchin, on the immigrants who have transformed the Clarkston International Bible Church in Georgia.  Amen.  Praise God. 

Yesterday, a friend from InterVarsity emailed me to see if I know Randy Pausch, a professor of Computer Science and Human-Computer Interaction Institute guru. His final lecture (with video) has received coverage in a number of places, including:

Wall Street Journal
Chronicle of Higher Education

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Pressing ahead with preparations for a workshop on the “A,B,C’s of Small Groups” for college age to seniors as part of a Christian Educators Training Workshop at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

A,B,C’s of Small Groups” for college age to seniors

How does one sort through all the tools and fads to discern a Biblical purpose, structure and direction for a small group ministry which can be developed, launched, expanded, sustained, and reinvigorated over time?  While outlining a framework and recommending various resources to address the above question, the presenter will weave in personal reflections regarding: 1.  InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's small group ministry, 2.  Elizabethtown Brethren-in-Christ's age range fellowship groups which meet every Sunday morning, 3. Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) [note to groshlink readers:  this will be from Theresa's recollections], 4. how a young couples small group incorporated singles and later children, lots of them.

I have enjoyed hearing back from friends and pastors regarding small groups which they have been involved with over the years. 

For those with interest, below are additional recommended resources to those given at Inquiry: Small Groups.  If you have others to add, please post them.  Thank-you. (More)

Thanks to changes in facebook, I joined this summer and have been having a limited usage blast. Now I wonder if a significant portion of the technological population will join, or even if they don't, they'll find their way to me as Facebook Grows Up into the real work of Advertising. Hobbies, musical tastes, hangouts, and favorite travel destinations, posted as part of a get-to-know-you exercise, now help corporations walk with you every step of the way. Their data trackers can take great advantage of the optional up-to-the-minute update feature. Will there be a reaction similar to YouTube's Ad schemes? Then again, what really is a strong reaction, some leave to create their own networking systems or take advantage of another system, but most everyone else (who seem open to befriending people they don't know) just deal with it. There was a day before ads dominated TV. You have to pay or donate to watch whole programming with ads before and after, not to mention in order to get this opportunity. (More)

Update:  Today our family was present for the auction of 33 N. Chestnut St, the home of Bessie Mae Grosh.  The property and the contents sold well on a beautiful day as we all sat in the side yard.  We rejoice in your prayers and support for Bessie Mae during this time . . .  (More)

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. -- Psalm 116:15

Christopher Robin Anible as a 13 year old asked for his name to be changed to Christian Israel Anible under the inspiration of (the Holy Spirit through) Pilgrim's Progress. What a testimony to what gave this follower of Christ hope while a pilgrim on this earth and what a joy to know he is now in the unveiled presence of our Saviour.

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