GroshLink

3rd places, for more see my post Most fulfilling parts of the college experience, were a significant feature of last week's Pittsburgh Mission as I mixed with graduate students at Kiva Han in Oakland, walked the streets of Squirrel Hill and paths of Frick Park, met a friend from Allegheny Center C&MA at the Blvd of the Allies Panera over cobblestone and tea, lunched with a pastor at Allegheny Center C&MA's Cafe, dined at Gullifty's before walking to Manor to see Smart People (a film about a fictional CMU faculty member, which I hope to review shortly regarding the value of student/teacher, and flooded me w/campus memories), breakfasted with one faculty at the Wexford Eat-n-Park and another at Pamelas in Shadyside (and picked up a Burnt Almond Torte at Prantl's . . . shhh!  Don't tell Theresa. I already blessed her with some Singapore Rice Noodles).  AND I even added one for the future when coordinating a lunch at the newly renovated Lutheran Center (between Pitt & CMU along Forbes Ave).

Your standing with me in prayer during some challenging conversations at these places was a great blessing. I particularly sensed God's presence in a conversation, led by InterVarsity's Bob Trube, which engaged a few members of the university community around the Creation questions:

What is good, true, and beautiful in your discipline?

Where do you experience excitement, delight, and a sense of joy in your work?

Looking forward to future conversations which may include the below questions:

Fall:

In what ways does idolatry enter into your discipline?

What evidence of the fall do you see in your discipline?  In your institutional life at the university?

Redemption:

What opportunities do you see in your discipline or institutional role to bring a redemptive influence to the world?

How do/should God's redemptive purposes or other Christian convictions influence your choice of research questions?

The time, travel, and conversations in 'da Burgh was demanding not only on myself, but also on Theresa as I came back worn out after several days of intense ministry (even after 1 friend commented how much better I looked than my last visit).  One cost of the trip was a rock cracking the 95 Ford Gold Windstar's windshield.  The autoglass replacement service comes to the house tomorrow morning.  A small fee to pay for the opportunity to share the life of Christ . . .  

Your continued prayer, encouragement, and financial support are greatly appreciated.