GroshLink

Thank-you to our friends who highlighted the article Big Families Are the New Green: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint, One Baby at a Time. The piece reminds me of the 'Homeschool Family,' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6uqj0_jQc ;)

On a more serious note: Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, Moravians, Bruderhof, etc, have for generations been known for their simple living, good stewardship, rejection of worldly lifestyle, and 'close to the earth' eco-friendly lives. No doubt the demands of big family, which I long for more local congregations to consider themselves as, demand sharing for survival. There is something unique about sharing clothes, toys, resources, time/energy in service across the siblings and the generations.

Theresa comments, "They main point is that it's not the size of your family that matters so much as the lifestyle. Which I think is important for any family, regardless of size." Amen!

After watching Shallow Small Groups, Youtube video, I came across What if Starbucks Marketed Like a Church? A Parable.

One of the comments on the Youtube posting highlights how Starbucks internally encourages its employees, "We're not a coffee business serving people; we're a people business serving coffee." How true. Interestingly enough serving people brings in the money, i.e., along as it's not too manipulative ;) Of course Theresa doesn't remember this internal mantra from her days as a barista, but that was ~ 15 year ago ;-)

Some initial thoughts on the 'parable' -- the 'parable' critiques a certain generation/approach of Evangelicalism. I do not think that it is representative of much of the Body of Christ in the United States AND definitely not around the globe. But none-the-less it is a prophetic word which leads me to pray that the people of God would truly love and serve Christ alone. And as little Christs and the Body of Christ, extend the Way, the Truth, and the Life through head, heart, and hands to all whether "they" come into church buildings or not. What better place to minister than a coffee shop ;)

With regard to marketing in general, WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) serves as an ironic critique of this generation/approach of Evangelicalism AND no doubt led to the pendullum swinging with many evangelical youth leaving or re-affiliating (emergent, liturgical, and/or missional).

Over the past several days as I've shared about On-line Literature Circles [see On-line Literature Circles and H.G. Wells Interview ;)], I've personally reflected upon the influence of family (and family history) on what

• I value (and how I live)
• my children value (and how they live/grow up, seeing who/what is truly 'god' in our house)
• those with whom I minister value (and how they incarnate the Gospel with 'head, heart, and hands' in their life/vocation).

This is a topic which I dug into last week in two on-line posts:

• The Incarnational Stream & Higher Education: Family -- ESN Blog
• "review" of Mike Austin’s Wise Stewards: Philosophical Foundations of Christian Parenting (Kregel, 2009) -- InterVarsity website

If you've not already read these posts, I encourage you to do such.

Additional comment: If parenting is part of your daily life, you intend it to be, or you counsel/minister among parents/children, then Wise Stewards: Philosophical Foundations of Christian Parenting is a must read as you shape your philosophy of Christian parenting. If you have not already done such, please take the time to check it out this summer. Maybe this is an apt piece for an on-line book discussion. Maybe I should ask the teacher from Dongal Spring Elementary for some ideas, even a rubric :-0

Yesterday I shared that one of my daughters gave a thumbs up for the On-line Literature Circles the most recent Donegal School Board Meeting. Here's her brief H.G. Wells interview, http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/12055417/the-time-machine-interview?listid=23298998.

'Time travel' appears to be a family interest passed down the generations (and I haven't even exposed the girls to Doctor Who except in passing). Maybe I should jump into the TARDIS and research its roots ;)

Thank-you to my FB friend who commented the other day, "If you want, I can teach you how to do time travel . . . but I can only go one direction (forward in time) at stable rate ;)"

One of our daughters had her first opportunity to share at a local school board (Donegal School District). She was 'on the agenda' as one of the two students who joined their teacher in advocating On-line Literature Circles. Definitely a program worth keeping!

"I loved it! First, we got to use technology, something lots of kids like to use. Second, the questions are different than the same old literature circle ones." -- A word from one of our 5 grade twins. The other agrees :)

A prophetic word to both Small Groups and Fellowship Groups, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMyTMTmJU6E. Praying for God's grace and leading in all of our ministry over the course of the summer ... into fall relaunch.

I came across Hillsong United - Search My Heart on a friend's facebook page. I appreciated the slides/texts even more than the song.

May the Father bless our hearts with His Word AND send the Body of Christ forth with the power of the Spirit shining the Light of the Gospel to the ends of the earth (even the little places in our lives, homes, neighborhoods, work places). What a joy to assemble and worship with the people of God. To God be the glory!

If you haven't already (& you're on Facebook), please "like" Theresa's Naptime Inspirations to support "Creative ReUse specializing in clothing and accessories" AND our family in ministry. By God's grace, Naptime Inspirations is moving beyond a "hobby." Lord willing, it will provide an opportunity for supplemental income (is tentmaking in our future?). Thank-you to the many who have given materials and supplies during start up. If you have resources/contributions to pass along (in person or by by mail) or "commissions," please let us know.

BTW, there's even an Etsy app to click on the left side Naptime Inspirations (Facebook) that brings up some of Theresa's actual Etsy listings! How cool is that?? Join me, her #1 fan, at "Naptime Inspirations" :) Click here for her Etsy shop.

So what do you do when your kids forget to bring their homework/instrument to school?  In our case it is definitely the exception and not the rule, so if it's a chronic problem I have no advice for you.  But I came up with this policy -- I give them each one freebie, meaning if they forget something and call me asking me to run it in to the school (which is not nearby) I will do it if I'm able to that day.  But for subsequent offenses I will do it (again if I'm able) but they owe me for a gallon of gas.  What do you think? -- Theresa

Yes, I've been talking a lot about PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA over the past several weeks. God is giving us a clearer direction in the focus of our time in ministry and PSU-Hershey is one of those locations.

No doubt our personal experiences, such as the loss of Elise Faith (our first child) after eight days, my own physical concerns (cancer, seizures, fainting spells), Eden's vascular malformation in the brain stem leading to a number of developmental delays, and relatives in health care (my uncle who is an oncologist, my sister will graduate from nursing school on Friday, my father who is a dentist) are part of the picture.

As the NY Times Op-Ed Physician, Heel Thyself (Theresa Brown. 5/7/2011) and our own experience indicates, hospital campuses are in need of healing and renewal. Our work with the PSU-Hershey CMS/CMDA is countercultural and culturemaking. We are part of a movement raising up a new generation of health care professionals who love God, love one-another, and love their patients. They embrace the call to care and stand against 'lateral violence'/'bullying.' Note: Our fellowship has nurses and graduate students in the mix. In addition, physicians, nurses, researchers, and ministry leaders (including pastors, a hospital chaplain, myself) have spoken for our lunch lecture series.

Recently, I've come to realize that my desire to care and to be present with others has deep roots in growing up in a dental office, hanging out in a waiting room, climbing the dental chairs to invite little children to have their first check-up, becoming an assistant during high school/college. I wouldn't trade this opportunity to grow up in practice which serves/attends to one another and their patients for anything.

To support our countercultural, culturemaking ministry through finances visit https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh.* To volunteer in other ways (e.g., assist with special events such as retreats and the Christian Scholar Series, collate mailings, provide food for our weekly PSU-Hershey CMS/CMDA Tuesday lunch lectures), drop us an email or give us a call.  To read Tom's spiritual autobiography, entitled One more day when you can live your life, click here.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. — Colossians 3:17

*Praying for God's provision of our $93,340 ministry budget. At present we have received $73,659 (5/19/2011). Our fiscal year closes on June 30. Based on past giving cycles we estimate our gap consists of ~$3,500, ~$2,400.

As I've previously mentioned, a physician recently shared about money management with the PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA. He was compelled to speak on finances because

• Money is an important topic in Scripture
• Money management is a common pitfall for physicians
• Money is poorly addressed in Medical School training.

I'm thinking that a Saturday seminar in the fall or spring of the next academic year would be a good idea for future health care professionals. As for our family, we depend completely upon the Father's gifts through the people of God. I remember one mission committee chair who took me askide to let me know that I better have my retirement saved up because his church wouldn't support me after I finished mission work. Of course we don't make enough to save very much, a topic for another post but one to keep in mind when reading the below material.

Physicians and those who have occassion to interact with health care professionals (isn't that most everyone) understand the kingdom value of investing in our with future health care professionals/researchers (e.g., Future Health Care Professionals/Researchers who walk the campus as salt, light, and leaven and Future Health Care Professionals/Researchers who worship God alone).

The physician's take home financial management points are given below. Whether or not you're a health care professional, you'll find his material helpfu. (More)

You may remember a few days ago I wrote, Praise God for $2,500 gift toward $7,500 gap followed by Praise God for $1,500 gift toward $5,000 gap. This evening I checked the gifts which have been processed and we've received $1,100 in new gifts, decreasing the gap to $2,400.*

What do these gifts, which address a budget just over $93,000, provide? As you know, it's hard to put Kingdom work into words, but here's what Kelly [PSU-Hershey (PhD), Messiah College (BS)] has to share ...

I remember the first day I met Tom and learned about IVCF grad ministries – I thought “Wow, I had no idea they did grad ministries too”. The more I became involved the more I was encouraged by meeting fellow grad students who were just as committed to Christ as they were to their calling. It was very refreshing to be encouraged in the pursuit of academic excellence and in using those talents for the glory of God. The time I spent interacting with IVCF and the ESN in central PA gave me a springboard for new relationships in Durham, NC, where I am now involved with the IVCF Graduate Christian Fellowship at Duke University. -- Kelly, Postdoc, Duke University Human Vaccine Institute

After our family hosted Kelly for dinner, I joined another packed out Christian Medical Society/CMS social at PSU-Hershey Medical Center (20+ in attendence). Great conversation over ice cream and games. Below are some pictures of those of us who played iMAgiNiff. As many of you know this is not typically my type of game, but I played with a partner, enjoyed the laugh filled interactions, and won!

 (More)

Last Tuesday in the midst of academic year end and the beginning of board preparation, 20+ students packed out a student's apartment to give praise to God. What did they sing?

• Open the Eyes of My Heart
• You Never Let Go
• What Can I Do
• I Stand in Awe of You
• Beautiful One
• My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
• Sing to the Lord
• Draw Me Close to You

Imagine the joy of encountering one health care professional/researchers after another with these songs on their lips/incarnated in their lives as they prepare and deliver care to you, your family, your friends, our "neighbor" in need. To God be the glory!

Take a few minutes with me to soak in "You Never Let Go," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB1NJV3rG6k and pray for those who are facing difficult health concerns and/or have recently lost someone close to them. Note: Bible Verses in Matt Redman's "You Never Let Go"

 (More)

What guides the current student leaders we minister with through PSU-Hershey CMS/CMDA?

A glimpse: As we wrapped up the spring term, the President framed fall planning of community/social, discipleship, mission, and outreach endeavors with these Scriptural encouragments.

• Hebrews 10:23-25: Remind each other of our hope for the next year.
• Colossians 2:6-7: Continue to live our lives in Him and sharing & journeying with one another. Share our joy - be thankful for the things in your life.
• Philippians 2:14-16: Share the scriptures together. Be like lights - shine bright and don't hide. Don't question what God is calling you to do.
• Galatians 6:2: Prayer - continue to lift one another up, rejoice with those who are rejoicing
• John 13:34: Showing our identity to classmates is by showing our love to one another. Many people don't understand the language we use to explain our relationship - everyone understands the language of love (how we love one another and love “them”).
• 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 20: Reason we are compelled to reach our to classmates - because of Christ's love for us. We are Christ's ambassadors - we are His representives here [Note: The foundational text for our ministry].
• Matthew 25:40: By serving and loving classmates we are serving and loving Christ [Note: A focus of Mother Teresa's ministry, highlighted by Mary Poplin].

Thank-you for your prayer and partnership in ministry as we seek to raise up a new generation of health care professionals/researchers who will walk health care facilities as the salt, light, and leaven of Christ! You are a great blessing and encouragement.  Gifts toward our ministry may be given at https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh.*  To volunteer in other ways (e.g., assist with special events such as retreats and the Christian Scholar Series, collate mailings, provide food for our weekly PSU-Hershey CMS/CMDA Tuesday lunch lectures), drop us an email or give us a call.  To read Tom's spiritual autobiography, entitled One more day when you can live your life, click here.

For Christ’s love compels us… I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (II Cor. 5:14—6:2).

*Praying for God's provision of our $93,340 ministry budget. At present we have received $71,867 (5/16/2011). Our fiscal year closes on June 30. Based on past giving cycles we estimate our gap consists of ~$3,500.

You may remember a few days ago I wrote, Praise God for $2,500 gift toward $7,500 gap. This evening I received an email that a donation of $1,500 was on the way to https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh. It is humbling how many ways God has provided for us over the course of the past week: tax refunds, books, 'our little farm,' opportunities for Theresa to do Naptime Inspirations commissions, clothing. To God be the glory!

Pray for tomorrow's 6:30 am brainstorming fund development breakfast which will focus on how to draw together a regional support base which will release to more time on campus to

• Bless Students ....

• Alum speak on the continuing value of Tom & Theresa's ministry: Peter (CMU)
• Alum speak on the continuing value of Tom & Theresa's ministry: Stephanie (Pitt)
• Bryan Hollinger, M.D., Medical Director of Esperanza Health Center on the importance of a Christian Medical & Dental Associations staff such as myself at PSU-Hershey Medical Center
• “Why invest time, money & resources?”
• Commissioning PSU-Hershey Medical School Graduates

• Bless Faculty, Professionals, and Emerging Scholars ... more on that coming. Must run to share the good news with the family and tuck in the girls.

For Christ’s love compels us… I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (II Cor. 5:14—6:2).

*Praying for God's provision of our $93,340 ministry budget. At present we have received $70,367 (5/14/2011) + $1,500 (to be processed). Our fiscal year closes on June 30. Based on past giving cycles we estimate our gap consists of ~$5,000 ~$3,500.

Last Tuesday Theresa passed along Keri Wyatt Kent's recommendation of Money Secrets of the Amish. The same day a physician shared with PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA how physicians are the worst at managing money (post coming later this week). Anyone desire to donate a copy to our family? We'll read it over the summer, share some thoughts on the blog, and then pass it along to the PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA in the fall.

Below's a quote from the book, which will be released in June:

“The Amish way of wealth is a whole inverted lifestyle, of thrift, self-control, carefulness, sharing and community. It’s a curious prosperity — a rootedness, simplicity, and a step back to ‘quaint’ money values — that goes way beyond debt-free living.” -- Lorilee Craker, Money Secrets of the Amish.

As I mentioned in Alum speak on the continuing value of Tom & Theresa's ministry: Peter (CMU), several donors have expressed desire to hear from alumni as to the long term value of our labors on campus. Stephanie (Ph.D., U. of Pittsburgh) and Bo (PharmD, Duquesne) were involved with InterVarsity’s CMU/Pitt grad group from 2000-2005. They overlapped with Peter (CMU) & Kelly (GCC).

My husband, Bo, and I were involved with InterVarsity’s CMU/Pitt grad group from 2000-2005, attending various large and small group gatherings, book discussion groups, outreach events, and retreats. One of the most important things I’ve taken away from this time is the importance of putting God in the center of everything I do.

Time and time again, Tom steered the group’s focus back to fundamental questions of faith and vocation: What does God have to do with my field of study? And how do I honor God through my work?  Now that I’m outside of academia, I’m still asking myself these questions though they sound slightly different: What does God have to do with parenting or my volunteer work? And how do I honor him?

This habit of self-reflection has drawn me towards volunteer opportunities with InterVarsity’s grad group at OSU. In the last few years, I’ve helped out with special events on campus, led book discussions for a post-grad woman’s group, and mentored a graduate student.  I truly believe that my experience with the CMU/Pitt group and Tom’s leadership of this group has prepared me for this current phase of my life when I’ve been able to challenge others to grow closer to God and glorify Him.

Stephanie

As with Peter's comments, Stephanie's ministry affirmation is humbling. We offer her reflections to the glory of God and for your consideration as you prayerfully invest in strategic Kingdom of God endeavors, https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh.

Please be in touch with us, if you have availability to volunteer in lives of students/families such as Bo & Stephanie and Peter & Kelly by

• assisting with special events such as retreats, funding events, and the Christian Scholar Series
•  collating mailings and preparing various communications materials
• providing food for PSU-Hershey CMS/CMDA's weekly Tuesday lunch lectures.

Note: For more on Tom & Theresa, we encourage you to read Tom's One more day when you can live your life and Theresa's God at Work Testimony (6/19/2011).

For Christ’s love compels us… I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (II Cor. 5:14—6:2).

Updated:  7/2/2011. 5:06 pm EST.

Earlier today I had the opportunity to participate in the commissioning of PSU-Hershey Medical School graduates who were part of the PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA. Wow! What a privilege to serve students, faculty, researchers, the medical community at PSU-Hershey (nurses, physicians, therapists, etc), and by doing such indirectly serving patients (at the Medical Center and where alumni are sent, even to the ends of the earth as medical missionaries).

With the graduating students, I shared some of our family's appreciation of physicians who provide care with 'head, heart, and hands' and the below quote on vocation. May you also find it of encouragement.

"The extent to which we see our work as a calling to serve and ultimately to glorify God will be the extent to which our legacy lasts. It may be a legacy absent of great wealth or hordes of descendents. It may even be a legacy that goes entirely unnoticed by succeeding generations. But it will be an established legacy nonetheless, a legacy of good and faithful labor done for the glory of God.  (More)

Thank-you to my faculty friend who share these texts of encouragement for finals week. I also pass these along to the many Medical students preparing for boards. Note: This morning I'll be involved in the commissioning of PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society Graduates (2011). To God be the glory! Highlights coming ...

  I look up to the mountains—
      does my help come from there?
  My help comes from the Lord,
      who made heaven and earth!
             Psalm 121

  “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
      and he saved them from their distress.
   He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom;
      he snapped their chains.
   Let them praise the Lord for his great love
      and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
   For he broke down their prison gates of bronze;
      he cut apart their bars of iron
             Psalm 107

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”  Matthew 11

  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
  I will strengthen you and help you.
  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
  For I hold you by your right hand— 
  Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you
        Isaiah 41

The Incarnational Stream & Higher Education (5/12/2011) is the 1st in a series inspired the Spring 2011 'Spiritual Formation in Ministry' class  which I took at Evangelical Theological Seminary. The post also gives you the heads up that we'll be discussing Head, Heart & Hands: Bringing Together Christian Thought, Passion and Action (Dennis Hollinger. InterVarsity Press, 2005) this summer. So if you don't already have a copy, it's time to borrow/invest in one ;)

On Wednesday Eden had a quick 1 hour visit in which she had her cast taken off. She 'cast off the cast,' i.e., she left the cast behind at PSU-Hershey. X-rays indicate that her fractured toes are healed. She's walking around and navigating school well, but her leg aches. We greatly appreciate your prayers, encouragements, and gifts. Continue to pray for 'good footing' for her next steps and for the aches to go away.

PS. Eden truly enjoys the "You can be a nurse" coloring book which she brought back. So much so that she doesn't want to share it with anyone. I wonder if this is a sign of another health care professional in the family ;-)

Last night, we received word of a $2,500 gift to assist in addressing our $7,500 gap (in a ministry budget of $93,340). To God be the glory! Lord willing, only $5,000 in new gifts, i.e., if our regular giving remains steady, required to finish the year in the black.

As you know we've been writing a series of posts to share the value of investing in our Kingdom ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA: Central PA Christian Scholars Network (which includes the Christian Scholar Series), the Emerging Scholars Network blog, and PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA.

Prayer requests regarding fund development:

• Insights regarding how to continue to expand the awareness of and deepen the understanding of the importance of investing in our Kingdom ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA -- Toward that end we're having a brainstorming breakfast on Monday. Pray for those in attendence to come up with good ideas. Note: We'd like to have a "Celebrating 15 Years of Ministry" Communication and Event Theme in 2011-2012.
• Good conversations with 1 significant donor and 3 others who have expressed desire to invest more deeply. -- Tom will have some of these conversations on Monday.
• Development of a fiscal year end mailing. -- Tom will begin the process next week.
• Opportunity to connect with donor congregations to request a fiscal year end gift to help close the gap. If you serve on a mission committee or as the pastor of a local AND desire to assist us in this task, please contact us.

Thank-you for your prayer and partnership in ministry! You are a great blessing and encouragement. To help address this gap, gifts may be given at https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh.* To volunteer in other ways (e.g., assist with special events such as retreats and the Christian Scholar Series, collate mailings, provide food for our weekly PSU-Hershey CMS/CMDA Tuesday lunch lectures), drop us an email or give us a call.  To read Tom's spiritual autobiography, entitled One more day when you can live your life, click here.

For Christ’s love compels us… I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (II Cor. 5:14—6:2).

*Praying for God's provision of our $93,340 ministry budget. At present we have received $68,917 (5/11/2011). Our fiscal year closes on June 30. Based on past giving cycles we estimate our gap consists of ~$7,500 ~$5,000. God provides through his people for his work!

Several donors have expressed interest in hearing from alumni as to the long term value of our campus ministry. Peter (Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University), married to Kelly (a Grove City College alumnus), kicks off a periodic series of posts. Peter and Kelly have been connected with our ministry in some form since "the early days" and have been a great joy to grow with "in Christ" through the years. Conversations from the decade at Carnegie Mellon inspire not only some of the topics, but also some of the style of my posts on the Emerging Scholars Network blog. Currently Peter serves as a software engineer with Logos Bible Software.

It's easy for me to say that InterVarsity changed my life, because I met the girl of my dreams at an InterVarsity conference, now happily married.  While that's hard to beat, it's also true that the ideas and relationships I encountered through InterVarsity have had a profound long-term effect on my professional and spiritual life.  For example, as a Ph.D. student in computer science I grappled with questions of vocation and work; it was important for me to understand how my work (and not just that of pastors and missionaries) is of value to God in itself.  

Tom and the InterVarsity community were instrumental in encouraging me through the challenges of graduate school and facilitating the discussions and deep thinking needed to navigate this and other questions of meaning and purpose, and to sustain my spiritual life through prayer, worship, study, outreach, and celebration.  The training and experience gained through InterVarsity have stayed with me as I continue to lead others in Bible study, to grapple with big questions, and to serve the Lord by working in my field.

Peter

Peter's ministry affirmation is humbling. We offer his reflections to the glory of God and for your consideration as you prayerfully invest in strategic Kingdom of God endeavors, https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh.

Please be in touch with us, if you have availability to volunteer in lives of students/families such as Peter and Kelly by

• assisting with special events such as retreats, funding events, and the Christian Scholar Series
•  collating mailings and preparing various communications materials
• providing food for PSU-Hershey CMS/CMDA's weekly Tuesday lunch lectures.

Note: To get to know Tom & Theresa better, we encourage you to read Tom's One more day when you can live your life and Theresa's God at Work Testimony (6/19/2011).

For Christ’s love compels us… I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (II Cor. 5:14—6:2).

Updated:  7/2/2011. 5:01 pm EST.

So what's your story about social net(works?) & 'friending?' Here's a provoking piece, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oi4fYBbWlQ,with superb artistry & an excellent 'punch line' ;)

After Rich Mullins' Lightmusic performance of Be With You (May 20, 1987), he played an unreleased song (at the time) inspired by Thomas Merton. I find "The Hatching of a Heart" brings a powerful image to my mind and emotion to my heart, may it lead to actions of the hands.

Below's his Lightmusic performance (May 20, 1987), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F4s_9doNZs. Note: The song was included "Brother's Keeper" (1995) and there is a youtube video with some egg hatching.

After playing, how about Mullins' off the cuff answer to the question, "What do you do with songs that you like that nobody else likes?" How would you answer the question in your vocation, i.e., "What do you do with 'work' that you like/enjoy (i.e., where your heart/passion is and that you know/feel is good) that nobody else likes/appreciates?"

My prayer is that those with whom I work and 'play' (both on/off campus, including the home) offer their life, work and play to Christ alone ... no matter the earthly recognition. Keep pressing on in the upward hope of Christ Jesus to the glory of God the Father, empowered and directed by the Word, Spirit, and Body of Christ.