Another Reading List for Tom

Posted by tom | Jun 30, 2011

What do these books have in common?

Articles of Government, Canadian Conference Brethren in Christ: most current edition. (Canadian participants are to read this document. It is available through the Canadian Conference Office) -- being 'South of the border,' not necessary for me

Manual of Doctrine and Government, General Conference Brethren in Christ Church: most current edition. (US participants are to read this document. It is available through Evangel Press and/or as a download from the Denominational Website http://www.bic-church.org/about/manual.asp) -- received

Your own Regional Conference Bylaws: most current edition. (Available through your Bishop’s office) -- received

Leadership Books

Collins, Jim. Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great. HarperCollins: 2005. -- received 7/1/2011. Thank-you for the loan Carl!

Herrington, Jim, Creech, R. Robert, and Taylor, Trisha. The Leader’s Journey – Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco. 2003. -- in process of receiving

Hoke, Kenneth O. Servant Leadership and Theological Understandings: Does the Theology of the Brethren in Christ Impact the way we choose to lead? Unpublished Doctoral Thesis: 2001. (Available through the CMD office at www.bic-church.org/equipping) -- received

Johnson, Spencer. Who Moved My Cheese? G. P. Putnam’s Sons: New York. 1998. -- checked out the library

Rinehart, Stacy T. Upside Down, The Paradox of Servant Leadership. NavPress Publishing Group: Colorado Springs, Colorado. 1998. -- -- in process of receiving

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Recipes from National Catfish Day: Hushpuppies

Posted by tom | Jun 30, 2011

As promised, the recipe Carl used for the 'Southern delicacy' of hushpuppies when he 'fried them up' for our family's National Catfish Day Cookout with the Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA. Enjoy :)

hushpuppies

Hushpuppies

• 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

• 3 cups cornmeal

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1 1/2 cups milk

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 small onion, minced

Directions

1. Heat vegetable oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine corn meal, baking powder, salt, milk, and water. Mix in egg and chopped onion.

3. Shape the batter into small balls, approximately 1 tablespoon each, or drop using a small scoop.

4. Use a long handled spoon to gently slide the hush puppies into the hot oil. Cook 8 or 10 at a time, until golden brown. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon, and roll on paper towels to briefly drain. Serve hot.

Hushpuppies: what's the origin?

Posted by tom | Jun 29, 2011

In addition to the catfish, Carl served the 'Southern delicacy' of hushpuppies at our family's National Catfish Day Cookout with the Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA. Do you know the origin of the name for these fried cornbread balls?

hushpuppies (More)

PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society celebrates National Catfish Day

Posted by tom | Jun 28, 2011

Thank-you to my father-in-law Carl (in the picture with his daughter Theresa) for the catfish served at our National Catfish Day Cookout with the Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA. 

2011 Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society National Catfish Day Party with Carl and his daughter Theresa showing off the tasty fish fry.

In case you were wondering, Carl dipped the catfish into an egg/milk mixture and then coated the catfish with cornmeal. He used peanut oil for frying. Before guests enjoyed the 'fish fry,' I read Ronald Reagan's Proclamation 5672 -- National Catfish Day, 1987 :)

Thank-you to all who helped us provide an array of food for the meal. Our ~ 40 participants (graduate students, medical students, nurses, physicians, researchers, and families) sang praises of the rest-filled time, encouraging conversation, and excellent food. In response to recipe requests, I'll post some over the next several days.

Our family particularly enjoyed serving a number of students (some even with families) from other countries. Pray for the opportunity to host a canning/cooking party for international students later in the summer. 

Note: For more pictures from the gathering click here and scroll to the bottom of the album.

"Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 3, Part 2

Posted by theresa | Jun 26, 2011

“Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Matt. 11:28 MSG)

On Sunday, the Disciples Fellowship Group at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ discussed Chapter 3, Part 2, of Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity (Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009).* Building upon "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Intro/Chapter 1, "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 2, and "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 3, Part 1, Theresa prepared the below material to facilitate the conversation (Note: study also in PDF). You'll note how our fellowship group's consideration of Rest has themes similar to what is found in Theresa's God at Work Testimony (6/19/2011).  Feel free to share your thoughts with us by comments, email, personal conversation ...

Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009. Cover.

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What Will You Be Reading This Summer?

Posted by tom | Jun 25, 2011

In response to my colleague Mike's Emerging Scholars Network Blog Post What Will You Be Reading This Summer?, I compiled the below list and placed it in the comments section. But out of curiosity, What Will You Be Reading This Summer?

Hard to pull together a full list of summer reads, so here's a few. Please remind me if I've mentioned one earlier and didn't include it here :) After I organize my office library in order to host friends over the course of the next several weeks, maybe I'll have to do a second post anyway. Note to Mike: let's be sure to do a follow-up "What did you read over the summer?"

New releases
Philip W. Eaton's "Engaging the Culture, Changing the World: The Christian University in a Post-Christian World" (InterVarsity Press. 2011). ESN blog post coming. Anyone interested in an on-line book discussion on this title? Check out Eaton's book lists at http://blog.spu.edu/eaton/bookshelf/ :)

John Dickson's "Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love and Leadership" (Zondervan. June 2011). ESN blog post coming. Anyone interested in an on-line book discussion on "Humilitas"? It will be humbling ;)

Debby Read's "Prescription for the Doctor's Wife: Hope and Help for Your Unique Marriage" (Dawson Media. 2011) -- For my work with PSU-Hershey Medical Center Christian Medical Society/CMDA. I'm sure I'll loan it out as soon as I'm finished (if not before).

Books I've "dwelled in" (More)

"Head, Heart & Hands" Emerging Scholars Network series

Posted by tom | Jun 24, 2011

"Along with significant ways in which our mind has been part of coming to Christ, growing in faith, and engaging the world,
Distortions of the Head also come quickly to our thoughts when considering loving God with our mind."

A "heads up" that yesterday and today I added posts to the growing "Head, Heart & Hands" Emerging Scholars Network series (based on an adult elective at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church and tied to the Central PA Christian Scholars Network/ESN). To read (and contribute to) the series and other posts I've written for the Emerging Scholars Network visit http://blog.emergingscholars.org/author/tomg/.

Head Heart Hands Cover Dennis Hollinger presents for the Christian Scholar Series Lunch.

Sleep Study

Posted by tom | Jun 22, 2011

As some of you know, last week I had a sleep study. Did you ever have one? It was quite an experience. The below post is distillation of some of my FB Wall posts.

Why a sleep study?

The call for the sleep study was to seek to ascertain whether coming off of seizure and/or fainting spell medications might be a 'safe' possibility. I've been on medication since seizure and fainting episodes began occurring at the close of healing from surgery/radiation treatment for an intermediate grade salivary gland cancer ~ 10 years ago. The medications have done their job, part of which has been slowing me down -- not all a bad thing ;) Over the course of the sleep study I began to wonder if part of the ordering of the study was to see if some of my tiredness was resulting from sleep issues.

What was it like?

Although I described my case to various members of the sleep study lab, they for the most part had a lot to share about how one could have issues with sleep. Wow! I never knew one could have so many problems. Although signage indicated wireless/cell technology was not permitted, various staff hand't noticed the signage and shared it wasn't an issue for me to use my cell phone and wi-fi. As such, I looked up quite a lot of the concerns mentioned to me while participating in the study. In addition, I accomplished quite a lot of on-line work in a quiet venue where the good food came to you :)

For those with curiosity, breakfast consisted of bagels, oatmeal, bananas, and hot chocolate. I had chicken noodle soup, pizza, corn, salad w/o dressing, a turkey sandwich on rye w/pickles, and vanilla ice cream for lunch. No caffine for the day, but not exactly a 'food coma inducing lunch.' My half-finished ice cream melted during the 1 pm nap!

Did they wear me out? (More)

"Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 3, Part 1

Posted by tom | Jun 21, 2011

“Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Matt. 11:28 MSG)

On Sunday, the Disciples Fellowship Group at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ discussed Chapter 3, Part 1, of Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity (Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009).* Building upon "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Intro/Chapter 1 and "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 2, Theresa prepared the below material to facilitate the conversation (Note: study also in PDF). You'll note how our fellowship group's consideration of Rest has themes similar to what is found in Theresa's God at Work Testimony (6/19/2011).  Feel free to share your thoughts with us by comments, email, personal conversation ...

Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009. Cover.

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God at Work Testimony (6/19/2011)

Posted by theresa | Jun 20, 2011

On 6/19/2011, Theresa shared the God at Work Testimony  at both services of Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church. May you find her words a blessing. Note: also in PDF.

God at Work

May 2, 2011 (written)/June 19, 2011 (delivered)

Theresa Grosh

When I was asked to share the God at Work segment I admit I was surprised and had to think on it for a day.  Typically what is shared in this segment is a story of God at Work through a particular experience or situation and it’s inspiring and encouraging to the rest of us in the Body of Christ.  I quickly wracked my brain but didn’t come up with such an experience in recent memory so my first thought was that I didn’t have anything worthwhile to share at this time.  I certainly didn’t want to fabricate or pad a story to make it sound better than it was.  My life is pretty mundane according to most standards.  And then it hit me—God at Work in the Mundane!  At the risk of sounding heretical or settling for mediocrity I propose that God is indeed at work in the mundane events of our lives and those things need to be recognized and celebrated as valuable Kingdom work.

Although we all at times have a mountain top experience or even a dessert or valley season, most of our lives are lived on the plateau.  And to discount those times as of lesser importance to our walk with God does a great disservice to God and to ourselves.  I first learned this lesson about 10 years ago.  Some of you know that Tom and I lost our first child, Elise Faith, when she was born at just 23 weeks. 

alt  alt

There had been some complications in the pregnancy but nothing that indicated her imminent birth.  She was with us for 8 days before she preceded us to heaven.  Understandably this was a very sad time for us.  One way that we worked through our grief was by reading books about grief, suffering and the goodness of God.*  So although it was a time of great sadness it was also a time of great closeness to the Father.  A few months later I found out I was pregnant again, this time with twins!  I was thrilled, but very scared throughout the pregnancy.  And those months too were marked by intimacy with God.  Now, any of you parents know, that as soon as you bring that precious bundle home (or 2 precious bundles as the case may be) your time is no longer your own.  And for the next year and half I struggled with feelings of guilt.  Here I finally had the desires of my heart—2 beautiful, healthy babies!—and yet I felt distant from God and my Bible was getting buried under mountains of laundry, diapers and burpcloths!

alt

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2011 Father's Day Prayer

Posted by tom | Jun 19, 2011

Tom gave the below prayer at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church during the 8:30 am worship service on 6/19/2011. Tomorrow we'll post the God at Work Testimony shared by Theresa at both services. On Tuesday look for Theresa's Disciples Fellowship Group Sunday School discussion guide of Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity (Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009) Chapter 3, Part 1.

Let us pray.

On this Father’s Day we offer ourselves, as children, to You our compassionate, heavenly Father.  As the Body of Christ we rejoice in your gracious sending of your Son Jesus the Christ to initiate the Kingdom of God with loving sacrifice, power, healing, the Word, and the Holy Spirit.

Despite enjoying the richness of your good gifts, we as your children confess we have not always accepted that you walk with us, even carry us, each step of the way through the mundane, the challenging, and the extraordinary. We confess we have not always loved You with our head, heart, and hands, at times we’ve tried to do it on our own and go our own ways. Forgive us, even discipline us, for not embracing the cost of discipleship or sharing your blessing with others even this morning. We confess we have not always loved those around us, i.e., the neighbors whom You have called us to serve.

Father forgive us, discipline us, for our role in (More)

"Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 2

Posted by theresa | Jun 12, 2011

“Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Matt. 11:28 MSG)

Today the Disciples Fellowship Group at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ discussed Chapter 2 of Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity (Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009).* Building upon "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Intro/Chapter 1, Theresa prepared the below material (also in PDF). Feel free to share your thoughts with us by comments, email, personal conversation ...

Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009. Cover.

 

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Tidbits and Musings (of Ducks, Death, & New Life)

Posted by tom | Jun 11, 2011

Poignant piece written by Theresa's Father, Carl Ginder. Carl serves as VP of Strategic Development at Messiah Village. I encourage you to take a few minutes to prayerfully consider and reflect upon ...

Head, Heart & Hands: Intro/Chapter 1

Posted by tom | Jun 10, 2011

As you characterize your conversion experience, would you say that it is one

  • Of the head?
  • Of the heart?
  • Of the hands?
  • A combination of one or more?

The Emerging Scholars Network blog's Head, Heart & Hands book study is up & running.

Head Heart Hands Cover Dennis Hollinger presents for the Christian Scholar Series Lunch.

Head, Heart & Hands: Fragmented Faith and Fragmented People (Intro/Chapter 1) | ESN Blog | Tom Grosh

... The holistic perspective offered by Dennis Hollinger (President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) serves the whole believer and the whole Body of Christ, including Christian scholars. In response the Central PA Christian Scholars Network/ESN, in partnership with Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church and Hearts and Minds Bookstore, invited Hollinger to speak for a series in Fall 2010. ...

Please join us on-line.

For those in South Central PA, let me know if you'd be interested in gathering "live" (i.e., in person -- in a home or a coffee shop) to discuss a foundational book by an Elizabethown College alum from South Central PA who served at a local congregation, Messiah College, & Evangelical Theological Seminary before becoming President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

PS. I'm hoping to invite Dennis back again ;) I'm particularly interested in having him speak at the PSU-Hershey Medical Center on 1. medical ethics, 2. meaning of sex.

More "Blue Like Jazz"

Posted by tom | Jun 9, 2011

Thank-you to the Siewarts who passed along a clip of Jason Hildebrand's live stage show of Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz. Hildebrand's a well-known professional actor and award-winning filmmaker from Toronto, toured with Donald Miller performing the book with a media artist, bringing Miller's insights to to life on a live stage. Wish I could have seen the show when it was in the area last year :( Would be interesting to compare with the film and Miller's thoughts about how the two compare.

To see a clip of the show, go to: http://www.jasonhildebrand.com/BLJ_trailer_no_DM.mov.

 

"Blue Like Jazz" Trailer -- like it?

Posted by tom | Jun 8, 2011

Thoughts on the "Blue Like Jazz" trailer's portrayal of Reed College (& possibly higher ed) or "Blue Like Jazz" (the book)?

For those unfamiliar with "Blue Like Jazz" (book by Donald Miller, http://donmilleris.com/books/), you may have interest in Theresa's brief book review/summary. Personally I'm interested in trying to watch the film 'on a clean slate.' I think that Steve Taylor/Donald Miller's creation of the cultural artifact of a film will be difficult for me to appreciate if I try to compare it with how I 'stepped into the narrative of the book.' I wonder how I'd respond to a 'second reading of the book,' especially if it were to be more analytical in nature. Although I enjoyed some of the bold storytelling, I found it hard to finish. The press of a book discussion or writing a book review would have helped :)

PS. You may have interest in Micheal Hickerson's critique of Donald Miller's "Who Should Lead the Church?" (Relevant) for the ESN Blog, Jesus Didn’t Choose Scholars… 

PPS. Material also posted on the Emerging Scholars Network Facebook page.

Returning St. Benedict and Count Zinzendorf to the library

Posted by tom | Jun 6, 2011

Ever had the experience of not wanting to return books to the library?  As part of the spring class which I took on Spiritual Formation in Ministry and the subsequent thoughts which have slowly turned from papers into posts, I've been digging into, drawing material from, and spending time in

  • Atwood, Craig D. 2004. Community of the cross: Moravian piety in colonial Bethlehem. University Park, Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press.
  • Homan, Daniel, and Lonni Collins Pratt. 2002. Radical hospitality: Benedict's way of love. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press.
  • McQuiston II, John. 1996. Always we begin again: The Benedictine way of living Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing.
  • Ware, Corinne. 2001. Saint Benedict on the freeway: A rule of life for the 21st century. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

As time closed in on returning the resources, I mused as to whether owning the books would make me less likely to give them the urgent attention which they're receiving. Looking around my home library, I think the answer is "yes."  Hoping others who visit the Elizabethtown College Library (Atwood) and the Lancaster County Library System (Homan, McQuiston, Ware) are blessed by these materials.  When I have time later in the summer to give Ware more focused attention, I will be checking them out again and posting some reflections.

Somehow I was able to receive another renewal on Atwood! It's one of those books which I have to feed upon slowly, it's worth giving it the extra time.  June 30th return date marked on the calendar.

"Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Intro/Chapter 1

Posted by tom | Jun 5, 2011

“Like study or solitude or prayer, Sabbath-keeping is a spiritual practice.  Some weeks are better than others, but we continue to practice it because in it, we encounter God in life-changing ways.” (Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009, p.11)

Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity (Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009) explores what it means to live in “Sabbath simplicity” by focusing on 6 aspects of Sabbath as spiritual practice: resting, reconnecting, revising, pausing, playing, & praying. Readers learn to slow down and find joy and meaning in the midst of their hectic lives. ...

Last Sunday the Disciples Fellowship Group at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ began a discussion of Rest. Any interest in an on-line book discussion?  Maybe a Facebook group?  Let us know.  Below's the material which Theresa prepared, but first I wanted to thank Kevin for his FB Wall reminder.

By far, the best book on the Sabbath is THE SABBATH by Rabbi Heschel. Too many Christian books on the topic are formulaic "how to" guides, and the better ones I've read are derivative from Heschel. Heschel grapples with the issue of holiness and time. At times it is almost Rudolf Otto-esque in its treatment of the theological, spiritual and mystical dimensions of the Sabbath.

As I shared on my FB Wall:

I likewise have found Rabbi Abraham Heschel's The Sabbath: It's Meaning for Modern Man (1951) a great encouragement. Do not fear, I have referenced Heschel's work on campus & will do such in 'the church.' In addition, in her chapter on "Playing: An Escape from Workaholism," Keri Wyatt Kent explores Rabbi Heschel's thoughts on the joy of becoming 'attuned to holiness in time' through the practice of the Sabbath. Today I introduced our Fellowship's Group's discussion by highlighting "Living in Sabbath Simplicity,' i.e., the freedom of rest and rhythm in life. Theresa & I have very much appreciated Kent's conversational writing style. Furthermore, we've witnessed a number of mothers/families (including our own) blessed by what we took away from discussing her earlier publication God's Whisper in a Mother's Chaos: Bringing Peace Home (InterVarsity Press, 2000).

Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009. Cover. The Sabbath: It's Meaning for Modern Man. Rabbi Abraham Heschel. Farrar, Straus. 1951. Cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An inspiration for a follow-up series? Click more for the notes on Intro/Chapter 1. If you desire the notes in PDF click here.

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The New & Improved Bible Gateway

Posted by tom | Jun 4, 2011

If you haven't already done such, I'd encourage you to explore the new and improved BibleGateway.As you may have noticed, I find the BibleGateway an excellent resource for digging into the Word and sharing with others.

June 2011 Prayer Calendar

Posted by tom | Jun 3, 2011

Click here to open/download our June 2011 Prayer Calendar in PDF.  Some quotes to whet your appetite.

Mary Poplin at PSU-Hershey Medical Center for a Christian Medical Society Lunch Presentation

  • Testimony from Mary Poplin, Professor of Education, Claremont Graduate University & author of Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service
    • “Tom, I am amazed at the breadth and depth of your ministry from working with the various campus ministries, student leaders and faculty across so many different campuses in your region as well as working alongside other leaders in similar positions and even the local public library, local churches, not to mention raising your own salary.  I was so blessed by your spirit in accomplishing all these things and your energy. I wonder when you ever sleep. Thank you so much for the blessing of working with you in all the venues you so carefully planned.” – Personal correspondence after her Emerging Scholars Network speaking tour of Pittsburgh, South Central PA (at PSU-Hershey in above picture), and Baltimore. Permission given to share.
  • Testimony from a member of the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN)
    • In our recent national ESN member survey, members told us that our local gatherings have been a great addition to ESN's ministry.  We pioneered this work in South Central PA. One member shared:

      "It was very helpful to meet Mary Poplin [at the Central Pennsylvania events]. We spoke for about an hour, and she was an encouragement to both my spiritual life and my academic calling."

If you desire to partner in this growing work through donating time, resources, food (for outreach events, socials, special events), hosting, skills, or financial gifts, please be in touch with us so we can discuss various opportunities. At present we’ve received $75,399 of our $93,340 ministry budget. Pray for God’s full provision for work through the investment of His people by fiscal year end (6/30). Note:  Online giving available at https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh.

Addressing "Education’s End"

Posted by tom | Jun 3, 2011

Is Education’s End a concern of yours? Then be sure

  1. to check out Mike Hickerson's recent Emerging Scholars Network blog series on Anthony Kronman’s 2007 book Education’s End: Why Our Colleges and Universities Have Given Up on the Meaning of Life. The last in the series directly confronts Kronman's misunderstanding of the relationship of Religion, Education, and the Meaning of Life.
  2. to connect with us about how to support and/or become involved with our work among Christian Scholars (concentrated in South Central PA*) but also with a national presence through the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) (particularly the ESN blog). As I've shared before, I would love the opportunity connect/reconnect with you in person, email, or by phone.

Note: If you're led to give toward our $93,340 ministry budget (of which God provides 100% through the gifts of the people of God), then swing by https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh. At present we have received $75,399 and are seeking to address an anticipated gap of ~$2,400.

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.

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).

*Local partnerships include Brethren in Christ World Mission, Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ, Elizabethtown Public Library, Hearts & Minds Bookstore, Manheim Brethren in Christ, Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA).

Eden Performs at Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony

Posted by tom | Jun 2, 2011

What a joy to see Eden's growth over the course of Kindergarten. Truly a testimony to the healing work of God. Below is video of her solo at the Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyDAtqMDI8k. How do you like her new haircut and dress :)

BTW, Eden volunteered, stepped up to the microphone, and performed without trepidation.  To God be the glory!

An Appeal to Friends in the Health Care Professions

Posted by tom | Jun 2, 2011

As soon as time permits, we're sending out this fiscal year end appeal to health care professionals in South Central PA connected with the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA). We're posting it here (also in text below) in case you're a health care professional not on the snail mail list, communicate better in this format, like multiple reminders, appreciate receiving material on the front end, etc :-)  Note: Those outside of the health care professions are more than welcome to take a peek, but don't worry we have a second letter in process ... 

Thank-you to Marci of Circle of Life Photography for the 2010 family photo for use with InterVarsity materials To support our family in ministry go to https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh.
Thank-you to Marci of Circle of Life Photography for the family photo.

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Eden's Kindergarten Program Tonight

Posted by tom | Jun 2, 2011

What a joy for Eden to be graduating Kindergarten and going up 'on stage' as part of the closing program.

God brings healing. God enables parents, schools, school districts, and kids not only to learn, but to persevere. To God be the glory!

Pray for a good closure to the school year, a strong summer of growth (including the ability to go to some children's activities on her own), and the ability to step into First Grade in a new school building with confidence.

Premiere of "Alpha and Omega"

Posted by tom | Jun 1, 2011

News from The Charles Malik Society for Redeeming Reason, Chicago, IL. Thanks John! Yes, it is a "[a]nother signal of new opportunities for Christian engagement with modern culture."

The Chicago music group Soli Deo Gloria will perform, along with other choirs, a new work by composer James MacMillan on Saturday, June 4, in Rockefeller Chapel at 4:30 pm. Alpha and Omega (six-minute choral setting of Revelation 21:1-6a, English Standard Version) was commissioned by Soli Deo Gloria and Crossway Books in honor of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” -- Revelation 21:1-6a, English Standard Version.*

For more read Soli Deo Gloria Commissions New Work From James Macmillan.  For more about James MacMillan watch the below video.

If you're in Chicago, IL, check it and share with me what you receive from the performance.

*Note: Follow the link to dig into the references ;-) Also available in audio at the 'new and improved BibleGateway. A refreshing start to my day. Revelation 21: 2-4 NIV is the BibleGateway "Verse of the Day." To God be the glory!