GroshLink

Continued from Middle School Minister. Baptism. Systematic Theology. . . .

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. -- Colossians 2:12

Jason's handout on Preparing Your Testimony, which I walked through with my daughter who is seeking to make a public profession of faith accompanied by baptism, highlights four elements of Paul's testimony before King Agrippa Acts 26:

• Sinning: Paul was against God and hated Christians.
• Summoned (or Called): Paul heard Jesus calling him to follow Him and leave sin.
• Surrendered: He gave his life to Christ - it says in verse 19 that he was obedient to what Jesus told him.
• Servant: Paul then shares about how he began serving Christ.

Based upon these four elements, the handout asks one to think through one's life and how one has seen each aspect. Take a moment to consider your responses.

• You probably weren't killing Christians, but sin did separate you from from God. What general and specific ways did sin have a hold over you?
• You probably did not receive a vision, but somehow you heard the gospel message. How did you hear the message? Where were you? Was it over a period of time or did it happen all at once?
• You probably were not obedient to a vision, but you did surrender your life in obedience to Christ. Do you remember a specific day when you gave your life to Christ or a period in time when you gradually gave your life to Him? How did that happen? Who were the key people involved with that?
• You probably are not planting churches, but God is at work in your life now. What has Christ done through you since committing your life to Him and what ways do you hope to continue serving Him?

Stemming from one's reflections, one is instructed to . . .

• Write out the whole thing and make it as long as you like.
• Keep the long version, but then edit it down to two paragraphs, about one typed page double spaced or two pages written out.
• Share it with at least two people to see if it makes sense and then make any changes that are suggested.

Some thoughts from my conversation with my daughter coming in future posts. Note: My spiritual autobiography, entitled One more day when you can live your life, can be read here. When I joined Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, I wrote a short testimony. I will take a look for it and post it (or link to it).

On Monday, as I met with the Jason, the director of Middle School Ministry at our local assembly. Our main purpose for meeting was to discuss the desire of one of daughters to receive baptism. I knew from the start it was going to be a good conversation. Why? Because as I crossed Folklore Coffee House for my "second breakfast," he was digging into Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology. My kind of Middle School Minister :)

What are your interests? Greatest Game?

Hmm . . . When I was younger I liked to play Checkers. I shifted first to Chinese Checkers,then various stages of Chess, Monopoly, Risk, Sorry, Stratego, Tetris, Uno.

I remember a lot of Tetris, Rummy and Taboo in college. There must have also been Uno.

Thanks to friends at Carnegie Mellon University, Settlers of Catan then Carcasonne (picture above with PSU-Hershey CMS/CMDA students at 2011 Spring Retreat) then Cartegena topped the list (with Lost Cities and Bohnanza rising up/down as two or three player games at home). Note: Final Battle pictured below. At some point Dominoes was big, must have been due to friends in our local assembly's small group.

But the other day I won Apples to Apples in a room full of college friends (all girls, even with Theresa advising Becky) and our girls have really started to enjoy Fits. Could this be another change in disposition/perspective? Note: A PSU-Hershey CMS/CMDA game of Apples to Apples below (2011 Game Night).

 

Maybe it depends on the audience, because I truly wish other locals had interest in Lord of the Rings, maybe after reading The Hobbit and now having started The Fellowship of Ring with one of my daughters, I'll nurture a next generation :)

Ok. Just because I like a game doesn't make it the "greatest game" and why haven't I even explored physical games or much in the area of computer games? So Ludwig Wittgenstein found game/games difficult to define. Not suprising :) The 3rd definition at Dictionary.com is "a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators." But I've played plenty of games against myself, I wonder what that means ;)

It would seem that "the Greatest Game" would be simple enough to be learned early in life and be played across generations/cultures. Although not universal, Rock-Paper-Scissors immediately comes to mind. But the casting some form of die or shooting marbles may top my list. Close behind, games such as Candyland, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, and Fits can be learned/taught rather easily without reading. Then maybe Phase 10, Racko, Uno . . . As for 'the Greatest Game' being one of complexity and longevity, chess comes to mind first. Time to submit this question to some of my friends from Carnegie Mellon University ;)

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Our three year old looking at this sunrise on January 6 declared, "Mom! I see God at work!" "Hi God!"

I opened Saturday and Sunday morning prayer at the Christian Medical & Dental Association's Northeast Winter Retreat (1/13-15) with this quote, Psalm 19, and the encouragement to see God at work (in the world, the human body, and one-another through the lens of the Word, Spirit, and Body of Christ).

PS. Below's a picture of the Hershey crew and the Saturday sunset at Sandy Cove. More pictures along with reflections from the retreat coming. We rejoice in your prayers for our family and the work to which we've been called. . . .

The questions from this Monday Question Series came from a piece of paper I found in the recycling bin. I printed a draft of my most recent prayer letter on the other side and thought 'Hey, these are interesting questions.' I'm assuming one of the girls brought it home from a school or church activity . . . continuing to reuse valuable resources :)

What are your interests? Perfect Pet?

Hmm . . . We currently do not have any pets and I find myself not a fan of pets. But I may be ok with a dog, a bird (a canary or a parakeet come to mind), or a few small exotic fish (i.e., particularly no goldfish), as long as I don't have the regular responsibility for their care. Periodic dog-sitting or canary-sitting is preferrable :)

Little more thought . . . I've never been a fan of having a cat, although I don't mind visiting a house which has one (or more). No, I don't consider our chickens as pets (or for that matter the bees we'll invest in this spring). It's good to share the responsibility of their care. Ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits, turtles, etc, are not on my list. But, the more I think about it, a turtle or bearded dragon lizard has some appeal.

I wonder if Theresa and the kids are softening me. A variety of fish in larger fish tank might be a possibility in the short term. As for a perfect pet, maybe a Collie or a German Shepherd Dog after the kids "grow up," one which takes care of me ;) I had a dog like that growing up. 

Did you know Theresa and I were "snowed in" at the 1777 House (Donneckers, Ephrata, PA) during our Honeymoon? We were to enjoy Williamsburg. But it's good that we choose our first night closer to home. Williamsburg (and Virginia for that matter) was shut down. I had family stranded for nearly a week close to their home in Charolottesville, VA. Below are some more pictures of the snow. If you have memories/pictures of your own, please share . . .

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Here's the ninth and final question in our series of questions stemming from a Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA Social:

What prayer requests do you have? 

As we enter the new year, God has been faithful in 2011 and we rejoice in his continued faithfulness in 2012. Praise God for and continue to intercede for Eden's growth and healing in balance/coordination. Pray for the financial and volunteer resources to sustain the expansion of partnerships with Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, Elizabethtown Public Library, Emerging Scholars Network, InterVarsity's Undergraduate & Faculty Ministry in South Central PA, Penn State Hershey's Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA. Pray for preparation for a number of upcoming gatherings including Helping Haiti (2/13-16: Kent Annnan, co-founder of Haiti Partners and InterVarsity Press author in South Central PA), Embracing Grace (2/19: Scot McKnight, religion professor/author/blogger, at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church as part of the Christian Scholars Series), A Night with the Inklings (3/15, 6:30 pm, David C. Downing, English professor/C.S. Lewis scholar, as part of the South Central PA Christian Scholars Network at Acorn Farms).

Please share your prayer requests with us by email or in person.

Earlier posts in the series: What's in a name?, Bringing back 1990's?, Favorite Holiday?, Favorite Meal of the Day?, High School/College Hobbies?, Coffee or Tea?, Favorite Childhood Teacher?, Monday Question Series: Bible Reading?

Coffee or Tea?

Tea. But frozen forms of coffee are acceptable.

As many of you know, I enjoy tea in most every form. I prefer those with less to no sugar, unless it's some form of tea which is really more like a "punch" ;) It's always great to have the ability to make one's own (sun, mint, hot).

Although married to a former Starbucks employee and one who almost always has a Starbucks coffee cup with me (see below in picture from WJTL 90.3 FM interview on 11/3/2011), coffee is not for me. But I will partake in Coffee ice cream and fraps of various forms. Chocolate and more sugar helps a lot :) 

Earlier posts in this series: What's in a name?, Bringing back 1990's?, Favorite Holiday?, Favorite Meal of the Day?, High School/College Hobbies?

What hobbies did you have in High School and/or College?

Basketball . . .

is the first one which comes to mind. I guess one may consider basketball a sport. I played on school teams from Middle School (Middletown Christian School) through my Junior year at Donegal High School. During my senior year, the school newspaper became an obsession :) At Grove City College I played intramural basketball.

Although on various teams, I always enjoyed playing basketball and marveling at the gifts of the ability to play (some with much better gifts than my own). I played because I enjoyed being on the court as individual part of the team with a shared task.

15 years out of college, I wish that I had more time to play and less concern about possible of injury when under the hoop. As the matter of fact, it's been quite awhile since I've been on court. I should calendar it in after the fall term ends. A gift for the holidays :)

More posts on hobbies coming, maybe a good present day example of a hobby is Groshlink ;)

FYI: Earlier posts in the series: What's in a name?, Bringing back 1990's?, Favorite Holiday?, Favorite Meal of the Day?

What is your Favorite Meal of the Day?

2nd Breakfast

The younger two wake me up early, which means that I have a breakfast sometime during the 6th hour. As such I'm ready to eat by mid-morning. I truly enjoy this time of grazing, which reveals my Hobbit nature ;) By-the-way, have you been following my Bedtime Hobbit Reading Series?

Eariler posts in the Monday Question Series: What's in a name?, Bringing back 1990's?, Favorite Holiday?

At a recent Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA social, we gathered into groups and chatted through a list of questions. I really enjoyed the time, so I'm passing along the experience to you . . . more questions coming :)

Do you know what you name means?

Thomas means twin.

I came across a site with lots of name info. If you're interested swing by: http://www.behindthename.com. The link for Thomas is http://www.behindthename.com/name/thomas :)

For more on naming, check out my recent Emerging Scholars Network blog post, Finding Calcutta: Jesus’ Call to Us – “Follow Me.”

The other day I was reminded of Harry Chapin's Cat's in the Cradle and the call to be a true father -- with the added longing of becoming more "like Our Father in heaven" who waits patiently upon the homecoming of both the younger and the older children. After a brief search, I came across this beautiful piece which begins with family reflections (Harry's widow Sandy & their son Josh), moves to a performance by Harry Chapin, and concludes with a brief tribute to a talented artist who regretably died at 38 years of age in a car accident, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etundhQa724. 

In another performance Harry attributes to his wife the concept and a number of the key lines "Cat's in the Cradle." Material "stolen" from her, the way all great artist's come about their great work. But a song which quite frankly scared him, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s5r2spPJ8g. As you look back and look forward, does the song scare you? Be honest ;)

Note: Not to be confused with Cat Stevens' Father & Son.

"Penny," said ________. "That's what I'm going to call that horse. She's the color of a new copper penny. It's a good name for her, isn't it?"

"Aye," said Ben. "Because she's an independent-minded horse, that's for certain. Call her Penny for her independence, too."

________ smiled. From then on, she thought of the horse as Penny -- beautiful, independent, bright, shining Penny.

Who is receiving Eden's attention as I tuck her into bed as Mom is with the oldest twin at gymnastics? Fill in the ________ . What an opportunity to read a book which I most probably would never otherwise read. . . . Sesame Street's over. The television's now off. A rush past me, footsteps down the stairs. I hear the violin has started to play in the background. 

"Daddy, I want to go to bed. When will Mom come home?" (the youngest)

Time for me to tuck in the youngest one. Wonder what we'll read? She's starting to look through the above mentioned book. Maybe I'll read the chapter book twice tonight. Eden borrowed it from the violinist.

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Today our household received an Alert Message by phone and email:

"The _____ Middle School Faculty and Adminstration are asking parents to remind students about the importance of completing homework, being respectful to each other and to the adults in the school, and attending regularly. These are vital pieces to a successful school experience and we need your help as a parent to reiterate these to your child. Thank you for your continued support and assistance in making the school experience a positive one."

Honest. I'm not joking.

Of course maybe you're already familiar with this communication style and can give advice as to whether this is typical Middle School protocol (for the framing of the realities of Middle School life after some time off*). Should I be concerned that there is something going on in the Middle School (outside of normal Middle School life) ;)

*Note: This is the second time we've received the message this fall. I believe the other time was also after time off.

Hey local yokals: The Etown library is having a costume swap: bring in your costume (multiples?) this week during their regular hours and you'll get a ticket to come back on Sat. and pick out a new-to-you costume. I couldn't find it on their website, but it was in the Elizabethtown Advocate. I'm going to call today to find out if you get a ticket for each costume you bring in. AND when you're there on Sat. to pick out your costume, stop by the craft show and visit Naptime Inspirations! -- Originally posted by Theresa on FB.

While wrapping up a day, I came across a friend who posted this question on G+

I'm curious. How important is having dinner together as a family to you? To what lengths will you go to make it happen?

Wow! Great question. If you're currently living with family, how would you reply? If not, what was family dinner like when you were growing up?

Below is some of what I shared (in a slightly revised form, with more to come in the future):

A shared dinner (and breakfast -- in a loose sense) are very important to our family. We bend/stretch time and stomachs :) We include prayer, Scripture, and conversation (at dinner time we debrief the day by sharing highlights/struggles, i.e., examin-lite). On Wednesday we enjoy dinner and fellowship with believers at our local congregation before an evening of choirs and kids programming. What a blessing!

Corrie ten Boom's testimony has been a great encouragement to our regular practice. Why? Her father's (Casper ten Boom) devotionals were what fed her and her sister (Betsie) the Word which enabled them to share/be the Word (with some supplement by scraps of the Gospels passed along by prison nurses and hidden in clothing) while in concentration camps. Corrie's father's meal times and the kindness/hospitality which he extended during these gatherings shaped their family's life, practice, watch business, 'hiding place,' and gatherings while in concentration camps. As I've thought about preparing those whom I've been given charge for their next steps in Christ and how a home serves as a place of hospitality, Corrie's father has often come to mind. More on Corrie ten Boom's family in future posts. . . . Above: a ten Boom family picture from http://tenboom.org/aboutthetenboomsc48.php#photoalbum.

From our family's journey: With my current seminary class schedule, I miss one dinner a week. A short term concession which will not become a long term practice. I've found the material from the Psalms class fitting right into dinner conversation. During a recent dinner devotional time, one of our daughters shared about David's struggle with "being on the run" from Saul (stemming from her reading of Max Lucado's Facing Your Giants, which she has found a great encouragement in her walk). I furthered the reflection by reading and commenting upon Psalm 56, the focus text of research/discussion for my Psalms class the day before! How fun to discuss the metaphors in the text and various key words/translations which bring home the teaching. God weaves the stories and lives of the people of God in amazing ways. To God be the glory!

While sharing the news about the upcoming Christian Author Series presentations

• "Finding the Words through Baby Loss, A Reading" (10/11)
• When Thrift is Chic: Living More with Less in a Real Simple World (10/27)

AND renewing library books for a family of readers . . .

POW!

I came across the PR video for Elizabethtown Public Library's Annual Craft Fair (10/8). Note: If the video doesn't upload, click here.

All the materials are so good! But as you know, I particularly appreciate seeing Theresa's Naptime Inspirations pieces coming from "the family room studio" during naptime . . . to being photographed . . . to being posted on the web . . . to being gathered and displayed at such venuses as Elizabethtown Public Library's Annual Craft Fair. If you're in the area, please come out to support the library and all involved.

A sampling of what from Naptime Inspirations will have available is posted on the library's website, click here. Whether or not you're in the area, the Etsy shop is always open. . . . and don't miss the Appliqued Onesie Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Alien or Heart :)

PS. A big thank-you (from me) to all involved in the process enabling Theresa to give time, attention, and energy to Creative ReUse specializing in clothing and accessories. What a joy to see her continuing growth in this trade/craft alongside generations of family and the generous gifts/interest of a growing circle of friends who likewise desire to invest in (and wrestle with) the hard task of incarnating God's call to "care for the creation" through a passion for the exploration of and soaking in the blessing of Simple Living. . . . To God be the glory!

PPS. In case you didn't pick it up, When Thrift is Chic: Living More with Less in a Real Simple World (10/27) is part of the train of thought. More on this another day. Must run to campus.

As we begin a full day at Grove City College Homecoming with an InterVarsity Missions Fellowship (IVMF) breakfast, I also look forward to tomorrow with great anticipation. . . .

The joy of worshiping the Lord at and reconnecting with the people of God at Allegheny Center C&MA (ACAC). If you're part of ACAC, please find us and say 'Hi!'

11:15 AM Worship Service

Lunch in Simpson Hall

What a joy to once again worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ at ACAC -- knowing that we are part of the Body of Christ wherever we go and will be such through eternity. To God be the glory!

In a few hours, through the help of family and friends (thank-you!), Theresa and I will once again make our way back to our alma mater Grove City College. Why? 15th year class reunion at Homecoming.

Above is what I looked like when I began -- Theresa did not authorize the release of 1st-Year photos. But when I have time in the next couple weeks I'll look for photos of high school sweethearts off to college together :)

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