The New Beginning

Sermon for 12/3. Scripture Luke 21.25-36.

I know it’s a mere two weeks before finals, but I had to title this sermon, “the new beginning.” I haven’t lost my mind or forgotten that you’re nearing various ends - the end of the semester and the end of the Gregorian calendar year 2006. But today is the first day in the liturgical year. Happy New Year!

Today we begin a new liturgical year and we hear that we are to raise our heads because the end is drawing near. When I hear that the end is drawing near my automatic response is fret. The end, oh no, not the end! But is it really an end or a new beginning?

I must offer that yes, it is both, an end and a new beginning. It is the end to the horrible things that we face day in and day out. It is the end of chronic depression, all types of cancer and gut-wrenching grief. It is the end of all war, senseless acts hatred against our neighbors and the even the death of the ever so evil, blue screen of death.

There are many ends that we just do not like. When good things end it saddens us.

For me, this happens with great fiction. When an author writes in such a way that I fall in love with the characters I don’t want the book to end. I want to be able to read about the rest of the character’s lives. I often find myself wondering what will really happen next, like they’re real people. I literally obsess over characters sometimes.

I don’t only do this with books, but also with television. When family ties went off the air I was 7. I remember watching the last episode alone in my family room wrapped in a fuzzy fleece blanket. As I watched the last episode I got sad. When the credits came I remember crying. Not the tears down the cheeks and sniffle crying, but the chest heaving, face wrinkling ugly sobbing. My mom ran in the room held me and asked, “Honey, what’s wrong?” I answered, “Family Ties is gone forever.”

Some endings are like this. Some endings are hard. Many endings are harder than a favorite television show end, but stay with me.

Other endings are hopeful and cause for rejoicing.

With a second look at the text I hear, “the end is drawing near” and I am given cause to rejoice! Today in Luke we are told to stand up and raise our heads because our redemption is drawing near. God is coming to us saying, “Stand up, I love you, I am here.”

We are called to rejoice because of this new wonderful beginning. The new beginning is coming and we are not to be passively waiting for it. We are to be on guard and to be alert at all times.

Another way to look at this is to realize what we are waiting for. In this season of advent we are waiting on the new beginning through the new life of a baby. If there is one thing I know about babies - it is that they are on no one’s time but their own.

My friend, Jo, was expecting her first child. She was getting ready to be a mother, but with a month left till her due date she still had a few details to take care of, namely, she needed a car seat to bring the baby home in, she needed to get the ceiling replaced in the babies room and she had to wash all the babies clothing and blankets. With all this left to do she went to work last Saturday morning feeling, and I quote, “weird”. Last Saturday night I get a call, “hi Chris, what are you up to?” I told her I have a few friends over and we staying in and watching “Keeping the Faith” with Ben Stiller. I begin to tell her about the crazy Saturday we had when she cuts me off and blurts out, “I’m in labor.”

Her new beginning was thrust upon her a month before schedule, ready or not. All signs pointed to Jo’s baby coming. First of all, the pregnancy test told her she was pregnant, her belly grew and an ultrasound showed images of a baby. On Saturday more signs were present, she felt weird, then her water broke, and she began to dilate. These are all very clear signs that a baby is coming.

We are called to be on guard and to be alert too. Like Jo we are anticipating a birth that comes whether or not we have a car seat, ceiling or the laundry washed. We are told that it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. This is a birth for which we are to be alert, and be on guard. This is a birth for which we are to stand because with it comes our salvation.

This new beginning is coming to us in the form of a baby. A tiny newborn Jesus is coming. Stand up; raise your heads your redemption is drawing near. Be on guard; be alert for it will come upon all who live.

Proud to be a Buckeye - It is True!

• It is true that the late Ohio State coach Woody Hayes, who did more to pump up the negative feelings in the rivalry than any man, refused to fill up his car in the state of Michigan.
"I'll tell you why we don't," Hayes said, according to the seminal book, "Woody Hayes and the 100-Yard War." "It's because I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan. We'll coast and push this goddam car to the Ohio line before I give this state a nickel of my money!"
• It is true that Michigan, leading 55-0 late in the 1946 game, lined up and kicked a field goal.
• It is true that in 1950, the teams played through a blizzard with 29 inches of snow and more than 50,000 fans sat through it. Michigan's Chuck Ortmann punted 24 times, and the Wolverines won 9-3, despite failing to make a first down. Buckeyes coach Wes Fesler quit a few days later. Ohio State hired the little-known Hayes away from Miami (Ohio).
• It is true that in 1970, a local judge in Columbus dismissed a charge of obscenity against a defendant arrested for wearing a T-shirt that said, "F--- Michigan" because the message "accurately expressed" local feelings about the university and the state.
• It is true that Hayes sometimes bunked his team in Toledo on the night before a game in Ann Arbor so the Buckeyes could sleep on Ohio ground.
• It is true that, by state law, the Franklin County (Ohio) Board of Elections is supposed to begin counting the provisional ballots cast in this month's 15th Congressional District race on Nov. 18. Rep. Deborah Pryce leads challenger Mary Jo Kilroy by 3,536 votes. However, the board will not begin to count the votes until Nov. 19 so that the counters may watch the Ohio State-Michigan game.
• It is true that the lowest-priced ticket available on StubHub on Thursday, for a seat on the corner of the end zone, on the 41st row of the upper deck, would have set you back $530. Binoculars extra.
Souce - ESPN.com

Bo, Bo Who?

Bo Schembechler, former coach of the team up north, died today. Here in South Dakota, it’s not Bo Schembeckler of the Ten Year War it’s “Bo who?” The Ten Year War is remembered here as the first of three wars that Cuba fought against Spain for its freedom not the ten years that Bo and the team up north played against Woody and the Buckeyes. It’s all just as well, I’m sure most South Dakotans don’t know who Woody is either. Today my body is in South Dakota, but my heart is in Columbus singing....

Fight the team across the field
Show them Ohio's here,
Set the earth reverberating
With a mighty cheer
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Hit them hard and see how they fall,
Never let that team get the ball,
Hail! Hail! the gang's all here,
So let's win that old conference now.

I’ll Be Home for Reformation

This weekend I was suppose to lead a Service Learning Trip to the cities. Unfortunately, not enough students signed up to make the trip economically feasible. So, that leaves me with 4 days off over Fall Break. What’s a girl to do? Call Grandma and ask if she’ll pay half on my ticket home. During my lunch hour, I bought a ticket to Ohio for this weekend for only 250! That’s an extremely cheap flight from Sioux Falls to Ohio. Homesickness cured. Not only do I get to go to Ohio for the weekend, but also it’s Reformation Sunday. What an awesome festival to go home for!

Shocking Election Campaigning

On South Dakota’s November 7th ballot is a law that would ban abortion. If passed, the only exception is for the mother’s life, no exception for rape, incest, etc. It’s not surprising that Sioux Falls, the largest city in SD is going crazy with campaigning. Aaron and I frequently drive down a street where over 800 pink and blue crosses represent the children aborted in SD last year. I get the point, but tonight during a US House debate I heard the most shocking statement that made me laugh and want to scream all at the same time. The republican candidate was asked about social security. He talked about privatization then he went on to talk about how the number of workers supporting each SS recipient is not where it once was. He went on to say that the ratio would be better if the 40 million aborted fetuses weren’t aborted. Whalen claimed that social security would be better off if the 40 million fetuses were around to pay SS. So, his two solutions for solvency of SS were private accounts and banning abortion. And if I had a nickel for every time he talked about being a pro-life family values guy from SD I’d be drinking Moet & Chandon instead of blogging. There’s hope Whalen’s opponent is favored by over 30 points and Aaron just handed me a check to mail for SD Coalition for Healthy Families (aka the pro-choice patriots).

Feeling Better

My most recent post ‘Homesickness’ is a very real reminder of how blogs are not helpful. Yes, when I wrote it I was extremely upset, but that only lasts for a while. After I blogged, I was able to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Yesterday was a long day with a 6 hour drive and 6 hours of meetings, but Aaron and I stayed in last night, watched Fahrenheit 9/11 and slept for 10 hours. Today life is better, it’s Friday! This morning I realized I didn’t have any afternoon appointments so I grabbed my laptop and bible then headed for Panera. What I need to accomplish this afternoon is doable here. I had a wonderful chicken noodle soup for lunch and now I’m working out of the office working with free Wi-Fi. This morning I found out that I’ve lost 14 pounds in 7 weeks, and 100 days from today is January 29th, the day we leave for Jamaica. While I’m still missing Ohio, Sioux Falls is treating me well.

Homesickness

Tonight I got an email from my cousin Raven announcing a tentative girls weekend in Ohio. It doesn’t help that I’m already a bit homesick. The email was in response to an earlier inquiry about getting together all the women of my mom’s mom’s mom (or the girls descending from my great-grandma, Mamaw). It appears that the weekend suggested is the one that marks the third anniversary of Mamaw’s death.

I remember sitting in Mamaw’s room the night she died. The women folk of the family were looking though photos and sharing stories. We decided that we needed to have a girl’s weekend. Finally, three years later one is being planned.

Problem: I’m on internship in South Dakota, and there’s no way I can get the time off.
Result: Increased homesickness.

Tomorrow Aaron and I have to travel to St. Peter, Minnesota for a meeting. We have to get up at 5:30a to get there on time. I can’t sleep. After I got Raven’s email I lost it. It’s great that the girl’s weekend is finally going to become a reality, but I can’t be there! While thinking about missing the weekend I began to think about when I’ll be in Ohio. Well, we’ll be in Ohio in December but then we’re away until May. That means 6 months without going to Ohio. I’ve done that before, but I’ve never lasted 6 months without seeing my mom and grandma. While I was in Milwaukee I was away for 6 months but Shannon, Mom, Grandma and Mel came at various times to break things up a bit. Specifically, Mom and Mel came the weekend after Easter, my first holiday away.

Now what. I know I’ll make it through, but it hurts (literally, my eyes are swollen and my head is pounding from crying so much). Somehow I’m reminded of my supervising pastor’s famous question that I’ve never had a real answer for until tonight, “do you still want to be a pastor?” For the first time I think I have an answer. If being away from my family of origin for extended periods of time is part of the package, no I don’t want to be a pastor.

I even came down hard on Aaron tonight. He was trying to make me feel better and I said, “if I lived as close as you do to your family I’d see my mom and grandma at least once a week.” Yes, families are different, but it’s hard to realize how physically close we are to his family, but we don’t see them with any greater frequency than if we lived in the cities. Right now, I’m jealous. I want to get in the car in the morning and drive until we reach Columbus. Better yet, I want a plane ticket to Ohio on February 23.

Mass

The first Tuesday of every month is Roman Catholic Mass in the Chapel of the Reconciliation at Augie. Today is the first Tuesday.

Any Catholics out there or enlightened catholics help! Every time I go to mass I feel alienated. Words like ‘those who are worthy’ are spoken meaning ‘you, Lutheran, are NOT worthy!’ An institution is separating me from Jesus’ command - “do this in remembrance of me.” I am rejected by the words and elements that give me the benefits of Christ.

So, why did I go today? Because Mass at Augie is for Catholics and those who are ‘Catholic friendly’. I consider myself Catholic friendly, but I found out today that I need to be Catholic friendly without going to Mass.

I feel wounded, and I want to crawl under my desk and cry. The last time I was at Mass was Christmas Eve of all times. I cried through the entire Mass. Then I thought it was that I was in SD and not Ohio, but I now realize it’s also because I was rejected and not welcome at my Lord’s table. I can’t subject myself to this. I need to be writing a bible study for tonight, returning phone calls and emails, but I am rejected.

Phone Call from the Principal!

At least twice a week I use my lunch hour to talk with Mom. Today while we were talking the elementary school principal called. Apparently Katelynn (a kindergartner!) was the reason for this call. This morning Mom reports Katelynn had a really good morning, but once on the bus she preceded to beat another kid with her backpack. Mom says this is the first of her kids to get phone calls from the principal during kindergarten. Oh, Katelynn.

A Sermon

Today something odd happened in chapel. During any given month Paul and I each preach 2 times. That leaves roughly 12 worships to be filled with faculty and pastors from around Sioux Falls. Today a Presbyterian Chaplin preached on Revelation 21: 1-4 (the new heaven and the new earth). I thought, Revelation, interesting choice, but let’s see where it goes. She used two examples one was about suffering in an orphanage in China and the other was a Pastor and his wife who had an abortion because the fetus had a rare disorder where its organs were forming outside its body. She specifically mentioned that SD’s Vote on Referred Law 6 (an abortion ban that has no exceptions). She talked about the power of grace in each situation and waiting for the new heaven and the new earth. Usually I’d love this type of sermon. It was powerful and I heard lots of law AND gospel. The concern I have is for the congregation. Many students are voting for the abortion ban. I worried that they’d feel this outsider came into their chapel and used the pulpit as a soapbox. This is an issue that has many people of faith on both sides. I worry about how the message was received in a different way than I normally do just as much as I thought, right on! Is this part of becoming a pastor? Only time will tell.

God

Tonight Aaron and Mike are working on some songs for a Saturday night youth gathering. While they were playing I said, "what about a few 'fun' songs"? Aaron, "how about some Pat McCurdy?" Well, I found some awesome guitar stuff on his site, but unfortunately, none are youth appropriate. Here's the lyrics to one of his many great songs.
________________________________________
God loves capitalists more than communists
God loves fundamentalists more than Methodists
God loves Americans more than Canadians
God loves nuclear power

God loves the stars and stripes
God loves Handi-Wipes
Thinks they're so convenient
God knows where the yellow went

God has a VCR
John Wayne is the biggest star
Up in the Ivory Tower

God doesn't love the Pope
God likes Pepsi more than Coke
He won't drive a Subaru or a BMW

God packs a magnum
For protection not for fun
God says make my day

God votes Republican
The only way to get things done
God loves makin' dough
Don't like payin' taxes though

God loves Disneyland
Loves a man to be a man
God loves the USA

God loves democracy more than aristocracy
God hates Iraqians, Russians, Jews and Libyans
(And anyone else who isn't a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant)

God is good, God is great
God don't like the welfare state
(He hates Sweden)
God drives a Chevrolet

God made petroleum to make my Winnebago run
God made plants and trees
We can waste them as we please
God loves the strong and tall
God loves white folks most of all
God loves the USA

God loves the USA
God loves the USA. He told me personally, and
I know what God likes

Pat is one of our favorite musicians. He plays at cool cities like St. Paul and Milwaukee. The pic is in Milwaukee on St. Pat's Day.

Gray Hair

Today after lunch I was brushing my hair before returning to work. I noticed a hair that didn’t look like the others. At first I thought it was the sun coming in the bathroom window, and then I realized it was a gray hair. I searched the right side of my head until I could pull it out (yes, I know two will take its place, but I had to know for sure) and examine - it was a bona fide gray hair. I needed to get back to the office so I did a quick 2 minute search of my head and found this hair to be an anomaly, yet this hair wasn’t the first of it’s kind in my head, two years ago my stylist found one. I’m too young for color that’s functional. I should only be thinking of fun colors, not ones to cover gray!

Shannon’s Wedding, Calorie Counting, and Jamaica – Oh My!

I feel like I'’m always just updating here anymore, but here I go again. So, Shannon is engaged to Tim and I'm getting ready for a wedding. Big huge news - congrats!

On Labor Day I decided I'm tired of my extra weight and it'’s time to count calories. I'm going public with this now, because I want to be embarrassed if I fail - that'’s a big motivator. Goal: 60 pounds by June 16th, Audra and Jake'’s wedding day. So far so good, but it's only day 6. Aaron decided to join me in the goal. Now it's not just about loosing the weight that I'’ve been putting off forever, but we're both to stubborn to quit until the other one doesn't. Our stubborn sides finally show themselves as strengths. Wish us luck!

And now to Jamaica. Well, we got two free flights within the 48 contiguous states, but that doesn't get us to Jamaica. This past week we were kicking around flying to a Royal Caribbean port of call and cruising to a tropical destination, but I thought that we could do better. Saturday morning I got a plan. I'll use the Delta Skymiles I was going to use to get to Ohio in December to get one of us to the Caribbean and just buy one ticket. The flight vouchers are transferable and so we'll sell one to get some cash to offset the cost of the purchased ticket and the other will get me to Ohio. Then I was left with finding an all-inclusive resort for a good price. I started with what I know, Sandals, but they've got stuff we don'’t need and they'’re very large. So I kept looking. Then I found a resort that I swear I would've built if we had enough money to build a resort in Jamaica. It's called Sunset at the Palms. A few awesome features are private treetop homes in a jungle preservation area; the resort is made of native wood and was the first 'green' resort in Jamaica and possibly the Caribbean. Aaron gets to see the ocean for the first time and he gets out of the US; I get my swim up bar (see photo).From what I can tell it'’s a more laid back place than the normal resort -– trading high intensity for natural beauty and sophistication. Oh, and we're on the western tip of the island which means breathtaking sunsets. Tomorrow we'’re off to get passports for our late January getaway.

4

Lori sent an 'about me' thing I had to fill out. Here goes...

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Program Director at Outlaw Ranch
2. Nanny for James and Ellen
3. Program Assistant – All Peoples Chruch
4. Front Desk Clerk – Holiday Inn

Four movies I would watch over and over again:
1. Love Actually
2. Independence Day
3. Phantom of the Opera
4. Twister

Four places I have lived:
1. Presho, SD
2. St. Paul, MN
3. Milwaukee, WI
4. Grove City, OH

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. ER
2. Judging Amy
3. The Simpsons
4. A Baby Story

Four places I've been on vacation:
1. NYC and Niagara Falls
2. Daytona Beach, FL
3. Phoenix, AZ
4. Gatlinburg, TN

Web sites I visit daily or weekly
1. Luther Seminary and Augustana Webmail
2. BBC/CNN/NPR
3. Intellicast
4. Google/Wikipedia/Dictionary.com

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Q’Doba
2. Country Vegetable Soup by Healthy Choice
3. McDonalds ice cream cones
4. Bratwurst with sauerkraut

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. With Aaron
2. Grove City
3. In a swimming pool with a swim up bar in the Caribbean
4. Los Heroes, El Salvador

Busy

Here's a quick update...

Internship is in full swing. The Augie students are awesome! Sioux Falls living is pretty fun - there isn't a place in the city I can't get to in less than 15 minutes or less.

Latest news:
-My bro is married as of 8/29
-On our flight to TN for my bro's wedding Aaron and I took a bump and got two free round trip anywhere in the continental US - going to FL or CA in January!
-I'll be leading a Service/Learning trip to the Twin Cities in Oct.
-I'll be leading a Service/Learning trip to New Orleans over spring break
-While moving to Sioux Falls I decided to put together another bloggish website instead of unpacking. Much of what I post here is there and vice versa, but it's format is a lil different. Check it out at myspace.com/matson

Okay, one funny story. So, Aaron and I went through the Cincy airport on our way to Knoxville, TN instead of Chicago-O'Hare. Anyone who flies the Midwest knows the headaches of O'Hare. Aaron and I took the bump and ended up with a 2-hour layover. We got off the plane to find out there wasn't even a terminal change involved in getting on our next flight. We had what Aaron swears is the second best hamburger he's ever had at a place called 'The Pub'. It was an English themed pub where he had two Smithwicks and an 8-days a Week Martini (think the Beatles). Anyway, we paid the tab and went to the restrooms before boarding. On the way to the gate I bought bottles of water for us to chug (dehydrations important) and some Swedish Fish (think gummy worms). We’re getting up to board the plane and he asks, “Are Swedish Fish considered gels?” I died laughing at him before shoving them in my backpack before the gate attendant saw them: )

Note: All photos are in TN cabins. The window and mountain photos are from our cabin. The remaining photos were at Todd and LA's wedding cabin.

TN

Tomorrow Aaron and I are headed to Gatlinburg TN for Todd and Lori-Ann's wedding. I'm psyched - we have an awesome cabin we're sharing with my folks A Secret Waterfall. More pics and stories later:)

Aaron's 26th Birthday

This year Aaron decided to go to Gigglebee's for his birthday. It was a blast!

Regression

Internship is going well.
Aaron is in the cities with friends for a Vikings preseason game (b-day present from my folks).
I’m home alone. I started by reading Gilead and then I progressed to the West Wing. I turned that off to watch the local news but then I found Sex and the City. After watching Sex and the City on network I went to Blockbuster (.4 miles) to get two discs from season 4. I admit I have regressed to my LVC year of living on Sex. Gotta get back to watching Sex! Who knows maybe I'll see my aunt somewhere - she was an extra many times:)

Travel SD

Mom, Grandma and Katelynn flew home with me. Here’s what we’ve been up to…



1. We visited an 1880’s Town featuring hundreds of Dances With Wolves props. Here Katelynn was left on the tracks as a train came for her.
2. Mom gives me a sign as she sips wine on our back porch.
3. Last night’s moon
4. It’s a bird, a plane, no it’s Katelynn and Aaron at Mt. Rushmore
5. Mt. Rushmore
6. We took an 1880’s train from Hill City to Keystone and back.
7. Katelynn asleep on Momaw Pat’s lap
8. Inspiration Point at Outlaw Ranch
9. Momaw Pat taking Katelynn’s picture at Inspiration Point
10. Mom gathering Mica for the 4th and 5th grade science teacher
11. Filling our new car
12. The Badlands
13. Teresa and Katelynn outside ‘The Depot’. We meet Teresa and Lauren in Mitchell for lunch
14. Mom on the porch again
15. 1880’s butt wiping procedure
16. More porch time

Luis

I received an email today that I need to share. On my first trip to El Salvadow I stayed with the Santos Ramirez family. If you’ve been to our apartment you’ve seen some of Luis Ramirez Zelada's art. Luis has been trying to get into the US by paying a coyote. He went missing after failing to cross the border twice. Below is the translated message from Pastor Santiago – a Salvadoran and a great friend.

Santiago writes…

SIENDO LA TIERRA CREACION DE DIOS
NADIE DEBERIA SER ILEGAL
EN NINGUNA PARTE DEL MUNDO

GIVEN THAT THE EARTH IS THE CREATION OF GOD,
NO ONE SHOULD BE ILLEGAL
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

Este dia se realizo en la casa concordia un encuentro juvenil denominado : " Migracion , Pobreza y Esperanza".

Today in the Casa Concordia we had a youth meeting entitled: "Migration, Poverty and Hope."

Dentro del cual la familia de Luis, su madrecita Angelita Santos Ramirez, sus hermanas Maria, Marta, su sobrinita Vanesa hija de Guadalupe y Marcelino Hijo su cuñado y yo presentamos el caso de la migracion de Luis de la comunidad y la Iglesia Luterana "Los heroes".

During this meeting the family of Luis, his mother Angelita Santos Ramirez, his sisters Maria, Marta, his niece Vanessa, daughter of Guadalupe, and his brother-in-law Marcelino Jr. and I presented the case of the migration of Luis from the community and Lutheran Church Los Heroes.

El se fue de El Salvador la ultima vez el 24 de mayo 2006 y ha enviado una carta con fecha 26 de junio, informando que esta preso en el Centro Correccional de Texas, va pasar ahi 4 meses y luego sera trasladado.

He left from El Salvador the last time on May 24, 2006, and has sent a letter dated June 26th, informing us that he is in the Correctional Center of Texas. He will be there 4 months and then be moved.

Por ahora lo mas urgente es que el reciba cartas de sus familiares, amigos, hermanos y hermanas de El Salvador y de nuestras hermandades.

For now the most urgent thing is that he receives letters from family members, friends, brothers and sisters from El Salvador and from our partnerships.

Este dia el Departamento de Derechos Humanos de la Iglesia Luterana ha tomado el caso con mucha fuerza, les pido en nombre de Luis y de su familia sus oraciones y sus cartas.

On this day the Department of Human Rights of the Lutheran Church has taken this case very seriously and asks you, in the name of Luis and his family, for your prayers and your letters.

El necesita mucha ayuda espiritual, el esta leyendo la biblia y pide que le le enviemos revistas de la Iglesia, en su carta dice que no hay ningun problema escribirle o dejarle recados por telefono.

He needs much spiritual help. He is reading the Bible and asks for writings from the Church. In his letter he says that there is no problem writing him or leaving messages by phone.

Lo importante es comunicarse con el y que sienta nuestra hermandad y solidaridad. Por favor hermanas Linda, Vonda, Rafael compartan esta noticia y escriban a Luis les aseguro que le haremos un gran favor.

The most important thing is to communicate with him so that he feels our partnership and solidarity. Please share this news and write to Luis. I assure you that we are doing a great favor.

Les envio la direccion y el numero de telefono del lugar donde se encuentra:

I send you the address and the telephone number of the place where he is found:

Luis Alonso Ramirez Zelada
C. C. C. C.
6901 N.HWY.83
Cristal City
Texas C.P. 78839
Telephone: (830) 374-3447

Que Dios les bendiga y gracias por atender mis ruegos.

May God bless you and thank you for attending to my pleas.

Su hermano en Cristo.

Pastor Santiago Rodriguez.
________________________________________
Photos of the community Luis can be found HERE.

Quick Update

This past week was a busy one. I was in Rapid City leading a Day Camp of 80 campers (1st – 6th grades) at the same time the church held it’s VBS for 70 3-5 year olds. That’s 150 kids in one church! It was exhausting but it went really well.

Exciting and sad family stuff is going on. I’m going to Ohio for Grandma Wernicke’s 90th birthday at the end of July. When I called her today Todd was there and told me she broke her ankle on Friday. She sounds good, but she’s saying how stupid she is for falling. Also this week, Mom, Grandma Miller and Katelynn got tickets to come to South Dakota. We’re planning to go to the Twin Cities, Sioux Falls, Presho, Pierre and the Black Hills.

This week I’m off until Wednesday. Aaron and I are heading to Mike’s in Sioux Falls tomorrow for a 4th of July cookout. Fun times!

Catching Up

It’s amazing how fast summers fly by. I’m also suffering from internet accessibility issues. Anyway, while I’m only able to get online every few days I’ve been documenting the summer in photos. This week I was at Calvary Lutheran in Rapid City for Day Camp.



When Aaron and I were in Ohio we celebrated Shannon’s 24th birthday at Mom’s.



1-3 Pre-party pics.
4-6 The 38. This pickup has been in my family for a few decades. Great Uncle Kenny found it rusting in a West Virginia field and restored it. It’s for sale now – only $10,000 and worth every penny!
7-9 The Party!
7 The cakes were baked and decorated by Amber.
8 Some years ago Wes had to stand on a corner with a sign like we’re holding because he got the worse bowling score. Wes, this one’s for you.
9 It was Shan’s birthday and her last day of school. Time for a big drink!

The Rock

Last night Aaron got a call from Audra (his sis) - she's engaged to Jake! The rock is large and breathtaking. Congratulations!

Country Living

Aaron and I arrived in Presho for his summer job. Yesterday I found an upside to every downside.

We have a three-bedroom two-bath house, but no dressers. We have two skylights but there is a dead stuffed pheasant on the entertainment center. We have a dishwasher, washer and dryer but the washer leaks (supposedly only for the first few loads because it hasn’t been used in months). We have two TV’s and a VCR but no cable, internet, stereo or DVD player. Luckily Aaron brought his Play Station 2 which doubles as a DVD player, but at 1:15AM we lost power because wind so we couldn’t finish the episode of West Wing where Josh Lyman is shot. The greatest shock for me was grocery shopping. Aaron was told the town 10 miles away has the best grocery selection so I went there. I’m pretty sure that of the available produce I bought half of each possible fruit and vegetable. I couldn’t get cilantro, asparagus, garlic, wine, eggbeaters, vegetable bouillon, couscous or tortellini (dry or fresh), and I spent $150 on 5 bags of groceries, 1 case of soda and a 18-pack of domestic beer.

Outlaw

The first week of staff training is almost over and Aaron and I are having a blast. Wednesday morning we were in a van by 5:30AM to tour Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Forest on the Wildlife Loop. We saw jackrabbits, deer, antelope, prairie dogs, elk, buffalo and blue birds. Many of the pictures are from that adventure. The bottom row and the third row on the right are from Outlaw.

Summer Camp: Round 3

An hour ago, I was offered a job at Outlaw Ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota, which I accepted. I’ll be traveling with Day Camps again. This time I had to negotiate a part-time schedule because Aaron will be in Presho, SD - about 3 hours away from most Day Camps. Right now I’m in my last class of the year, so I better get back to paying attention.

Saturday Night Nerd

I’m at home supposedly writing my pastoral care final. Obviously, it’s time for a break. I have the perfect finals writing setup – many many candles and Pavarotti belting out hits like Nessun Dorma. Things are going rather quickly for Aaron and I - classes end Tuesday! We’re in the middle of writing finals (no objective tests this time, yeah) and trying to spend as much time with friends as possible. This morning we joined 8 friends for brunch. At an auction we (10 Luther students) bought brunch made and served by three of our favorite professors. Tonight it’s exorcism movie night, I’m going to a friend’s for the second movie, The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Last night was canasta night with Wicked, Evita and Phantom of the Opera (yes, we’re in love with Andrew Lloyd Webber) blaring in the dorms. Thursday was Lori’s birthday - see the pictures below! Tomorrow has been set aside as a day of grief as West Wing ends. We’re hosting a little wake for our mourning friends. Wednesday I met my internship pastor, he seems awesome. I’m also gearing up for a fight with an assistant to the bishop in Ohio. According to my friendly Luther staff, "it’ll all blow over", but right now my internship is a ‘no go’ from my synod’s eyes. Oh the joys of seminary.

Susan and Judy

This weekend Aaron and I went to Milwaukee for Susan and Judy’s wedding (Susan and I were housemates during our LVC year). The wedding was beautiful and reception was a blast. There were a host of former LVCers to catchup with and lots of Contra dancing. Plus, we got to eat lunch at Lake Michigan on our way out of the city on a bright sunny day!





Photos
1 – People drawn carriage
2 – Cutting the cake. It was Judy’s niece’s first birthday, so she got the first bite of cake.
3 – Claire, Susan and I. Claire was my LVC roomie.
4 – Contra dancing

Mayo

Today Aaron and I had sandwiches for lunch. He said the mayo is past the expiration date but he hates to waste two pieces of bread. I've never heard of using sandwich spreads on both pieces of bread. What do you think? When making a bologna sandwich would you spread mayo on one side or two?

Everyone can leave a comment - there's no need for a username or password.

Thanks for helping settle this mystery.

United 93

Tonight Aaron and I ventured from the comfort of our apartment to a theater 15 wet miles away. We saw was a film depicting the morning hours of 9/11. We walked out silently holding hands.

I still don’t know what I feel and think. This blog is an attempt to put words to something inside me. My response is immediately fearful. The attacks on 9/11 were evil and horrific, but how do they lead us to where we are? Our country was attacked so we attacked Afghanistan then Iraq. When I remember late 2001, I remember thinking that we’d fight wars, first Afghanistan, then Iraq, Iran and finally Saudi Arabia. Right now, we’re fighting and killing thousands, as thousands more American soldiers are killed. Somehow the thousands killed on 9/11 caused our nation to go into mourning and our way of life is changed, but those dying of hunger one every 3.6 seconds, goes unnoticed. I don’t mean that the carnage that happened on 9/11 is forgettable or doesn’t matter, but somehow because it happened to people like me, people who were going about their daily routines good people who had jobs, spouses, parents and children. They were friends and uncles and they died. People like my friends and family, people like me died. It could happen to me. If it could happen to me then we must take action. Someone must die to avenge the deaths. Someone must die to make me feel safe. I’ll deal with hunger and poverty later, right now I’m not safe. At least I don't feel safe.

I write this realizing that I only want to protect myself by protecting those I care about. I don’t care who is hurt and what it will cost. I want to feel safe and secure. It is so easy to make the enemy the other to say they are pure evil. But, the hijackers didn’t birth themselves they must have parents and they probably have spouses and children too. They cry and love and pray. This is not to say that they were not wrong, but they were human too. They were created in God’s image just like me and just like you.

Open Letter to My Friends with Meth Labs

Dear Friends,

Will you please stop using OTC drugs like Claritin D to make your meth? Tonight I went to Target to get a few items for the week. I stepped up to the pharmacy counter and asked for two boxes of non-drowsy 24- hour Claritin D for Aaron and I. The pharmacist politely informed me that only one box may be purchased at a time. I thought, okay, that'’s fine, I'’ll come back in a five days. I handed over my drivers license and the pharmacist respectfully asks, "Have you bought these within the past month?" I said that I had. Then she informed me that I may only purchase one box per month. I wanted to scream, "one box per month? There are only 10 days worth in a box! I'm sorry, but maybe you haven't heard ,it's spring and allergy/sinus problems last longer than 10 days a month! I wish they didn't, but they do, give me my medicine! Oh, by the way, the system'’s screwed I purchased one box Monday morning and another Tuesday because I forgot to take a pill before I went to work. So why can't get around the system again?"

This letter goes out to my friends who make it impossible for Aaron and I to legally feel okay during the spring. Thanks to you, I had to research pseudoephedrine laws for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio. This weekend Aaron and I will be traveling to Susan and Judy's wedding in Wisconsin and can purchase Claritin D there, but only one package each. My research informed me that Ohio will have the same restrictions beginning May 17. So, I called Mom. By next Monday, we'll have a month'’s supply of the Claritin D. Friends, please, stop the insanity, I want to be able to buy 30 days worth of Claritin D in 30 days, not 90!

Sincerely,
Springtime Allergy/Sinus Sufferer

More IS Better

Easter Sunday I decided to have many and various kinds of meat to end my Lenten disciple. In 12 hours, I had 7 kinds of meat – of course I had to make sure I had the holy number. It all started at Mom’s brunch with bacon and sausage links. After that, it was the Wernicke dinner with smoked Turkey. The last stop was supper at Spagio with lobster, shrimp, crab and smoked duck.

Today I binged with movies You, Me and Everyone We Know, Elizabethtown, the Legend of Zorro and Memoirs of a Geisha. That's right, four movies in one day. Gotta love Blockbuster and Hollywood Video!

I don’t know what’s up with the numbers thing – I can’t stop counting and doing things many times over. Today I did 6 Sudoku puzzles and now I’m trying to make sure I get 100 blogs done by May 10 – the date of my first entry. 100 blogs, that’s pretty impressive considering I started out to procrastinate end of the year stuff last May.

Solidarity March for Immigration Rights

On Sunday, I joined over 30,000 marchers fighting for immigration reform. I went for many reasons – I went because of our broken system, because of my friends in Mexico and El Salvador, because my freedom in bound with theirs and because I am part of an immigrant family, like most Americans. I found myself in wholehearted agreement with what Archbishop Harry Flynn of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis had to say. “We are at a crossroads right now that will define the character of our country… Yes, holding one another accountable to the law is important, but there is also a higher law that forms the basis of our legal justice system and many of our religious traditions. Our higher law is based on the values of human dignity, community and solidarity. And we must not only hold one another accountable to these values -- we must act on them." I could be found guilty in a US court because I have ‘helped’ undocumented immigrants as I hold myself accountable to the higher law. I am proud to say I’m guilty, but I’m furious that a law exists making my actions criminal. It’s more than what’s at stake for those fortunate enough to be citizens it’s about fair immigration laws, it’s about the millions that are here working, going to school, paying taxes and contributing to society while in fear of deportation. Yesterday I marched in solidarity with folks of all colors, ages and backgrounds. We marched to let our leaders know we will not stand by silently and we marched to let each other know you are not alone in your struggle.
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More photos available on Chris' Pics Page

Superstar

Below is my topical sermon for my preaching course. I used the scenario of being at a college retreat where we just finished watching Jesus Christ Superstar and headed into a midnight worship setting.
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Who do we expect Jesus to be? We’ve seen an artistic rendition of what Judas’ could’ve been thinking as he walked with Jesus. The film portrays Jesus as a Savior who is extremely human. So human in fact that it is hard for some to see the Jesus depicted in Jesus Christ Superstar as fully God. I see that His relationships and interactions make Him one who is a divine and human being walking with other humans. His relationships with Mary and Judas as well as His pained interactions with them and the disciples make His humanity real. A real tension is lifted up concerning how Jesus’ fully humanity and full divinity coexist. Often I find myself seeing only the divine part of Jesus although he was fully human so that he could save the fully human us.

The great dose of Jesus’ humanity leads me to entertain different questions than if I had just read the gospels. My question to you tonight is what do you expect of Jesus? The gospels tell us Jesus defeated our death, but what else is there to Jesus? What does Jesus expect of us? Is Jesus one that set the example to be followed?

This question was certainly alive in the 1990’s with the WWJD or “what would Jesus do” craze. Every morning I would wake up and get ready for school, but before I walked out of my room, I would turn to my dresser and choose the WWJD bracelet color that best completed my outfit and I set off for school. I remember sitting in class looking down at my wrist and thinking about what I thought Jesus would do. A few times I even thought, what would Jesus answer on this US History test, Benjamin Franklin or George Washington?

I would eventually decide that Jesus wouldn’t be found in a classroom in the most powerful country in the world studying dead white guys. At this point, I thought that Jesus came so that we could follow his example, so did I need to be so radically Christian that I was a martyr? After all, actions were more powerful than words because they showed what I was really made of. Moreover, I was certainly going to heaven because I was a good person. The great thing about the WWJD craze was my daily focus on Jesus jumped dramatically, and I did pray more. But, Jesus didn’t have to die for me, he had to just set an example for me to follow and I could do the rest.

Now I have a somewhat broader understanding of Jesus, but I still struggle with the Jesus I want and the Jesus of the gospels. Jesus was and still is unpredictable. As I would expect, Jesus was concerned with the poor. However, he also didn’t object to Mary spending the equivalent to a years wages on a pound of pure nard to anoint his feet. What could $20,000 do for a family in sub-Saharan Africa, Mexico of Afghanistan?

In the predictable way, he cleanses the temple. Yet, he does it in a violent way, turning over tables and chairs. What do I, a want be pacifist, do with a violent Jesus? Prof. Fretheim would offer that God reacts to a violent world with violence to bring about peace. I human terms I see this as an absurd concept. As the old saying goes, “Fighting for peace is like having sex for virginity.”

Other than what is recorded about Jesus, how can anyone be so bold as to claim what Jesus would or wouldn’t do in any situation? We can only know what Jesus did not what he would do. Jesus was never predictable. Those who spent the most time with him still couldn’t predict his words or actions. The disciples got it wrong all the time. Not only did they get his teachings wrong, Peter denied Jesus and Judas betrayed Jesus.

The one film clip that I can’t forget is the portrayal of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. We see a Jesus who struggles with what has been required of Him. He fervently prays for God to take the cup away. Jesus’ will seems different from God’s. During Jesus’ prayer, He prays telling God that He did not start it and God’s will is hard and God holds every card. Jesus does say He will drink God’s cup of poison. He is willing, but now running with joy to His Godly calling.

The fully human, fully divine Jesus takes up his cross for Peter, the denier, and Judas, the betrayer and for you. Jesus came not to set an example but to save you. We are called not to do what Jesus did, but to take up our cross and follow.

Thirty Hours of Anxiety, Joy and Life

Background:
- On Monday, internship placements came out.
- According to the Confessions syllabus, oral exams over the Small Catechism (roughly 3,000 words) and Augsburg Confession (28 subject headings and a summary sentence) is to be completed by April 5.
- Aaron and I decided Sunday afternoon to spend an extra night in Aberdeen with Mike and Perry.

Monday

9:00
- I’m driving and Aaron is orally teaching me petition one of the Lord’s Prayer. The only parts I have memorized are the 10 Commandments and the explainations of the Apostle's Creed.

Noon
- Aaron and I are still driving toward the cities and Lori calls to tell us that, yes, we are going to be in South Dakota for internship.

4:00
- Mom calls and leaves a voice mail informing us that Tina will be in Ohio over Easter (we’ll be in Ohio too).

8:00
- Aaron and I drive up the hill so that I can signup for an exam time. I find out that Tuesday is the last day to take the exam. Instead of going to the “Internship Celebration or Sorrow Drowning” gathering at the local pub, we go home so I can study like mad. If I can’t pass the exam Tuesday I fail the course!

11:30
- I can’t cram another thing in my head so it’s off to get some ZZZ’s.

Tuesday

8:05
- I wake up freaked out about the exam and study for an hour.

10:45
- I take the exam and pass! Afterward I go to the grocery and buy frozen pizza to celebrate – I NEVER buy frozen pizza.

Noon
- Aaron comes home and we celebrate my triumph over the Small Catechism and Augsburg Confessions with Mario Cart, pizza and beer.

2:00
- Aaron goes to work and I curl up on the couch, turn on Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and fall asleep 10 minutes later. Is there any better movie to fall asleep to?

6:45
- Prophets class begins with Prof. Fretheim dropping his papers followed by an announcement that he has to get his wife from the airport at 9:30. So, class will get out 20 minutes early.

Right now I’m on cloud 9. In a week from tomorrow, we’ll be in Ohio. Next year we’ll be in South Dakota (which means I can do my Chaplin internship next summer which means our senior year I’ll just take classes AND we can go to the Netherlands in August 2007 to visit Lori). I'm so excited that I just can't hide it!

The Revealing Mirror

This sermon was preached for my Preaching II course and turned in as a catechetical sermon for my Confessions course. My two primary texts are the catechism and Exodus 20.
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The 10 Commandments have become so popular many have jokingly adapted the commandments to fit their context. On a quick Google search, I found the 10 Commandments of suburbs, fashion, nurses and even the commandments of team teaching and Minnesota. This state has it’s own version of the 10 commandments. I found these 10 Minnesotan Commandments posted on Professor Mary Shore’s blog. Please excuse my non-Minnesota accent.
1. Der's only one God, ya know.
2. Don't make that fish on your mantle an idol.
3. Cussing ain't Minnesota nice.
4. Go to church even when you're up nort.
5. Honor your folks.
6. Don't kill. Catch and release.
7. Der's only one Lena for every Ole. No cheatin'.
8. If it ain't your lutefisk, don't take it.
9. Don't be braggin' about how much snow ya shoveled.
10. Keep your mind off your neighbor's hotdish.
First commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Luther’s Small Catechism asks, “What does this mean?” The Small Catechism answers, “We are to fear, love and trust God above all things.”

Let me offer a quick suggestion for answering the question, “do I have any gods before God?” What do I fear, love and trust most? (PAUSE). Thinking in broad strokes, some gods of today are money and possessions, food and alcohol, sex and pornography. For me, I think that I fear, love and trust my work, my bank account, my professors, my husband and family more than God. Anything that I fear, love and trust more than God is my god.

Luther explains in the Large Catechism, “If your faith and trust are right, then your god is the true one. Conversely, where your trust is false and wrong, there you do not have the true God. For these two belong together, faith and God. Anything on which your heart relies and depends, I say, that is really your God.”

It’s easy for me to say, “oh, that stupid law.” It’s the bad law that caused me to sin. If the law wasn’t there then I wouldn’t have sinned. God would realize that I have my plate full with school, work and family; I am living in the 21st century with many vocations to attend to. It’s not me – it’s that outdated oppressive law. Didn’t Christ come to fulfill the law so that we live in God’s good grace?

Before we jump ahead of ourselves let’s imagine for a moment what would happen if the law was fulfilled. For a moment, let’s envision a world where the law is kept in its entirety. The law is not only the first commandment. So that means we are to fear love and trust God above all things, but we also are keeping the other 9 commandments are as well. With the world full of the law what would or wouldn’t be present? (PAUSE) First I notice a few absences, I see the lack of war, poverty, disease, murder, rape and hunger. In addition to loosing bad aspects, we gain things too. Folks in El Salvador have clean drinking water, universal healthcare is available for the poorest African and or environment is healthy. We would be righteous and justified. We would fulfill God’s law and have no need for Christ.

The truth is, we are sinners and cannot fulfill the law. The law is not bad. In fact, the law is God’s good gift for ordering our lives. We Lutherans agree that there are two main uses of the law. First, it establishes order and justice in creation. This use of the law should be the basis to structure our life here on earth in our structures, institutions, and relationships – in our family life, our work and economics, our church organization, and in our lives as citizens. This use law is intended to establish order for those relationships and to make sure they are just.

The second use of the law is to show us our sin. If we were to examine ourselves by the 10 Commandments, we would never make it past the first commandment without being convicted, as we explored at the beginning of the sermon. The law is a mirror for self-examination – it shows us our sin so that we realize our need for Christ.

We are called to live in accordance with the law, but our salvation does not depend on this. We are justified by faith in the work of Christ, not the law. Christ came for us, sinners, the ones who do not keep God’s good just law. The ones that don’t even keep the first commandment. Christ came even before we saw our sin reflected in the 10 commandments.

Thanks be to God

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, to South Dakota We Go

This evening we had our last internship orientation meeting. After the session, Aaron and I went to talk to our relater about our preference to be in Sioux Falls and Colton, South Dakota for the coming year. She was super excited and told us in a quiet tone, “you know, married couples are placed first.” Translation, “you two are going to South Dakota for internship.” This excited me for a number of reasons.

1.I’ll be at Augustana College
a.Colleges have nice breaks
b.Internship will be 9 months instead of 12

2.Summer of 2007 I can do my CPE (aka Clinical Pastoral Education or chaplin)

3.We’ll be in South Dakota in a city with people we know and family an hour and a half away

Aaron and I will make the move to Presho, South Dakota this summer to take over for a pastor on sabbatical. Aaron is responsible for the 3 point perish and I’ll be taking online classes, enjoying the nearby lake and volunteering a few days in Pierre. Pluses here, again, close to family, and I’ll also be free to travel to Ohio for my Grandma’s 90th birthday in the beginning of August.

(Teresa, I’m looking forward to your call to express your excitement!)

Navy Man Returns His Wings

This letter was posted on Truthout. It speaks for itself.
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President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As a young man I was honored to serve our nation as a commissioned officer and helicopter pilot in the US Navy. Before me in WWII, my father defended the country spending two years in the Pacific aboard the USS Hornet (CV-14). We were patriots sworn "to protect and defend". Today I conclude that you have dishonored our service and the Constitution and principles of our oath. My dad was buried with full military honors so I cannot act for him. But for myself, I return enclosed the symbols of my years of service: the shoulder boards of my rank and my Naval Aviator's wings.

Until your administration, I believed it was inconceivable that the United States would ever initiate an aggressive and preemptive war against a country that posed no threat to us. Until your administration, I thought it was impossible for our nation to take hundreds of persons into custody without provable charges of any kind, and to "disappear" them into holes like Gitmo, Abu Ghraib and Bagram. Until your administration, in my wildest legal fantasy I could not imagine a US Attorney General seeking to justify torture or a President first stating his intent to veto an anti-torture law, and then adding a "signing statement" that he intends to ignore such law as he sees fit. I do not want these things done in my name.

As a citizen, a patriot, a parent and grandparent, a lawyer and law teacher I am left with such a feeling of loss and helplessness. I think of myself as a good American and I ask myself what can I do when I see the face of evil? Illegal and immoral war, torture and confinement for life without trial have never been part of our Constitutional tradition. But my vote has become meaningless because I live in a safe district drawn by your political party. My congressman is unresponsive to my concerns because his time is filled with lobbyists' largess. Protests are limited to your "free speech zones", out of sight of the parade. Even speaking openly is to risk being labeled un-American, pro-terrorist or anti-troops. And I am a disciplined pacifist, so any violent act is out of the question.

Nevertheless, to remain silent is to let you think I approve or support your actions. I do not. So, I am saddened to give up my wings and bars. They were hard won and my parents and wife were as proud as I was when I earned them over forty years ago. But I hate the torture and death you have caused more than I value their symbolism. Giving them up makes me cry for my beloved country.

Joseph W. DuRocher

Let It Snow

At 3am this morning our snowcast was 1-3 inches, now it’s 6-9, WAHOO! It's hard to believe the forecast when just two days ago I was playing Frisbee and laying on a picnic table in a t-shirt and sandals. Nevertheless, I’ve been waiting for some big snow and here it comes. So far this year we haven’t been around for a big snowfall to play snowfootball in. Tonight we just might get the snow to make this winter pastime a reality – YEAH SNOW!

Hoping Against Hope

My latest sermon on based on Romans 4:13-25.
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Abraham had faith. He was not one who demanded miracles, signs and wonders. He had faith in God before he trusted God. God made promises to Abraham - HUGE promises. God said, “this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of a multitude of nations.” The problem with the covenant - Abraham didn’t have any children. This would be hard to believe for a young guy in his 20’s but Abraham was 99 and without even one child when this promise of having descendants was made to him. At Abraham’s age, he should be worried about heart disease, cancer or Medicare changes. He should not be concerned with conceiving a child. Let’s not forget about his wife, Sarah, who was barren and past childbearing age too. She too should be worried about the issues of aging, maybe Botox or a face lift. Yet, these two hoped against hope for the promise to be fulfilled.

God also promises Abraham saying, “To your descendants I give this land.” Abraham placed hope in God who promised many things to him. For this promise to be fulfilled Abraham not only needed a child but also land. Abraham hoped against hope that these things would come true.

How often do I hope against hope? Many times it is hard to trust promises. We are living in an age where promises are frequently broken and where hope can be hard to come by. What do we place our hope in? Are we hoping for an unexpected scholarship to pay the bills, hoping for a sunny warm day when we can set homework aside for a few hours and relax? Are we hoping for a miracle drug to cure a loved one? I must admit I am hoping against hope for all of these things.

For years my cousin Zack’s health problems were misdiagnosed. Finally, at age 5 his condition was correctly identified as Autism. His parents, my aunt and uncle did not know what to think. They had no clue what Autism was or what this diagnosis meant. Their immediate thought was that of hope. The hope that he would get better one day, somehow. The thought process was we’ll get him the right therapy and use medication if we must, but he’ll get better.

As he got older, we realized the implications of Zack’s condition. He understands and responds to words, but he cannot use these words for his own communication. He cannot verbally tell others he wants a cheeseburger instead of chocolate pudding or that he wants to swim instead of swing. He doesn’t respond to physical contact like you and I do. Zack is more content ripping a telephone book into strips than being held or cuddled.

Because of the late diagnosis, Zack missed what is commonly known as the ‘learning window’. However, the doctors say that he can learn a skill for the workplace. So now he is learning how to fold sheets, towels and washcloths so that he can one day work at a hotel in housekeeping.

Zack’s dad has tried every treatment he can find, hoping against hope that something will work. Hoping that one-day Zack will begin to speak and be nurtured by the love and affection he receives. My uncle frequently looks through multiple search engines for the latest information and medical breakthroughs.

I remember learning about one of these breakthroughs while I was in college. A drug that would normally be used for another illness was prescribed for an autistic child. While normally not intended for treating autism, this drug worked a miracle for the autistic boy. Within days of taking the medication, the 10 year old boy began to speak and all the symptoms of autism were gone. The wall of silence crumbled and blank stares were shattered with smiles. My uncle found this drug available through an Internet pharmacy operating in England. He bought drug and gave it to Zack hoping against hope that the same results would occur.

Unlike Zack’s experience, Abraham had promises to hope in. Abraham had a promise from God. From a world as Abraham knew it, the deck was stacked against God’s promises. Abraham had promises from God. The promises that God makes, God keeps.

My families hope against hope comes in a different form for Zack. I can’t hope in a promise of Zack being healed from autism. God has made no such promise. The drugs from England provided some positive behavioral modification, but Zack still lives with autism.

The hope in the promise of healing from the English drugs is not the same hope in a promises made by God.

We talk about promises, but what promises does God make to you and me and Zack?

We are promised that God will be with us in all circumstances, near to us, dear to us, at our side. As God was with Abraham, so God continues with us in Christ. There is nothing we have done or could do to deserve this gift.

We are promised that in Christ we shall live forever with Christ, that we shall never die, that Christ conquered death and that we shall live eternally with God. We did nothing to earn or deserve eternal life with God.

Like us, Abraham didn’t earn what was promised, but thanks be to God that the fulfillment of the promise didn’t depend on the works of Abraham. We remember and celebrate the promise given to Abraham and Sarah still because of the ever faithfulness of God’s word. And it is this word, this promise from God, in which we hope against hope.

Bathroom Bugs

One night, I entered the bathroom. My intentions were to brush my teeth when - lo and behold - a ladybug had entered the cabinet behind our mirror. Yes, a ladybug was in the bathroom snuggled in beside my toothpaste. Instead of killing it myself, I quickly remembered why I married Aaron. He has a gift for killing ladybugs and their cousins.

Story two – one year earlier: One early morning (think 4am) we were at a Shalom Hill Farm, a retreat center in rural Minnesota. The place where we were staying had an Asian Beetle infestation. So, Aaron and I were fast asleep when Aaron jumped out of bed and began shaking his head and making scary noises. Somehow, the light came on and he managed to say, “there’s an Asian beetle in my ear!” It took me a good minute or two to wake up enough to laugh, then another 3 minutes to settle down enough to help. We spent the next 20 minutes sticking things (pen caps, paper clips and finally tweezers) in his ear trying to get it out. That morning he stomped the beetle so many times you’ve thought he was trying to stomp it to the bedrock below.

Henceforth he shall be known as Aaron the Lady Bug/Asian Beetle Slayer.

Not that I don’t value Aaron’s work, but to see a real killer in action check out what Wesley killed in his bathroom at
Wesley's Bathroom Kill.

God, what?

If anyone takes the word of Christ seriously, they are not believable. It's good that my salvation doesn't depend on my belief or lack there of. Every so often, I begin to think about what I’m really saying and believing.

I regularly confess the Apostles Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again,
He ascended into heaven.
He is seated at the right hand of the Father
and He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Do I really believe? Was there really a Christ that was both fully divine and fully human? Did this Christ take away my sin at His expense? There’s life after my flesh dies and my body will be resurrected?

This is impossible. I am only a lowly human, why would any god care about me? Can God possibly know what I’ve done and not done and still cleanse my sins? Why does God take my sins? What does God get out of this? The nature of God is puzzling. It just doesn’t make sense.

God has power, and for me, power corrupts me. How is God still good? How am I subject to sin but God isn’t. Why am I trying to bring God down to my level?

It is uncomfortable to know that I have nothing to do, say or think to secure my salvation. The Holy Spirit has already claimed me, through nothing I could’ve done or not done. I want God to be understandable in human terms, here and now. For now, I wait, watch and listen as Christ is led to Golgotha.

The Wall

Today is sound off day. After a weekend with friends, I’m catching up on the news and responding.

My latest scream goes out to the US – Mexican Wall. This is absurd. The wall will not change the number of undocumented immigrants entering the US. There will always be ways to get into the US without documents.

What about labor? The US could not function without it’s undocumented immigrants.

The thought that people need papers to travel to areas outside of a certain border is absurd. Borders are artificial lines humans have been constructed to make the preschool saying, “you’re not my friend” law. I don’t like you, you can’t come where I am. We call it national security. Doesn't this make us more unsecure? We are more restricted than ants, owls, lizards and lions. Is anyone else tired of living in the cage of borders?

Ending Abortion in South Dakota

According to the Minnesota Daily, “both houses of South Dakota’s legislature passed a bill banning almost all abortions, with the only exception being to save the mother’s life. Now the bill is waiting for the signature of abortion opponent Gov. Mike Rounds, who says he is inclined to sign it.”

Another part of the law states, “if a woman who is raped becomes pregnant, the rapist would have the same rights to the child as the mother,” (CNN).

All of this makes me scream, STOP! Do lawmakers know what they’re doing? The state only has one abortion clinic, which performs an average of 800 abortions a year - less than 3 a day. I can’t imagine that this would become the law of the land. I also can’t imagine how the bill got this far. I would expect this craziness from Bible Belt of West Virginia, not an awesome state like South Dakota.

Home Moves to Minnesota

This weekend Shannon came from Ohio, Mike came from South Dakota and Rene came from Nebraska. Thus, Lori, Aaron and I each had a taste of our home states come to Minnesota. We had a blast. Friday night Aaron and I hosted our first American Idol party. American Idol is a Play Station 2 game with a dance pad, think Dance Dance Revolution. Check out the photos!

On Thursday, I began to get really excited about Shannon’s visit, and I took a trip down memory lane. Shannon and I have been ‘best friends’ for almost 10 years. Since I moved away from Ohio, she’s traveled at least two times a year to visit me, that’s more than everyone else combined! Even with 750 miles between us, nothing has really changed. I love my Shannon!

Transfiguration

This semester I'm taking a preaching course. Below is the sermon I preached this week on Mark 9:2-9.
_____________________________________________________

“This is my Son, the beloved ,listen to him!”
“This is my Son, the beloved ,listen to him!”
“This is my Son, the beloved ,listen to him!”

Many voices say, ‘listen to me.’ Just this morning I have listened to numerous voices. I woke up to the voice of my husband which was quickly followed by NPR’s weather forecaster, field reporters, national commentators, and audio clips of politicians. I must not omit your voices, including yours Dr. Rogness’ which I obviously listened and responded to, after all, I am standing before you.

These voices have all said “listen to me” within the two hours I’ve been awake. I expect that throughout the rest of my day I will also hear voices of Hollywood celebrities, Olympians, musicians, political commentators, the children I nanny, other classmates and professors and even the voice of my mother.

The critical concern becomes, why listen? What is each voice trying to tell me? Why are they telling me this? What are they trying to get me to do? What are the benefits of listening? Don’t get me wrong, these voices are not the epitome of evil and to be avoided at all cost. These voices have their place. These voices are important. Yet, in the midst of these voices there is a voice from a cloud, “This is my Son, the beloved, listen to him!”

It is appropriate to realize this is not the first time the words “this is my Son, the beloved” are spoken in Mark’s gospel. In the first chapter of Mark, after Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, a voice came from heaven saying, “you are my son, the beloved, with you I am well pleased.” Here the announcement is addressing Jesus. This is in contrast to the transfiguration proclamation addressing Peter, James and John. In both cases, Jesus hears a voice from above. Jesus has been claimed “This is my Son, the beloved, listen to him!”

In the very sentence that claims Jesus we are given a command – listen to him. The truth is we don’t listen. We don’t even want to listen to him. We shout over Jesus’ words. We listen to the voices in and of this world.

In the chapter before the transfiguration Jesus “began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him." A crucified messiah is too much for Peter and it’s too much for us. We don’t want Jesus to be crucified either. If he’s crucified and is raised he’s not just a wise teacher and his words are not mere abstract principles or abstract things. They’re the words of God for us. They’re the words of God speaking to us.

And yet, how well do we listen? The skeptic in me asks, when do I ever listen to God? My hope is that I was listening to God’s call when I came to seminary, when I sat with the friend who struggled with an unplanned/unwanted pregnancy and when I teach Sunday school. Yet, I constantly want things my way. I do not want to surrender myself. I want to be my own god.

Unlike myself, the disciples were with Christ. We have seen how well the disciples listen to Jesus and they were with Jesus.

Our turning point comes through faith. No matter what we or the disciples do, Jesus’ saving work does not change. As Jesus is claimed through water and the word, we too are claimed in the water and word of our baptism. This happens despite even with bad listening skills.

The disciples did not listen, yet Christ was crucified, died and was buried and on the third day he rose again. Luther’s explanation of the second article of the Apostles Creed explains Christ’s salvific work.

"He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned human being. He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his, holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that I may belong to him, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally."

It is fitting that we spend this, the last Thursday before Lent recalling the voice from the cloud, “this is my son, the beloved, listen to him!”

Wesley in Thailand

In January, 2005, Wesley and I met for one last hug in Port Columbus. I was headed for Florida, and he was heading to Thailand for 2 years to join Peace Corps. Wes and I met our freshman year of high school. As long as I can remember, Wes has had a dream of becoming a missionary. While he isn’t directly linked with a large church body, but he is giving 2 years of his life for others. In response to many requests for photos and info of his time, Wes began a blog of his experience. He has done a fabulous job telling his story with words and photos of this far away place. If nothing else, check out the photos. Check him out@ Wesley in Thailand

More Nestingen

Through a blog search I found some more info about Nestingen. Check out a quote from Nestingen's brother.
http://revsteve1967.blogspot.com/2006/02/nestingen-retirement.html

Could it be...

Today has been filled with questions and rumors. Aaron and I had an interview at 8am and the pastor began by asking us about Nestingen. After listening to a recording of the student question session, Aaron arrived at a new theory about the resignation, I mean retirement, but even Lull can't keep these two straight. Maybe Nestingen had a problem with the newly established administration, namely Bliese and Lose, as well as the new direction of Luther. So, they went out to Oregan to try to find common ground. Lori observed that Lose seemed to hold back while Lull was giving the students what she knew. Lose would be at the center, know it all and be on of the ones that the personal conflict existed between. Hmm, theories abound. Tonight we're going out with a rather large group of fellow theorist students. Well, for this week, commandment 8 is smashed to pieces.

Cleaning House

Today I received this email from Luther Seminary President Rick Bliese.
_____________________________________

Students,

This announcement concerns Jim Nestingen and his retirement from Luther Seminary. If you would like the opportunity to find out more about this situation and ask questions about Professor Nestingen’s retirement, we will be holding two open sessions for students on Friday morning (tomorrow) from 8 to 9 AM (OCC Board Room) and Tuesday morning, February 21st from 8 to 9 AM (OCC Board Room). I hope that you will take the time and join the session.
Thank you for your prayers and support.

Pax,
Rick Bliese
__________________________________________________

On January 31, 2006, Dr. James Arne Nestingen announced his intention to retire as of January 31, 2006. Professor Nestingen offered his retirement as part of an effort to resolve some claimed interpersonal difficulties within the faculty. Luther Seminary has asked Professor Nestingen to continue to teach on a limited basis and direct graduate students as Professor Emeritus of Church History and he has agreed. Both Luther Seminary and Professor Nestingen are pleased to have arrived at a solution that enables the Seminary to take advantage of his skills as a theologian and gifts as a teacher.

In accepting Professor Nestingen’s decision to retire, while asking him to continue teaching, Luther Seminary emphasized that Professor Nestingen’s retirement is not due to any allegations of heresy or misconduct, sexual or otherwise. In addition, the Seminary did not ask Professor to retire or resign.

Rick Bliese
President
Luther Seminary

Jim Nestingen
Professor Emeritus of Church History
Luther Seminary
__________________________________________________

What’s up with the faculty? In January, Kelly Fryer left after not being able to comply with the sexual policies of the ELCA. Before classes even began this semester, Aaron and I heard rumors that Nestingen had been ask to leave Luther. It was hard to let Fryer leave, but it was her decision. Nestingen’s retirement, on the other hand, seems like a cleaning move by Bliese and the board. Nestingen didn't even write to the students, Bliese did. Why did he leave without the fanfare and praise he deserves right after rumors began? Fishy!

It’s no secret that Luther’s faculty is deeply divided. Many students would buy tickets to sit silently in the corner to watch the faculty go at each other. We know what the divide is. We know who is in which camp. We hear rumors and murmurs of faculty meetings, and faculty often walk into class on Thursday mornings with a smile to be with students and away from some of their colleagues. This news shocks those outside of Luther. Luther is a seminary after all and we should all be Minnesota nice and love each each other as God loves us. The truth is the discussions here are deep. We’re talking about God. We are talking about Martin Luther. How can debates and theological understand not lead to divisions? For now, the Pharisees are still at it. I have a feeling they always will be.

"To love another person is to see the face of God!"

Tonight Lori, Aaron and I are going to see the last touring performance of Les Miserables. For once I knew how to answer when Mom popped the question, "what do you want for your birthday?" We have awesome seats (no balcony tonight!) thanks to Mom! This is the musical I have always wanted to see. I know every word to the score. I woke up in a panic this morning. The tickets are in the bag with the mail, but where's the bag with the mail? So, at 7a I was running through the apartment looking for the tickets instead of getting ready for my 8a Confessions course. I am happy to report all is well, the tickets are on the kitchen table and at 8p tonight we'll begin a night I've spent years dreaming of.

Back in MN

After 4 weeks, Aaron and I have landed safely in St. Paul. Over the last two months, we’ve traveled to South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio. We’ve enjoyed being away and seeing many faces and places, but being home is good too. Some of our travels are documented on my pics page. More later, off to get ready for the super bowl!

This I Believe

Today my friend, 'Big Poppa' sent me a forward to end all forwards. I endorse this link and think everyone should forward it to everyone in their address book. Click on the link below and enjoy!



URGENT: End Forwards Now!

Chicago

Aaron and I are on week two of our S.C.U.P.E. (Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education) course. We are part of a group of 23 seminarians traveling through Chicago to hear from community visionaries and leaders. Our Professor is internationally known and has been called the best African American preacher in the U.S. Her network has allowed us to hear from THE leaders in the city. We’ve traveled to infamous areas Cabrini Green, Robert Taylor Homes, Cicero, South Chicago and many other places. We’re learning about the projects and issues that these leaders now face as gangs fight for new turf after being displaced. We're hearing the problems associated with gentrification and how racism, economic injustice and violence are perpetuated by the powers and principalities.

By day we learn and by night we explore Chicago’s nightlife. Last night we were at the Green Mill. “One of famous gangster Al Capone's former speakeasies from the Prohibition-era roaring '20s (check out his photo on the baby grand behind the bar); it was also a fav of Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson. The oldest jazz club in the US (and presumably the world), under Dave Jemilo's care, it remains one of the city's liveliest jazz venues and still serves a mean Manhattan and martini.” Tonight it’s off to Rush Street for my fav Chicago piano bar/ steak house, Gibson's.

West Virginia Miners Trapped in Mine

Photo: The road leading from the coal company owned homes to the coal mine in Beards Fork, WV.





Today the nation learned of 12 miners killed in a West Virginia. Exacerbating this horrendous situation was a three-hour period of joy when the 12 were reported to be alive.

While I have never lived through the horror of a mine collapse, the news hits close. In my family, men had a choice between working in the coalmines and joining the military. I am the granddaughter, great niece and cousin of many miners. Eubert, my great uncle was killed in the mines. Mom’s best friend growing up, Sheila, lost her husband in the mine. Tracy, another great uncle, died of black lung. Grandpa still waits for his black lung settlement.

A few years ago, I heard the stories of mine collapses in Beards Fork, WV. My grandma told of the horror of waiting for ‘Daddy’ to come home after the news of a collapse. During the 2004 collapse in Russia, I was visiting my grandpa. He was glued to the cable news channels and would not sleep while their fate was known. Miners know danger. They are also a tight bunch who cling to each other for survival.

With this collapse, I feel a mix of sadness and rage. I rage against Ben Hatfield, the company president, for letting the families celebrate a lie that their men were alive. Mostly, I grieve for the families that will never be the same. I grieve for all families, including my own, who have lost loved ones for coal.