Life Inbetween

What are you praying for?

2009-02-06T14:59:00.002-05:00

Recently printed in Watertown's Public Opinion...

In times of joy and sorrow, celebration and despair prayers are said. Prayers are offered for peace between warring nations, for health and safety of loved ones and for daily bread. But there is one prayer that is to be a model for our prayers - the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, the Lord's Prayer. In this prayer, Jesus teaches us to demand for the Lord's name to be sacred, for our world to become just like it is in heaven, and that God give us our daily bread. No "please" is offered. Jesus teaches us to urgently demand, "Give us this day our daily bread." We are even taught to give God a deadline: today! It takes a lot of audacity to pray this demanding prayer, yet that is what Jesus taught us to humbly and respectfully do.

When we demand daily bread from God, we are demanding to be given what we need for this life. It is not a demand for a mansion or a luxury car, but it is a demand for what is needed to sustain our lives. We pray for bread to eat, for a safe place to sleep, and for an orderly community. Jesus teaches us to pray this to our Father in heaven, who has promised to provide our daily bread. Praying this prayer refocuses us on God who provides everything we have and everything we need.

In these uncertain times this prayer is a powerful testament to the way God cares for each one of us, but it also calls us to care for others as well. God has given us our daily bread, but some will go to bed cold and hungry tonight. Too often this happens because some of us have unjustly hoarded the daily bread and the fruits of creation. When we pray the prayer Jesus taught, we should also ask ourselves how we can help others receive their share of the daily bread God provides.

Thanks be to God who will continue to provide the daily bread even as we demand our portion!

DC Sites

2009-01-23T11:55:00.007-05:00

Library of Congress

Union Station

Preparations were underway for a dinner honoring V.P. Biden

If you click on this pic to make it bigger so that you can read the card tucked in the napkin

U.S> Supreme Court

The U.S. Capitol

Tickets

2009-01-23T11:54:00.002-05:00

People waiting to go through security at the Cannon House Office Building

Our line at the Hart Senate Office Building

Special thanks Senator Tim Johnson for the ticket!

Tickets and our invitation to the Inauguration

We had tickets to stand in the blue section

Inauguration Day

2009-01-23T11:51:00.017-05:00

The Branch Ave. Metro Station at 4am

We ate breakfast at Union Station

A look at the back of the U.S. Capitol. In just a few hours the President took the oath of office on the other side

Waiting in line to go through security

Entering the Blue Gate

Finally entering the Capitol grounds at 11am

Our view

Snipers were on all buildings

Biden takes an oath

Yo-Yo Ma

President Obama

People walking down the freeway after the big event

Inauguration of President Barack Obama

2009-01-22T14:54:00.000-05:00

The Last 4 Months

2008-08-26T17:42:00.002-05:00

After a four month break it’s time to get posting again. In the past four months a few life changes have occurred. Aaron and I graduated in May, led a mission trip to North Carolina in June. We were ordained, moved to South Dakota and installed shortly thereafter. It’s been an amazing summer to say the least. I have been moved to tears over excitement and joy as well as fear and doubts.

I am already falling in love with the members and staff of, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, the congregation where I’ve been called to serve. I never pictured myself in a large place, yet there are over 3000 members and I have been repeatedly amazed by the relationships I’ve begun in a place this size. I never imagined I’d live in a town of 200, but I live in Toronto, South Dakota a town so small it doesn’t even have a traffic light yet I live in a house with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and over 2400 sq. feet. Size is definitely juxtaposed from what I had imagined. At this time last year I envisioned I’d be serving a small congregation and living in an apartment in a city, and I currently have a call at a large congregation and live in a large house in eastern South Dakota.

So far, my biggest joys have come during my hospital visitations. There’s something about walking into a hospital room, introducing myself and connecting with a member in a way that would otherwise take years. Something about the stress, uncertainty and boredom of hospital stays helps folks reach out and open up. At some point these past four months someone told me that it’s amazing when you walk into a hospital room and realize you’re only one of the pastors walking in…there are others from days gone by, good ones and bad ones, but all called to ministry and they’re there in the room with you. I’ve felt that amazing presence numerous times.

Some of my biggest anxieties come from being a member of pastoral team of three. I only preach about once a month and fall programming isn’t underway yet, so there’s a lot of office time without a lot of interaction with people. Also, the other two pastors have been handling things they had already planned on. My first wedding isn’t until November and my first baptism was this past Sunday. On the flip side, it is helpful and a privilege to work with the other two pastors. They are opposites in many ways, but both have been called to walk in this place at this time and both reach different members of the congregation with their styles and beliefs.

Overall, I’m doing well. It’s about the time for homesickness to be settling in and I can feel it coming on already. I can’t wait for the fall to begin. I’ll be teaching 6th grade confirmation, as well as an adult study focused on the catechism and Lutheran history plus youth groups will be up and running and we’ll begin another worship service. Life outside work is good too. It’s great to have Audra
(Aaron’s sister) and her family so close and we’ve been able to see our friends in Sioux Falls a few times. Most nights Aaron and I kick back and watch tv – we finally have cable so we’re watching way too much tv. Well, it’s time to get to another meeting, the fifth one today.

Letter from a Pastor for the September Newsletter

2008-08-26T16:59:00.002-05:00

When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.” – Exodus 15.19-21

In the early days as intern pastor at Augustana College in Sioux Falls my supervisor asked me to pick a passage of scripture to guide me through the year. I choose the Exodus 15:19-21. These days I find myself echoing Miriam’s song of praise. Thankfully, God has brought me through four years of seminary and a move over 1000 miles to Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer where I sing and dance full of praise for God’s protection and guidance.

The account of the Israelites and Egyptians has always intrigued me. One of my earliest childhood memories involves my family gathering in the family room with bowls of popcorn to watch the annual broadcast of the Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston as Moses. Later, Disney’s Prince of Egypt peaked my interest enough to reread the story in Exodus where I discovered a good deal inconsistencies between the scriptures and the films.

This began my interest in the dynamics between popular culture’s presentation of the Bible and the scriptures themselves. The journey has been interesting to say the least. In my experience “God helps those who help themselves” seems to be the most common misquoted saying. It is actually quote from Ben Franklin, a deist, even though it is often attributed to the Bible. In fact, the Bible turns this so-called wisdom on its head. The Israelites were freed because God intervened on their behalf. They were powerless against their Egyptian captors and could not free themselves. Does this sound familiar? Have you ever admitted that you’re in bondage to sin and cannot free yourself? Again and again, God acts to free those who cannot free themselves. God frees the Israelites, and God frees you. Go, sing and dance.

Peace be yours!

Check out Exodus 1-15 and Romans 5:6-8 for more thought provoking verses.

Another Move to South Dakota

2008-04-08T20:10:00.005-05:00

It’s official; we’re headed to South Dakota for first call! Last week we even heard about congregations we might be serving. A few days I’ve woken up asking myself, do we really have the names of congregations we’re going to interview with? Yes, is the answer I keep coming up with.

I can’t wait to be closer to the nieces! The picture in the upper left corner is Keira Grace on her two week birthday! We had the privilege to be her first babysitters after we sent her parents out to dinner. The bottom left is Ava Joyce. She’s bouncy and full of giggles.

As we prepare for yet another transition I realize that I’m making extra efforts to see family and friends in Ohio these days. This afternoon I picked up grandma from the airport and I wanted to spend all evening catching up, but she was tired from traveling and I thought I should get home to Aaron. When I checked my voice mail I saw that Mom had called. When I returned her call I learned that she was with Jack at Chad’s track meet only 20 miles from the apartment so I went to watch his last three events. I’m proud to announce he took second in the 200 meter and won the 4 by 4! Just before we parted Mom said before I go we have to do another girls night at grandmas. She also has a standing gift request, one round trip plane ticket a year for Christmas/Mother’s Day/ Birthday. As excited as I am about moving back to South Dakota it will be hard to leave Columbus.

Again I come to the hard realization that life will always be bitter sweet for Aaron and I. We are blessed with amazing families, but they will always be 1000 miles apart. We will never move to a place where our parents and siblings live. Then again, whenever we get sick of being around one side of the family we can always run to the other.

The Cabin

2008-02-16T16:46:00.005-05:00

Before the Spring Semester began Aaorn and I ran away to Southern Ohio for a week. Here are a few pics from our week at Rustic Ridge Retreat.

When we arrived the innkeeper had baked a cake and purchased a bottle of wine for us.

More pics...I have never seen so many widows with such amazing views!

Once We Sang and Danced

2008-02-07T14:27:00.000-05:00

Once we sang and danced with gladness;
once delight filled every breath;
now we sit among the ashes,
all our dreams destroyed by death.

All the willows bow in weeping,
all the rivers rage and moan,
as creation joins the pleading:
“God, do not leave us alone.”

God who came to dwell among us,
God, who suffered our disgrace,
from your own heart, grieved and wounded,
come the riches of your grace.

Come, O Christ, among the ashes,
come to wipe our tears away,
death destroy and sorrow banish;
now and always, come and stay.

This is the text from closing hymn at the Ash Wednesday service Aaron and I attended last night. I sobbed through the hymn as I thought about Jessica Marie Larson, Aaron’s 25 year old cousin who lost her battle with cancer at 5:05am that morning. The hymn has become my prayer.

I'm Sorry

2008-01-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

I don’t have class until February! This extra time translates to more time for seeing the awesome friends and family around the Columbus area. Recently I’ve noticed a trend. The three women I’m closest to, Mom, Grandma and Mel are constantly giving Aaron the ‘I’m sorry’ comments or look.

Last night it came from Mel. While she was picking up her youngest daughter she asked if I’d like to come over because she had a pan of double chocolate brownies in the oven. I picked up Aaron and headed over. We were all standing in her kitchen when Aaron and I said we should get back to grandmas to so Aaron could work on laundry. Mel chimed in, “he does all the laundry, what do you do?” The more distant women in my life say that it’s great the man does the laundry, but not Mel. She’s concerned. Her concern was somewhat abated when I informed her that I do the grocery shopping, but she still had that poor Aaron look.

After noticing the trend I decided to ask Aaron about it. He denied it at first, but then he chuckled and said that yes, they do this. I began thinking, what am I doing to illicit this response. Am I that hard to be with? Why the looks of sympathy for Aaron? Aaron shot back that in his words I am a ‘force of nature.’ I’m not sure if I’m confident I know what he means, and I am less sure that I am comfortable with that title. Aaron continued that I’m a force of nature because when I set my mind to something I am really set on it and I will not let anything stand in my way. There has to more to it though. For now I’m off to do the same thing I do every night, Pinky - try to take over the world.

Christmas Pics

2008-01-14T11:13:00.000-05:00

Here are the photo highlights of Christmas.
1.The Friday before Christmas Mom, Jack, Raven, Grandma, Tina, Aaron and I went to Cincinnati for a night away. We saw a fun Christmas cabaret and partied a little too much.
2.The Sunday before Christmas the Wernicke’s gathered to celebrate. Todd and LA got no-bake cookies from Mom as part of their gift.
3.Bryon’s gift from Santa.
4.Todd and Grandma listen to “T’was the Night Before Christmas”
5.Elyse learns her fate from Santa’s Good Children – Bad Children Book
6.The Wernicke great grandgirls
7.Christmas Day at Mom’s
8.Katelynn and her ‘real’ cat
9.Freezing fog. There was no mist or rain, but we drove through crazy thick fog. I had to turn the defrost on as high as it would go and open the back windows, but we made it!
10.Parry’s Settler’s Wonder Tower.
11.Boys will be boys. Mike, Aaron and Parry at Giggle Bee’s. Non – South Dakotans think Chuck – E – Cheese from the 80’s.
12.Quilts made from Grandpa and Grandma Matson’s clothing for the siblings.
13.Audra, Ava and Becca
14.Ava, her grandpa and her uncle
15.Becca at Chuck – E – Cheese
16.Me at work ice skating with Bethel’s youth and Santa!

Thank the Lord and Sing Praise!

2007-12-19T15:59:00.000-05:00

Today I stopped by my mailbox before heading to my last class of 2007. I received a paper from a professor I had turned a few weeks ago then I heard screams of joy. A classmate said she got $400 she wasn’t expecting. I was happy for her because it’s money crunch time for students as our fall loan money is out and our next checks won’t come until late January. How are we gonna pay rent becomes a question. We walked to class and she is continuing to sing through the halls. We enter our classroom and another students says, “My husband got one too, they were from an anonymous donor for Capital alumni.” I was disappointed because I hadn’t got a check in my school mailbox. I went through class, did my presentation and said my goodbyes wondering how I had been forgotten. When I got back to our apartment I checked the mail and sure enough there was an envelope from Capital!

Alleluia! Every time we begin to run short we get a gift from a generous donor. Sometimes we get help from the church ladies in South Dakota and other times we are awarded a scholarship we’ve never even heard of. We have been given many blessings. Today, we thank Capital’s Anonymous Alumni. Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Is 'P' for Pastor?

2007-12-09T18:39:00.000-05:00

So, I’m taking classes on the Pass – Marginal – Fail system instead of traditional A – F grades. Today I received an email from a professor stating that a late paper will receive a Marginal if I do not make a few changes. Honestly, I just want to Pass, but since she took the time to send the email stating exactly what needs to be changed to receive a Pass I feel like I have to rewrite the paper. Really, does it make any difference if I write a paper on the rationale behind my Spirituality and the Arts final presentation? It makes the difference between being a student just going for an overall Pass and the student going for the Super-Pass. Aren’t I taking classes without letter grades so I don’t have to worry about how spectacular my work is? Enough ranting, it’s time to earn that Super-Pass that really is only worth a Pass. P is for Pastor!

Receive an Email When I've Posted

2007-11-21T11:34:00.000-05:00

Hey Reader!

I found a new feature of this blog site. If you wish to subscribe to Life Inbetween's e-mail list and receive e-mail updates each time new material is added to this blog, enter your email in the subscribe box at the end of the right column.

A Thanksgiving Rant

2007-11-19T14:13:00.000-05:00

Finding time to write these days has been harder than ever before. I forgot about the quick pace of life I lead Ohio. I certainly have much to be thankful for: seminary, youth, family and friends, but wow are these things exhausting! I can’t begin to explain the past few months, so I’ll stick with the past week and random highlights.

One of the coolest parts of my fall semester at Trinity was Choral Evensong. Trinity has two choirs, one is a liturgical choir that sings during Eucharist on Wednesday. The second comes together to rehearse one large work. This year over 65 students and friends of Trinity came together to sing Haydn’s Paukenmesse (Mass in Time of War) we were accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra and some of the top local opera singers. Paukenmesse is set in the sermon rubric in the Service of Light. It was great to have family at worship; Mom, Jack, Grandma and Aaron were in attendance. Following the worship we all went to the Monk for drinks and some great live jazz. Part of being near so many people I love means I am never able to spend as much time with them all as I would like. The evening provided the perfect excuse for us to come together and enjoy each other’s presence and a few fine chocolate martinis.

Another highlight would have to be the Luther Bowl. On Luther’s birthday, November 10th 8 seminaries came together in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to play flag football. The winner gets the championship Book of Concord and bobble head Luther. Trinity won the championship the past two years, but had to let it go home with the folks from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. It was a sad day. Aaron and the rest of the Trinity players fought hard, but the battle was just too much.

The Luther Bowl set me up for a really rough week. My due dates for the following week were… Monday, New Testament II take home exam due. Tuesday, Pastor as Leader critical question due. Wednesday, Feminist Biblical Interpretation, 10 page paper on Naming the Holy due and our class attended For the Bible Tells Me So that evening followed by a discussion until 1:30a. Thursday I was sick with a fever, but that was gone by Friday. Friday I wrote my 10 page exegetical paper for New Testament II due today because this was quite the busy weekend.

Friday night, Aaron and I finally hosted a few friends for dinner and games. Saturday Ohio State crushed the team up north and Briseis had her first birthday party. Sunday, I taught Sunday School and then led 11 5-6th graders and chaperons on a pizza party and bowling field trip followed by 24 7-12th graders and chaperones at a Blue Jackets game. The Jackets lost after the second shoot out. The day was a blast but quite exhausting. Working with youth isn’t my most passionate area in ministry, but my it’s fun! Today I’m catching my breath and preparing to celebrate my victory over class work and craziness with classmates in the Short North with $1 Margaritas.

The plan is for this week to be a much-needed time to catch my breath. I think I have it scheduled to meet the needs of catching up with folks, but not too crazy of a time. On Wednesday night we’re probably staying with the Bradley’s as the night promises to be late, filled with cooking and friends from afar. Thursday Aaron and I will make three turkey dinners and Friday we’ll be with my folk’s for a end of the year bonfire party. Saturday the only obligation thus far is getting Aaron some new shoes at the outlet ‘cause Mom just got a 40% Reebok coupon and possibly a movie. Sunday it’s back to work, but then Christmas isn’t far off. Oh, and last week I was approved to take January off. So, this January I’ll be working and traveling. I’m thinking Hocking Hills, Chicago, Milwaukee, NYC and DC, but we’ll see.

I know this seems a little long, but really, it’s nothing compared to the 20 pages I wrote last week. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Free Rice

2007-11-13T15:51:00.001-05:00

For each word you get right 10 grains of rice will be donated though the United Nations to end world hunger.

FreeRice was recently in the BBC news.

What is FreeRice?

FreeRice has a custom database containing thousands of words at varying degrees of difficulty. There are words appropriate for people just learning English and words that will challenge the most scholarly professors. In between are thousands of words for students, business people, homemakers, doctors, truck drivers, retired people… everyone!

FreeRice automatically adjusts to your level of vocabulary. It starts by giving you words at different levels of difficulty and then, based on how you do, assigns you an approximate starting level. You then determine a more exact level for yourself as you play. When you get a word wrong, you go to an easier level. When you get three words in a row right, you go to a harder level. This one-to-three ratio is best for keeping you at the “outer fringe” of your vocabulary, where learning can take place.

Get smarter feeding people at FreeRice!

A Reformation Blessing

2007-10-28T18:29:00.000-05:00

It's Reformation Sunday again! I love the history and tradition surrounding this day. For a taste of the excitement and history of today check out this new twist on the tune "Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious".

The Reformation Polka
by Robert Gebel

When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law;
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter's profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saints' Bull'tin board:
"You cannot purchase merits, for we're justified by grace!
Here's 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!" Oh...

Chorus

They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
"Are these your books? Do you recant?" King Charles did demand,
"I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!" Oh...

Chorus

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting "George" as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin's model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh...

Chorus

Let's raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that 'catholic' is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,
So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance! Oh...

Now that you have a little history of the day I feel better. Now on to a personal reflection.

Today Aaron and I sang with the choir at both services. Because I wanted to sit with Matt, and because I haven’t spent much time with Katelynn lately I choose not to sit in the choir loft. I had the honor to hold 6 year-old Katelynn during worship. I held her when we sat and I held her when we stood. The magic came when the congregation sang the Kyrie. When the congregation sang Katelynn belted...

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.

Worthy is Christ the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.

Power, riches and wisdom and strength
and honor and blessing and glory are his.

Sing with all the people of God,
join in the hymn of all creation.

Blessing, honor and glory,
glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia, alleluia.

While we sang the words took on new meaning. These words have been sung for generations and will continue to be sung long after this generation passes away. The faith that Katelynn expressed today rekindled my faith. We joined in the hymn of all creation. We joined in the hymn of creation that is past, present and to come. My hope is that Katelynn will sing these words thousands of times in her lifetime. My prayer is that she and all our children know the power of Almighty Fortress that is our God.

And We're Back

2007-10-28T18:22:00.000-05:00

Aaron and I are back in Ohio getting ready to begin the second half of the fall semester. I’m relieved to be done with one course and following the choir concert this Friday I’ll be done with two classes. My week will have 8 extra hours!

I’m quite excited for the concert on Friday, if you’re in Columbus you should check it out at Trinity at 8p. Over 60 voices in the seminary choir will be joined with soloists and chamber orchestra to perform Haydn’s Paukenmesse or Mass in Time of War. Yes, this is a shameless plug.

The journey to the upper Midwest and Great Plains was rejuvenating. I wish I could say restful, but driving over 2,300 miles and sleeping in 7 different places in 8 nights is hardly a restful week. Highlights of the week include Parry and Melissa’s wedding and meeting baby Ava (see pictures in blogs below). And of course it was great to reconnect with family and friends in the region. We drove home yesterday so that we could be back for Reformation worship today. For the first time I felt like I was leaving home to go home. It sounds weird, but I now realize I have the privilege of many homes. South Dakota feels like home, Minnesota friends feel like home and Ohio feels like home. I am blessed.

The Toft's

2007-10-25T11:10:00.001-05:00

Melissa and Parry are married!

Ava

2007-10-25T11:05:00.000-05:00

During Fall Break Aaron and I made a stop in Fremont, Nebraska to meet Ava Joyce. We also got to hang out with her mom and dad, but she stole the show:)

Midterms and Such

2007-10-17T15:24:00.000-05:00

Preparations are underway to leave Ohio in 29 hours. Destinations: Jackson, MN, Sioux Falls, SD, Delmont, SD, Fremont, NE and St. Paul, MN. After a crazy week of midterms we’re planning an all night drive across the Midwest for Parry and Melissa’s wedding, to meet Ava and see family and friends sprinkled throughout the upper Midwest and Great Plains.

In preparation for the journey we’re headed to Grandma Miller’s to do laundry and fill up on the best Chinese food ever, China Bell. Who would guess that the best Chinese food would come from a suburb in Columbus, Ohio? Don’t ask questions, just enjoy. In a conversation with Mom yesterday she said, “you haven’t seen Grandma since she got back from Georgia. She says you better see her before you leave you because haven’t seen her in almost two weeks!” Mom didn't need to lay the guilt we were already excited for an evening with Grandma.

The truth is I can’t wait to get out of here. I love being back home, but it’s time for a road trip (almost 2 months in one place, yuck!). I figure we’ll be in the car about 40 hours over break. That’s quite literally a full-time job, ahh! Well, doing two weeks worth of laundry tonight will be quite the undertaking too. The joys of seminary life are almost too much sometimes.

4th Move in 2 Years

2007-09-03T13:51:00.001-05:00

(Seminary)

Aaron and I have been quite busy the past month. On the 6th we celebrated our 2nd anniversary in Yankton, SD at the Captain’s Inn. My folks visited the following weekend (thanks Joe, Shirley, Michael and Kennedy the wonderful hospitality) and took a load from Sioux Falls to ohio. Then Aaron turned 27. We had dinner and played Settlers of Catan with friends and family. The real fun came when Audra and Jake brought over an ice cream birthday cake. Since we were 3 days before the move we had packed all the dishes and sent them to Ohio with my folks. We had to serve on Tupperware lids and containers with plastic forks.

Sunday afternoon we moved in to find one drawer in the kitchen, no cabinets under the bathroom sink and two closets for the entire apartment, both located in the hallway. But what can we expect when we’re only paying 415 a month for an apartment where the average house costs 299K. Monday we began setting up our place. Tuesday Aaron setup a little more while I had my first meeting for work (Director of Youth at Bethel, my home congregation) and visited my paternal grandma. Then walked over to my cousin Elyse’s first ice cream social at school, yeah kindergarten! Wednesday we had seminary orientation, dinner with my maternal grandma and choir practice. Thursday and Friday brought more orientation, a potluck, and then finally on Friday afternoon we packed up to head to Deer Creek State Park for a weekend of camping with 9 families from Bethel. Today, Labor Day, we’ve finished unpacking the apartment before classes begin Tuesday and tonight we’re serving at Faith Mission, a soup kitchen in downtown. Wow, I think that’s most of the latest with us.

This is all to say, sorry I haven’t updated in a while. We’re still deciding whether we should pay for Internet at home or get it free at sem, work and local restaurants. So, if you really need to get in touch, give us a buzz.

1. Our room at the Captain’s Inn
2. Kissin at Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Canyon, SD
3. Mom on the trail
4. Shooting Jack at Salon No. 10 in Deadwood, SD (Wild Bill Hickock was killed)
5. Trading our husbands for the locals
6. Aaron and I pose by Ohio’s flag
7. Faces
8. Aaron and Jack play at Wall Drug
9. Mom gives the People’s Eyebrow
10. FREE ICE WATER!
11. Aaron’s birthday party!
12. Mel and Parry
13. Aaron attempts to eat his cake
14. Parry and Mel
15. Scary snakes the Badlands
16. Mom sees something

1 – 13 Camping at Deer Creek
14 – 16 Aaron’s birthday present…a Twins game

Freedom

2007-06-29T13:28:00.000-05:00

Sunday's sermon - Galatians 5:1, 13-25

It’s no secret that we’re approaching a big national holiday, the 4th of July. There are bound to be gatherings and fireworks, but I’d like to take the next few minutes to talk about a word all of us often use without thinking about the true meaning. The word I’m referring to is freedom. Take 30 seconds or so to think about what this word means. Also think about this question: What is absolute freedom?

My first impulse is to negatively define freedom. My first thoughts are absolute freedom is freedom from tyranny, from being told what to do, freedom from my car payment and student loans would be true freedom, and of course I’d be free to do whatever I want. Absolute freedom would mean that I am free from all laws imposed on me by the U.S. government and I would not be indebted to anyone or anything.

These thoughts of absolute freedoms are incredibly individualistic, selfish and negative. I essentially asserted that freedom from everything defines freedom.

I’d like to offer another way to look at freedom, that is, freedom to. In this case, freedom is defined by what it is instead of what it is not. I am free to worship this Sunday. I am free to live in the covenant of marriage and I am free to gather with my friends on Tuesday night for a fireworks display.

When defining freedom as “freedom to” the connotation changes. Instead of choosing something over another, becoming bondage, or something that impedes my freedom, the opportunity to live into a choice becomes freedom. Freedom is the freedom to act, the freedom to live and freedom to love. The definition changes drastically.

In 1 Kings, Galatians and Luke all the folks that were called to follow were free to follow. In the letter to the Galatians Paul certainly understands freedom when he writes; “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery… You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

“Freedom to” is the lens with which Paul is writing.

Craig Koester puts it, “According to Paul, true freedom is precisely the foundation for community, because it means freedom from sin as well as from law. Community is destroyed not by freedom, but by bondage to the desires of the flesh. True freedom is produced by the Holy Spirit; it is expressed in love for the neighbor and in the joy, peace, patience [and so on] which build up the community. Such love is impossible precisely for those held captive by the flesh.”

True freedom is only found in, and given by, God. The expression of our true freedom is in living a life where we love our neighbor as ourselves. It’s not a duty to be discharged or another law from on high – it is true freedom to love your neighbor as yourself.

One who knew freedom in Christ in such a deep and real way was Archbishop Oscar Romero. Romero was the bishop of El Salvador, a small country in Central America. He began ministry as one with conservative social and doctrinal leanings. About the time he became bishop, El Salvador saw escalating violence from death-squads against union organizers, striking workers and human rights activists.

Romero was deeply affected by the murder of his friend and colleague, Rutilio Grande, who was murdered with a young boy and an old man who were on their way to vote. In response to this murder Romero held a mass at San Salvador Cathedral where mass was celebrated with over 100 priests. It became clear that Romero had heard God calling him to love his neighbors as himself as he became a voice for the Salvadoran peasants.

As Romero lived into loving his poor neighbors as himself, brutal violence continued to escalate, 4 priests and hundreds of church workers were assassinated. Romero himself was assassinated for his words and actions on behalf of his neighbors. Two weeks before his assassination Romero stated, "If they kill me, I shall arise in the Salvadoran people." Romero also was compelled to speak directly to soldiers and policemen saying, “Brothers, you are from the same people; you kill your fellow peasants…no soldier is obliged to obey an order that is contrary to the will of God…In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people, I ask you – I implore you – I command you in the name of God: stop the repression!” The next evening, while presiding at a funeral mass, Romero was murdered as he held the cup for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Today Romero’s memory, generosity and love for his neighbor continue to live in the Salvadoran people and many throughout the world. He was a man freed by the gospel for the sake of loving his neighbor unto death.

You and I might never love our neighbor unto death, but rest assured that we are free to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is only in the freedom of the risen Lord that we truly are free and we will only ever love our neighbor as ourselves as an expression of the perfect love of God in Christ.

Reunion

2007-06-28T18:42:00.000-05:00

Saturday the Matson’s will gather for the annual family reunion in Volga, SD. After loosing so Grandpa, his brother, his sister and his sister-in-law I’m left in awe of the repeated message at Grandpa’s funeral just a week ago, "We need to get together to laugh instead of cry" although I’m sure tears will be shed. We’re supposed to be gathering to celebrate the 65th wedding anniversary of Anne and Charles – we will be celebrating them, but instead of their lives we’ll gather to celebrate their lives as well as the lives of Donald and Grandpa. We’ll also celebrate family with joy and sorrow entangled.

Aaron and I are processing and grieving the best way we know how. Somehow we both learned the same coping method – comfort food. We’ve eaten at Jimmy John’s, Panera, Q’Doba, Old Chicago and the list continues. Sunday night we decided to get away from our house…we ran all the way to a suite at the Holiday Inn 2 miles away. We filled our evening with food and drink from the spectacular Hyvee and a few hours in the pool. Monday we put off coming home by going to see Ocean’s 13. Grieving sucks, it really does, but we’re doing it and loving on each other as our way through it.

Tomorrow night we get to spend the night at Uncle Scott and Aunt Jan’s in Volga, I told Aaron that I need to be around his family, I didn’t care if he wanted to stay in Sioux Falls, but I wanted to hang at Scott and Jan’s with all the four cousins (‘cause Aunt Shirley and maybe Uncle Joe will be there too) before the reunion. It’s a time to be together, it’s a time for love, family and faith.

Grandpa Matson's Eulogy

2007-06-20T22:53:00.000-05:00

A month ago we were gathered in this place to celebrate Grandpa Arnie’s 80th birthday. Today we gather in praise and thanksgiving for the fun, food, faith and family that Shirley identified as central to his life. His last day was filled with these four central ingredients at Audra and Jake’s wedding. When I married Aaron, Grandpa’s grandson, Grandpa must have clinked his silverware on his glass to get us to kiss somewhere close to 50 times. During my sister-in-law, Amber’s wedding to Tyler Grandpa received a set of plastic utensils to eat with to cut down on the clinking, but as you can imagine this didn’t stop Grandpa. To make sure Grandpa had something to clink at the reception this Saturday Tyler snuck in Jake’s SDSU cowbell for Grandpa.

Of course a clinking cowbell is just a clinking cowbell without his distinctive laugh. On a memory note card Nicole wrote, “When I think of my Grandpa Arnie I always think of his laugh. If you have every heard it, you know what I am talking about. His laugh comes from his toes, it comes from his soul, and you can’t fake that one. It is the sound of complete happiness.”

Grandpa found complete happiness when the love of his life, Lorraine, heard his laugh from across the room. She was determined to find out where that wonderful laugh came from. Arnie and Lorraine were married for 44 years and had 6 incredible children. Their children have written many memories about their parents for various wedding anniversaries and birthdays. On a memory card Steve wrote, “I remember Dad and Mom and the excitement surrounding their trip to Norway. I remember dad thinking Mom would leave her purse somewhere along the trip.” Lowell wrote, “I remember the love you showed to our mother, your wife. The tears we shed when she left this world. She was the force and you were her strength.” Also thinking about her parents, Loretta wrote, “Dad loved mom with all his heart and soul and I know he still misses her a lot even though it has been almost 15 years since she went to meet her maker. His example of loving a spouse is one I have also followed and love my husband with all my heart and soul.”

Teaching love by loving is something that naturally flowed out of grandpa. After loosing Lorraine he began doing the things she used to do out of love for the family. He made lefsa by the dozens for us even though he didn’t like it. Everything he did was a labor of love. Scott wrote, “There are lots of happy memories of dad helping me with all of my ‘honey-do’ projects. Dad is my right and left hand man.” He did the small things big. Every year he’d say we’ve got to cut back on the garden this year and inevitably he’d plant more than the year before because if one is good more is better.

And a big part of our family life is faith. One weekend when Grandpa was still farming Loren remembers enormous amounts of snow. Apparently the snow piles were almost as high as the tractor grandpa used to move them, but he moved mountains to get his family to church, because that’s just what you do.

Faith was more than attending worship – faith is a gift that God has richly blessed this family with. In April grandpa was in a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of his brother Donald, sister Ann and brother-in-law Charles. He struggled a great deal with these losses but he also found comfort in the promises of Christ. Today we trust deeply in those promises, the promises grandpa knew deeply, loved dearly and passed on to us.

In the freedom of the promises that we are God’s children we go on with the values grandpa embedded in us - food, fun, family and faith – as well as the desire to not throw anything out and the enjoyment of a thrilling game of Rook.

Also embedded in us are Grandpa Arnie’s love for children and his favorite sayings. How many times have you heard, “You know why you lost those teeth, you’ve been kissing to many boys.”

In closing I’d like to share a story from earlier this week. 4-year-old Luke was getting ready to leave Grandpa’s house. Luke ran up to Grandpa, jumped on his lap and gave Grandpa a big goodbye hug. Then, all of a sudden, Luke reached out grabbed Grandpa’s nose and said, “I got your nose” as Grandpa laughed his big Grandpa Arnie laugh.

Grandpa's obituary is available at Eidsness Funeral Home.

Introducing Mr and Mrs Jake and Audra DeGroot

2007-06-18T23:52:00.000-05:00

Grandpa

2007-06-18T02:23:00.000-05:00

Saturday was a day of great joy - Audra and Jake got married! Love and joy filled the day. Sunday Aaron and I got the call that Grandpa Arnie died in his sleep. Back in May we celebrated his 80th birthday. During the birthday party Aunt Shirley noted Grandpa Arnie’s 4 F’s – food, fun, faith and family. On the date of his passing Audra and I noted that his last full day was full of all 4 F’s. Saturday was a day for the entire Matson clan to celebrate with Jake and Audra’s wedding. As far as we know his passing was free of pain and suffering. No one predicted that Saturday was his last day with us, but what a day it was! It was a day of celebration for Audra and Jake filled with all the virtues he taught his children and his children taught their children. Grandpa Arnie is missed, but Grandpa Arnie has filled his family with the life giving faith that will sustain through his passing. All who have heard his laugh, all who have eaten the lefsa and all who have been privileged enough to embraced Grandpa Arnie have been blessed. May God continue to bless his family and all who have encountered the faithful man of God.

The wedding photographer blogged a few pics of Grandpa at AC Ellis Photography

East Coast

2007-06-13T15:19:00.001-05:00

This past week I traveled to Washington DC for two conferences, Pentecost 2007 with Sojourners and Call to Renewal as well as Bread for the World. I also made it to NYC, VA and MD.

Famous places
1. White House
2. National City Christian Church
3. March to Congress from #2
4. Smithsonian sculpture
5. Congress
6. & 8. Washington Monument
7. & 9. Lincoln Monument

Here are some of the folks I saw during my stay.
1. John Edwards
2. & 3. John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Jim Wallis & Barack Obama
4. Barack Obama
5. Hillary Clinton
6. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
7. Rep. John Lewis
8. Shane Claiborne
9. Harold Ford. Jr., Chair of the Democratic Leadership Council

On my last night Steph took me to Solomon's Island, MD for crab. The boat we're standing next to caught the crab we ate for dinner.

The View from Ohio

2007-06-01T09:09:00.000-05:00

Peace in Endings and New Beginnings

2007-05-13T09:07:00.000-05:00

This sermon was preached my last Sunday as Augie's Intern. John 14:23-29.

I wonder how many times I have said, this is the last time I’ll __________ over the course of the past week. When an end is approaching I always try to savor each “last.” Or at the very least I try to acknowledge the “very last” time I do something. I’ve done this at different points in my life, but never quite as much as when the school year comes to a close. Sometimes it was exciting, I found myself saying things like “this is my last week of being a junior, yeah, summer is here!” Other times it is bitter sweet because the ending is more final, like when I was a senior. I wasn’t ending for the summer only to pick things up again in the fall. When these endings come, my response usually goes something like this. “Oh, this is the last time we’ll gather for a midweek worship” or “this is our last chapel staff meeting” or “this is one of the last times I’ll have the opportunity to have to hang out in the huddle.”

Thoughts and talks about endings usually contain language of the new beginning created by and with the ending. They usually go something like this. “Yeah, it’s summer and I’m off to camp, but this IS the last time we’ll be able to play Frisbee on a sunny Saturday afternoon”. Or “I’m so excited to start my career, I’m done with finals and I’m ready to put my skills and knowledge to work, but I will certainly miss those afternoon naps.”

Endings and new beginnings provide a time for excitement and possibility. They provide reflection on what is ending, the good and the bad. With endings comes grief. As the end and new beginning get closer the feelings cycle faster and faster.

One afternoon before I graduated from my undergraduate program a few friends, fellow social work majors and our professors were gathered at Professor Ross’ house to celebrate the end of our time together. It was a beautiful spring day and the 15 of us were enthusiastically discussing the new beginning for us students. After about half an hour of excitement, after the sharing dinner the conversation shifted. Laura began telling the professors that without their dedication and diligence without their support and high expectations she wouldn’t be as prepared and excited for her new beginning as a licensed social worker. Half way through her third sentence Laura broke down with grief over graduation, over the loss of the life we’d all grown to known and to love.

As I approach the ending of my time serving as Augie’s intern pastor I must admit that I am excited about going back to the classroom to work the questions of life and faith that have emerged this year. I truly love the world of academics and I’m thrilled to have another year of class time before I graduate. But I’m also not okay leaving this place and leaving all of you.

Going away is frightening for not only those of us who are doing the leaving, but also for those who are left. Today in the gospel of John Jesus talks of endings and new beginnings. Jesus tells the ones who will be left what will happen when he leaves.

The good news is Jesus knows that going away is a scary thing. He uses the words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” Jesus comes to those who are troubled with fears, doubts and tears. Jesus comes to us knowing what we need.

The good news is Jesus knows going away is a scary thing, and the excellent news is that Jesus not only knows - he also does something about it. To that I say, Alleluia, praise the Lord, Jesus understands, endings are frightening. Into fears, doubts and tears Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is coming. Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Jesus understands that hearts are troubled and afraid and Jesus responds by giving peace.

Part of the peace is that Jesus never completely leaves. His place is changing. He is getting the disciples ready for when he won’t be literally walking with the disciples. In Matthew he says, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Those are words from Jesus to us. Going away doesn’t mean complete separation. This is part of the peace even with earthly relationships. In many ways relationships are changing, but we are never completely separated. Even if we don’t see one another or this place they are never fully separated from us. We always have memories, and we carry these with us. We have memories of Jesus, and the promises, and we have memories of the past. We have been changed and nothing can take that away from us.

Into these places and memories Jesus speaks peace. Jesus speaks peace in the places of great joy and light, and Jesus speaks joy into places of trepidation. On Friday the word of peace came to me by means of worship. This coming week in the midst of finals peace comes in the form of Midnight Madness at Our Savior’s (that’s 6p-2a tonight and tomorrow). Peace also comes in the classmate who speaks the words of solidarity and encouragement. Next Sunday I pray that peace comes to the seniors in the form of baccalaureate worship as well as in the form of beaming proud parents and in the form of the gauntlet. The peace that Jesus gives comes into our lives at unexpected times in surprising ways.

I conclude with one final example of peace from the life of Horatio Spafford. Horatio was an attorney heavily invested in real estate. In the Chicago Fire of October 1871 he was financially ruined and shortly after, his 4 year old died of scarlet fever. He poured his grief into rebuilding the city and aiding the 100,000 who lost their homes to the fire. Shortly after the fire his wife and four daughters were on a transatlantic ship when their ship collided with another ship. Horatio’s wife survived and sent him a telegram saying, “Saved alone.” His four daughters were killed in the wreck. Upon receiving the telegram he boarded a ship to join his wife. Several weeks later, as Horatio’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the captain said, “I believe we are now passing over the place where the Ville de Havre went down.” Horatio returned to his cabin but couldn’t sleep and said to himself, “It is well; the will of God be done.” Later he wrote the words to “It is well with my soul”, also known as “When Peace like a River”. The lyrics speak to the eternal hope of peace that all believers share, no matter what ending or new beginning comes.

We sing together the old words “when peace like a river attendeth my way; when sorrows, like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well with my soul.” May the Lord bless you with faith to sing these peace filled words in every ending and in every new beginning. Amen.

DC & NYC

2007-05-09T08:43:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I found out that I’ve been awarded two scholarships for the Bread for the World and Sojourner’s conferences in DC this June! After internship ends it’s travel time again. May 23 – June 1 we’ll be in Ohio. On June 2 I leave for the Sojo (faith, values and poverty) conference with guests Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Jim Wallis, Brian McLaren, Shane Claiborne and Derek Webb. This conference ends on the 6th so what’s a girl to do for 3 nights? Since DC is so expensive with housing and food costs it is cheaper to hop on a train to visit Tina in NYC for a few nights than stay in DC. Once I get to NYC Tina will take care of me like the awesome aunt that she is. After visiting NYC it’s back to DC for the Bread for the World conference June 9 – 12. This conference is focused on eradicating hunger at home and abroad. My June just went from a relaxing month off to an east coast tour!

Screenless after 6

2007-05-03T13:40:00.000-05:00

Aaron and I are trying a grand experiment this week – no screen time after 6p, that includes TV and computer screens. Our evenings feel so much longer. So far we’ve played Frisbee and canasta; hopefully I’ll work in a game of Scrabble before the week ends. Tomorrow we’re breaking the screen fast to go to Spider Man 3 at the drive in, but we’re back to it on Saturday with tickets to hear Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”. Augustana’s choir will join the South Dakota Symphony for the night. Yeah weekends!

Meeting Mason

2007-04-24T10:26:00.000-05:00

Sunday and Monday Aaron and I went to southern Nebraska to visit with Lori and meet her new baby Mason. She's adorable! Check out more pics click here. We talked the entire 5 hours home trying to figure out the next year and plans beyond, but as usual we didn't really figure anything out, if anything we just came up with more possibilities and more things we'd like to do. One question we debated is...does Washington D.C. figure into the total number of states one visits? Example - I've been to 31 states, but Aaron said it's really 32 because of D.C.. I argued that D.C. doesn't count because it's not part of the 50 states. Okay, enough rambling (see this is how we chatted for 5 hours yesterday) back to work, happy Tuesday:)

Tuna

2007-04-14T12:57:00.000-05:00

It’s official I’m loosing it. I haven’t relieved or dealt with anything lately. Most of the ‘stuff’ is more in Aaron’s realm, but I think I’m internalizing my feelings as well as trying to take on and work through Aaron’s as well. Just tying this might help, so really, after you read this I’m sure I’ll be better for writing as you start to worry. Here goes a summary of the past two weeks. Two weeks ago today we were watching OSU in the Final Four when we got a call about a tragic accident involving four great aunts and uncles as well as grandpa on Aaron’s side. One aunt was killed instantly and we went to the Sioux Falls hospital to be with two great uncles and keep the out of town family informed of what was going on. Both died due to injuries. During Holy Week we traveled to Red Wing, MN for a funeral as well as Sinai, SD. Aaron did two funerals for folks at his internship as well as preached Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. Following Easter worship we went to Mitchell, SD to visit with a cousin in her early 20’s fighting cancer. After most of the family left we were able to get a detailed report of her fight from her dad and we left with our hopes in medical treatment pretty much completely smashed. Monday we had the best day in a long time exploring Wind Cave in the Black Hills as well as driving through Custer State Park without tourists. Then it was off to a theological conference. Our time in the hills gave us a much needed break and time together, but now we’re back and I should be writing a sermon on Doubting Thomas for tomorrow. I’m also really concerned for my step-sister and her unborn baby. History shows that she can’t care for her children – she has two living in different families. When will she realize she can’t care for this one? All this leaves me exhausted. I haven’t been to the grocery in almost 3 weeks, but I have found a new recipe for tuna – when in need combine, diced sweet pickles, ranch (expiration date 3.21.07, but smell it first), mustard and corn serve on toasted stale wheat bread. Today if I get the sermon written and grocery shopping done it will be a good day.

Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park

2007-04-13T12:35:00.000-05:00

On our day off we toured some parks in the Hills. April weekdays are ideal, no crowds, animals are everywhere and you'll still see some snow on a 60 degree day.

a House Became her Home

2007-03-27T19:23:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I posted photos from my trip to New Orleans because I didn’t know where to start writing and processing the trip. I still don’t know a good place, but I’ll start with the basics. During our time we worked on the house of a blind woman. She could afford all our supplies, but not the cost of labor. We were required to keep track of our hours so that the government would be billed for labor and the money could be spent to buy more materials for families in need, and we were worth $8,400 according to government standards. The group insulated her floor by lying on the ground and stapling insulation to the floor beams, scraped, primed, painted and screened her back porch, scraped and painted her rod iron fence, laid tile in her washroom, installed light fixtures, towel racks and toilet paper holders and even hung curtain rods.

For me, the work we were doing and the devastation we were seeing hit when she and her mother talked about the storm. Their stories put names to the reports I’d heard over a year ago on the news. I heard of one of their friends who ventured out after the storm was over to be swept away when the levy broke. I heard of another who was ‘rescued’ by a group helping animals. The ‘rescuers’ dropped their friend off at a bridge. When they attempted to walk across a bridge out of the city they were met with military folks carrying guns who told them to go back. These are only the beginning of the stories I heard. Everyone we met had their own stories to tell. Each wanted to share their experience.

In the evenings we ventured out to explore the city. Many 12 and 15 passenger vans filled the city streets and parking lots with tags from all over the US. Many volunteers were in the city with various groups. The organization we were with said they plan to stay in the city for 10 years. Cleaning and rebuilding for 10 years! To say the need is great is a colossal understatement. On the night before we left I was filling the van at the gas station beside the church we were sleeping in. While cleaning the windshield a couple pulled up at the pump next to us. The first thing out of their mouths were ‘thank you.’ A big white van with a tired driver wearing jeans soaked with paint automatically equals volunteer. Not a day went by without the group being recognized as a group of volunteers rebuilding New Orleans. When folks saw us they knew why we were in the city. Many more groups like ours are needed. The people of New Orleans are hungry to hear they aren’t forgotten. They want you to know they are still hurting. 13 of us were able to work, walk and talk with a family for a week where we transformed one person’s house into a home.

Spring Break New Orleans

2007-03-26T15:36:00.000-05:00

Gulf Coast

2007-03-16T14:18:00.000-05:00

Finally, I've begun to post on a regular basis and now I'm going away. Tomorrow 11 other Augie's and I will be headed to New Orleans to do some rebuilding for a week. The trip promises to be an adventure
-over 2800 miles to drive
-sharing 4 showers with 50 people
-one swamp tour complete with alagators and snakes
-a work project or two and that should complete the week
If you're inspired by students paying $450 each to work through their entire spring break consider donating yourself at Lutheran Disaster Relief. Check back for pics and stories in about a week.

Iraq Veterans Memorial

2007-03-16T11:11:00.000-05:00

This memorial was conceived as a place to honor the servicemembers who lost their lives over the past four years during the Iraq War. By watching the videos, you will have the opportunity to learn about these heroes from those who knew them best -- their family, friends, and fellow servicemembers. Each man and woman represented in the memorial had attributes and qualities that made them unique, but they all have one thing in common - they were truly loved and are deeply missed.

IraqMemorial.org

Broken

2007-03-14T19:26:00.000-05:00

Tonight I am broken by the weight of the world
A baby, my nephew, will be born this month to a mother and father who wish he was a she
The baby will be born to a mother who only gets 'clean' to have her babies before loosing herself to mania, depression, drugs and alcohol
She already has two babies she gave both away
One is my lil brother, chad
The other is his brother my Godson, D.J.
The baby is their brother
The baby is not the son of his mother’s husband
Who will love him?
Who will answer his cries in the night?

Tonight I am broken by the weight of the world
A young woman, Aaron’s 1st cousin, is getting ready for surgery tomorrow
Cancer is forcing her to choose between sight and walking
The cancer that has invaded her laughs “in the face of chemotherapy” according to her doctors
This is the same young woman whose smile and humor lit up her grandmother’s living room at Thanksgiving
Who will cure her?
Who will finally comfort her?

Tonight I am broken by the weight of the world
A congregation goes behind their pastor’s back to tell the bishop “get him out!”
No firing wrong has been committed
A pastor leads tonight in a congregation where some want him out NOW and others don’t even know he’s been asked to leave
Their feet say, “We want the status quo”
Their mouths say, “We need vision”
Who will guide them?
Who will offer forgiveness to them?

Tonight I am broken by the weight of the world
A city cries to the nation and a world, “we’ve been destroyed by a hurricane and we live in the richest country in the world, help!”
19 months have gone by since the disaster and still cries are unheard
It’s great for colleges, spring breaks trips can be led to help while folks outside the disaster area say, “Thanks for making a difference”
She still doesn’t have a house of her own for her five children, they’re in FEMA trailers
Who will take responsibility for the nation’s response?
Who will restore dignity?

Retribution is out - Repentance in is!

2007-03-13T09:24:00.000-05:00

Sermon - Luke 13:1-9

Welcome to the third Sunday of Lent where retribution is out and repentance is in. Please indulge me as I share the latest list of what’s in and what’s out.

What’s out – perishing! What’s in – self examination!
What’s out – nations in war! What’s in – nations in dialogue!
What’s out – hording the food! What’s in – feeding all who are hungry!

What’s out – judgment! What’s in – confession!
What’s out – believing natural disasters are divine retribution! What’s in –believing God was the first to cry at the tragedy!

I began with this list to introduce a new reformation, a reformation that begins inside each one of you, and a reformation that begins where you are and turns you to repentance. I offer the word reformation as another way to think of repentance. Reformation is a word that we commonly associate with Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, and the other protestant reformers in the 16th century. But it is precisely a reformation is called for in Luke.

Today I ask, what needs reformation in your life? What needs drastic change? What will cause you to parish if you fail to repent of it?

Tragically, time and time again we’re called for reform, yet we never quite manage to do this on our own power. No matter how much harm is caused by not reforming we continue in our ways. Only a force outside our self can cause us to spin around.

One simple illustration of this comes to us in the form of the comic strip Peanuts.

In one episode, the weather is snowy and icy. We can all sympathize here. Poor Snoopy is in his doghouse and he is terrified to leave because of the snow and ice. The problem for Snoopy is the extra weight of the snow is going to collapse his roof. Snoopy needs to move from under the snow covered roof or he will parish. Charlie Brown sees the impending collapse and a scared Snoopy underneath. Charlie Brown pleads with Snoopy to come out of the dog house into safety, but Snoopy can’t bring himself to leave his doghouse. Finally, Charlie Brown, decides to try to lure Snoopy out with a pizza. Snoopy is unable to resist the savory scent of pizza and runs out of the doghouse, just before his roof gives to the weight of the snow.

In Snoopy’s case, Charlie Brown was able to rescue Snoopy before he perished. Tragically, this is not always the case. In Peanuts, the Bible, and in our lives, there are stories that end with people being lured out of their doghouse in time and stories where people whose doghouse roofs cave in before they leave. And it seems that more often than not, the doghouse roof caves.

In Snoopy’s case as in our own, retribution isn’t the reason to repent. Jesus points this out quite clearly. God doesn’t send the snow and ice to collapse roofs in response to un-repentance. In much the same way Jesus says the 18 that were crushed when a tower fell in Jerusalem were no better or worse than others in Jerusalem. Tragic events happen. We must always be careful to appropriately label them as tragedies and not divine retribution. Jesus very clearly rejects retribution and calls for repentance.

Unfortunately, there were those in Jesus’ day and there still are, those who link their loyalty to God with retribution. Those who were and are trying to link God to retribution were and are trying to divide the world into two camps: the us, who are righteous and virtuous, over and against the them, who are sinners and profane. And when bad stuff happens to them, for example, a hurricane, a terrorist attack, or a pandemic disease, we call it God’s retribution for their sin. This is exactly what Jesus is speaking against. If you try to divide people not only is it wrongheaded, but it brings destruction and that is not what God is about. God is about the redemption and reconciliation of all of creation, bringing us all together, ultimately and finally.

The truth is the idea of retribution is relentless. Fred Craddock says that illness, poverty, disease, loneliness, and death are often viewed as the punishment for sins known or unknown. For Christians, the fatal blow to the idea that suffering and death are the lot of the guilty came at Golgotha. The One without sin suffered and died on the cross. We, who are Jesus' disciples are forever freed from the ancient notion that prosperity and good health are evidence of divine favor, and that poverty and suffering are clear signs of divine wrath. Jesus rejects ideas that attempt to explain God causing suffering, not only because they don’t work, but because they direct attention from the primary issue, that is, the obligation of every person to live in repentance and trust before God without linking their loyalty to God to life's sorrows or joys.

In closing I must make clear…God is certainly with us in everything we celebrate and in everything we lament. God is with us in the triumph of earning the ‘A’ and in the sorrow of losing of a loved one, in the joys of a reconciled friendship and in the struggles of depression, whatever we go through wherever we are in life God is with us. We must remember that Jesus says these life experiences are not in any way reward or retribution. And yet he still makes clear the urgent need to reform. I must confess as I wrote this I found myself asking the same question as Prof. Shore : "If punishment is not directly related to sin, then—explain it to me again—why should I repent?"

Jesus might simply say, "It is necessary."

“Unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." Friends in Christ there is still time, the fig tree has not been cut down yet, God is willing that none should perish. Friends in Christ, repent and live.

Blizzard!

2007-03-02T13:35:00.001-05:00

Uff da it's windy! We got ourselves a blizzard! This is my first blizzard and it's been really nice. We have snow and wind, cable and internet, we even have electricity! Need I say it's a mild blizzard.?Just enough to keep us home, but mild enough that we get to keep our creature comforts. After being cooped up inside since yesterday morning we decided to venture outside to prevent the dreadful cabin feaver.

1. On our walk we made a startling discovery - we are Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota!

2. Aaron freezes in a big gust of wind.

3. I'm Queen of the Snow Mound! Behind me is our house.

Organ Tuner

2007-02-21T14:19:00.000-05:00

Today the organ tuner is in the chapel playing each note incredibly loud for a dreadfully long time listening to make sure it is perfectly in tune…

I can’t focus
I can’t hear myself think, I have to type thoughts because then they aren’t just bounding out of my head they’re landing somewhere
I can’t see straight
I have a meeting soon, what is it about?
Do I need to prepare anything?
Did the phone just ring?
Do I have a headache or is my brain vibrating?
Organ tuner, please stop!

Jamaica!

2007-02-04T10:57:00.000-05:00

Check out where I've been!

2007-01-25T14:55:00.001-05:00

Click on the map below to see more!

You can do it too at My Travel

Al Gore: Live at Augie

2007-01-24T13:17:00.000-05:00

Last night Aaron, Mike, Melissa, Parry and I walked to the Elmen Center (a few blocks from our house) to hear Al Gore speak. He greeted us with ""I am Al Gore, and I used to be the next president of the United States." He was playful, sharp and poignant. I must admit it was quite satisfying to hear from Gore instead of Bush (FYI - last night the State of the Union was delivered for those of you living under a rock).
Since last night I’ve had several conversations where folks are asking, so what do we do now? I hope the question doesn’t go unanswered! Learn more at Climate Crisis

Pure Excitement

2007-01-16T16:20:00.000-05:00

I’ve moved on from Mauled Funk to Pure Excitement in one week. I can’t focus on work, all I can think about is Jamaica – two weeks from today Aaron and I will be spending our first full day on the beaches of Negril at Sunset at the Palms. “This relaxed all-inclusive is a favorite with ecotourists. It was the world's first hotel to receive Green Globe Certification for environmentally sustainable tourism, and the management works to maintain that status. Rooms here are in tree-house-like cottages amid towering royal palms. Open and airy, rooms have gauzy curtains, natural-wood floors, and high ceilings.” Check it out at SunsetatthePalms.com. The crazy part is winter has finally hit. Last night our actual low was -11, right now it’s 8 with a wind chill of -5 and
we have a few inches of snow on the ground from a Sunday snow storm. I’ve got to get back to not focusing on work as I dream about being in this pool with 'a tropical drink melting in my hand'.

Mauled Funk

2007-01-09T16:46:00.000-05:00

"When he [Elisha] turned around and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." -2 Kings 2.24

Tonight a group of students and I will discuss this verse in context although by itself the verse entertaining. Cursing and mauling always makes for a good discussion. Lately life has mauled me. It’s winter without snow. I helped with a funeral for the first time Sunday. Last night I watched my Buckeyes get mauled and die at the hands of Gators.

Overall things aren’t bad they just are funky. Maybe it’s good ole cabin fever, I don’t know. Cold without snow leads to lots of time inside. Maybe it’s the natural flow of life after the holiday hoopla. I’m tired but I can’t sleep. I feel hungry but I’ve eaten so much when I eat again I feel painfully stuffed. Maybe it’s anticipation funk. I’m super psyched about our trip to Jamaica in 20 days and about moving to Ohio in August, but right now it’s the same stuff and it’s just not that fun. Hmm, hopefully it’ll end soon.

The New Beginning

2006-12-02T13:27:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-11-17T15:50:00.000-05:00

• 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?

2006-11-17T14:05:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-24T19:45:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-23T22:49:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-20T13:03:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-18T23:48:00.001-05:00

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

2006-10-03T10:57:00.001-05:00

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!

2006-09-29T14:07:00.000-05:00

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

2006-09-27T15:36:00.001-05:00

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

2006-09-14T20:36:00.000-05:00

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

2006-09-12T12:57:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-09-10T22:27:00.000-05:00

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

2006-09-06T20:27:00.000-05:00

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

2006-09-03T21:04:00.000-05:00

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

2006-08-26T11:51:00.000-05:00

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

2006-08-26T11:48:00.000-05:00

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

Regression

2006-08-25T23:27:00.000-05:00

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

2006-08-08T21:56:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-20T15:35:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-02T12:04:00.000-05:00

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

2006-06-23T11:55:00.000-05:00

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

2006-06-18T17:44:00.000-05:00

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

Country Living

2006-06-14T17:34:00.001-05:00

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

2006-06-03T09:58:00.000-05:00

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

2006-05-16T19:23:00.000-05:00

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

2006-05-13T21:44:00.000-05:00

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

2006-05-08T13:55:00.000-05:00

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

2006-05-03T12:48:00.000-05:00

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

2006-05-01T00:25:00.000-05:00

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

2006-04-29T19:03:00.000-05:00

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

2006-04-21T22:49:00.000-05:00

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

2006-04-10T09:26:00.000-05:00

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.
_________________________________________
More photos available on Chris' Pics Page

Superstar

2006-04-06T17:30:00.000-05:00

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.
______________________________________________

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

2006-04-04T19:24:00.000-05:00

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

2006-03-20T15:22:00.000-05:00

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.
_________________________________________________
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

2006-03-17T01:52:00.000-05:00

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

2006-03-13T15:52:00.000-05:00

This letter was posted on Truthout. It speaks for itself.
__________________________________________

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

2006-03-12T10:52:00.000-05:00

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

2006-03-08T22:14:00.000-05:00

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

2006-03-06T23:51:00.000-05:00

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?

2006-02-28T20:23:00.000-05:00

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

2006-02-27T15:58:00.000-05:00

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

2006-02-27T14:58:00.000-05:00

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

2006-02-26T21:25:00.000-05:00

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

2006-02-26T21:02:00.000-05:00

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

2006-02-20T14:58:00.000-05:00

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

2006-02-17T20:53:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-02-17T19:57:00.000-05:00

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

2006-02-16T16:36:00.000-05:00

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

2006-02-08T14:06:00.000-05:00

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.