I started that blog on October 16th. Look where the time went! I'll have two consecutive blogs by the end of the week coming soon! Thanks for putting up with my procrastination!
Peace,
MK
30 October 2007
16 October 2007
"It's a small, little, Lutheran World"
Salutations all~~~
It's been a long while since my last post, and I apologize for that! Life has been happening at a quick pace here, and the past weekends have been devoted to homework and other activities, such as Visit Trinity, the admissions weekend we had on Saturday and Sunday. Know that I am well, and will try to be better about regular posting!
I was unsure of what to expect when I went to Chicago for the ELCA Fund for Leaders in Mission celebration! However, I was more than surprised. I was elated to get to know 15 other Seminarians. We were able to share call stories, life experiences, and more! I now have more colleagues and friends whom I plan to keep in touch with. As one man, Carlton, said, "I am definitely going to have all of you come and preach at my church some day, and I'll hope you'll do the same!"
Perhaps one of the greatest things was discovering the ways in which the small, little Lutheran world is connected. Among the 16 of us, one was a Slovakian colleage of my friend Necia Homan through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program; another was in Slovakia with my friend Rebecca Lund and is now her roommate at LTSC. Another of the men from Southern is married to a woman I worked with as a counselor at Green Lake Bible Camp. And this is the weirdest of all! I saw a young woman from the seminary at Philadelphia. She looked oddly familiar, but I couldn't necessarily place her. Anyhow, I figured it out! We were at Holden Village during the same week in March 2005. I was there for Easter and Holy Week. That was the last of her three months there! Indeed, it is a small, Lutheran world.
In regards to Chicago, it was neat to tour the headquarters of the ELCA and see the way the church works. I was able to enjoy dinner with my bishop, Jon Anderson, and meet other bishops from around the country. It was a truly emotional and spirit-filled experience to see how each of us were called to ministry and an invigorating experience to share in the Holy Spirit, whose presence was all around us. Hearing our own brief autobiographies read, I couldn't help but realize the way in which God's Spirit has named, redeemed, and called each of us to ministry!
I hope we'll be able to get together again as the Fund For Leaders' 2007 Scholars! As I returned to Columbus, I felt renewed by my journey, transformed by the people around me, and most of all, affirmed in my sense of call in Christ's church.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
It's been a long while since my last post, and I apologize for that! Life has been happening at a quick pace here, and the past weekends have been devoted to homework and other activities, such as Visit Trinity, the admissions weekend we had on Saturday and Sunday. Know that I am well, and will try to be better about regular posting!
I was unsure of what to expect when I went to Chicago for the ELCA Fund for Leaders in Mission celebration! However, I was more than surprised. I was elated to get to know 15 other Seminarians. We were able to share call stories, life experiences, and more! I now have more colleagues and friends whom I plan to keep in touch with. As one man, Carlton, said, "I am definitely going to have all of you come and preach at my church some day, and I'll hope you'll do the same!"
Perhaps one of the greatest things was discovering the ways in which the small, little Lutheran world is connected. Among the 16 of us, one was a Slovakian colleage of my friend Necia Homan through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program; another was in Slovakia with my friend Rebecca Lund and is now her roommate at LTSC. Another of the men from Southern is married to a woman I worked with as a counselor at Green Lake Bible Camp. And this is the weirdest of all! I saw a young woman from the seminary at Philadelphia. She looked oddly familiar, but I couldn't necessarily place her. Anyhow, I figured it out! We were at Holden Village during the same week in March 2005. I was there for Easter and Holy Week. That was the last of her three months there! Indeed, it is a small, Lutheran world.
In regards to Chicago, it was neat to tour the headquarters of the ELCA and see the way the church works. I was able to enjoy dinner with my bishop, Jon Anderson, and meet other bishops from around the country. It was a truly emotional and spirit-filled experience to see how each of us were called to ministry and an invigorating experience to share in the Holy Spirit, whose presence was all around us. Hearing our own brief autobiographies read, I couldn't help but realize the way in which God's Spirit has named, redeemed, and called each of us to ministry!
I hope we'll be able to get together again as the Fund For Leaders' 2007 Scholars! As I returned to Columbus, I felt renewed by my journey, transformed by the people around me, and most of all, affirmed in my sense of call in Christ's church.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
02 October 2007
Simul Justus Et Peccator
What's this...a midweek update? I had a part II of my last message that I had to wait to post. Now that my "secret" birthday gift to my Grandma has been received, I can share my update and know that it won't surprise her before the glory that is the U.S. Mail system came through for me! Way to Go USPS!
The title of this post, of course, comes from the Latin phrase of the Reformation, meaning simultaneously saint and sinner! This also inspired a new book which I encourage you all to check out! Simul: A Collection of Lutheran Poetry, was edited by Augie and Luther Sem alum Mark Patrick Odland, and was recently published by Xulon Press. On page 51 of the book, a poem I wrote during the summer of 2005 entitled "The Feeling of Silence" was selected and is published in said book. I'm officially a published poet, and continue to hope and pray that Rich Bowman and my proposal to Baker Academic for our book comes through soon! You can feel free to order a copy if you wish, and otherwise, you can browse as well.
I am also excited to head to Chicago on Friday to receive my scholarship award as part of the ELCA Fund for Leaders in Misison program. I get to meet the Presiding Bishop, Mark Hanson, and will also get to see some friends in the Chicagoland area (ie Rebecca Lund!) as well as (I hope) have some Chicagostyle Pizza! Mmmm! It will be a quick trip, and my first weekend away from the seminary community, which should be a good change, but also a different change. Sadly, I'll miss the Augsburg Fortress Book Sale Clearance, where stuff is on sale at ungodly cheap prices!
While these things make me seem saintly, I also have a little sinner in me this week as well.
This week has seemed an awful lot like what I have deemed "Chintzy hymn week." Now, I don't mean to offend anyone for whom the following hymns have meaning, but in my own experiences, the hymns I am about to discuss have been repeated so often that they no longer hold significant spiritual meaning for me. They, unfortunately, have become more of a chore to sing than a joy in praise of God's blessings (Maybe I need to be more patient). Anyhow.
On Sunday, at the church where I worshipped, we sang "Borning Cry." I have nothing against the music or meaning of this song, nor our Monday singing of "On Eagle's Wings." I'm waiting for us to sing "I The Lord of Sea and Sky" or "Shine Jesus Shine!" I just looked online at the list of semester hymns (Yes, they have a list of all the hymns we'll use in worship all semester!) and neither are scheduled for this week!
Anyway, a few weeks ago, an e-mail passed through my inbox that re-works the words of Borning Cry into a new, less-bibiical, playful form. Enjoy!
I was at your birth, you whiny brat,
I’ll be there the day you croak.
I’ll be there to watch you muddle through,
You poor, sick cosmic joke!
I was there when you were but a child,
Sticky fingers, snotty nose,
Saw you steal that cookie, break that lamp
And spray Grandma with the hose!
When in Sunday school you nodded off,
I supplied a righteous frown.
You care less about the liturgy
Than the Vikings’ next first down! (Insert your own team here)
If you find someone to share your life,
And you join your hearts as one,
I’ll be there when it all goes to hell,
She takes the kids and runs!
In the middle ages of your life
Fat and bored, and tired and grey,
I will watch you buy that new red Porsche
that depletes your IRA!
When you kick the bucket all alone,
Watching old re-runs of M*A*S*H,
I’ll see Cousin Fred, whom you despise,
Get your house and all your cash!
I was at your birth, you whiny brat,
I’ll be there until you croak,
I’ll be there to watch you muddle through
You poor, sick cosmic joke!
I think this is a fun "mocking" of the hymn, and while it does seem somewhat sacreligious, does reflect the imperfections of our own lives. God's presence is with us, even when our life situations may make us feel as if we were dead in the midst of our own lives.
In closing, I'd like to share this lovely state of the world we live in nugget!
On Facebook, there's a new profile feature that is called "Super Poke" This means that you can "virtually poke, hug, kick, and do other things to your online friends." Not so bad, right. I was perusing (stalking) the world of facebook searching for a high school MASLC friend and came across someone's profile. They had super-poke engaged, and the girl's boyfriend had used the super-poke feature. In the matter of a day, he hadov kissed him (okay, this is sort of weird), he had sucker punched her (a little vague), he had worshipped, headbutted, hugged, and tripped her (all of this virtually!)
What made me stop and ponder in sheer befuddlement was that he had "Licked" her on Facebook. Does it not speak of our need for God's love when we are now so in love with people that we show affection by "licking" our significant other in a virtual community where I, for example, can witness to their licking-love! Give me a break!
God's peace...More updates after Chicago, if not before!
28 September 2007
Play that Funky Music, White Boy!
Happy Friday yet again!
As another week has passed, it's been fun and somewhat unusual here in Columbus. The one word that best describes me thus far is "funky." I haven't been sleeping well (although, after I changed my sheets, this has improved!), the weather's been odd, and I have just felt "in a funk!" Not bad, not good, just funky! Who knows...
On the exciting news front, I learned I'll be spending January in Geneva, Switzerland taking a class on Ecumenism through the ELCA and the Lutheran World Federation, which is headquartered there. I'm excited for this opportunity, and look forward to another travel experience.
I've been busy this week talking with family members about a project called a "genogram," which takes a look at your family tree to find connections and social trends in terms of family relationships, emotional relationships, problem behaviors, etc. It's been a fun journey, and I found out there's a lot I didn't know or have forgotten about my own family history. This geneaology stuff is kind of fun. Thanks to those of you who have helped out!
I'm in a hoppy mood, so I thought I would fill you in on yet another weird alignment of the planets. My friend Jes King happened to invite me with a bunch of other seminarians to a senior couple's home for dinner a few weeks ago. Three of the people there were alums of Wittenberg University, another ELCA School. As part of the evening, we watched a video some of them had made back in their Campus Ministry days there! As I was watching the end credits, the name of the campus pastor in the video struck me. Where did I know a Rachel Tune? Then, it clicked! I had rememebed the name from the wall at Our Savior's in Jackson. Rachel Sandum Tune was one of the photos of our own church's daughters who had gone to serve the church. I mentioned to Jes that I thought this Rachel Tune was likely the one I knew from my church. She e-mailed her, and alas, she had known about me. She had read an article about me either in the Jackson County paper or OSLC News n Notes. Neat, huh! Even cooler, is that she is one of the people in charge of the church money I'm supposed to be getting (there's been some tape to pull back because I'm in Columbus, not St. Paul) and wants to meet me when she preaches at Trinity in early December! Oh, the small world of Lutherans.
Another fun aside this week has been my addiction to Scrabble. I've found fun on the webpage www.scrabulous.com, and even though my record's not quite as good as it is against my mom ;-), it is still fun to play. You can also play me on facebook! How about that! I'm welcoming anyone to play me in a game!
I'm gonna cut this short for now, more will be posted toward the end of the weekend. However, I'm going to add a new video of the week feature. I came upon this while on youtube, and found it too good to pass up! Happy Augie Homecoming, and I'm sorry I can't be there, Class of '07! Peace,
As another week has passed, it's been fun and somewhat unusual here in Columbus. The one word that best describes me thus far is "funky." I haven't been sleeping well (although, after I changed my sheets, this has improved!), the weather's been odd, and I have just felt "in a funk!" Not bad, not good, just funky! Who knows...
On the exciting news front, I learned I'll be spending January in Geneva, Switzerland taking a class on Ecumenism through the ELCA and the Lutheran World Federation, which is headquartered there. I'm excited for this opportunity, and look forward to another travel experience.
I've been busy this week talking with family members about a project called a "genogram," which takes a look at your family tree to find connections and social trends in terms of family relationships, emotional relationships, problem behaviors, etc. It's been a fun journey, and I found out there's a lot I didn't know or have forgotten about my own family history. This geneaology stuff is kind of fun. Thanks to those of you who have helped out!
I'm in a hoppy mood, so I thought I would fill you in on yet another weird alignment of the planets. My friend Jes King happened to invite me with a bunch of other seminarians to a senior couple's home for dinner a few weeks ago. Three of the people there were alums of Wittenberg University, another ELCA School. As part of the evening, we watched a video some of them had made back in their Campus Ministry days there! As I was watching the end credits, the name of the campus pastor in the video struck me. Where did I know a Rachel Tune? Then, it clicked! I had rememebed the name from the wall at Our Savior's in Jackson. Rachel Sandum Tune was one of the photos of our own church's daughters who had gone to serve the church. I mentioned to Jes that I thought this Rachel Tune was likely the one I knew from my church. She e-mailed her, and alas, she had known about me. She had read an article about me either in the Jackson County paper or OSLC News n Notes. Neat, huh! Even cooler, is that she is one of the people in charge of the church money I'm supposed to be getting (there's been some tape to pull back because I'm in Columbus, not St. Paul) and wants to meet me when she preaches at Trinity in early December! Oh, the small world of Lutherans.
Another fun aside this week has been my addiction to Scrabble. I've found fun on the webpage www.scrabulous.com, and even though my record's not quite as good as it is against my mom ;-), it is still fun to play. You can also play me on facebook! How about that! I'm welcoming anyone to play me in a game!
I'm gonna cut this short for now, more will be posted toward the end of the weekend. However, I'm going to add a new video of the week feature. I came upon this while on youtube, and found it too good to pass up! Happy Augie Homecoming, and I'm sorry I can't be there, Class of '07! Peace,
22 September 2007
The Planets are aligned
I said in my past two postings that I have been meaning to talk about 1) family systems, and 2) listening and hearing. I will get to those things eventually, but overall, it's been a crazy week. I worked at a lock-in at Bethel Lutheran Church in Grove City, where my friend Chris Matson is the youth director. My sleep patterns have not recovered. The case in point, It is Friday, and alas, a bunch of folks planned to go to a place called Magic Mountain (Not the 6 Flags in California) where there is mini-golf (or as the "locals" say, putt-putt), batting cages, go-karts, etc. However, I lay myself down to read about 6:15 or so and fell asleep, so when everyone left at seven o'clock, there I wasn't! It's okay though, because tonight has been a good night nonetheless.
Listening and hearing...A few weeks ago, we read a book I talked about called Pedestrian Theology. In it, the author, Deb Grant talks about vocation and calling. It wasn't an explicit theme in her book, but I sensed an overall theme of failing to listen and hearing running throughout the book. In the opening section, she explained how when she and her brothers were out in the "foresty" area behind their house, when their mother would call them in to dinner with a bell/brake drum esque noise, they would often drone it out, for it was easier to ignore it, pretending not to hear, than to hear the sound. What a wonderful metaphor for call and how each of us somehow questions our discernment, wishing "not to hear" and finding it easier to focus on something else rather than the imminent clanging right in the midst of our presence.
Overall, I find it is challenging to listen/hear in the midst of all the noise that goes on in a place like a seminary, Lutheran or not. There are certainly voices of professors, voices of authority, voices of affirmation, voices that push you where you might not want to go, voices of questioning, voices of doubt, voices of culture, voices of the unheard, voices of the too-oft heard, and of course (with props to Reynold Nesiba), the voices in the air which command how things have been done and how things should be done.
Very interesting lists of voices could continue, but I shall move on to the overall theme of my title: The planets are most certainly aligned! For those of you who are not aware, I was a member of the Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir (MASLC) for three years in high school. I have a number of connections across the U.S. with MASLCers, and the experience I shared with about 150 others in my three years was fabuluous.
Even though I have lost touch with many of the friends I made in MASLC, I have kept a few close contacts. And this week, for whatever reason, the planets aligned and I connected with many of them, even though I didn't realize it until this evening. Earlier in the week, I received a note from Kirsten Fryer, who remains a close friend as she enters her internship year in WI at LSTC in Chicago. We knew even when we were in MASLC that we would become clergy friends someday! Also, as a part of my first year in the group, we did a children's musical entitled "The Storytellin' Man" by Ken Medema. It chronicled the three lost parables, two of which made up last week's lectionary!
Coins and sheep, along with the prodigal son, were part of our musical, and I had the opening lines. Oddly enough, after realizing this in church, my good friend Brad Schultz, whom I hadn't really heard from in some while, left me a facebook message which said, "So here's how my dream went last night. You were doing your internship year at Trinity in Coeur d Alene. We're watching a tape of one of your sermons, in which you commented on each of the four texts in succession, and found ways to connect each one back to MASLC. And everyone else was getting annoyed, but I was laughing. Is that strange?"
Heck yes it's strange. Brad's now a church music director in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. I stopped to laugh for about 5 minutes when I heard his message, and then I realized that he probably subconsciously connected the gospel to our time together in Maslc, and everything worked out. What a great dream!
Amazing the ways you can connect over nostalgic things! Anyhoo, My mom also ran into my friend Lesley Johnson at a teachers' meeting (MASLC '01 & '02) and called to tell me that, on top of everything else. It must just be a MASLC week! Eh?
Understanding more about myself has led to the overall theme of this week: PSYCHOLOGY! With a lot of reading about family systems, completing a genogram, and going through a full day of boundary training, I'm about ready to drive myself crazy! It seems as if there's a bunch of categories we're supposed to fit into, not fit into, and delve more deeply into our family histories about. Hmm! I think to the words of a song I'm modifying from the immortal Tim Young:
I THINK I'M BIOLOGICAL
I THINK I'M PSYCHOLOGICAL
I THINK I'M NOT REALLY WHAT I SEEM
'CAUSE I'M JUST NORMAL, MAN
AND WHY DON'T YOU JUST LIKE ME!
So long for now. More to come...Fahre ich in Die Schweiz?
Listening and hearing...A few weeks ago, we read a book I talked about called Pedestrian Theology. In it, the author, Deb Grant talks about vocation and calling. It wasn't an explicit theme in her book, but I sensed an overall theme of failing to listen and hearing running throughout the book. In the opening section, she explained how when she and her brothers were out in the "foresty" area behind their house, when their mother would call them in to dinner with a bell/brake drum esque noise, they would often drone it out, for it was easier to ignore it, pretending not to hear, than to hear the sound. What a wonderful metaphor for call and how each of us somehow questions our discernment, wishing "not to hear" and finding it easier to focus on something else rather than the imminent clanging right in the midst of our presence.
Overall, I find it is challenging to listen/hear in the midst of all the noise that goes on in a place like a seminary, Lutheran or not. There are certainly voices of professors, voices of authority, voices of affirmation, voices that push you where you might not want to go, voices of questioning, voices of doubt, voices of culture, voices of the unheard, voices of the too-oft heard, and of course (with props to Reynold Nesiba), the voices in the air which command how things have been done and how things should be done.
Very interesting lists of voices could continue, but I shall move on to the overall theme of my title: The planets are most certainly aligned! For those of you who are not aware, I was a member of the Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir (MASLC) for three years in high school. I have a number of connections across the U.S. with MASLCers, and the experience I shared with about 150 others in my three years was fabuluous.
Even though I have lost touch with many of the friends I made in MASLC, I have kept a few close contacts. And this week, for whatever reason, the planets aligned and I connected with many of them, even though I didn't realize it until this evening. Earlier in the week, I received a note from Kirsten Fryer, who remains a close friend as she enters her internship year in WI at LSTC in Chicago. We knew even when we were in MASLC that we would become clergy friends someday! Also, as a part of my first year in the group, we did a children's musical entitled "The Storytellin' Man" by Ken Medema. It chronicled the three lost parables, two of which made up last week's lectionary!
Coins and sheep, along with the prodigal son, were part of our musical, and I had the opening lines. Oddly enough, after realizing this in church, my good friend Brad Schultz, whom I hadn't really heard from in some while, left me a facebook message which said, "So here's how my dream went last night. You were doing your internship year at Trinity in Coeur d Alene. We're watching a tape of one of your sermons, in which you commented on each of the four texts in succession, and found ways to connect each one back to MASLC. And everyone else was getting annoyed, but I was laughing. Is that strange?"
Heck yes it's strange. Brad's now a church music director in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. I stopped to laugh for about 5 minutes when I heard his message, and then I realized that he probably subconsciously connected the gospel to our time together in Maslc, and everything worked out. What a great dream!
Amazing the ways you can connect over nostalgic things! Anyhoo, My mom also ran into my friend Lesley Johnson at a teachers' meeting (MASLC '01 & '02) and called to tell me that, on top of everything else. It must just be a MASLC week! Eh?
Understanding more about myself has led to the overall theme of this week: PSYCHOLOGY! With a lot of reading about family systems, completing a genogram, and going through a full day of boundary training, I'm about ready to drive myself crazy! It seems as if there's a bunch of categories we're supposed to fit into, not fit into, and delve more deeply into our family histories about. Hmm! I think to the words of a song I'm modifying from the immortal Tim Young:
I THINK I'M BIOLOGICAL
I THINK I'M PSYCHOLOGICAL
I THINK I'M NOT REALLY WHAT I SEEM
'CAUSE I'M JUST NORMAL, MAN
AND WHY DON'T YOU JUST LIKE ME!
So long for now. More to come...Fahre ich in Die Schweiz?
18 September 2007
Matt's Personal Venting: A Frustrating Random Internet Search
I don't normally make many political/social statements public, but this comment really upset me today. It wasn't necessarily because I feel one way or the other toward homosexuality or homosexuals. The place where I found this quote was problematic.
The results of a three-year study challenge the idea that homosexuals cannot change their sexual orientation and that attempts to do so are harmful. But an opponent of "ex-gays" dismissed the findings as the result of "a deceptive sham" perpetrated by "right-wing therapists." -- Randy Hall
I had gone onto www.crosswalk.com to look up a Bible Passage because it is one of the few online bibles that offers the NRSV as a translation! Imagine that! Anyway, I was disappointed to see they had changed their format with a new place to click for quick bible references. As I tried to find the appropriate link, the above story came up on the page.
I take issue with this statement because I feel it provides a shaded look at the issue. Regardless of what you think about homosexuality, its relation to the church, this statement seems unusual to be highlighted on a Bible Reference Page. Maybe it is applicable. I'll have to do my own research to find out. However, it bothers me to see the hermeneutical lens which it takes. Not only is there factual "glossing" and conclusions about homosexuality, but also about psychology/genetics, politics, and its relation to Christianity.
While some, like the local Columbus mega-church leader Rod Parsley, whose book I just finished, would criticize homosexuals and call them to a Christian renewal, I don't believe I can judge like that. If I am grateful for one thing, it is the quality of my Augustana education which has taught me to look beyond the objective and ask questions to form your own opinions. I was provided with a variety of perspectives, from Dan Spencer's to some of my friends to the work of Jim Childs and the ELCA's packet on sexuality, and able to soak in the information and figure out the context in which each perspective is rooted.
It bothers me that this story was considered news-worthy for the Crosswalk feed. Maybe, just maybe, there might be a better "evocation of grace" from the heart-inspired service to the poor or homeless, a missionary who devoted life and luxury to share the gospel in the heart of Africa, or a message of peace.
Just a few musings. I don't mean to take a political stance or say one thing or another, but rather vent my frustration with how we view the world of news, how we are indoctrinated in how to think and what to think, and often don't hear "Paul Harvey's" "The Rest of the Story."
What does this mean for family systems...You'll find out in my next blog!
The results of a three-year study challenge the idea that homosexuals cannot change their sexual orientation and that attempts to do so are harmful. But an opponent of "ex-gays" dismissed the findings as the result of "a deceptive sham" perpetrated by "right-wing therapists." -- Randy Hall
I had gone onto www.crosswalk.com to look up a Bible Passage because it is one of the few online bibles that offers the NRSV as a translation! Imagine that! Anyway, I was disappointed to see they had changed their format with a new place to click for quick bible references. As I tried to find the appropriate link, the above story came up on the page.
I take issue with this statement because I feel it provides a shaded look at the issue. Regardless of what you think about homosexuality, its relation to the church, this statement seems unusual to be highlighted on a Bible Reference Page. Maybe it is applicable. I'll have to do my own research to find out. However, it bothers me to see the hermeneutical lens which it takes. Not only is there factual "glossing" and conclusions about homosexuality, but also about psychology/genetics, politics, and its relation to Christianity.
While some, like the local Columbus mega-church leader Rod Parsley, whose book I just finished, would criticize homosexuals and call them to a Christian renewal, I don't believe I can judge like that. If I am grateful for one thing, it is the quality of my Augustana education which has taught me to look beyond the objective and ask questions to form your own opinions. I was provided with a variety of perspectives, from Dan Spencer's to some of my friends to the work of Jim Childs and the ELCA's packet on sexuality, and able to soak in the information and figure out the context in which each perspective is rooted.
It bothers me that this story was considered news-worthy for the Crosswalk feed. Maybe, just maybe, there might be a better "evocation of grace" from the heart-inspired service to the poor or homeless, a missionary who devoted life and luxury to share the gospel in the heart of Africa, or a message of peace.
Just a few musings. I don't mean to take a political stance or say one thing or another, but rather vent my frustration with how we view the world of news, how we are indoctrinated in how to think and what to think, and often don't hear "Paul Harvey's" "The Rest of the Story."
What does this mean for family systems...You'll find out in my next blog!
12 September 2007
Delivered from Distraction and Discipleship
So it's been a while! I'm sorry for my lack of writing as of late. Life seems to be getting a little busier, which is by no means a bad thing.
I just wish I could share more as there are often many details that get omitted from my wrap-ups. You can always call or e-mail me if you want more info or just want to chat! Amy Hanson, I also want your mailing address!
Here's a few bullet points that will fill you in on the little biographical pieces
-I am working a few hours each week as an office assistant in the Admissions Office
-I have been hired as a Warehouse worker at the only Augsburg Fortress Warehouse in the Country! I'll reshelve and restock books, file returns, etc. The best perk is that any damaged books we find we can take for free! P.S.- The Matt Kruse bookshelf funding project is now started. You can send any donations...Just Kidding!
-I need to go grocery shopping
-I am playing on Trinity's Flag Football Team. Yes...There is a seminary Flag Football League. A bunch of seminaries get together for the Luther Bowl in November in Gettysburg!
-I also sing in the Seminary Chorus, where it's been fun to sing and think about how I miss Augie Choir rehearsal.
There...now for more elaborate writing.
At the request of my candidacy committee, I've explored options of pastoral counseling and spiritual direction. This has so far been a helpful request, and is keeping me balanced in mind, body and spirit. One person suggested to me the other week that they thought I demonstrated several characteristics of attention issues. This isnt' a full-blown "Matt has ADD" diagnosis, but does make sense about a lot of things- Why I don't sit still, why I appear to zone out when people like Chris Zuraff are explaining things, etc. I thought it was interesting and am processing how I can function more effectively and how to be "delivered from distraction!" I know now that my second book will be "Prayer and Spirituality for the Distracted: Dear God, "Oh Look, there's a bird!""
Last week, given the lectionary text, the fitting recurring theme that presented itself to me numerous times invovled discipleship. After hearing three good-quality sermons on the topic (Oh, how I look forward to preaching that "hate your mother and father" text) of discipleship and the difficulties and sacrifices that are involved, it seemed as if that were the message God was speaking to me. We read about a martyr named Ignatius of Antioch who so wanted to testify to his faith in Christ that he wrote a letter compelling his fellow Christians not to advocate for him, but rather to advocate for his death, so that he might win for Christ and propel the church and other believers forward on account of his martyrdom. How cool is that! It definitely shaped my own understandings of ministry. In a class I'm taking called Person in Ministry, we've talked about how we are called and shaped and need to find our growing edges in the midst of ministry. Despite the difference between the historical contexts in which Ignatius of Antioch and Matthew of Jackson live, it seems as if our paths toward ministry are also quite similar at the same time.
Next time, there will be more about listening and a failure to hear, plus an updated grocery list (okay, I'm not crazy enough to blog about my grocery list!) God's peace...
I just wish I could share more as there are often many details that get omitted from my wrap-ups. You can always call or e-mail me if you want more info or just want to chat! Amy Hanson, I also want your mailing address!
Here's a few bullet points that will fill you in on the little biographical pieces
-I am working a few hours each week as an office assistant in the Admissions Office
-I have been hired as a Warehouse worker at the only Augsburg Fortress Warehouse in the Country! I'll reshelve and restock books, file returns, etc. The best perk is that any damaged books we find we can take for free! P.S.- The Matt Kruse bookshelf funding project is now started. You can send any donations...Just Kidding!
-I need to go grocery shopping
-I am playing on Trinity's Flag Football Team. Yes...There is a seminary Flag Football League. A bunch of seminaries get together for the Luther Bowl in November in Gettysburg!
-I also sing in the Seminary Chorus, where it's been fun to sing and think about how I miss Augie Choir rehearsal.
There...now for more elaborate writing.
At the request of my candidacy committee, I've explored options of pastoral counseling and spiritual direction. This has so far been a helpful request, and is keeping me balanced in mind, body and spirit. One person suggested to me the other week that they thought I demonstrated several characteristics of attention issues. This isnt' a full-blown "Matt has ADD" diagnosis, but does make sense about a lot of things- Why I don't sit still, why I appear to zone out when people like Chris Zuraff are explaining things, etc. I thought it was interesting and am processing how I can function more effectively and how to be "delivered from distraction!" I know now that my second book will be "Prayer and Spirituality for the Distracted: Dear God, "Oh Look, there's a bird!""
Last week, given the lectionary text, the fitting recurring theme that presented itself to me numerous times invovled discipleship. After hearing three good-quality sermons on the topic (Oh, how I look forward to preaching that "hate your mother and father" text) of discipleship and the difficulties and sacrifices that are involved, it seemed as if that were the message God was speaking to me. We read about a martyr named Ignatius of Antioch who so wanted to testify to his faith in Christ that he wrote a letter compelling his fellow Christians not to advocate for him, but rather to advocate for his death, so that he might win for Christ and propel the church and other believers forward on account of his martyrdom. How cool is that! It definitely shaped my own understandings of ministry. In a class I'm taking called Person in Ministry, we've talked about how we are called and shaped and need to find our growing edges in the midst of ministry. Despite the difference between the historical contexts in which Ignatius of Antioch and Matthew of Jackson live, it seems as if our paths toward ministry are also quite similar at the same time.
Next time, there will be more about listening and a failure to hear, plus an updated grocery list (okay, I'm not crazy enough to blog about my grocery list!) God's peace...
10 September 2007
Ohio and Alaska...Who'd-a-thunk-it?
I had a surprising phone call the other night from Alaska. Yes, Alaska. My friend Krissy called to catch up with me. We first became friends at the Fund for Theological Education Undergraduate Fellows Program in St. Louis in 2005. We hit it off talking one night as we both wanted to go into ministry, but from nearly polar opposite perspectives. I had always planned to go to Luther Seminary in St. Paul and go into parish ministry, while Krissy, being Roman Catholic, had sought to go into some type of journalism/writing ministry for some sort of catholic publication.
We kept in contact briefly with one another, helping each other to hear our vocations to ministry all along; One of the beauties of our conversation the other night was our reflection on how our lives have changed and our calls have become clearer, yet fuzzier at the same time. By the grace of God, I ended up here at Trinity, nestled in Columbus, and surrounded by intentional community, something I have found to be a true asset. Krissy, on the other hand, called from a small village in rural Alaska, where she is spending a year's commitment with a Jesuit Volunteer Program. We both said how amazing it was that we've ended up where we are today, light years away from where we were imagining ourselves to be. Our senses of call are no clearer than they were before, but we both feel as if we have been called to nurturing communities whereby we can grow to know ourselves, and God, on a more deeper, honest level. Thanks be to God!
I've been spending the last five minutes looking for a quote that best exemplifies what I felt when I was able to reconnect with Krissy, be it a half-hour on the phone, because it brought me a small piece of joy. Through our musings and as we support one another, we show Christ's power and love to one another, united together as people called to serve the church communities of which we are a part. As Barbara Brown Taylor writes, "In this vocation, the currency is not technical skill or billable hours. In this vocation, the currency is the quality of your life. It is how much people see Christ when they look at you." (Cf. "On This Rock" in Awakened to a Calling: Reflections on the Vocation of Ministry, Edited by Ann M. Svennungsen and Melissa Wiginton (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005).) Thanks for showing a little of Christ to me, Krissy, and all those who keep in contact as we mutually uphold and prayerfully support each other's journeys.
For those who are interested, the process is beginning to help find a Ministry in Context (M.I.C.) Site for each new seminarian here in Columbus. We spend the next 5-8 weeks going to different churches, hopping, if you will, to find what is different about worship in different places, and also discern where we a comfortable and where we might have "growing edges."
In my research, which includes looking at 50 church websites, going to two churches so far, and visiting with about 10 pastors at the ministry fair, I've determined that I do appreciate the liturgical nature of the ELCA, and the way it ritualizes our praxis of faith. A book I've been reading by Deb Grant called Pedestrian Theology put forth the best definition of liturgy I've ever heard today! It described Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. Johnny would start his joke by saying, "Well, it was sure a cold day outside today..." The Audience would then know to reply "How cold was it?" in unison. (This also works with Gene Rayburn and Match Game!) This is liturgy, according to Grant. I smiled to myself and thought, "Hey, that's like "the Lord be with you!...And also with you" dialogue! It grounds us and reminds us through the act of ritual...If any Augie profs are reading this, this book would be one worth checking out for a 110 level course...strong theology, great story, and a real discussion provoker!
While I'm on a roll here tonight, I also have gained an appreciation for the celebration of Holy Communion on an every week basis. I'm not sure why, but all of the churches I've encountered here in Ohio have weekly Communion. It's something I feel is missing from the Midwest (as I know it), and despite having to have servers, set-uppers, and acolytes every week, we know the pastor would have to work harder to refine her sermon and keep the church service on track! ;-)
That's the scoop for now.
Grace and peace, brothers and sisters, part of the fictive family of faith!
We kept in contact briefly with one another, helping each other to hear our vocations to ministry all along; One of the beauties of our conversation the other night was our reflection on how our lives have changed and our calls have become clearer, yet fuzzier at the same time. By the grace of God, I ended up here at Trinity, nestled in Columbus, and surrounded by intentional community, something I have found to be a true asset. Krissy, on the other hand, called from a small village in rural Alaska, where she is spending a year's commitment with a Jesuit Volunteer Program. We both said how amazing it was that we've ended up where we are today, light years away from where we were imagining ourselves to be. Our senses of call are no clearer than they were before, but we both feel as if we have been called to nurturing communities whereby we can grow to know ourselves, and God, on a more deeper, honest level. Thanks be to God!
I've been spending the last five minutes looking for a quote that best exemplifies what I felt when I was able to reconnect with Krissy, be it a half-hour on the phone, because it brought me a small piece of joy. Through our musings and as we support one another, we show Christ's power and love to one another, united together as people called to serve the church communities of which we are a part. As Barbara Brown Taylor writes, "In this vocation, the currency is not technical skill or billable hours. In this vocation, the currency is the quality of your life. It is how much people see Christ when they look at you." (Cf. "On This Rock" in Awakened to a Calling: Reflections on the Vocation of Ministry, Edited by Ann M. Svennungsen and Melissa Wiginton (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005).) Thanks for showing a little of Christ to me, Krissy, and all those who keep in contact as we mutually uphold and prayerfully support each other's journeys.
For those who are interested, the process is beginning to help find a Ministry in Context (M.I.C.) Site for each new seminarian here in Columbus. We spend the next 5-8 weeks going to different churches, hopping, if you will, to find what is different about worship in different places, and also discern where we a comfortable and where we might have "growing edges."
In my research, which includes looking at 50 church websites, going to two churches so far, and visiting with about 10 pastors at the ministry fair, I've determined that I do appreciate the liturgical nature of the ELCA, and the way it ritualizes our praxis of faith. A book I've been reading by Deb Grant called Pedestrian Theology put forth the best definition of liturgy I've ever heard today! It described Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. Johnny would start his joke by saying, "Well, it was sure a cold day outside today..." The Audience would then know to reply "How cold was it?" in unison. (This also works with Gene Rayburn and Match Game!) This is liturgy, according to Grant. I smiled to myself and thought, "Hey, that's like "the Lord be with you!...And also with you" dialogue! It grounds us and reminds us through the act of ritual...If any Augie profs are reading this, this book would be one worth checking out for a 110 level course...strong theology, great story, and a real discussion provoker!
While I'm on a roll here tonight, I also have gained an appreciation for the celebration of Holy Communion on an every week basis. I'm not sure why, but all of the churches I've encountered here in Ohio have weekly Communion. It's something I feel is missing from the Midwest (as I know it), and despite having to have servers, set-uppers, and acolytes every week, we know the pastor would have to work harder to refine her sermon and keep the church service on track! ;-)
That's the scoop for now.
Grace and peace, brothers and sisters, part of the fictive family of faith!
07 September 2007
There's No Class on Fridays...
It was a bit perplexing to know that last night, while in all other realms of the world, was Thursday, here in Seminary Village, it was like a Friday night. That is, you see, because there's no class on Fridays. A few of us walked, or jay-walked across the street for some fellowship at a new establishment known as the Rusty Bucket, although I found neither rust nor a bucket in the place. It's a nice little pub with some darn-kickin' hot chili sauce! We came back and watched a movie and alas, it was time for bed!
I had thought to myself, "This will be a grand opportunity to catch up on the week's uncompleted reading and writing, maybe even work a few hours, and then enjoy the weekend!" Today, the first "free Friday" didn't live up to my expectations!
I ended up sleeping far later than I had anticipated, and putzed around for a few too many minutes. I've realized how much I love tv, which isn't a bad thing, but leads me to waste an inordinate amount of time each day. I did have a nice lunch with my colleagues from the "Magnificent Admissions Office Staff," go to the bank, and pick up a few items at the pharmacy, and go over to the Capital University gym to sweat out some boredom on the elliptical machine. However, I feel as if today is perhaps the laziest day I've had in quite a while...and for some reason I feel guilty about it. Maybe its the list next to me with a number of uncompleted assignments...the clothes that need to be washed, the books that need to be picked up off of the floor?
No. After talking with Rachel this afternoon, and discussing the adjustments of independent life in a new city and new community, I've determined that I feel guilty for doing nothing because I'm still attempting to discover how to walk the line between Solitude and Alone-ness. It's not that I'm lonely...I'm just used to being engaged at most parts of the day with community, whether the guys at the Olsen House at Augie, my family, or others. I do enjoy a bit of time for self-reflection, but it is certainly a tougher line to determine than I anticipated. With time, like most things, this should become clearer, but indeed, I now understand why even though I'm talking with myself most of the day, my Myers-Briggs test says I'm an extrovert. People are good things. The community here has been wonderful and I am grateful for my inclusion in a number of social activities. Now I just need to include myself in my own little community, and learn to cherish the Friday's of solitude. Somewhere, someone I know has the book Out of Solitude by Henri Nouwen. I'll have to check it out or something, because I need to re-read it and learn what power solitude can have in one's spiritual nourishment and development.
While I'm able to be critically cynical a little bit more tonight, I realized today, after checking my bank account on www.bankmidwest.com, that living independently is freakin' expensive. I've been really good about keeping my grocery list to the staples: milk, juice, yogurt, cottage cheese, bread, pasta, sauce, peanut butter, some deli roast beef, cheese, fruit and some carrot chips! However, food is expensive; gas is expensive; books, while beautiful, are expensive; shampoo is exorbitantly priced, and I've spent way more than I ever anticipated in these first three weeks. It's not a bad thing, it's just a hard realization to face!
On a positive note, I got an e-mail this afternoon which exempts me from having to take Hebrew I because I've tested out based on my Augie time! That's exciting...Thanks to Dr. Nakamura for taking care of that...Now I have some options for some travel and courses together in January, which could prove to be unique and fun...more on that later.
May you all find joy in your solitude, comfort in your solace, and courage when you must fly solo. That was a solemn use of sol... words, don't you think?
Peace
I had thought to myself, "This will be a grand opportunity to catch up on the week's uncompleted reading and writing, maybe even work a few hours, and then enjoy the weekend!" Today, the first "free Friday" didn't live up to my expectations!
I ended up sleeping far later than I had anticipated, and putzed around for a few too many minutes. I've realized how much I love tv, which isn't a bad thing, but leads me to waste an inordinate amount of time each day. I did have a nice lunch with my colleagues from the "Magnificent Admissions Office Staff," go to the bank, and pick up a few items at the pharmacy, and go over to the Capital University gym to sweat out some boredom on the elliptical machine. However, I feel as if today is perhaps the laziest day I've had in quite a while...and for some reason I feel guilty about it. Maybe its the list next to me with a number of uncompleted assignments...the clothes that need to be washed, the books that need to be picked up off of the floor?
No. After talking with Rachel this afternoon, and discussing the adjustments of independent life in a new city and new community, I've determined that I feel guilty for doing nothing because I'm still attempting to discover how to walk the line between Solitude and Alone-ness. It's not that I'm lonely...I'm just used to being engaged at most parts of the day with community, whether the guys at the Olsen House at Augie, my family, or others. I do enjoy a bit of time for self-reflection, but it is certainly a tougher line to determine than I anticipated. With time, like most things, this should become clearer, but indeed, I now understand why even though I'm talking with myself most of the day, my Myers-Briggs test says I'm an extrovert. People are good things. The community here has been wonderful and I am grateful for my inclusion in a number of social activities. Now I just need to include myself in my own little community, and learn to cherish the Friday's of solitude. Somewhere, someone I know has the book Out of Solitude by Henri Nouwen. I'll have to check it out or something, because I need to re-read it and learn what power solitude can have in one's spiritual nourishment and development.
While I'm able to be critically cynical a little bit more tonight, I realized today, after checking my bank account on www.bankmidwest.com, that living independently is freakin' expensive. I've been really good about keeping my grocery list to the staples: milk, juice, yogurt, cottage cheese, bread, pasta, sauce, peanut butter, some deli roast beef, cheese, fruit and some carrot chips! However, food is expensive; gas is expensive; books, while beautiful, are expensive; shampoo is exorbitantly priced, and I've spent way more than I ever anticipated in these first three weeks. It's not a bad thing, it's just a hard realization to face!
On a positive note, I got an e-mail this afternoon which exempts me from having to take Hebrew I because I've tested out based on my Augie time! That's exciting...Thanks to Dr. Nakamura for taking care of that...Now I have some options for some travel and courses together in January, which could prove to be unique and fun...more on that later.
May you all find joy in your solitude, comfort in your solace, and courage when you must fly solo. That was a solemn use of sol... words, don't you think?
Peace
Now What?
Greetings all~
This is the genesis of my online blog. I never thought I'd become a blogger, but feel it will help me keep in better contact with the community around the Upper Midwest and around the world!
The name of my page is of great significance-As someone called to ministry, a friend said to me, "No matter where you are called or how you live out your calling, keep asking yourself 'Now what?' like the early church fathers did after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, or like Martin Luther did after his moment of conversion." Thus, the blog is named aptly so.
I'll fill in more details about life in Columbus and the adjustment in a later entry. Welcome to this adventure. I hope to keep you up to date and share how the Spirit is moving in the life of me, a seminarian who had the courage to enter Ohio and cross-pollinate the seminary!
Peace,
Matt
This is the genesis of my online blog. I never thought I'd become a blogger, but feel it will help me keep in better contact with the community around the Upper Midwest and around the world!
The name of my page is of great significance-As someone called to ministry, a friend said to me, "No matter where you are called or how you live out your calling, keep asking yourself 'Now what?' like the early church fathers did after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, or like Martin Luther did after his moment of conversion." Thus, the blog is named aptly so.
I'll fill in more details about life in Columbus and the adjustment in a later entry. Welcome to this adventure. I hope to keep you up to date and share how the Spirit is moving in the life of me, a seminarian who had the courage to enter Ohio and cross-pollinate the seminary!
Peace,
Matt
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