Claimed, gathered and sent

Some of us are struggling in various ways here at seminary. I have been repeatedly reminded of an old Don Francisco song, "Walking Wounded." The You Tube below is the only version I could find, but please think of men as well as women when you listen. Just because the wounds aren't visible doesn't mean they aren't painful and real. One classmate I spoke with today found out he had failed one of the required foundational courses from the Fall semester. He's now on academic probation. The pain on his face made me want to cry. He is not the only one in that situation. Another classmate has looked so sad and unhappy lately. She has been homesick. Today is the first time I have seen a smile on her face in a while. One couple getting ready for their internship next year just found out that the wife's synod is requiring that the two of them serve at separate sites. Their hope was to serve at a church where they could hone their skills to serve as a clergy couple....

The Spring term at LTSG began today. A few are not yet back from the Jan. term trip to Geneva, Switzerland, but even so, the campus is once again humming with activity. Most of my class came for the 2 week Summer Greek course in August. After Summer Greek, we were divided into 2 sections for the Fall session of Introduction to New Testament Greek. Some of us were in the turtle group while others were in the rabbit group. We were reassured by both profs that in the Spring we would all be together again. That is what happened at 8:30 this morning in our Witness of the Gospels class. We even met in the same room that we'd met in for Summer Greek and some of us sat in the very same seats we were in last August. That seems so very long ago now, yet at the time it seemed Summer Greek would never end. I am grateful for the safe return of most of us who started out together in August (one is still recovering from a car accident, but doing well). G0d has faithfully brought us this far. Thi...

A member of Christ Lutheran Church, Rev. Robert W. Koons D. D. penned a hymn whose words are sung to the tune of My Country Tis of Thee or God Bless Our Native Land (ELW 891). It appeared in Friday's Gettysburg Times. This indeed is an appropriate prayer for our new president. God bless our president, Uphold his high intent To rule aright-- Our nation's good pursue, Hope of world peace renew, All humankind to view As in Your sight. Your gracious Spirit pour On him, we now implore-- Give him your aid. Unite us all to stand With helping, serving hand. What You for earth have planned Be here displayed. In the copy given to us at church, each line of the above was explained from a theological perspective by the author. A fellow seminarian thought it was the best hymn we sang yesterday. Lord in your mercy...hear our prayer. flickr pictures

Today we celebrate Peter's confession of Jesus as the "Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). I listened as Christ Church's pastor preached an excellent message on the Matthew 16 text. Last semester, in homiletics, I too preached on this text. Rural Lutheran, my teaching parish, was the church I had in mind in this message. Everything we do as Christians is in response to Jesus' question. *** Over the past weeks, I have had the privilege of eating lunch with several of you. Your love for this church is tangible. Everyone is concerned about declining numbers, especially those who grew up here, remembering the once full pews. We are facing many challenges which are echoed in the hymn, “The Church of Christ, in Every Age.” “The church of Christ in ev’ry age beset by change, but Spirit led, must claim and test its heritage and keep on rising from the dead.” Today’s gospel text is set in Caesarea Philippi, a place noted for its worship o...

Yesterday in our J-term class on music and spiritual formation, there was a presentation by a woman who had been to the Taize community in France. Regarding the numerous languages and cultures touched by this movement, she drew our attention to a prayer written by a Jewish rabbi for the children of Gaza. Please read it at this link. Taizé - A Jew’s prayer for the children of Gaza We used it during our intercessions at compline last night. Today's appointed psalm caught my attention with a verse that certainly speaks to the situation, "For the Lord hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds" (Psalm 69:33). Lord in your mercy... flickr picture

No, not the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, but the new revised standard version of treatment for my inflamed Achilles tendon. That is my NRSV. When the physical therapist referred to a boot, this is not what I envisioned. I only have to wear it when walking and I have to say that walking is less painful than before. I’ll be wearing it for 2-3 weeks. I do feel a bit like a peg-legged pirate when I walk though.ARRR! boot and pirate pictures

Being in God's will does not mean that one escapes hardship and pain. There are two in particular in our seminary community that need prayer. The first is a spouse of a classmate, A. S. She was scheduled for back surgery, but during pre-op testing, nodules were discovered on one of her lungs. She had the lung surgery and is now home recuperating, but will still be having the back surgery later this month. Thanks be to God that the nodules were not cancerous. She has a long haul in front of her however. Secondly, yesterday I learned that during the break between semesters a classmate was in a car accident resulting in a shattered ankle and broken femur. She's out of the hospital and in rehab. Once we find out which rehab facility it is, some of us will be going to see her. She will not be able to return for the Spring semester. Please keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery. Thankfully, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God!" flickr picture