The download links should work now. I had a bad link.
NOTE: The streaming player works better in Internet Explorer than Firefox. Sorry:)
To hear our lovely girls voices, click on either the mp3 link to download the file or listen to it streamed via the gray bar. Enjoy, we did:)
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Terry Shue
Terry Shue is here!!!
Terry Shue is the pastor in residence this week. He is the pastor of Kidron Mennonite Church, in Kidron, OH. In fact if you want to hear him preach, you can listen to him online at the above link. He has a wonderfully busy schedule while he is here. Monday morning he spoke in chapel, then had Pastor's lunch, and some other things. Then in the evening at 11:30pm, he hung out with college students at Druber's donut shop. I am not sure what all he is up to today, but I know he is in our Preaching class this afternoon, and the Sophomore Formation class this evening. Then on Wednesday he will be in Chapel again and evening Campus Worship. I believe he was an excellent choice because of his connections with Hesston College, and his ability to speak candidly with students, staff, and pastors about his life and ministry in the church. Go Terry!
Terry Shue is the pastor in residence this week. He is the pastor of Kidron Mennonite Church, in Kidron, OH. In fact if you want to hear him preach, you can listen to him online at the above link. He has a wonderfully busy schedule while he is here. Monday morning he spoke in chapel, then had Pastor's lunch, and some other things. Then in the evening at 11:30pm, he hung out with college students at Druber's donut shop. I am not sure what all he is up to today, but I know he is in our Preaching class this afternoon, and the Sophomore Formation class this evening. Then on Wednesday he will be in Chapel again and evening Campus Worship. I believe he was an excellent choice because of his connections with Hesston College, and his ability to speak candidly with students, staff, and pastors about his life and ministry in the church. Go Terry!
Long break
Sorry about the lapse in posting. That was nearly a week. Sometimes you read and write so much for classes that you don't feel like reading and writing for pleasure:)
An update on church visits for those who want to know:
Two weeks ago, we visited Whitestone Mennonite in Hesston for the second time. This past week, we visited Hesston Mennonite for the second time. These were good visits, good services, and good connections. Our girls continue to weather these visits very well. They always seem to enjoy Sunday School. If you ask them which church they liked best, they always say the last one we were at, and it is always related to Sunday School somehow. So good job Sunday School teachers!
Suzanne and I have also felt like the Sunday School classes are very supportive of one another. You sense in their discussions that there is relationship beyond the classroom. When we walked into Whitestone's class for the second time, they cheered, "We got a second visit!" We kinda felt like a prize or something:) But we're just normal folk.
An update on church visits for those who want to know:
Two weeks ago, we visited Whitestone Mennonite in Hesston for the second time. This past week, we visited Hesston Mennonite for the second time. These were good visits, good services, and good connections. Our girls continue to weather these visits very well. They always seem to enjoy Sunday School. If you ask them which church they liked best, they always say the last one we were at, and it is always related to Sunday School somehow. So good job Sunday School teachers!
Suzanne and I have also felt like the Sunday School classes are very supportive of one another. You sense in their discussions that there is relationship beyond the classroom. When we walked into Whitestone's class for the second time, they cheered, "We got a second visit!" We kinda felt like a prize or something:) But we're just normal folk.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
First Sermon in Preaching Class
Pray without ceasing. I preach somewhere between 3:30 and 6pm on Tuesday.
I have some audio clips of the girls that I will post after things slow down a little bit here. Maybe on Wednesday.
My first sermon went well, with plenty of room left for improvement. We were to preach a narrative sermon. That means to tell the story of the text, and try to surprise the congregation with something or to reveal the message of the sermon after you have them fully engaged in the story. I need to be a little bit more lively and get away from my manuscript more.
I have some audio clips of the girls that I will post after things slow down a little bit here. Maybe on Wednesday.
My first sermon went well, with plenty of room left for improvement. We were to preach a narrative sermon. That means to tell the story of the text, and try to surprise the congregation with something or to reveal the message of the sermon after you have them fully engaged in the story. I need to be a little bit more lively and get away from my manuscript more.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Appropriate Neglect
As I look at my course load starting this last weekend through next weekend (two weeks), I don't know how I am going to get everything done. I have a Lesson Plan to write by Thursday, a Psalms Inductive to finish by Friday, a Sermon to write by next Tuesday, some miscellaneous Bib Lit projects, a Theology quiz on next Thursday, a Psalms exam next Friday, a Bib Lit exam next Friday, and a Pastoral Ministries Pool Party next Sunday:)
I was given a new term "Appropriate Neglect", and was told that the reason for all the overly busyness in the PM program is to train us to learn to apply Appropriate Neglect now, because we will need it when we are in ministry. So, a big part of life here for me right now is managing time and priorities. There is always something good to do, and more that I could do on an assignment, but I am blessed with a wonderful wife, and adorable girls. I need them too.
Lord help me!
I was given a new term "Appropriate Neglect", and was told that the reason for all the overly busyness in the PM program is to train us to learn to apply Appropriate Neglect now, because we will need it when we are in ministry. So, a big part of life here for me right now is managing time and priorities. There is always something good to do, and more that I could do on an assignment, but I am blessed with a wonderful wife, and adorable girls. I need them too.
Lord help me!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Church this morning
This morning we went to Eden Mennonite Church just past Moundridge, KS. Well eventually we did. I used googles suggestion for the address and it ended up being in Moundridge, and it was only their church office. There are a couple churches that are out in the country here, that have an in town office. So, we made a quick call to a friend and finally found the church out in the fields.
We only missed 10 minutes of the worship service, and enjoyed the rest. Sunday School was afterward and we enjoyed the intentional mix of ages from low 20's up to mid 60's. This is a little rare in a church that has over 250 regular attenders on a Sunday morning. Usually they part everybody off by age group. After church we were invited to have lunch with the class at their activity center, which is about 1/2 mile down the road. It was a good time of getting to know people. A couple of the men work at a company (Bradburry) that supplies steel forming equipment to the likes of Wayne Dalton and Metalsusa. Two companies that you in Ohio would be familiar with.
I have a Psalms Inductive that needs a bunch of work yet, so this is where this post ends...
We only missed 10 minutes of the worship service, and enjoyed the rest. Sunday School was afterward and we enjoyed the intentional mix of ages from low 20's up to mid 60's. This is a little rare in a church that has over 250 regular attenders on a Sunday morning. Usually they part everybody off by age group. After church we were invited to have lunch with the class at their activity center, which is about 1/2 mile down the road. It was a good time of getting to know people. A couple of the men work at a company (Bradburry) that supplies steel forming equipment to the likes of Wayne Dalton and Metalsusa. Two companies that you in Ohio would be familiar with.
I have a Psalms Inductive that needs a bunch of work yet, so this is where this post ends...
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Weather and Power
The weather is a bit different here in Kansas versus Ohio. Usually, we have been 5-10 degrees warmer, and a day or 2 ahead in terms of precipitation. One constant out here is the sunshine. There is sun nearly everyday, and lots of it.
Monday we had 60 degrees and sunshine.
Tuesday we woke up to thunder and lightning, which is common when the weather changes quickly. It was in the low 30's most of Tuesday. Tuesday evening around 3pm the power started going on and off. Soon it stayed off completely. We had a class that usually goes till 6pm, that we stopped at 5pm, because we couldn't see anymore. Finally, around 8pm the power came back on.
Wednesday morning we woke up to 3-5 inches of wet, heavy snow on the ground.
Cultural differences of snow removal: In Kansas, they don't salt very often, instead they apply sand. Also, they don't plow the roads clean, instead they just remove the top and leave about 1/2 to 1 inch. Finally, most people don't shovel their sidewalks or driveways, they know the sun will be out soon and melt it off those surfaces. Actually this has been a colder and more snowy winter than usual for Kansas, but they rarely call off school. These melting and freezing spots have caused some slips and falls for some people. So far I have been lucky:)
Monday, February 4, 2008
Basketball and a Father's heart
I had the wonderful opportunity of taking our youngest (2 years old going on 8) to a basketball game on Saturday night. She was very talkative on the way there, realizing that it was just her and Daddy. Her two sisters both had friends over that evening. She was riding on my shoulders and talking about school and church, and that she loves Mommy:) She then enjoyed a sucker at the game, the first of which ending up falling down through the bleachers. I gave her a second one, and after about 5 minutes she handed it back. I happened to be talking with a couple friends at the time, and all the sudden I realized she was asleep. What a sweety, and a sticky, her fingers were stuck together! She slept through the rest of the game and all the way home, and promptly woke up as we got into the house. She said she had fun with Daddy. I will cherish these moments and look forward to more.
Can the same be true of our Heavenly father? That he loves to be with us, and hear what is on our minds? Is it even possible that he cherishes the time that we fellowship with him, even when we fall asleep? Spend some time with your Heavenly father and tell him that you have enjoyed being with him today.
Can the same be true of our Heavenly father? That he loves to be with us, and hear what is on our minds? Is it even possible that he cherishes the time that we fellowship with him, even when we fall asleep? Spend some time with your Heavenly father and tell him that you have enjoyed being with him today.
Church on Sunday
We went to Faith Mennonite in Newton this Sunday. Some of you may know Nate and Esther (Kratzer) Koontz. Nate is the Associate Pastor at Faith.
We have visited:
South Hutchinson Mennonite
Hesston Mennonite
Whitestone Mennonite of Hesston
Venue 302 of Hutchinson
Hesston Mennonite Brethern
First Mennonite Newton
Faith Mennonite Newton
All these churches have been different, and have had their own strengths and weaknesses. Please don't be offended by this comment, it is only our opinion... As a visitor, worship services that contain only music and sermon have been the most worshipful. Services that contain, many extra things like announcements, sharing, too many litanies, etc. have felt very choppy and dry.
We have enjoyed visiting churches and Sunday Schools and being visitors. However, I think I am beginning to feel a little antsy about choosing a church and becoming one of them. Please be in prayer for us as we seek God's guidance for a church that:
-helps us grow
-cares for each of us
-gives opportunity for service
-nurtures the girls
-seeks God's will for it's existence
We have visited:
South Hutchinson Mennonite
Hesston Mennonite
Whitestone Mennonite of Hesston
Venue 302 of Hutchinson
Hesston Mennonite Brethern
First Mennonite Newton
Faith Mennonite Newton
All these churches have been different, and have had their own strengths and weaknesses. Please don't be offended by this comment, it is only our opinion... As a visitor, worship services that contain only music and sermon have been the most worshipful. Services that contain, many extra things like announcements, sharing, too many litanies, etc. have felt very choppy and dry.
We have enjoyed visiting churches and Sunday Schools and being visitors. However, I think I am beginning to feel a little antsy about choosing a church and becoming one of them. Please be in prayer for us as we seek God's guidance for a church that:
-helps us grow
-cares for each of us
-gives opportunity for service
-nurtures the girls
-seeks God's will for it's existence
Praise the Lord
As I am learning in our study of Psalms, many times we need to praise God when it's bad. Actually, that is probably the most important time to be talking to God, and pouring out our hearts. I have found in tough times that the act of communicating my rotten feelings with God, has brought me to the point of saying, "but nonetheless, I will still praise you God!"
I feel the need to say "yeah God!" and recount the ways that he has blessed us this year.
-generous donations from our Chestnut Ridge Church family
-prayers, packages, cards, emails, and phone calls from family and friends
-inexpensive rent in a very nice sized house close to campus
-blow your socks off gift from a previous fellow worker
-warm and ongoing welcome from Hesston College, Hesston Elementary, and Hesston town
-friendships forming with other PM students
-gift of transportation moving to Hesston by VPI and friends
-our families willingness to part with our immediate presence
-a couple key grants to help with tuition
-other God moments of running into people at the right time
-Godly, caring faculty
-God's promise to always be with us (Matthew 28:20)
I feel the need to say "yeah God!" and recount the ways that he has blessed us this year.
-generous donations from our Chestnut Ridge Church family
-prayers, packages, cards, emails, and phone calls from family and friends
-inexpensive rent in a very nice sized house close to campus
-blow your socks off gift from a previous fellow worker
-warm and ongoing welcome from Hesston College, Hesston Elementary, and Hesston town
-friendships forming with other PM students
-gift of transportation moving to Hesston by VPI and friends
-our families willingness to part with our immediate presence
-a couple key grants to help with tuition
-other God moments of running into people at the right time
-Godly, caring faculty
-God's promise to always be with us (Matthew 28:20)
Friday, February 1, 2008
Testing 1, 2, 3, 4
Is there anybody out there? Is anybody reading this?
So far, only one person has left comments, and only 3-4 people have mentioned that they have read this.
I won't be hurt if you don't have time to comment or respond, or even if I bore you to death. I have enjoyed writing my thoughts for my own sake. However, if you do read this could you let me know. I am just curious.
Thanks
So far, only one person has left comments, and only 3-4 people have mentioned that they have read this.
I won't be hurt if you don't have time to comment or respond, or even if I bore you to death. I have enjoyed writing my thoughts for my own sake. However, if you do read this could you let me know. I am just curious.
Thanks
Busy week of Exams
This week I had a Christian Education Exam on Thursday, that didn't feel like it went real well. Lots of developmental theory and psychology type stages and studies to keep track of. Today I had a Psalms Exam which felt like it went better, and a Bib Lit Exam that also felt pretty good. I am finding that I am one of the last students to finish my exam. I will attribute this to either my head getting slower, my hand getting slower, or the connection between my head and hand not being efficient as it once was. However, it doesn't bother me, just an observation.
We are looking forward to some more family time this weekend, with a trip to the Newton Et Cetera shop which is like Kidron's MCC Connections. We will also hit a used bookstore called Book Review.
We aren't sure where we will be yet for Sunday morning church. Last Sunday we attended First Mennonite of Newton. It was one of the more diverse churches in the local area here (although not by much), it is located in a more diverse area of Newton, KS.
On Sunday evening, the PM students are getting together for the SuperBowl.
We are looking forward to some more family time this weekend, with a trip to the Newton Et Cetera shop which is like Kidron's MCC Connections. We will also hit a used bookstore called Book Review.
We aren't sure where we will be yet for Sunday morning church. Last Sunday we attended First Mennonite of Newton. It was one of the more diverse churches in the local area here (although not by much), it is located in a more diverse area of Newton, KS.
On Sunday evening, the PM students are getting together for the SuperBowl.
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