Closing Time

In Bob Clark’s 1983 comedic holiday classic A Christmas Story, Ralphie Parker (portrayed by Peter Billingsley) drops the “F-bomb” in front of his parents on the night before Christmas. Young Ralphie uttered the “F-word” that fateful eve – and tonight it’s my turn: Fall. August is quickly coming to a close and with it – the warmth of summer is fading. Last night I had to close the windows of our apartment because it was too cold to sleep comfortably. It was quite the unexpected occasion. But again recall Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: there is for everything an appointed season! I will sleep comfortably tonight, however, due to our visitor. This Sunday morning Sonia’s parents traveled to South Dakota – and presented us with a guest: Charlie. Charlie is a three year old Golden Retriever, who has an affinity towards Cooper, our two year old Beagleador (or Labbe-mix). Both dogs have been playing incessantly today and don’t seem to be capable of tiring (and this is after over two miles of walks and dog park action)! I pray that no more “accidents” happen in the apartment – because Charlie happened to “overwrite” Cooper’s previous marks! Because of this – Sonia’s parents also presented us with a gift: a carpet shampooer. This week we are being so-called Good Samaritans by taking care of their dog while they travel the Midwest.

Well, I hope you stay warm tonight. Again, it’s quite cold. Moreover, enjoy the rest of the "summer" while you can. I dropped the "F-bomb" tonight--So take care and have a wonderful night!

-Dan

Holothuroidea & Diakonia

Raise your hand if you wanted to be a marine biologist at some point in your life.






















Okay, thanks for participating in that little exercise. Having spent many years working with young people and having once been a young person - I am well aware of the popularity of Marine Biologist as the answer to What do you want to be when you grow up? While that is an enticing and interesting career - I don't know anyone who is actually a marine biologist (perhaps because I live in the midwest). Do you know any? It seems that at some point people realize they live in South Dakota and are missing out on the whole marine part, or that marine biology is still biology, or that they don't really know what a marine biologist does because they've never actually met one.

It might seem like a stretch, but that is sort of how I've felt about diaconal ministry. (For my post on what a diaconal minister is see this blog). It sounds fascinating and wonderful. It seems like who I am and how God is calling me to serve. It sounds like what I want to be when I grow up. But the problem for me has been that I never actually knew a diaconal minister...until now.

On my travels this summer I met Sandra. Sandra is a diaconal minister in Mississippi. She is officially the first diaconal minister I have ever met. Granted, many serve in service outside the church and I know many seminarians and Luther alumni who are in the candidacy process to become diaconal ministers. But this was my first encounter with a diaconal minister. I've actually had considerably more encounters with bishops than diaconal ministers in my time in church leadership.

It was encouraging, affirming, and exciting to hear about the passion Sandra unleashes on disaster relief in Mississippi, her journey through the candidacy process, and her story of leaving one seminary for another that was more open and understanding of the differences between ordained and diaconal rosters. It was great to hear about the network of diaconal ministers she is connected to and how she is involved in worship leadership and preaching in a congregation.

Suddenly, I don't feel so alone, or crazy, or misled for feeling magnetically drawn to diaconal ministry. It seems much more like answering What do you want to be when you grow up? with Teacher than Marine Biologist.

“Gospel on a Stick”

Today I was blessed to have my parents visit me from Kellogg, Minnesota. We went to the “Great Minnesota Get Together” together. It’s been a while since my parents have been to the Fair (uppercase F for certain). My mother went to the State Fair when she was 12. My father went to it when he was 15. Yes, things have obviously changed over the years – but that didn’t stop us from “receiving the day” in the true tradition of Ecclesiastes. This day was a day of simple but elemental pleasures: food, communion, and awe of human spectacle. The “waves” of human beings walking throughout the fair grounds was simply incredible.

But what did I eat? I had a bratwurst, cheese curds, roasted almonds, and a strawberry smoothie. I was surprised that there wasn’t nearly as much “on-a-stick” repast as I had previously thought there was going to be. I was expecting everything including “gospel-on-a-stick” – but was pleasantly disappointed. I was also certain I would submit to absolute gluttony today! I certainly hope that everyone has had a wonderful Saturday. Again, if you choose to indulge at the State Fair – I wish you a great time! Indulge and eat some good food! And take care!

-Dan

The Great Minnesota Get Together

Some people anticipate the apocalypse or “end of days.” There are others who wait eagerly for the parousia. Minnesotans, however, hold out for the greatest of “get togethers.” Yes, it’s that time again. The Minnesota State Fair has once again cast its corpulent, greasy shadow over the Twin Cities. Our “claim to fame” (so-to-speak) is our food. According to Minnesotan tradition, everything “under the sun” can be fried and put on a stick. Such a phrasing should pique the interests of a seminarian. Consider Israel’s Wisdom tradition. The book of Ecclesiastes is an important part of Israel’s collection of Wisdom. This seemingly choleric proverbial book has much to offer its readers and hearers (even with respect to the State Fair).

Consider Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 (TNK): “A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven: ² A time for being born and a time for dying, A time for planting and a time for uprooting the planted; ³ A time for slaying and a time for healing, A time for tearing down and a time for building up; ⁴ A time for weeping and a time for laughing, A time for wailing and a time for dancing; ⁵ A time for throwing stones and a time for gathering stones, A time for embracing and a time for shunning embraces; ⁶ A time for seeking and a time for losing, A time for keeping and a time for discarding; ⁷ A time for ripping and a time for sewing, A time for silence and a time for speaking; ⁸ A time for loving and a time for hating; A time for war and a time for peace.”

In the created order of things – everything has its season. So if there’s a time for “everything under the sun” – the Minnesota State Fair is perhaps the one time when it is appropriate to fry candy bars, bratwursts (wrapped in bacon), pickles, ostrich, nutrolls, cheese – and put them on a stick. There’s a drop-down box on the State Fair website that actually lists all of the “on-a-stick” category foods. Yikes!

Regardless, have a wonderful weekend. And if you travel to the State Fair I hope you have a safe, fun, and semi-healthy time. Take care!

-Dan