tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347580042009-11-07T18:57:32.705-06:00This is about exploring your vocation, from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) Director of Vocation and Recruitment, Joy McDonald Coltvet.LSTC Web Mgr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03281593049000240745noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-5884733341562513252009-09-22T10:59:00.003-05:002009-09-22T11:02:25.178-05:00

Check out Cafe: Stirring the Spirit Within where I've recently written a faith reflection and study questions on "Transitions."

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-40806853161144077362009-09-10T21:36:00.004-05:002009-09-22T11:03:41.898-05:00

Today, I had the opportunity to reflect with my spiritual director on an image that I've loved for a long time--"Tree of Life" by Kristin Gilje. I have a copy of Kristen's beautiful painting in my office and a photo of that painting on my laptop so I see it nearly every day.The image shows the tree of life with its roots firmly planted in the river of life. There's a rainbow in the water's spray

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-65198224144202926822009-08-26T17:22:00.002-05:002009-08-26T17:40:46.995-05:00

This lush tree is across the street from my home and as we walk by it each night, we've imagined that its name is "Ellwood." We speak to it--hang in there through the winds of stormy nights; thank you for your shade; you are beautiful and grand.Yesterday, I had the opportunity to read a moving article in the most recent edition of Spiritus--by Mary Frolich called "Under the Sign of Jonah:

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-77800147694861152002009-08-15T13:18:00.004-05:002009-08-15T13:56:24.509-05:00

In the midst of our church making decisions together, I pray for each of you who contemplate seminary and leadership/service in the church. I turn again and again to the story of Esther and her mentor/uncle Mordecai's call and question to her to step up on behalf of her people, "Who knows? Perhaps you are in this place and this time for just such a time as this."Her response? In paraphrase: I

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-53292219050873999522009-07-24T06:53:00.005-05:002009-08-15T13:18:02.551-05:00

To prepare for the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, I attended a film showing of "Trouble the Waters," an independent film. It showed not only the hurricane and breaking of the levees at the time of hurricane Katrina but the aftermath over the course of two years. Some of the things that I learned in this film, I had not heard before.The prison was not evacuated. Workers took the TVs out

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-10877129783161789442009-05-12T22:19:00.001-05:002009-05-12T22:21:29.574-05:00

"Dignity"Trinity Lutheran ChurchVolunteers serving the homelessFirst course: dignityRead the story behind the ad.

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-50741742136669498052009-05-07T17:26:00.002-05:002009-05-07T18:14:56.094-05:00

Today, I had reason to remember that conversation years ago on my NE Iowa Candidacy Committee when they asked, "What's the gospel in a nutshell?" I gave an answer somewhat similar to the words in John 3:16... God loves us and because God loved us so much, God gave us Jesus who gave his life for us. My answer didn't meet their expectations and they encouraged me to work on it. Somehow, by the

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-7757368153912637372009-05-04T08:23:00.003-05:002009-05-07T15:14:25.341-05:00

You have come down to the lakeshore... I love this hymn about how Jesus seeks not necessarily who we might expect but the one who has just a little, just a small boat, and who is willing to leave even that little to follow Jesus wherever Jesus calls.Recently, I had the opportunity to be in the great northwoods of Wisconsin, and to sit at this lakeshore and admire the light of the setting sun on

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-75610637320889768952009-05-03T11:00:00.000-05:002009-05-04T17:20:25.149-05:00

Psalm 23 - words from Bobby McFerrinThe Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need,She makes me lie down in green meadows,Beside the still waters, She will lead.She restores my soul, She rights my wrongs,She leads me in a path of good things,And fills my heart with songs.Even though I walk through a dark and dreary land,There is nothing that can shake me,She has said She won't forsake me,I'm in her

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-12878353764083718412009-03-26T10:00:00.000-05:002009-03-26T10:00:01.125-05:00

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit... those who love their life lose it... now my soul is troubled." Jesus as described in John 12:24, 25, 27It's heart-wrenching. It's true. Creation and even the One who according to John "was in the beginning with God" dies in order that new life/fruit might spring up.But

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-27355345713688121982009-03-25T09:38:00.003-05:002009-03-25T10:01:55.362-05:00

Today is the day of the Annunciation of Our Lord. I've read so many good nuggets about this day when an angel messenger, Gabriel, came to Mary with the words, "Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you!"And she pondered what kind of greeting this might be.Smart girl. People of faith sometimes look at Mary as simply an obedient servant, acquiescing to God's will. However, I notice her

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-60098552949825746182009-02-27T10:00:00.001-06:002009-03-25T10:18:08.525-05:00

Mark 1:9-14Preached at Bethany CollegeI’m not sure there is any gospel more like a film than Mark. And this is one meant to change your life.Mark’s gospel reads like an action-thriller and you can read the whole thing in about the same time as you could watch an action film. The first scenes feature John—a wild man—in the wilderness, plunging his hand into the beehive and plucking critters off

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Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see you. To see you high and lifted up, shining in the light of your glory. Pour out your power and love while we sing holy, holy, holy…I would not call this one of my favorite songs.Maybe it’s because it seems so individualistic or because I trust earthy visions of Jesus, son of man, a bit more than visions of Jesus “high and lifted up”—but on the

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-73158292920776667072009-01-19T16:24:00.004-06:002009-01-19T16:37:11.802-06:00

This image graced the bulletin cover at St. Paul and the Redeemer this weekend and it struck me--this is what HOPE means... it is not when victory is certain but when you pray from the jail cell.I am continually challenged by the discipline of those who have gone before us--today, I remember especially the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--in prayer, in clinging to hope, in envisioning God's

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Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime;therefore we must be saved by hope.Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith.Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we must be saved by love.No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-19382929040983756262008-11-26T09:14:00.002-06:002008-11-26T10:18:15.064-06:00

Meister Eckhart wrote, "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."Blessings,Pastor Joy

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-44466711187464859632008-11-21T13:43:00.002-06:002008-11-21T13:53:57.297-06:00

This week, I had the opportunity to be grateful again for my summer with the "Serving Christ in the World" immersion program, part of LSTC's Youth in Mission programs.On Wednesday we had a Youth in Mission "Fiesta," complete with great food, music and conversation. We shared quotes, stories, a video, photos and even a sermon from the youth who have been involved in these amazing programs. Their

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-43727237304535586662008-10-17T10:33:00.006-05:002008-10-17T10:40:35.055-05:00

Will you please let us know if you receive this "taste" of my newest blog entry? We're testing a new way of sharing postings with you who are subscribers--in an effort to draw you to the blog sight--and we'd like to know what you're receiving. The whole entry, the photo, just a taste?Thanks for your comments and suggestions!Blessings,Pastor Joy

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My friend and mentor Rochelle once told me that whenever she needs to make a big decision, she goes to the lake shore. Somehow, the immensity of Lake Michigan helps clear her head... puts things in perspective... gives a feeling of immensity that is clarifying. Me too. Calm to the waves, calm to the wind, Jesus whispers, Peace be still. Balm to our hearts, fears at an end, be still and hear God's

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-74890372331410669502008-10-01T17:43:00.004-05:002008-10-01T18:03:06.823-05:00

This past Saturday, I was part of Women's Day 2008 at LSTC with the theme "Fertile Ground: Women, Spirit & Sustainability." It was an amazing day with conversation about urban gardening, reminders to do no less than what helps you come alive (even in cases where you didn't know you were dead), and annointed singing from the LSTC gospel choir. My workshop was around themes of Creation & Vocation.

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I thank thee(from the book Graces)For diamond-studded velvetbehind a silver moonFor music of the nightwinds,A nightingale's sweet tune--For whispering treesAnd darkening peace--I thank thee.For mountains carved of sea pearlsFor clouds that shroud their heightsFor pristine air like nectarAnd ghostly northern lightsFor misty valesAnd secret dales--I thank thee.For fiery fuchsia ribbonsThat stream

Blog Creatornoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34758004.post-49115194883231053482008-07-10T09:51:00.002-05:002008-12-09T12:02:38.635-06:00

The summer of seminarians visiting camps as "Outdoor Ministry Ambassadors" (OMAs) has begun! Read the reflections of Adam and Rebecca at our partner blog "The Seminarian's Sojourn."Henry David Thoreau wrote, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover

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I have done a lot of walking these past months... through Germany and Switzerland, walking where the Reformers walked, and then in Mexico and Texas with the "Serving Christ in the World" Youth in Mission program. It has been a tremendous journey. And, today, I had the opportunity to talk with a prospective student who has just been in Jordan, Israel/Palestine and Egypt and now finds Jesus

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A poem by Julian of Norwich -I understood thatour sensuality is groundedin Nature, in Compassionand in Grace.This enables us to receivegifts that lead toeverlasting life.For I saw that in our sensualityGod is.For God is never out ofthe soul.photo taken outside the Church of Reconciliation, Berlin, Germany

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