Good News To Share

So I'm sitting at a stop light in a little place called Phoebus.  The phone rings and its a Richmond area number.  The person on the other is the Director of Admissions of the School I applied to.  After exchanging pleasantries, she congratulates me on my acceptance to the MTS program!  Needles to say I am very pleased and relieved! 

This morning I took the next step and filled in the confirmation form for my acceptance and paid the fee, (which will be applied to my tuition)  so its official!!!

Next I will make an appointment with the Admissions office to go and map out my degree plan and financing.  There will be a written plan to follow, I will be attending on a part time basis.  Since I am in ministry. From what I understand a new schedule is in the works, one that is more friendly to people in my position. They call it a hybrid schedule, which includes online and an on campus class schedule which allows the student to come to campus one day a week and take  classes they need.

The only wrinkle in my plan is they do not allow clinical classes in the program I have been accepted to..  However, I am looking at what closely related classes can be taken as electives.  My Clinical Pastoral Education Units will not transfer, which is actually better since the Association of Professional Chaplains would not count them toward certification. 

Perhaps when they retool the Master of Divinity, I may re-visit that degree program so I can add clinical courses.  For now I am happy with the direction things in my life are taking. 

Easter Monday Medley

Its a late post for Monday Medley, but I have a good excuse...I was busy, tired, and had computer issues.  I was on call last night and spent several hours up and out at the Hospital.  I don't usually sleep well during the day so I'm tired.

In honor of Easter Monday I want to share several tunes that have special meaning to mean.  Sort of a tradition in my faith background with a bit of a twist.

First  a hymn we always sing Easter Sunday at my church. This version done by the Kings College Choir, they do it it justice.

Christ The Lord is Risen Today: http://youtu.be/rMwPEmUMP7U

Another Easter tradition is to sing the Hymn

Crown Him With Many Crowns   http://youtu.be/JWCEFKsZqLY

A Chorus that is often sung at both Christmas and Easter is the Hallelujah Chorus


    http://youtu.be/IUZEtVbJT5c

Have a Great Easter Week

 

Happy Easter 2013!!!

The Scripture tells us the disciples had a greeting, it went like this...

HE IS RISEN! to which the response would be...HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Today is a busy day in my life, I am working, I will be rounding at one facility and on call for another facility.  In all honesty, I am not looking forward to running back and forth all day. Then again there may not be any calls... just maybe. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maundy Thursday 2013

Tonight is Maundy Thursday, and I was able to attend the service at my church.  It was nice we had Communion, music, and Scripture readings.  Its a particularly meaningful service. 

In honor of this day I want to share a passage of Scripture which tells the story of the Last Supper.

Luke 22:7-23 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” 13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this  

 

The religious leaders of the day sought ways to destroy Jesus Christ, He would not to conform to their norm. He came to bring a new normal. he came to change the status quo.  Even today those who don't conform to the religious traditions are marked as outcast, and even persecuted. how this must grieve our Lord!

 

A song to share Secret Ambition by Michael W. Smith. http://youtu.be/2vHedm6ycsY  

 

Signs of Spring and a Trip to Richmond

Yesterday I was in Richmond for a few hours, and to my amazement, there was snow on the ground!  On Sunday/Monday we had rain, Richmond had three inches of snow.  It was odd seeing blooming trees, and bulbs with the white stuff on the ground.  I wish now I had the presence of my mind to take a few pictures. Alas and the blossoms I did not.  as I drove there and back, I noted the bird songs I heard, and the blossoms I saw.  Forsythia, crab apple, pear, daffodil, hyacinth to mention a few.  I look forward to seeing the azalea and dogwood blossom.

My mind was on my purpose for being in Richmond.  An interview with the Admissions Director of  graduate program I have applied for. it went well I think.  The next step is for my application package to go before the admissions committee. I do not anticipate any issues at this point.  Some exciting news is they are retooling the Master of Divinity program, pending Association of Theological Schools approval.  I may take another look at that program in the next year.  For now I'm sticking with my application for the Master of Theological Studies degree. My interviewer is suggesting I need to have a conversation with the dean concerning transfer of my Clinical Pastoral Education Units into academic credits, especially if I transfer into the new M.Div.  I will pursue this, and I hope most if not all of the credits I have will transfer into my program. 
   
First though is the official  acceptance into the program must be attained. .


 

Monday Medley: Holy Week Edition

It Holy Week Monday.  Today begins Passover for my Jewish friends as well.  This week in many Christian churches there will be a service on Thursday call Maundy Thursday which commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus and his arrest. On Good Friday there are vigils commemorating the Crucifixion.  All leading up to Easter Sunday!  In honor of this week I want to share several songs with you Hope you enjoy
Have a great week!


 http://youtu.be/WBaEA0H02fI   All Glory laud and Honor (organ)



http://youtu.be/_ajFnnKFivY Hosanna Hillsong United.

http://youtu.be/EqmLkLDE82U  Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord Michael W. Smith

 http://youtu.be/FHrRJVjQCMw   Passover Seder Song

Gay In The News

Another State has legalized Same Sex Civil Unions!  Thank you Colorado! This brings the number of States with some form of legalized Same Sex Unions to eighteen. The forms of approved Same Sex Unions are marriage, Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships.  Its nice to know progress is being made on this front.  Though my preference is marriage, any movement toward same sex marriage is a positive development. 

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has defended the company's support of same-sex marriage.
Mr. Schultz stated the decision to back marriage equality was not for economic reasons, but for "respecting diversity." a very good reason, I like companies who value diversity. 

Chik Fil A, an update according to various sources, the company no longer supports or lobbies against Marriage Equality.  I may reevaluate my avoiding this Chicken.

Here is a link to a Stephen Colbert comment piece on the challenge to DOMA.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/423360/january-30-2013/the-word---it-gets-worse

Happy Friday to All

Monday Medley: In Honor of St. Patricks Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day. .a day late.  For today I thought I would share an Irish song,  hope you enjoy.


http://youtu.be/8ozdTZjaZyE

So There Is A New Pope!

Though I am not Catholic,  I watched with interest for the selection of the new Pope. So now the selection has been made, Pope Francis is set to be officially installed next week. I like the name he selected for himself, Francis, obviously a nod to St Francis of Assisi.  I wonder what kind of leader he will turn out to be? How will the trappings of his office and power impact him as time goes by?  Well only time will tell.

He is the first Pope from this hemisphere! That is a good change, from Argentina, South America, I am told this area of the world has forty percent of the Catholics in the church.  I also understand the part of the world he is from holds to a liberation theology.  I wonder if or how that will carry over to his Papacy?    Again time will tell. 

Pope Francis is conservative, traditional which does not surprise me.  This means we will not see any movement on LGBT issues, female Priests, or other social issues. In Fact I read in Jeremy's blog,  My Side of the Street, his post  title New Pope Francis believes same-sex marriage and gay adoption are the Devil’s work, where the new Pope has made anti LGBT comments in the past.  I do not expect this to change.

So no surprise it will be the status quo. yet there maybe changes in other ways on other issues. As stated before only time will tell!

Monday Medley: Hand of Providence

Today is the beginning of my new position within the health system I work. Its a small promotion, but big to me. I will be in orientation, which is kind of odd as I am not a new employee. Its a step in the process. I thought an appropriate song for today would be this song by Michael W. Smith, "Hand of Providence"  A Scripture I want to share here that is meaningful to me and appropriate to the occasion. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

http://youtu.be/K2HbrNcfmYs

Hope you enjoy and this is meaningful to you!  Happy Monday!

A Reason To Celebrate!

Next week I begin a new position with one of the hospitals I work for.  I will have a change in my classification.  Which means guaranteed hours per pay period,  benefits. I will stay non exempt which is good since I will still have shift differential,  holiday pay when I work a holiday, and overtime.  (not that they allow overtime) Did I mention benefits?  Something I really need!

Most of my hours will be at the hub Hospital, but I will still work a shift hour at the smallest Hospital in our system.  This will give me more hours, and I will still work flex-pool for the other health system. I may need to reevaluate that but I like the idea of keeping my foot in the door there. 

This has been a long time in coming.  I am relieved, and very pleased! Next I have an interview for admission to the Master of Theology program I have applied to. I hope to start this in the summer, and that most of my credits will transfer. However, I have discovered my Clinical courses will not transfer which is a disappointment. Also I may not be able to take the pastoral counseling courses I want for my electives in this program.  Though it maybe allowed, I hope!  So if you pray please pray for that to be allowed. its part of the reason I chose this school and degree.

I want to celebrate!

Monday Medley: Usher

This Monday is a beautiful day. cold but sunny and bright.  Apparently we are supposed to have a major storm later this week.  Coming on a day I stay at one of our Hospitals, which means I maybe snowed in there! Guess I better go prepared, one nice thing about our area, snow does not last long.

Today I want to share a song by one of my favorite artists, Usher, I like his music, and his style, plus he is nice to look at. ;)

http://youtu.be/ZRXqQFXqXn8

Hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading my blog!  Hope you have a great week!