Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right

This Aint Kansas (or SW Iowa for that matter) Anymore

2008-07-31T11:31:00.002-05:00

I am just about a month into my new appointment. It isgreat to be home, and it is great to be in ministry at St Johns where so much is going on. With the senior pastor on vacation it is crazy busy, even for July/August. I am doing what I wanted so far. The church is still standing, hopefully it will remain that way until Pastor George returns.

This 6 day stretch that I am in has been exciting for me though. In six days time I will have the honor of presiding over the Holy Trinity of being a pastor. Last Sunday I had a baptism, yesterday a funeral, and Saturday 2 weddings. Along with preparing for the four services each of these weekends. While I am tired I am excited and overjoyed at being allowed to take part in these wonderful people's lives.

Until Next Time
ron

Over a Month Already?

2008-06-21T07:19:00.003-05:00

With a quick look at the calendar and a glance at the date on my last post I have realized that I have become my friend Mark. It appears that neither one of us is real good about blogging very regularly. I know that Mark has some good excuses since his last post. Things like finishing class work, work, and going on a mission trip with a bunch of youth. I know that I started this blog to stay in touch with folks after I graduated. Well I have graduated and I am not posting very often. This will change...... soon. But before that happens we need to finish this move that happens on the first of July. My life has been centered on this transition for quite a while now.

Even with the anticipation of the new appointment I have tried to stay engaged here. I am still preaching twice a week, visiting members, and just finished up VBS. Tomorow is my last Sunday at two of the four churches, and they are having a potluck/goodbye dinner for us after services. I do not do goodbyes well, so I am not looking forward to the next two Sundays.

On the brighter side, I am attending a conference early this week at Wheaton College in IL. I am looking forward to it for a number of reasons. The biggest draw for me is that Dan Kimball is speaking. I read one of his books and his views on emergent worship are very interesting. He has many practical ways to engage the cultures that surround us.

Until next time,

Peace
ron

What Now??

2008-05-19T11:31:00.003-05:00

I am lost. I am not sure what I am supposed to do right now. It is late Monday morning, and I am walking around in a daze. For the last three years I have either left for school or gotten ready to leave for school. If I was in between Fall and Spring terms I was either getting ready for an intensive course or I was finishing one. In the past I have been searching for books and seeing where I could save a buck.

Last Friday I graduated from seminary. For the last five plus years, my goal has been to do just that. I finished my undergrad and then went straight to seminary. Everything has revolved around that task. Now I am not sure what to do.

Sure, I have to pack for my move. I have to keep along the road to ordination, and I am still the Associate Pastor here for four churches in SW Iowa. I am still dad and husband and son. I still have to prepare for moving to Davenport so as to not embarrass myself. Only thing is I have been doing all of those things along with going to school.

I am looking forward to attending Mackenzie’s softball practice. I am looking forward to long walks with my wife. I am looking forward to not driving 5 plus hours a week to school, and not spending the $50 that it takes for the tank. I am looking forward to reading a book, any book; just as long as it is not on a required reading list. I am looking forward to seeing movies and listening to music and watching television; I won’t be the modern culture expert that my friend Brad is, but hopefully I will at least have an idea of who he is referring to sometimes.

What will I do? As I start the rest of my life I think I will …….........................

Take a Nap!

Peace
ron

Remember Me?

2008-05-06T06:31:00.004-05:00

There has been many things happening since I last posted. From looking at this blog it seems that I may have slept through April. Well that is the furthest thing from the truth. Here are a few notes to catch you up on the exciting life of a pastor, seminary student, husband, father, son, brother, coach, yardman, housekeeper, cook and occassional blogger.

* I ended up winning both trophies in the personal contests that I have with my kids. I now have on my shelf a gold spray painted megaman like action figure and a hockey puck with a pretty horse on it. Trent and Mackenzie made the trophies themselves years ago. They are mine until at least the college world series.

*General Conference has come and gone. It went just like Bishop Mutti said before, "People will get excited because they forget that there is another one coming in four years." In the short time I was there, I was amazed by the worship. I was also happy to see the Council of Bishops try to set a tome of hope amd cooperation.

*I have my move dates. I leave Clearfield July 1 and move into the new house on July 2. Beth and I have been pleasantly surprised to learn that St John's is doing some extensive remodeling of our new house. Beth even got to help pick carpet and cabinets. When we let ourselves look ahead, we are very excited.

*Michael graduates from ISU on Friday. That is amazing, it was only three years ago that he was getting his diploma in Albia.

*My graduation is ten days away. (But who is counting?)

*And finally the Democrats STILL do not have a nominee. Of all the things that happened, I would have been positive that would have been settled by now.

With all of the stuff that is going on around me, it is hard to stay current on what is going on in the world. One thing that I have been able to be reminded of is the power of storms. Friends and family have been effected by spring storms in the last week. None, however, to the degree as those in Myanmar. I just heard that 15,000 were dead and millions homeless. To complicate matters the government there is trying to appear self sufficient, so they are in no hurry to let help in the country. I pray that this will change soon, and the many relieg agencies that are better prepared to help willl be allowed to help.

Peace
ron

Loser Again

2008-03-30T21:17:00.002-05:00

Well the annual bracket fest is over for me. Trent (youngest son) and I have a competion where we battle for a home made trophy. We make picks on the college bowl season, March Maddness and the Little league world Series. The winner gets to maintain the prized trophy valued at 45 cents. I won the contests fairly regularly at first but last year Trent won the troph and held it for almost a solid year. I just won it back during the bowl season, but now it is headed back to IL. I am happy that he has finally figured out how to beat Dad, but I still like to win.

My real problem is that Mackenzie (youngest and only daughter) has beat me again. I have never held the trophy that she and I play for, and at this rate I never will. Now I am pulling for a Memphis State championship. If that happens, the 10 year old daughter will have won the first annual Jokers and Clowns bracket contest. Meaning that she will have beaten Dad, Trent, Michael, Mark, Shane, Meg, M. Powell and B. Veranovitz. I know who most of you are and I will glory ion the fact that she beat you too. She figured this out this evening and I think that she right....Go TIGERS!

Because of school and other obligations I have only seen about 4 games total of the tournament this year. With all four number ones next weeks final four should be pretty amazing. Hopefully I will see some of those games.

Peace
ron

2008-03-14T15:17:00.002-05:00

Ron Carlson is challenging you to play Men's Tournament Challenge on ESPN.com. This game gives you the chance to win $10,000 by predicting the winner of the most games in the 63 game men's college basketball tournament. In reality, if you are winning this you are just playing for bragging rights. A correct selection in the first round counts as 10 points, and in each succesive round the point values are doubled. You can create up to ten entries, and best of all, it's FREE to play. I am sure to win, since it looks like Illinois' season will end very soon; that means I wont ruin a bracket picking them to win it all. Let's have some fun with this. Forward this info to all who have a passing intrest, or send them to right here.
Get in the action now: Right here . You can get further info here. You can create entries now and fill the brackets later or do both after they announce the brackets on Sunday night. Once things tip off on Thursday morning it will be locked so do it soon as you can. Any questions or problems leave a msg in the comments.

Do like we used to do in Illinois when we voted Early and Often.

ron

WoooHoooo!!

2008-03-10T21:51:00.004-05:00

I just got back from a day in Des Moines. Beth took the day off to go with me. We visited some people in the hospital, we shopped for Easter gifts, we looked for the software we need to finish our new computer, we went to a craft store and not one but TWO pet stores. (You would not believe the stuff that is available to be purchased for your dog Spot!, but that is a post for another day.) Also I had a 2pm meeting with the Board of Ordained Ministry regarding my commissioning as a Probationary member in the Iowa Annual Conference.
That interview was the culmination of work that started in earnest this fall preparing written work and a sermon for the committee to review. Three years of seminary and many years in ministry were poked and analyzed by my team. We were all seated around a table. Five team members and myself in the "hot seat." The most amazing thing is that for the most important interview of my life, I was in a preschool classroom. The chairs were adult in size, but the table top hit my knee cap as i sat there prepared for questioning. Then it started...Why did I write this word, or what is an example of this, or tell me more. The questions seemed to take forever but it was only a little over an hour. Then a wait in the waiting room, then being called back into the room and hearing the magic words "I was being recommended for commissioning!" I have never been so relieved in my life. I felt the pressure going away as the team leader spoke those magic words. I could only say one thing...Thank you Jesus.

Growing at a Huge Rate

2008-03-07T12:36:00.003-06:00

It has been about a month, and Clowns to the Left of Me and Jokers to the Right is exceeding all expectations. When I first started this blog I did not think that any one would read it. After the first few weeks I had what is estimated to be an established readership of 3 (thank you to Adam, Mark and Shane). I was pleased to discover that there was at least for one day a new reader from my new appointment. That means that this week I have grown at an astonishing rate of 33%. If I keep up this growth pattern I should have an even dozen readers by Christmas!!

Thanks to all whoever and wherever you may be.

Ron

The Wait is Over

2008-03-03T07:46:00.005-06:00

On February 21 at around 7pm my life began to change again. I recieved a call from Reverend Blank (the DS in Southeast Iowa) informing me of a possible appointment to St John's in Davenport. She gave me lots of information, but I did not here much after the word Davenport. Being from across the river and still having family there I was excited to say the least. I was not able to meet with the Sr Pastor and the SPRC until March 1, due to schedules and the distance that we needed to drive. Those ten days seemed like about four months. Since people knew I was graduating and most likely was moving the questions about where have been two or three a day for all of us.

Saturday finally arrived, we had driven to the Iowa City area on Friday so the trip on Saturaday was not so much. We woke up early anyway and arrived in the QC before 9. I was very nervous to meet Reverend White since they had told me the appointment was contingent on his approval. I became even more nervous when he told me that he knew people who knew me in High School. I was sure that the meeting would end early, but he did not hold that against me. We got along well, went to lunch and then met the SPRC which went well. By 230 I was officially coming to St John's and by 530 that night it was being announced in the churches that held a stake in my appointment.

We are heading back home after being gone six years. I never realized how much I missed the area until I was driving around on Saturaday. I look forward to renewing friendships and relationships with many people. Moving from any place is hard, but it is easier this time going "home." The church is huge with many different styles of worship and ministry. It is unlike any place I have been in ministry before. They have everything from a "Country" worship service to "skate and bike" church for teenagers. I am really pumped and having a little trouble staying on task. But looking at the next four months that should not be too difficult. Next Monday is my BOOM meeting so I am now consumed by that.
Grace and Peace
ron

And You Thought the Iraq War was Lasting Forever

2008-02-17T11:24:00.005-06:00

I was reading the NY Times email version today, when I saw a headline that was amazing. In the section titles"Today in History" there was a link to the front page of the NY Times in 1972. The story was supposed to be about Nixon's trip to China. The headline that caught my eye was to the left of that at the top of the page.

36 YEARS ago today the US Congress declared war on poverty. Amazing. Imagine how messed up it would be if we had not decided to eradicate poverty?

Peace
Ron

Again

2008-02-15T10:22:00.002-06:00

Happy HallMark Day

2008-02-14T14:03:00.002-06:00

I hope all of you who have sweeties remember that today is a day for the mass merchandisers. Do your part for the economy and waste HUUUge dollars on paper, sweets and flowers that are approaching dead.

That is unless you have a wonderful wife like I do or my friend Mark. Our wives see February 14 for what it is, and considering the salaries that we pull down doing this thing we call ministry, they are more than happy with an I Love You.

Peace

Ron

100 Days to Go ...But Who is Counting

2008-02-07T10:16:00.000-06:00

Only 100 days until graduation. By the time May 16 arrives, I will (hopefully) have been reccommended for commisioning, recieved my new full-time appointment, finished my Rural Immersion (wherever that ends up being), and gone to General Conference 2008 in Ft. Worth. Along with all the other work that is required for my classes and weekly preperations for activities at the churches, I am pretty sure that the days will go quickly.

It seems like yesterday that I went back to school at William Penn to finish up my undergrad. Looking at the calendar I see that it was five years ago. I am not sure that my family will be able to deal with me not going to school, or writing papers for classes all of the time. I am ready to finish school and beome a full-time husband and dad again.

I have made many friends while in seminary. We all will be scattered over the next few years, and I hope that this will become a way to stay in contact with many people who have become dear to me, even those from Kansas Shane. Hopefully I will be able to use this as a tool in the future to remain in contact with some of the Jokers and Clowns that have gotten me through these last few years.

Peace
Ron