Which MBA Program...?

A couple weekends ago I was told by several people that I need to blog more.

Here we go!

So I have been thinking about going for an MBA.

One option is the major state university. Would have to contend with the problems of a public school and I would have to wait until spring 2010 to get in-state tuition, but it has been around for a long time.

The other option is the local Concordia, which is launching an MBA program this fall. While this is a new program, I've heard good things about the undergrad business program. I would likely have to deal with applications of questionable theology, but I could probably start this fall.

I am looking at an MBA to supplement my CS education as many employers like computer folks that understand the business side. It would also help in climbing any corporate ladders I might climb. I have also toyed around with the idea of starting my own business at some point.

So, I'm looking for input here.

An open letter to an LCMS District President

What follows is the text of a letter I have sent to a DP of the LCMS concerning the Issues, Etc. trademark dispute. You can read about the issue with the good folks over at the Brotherhood of John the Steadfast. A petition has also been started for those who hold concerns for the situation. In the spirit of Issues, Etc. I have tried to keep the letter Christ-Centered, Cross-Focused while taking a hard look at the issue at hand. I pray that I have been successful.

Grace, mercy and peace in our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ. The very Jesus who shed his blood to redeem the world and gave to his Church the task of spreading the Good News to all nations. May his grace sustain you through your life.

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today. As you are probably aware, last spring our synod canceled the KFUO radio show, Issues, Etc. While I was saddened to see the mission-minded show leave the station, God has blessed the ministry of our brothers, Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz as an independent ministry through which the world continued to be blessed.

However, lawyers, on behalf of our synod have threatened to recommend legal action over the trademark Issues, Etc. (Please see the enclosed copy of the letter sent to Issues, Etc.) as the show has declined to sign an agreement with the Synod to use the trademark. The offer was refused for two major reasons.

1. The synod did not renew the trademark about ten years ago. An application for the trademark has since been made by a third party. Additionally, since the show was removed from KFUO, our synod has made it clear that it has has no desire to use the trademark.
2. The agreement included a clause that would have prevented the show from criticizing the LCMS.
   

I find the second point particularly troublesome. The Church ought to remain in a constant state of reformation. This cannot be done without criticism being made. I shudder to think what would have happened if Luther recanted and kept himself silenced thereafter. Truly, the Gospel would have suffered!

Indeed, I struggle how to think this recommendation by the lawyers, if carried out, would bless the Gospel and glorify Christ’s name. Does it not hinder the Gospel and tarnish the name of our Savior? Would such a suit be good stewardship of the resources God had granted us?

As a brother in Christ, and for the sake of the Gospel, I urge you oppose any possible action against Issues, Etc. while talking to the Synodical leadership and to support a resolution at the Nebraska district convention. We as a synod should pray for the best blessings for the ministry of Issues, Etc. and that God may forgive us for the sake of his Son for letting such a letter be sent.
Sincerely yours,

Daniel Bergquist

The following is the text of the letter sent to Issues, Etc.

Lynette Petruska, Esq.

Pleban & Associates, LLC

2010 south Big Bend Boulevard

St. Louis, Missouri, 63117

Re: ISSUES, ETC.; Our Ref 46324-80132

Dear Lynette:

Enclosed is a courtesy copy of a Notice of Opposition filed on December 2, 2008 on behalf of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod against U.S. Trademark Application No 77/487,948 filed by Harry B. Madsen. Though Rev. Wilken and Mr. Schwarz are not parties to this TTAB proceeding, we wanted to provide you with a copy of this filing, as it relates to matters we have been discussing.

We received your November 13, 2008 letter, and were disappointed in your clients’ response to our draft Agreement. We have discussed the letter with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and find many of the points raised in your letter to be in direct contradiction to what we understood to be an agreement in principle. While it remains our strong preference to continue negotiations and resolve this matter amicably between the parties, unless your client is willing to negotiate in good faith to finalize a mutually acceptable agreement in the near future, along the lines that we were discussing last summer, we will be left with no alternative but to recommend that The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod prosecute the opposition against Madsen’s application and take action against your clients to enforce its rights to the trademark.

Sincerely,

Thompson Coburn LLP
By
Thomas A. Polcyn

TAP/sal

Enclosure

The Dark Road

I gripped the phone as my friend told me how his day was. "This is why I tried to warn you that trying to know and do God's will takes you down a dark road."

I get a stunned response from the other end. I don't remember what it was exactly because my own mind was stunned from what I just said. I try to recover and continue on.

"It's a dark road fully of frustration and despair."

The conversation continued in a friendly manner, but unfortunately I didn't get a chance to really expound on what I said.

There are, effectively, two religions in the world. There is one that says, "I can attempt to know and do my god's will." This religion takes many forms in our world, Buddhism, Scientology, Islam, the list goes on. It's ideals has even infected some parts of Christianity. Some say that their god's will is that they "do" certain things, other say it's that they "experience" certain things and yet others that they "believe" certain things. While some people may thrive in these works righteousness systems, they all logically lead to the same place: once I know what my god's will is, how do I know for sure it is his will? Couldn't I be wrong? And once I know and do it, am I really living up to what he expects? Am I doing it just right and with the right attitude? Am I experiencing the right things? Feeling it enough? How do I know those fully feelings are not from demons (Edit: who so often parade as angels of light)? Do I truly believe hard enough? Doubts after doubts lead to fear, which leads to one of two ways to resolve the issue.

Some who realize that they can't live up to their god's will seek to make it more manageable. They simplify it, put fences around it or say, "Oh, we will let that offense slide." This is what the Pharisees in Jesus' day did. What was Jesus' response? He turned up the heat on the Law to show them what they could not face.

Others, who realize the same conclusion about their ability react differently. Plagued by the various doubts, they fall into deep despair, fearful of their god and probably view him with hatred. Their quest to live up to the will of a demanding god consumes their lives and their very soul. This is what Martin Luther did in a German monastery until the Word of God plucked him from his despair. Often others are not so lucky.

What was in God's Word that affected Luther so? Indeed, it was the other religion, the Gospel: The righteous will live by faith! "But wait!" I hear you say, "Faith? You mean we have to believe the right way!" You talk as though faith were a work that we do, rather than a gift that God works in us by the Holy Spirit through the Word.

Only the Christian can see to do the will of God. He does so not out of some sinful self-sanctifying desire, but rather the good he does do is sanctified by the perfect life of Christ through the Holy Spirit. The Christian sees God's will as good and right to do, but does not let it replace Christ as the focal point of his faith, lest he start down that dark road. Though he tries he will always fall short of God's will. But, as I was able to tell my friend, that is when the Christian clings tightly to the Cross and takes comfort that, as an adopted son of God, the Father will not disown him.

It's Time

While I have been busy not making weekly blog posts, I have moments ago finished reading "It's Time: LCMS Unity and Mission." (PDF alert!) It's a good read, and I think he may be on to something. What are your thoughts?

New phone number

I have a new phone number. Please contact me or ask a mutal friend if you want it. I do not post such info here.

Oi

I lost the template to this site a while back, so all of my links and such are gone.

Meanwhile I have been laid off, but since found a new job that I am enjoying.

I've never been much of an overachiever, but I think I'm going to become a glutton for punishment. I have about a half-dozen major things I am looking at undertaking in my free time.

In addition to that, I would like to revive this blog by making a post at least once a week. But I need your help to keep me on track. Pester me, poke me, threaten to elect more Democrats next time around. Do what ever it takes to get me to post each week.

I don't get it

I just do not get this.

Do we offend Christians, or non-Christians in our ministry? That is the choice put forth in Steve Benke's theology of the tension of offense. I would suggest that the choice has been already made, that God's Law and his Gospel offends the old Adam of all people.

As many are prone to say these days, What Would Jesus Do? Jesus offended those that did not believe in him, calling down judgement on their sins and comparing them to foxes and white washed tombs. He undoubtable offended his own followers when he called Peter the devil. The Law offends the old Adam in both believers and unbelievers!

Likewise he offended his followers when he refused to take up arms and overthrow the government and instead stand silent as that government wrongfully arrested him, beat him and killed him-- the man who hangs on the tree is damned! While he lay in the grave I would not doubt that his disciples cursed God and turned away in unbelief. Likewise, the idea of his resurrection offended the unbelievers so much that they tried to stop it and when it happened they tried to cover it up and looked like fools in the process. Yes, the Gospel offends the Old Adam in both believers and unbelievers!

Thus, in our practice, offense should not be the concern of the Christian. Rather that Law and Gospel be preached boldly, clearly and rightly in our lives, in the Creeds, in the readings, and through the pastor's mouth and that the Sacraments be administered properly in bold faith in the promise of grace that God attached to them. The Word will never return empty, even if it returns with the offended ear of the hearer.

And he's off!

After a bit of a delay, my brother is finally in basic training.

At my mother's suggestion, I got him a small Bible. Nothing quite the thing I was looking for, but a "mere book" works. And that is the remarkable thing about the Bible, the fact that it's a "mere book." The Word of God is not brought to us by some nebulous spiritual experience but rather by ink impressed onto bound paper- matter, physical stuff! God chose to speak to us on our level with things that are familiar to us. Even more so, when God sent his Son it was not as a ghost or in nature as pagan gods may, but as a man in flesh. As a wise man once said, "God likes matter, He invented it."

Anyways, Andrew, make your nation proud, God bless and Godspeed!

Gifts for a newbie soldier?

In a little over a week my brother is shipping off to Army basic training. What would be an appropriate gift would be?

Though I'm open to other ideas, if at all possible I would like to have it be an item of tradition and symbolism, as an engagement ring is to an engagement or pilot's wings are to a pilot. Also, it needs to be something that I can have in hand by the end of the week.

While we are at it, what are appropriate brother to brother gifts (or, more generally, sibling to brother as I have a sister) at other milestones in a soldier's career?

Unless it is otherwise impossible, please do not post your suggestions in the comments as my brother does read this. Rather, if you have my email or phone number contact me that way.

Thanks!

Edit: Another thing to consider is giving something as a brother who is a fellow American verses as a brother who is a fellow Christian.

Huh, really?

Boy, time flies! I have been at my first "real job" for a few days over a year now. Yup, that's a year of making the "big bucks" and a year in the the "big city". Also, my place is finally starting to have some semblance of a home.

Enough of "grasping at straws" for a post and of the "overused" quote marks.