Today’s guest post comes from Craig Case, one of an excellent class of students from Bethel Seminary who recently studied the intersection between faith, vocation and work. “Work is one of those things in our daily life ‘whose meaning is hidden in the mystery of their familiarity.”  -Miroslav Volf Theology or faith and work are becoming an intriguing and invigorating dialogue in many churches, universities, and seminaries.  My eyes were opened to the advancing scholarship and attention on this.  Seminaries like... Read more

For the next few Wednesdays enjoy guest posts from a wonderful group of Bethel Seminary students on the topic of faith and vocation. This week’s post comes from Marcia Schneider. Competent and Humble What is it that you are really good at doing?  Although those who know us the best may have a different list for us than we have for ourselves, we’re all competent at a variety of things.  Maybe you can turn a profit that makes your competitors envy,... Read more

Thanksgiving over and diving into Advent. Here is the tenth and last in a lovely list of ten lessons essential for every high school graduate preparing to venture out into the “real world.” While Elaine Bransford, the AP literature teacher who composed them did so for students, they carry applicability for us all. Number 10: You should understand that the relationship between happiness and fun is a complicated one. We seem to go through this American life expecting ease and entertainment, so much... Read more

After missing a week–can’t ignore the day job(s)–here is the ninth in a lovely list of ten lessons essential for every high school graduate preparing to venture out into the “real world.” While Elaine Bransford, the AP literature teacher who composed them did so for students, they carry applicability for us all. Number 9: You should understand that, in setting out to follow your heart, you better be sure it is really your heart you are listening to. To which I would add,... Read more

Here is the eighth in a lovely list of ten lessons essential for every high school graduate preparing to venture out into the “real world.” While Elaine Bransford, the AP literature teacher who composed them did so for students, they carry applicability for us all. Number 8: You should take a cue from great literature and understand that there is one thing that remains as true today as it was 1000 years ago–pride goes before the fall. Make that more like 3000 years... Read more

Here is the seventh in a lovely list of ten lessons essential for every high school graduate preparing to venture out into the “real world.” While Elaine Bransford, the AP literature teacher who composed them did so for students, they carry applicability for us all. Number 7: You should understand that you don’t have to like a character in a book–or a person in real life for that matter–in order to learn something from him or her. One of the most important... Read more