In His Glad Service, Breck & Robbie Castleman

Fall Break '09 Anniversary Trip to New Orleans

2009-10-21T14:25:00.004-05:00

October 30th is our 38th anniversary--so we took JBU fall-break for a trip to see the Saints play the Giants in the Super Dome! We had such a good time--might make a Saints game an annual event! Ate Po-boys on the levy from Domilises, stayed on St. Charles Avenue across the street from the old Kolb's restaurant (we met in front of Kolb's 38 years ago on June 24th), had a blast at the game, ate at Commander's Palace, quick visit to Ocean Springs on the last day to see the kids.

In our new car! Piano lesson time! Pizza Tate!

JULY 2009: 4,865 Miles with Anna and Eben, our 4 1/2 and just 5 year olds!

2009-08-03T14:04:00.021-05:00

Up to Chicago to get Anna.....down to Selmer, Tennessee to see the O'Neal family....on to Mississippi for Eben's 5th birthday, back to Arkansas (side trip to Tulsa, OK) to play and have cowboy and cowgirl cousin fun, up to Chicago to take Anna home, back to Arkansas for more Eben time, down to Dallas to give Eben back while Rebecca, Tyler and Tate were there, back home to Siloam Springs. We have the pictures to prove it!
The pictures are L to R, top to bottom....Breck's sister Lucy and husband Tommy, our neice Michelle's girl Lily with Anna, Eben and Anna rock climbing by our home, Michelle and her husband Joe Chambers, Duckie Anna and a video of Anna and Eben running in the field just west of our house--on the Oklahoma border.

Pictures from Camp Nona and Pop-pops, June 09

2009-08-03T13:52:00.009-05:00

THE CRESENT CITY WHERE OUR DADDIES GREW UP!!!From Mardi Gras World.................to 3-D Dinosaur movie!!!

From the Mississippi River on the Natchez........to COUSIN TIME!!!

WE HAD A BLAST!

Camp Nona & Pop-pops, Summer 2009 in NOLA

2009-06-20T15:42:00.004-05:00

We went up to Chicago to get Anna and then back down to gulf coast to gather up Tyler, Eben and Tate--and off to New Orleans where we had a blast visiting the place where "yo daddy's grew up"! From Sno-balls to the St. Charles streetcar, from the riverboat Natchez to the Mississippi ferry, from the park to the levee, from the Chinese church to Arabi, we had a blast. Swam every night in the pool, had bignets at Cafe du Monde, went to Mardi Gras world, and enjoyed every minute with our grandchildren. Had a blast!

May '09 update

2009-05-19T09:02:00.008-05:00

Karen is off today to Ludwigshafen, Germany, to dance with Hubbard Street. Just a short tour--what a star!

Pray for Dayton and Anna as they batch it together!

Scott and his family are finishing up school days for this year down in Ocean

Springs, MS. He's off to a good start at the new church. Thrilled to have a secretary!

Early June it is time for "Camp Nona and Pop-pops" for all four of the Grands. This year is a nostalgic tour of "This is where your Daddys were little boys"! Yes, after we get Anna in Chicago, we're off to yummy New Orleans! Then, the whole family will meet up in Ocean Springs to beach it for a few days before it's back to Arkansas.

This summer we are not going to Germany-Austria, but next summer we will head up the German Studies Program for JBU again. This summer is write-the-book summer. Appreciate prayers you might offer for this effort. The sky is blue....and my office does not have a window.

The knee recovery is slow as it turns out; I'm in PT, but some days are just slow and painful still. Breck rides about 50--60 miles a week on his bike, so I'm restless to get going again!

Spring Break 2009: Surgery, Sojourning & New Scenery

2009-03-31T14:32:00.008-05:00

The Friday before Spring Break (3/20) I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee that turned out very, very well. The surgeon was surprised at the extent of injury and my ability to function so well. I've been surprised how much better I already feel and am just beginning to realize how much my pain for the last six months really had worn me down. I had spring break to recover and I did it on the road!

From Sky Valley on the NC/GA boarder to Ocean Springs, MS, we spent a week Scott, Rebecca, Tyler, Eben and Tate. (see more pictures in the post below!)

April First is Scott's first day as the new pastor of 1st Presbyterian, Ocean Springs and we got to see their new home, church and community.

We're in the mode of "pray without ceasing" for Dayton's challenging semester of teaching at Trinity Christian College and for Karen's recovery from a badly sprained ankle--her debut in Chicago for Hubbard Street is scheduled for THIS WEEKEND and she so wants to dance.

As we continue in HIS GLAD SERVICE we hope for all our family and friends to be found at the foot of the cross BECAUSE the tomb was empty. HALLELUIA!

Spring Break Trip to NC and Ocean Springs

2009-03-31T14:27:00.001-05:00

It's MARCH, It's LENT, It's TIME TO CATCH UP THE OLE BLOG

2009-03-04T16:24:00.005-06:00

#1Yes, Tyler did lose this snaggle tooth...just about a week after my December post. I know you've all been waiting. Sorry, I forgot to tell you!

#2 The ice storm was much worse for our little town than I realised. We're talking FEMA and people without electricity for over a week. We did lose a huge branch off our big oak tree in the back yard, but it didn't hurt the tree or fall on a structure. Anyway, I am embarrassed how cavalier I sound in the previous post. It really was bad for some folks.

#3. Our congregation and JBU are entering Lent with an eye on Scripture and a heart willing to reflect on "the walk" to calvary as we follow the footsteps of our Savior. Glory is always on the other side and there are no short-cuts.

#4. The big surprise is that I have been honored as the J. Vernon McGee Scholar in Biblical Studies for the 2009--2011 school years at JBU. This means a course release for four semesters, time to write my book on worship, and a nice stipend as a reward. We have some really top notch scholars in our division and at our school, so I was frankly quite shocked to recieve this award and recognition. So pray for my discipline, wisdom and hard work to steward this opportunity well.

#5. Pray for me as I have developed some arthritis it seems and a really cranky left knee that might be something else. I'm putting this in orange for two reasons: the alert level is raised as I have actually broken down and gone to the doctor and I'd rather blame "teams-with-orange-in-their-uniforms" than the fact that I am actually getting "up there" in age. THIS APRIL, it will be 40 years of walking with Jesus for me. So, you do the math.

#6 Next week I'm speaking at a church in Chicago, so I'll get to see Dayton, Karen and Anna for an afternoon! AND, we're off to the Georgia mountains and the Gulf Coast for spring break in mid March to spend time with Scott, Rebecca, Tyler, Eben and Tate. We'll get to help them settle in a bit at their new home and church in Ocean Springs after a couple of days resting with them at a retreat place in Georgia that Rebecca's family owns. Cool, huh? So, stay tuned for pix from the family when we return!

January 09 Ice Storm

2009-02-09T16:58:00.010-06:00

Hello, there. We had an ice-storm here the week before last. To us, it was just beautiful. We just one blink of the lights and everything was closed for Tuesday and Wednesday, so we just stayed home. I finished four books. It was delightful. These are a few pictures:

Of course, Ilove winter and was happy as a ever taking a walk and snapping pictures of how beautiful everything looked.....And the kids in the neighborhood took over our driveway which slopes toward the street for perfect sledding!

THEN! I made a run to Wal-Mart on Thursday and discovered that many people in our little town had been without electricity, and that this ice-storm had caused wide-spread damage and eventually (this week) we were declared a "disaster area"!! How clueless could I get? I didn't even have to re-set a clock! Anyway, it was beautiful even if it did turn out to be a disaster.

A NEW YEAR in the NEW COVENANT

2009-01-13T16:47:00.003-06:00

This is a gorgeous picture of Ruben's "The Four Evangelists". From left to right: Luke, Mark, Matthew and John.

This semester, I am teaching 4 sections of New Testament Survey. What a privilege. What a joy.

And what a brain-drain.

Pray for me and especially for the fourth class....they will get the dregs at the bottom of the pot in the M-W-F weekly marathon.

(So, really, pray for my strenght and clarity of mind and heart.)

This also means on Tuesday and Thursday I will be working on the research, writing and preparation of my book on WORSHIP. Pray for my discipline and good use of time to do this well.

Breck is gearing up for a new sermon series from the Old Testament, and last Sunday four new people said they were ready to join First Presby--so he's plenty busy and blessed in his work.

Scott and Rebecca on the Gulf Coast are going to have a lovely spring for new challenges with both children and church. And Dayton's teaching at Trinity Christian College is challenging, too, and he's been interviewed by a Canadian art magazine and will have an article published in his field this spring. Karen continues to dance with Hubbard Street.

It's a wonderful thing to know that with paint and and on pointe, in the pulpit and on the playground, in the classroom and at the keyboard, we are a family touched by much Grace IN HIS GLAD SERVICE.

After Christmas Time with Anna in Chicago

2009-01-13T16:31:00.007-06:00

Breck and I had a lovely and quiet Christmas at home. We had a couple over who didn't have family here and adopted them and their two children for the day.

Then, surprise, surprise! Dayton and Karen needed me to come to Chicago to be with Anna while they served as "faculty" for the FOLLOWING CHRIST CONFERENCE in the Arts track.

So, I drove up and back and inbetween my newly celebrated granddaughter and I had a BLAST.

Here are a few pix for you....Anna loves noodles and vegtables. She also loves Chuck E. Cheese. And she is a flat out gorgeous beauty!

AND! Anna had Nona take her to her favorite party place: PUMP IT UP!!!! It's an incredible inflated fun and run and bump and slide and giggle place for kids. She had a blast. Here's a short video of PUMP IT UP!!

Merry Christmas To You!

2008-12-15T17:33:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas To You...we hope to hear from many of our friends during this season! Our home address is P.O. Box 964 Siloam Springs, AR 72761!
Personal e-mail: breckcastleman1@cox.net and robbie.castleman@gmail.com

December: Advent Anticipation & End of the Fall Semester

2008-12-09T16:02:00.005-06:00

Well, the real question for December....will Tyler finally lose her front tooth that has been hanging by a thread for about four months? We've thought about having a family lottery to guess when it will FINALLY fall out! When we were at the alumni house, Scott told her the tooth fairy paid BIG when one is out of town, but she didn't bite. That's the problem. She doesn't bite on it at all. I'll keep you posted!

This Friday night is our Salon and we always have such good fellowship, food and conversation.

Since November was so full of family, December won't be. And it looks like only Chesterton will keep us company. Our precious beagle is 13 1/2 years old and he a sweet and thoroughly affectionate companion.

Advent season is always well-focused and really not overly "busy" at First Presbyterian, and it is a pleasure to serve (and be served) by our congregational community.

After the semester comes to an end and grades are posted, I'll do my prep for the Spring semester, finish three chapters for IVPress for my book on WORSHIP, and watch some movies!

We're not sure what we might do for Christmas Day--maybe take Chesterton on a little trip and see something nearby that would be fun for all of us. Or maybe just nap. Between now and the New Year, we hope all of you are blessed in this season of wonder and the coming of salvation. Because of the "First Coming", we look in faith and hope for the Second Coming while we remain content to be found IN HIS GLAD SERVICE.

THANKSGIVING IN JACKSON AT THE BELHAVEN ALUMNI HOUSE

2008-12-09T13:08:00.016-06:00

Scott and Rebecca continue to guide Tyler (7), Eben (4) and Tate Fox (2) with great joy and love. Because of a visit to North Alabama just before Thanksgiving, we decided to meet in Jackson, MS at the Belhaven Alumni house next to campus and to have the whole family for Thanksgiving there! This helped them break up a long trip and it helped cut about 3 hours of driving time off our end, too!

The house is huge and with 5 Belhaven alums in the family (Breck '64, Scott and Dayton '98, Rebecca and Karen 'Y2K) we got the whole house and had a blast.
Robbie is the ONLY non-Belhave alum in the family...but since she organized it, got the groceries and did lots of cooking, they let her stay.

We also met with the kids in a "private meeting" and decided that the house would be the headquarters for CAMP NONA AND POP-POPS this coming summer!

This is a picture of our meeting after the unanimous vote! Tater boy will be house-broken in January, so camp is looking good. We called Anna and she's "thumbs-up" for the idea. She hosted us in Chicago last year and was our "tour guide", so Scott's three will host us in Jackson, New Orleans and the Gulf Coast this coming summer for "CAMP"!

The kids had a blast playing hide-n-seek through the house and it was just a fun place to be. We went fishing in the Belhaven pond across the street, and just played games, cooked and had lots of fun. Here's a little movie that Eben wanted me to take and "post it on the blog, Nona"!

And here we are with the kids at the Belhaven fountain. We really did have a great time. We're so grateful to have a really fun family. I guess if we lived actually close to each other we'd not get any work done!

Dayton & Anna visit JBU before Thanksgiving in Nov.

2008-12-09T12:57:00.005-06:00

Earlier this year Dayton was asked to be a speaker for the JBU chapel series this semester on faith and the arts. He addressed the idea of theology and art and was very well recieved by students and faculty. He spoke in the honors center and taught a couple of classes, too.

Karen wasn't able to come due to her rehearsal schedule with Hubbard Street Dance Company (she was activated in early November!), but Anna got to come and we had a blast. Anna was such a delight. We went to the safari and took too little guys from church for Anna to have some friends while she was here and we went to the JBU basketball game (three years ago, Anna first ate popcorn at a JBU game). Here she is with the JBU Eagle!

We had such a lovely time with Dayton and Karen. So proud of our son and the way he thinks and teaches, his character and what a fine dad and husband he is!

Robbie got real sick right before Dayton and Anna returned to Chicago, had to cancel three days of classes, but all is well now.

Lots to be thankful during this season of our lives....children walking in love, serving the Lord, loving their children...a church community that is growing in grace and in numbers....work that we love. It continues to be a joy to continue IN HIS GLAD SERVICE.

Anna Dancing on the stage in the JBU Walker Center

2008-12-09T11:16:00.004-06:00

The Gulfport 48 Hour Marathon Trip for Fall Break

2008-10-23T16:10:00.010-05:00

It was a quick trip, but a fun one--and a full one. Saturday arrived late, Rebecca and Tyler were up, Eben and Tate were sleeping, Scott was out of town. Sunday taught at two services at Scott's churches, lunch at McDonalds, and watched kids during Small Group time at the house after Scott's return. Monday I took Tyler to school, got a few groceries for Rebecca, we had a delicious lunch at the Blow Fly Restaurant on the back bay (see pix to the left)

and then we all went Bowling (2 year old Tate scored the second highest with just a little help),--see picture to the right! What a hoot.

THEN! We all went to the circus!

The kids got their faces painted and we ate funnel cakes and cotton candy. Got to love having grandkids--great excuse for all sorts of sugar. And Eben and Tate rode bikes, too, at a nearby parking lot. I'll try to load the movie--there's a first time for everything.

On Tuesday morning, I left at 6am to head on home to Siloam Springs to rest before teaching after fall break. Back to the Synoptics! Breck and Chesterton held down the fort, taught my church Bible class and behaved while I was gone.

2008-10-17T09:02:00.003-05:00

Today, I'm off to Wynn, Arkansas (NE in the state) to do a Pew consultation at a church (I love doing this!) and then I'm off Saturday afternoon from Wynn to Gulfport to spend fall break with Scott, Rebecca and the kids. I'm preaching for Scott on Sunday morning, too!

This is going to be be a fun few months family-wise. Next month, Dayton is coming to speak at chapel at JBU and Karen and Anna get to come, too! Then, we hope to have Thanksgiving in Jackson, MS with the Gulfport family at the Belhaven Alumni house...and then right after Christmas, we will be in Chicago to take care of Anna while Dayton and Karen are presenters at the IVCF/GFM Following Christ conference. We are so grateful to have the means and energy to make these journeys for our family.

Oh, yes, the Dodgers won't be in the series, but it should be a good one. Go Phillies! What IS a Devil Ray? Spunky little team that could do it, however. Still, it's NL or it's not baseball.

2008-10-13T11:31:00.002-05:00

Dayton posts his Phillies wins on his blog site (Dayton is not in Ohio)--great site, so thought I'd better give my boys in blue a nod for the win yesterday. The game was closer than than the score for sure. Bottom line: National League ball is the ONLY true baseball.
The AL brought in the "designated hitter" back in the weird '70s and took their pitcher out of the box. Bad idea then and still rotten to the core. Just to sell tickets. Another mark of losing one's soul for a shilling in this culture.
Not the NL. So even if my beloved Dodgers (and good ole Joe--make the Yanks bleed) don't go the distance, I'll root for the Phillies. So between Dayton and I, we can't lose. And the AL better not win.

2008-10-10T17:25:00.002-05:00

Breck and I just spent Tuesday through Thursday together at the Wee Kirk conference for Middle America. About 150 were there from all over and we had a lovely retreat at a State Park in Oklahoma just about 78 miles from where we live across the Arkansas border. They don't call this part of Oklahoma "Green Country" for nothing.

This state park reminded me a lot of Cedar Campus in the upper peninsula of Michigan. "Western Hills" sits on a penisula that juts out into a lovely lake, but the land you see on far side isn't Canada. This is a picture I took with my phone--I can't believe I forgot my camera! Breck was on the planning committee for next year's conference and did a seminar on preaching Haggai. I was a plenary speaker and did an exposition on the ending of Matthew 7 for the conference. It was nice to get away and get in a good bike ride, too.

Now it's back to grading for mid-terms! Breck is busy, too--we're no longer a "Wee Kirk" in Siloam Springs and Breck is working with a strategy committee on how to expand our sanctuary. Right now it's SRO at times! Nice "problem" to have.

Wish you could come to dinner and have a visit!

2008-09-26T13:44:00.004-05:00

Tonight, we are having some new friends over for dinner at "The Blue Fox on Savannah Lane"....

and we wish we could have all our old friends and our family over, too. Here's the table all set--I'm going home from JBU to cook in just a little while...

See our new chair covers? A friend of ours (Heather Lanker of Heather Hill Children's Clothing!--husband teaches in our division at JBU--2 PRECIOUS daughters and they go to our church, too!)

is recovering the Castleman antique chairs for us in a Fleur de Lis pattern to go in our "New Orleans" dining room!

This dining set was inherited from Breck's dad and dates to the middle of the 19th century, as in Civil War era Kentucky. We think it's mahogany.

Next Friday is our "First Friday Salon" group--and we'll expand the table to seat 10 people. (We have eleven chairs...no one knows what happened to the 12th, but I've decided to begin a family story-rumor about its demise....

The 12th chair was given to the Smithsonian archives for their Lincoln collection in the 1920's. Yes, Abraham Lincoln dined at this table while an Illinois Senator. The visit took place as he returned to his home state to lobby for anti-slavery concerns in the late 1850's. The Castleman family, who lived near Louisville, (the statue of General John Breckinridge Castleman is located near an entrance to Cherokee Park in Louisville) hosted Mr. Lincoln during his overnight stay which is why we did not inherit a bed. (This statue part is totally true and

here's a picture....

This part is also true: John B. Castleman was captured as a traitor

by the Yankees and he was exiled to Canada for the duration of the

war. Less than six months prior to Lincoln's assassination, the

President granted a pardon so that the General could return to

Kentucky and help rebuild the South as the war drew to a close.

This Gen. Castleman did with great distinction. The letter is part of the Lincoln archives.

But, back to our furniture.... the 12th chair was known for decades in the family as "the Lincoln chair" and was held in some honor despite the general political sentiments of the family at the time. Upon hearing the devastating news of Lincoln's assassination, the chair was retired from the dining room out of respect and honor at the request of John B. Castleman himself.

On a side note, it has been a family tale for several generations that the table itself was used during the war as an operating table for the wounded. Many a Yankee did indeed die on that table as did a few "sons of the confederacy".

So, when you come to dinner, you will be feast at table full of history, some true, some not, but all in the family.

"Am I a criminal yet?"

2008-09-22T09:42:00.003-05:00

I'm having a hard time really letting my wonderful summer slip away too quickly. Today while looking through pictures I remembered a precious moment with Tyler. We were getting ready

for an outing and she was all dressed and I said, "Tyler, if you got any cuter, it would be a crime!" A few minutes later she was all fancied up with clips and bows and smiled the biggest smile and asked, "Well, am I a criminal yet?" I said, "Oh sweetheart you are a homocide, the biggest crime ever!"

I'm going to Gulfport in October as part of fall break to see the kids. And in November Anna is coming to visit when Dayton comes to JBU to be a chapel speaker. YAHOO!!

2008-09-08T16:54:00.004-05:00

I've been reading the collected works of Gerard Manley Hopkins as part of my morning quiet time. The other morning the following poem touched my heart and mind and tongue with a sweet grace. I had to read it out loud. Then I had to read it out loud to Breck.

So, I thought I'd share this with my friends and family who visit our blog from time to time.

It is almost autumn...

Pied Beauty

Glory be to God for dappled things-

For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;

For rose moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;

Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches' wings;

Landscape plotted and pieced-fold, fallow, and plough;

And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;

Whatever is fickle, freckle (who knows how?)

With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;

He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:

Praise him.

Gerard Manley Hopkins

It's still HOT, but summer is over...

2008-08-28T12:59:00.002-05:00

Well, the new semester has begun and we're back in alarm-clock and early-to-bed mode. Robbie is grateful to say that this has been the most fun and refreshing summer since she was about 15 years old. Plenty of family time, reading time, and plain old rest. The congregation was overflowing last Sunday, the first everyone-is-back-for-school Sunday. What a joy and an encouragement.
Below are pictures from Robbie & Tyler's special 6-year-old trip to Nevada. We had a blast. Saw family and favorite places. We stayed at the Nugget, played in the pool, went to Donner Lake, Tahoe, Squaw Valley, Carson City Capitol and Virginia City. Between comstock mines, cannibal pioneers, COLD lakes, a tea party, starry nights and Reno's lights, we had a wonderful time. Enjoy the pix! Tyler's comment the first time she got in Lake Tahoe: "Sure is a lot colder than the Gulf!"

Nona and Tyler's Nevada Trip August 8--15

2008-08-28T12:56:00.001-05:00

Pix from Camp Nona

2008-08-18T16:14:00.001-05:00

2008-08-04T11:23:00.003-05:00

Hey, some good and encouraging news! Robbie's latest book, a Bible Study guide, is really catching on for study groups in the fall. The Story of Scripture was just published this summer and takes people from Genesis to the Revelation in 12 studies.
GET A COPY (Amazon.com, Christian "book" stores, IVPress.com)
It's designed to help people see the one, big, cohesive narrative of scripture--trying to counter biblical sound-bites--often the source of immature or really awful theology.
Spread the word!

TOUR DE FRANCE PARTY

2008-08-02T17:07:00.004-05:00

Our annual Tour de France party was held on Saturday, July 26th. It was an individual time trial (usually dull) and turned out to be the deciding stage of this year's mostly cleaned-up Tour. We had about 15 friends who were able to come and we all got our Armstrong Foundation yellow bracelets to wear. Fun, food and friends!

Chesterton was worn out with all the excitement, but he enjoyed wearing his own version of the Yellow Jersey!

Even our front door was decked out for the party!

2008-07-28T18:09:00.001-05:00

Nona & Pop-Pops Summer Camp 2008

2008-07-28T15:45:00.003-05:00

Camp Nona & Pop-Pops....from Siloam Springs to Selmer, TN...to Springfield, IL...to Chicago, IL...to Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Gulfport, MS.... 6 states and 12 days and tons of fun.

Here we are in our T-shirts we had made for "camp"! And a few more pictures for you to enjoy!

Germany

2008-06-19T14:11:00.003-05:00

Photobucket Album

May & June 2008: 2 Continents, HUGE Answer to Prayer, VBS, JBU & ESPN!

2008-06-19T12:26:00.001-05:00

From one of my many bike rides along the Main River... eat your heart out!

Even though air travel isn't as fun as it used to be, it is still so worthwhile to continue to invest in JBU's GERMAN STUDIES PROGRAM. Our undergraduate Dean, Rick Ostrander, and I enjoy our team work (Rick teaches European Art History and I teach Evangelical Theology; Rick loves details and itineraries, and I love to tag along; Rick keeps us on schedule and I help him slow down when I can--except on the Autobahn; Rick is really a brilliant Fulbright scholar and I'm just a teacher; we both really love students, learning and the Lord.) Rick's talented wife Lonnie (piano performance extraordinaire) and Breck, my talented & beloved husband (great pastor and fluent in German) each come for two weeks to coordinate life for the team (groceries, cooking, bank runs, and laundry!).

When Breck came two weeks into the trip (on our "free weekend" when the Students headed on their own to Prague, Paris, and Munich) we headed to our last "Luther site", Eisleben where Luther was born and where he died. On the way we went to the site just North of Erfurt where Luther's life changed during a thunderstorm. Here's Breck at the marker that commemorates the event!Breck and I love being a part of "The German Studies" program. It's a blast with 13 students who are bright and eager to learn, who are hungry to grow in their relationship with Christ, and nearly all experiencing "overseas" for the first time.
We stay three weeks in Wurzburg and take day trips (The pictures above are from Wurzburg, Bamberg, Rothenburg, Eisenach & Wartburg Castle, Volkach, Nurnberg, & Heidelberg.) We also go to the Stadel Art Museum in Frankfurt.

After the first three weeks, we spend one week at Schloss Mittersill in Austria (a lovely 12th century castle overlooking the village--halfway between Salzburg and Innsbruck. On the way to Austria, we spend a half day just outside of Munich in Dachau concentration Camp site--a very life-changing time for many of the students. During the week in Austria, we go to Salzburg for a day (the night before we watch the Sound of Music and sing all the songs and have a blast), we spend a day hiking in the Alps (Kitzbuhlhorn--where one student broke her leg this year, had to have surgery and spent four days in the hospital! If you are going to break your leg, however, this is the place to do it--it's a ski capital par excellence!), we have final exams and a party to celebrate the month together.

During our third week in Germany, the biggest thrill came when Dayton called us to tell us he was hired as an Assistant Professor of Art at Trinity Christian College just outside Chicago! We couldn't be more happy--what a blessing he will be to his students and his school. When I got on the phone, the first thing I said was, "Hello, Professor Castleman, this is your Mama --we're colleagues!" What a blessing! Breck went to Dayton's graduation with his MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago just two weeks before this news. Just a joyous occasion. AND Karen expects to be dancing with Hubbard Street by the end of this summer or early fall--answers to prayer all around!
Camp Nona & Pop-pops will happen this July---from Memphis to Chicago to Arkansas to Gulfport, we're taking Tyler, Eben and Anna on a "Cousins Extravaganza"!! Can't wait! We launch Camp on July 7th with Breck's birthday!
In August, I am taking Tyler with me to Reno to meet Kellie and surprise my Mom with a visit. Don't tell her. She still owns a rotary phone, won't touch a microwave let alone a computer, so this blog announcement is safe--mums the word!
Well, that's it for now...Tonight is the last night of Vacation Bible School. The kids are "Surfin' the Scriptures" this year and I'm teaching the adults who come the Sermon on the Mount. (While the kids are "at the beach", I'm headed up another mountain!--there is a theme in this blog!)

And all of this to say, what a joy to be IN HIS GLAD SERVICE....still.

April and May 2008

2008-05-10T14:16:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a busy month and nearly a half. Finishing a semester and "church year"--last Sunday was Ascension Sunday, this week is Pentecost, and next week is Trinity Sunday. It's hard to beat the theological richness of this season in the Church's life. The Lord Jesus ascends to the Father, and with the Father, sends the Spirit--the unique wonder of the Triune God.

April was also the Wheaton Theology conference--Breck and I and another faculty colleague took nine students to an excellent conference on the Trinty! (the theme continues...) Here's my "ball team" with theologian and friend Kevin Vanhoozer.

Anna and Dayton came to see us in the Wheaton cafeteria and it was so wonderful to see them--especially since it was close to Dayton's birthday! And, in just about two weeks, Dayton graduates with his MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago! Breck will be able to go (it's a low key artist event--so Dayton said not to change my German Studies commitment, but I sure wish I could be there!). Hopefully my next post will have some great news about his post-MFA employment--things are lookin' good! :)

Here's Dayton with his "infinate bridge" at a showing.

After the JBU graduation on May 3rd, I hosted a baby shower at our home for a dear friend and then I was off to Gulfport (two days driving and two days with Scott, Rebecca and the kids) for a visit.

A big highlight was getting to post this short video of Tyler's T-ball game.

Is this cool or what? I did it--such technological success is a thrill for me. I wish Daddy could have seen Tyler play. She's such a princess, too. (I didn't know the camera caught the sound--sorry about yelling!)

We also went to the beach and just had a lot of fun. From left to right: Tate who is getting so big, Eben and his Brad Pitt beach imitation, Eben and Tate playing with crawfish heads and Tyler in a princess dress...

Then back home to have a party on our extended patio with a mess of friends last night--fun time.

Tomorrow after worship, I leave with a colleague, his wife, and 13 JBU students for the German Studies Program (I teach theology). In two weeks, after Dayton's graduation, Breck will come for the second half to relieve the other "go-fer helper spouse". Back in the States on June 8th as the Lord gives His Grace. Until then, we remain joyfully and gratefully in His Glad Service.

March 2008: The Soggy Lion

2008-04-01T09:58:00.000-05:00

Wet. Wet. Wet. Our yard is so soggy and Sager Creek is so full that yesterday's rain fall just pelted and ran off. We couldn't begin to mow the lawn if we wanted because the mower would sink in the mire. Even Chesterton just walks to the door, looks out, and turn right back 'round to go to sleep on the couch for another six hour nap.

Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful. Easter Week was as early this year as it will be for over the next 200 years. And it was good and very good. From the Messianic Seder at the church, to Palm Sunday children and music, to a somber and beautiful Holy Thursday communion service, to reflections on Good Friday (at the community luncheon and another local congregation), to a chilly Easter dawn and the celebration of Jesus' victory over sin, death and the devil--the rehearsal of what we believe was indeed wonderful.

Work. Work. Work. Spring Break this year fell during Easter Week, so as you can imagine we both worked all week. From doing the taxes, a few extra sermons and prepping the German Studies Program coming up in May, we got it done.

Wacky, Wacky, Wacky. Yes, it's March Madness and our brackets have had some wacky moments. Davidson still playing? Duke out? BUT, in the end, Mr. Basketball (former Belhaven standout off the bench) picked the "Final Four" to perfection. His beloved wife was 2 for 4 and has UNC as the champion. Mr. Baskeetball has picked UCLA. It could get tense next week.

Picture of a frozen net on our basketball court...

Well, Well, Well....who would have thought it would come to this? John McCain withdraws from the race and faces the fact that you can't wage a war for a hundred years and not raise taxes along the way. Hillary Clinton withdraws from the race because she can't tell the difference between what she remembers and the real event. And Barack Obama chooses Mike Huckabee for his running mate to cross party lines and bring the country together. G. W. Bush closes Guatameno and works with congress to admit that "enhanced interrogation methods" are, in fact, torture and historically un-American and theologically un-Christian. April Fools?

February 2008 Update

2008-03-03T12:18:00.000-06:00

Some days you just wish you could stay in bed...Chesterton usually does.

February in NW Arkansas is always guess work. Yesterday it was in the low sixties, nice sun and tomorrow we could have 4" to 8" of snow...so they say. You have to take Jim Cantore with a grain of salt sometimes. I'll keep you posted. Well, I guess that's what I'm doing, isn't it? Two months in a row now. And some people say miracles (along with tongues, honest politicians and good TV) have all ceased to exist. I beg to differ--at least about miracles and tongues.

Even with an extra LEAP YEAR DAY this month, February has been fairly unremarkable, but full of a few odds and ends. Breck was pleased with another round of a non-issue Presbytery meeting and the growth of our own congregation. The Sunday of JBU's "Parents Weekend" we had over 200 people packed into our little sanctuary! It was pretty gratifying to know how many students wanted their parents to come with them to First Presbyterian. It's hysterical is some respects--parents who have raised their kids in the boomer mega-church scene or non-denominational community of faith get nervous when their off-spring write home about loving the Presbyterian church they go to. Presbyterians? Aren't they the "frozen-chosen, liberal wacko's just two steps behind those Episcopalians who ordain..."!? And then, they come and hear the Gospel preached in canonical richness, experience the wonderful rhythm of a biblical liturgy, get warmly greeted by thawed-out Presbyterian Christians, and leave for home just grateful that their kids are growing in Christ. I am so grateful for this good season in our ecclesial life. Yes, indeed. It's been enjoyable for Breck and Scott to talk during the week about their Lenten sermon series.

I think you'd enjoy this lively exchange we had with Dayton and Scott over the aesthetic reality of the Lord's Supper--it's such a wonderful thing to have raised theologians!

This from Dayton (up in Chicago and within spitting distance of his MFA):

I think a lot about the aesthetic dimensions of the sacraments. It's where the artist is most at home in worship. I've been mulling writing some meditations on these things. It's imperative that we wrestle with them as aesthetic, because they are. One of my more recent … thoughts has been on communion as a meal. In thinking of it as a meal, and of it as a visceral (literally viscera-filling), and as such, aesthetic, act, I began to long for better bread. Something I could really sink my teeth into, as opposed to something that slips between my teeth like our little wafers. Not being one to sigh and sit on his hands, I have been thinking of volunteering to come early and chop up bread for the congregation.
But the week before Ash Wednesday, [a] sermon brought me around to a different perspective that has really enriched my understanding and experience of communion.
I wish I remember exactly what the sermon was on, probably the temptation of Christ…but the thing that hit me, whether it was explicit … was that it is the unlikely things, the insignificant things, that really satisfy…
The meal that I held in my hands, of all the meals that I eat, day in and day out, month to month, year to year, is the smallest, the least significant, the most humble. The meal that I could hardly sink my teeth into if I tried, was the one that represented a satisfaction that no lavish feast could match. We are no strangers to gut-filling meals. We American's thrive on full bellies, 'super sized' meals, and at least two or three real feasts a year. The most forgettable lunch, leaves me tired as my body works to try to process all the food.
But Jesus always dealt in the unexpected, and I think it is appropriate, that in the United States at least, Jesus meal has become lighter than the snacks we serve in the nursery. It reflects his character. It reflects his nature. You don't need a primer on Romans 1 or Philippians 2, but that's where it's at. He has chosen, in his providence, the smallest meal to shame the feast.
So I love it. I have been savoring my little rice cracker, and my sip of wine. I have been relishing the culinary foolishness of our communal meal, knowing that in its material insignificance, is its aesthetic, spiritual, and somatic power, and there can be no more profoundly subtle image, as we wait for the wedding feast, of what it means to dine at the table of the Servant King.

And this from Scott, the pastor, in reply to his brother--he even preaches on paper!

I had a new member at Handsboro share with me almost the exact opposite realization you shared... One Sunday he got surprised by the piece of flesh he tore from the body. It was too big, he thought. In his mind it was an "oops." It should have been smaller- less significant. But he had to deal with it. He couldn't just eat part of it. He couldn't put some back. He was stuck with more than he could handle. So he stuck it in his mouth and began to chew and chew.

For him, the aesthetic reality that he wrestled with when it came to the sacrament was not in the gospel laden irony of a light wafer and small sip that conveyed and transferred the reality of our eternal immortal God who became a servant. For him, as he chewed and chewed, he was confronted in the gospel of that moment by what it means that Jesus was indeed the "true bread which has come down from heaven." Where as this incarnate act of communion for you, at least for now, appeals to your need for seeing the insignificance and humility of Christ, for him, at this time, it is a confrontation with that thick and meaty and jaw-tiring fullness with which Jesus longs to abide in us.

The incarnation is always a less and more reality. There is gospel in both. And while that still small voice says to one "I have become as nothing for you" he says to another "I am more than you ever thought." Only in that meal where words go away, where the aesthetic proclaims the gospel, can both the less and more of it be heard loud and clear. But don't be surprised when one day you accidentally tear off a piece that was bigger than you had intended and you find a lavish feast where you weren't looking for it. That's incarnation for you.

This month for me has been full, full, full of teaching. My regular undergraduate classes (New Testament, Theology and Hermeneutics) were joined by the last month of a Master's level class in hermeneutics and a week teaching "Perspectives" class on the Great Commission at night. Good, but tiring work. I didn't get to go to North Carolina as planned due to weather--I spent about 13 hours in two airports until both presentations had to be cancelled--February weather again!

We've also had lots of people over to the house for meals and gatherings of various kinds--next week is our monthly Salon, German studies team and a baby shower--all at my house! But, I guess my good news is that I just went on Amazon.com and saw that IVPress has already posted a pre-order space for my Bible Study Guide, The Story of Scripture! Yahoo! So, here's the link in case you want to order early! I'm pretty psyched with how it turned out. Now, all we need is a good cover! http://www.amazon.com/Story-Scripture-Unfolding-Lifeguide-Studies/dp/0830831290/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204570764&sr=1-6

Well, that's it for now. Easter is early this year...as early as it will be for over the next 200 years. That's good. Easter's message can never be too early in our lives. Christ is Risen! Oh, yes, He is risen indeed.

And that's why life is hard and good and worthwhile in HIS GLAD SERVICE.

January 2008 update

2008-01-31T10:32:00.000-06:00

Well, I promised to up-date our blog-site every month. The thrill is that I logged in correctly the first time. Don't you just love Ginko Biloba? It's the last day of January and it's hard to believe it's only been a month since our whole family was home and we were celebrating the last day of 2007. It seems like six-months have gone by for several reasons: First, I ache to see all the grands again and just have all those wonderful hugs and kisses and games. And, secondly, because I feel like we're already in the middle of a semester and so much work has been done at JBU and at First Presby. Thirdly, it's snowing today and I want it to last and last. I love snow.

This is the view across the street from the Blue Fox (my name for our house) on Savannah Lane. The church year is off to a good start with full pews and interested new people and the blessing of people who have loved the Lord and this congregation for over 50 years. Part of the reason the new people come and stay is the gracious welcome from the "old folks". And JBU is in full swing and I have a full plate this semester. Two New Testament classes, one class teaching hermeneutics and the book of Hebrews and a Master's class in the theology of hermeneutics. I've had the class read Jens Zimmerman's Recovering Theological Hermeneutics. Well worth reading. I find that most people who staunchly defend the Bible as the word of God (and rightly so!) can't clearly articulate why that is so. It is so and we need fides quaerens intellectum. So, read something this spring besides the new Grisham novel that I can't wait to get to in February! Until then, we remain IN HIS GLAD SERVICE.

2008-01-12T14:08:00.000-06:00

JANUARY 2008 POSTING

I really do need to learn how to keep up this blog site! My son Dayton and Daughter-in-love Rebecca keep up sites for their respective familes which are wonderful. It took me two hours today to figure out how to log into IN HIS GLAD SERVICE to begin this up-date. Maybe if I did keep up monthly, that would help! So, check back monthly and see if my resolution to fight my technological anemia responds to this transfusion of new blogger blood!
Here's a brief re-cap of our year.... Here we are at the 2nd-ever dance at JBU!

JANUARY & FEBRUARY '07

Last winter was full of teaching, discipling and working hard both at JBU and First Presbyterian. Men in the church built a balcony and does help with "overflow". It seems like students and new-comers to Siloam Springs are really appreciating Breck's pastoral wisdom and canonically insightful expository preaching. Parenting in the Pew seminars and book continue to be helpful to many people. I do about 4-6 seminars a year (I limit myself or it could be full time!).

MARCH '07 From starting the month in Dallas taking JBU students to an academic conference to Spring Break first in Chicago with Dayton, Karen and Anna and then on to Montgomery, Alabama for a Pew seminar and ministry finishing with a couple of days in Gulfport with Scott, Rebecca, Tyler, Eben and Tate, it was a busy time! Breck took spring break for a church mission to the Gulf Coast--Katrina clean up continues to this day! Here's a picture of Dayton in Chicago ready to go to his studio. His work is still garnering significant attention. Karen is now teaching dance atLoyola University of Chicago and dancing for a local Chicago studio and school. Chicago and Oak Park have become an "at home place" for them. Dayton is still a Philly fan, however. No one is perfect this side of the fall.

Scott's ministry reminds us so much of our first "start from scratch" years at Carolyn Park. Scott's sense of faith and calling are stunning in an age when "peddling the Gospel" has lost its Pauline prohibition. (See 2 Corinthians 2:17 and 4:2!)

Scott, Rebecca and the kids really love Mississippi and the Gulf Coast. And they still love the Saints and for this we are grateful. What a weird season, huh? One thing about Saints fans, however. Been there, done that and someday.... Here's a picure of Tyler and Eben on game day! Scott actually got to go to a game in the Dome! I won't mention what game--it would break your heart all over again.

APRIL AND MAY '07 From the Wheaton Theology Conference to the end of the school year, from our annual Passover Seder at First Presbyterian to Tyler's Graduation from Kindergarten and my time teaching at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (Intergenerational Worship for a DMin program), we were busy! Tate Fox was baptised on Pentecost--Scott's first baptism! What a blessing. Here's a picture of our graduate and our new child of the covenant:

JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST '07

June started off with lots of study and writing. I finished my next Bible Study Guide for IVPress (look for it this year in your local bookstore or on Amazon.com!). It's called The Story of Scripture and takes the reader from Genesis to Revelation in twelve studies connecting key episodes of God's theo-drama into one story. Use it this coming year in your small groups, Sunday schools and churches--hope it helps to "un-sound-byte" God's word!

June also was the "Camp Nona & Pop-pops" for a week with Tyler and Eben. We had a blast. This summer is Anna's turn!

The rest of June and early July was sort of quiet because I had cataract surgery in June and July. For the first time in my life I don't have to wear glasses expect to read. What a hoot. I love it. We also went to New Orleans twice for Breck to do the funerals of two dear friends in the Chinese Church. What a blessing this community is to us. We selected the card many of you got in the mail for New Year's Greetings because of our love for the Chinese Church and our dear family of faith there.

From July 25th through August 12th, Breck and I took a trip to Germany & Austria to celebrate our 35th anniversary just about a year late. We had a marvelous time, much of it checking out the Reformation and Luther sites. Our three days in Berlin made us want to go back soon! One week was spent at Schloss Mittersill, of course, at the Theological Students Conference. This was the first time we didn't take the train--we rented a car and had a blast.

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER '07
JBU in full swing, new people at First Presbyterian, Pew seminars, a woman's retreat and a very memorable plane trip to Chicago to see Dayton and Karen over fall break. Maybe you saw it on CNN....American flight 1400 out of St. Louis...left engine caught fire, had to dump fuel, return to St. Louis, make an emergency landing. We found out after it was all over that it really could have been "all over" for the flight. BUT...(cue the music and praise the Lord)... there just happened to be a third pilot on board (sitting right behind Breck) who they called forward to help land the plane which by this time had NO hydralics. We prayed, we trusted the Lord, we had a kiss, and when we got to disembark on the tarmac, I took a picture. We also made the Chicago channel 7 news..it's on YouTube, but I don't know how to make a link. Go to Dayton's site (Dayton is Not in Ohio) and he has a link! Here's the plane:

My devotional THAT MORNING in Siloam Springs was Psalm 91. I hardly remembered it, so thought I'd re-read my devotional that evening.... O Sovereign Lord....

We did have a fun time in Chicago with Dayton, Karen and Anna. Appreciated it more!

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER '07

The school semester went well, I got to take a quick trip to Gulfport to stay with the kids and help Scott while Rebecca had some R&R with her mom and sister. Of course, Dead Theologians Society had our annual All Saints Eve event and First Presbyterian celebrated Reformation Sunday. The Saints gave us glimmers of hope...
Just before Thanksgiving I went to AAR/SBL professional conference in San Diego and then met Breck in Reno to pick up my mom and drive over the mountain and through the woods to have a wonderful and refreshing Thanksgiving week with my sister Kellie and Bill in California. We ate and laughed and climbed Trinadad Head. We celebrated Holiday Gift Giving (I'm reserving "Christmas" for its proper use--humor me.) and just had a great time. Here we are all decked out in our JBU sweats during a shopping spreed in the Victorian Village of Ferndale, California--people kept asking, "Where is John Brown?". Go figure.

DECEMBER 2007
Final exams, candlelight services, parties with friends and finally time with family. The Chicago family came in time for Anna's #3 birthday, December 23rd. Nona made her a Tinker-bell Castle cake and invited 4 little girls over to make it a real party. It was magically wonderful. The five girls were friends in about 30 seconds and Anna was thrilled with all of it.

The day after Christmas, the Gulfport pastor and his family arrived and the house was full! We played and cooked and took pictures, and just had such a good time as a family all together.

We went to JBU and took some great pix--here we are at "The Eagle" wishing all of you a blessed 2008. Check the blog from month to month....I promise.

2006-12-15T11:45:00.000-06:00

2006 WAS QUITE A YEAR!!
January After recovering from a wonderful two weeks with our boys, in-loves and grandkids in Siloam Springs we had a delightful month starting a new semester, new programs in the church, dance lessons with friends.
God is filling up the pews & blessing Breck’s work!

February Robbie had a Parenting in the Pew church conference in early February. A dear friend and colleague David Lyle Jeffrey came to JBU and spent a few days in our home—what a delight! Robbie’s book Parenting in the Pew
is #34 on IVPress’ “Top 50” list and has sold over 100,000 copies since it was first published! Good thing the kids listened!!!

March We participated in the C. S. Lewis’ Inklings conference at JBU, and went to the Torrance Theology conference in Baton Rouge—we’re so glad we married each other. We love to think together! Robbie had two more Pew conferences. One in Baltimore at John and Debbie Schmidt’s church and one in Tulsa the Southern Baptist Regional conference. And we went to Philadelphia for the opening of Dayton’s major installation art exhibit, Tilting at Giants. Incredible!
You have to check the blog site: daytonc.blogspot.com

April Home-stretch month at JBU. Getting ready for an exciting month of May!
Passover-Easter Seder service a new tradition at First Presbyterian!
BIG NEWS for month: Dayton was accepted as an MFA student at the Art Institute of Chicago with a full Harvey Fellowship!

May Our Scott graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary! What a joyous celebration we had! He got a preaching award for his class and graduated with honors. Great, great day!
From evangelical prayer & praise fellowship in the married student complexes, to the Rooster Coup Poker Club for Heifer Project missions, a whiffle ball tournament and a standing ovation in the Princeton chapel for a sermon on racial reconciliation, Princeton was blessed by this family of faith.
The Sunday after graduation, Dayton and Robbie flew out of JFK to Frankfurt to teach in JBU’s German Studies program! Dayton taught Art Appreciation and Robbie taught Evangelical Theology. What a joy!!

June was a non-stop wonderful month!

Home from Europe June 4th
June 11—21 Robbie had a NW Odyssey with her sister Kellie
Had a blast …Redwoods, Sonoma Wine country, Portland grotto, Seattle, Victoria Island, Roslyn, WA where Northern Exposure was made…FOOD!
June 22—26 Breck and I had a Youth Group reunion for our first church at the YMCA of the Rockies. What a joy—the group surprised us by honoring us as their “spiritual parents” over 30 years ago.

July from June 30th through July 7th, we were off once again to the VanPuffelen (Breck’s cousins!) family reunion in Hilton Head Island, SC!! What a great family, what good fun, what seafood!
The day after we got back, we kept our grandchildren, Tyler and Eben for 8 days while Scott and Rebecca moved from Princeton to Gulfport, MS for their first church! We had a totally wonderful time with this 5-year old and 2-year old…

August Robbie taught at summer class & did a worship conference. Breck got ready for a new church year… Dayton and Karen and Anna (1 ½) moved from Philadelphia to Chicago!
And on Aug. 20th Scott was ordained as a pastor in Gulfport. We presented Scott with Breck's dad's "fish" necklace--engraved with the ordination dates for all three pastors: 1936, 1971, 2006 --all 35 years apart!
And Tyler started school

September First Presbyterian keeps growing, JBU continues to be a great place to teach and our fourth grandchild is born. Tate Fox Castleman was born on Scott’s birthday. Scott was born on Robbie’s dad’s birthday, thus the FOX! Yahoo.
Nothing like the blessing of “your children’s children”!

October Robbie did the Bible expositions for the TN-KY InterVarsity fall conference, Breck went to a Wee-Kirk conference, and we celebrated our 35th anniversary on the night of JBU’s famous “Toilet Paper Game”—down it comes on the first goal of the season!!

November …teaching…ministry…friends…parties…bad season for FSU football (okay, life isn’t perfect!)… and the family all here for Thanksgiving!! Both boys, our daughter-in-loves, and all four grands! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

December JBU holds its first dance in the history of the school—finals, graduation, Advent, programs, cantata, and church celebrations…and resting and reading for a few weeks. Next year should be calmer, quieter… but by God’s continuing Grace, we will be grateful for what it holds.

In His Glad Service,
Breck and Robbie