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Mr. Bean goes to church ( +Adventures in Revland ) ME Worship The Orthodox Church - A visual journey Church Comedy TOOOOOOOOOO THE WINDOOOOOOOWSSSSSSSSS TOOOOOO THE WAAAAAAAAAAALLS!!!

Several of our youth participated in our worship service yesterday. Generally, the fifth Sundays are designated as their time to lead. I enjoy when they participate. When I first came here, the youth would lead the Mother's Day and Father's Day services. I didn't enjoy that too much. Yes, I know it's not about what I like or don't like. Actually, I wanted them to be a part of worship during other times of the year, to experience some of the liturgical changes. That has given us the opportunity to talk about different topics and Scripture references in our preparation for those Sundays. Several times we have used a services taken from various youth sources. The most vivid one for me was the Fall Funeral; we held a funeral service for church. This, of course, represented the death to ourselves. It concluded with a celebration of new life offered to us in Christ. We were all given rocks to use that we were to press into those things that kept us from living ...

Here's a picture of the kids, taken from the wedding we went to in Little Rock. Stay blessed...john

okay, a few videos for you to devour. Any conversation about 'em? Psalm 23 (children reciting Scripture moves me) the iBible (oh, the truth in this video is disturbing) Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! (I posted an audio file similar to this which I think was a bit funnier) Hut, Hut Tithe (the play by play is hilarious) one of the family's favorite songs (even if you don't like the style of music; the message is real)

Superpowers that are now possible ( +neatorama ) Thriller via the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines ( +YesButNoButYes ) Ten propositions on faith and laughter (+42) What if we had a "jazz-shaped" faith?

I'm taking a Population Dynamics class--demography. It's a little hard to sit through for an hour and a half (anything is hard for me to sit through that long), but the information is interesting. For example, did you realize the world's population did not pass 1 billion until 1804. Then it only took 123 years to reach 2 billion. The 3rd bill came 33 years later, 4th only 14 years after that, then it took 13 years to hit 5, and 12 more (in 1999) to surpass 6 billion; the expected 7th billion is expected in the next three years or so. Anyways, our professor has mentioned several times that one of the UTSA staff members has been selected to head the Census Bureau . Steve Murdock is the: Department of Demography and Organization Studies Chair Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research Dir. Texas State Data Center , Dir. State Demographer of Texas He did a presentation at this year's Bishop's Convocation at Mt. Wesley . ...

Here are some ideas I wanted to share with you that I highlighted out of Recapture the Wonder . These are just a few. I'd recommend the book to you to read a bunch more. Deep within every human heart throbs the undying hope that somebody or something will bring both an explanation of what life is all about and a way to retain the wonder. Yet if we would but pause and first ponder what it is that we already see in this world of wonder we might get a brief taste of the wonder that may be poured into us as well. Wonder is that possession of the mind that enchants that emotions while never surrendering reason. Wonder has a direct bearing on hopelessness and evil. The loss of wonder sets the stage for evil, until truth itself dies at the altar of a desecrated imagination When we pretend to be God and play God, we do so without the benefit of God's character and we redefine good and evil. Religion...It is not about ritual; it is about relationship. It is not about the posture of t...

We're back. Everything went well, we had a good time, got a couple married, saw family and got back safely. Little Rock was a nice place. I'm sure we'll share with you some of our trip--especially pictures. I almost forgot I'm a student again. It's off to class now. In the meantime you can read about the Nazareth cross . Stay blessed...john

-- How about taking a tour of prague, moscow, venice, vienna, los angeles, belgrade, or syria; visit 360 cities for a Virtual Traveling experience. -- check out some unusual keyboards . -- what about this guy who tried to run off with an iphone on live tv -- how about cooking your hot dog the mad scientist way -- caption this pic at Locusts & Honey

I can fly twice as hiiiigh... Take a look! It's in a book! A reading rainboowwwww! The second summer session at UTSA begins this Wednesday; I'm enrolled to take Population Dynamics. That means its back to the textbooks again (edit:: I actually received my textbook shortly after posting this). Books that I want to read are going to have to wait a while. Reading is difficult for me, however, it has become a lot more fun over the last several years. Its in my best interest to focus my extra-biblical reading to just material for classes. There are (3) books I'm looking to finish reading before Wednesday. Recapture the Wonder Unbinding the Gospel (a signed copy) Theological Themes on Youth Ministry Others that I have recently finished: The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers Conspiracy of Kindness Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Thriving Youth Groups Blogging will be light after today for a while. I'm going to take some vacation time next week. We'll be traveling to Arkan...

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Realize that the Transformers aren't involved with the transformation we're talking about. They make go back and forth from vehicle to robot, but they are the same inside. What we need to get to our churches is the whole paradigm shift in our minds that keeps us from continuing to conform to this world. The world--assuming we agree it needs God's message--should see that real transformation in the church. Stay blessed...john

This is taken from NPR. These really are some great photos. It is a slide show, complete with commentary. You may want to watch it a second time with the volume down and just marvel at God's creation. Sky Visions: Michael Collier's Aerial Photography Stay blessed...john

No, I'm not talking about my favorite dance move. If Google Earth wasn't enough for you then this is for you. Google has provided a service to the people of America. Google Moon is an extension of Google Maps and Google Earth that, courtesy of NASA imagery (thanks, guys!), enables you to surf the Moon's surface and check out the exact spots that the Apollo astronauts made their landings. Now you and I can do some "lunar surfing." Now, for an added bonus, be sure to zoom in all the way. Google Moon Stay blessed...john

In our funny commercial segment today..... stay blessed...john

Last night we went to the Fredericksburg UMC . We were attending the installation service for the Rev Robert Hall, our new District Superintendent. Personally, I enjoy these types of services; it echoes back to me my commitment and responsibility as a pastor. Also, joining in worship with other clergy is a joy. Well, as the title would suggest, we celebrated Holy Communion. Ashlei has been away at Grandma's, so we had Brittani and Nathan. Brittani knows what to do, and why we do it. Of course, Nathan is learning all this. I coached him: "They're going to give you a piece of bread. Take the bread then put it in the cup with the juice. Then you eat it." We went over this several times. When it was his turn he took the bread, in a shy manner. Then he moved to the cup, looked into it, and threw his bread into the cup. He thought it was fun. We made the most of it, and made it a learning moment. To his defense, in our church we use the little cups you drink o...