Let me share with you part of my Annual Conference experience. Everything was business as usual this year. There was nothing too much out of the ordinary that took place. Supposedly, I did come out in a picture in the conference paper. That's a miracle they got me sitting in my seat.

Probably the biggest talk was over the issue of clergy effectiveness. There is a new form that was voted on for SPRC and pastors to use. It's a long form; I don't have too much of a problem with it. Someone had a question about some of the details about the form. Now, a lot of people didn't appreciate the question; they thought it was silly, I suppose.

What I thought about it doesn't really matter at this point. There were murmurs and sighs and things like that. Our seating arrangement allowed for us to be in the second row. The two people immediately in front of us didn't care for the comment as well. Their response, however, is what troubled me. The gentleman, who was a lay delegate, made the comment (no paraphrasing here), "He must be a local pastor." The woman, who was a clergy delegate, agreed and took the time to investigate his appointment. When they found out he was an ordained elder they were surprised.

I cannot express to you just how much that bothered me. It didn't feel like the appropriate time then to have a holy conversation with them. Perhaps I should have; I wanted to hear what other comments about the issue were made and also I felt a little too offended to engage in conversation with them while other things were going on around us.

Please understand my point. I'm not offended because I'm a local pastor. This wasn't about me. It was about all the local pastors I know that love God and minister effectively where He has led them. It was about the work I have seen done in the life of a church and its people through so many local pastors. More than that, it was, and still is, about the work God has done through us all! I haven't drafted my letter to both individuals. Oh yes, I'll have to. Otherwise I run the risk of holding on to that comment and holding it against them when I see them next.

With that kind of attitude how do we expect our church to grow in its work? Some people need to get over themselves (I say that lovingly). God has called each of us to His service; that calling takes us different places through different avenues. What right do I have to believe my calling to be higher than another's?

I'll leave it at that and just ask for your prayers as I discern what words are appropriate to share with them. Stay blessed...john

So, I went to conduct the funeral service for the still-born. His name was Ralph. The couple were not members of Mom's church, but had family members that were. Since I didn't know the family at all I went in as a complete outsider. From that perspective, it was a unique experience. Right now I cannot recall something like that where I had no relation, connection or previous exposure to a gathering. That meant I didn't say too much outside of the parts I had in the service and committal.

Of course, it was supposed to start at 9:00 am. No one showed up until 9:15, and we began at 9:25. That was something I had forgotten about. At first I was very annoyed. I've become all things to all people and most recently the people I'm with usually start things on time. My beloved Hispanics, however, tend to have a different time table for things.

All that kind of stuff went out the window as I watched the family enter in the church. The parents were obviously broken. There were family members wearing "in memory" t-shirts with the baby's picture on it. Most people just passed by me with a stare. I was somebody they didn't know brought in to lead them in their family's most difficult time. I wonder if I would have responded any different.

My composure was well until they brought in the coffin; it was about three feet long. That was a difficult moment for me.

The service went as well as it could have--obviously accounting for the circumstance. I rode with the funeral home director to the cemetery. We shared in conversation about several things. It's interesting some of the things that are discussed in those rides sometimes. He mentioned how in other times cemeteries were divided by race--Whites here, Blacks here and Mexicans here--and surprisingly, at least in Pearsall things were still kind of the same in that manner. He also mentioned an incident a few weeks ago at the graveside. Let's just say its kind of the same thing, but with a religious overtone.

Anyways, I completed the service and went home, and promised to never get angry with my kids again. That didn't last as long as I thought it would have. Despite these pains and our confusion and battles in this life, in this broken world God is good. It is the hope that generates from His promises that provides us all the ability to make sense of so much and to bear the rest.

May your day be better, your faith renewed, your spirits brought up and your life be blessed by His presence. Stay blessed...john

I'll be in Pearsall tomorrow. Gloria's mom asked if I would fill in for a funeral while she is away at her Annual Conference. The service will be for a stillborn. This will be a first for me. I'm sure emotions run kind of high in that situation.

Shall we remind ourselves of Christ's presence with us always and His knowledge of our sufferings?

That is what it boils down to in the end, for all of us. We have a tendency to put a lot of emphasis on temporal things and issues. Grace abounds, however, and we realize that when we allow for the more upward, spiritual concerns to take precedence in our walk with God. That said, we mourn with those who mourn.

We'll see you Sunday. Stay blessed...john

This was part of the fun from our church's music department's annual party. It was held at Enchanted Springs Ranch. Complete with a gun show, barber shop quartet and barbecued brisket, it was a lot of fun. You should make a trip out there some time.

The last day of AC for us. We'll be back tomorrow. I don't know the date for this article:

How do you learn best—repetition, observation, listening? There are many ways that we take in knowledge. Since going back to school I’ve become acquainted with one technique that perhaps you’re familiar with. Now, we don’t usually like to use this one, but somehow it seems to creep in. I have professors that like to go over each question of a test after we have received our grade (what better time, right?); that really helps when we are confused about a certain topic. It’s really helped me to see my mistakes and learn from them.

Learning things the hard way is tricky; you run the chance of not learning your lesson and messing up again. We’ve all made mistakes we have regretted. Our mistakes, however, should not be who we are. Remember we are called “New Creations.” Think how the disciples messed up. I believe it’s fair to say they learned from their mistakes and decided to give God complete control of their ministry and life. Did that work? Well, here you are years later reading a Christian newsletter in a land far, far away from where the first disciples lived. Still think God can’t use you to touch someone?

I've seen surfing Jesus, now it's on to Selena! From December '05:

Did you know there are people who study our signatures? Please don’t ask me what they’re called. Signature study people, I suppose. It is said that we can determine a number of things concerning you from your signature. By the stroke of your “t’s” and the dotting of your “i’s” we can tell your overall attitude in life. The curvature of your letters can explain your outlook on life. Even the size of your signature can tell us about your insecurities.

Sounds kind of wild to me, but hey they say it’s true. I guess if you think about it there may be some truth in there. I mean God left us His signature. Just take a look out your window and look at the Hill Country. To me, that’s God saying, “This is who I am!” Think about the story of Jesus. Once again hear God saying, “Oh, you know me; I’m always thinking about you.” I don’t know what my signature says about me. But this I know: when I see Creation, when I see Jesus in my life and in the life of others I know God is telling me, “Yes, I am real.”

Still at Annual Conference. This is from August '05, I think:

Most people have a favorite movie. Within that movie are unforgettable characters, riveting plots, and perhaps a hint of personal significance. Some embrace classic films that leave us feeling like we’re watching it for the first time, while others seem to find a favorite every season. Regardless, concerning movies, most would agree on one thing: the sequel is never as good. You know what I mean—when movie makers try too hard to build off the success of an original movie. We could make a list as long as the Bible of sequels, or parts 5, 6, or 7s that shouldn’t have seen the light of day.

If you’re like me, you’ve asked the question, “What happens, next?” By “next” we mean after this life. Well, if you’re still like me, you know our faith is nothing like our favorite movies. While the part may be quite interesting—filled with unforgettable characters, riveting plots, and even person significance, the good news is we have a sequel waiting for us that is out of this world. That’s the greatest promise Jesus gave us; believe in Him, and you will join Him in His greatest feature. Now that’s something worth seeing.

While I'm away at Annual Conference, I'll take you back to July 2005 with this one:

I have always been amazed at how much I can learn about my faith through my children. The “out of the mouths of babes” is no mere cliché. I was mowing the lawn one afternoon, when Brittani (our oldest) came running with something to say. As she got closer she had a big smile on her face. She looked at the lawn and yelled out, “So good, so far, Dad!” Now, you might recognize this as her attempt to repeat the phrase, “So far, so good.” But you know, I like her version better. So far, so good gives me the impression that I am waiting for something to happen—probably something less than pleasing.

When she told me “So good, so far,” I couldn’t help but think of how God has been SO good, SO far. No matter how “far” along you are in your faith walk, God is good. The best part is He’s the same today as He was yesterday. So, He’ll always be good. We shouldn’t live our days worrying about what bad thing will happen next. Instead try envisioning God working in a miraculous, positive, and real way! And recall, “all things” work for the good.

It's rather disturbing. I was for sure once the semester ended I would have time to blog a little bit more. However, I'm finding the pile I had aside marked "get done once school is" grew more than I realized.

Enough excuses. Tomorrow we're leaving for Annual Conference. What I plan on doing is using Blogger's scheduling feature and post Trumpet (BUMC newsletter) articles I've written from previous years. That is assuming I've filed (electronically) them the way I should have.

So, you hold things down where you are while I'm off admiring surfing Jesus. Stay blessed...john