AnotherJohn.Com

Pastor's Log. Stardate July 29 2008: After spanning more than (1,200) miles over the weekend, attending a Nazarene wedding, Lutheran funeral and Methodist worship services we are home. I'll fill you in on some of the details shortly. In memory of all the sitting we've endured the past few days:

+ Theology for the Masses

You know I love stand-up. Here is a classic. In honor of Gloria's dentist appointment this morning:

Okay, that title is the furthest thing from the truth. I hate spinach and I have never seen a cowboy wear baggy jeans with his hat slightly tilted. However, I do live in the Cowboy Capital of the World and yesterday I visited the Spinach Capital of the World . I visited FUMC there as part of the internship I have with our conference . My understanding from previous conversations was that I would have to be there a full weekend. So, when the pastor called me Saturday evening (evening!) and told me what he wanted me to do, I was a little surprised. But I made the two hour trip (driving Christian, of course). The church is a small membership church. If you know anything about the history of Crystal City you will begin to understand why. The sanctuary is very nice and even has balcony seating. I didn't get a chance to play on the new drums that were donated, but I did reunite with one of the boys from the summer camp I attended several weeks ago. Overall, I enjoyed my time t...

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I have begun the process of packing the office--pray for me! The big problem for me is as I'm going through folders and books I start reading and writing on or about what I'm supposed to be packing. That doesn't help me in my quest for a packing time world record. In October 2003 I graduated from being an exploring candidate to a declared candidate for ministry. One of the items I came across was a letter written to my PPRC (our church hasn't promoted the SPRC thing too much) seeking a recommendation from them to continue in the candidacy process. With that letter was an Inventory of Religious Activities and Interests form. This was from a test, which I took (2) weeks after the letter (funny how things roll along), that measured my (a candidate's) interests in various ministerial roles--as the title might suggest. Here is how I scored : Very High interests in these 2 areas: Evangelist and Spiritual Guide Moderately High interests in these 4 areas: Administ...

this is from now on:

It didn't turn out to be a normal date. Actually, Gloria and I felt like we were in high school again. One thing Mom always said, "You can take your sister(s)." So, on many of our outings as a couple we had 1-4 kids with us. When we went to see Boyz II Men last night (7.10.08) we had Nathan with us. At times I couldn't decide what was louder: the music blaring from the speakers about 20 feet from us or Nathan yelling in my ear "Is this their last song?!" We had a good time. When they song this song , the guys threw roses out to the crowd. I missed the one Wanya threw at Gloria as it flew about 2 inches over my hands. But all was not lost. Shawn instructed everyone to take out their cell phones and give Mama a call while they sang this song . After some convincing, I got Shawn to get my phone and sing his part to my mom. She thought that was great. Of course, later I had to call my sisters and brother and offer to them more convincing testimony th...

So, you've been asked to be liturgist. As your worst fear would be, you get a reading with a bunch of names you're not sure how to pronounce. In this situation feel free to take the advice I have given to all our liturgists facing this "wish it happened to (fill in name)last week" traumatic event: Read it like you know how to say it . Don't take a pause for breath right before you say it. Don't try to muffle your way through it. Don't give the first three letters, quit and say "him." And please don't say it, look back at me and ask if you got it right. Nine out ten people will not know the difference and offer a compliment to you. Well, this turned out to be an instructional post. All I wanted to do was show you a website I came across: Complete Bible Genealogy. Forgive me if I haven't fact checked every name, but it does claim 3087 biblical characters. From the website: Shortly after beginning to read the Bible you may have found...

This book is making its way around our church. It was passed on to me as "something John's gotta read." I wouldn't usually take time to read something like this. Its not anything negative about reading memoirs, novels or anything like that. Actually, reading is difficult for me, and since it is, if its not a textbook or required reading for a class, I will usually only focus on material that is more church/ministry related. That said, I'm really glad I read this book. It is the true story of faith for two men and how God brought their friendship together. While many of you may not think of your story in the same kind of way, for me it was a simple reminder of how God can/does work in each of our lives. The outcomes can be astounding when we render ourselves to God's will and work. Two different worlds came together--think of the struggles and barriers that can get in the way--in an unexpected way. We're given the story in both men's words. B...

Today begins my last class at UTSA . Of course, I'm still interning at the conference office , but that's been kind of slow. Actually, now that I'll be in San Antonio everyday, I'll be able to be at there more. Keep me in your prayers as we prepare for the move. I have no idea what to pack first in my office (though I already kind of went through that before), and on top of that I still have several weekend trips that need to be made. Time can make a crunch sound on you. I'm sure there will be time for blogging. One cannot use a new layout and not post new things! Tomorrow, however, will be a nice day. Gloria and I will be attending a Boyz II Men concert at Six Flags . They're the best and we'll enjoy ourselves. Heard any good news lately? Stay blessed...john

It was a year ago in May The Blog That Ties switched over to the Blogger platform and got a new look. So, in what looks to be, so far, like a yearly tradition, there will be some layout changes in the next few days. You might notice the use of labels; I had to go back a do that for each post since I hadn't done a good job up until now. I'm still looking for that picture to keep on the header. I'll be on the lookout for something appropriately inappropriate for the blog. Bear with me and let me know what issues you may come across with the new layout. Stay blessed...john

+Bits&Pieces