Recently, I've met with a lot of individuals that that have said they want to be pastors.

After listening to some of their conversations and their interactions I think it would be beneficial to remind myself:

I want to be like Jesus.

Hello from Irving, TX. We have been here for just over two weeks now. Our house is in order, my office is getting there (I forgot I had all that stuff) and that little GPS device has sure come in handy around here (for getting around and a nice newsletter illustration). It’s been a time of figuring out what that light switch goes to and what’s the best drive to school. Okay, so they don’t use trash bins here and the traffic is horrible, but all in all our new home seems quite nice.

Last week all of us took a trip to SMU. The kids thought it was pretty cool--especially the Wave. Gloria recalled the many times she visited the campus when her mother was at Course of Study. I purchased my books for the semester and began reading for an orientation on Friday. A couple of classes have already posted the course work for the semester. So, I have used this week to get a head start on reading (because you know I’m going to need). My mind is completely set on the work ahead. There was a little trembling with my final course at UTSA (that would have been awkward). All obligations to UTSA have been fulfilled! Classes at Perkins began today.

This week has provided a great deal of time for reflection about ministry, the church and the call to discipleship for me. I am sure many of our clergy have had much of the same opportunities. This move seemed especially difficult as it involved a great deal of personal friendships and ties. So far, the moving thing hasn’t gotten easier.

It will be interesting, at least for me, to watch how that changes over the years. I’ve been told on several occasions: “John, you’re what every church wants.” It’s not me, but my age, family situation (stability), my family and even the fact that I kind of know what I am doing. How, if at all, will that change when I’m not as young as I think I am now? So many people have always thought it was refreshing to see a young person doing what I have been. What about when it’s just Gloria and I? There’s not doubt my children play a role in our connections we’ve made in our churches. My prayer is that it wouldn’t be too much different.

With all the difficulty we’ve had (the good kind of difficulty, if that makes sense?) in our last two moves, we wouldn’t trade them for anything. One led to the other and then to something else to look forward to. We are Irvingites, Irvingneans or whatever it’s called. Things are a little bit different around here. But God is God and His mercy endures forever.

Stay blessed…john

I bring you greetings from boXland. It's a lovely place full of moving tape, the smell of cardboard and the constant echoes of: where did I put that?

We are in the midst of our final days of life in the Cowboy Capital of the World. It sure has been fun.

I want to be blogging a little more right now, but I'm sure you can understand why I'm unable to. The church computer was what I always used for my work. So, I'll be in the market for a computer right after the move; it may take me a little while to be back on line.

There are a lot of things I am thankful for in ministry. I don't want to go through that list right now, but I do want to highlight one. My wife. She, as far as I am concerned, is the best a person could be as a clergy spouse. She isn't concerned with sharing information (aka gossip) with others or "meddling" in church affairs with information she knows or rants I've spilled.

For all the wonderful, warm and fuzzy things that can be said from members and friends of a congregation, there are those things (opposite of warm and fuzzy) that get jabbed in. While she may still take them to heart more than she should, she does not let that dictate how she interacts with people. Her willingness to offer a reasonable amount of office and church hours away from home is appreciated and probably what keeps my kids still loving me.

I was reading this morning about the Osteen situation (I'm finishing up one of his books; I'll let you know what I thought later). It got me thinking about the person God put me with. I can know without any doubt we were supposed to be.

No, I'm not trying to score any points. She doesn't even read the blog (she offers me humility as well!). Praise be to God for His gifts. Stay blessed...john