My undergraduate work was in Sociology. Reading Lendbeck’s work (The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age ) reminded me of much of what was scrutinized discussed and explored in those studies. Specifically, there seems to be a major tie to the idea of the sociology of religion. Religion transcends cultural boundaries; it is found in an overwhelming majority of societies. Each religion is essentially a peoples’ attempt to explain the unknown. These explanations rarely come without an outline of what is deemed an appropriate response to the religious conclusions generated, regardless of the religion. Ultimately, this is seems to be the viewpoint Lindbeck takes in The Nature of Doctrine.

This idea does not originate with Lindbeck and does not end in his work. It is a useful comparison he makes in establishing a connection between the use of language or cultural with the roles of religion and doctrine. There are undoubtedly many who have followed a model of learning and adapting to religious teachings described in the book. As a sociologist, this is predictable and in many ways a verification of prior thought. However, I was disappointed in the lack of presentation of salvation that can be found in religion and celebrated in doctrine. Rather, there didn’t seem to be an emphasis on what work God could do in a person. It would seem to suggest the religious “experiences” of an individual are actually staged in some regard. Every person can only respond to religion in a way that has already been branded to them.

This would be my major concern with this portion of Lindbeck. The postliberal approach he suggests is given as not just another resource, but as a new, standalone, correct alternative to the older structures of theology. If that is the case, it would seem to me an important point to leave ample room for the work of God in our theological discussions.

Some of you will have heard this story before. It was new to me. I don't usually use this type of material for church activities. However, I did share it with the church at our evenining worship service. I gave them the disclaimer that I didn't know if it was a true story or not, but thought it had something to think about. Our Scripture that evening was Deuteronomy 34:1-12 (Moses' death).

I did not compare the stories, but we focused on the importance of living a life dedicated to God (as Moses had). Perhaps keeping in line with sharing email forwards this week, a friend sent this to me via email last Thursday:

Father John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago, writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:

Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith.


That was the day I first saw Tommy. My eyes and my mind both blinked. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders. It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day I was unprepared and my emotions flipped. I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange... Very strange.

Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.

When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?"

I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. "No!" I said very emphatically.

"Why not," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing."

I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out, "Tommy! I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!" He shrugged a little and left my class and my life.

I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line -- He will find you! At least I thought it was clever.

Later I heard that Tommy had graduated, and I was duly grateful.

Then a sad report came. I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me. When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe. "Tommy, I've thought about you so often; I hear you are sick," I blurted out.

"Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks."

"Can you talk about it, Tom?" I asked.

"Sure, what would you like to know?" he replied

"What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying?

"Well, it could be worse.

"Like what?

"Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies in life..

I began to look through my mental file cabinet under "S" where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.)

"But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, "is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me Then you said, 'But He will find you.' I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time.

(My clever line. He thought about that a lot!)

"But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God.. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven. But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit

"Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit. I decided that I didn't really care about God, about an after life, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: 'The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.'"

"So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him. "Dad.

"Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the newspaper.

"Dad, I would like to talk with you."

"Well, talk.


"I mean . It's really important."

The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"

"Dad, I love you, I just wanted you to know that." Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him. "The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me."

"It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years.

"I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long. Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to.

"Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn't come to me when I pleaded with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, 'C'mon, jump through . C'mon, I'll give you three days, three weeks.'"

"Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour. But the important thing is that He was there. He found me! You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for Him."

"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said: 'God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.' Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told t hem the same thing it wouldn't be half as effective as if you were to tell it.

"Oooh.. I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class."

"Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call."

In a few days Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date.

However, he never made it. He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.

Before he died, we talked one last time.

"I'm not going to make it to your class," he said.

"I know, Tom."

"Will you tell them for me? Will you tell the whole world for me?"

I will, Tom. I'll tell them. I'll do my best."

So, to all of you who have been kind enough to read this simple story about God's love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven --- I told them, Tommy, as best I could.

If this story means anything to you, please pass it on to a friend or two. It is a true story and is not enhanced for publicity purposes.

With thanks, Rev. John Powell, Professor, Loyola University, Chicago

Top Ten Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election. This was sent as a forwarded email. I'm sharing it because it kind of goes in line with what I was going to put on the church marquis next week (you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?)

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Stay blessed...john

Oak Haven United Methodist Church has completely paid its apportionments for the 2008year! Two months early by the way. This was something we celebrated on Sunday, of course. The last several years have been difficult for the church. The city of Irving has been through some changes during this time. That has had an impact on the work of the church.

We've gone from staffing a full time pastor to now having a part time minister. Membership has declined (that's what happens when everyone moves away). So, long story short, this is/was a big deal for our congregation.

Now, the money made during the anuual Ham Smoke will be used for other budget items and future expenditures. It'll be a great boost for the coming year. Oh, I haven't told you about the Ham Smoke?

Well, the peeps here have been doing this for a while--some forty plus years to be not exact. Hams are smoked (in a custom built smoker, duh!) over a two day period and sold; there is also a country store with all kinds of items for sale. I believe the biggest ham (No, not me) is auctioned off at the end. Any hams left over are used the next couple of days for the great Ham & Bean dinner; this is a community dinner served at no charge. The same thing is done for Christmas though I think on a smaller scale.

So, if you're looking for a ham to share for the holidays, and you got $55 to use, let me know. No, really I hadn't intended this to be a commercial, but I got carried away.

Apportionments paid, WOOHOO! Stay blessed...john

This was a fun one to do. I didn't use the OT reading in the morning. Instead, at our evening service, I brought everything full circle. Hopefully, it made sense. I gave everyone homework for the evening service; if I have to suffer why can't they?

Anyways, I included the benediction at the end of this recording. It caught a bunch of people off guard, but was a great way to finish our time together. I've wanted to do the whole song in some way (you'll know when you hear it).



Stay blessed...john

Some of us blog for no apparent reason. There are many others of you that I would love to see begin blogging. Either way, Blogsessive.com has provided the 10 Commandments of Blogging.

I couldn't help but think most of these would be appropriate to sermon writing! So, what makes a blog worth going back to read? It'd be interesting to hear what you think.

With so much going on right now what has saved my blogging is Blogger's Post Options. I am able to prepare a post and schedule it anytime ahead. That has really helped me a lot. Why would I share my dirty little secret?

Stay blessed...john

Has anyone worked on one of these for the Bible? It would be cool to see how we got all the way here.


A breif History of communication from ljudbilden on Vimeo.
+neatorama

Of course you know Christmas is only 61 days away. That means your real shopping time is down to 60 days! Maybe this is a gift you can share for the holidays:


Excuse me if I've posted this before. It is pretty funny. Well, maybe if you're Karl Barth (Yes, I just threw that in to show you I have been paying attention in class). Stay blessed...john

Corporate worship means a lot to me. I’m not quite sure where I would begin describing how and why joining a group of believers for worship encourages my faith walk. I was taught very early, and have recently heard a phrase that encompasses the thought so precisely, that you don’t go to church to worship; you go worshipping. That is, you recognize the presence of God with you not just in a pew, but everywhere else you are. This recognition completes you, fills you and reminds you of the great wonder of God. As corny, fake or self-righteous as it may sound, I don’t lack anything in my corporate worship experiences.

A worship service can be compared to a day in the life of someone. There are times things seem backwards, confused, wonderful, just right and everything else in between (that goes for a day and a worship service). None of that takes away from who God is. So, I can live in that confidence and reassurance of God’s presence. I think, in part, this is what Paul had in mind:

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:10-13)

Stay blessed...john

A tourist is picked up by a cabbie in New York on a dark night.
The passenger taps the driver on the shoulder to ask him something.

The driver screams, loses control of the car, nearly hits a bus, drives up on the sidewalk, and stops inches from a shop window.

For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, "Look friend, don't EVER do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!"

The passenger apologizes and says he didn't realize that a "little tap" could scare him so much.
The driver, after gathering himself together replied, "Sorry, it's not really your fault.

Today is my first day as a cab driver - I've been driving hearses for the last 25 years!

I think we have some new readers (listeners) to the blog. Welcome; we're glad you came. To listen to past sermons, read the passages and click the little triangle button to begin.

Meeemeep! This sermon is from Sunday October 19, 2008. Stay blessed...john



Matthew 22:15-22

Paying Taxes to Caesar
15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap
him in his words. 16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.
"Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the
way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you
pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it
right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
18But Jesus, knowing their evil
intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19Show me the coin
used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them,
"Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 21"Caesar's," they replied.
Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

22When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1Paul, Silas[a]
and Timothy, To the church of the
Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.[b]
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith 2We always thank God for all
of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3We continually remember before our God
and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your
endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4For we know,
brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you
not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep
conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6You became imitators
of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message
with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7And so you became a model to all the
believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8The Lord's message rang out from you not
only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.
Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9for they themselves report
what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he
raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

So, what happens to all the stuff you have online (blogs, pictures, etc) when it's time to trade your keyboard for a pair of wings? I had actually wondered about this before. There aren't too many things around here I think I would have to worry about. Still, I had no idea it could be so complicated. People sure do take themselves seriously sometimes.

Read the article here: What happens to your web stuff when you die?


Maybe this is a call for me to put more valuable stuff online. If I'm leaving this site to my kids I have to make up for all the money they won't be getting when I'm gone.


Stay blessed...john

A new young monk arrives at the monastery. He is assigned to help the other monks in copying the old canons and laws of the church by hand. He notices, however, that all of the monks are copying from copies, not from the original manuscript.

So, the new monk goes to the head abbot to question this, pointing out that if someone made even a small error in the first copy, it would never be picked up. In fact, that error would be continued in all of the subsequent copies.

The head monk, says, “We have been copying from the copies for centuries, but you make a good point, my son.”

So, he goes down into the dark caves underneath the monastery where the original manuscript is held as archives in a locked vault that hasn’t been opened for hundreds of years.

Hours go by and nobody sees the old abbot. So, the young monk gets worried and goes downstairs to look for him.

He sees him banging his head against the wall, and wailing “We forgot the “R”, We forgot the “R” His forehead is all bloody and bruised and he is crying uncontrollably.

The young monk asks the old abbot, “What’s wrong, father?”

With a choking voice, the old abbot replies, “The word should be celebRate!!”
+b&p

Now that I've cleaned my screen, I'll share this video with you. It's pretty cool. I'm not sure its phsychology more than it is mathematics. Either way it'll make you try a second time.

This was the first sermon my mom (and brother) ever heard me preach. I was told I had to behave. We also had a dear friend visiting as well.

You'll have to forgive some of the recording. We noticed the battery to the lapel mic was dead right when the service began. I tried to boost the sound on the recording (where the pulpit floated away from me); so, some parts will vary in their sound quality (and most of it will vary in it's content quality). Stay blessed...john

The one spiritual exercise I had always been uncomfortable with was the labyrinth.
Uncomfortable is the wrong word—something to describe “a waste of time” would be more appropriate. In recent years, I had seen more instances where participating in the labyrinth was available at various conference events (i.e. Bishop’s convocation, retreats, Annual Conference, etc). I had done some investigation into what was involved; however, I concluded this was something that was of little interest to me. I knew there were better things I could be doing with my time. I have changed my outlook somewhat thanks to my participation in a children’s camp this summer.

During the summer semester, I held an internship position with my annual conference. One of my responsibilities was to attend the various camps scheduled. The first one I attended was for fourth and fifth graders. Yes, there is nothing like sharing a room with (18) ten and eleven year olds! While I was an observer, I also co-led one of the groups. There were many activities for each group to participate in during the week. Of course, there was the labyrinth. Our group made its way to the designated area at Mt. Wesley (Kerrville) and I figured it would be over with soon enough. The other co-leader read the instructions to the children, and made mention that we would be there for at least thirty minutes. Well, leaders should set a good example; so, I participated in my first labyrinth.

I did not have written material to follow, and began my journey midway through the entire group’s process. It was impressive to me the childrens’ quietness and seemingly genuine participation in this experience. They were an example to me. As I walked through the first half I battled the usual distractions that, regardless of any situation, come to my mind. Then it happened—true silence. Well, not a lack of sound, but a true sense of mental direction and contemplation. What I could hear was the small steps of the little ones ahead of and behind me, and the joyous voices of those in the other areas of the camp. Longer story short, as I allowed the various turns to direct my thoughts I believe I received a reminder from God. That reminder came in a message; that message was to not forget them (children). I have worked with youth and children for over a decade. Often you wonder if your efforts are making a difference. That speaks more to the issues that can arise in ministry with youth and children and not to the importance and value we have in working with them and their families. This was a feeling I had been contemplating for a while before this camp. I ha d been in a time of wondering if I was what my young people needed.

Of course, I was reassured that all the negative points that come are well worth the endurance of them. At least that’s what I felt. So, my first experience with the labyrinth proved to be a reassuring moment in my faith and ministry.

Oh, so much truth and pain in this hilarious little video. I hadn't seen these before; I'll be looking for new episodes.


+L&H

This sermon was from this past Sunday (October 5, 2008).

Is life the only thing that is not fair? This sermon is from two Sundays ago (September 28, 2008).

Just for fun here are some supposedly true courtroom quotes:
* Lawyer: "Can you describe what the person who attacked you looked like?"
* Witness: "No. He was wearing a mask."
* Lawyer: "What was he wearing under the mask?"
* Witness: "Er...his face."

* Lawyer: "This myasthenia gravis -- does it affect your memory at all?"
* Witness: "Yes."
* Lawyer: "And in what ways does it affect your memory?"
* Witness: "I forget."
* Lawyer: "You forget. Can you give us an example of something that you've forgotten?"


* Lawyer: "Did you blow your horn or anything?"
* Witness: "After the accident?"
* Lawyer: "Before the accident."
* Witness: "Sure, I played for ten years. I even went to school for it."


* Lawyer: "You were there until the time you left, is that true?"

* Lawyer: "So you were gone until you returned?"

* Witness: "He was about medium height and had a beard."
* Lawyer: "Was this a male or a female?"


* Lawyer: "Do you recall approximately the time that you examined the body of Mr. Eddington at the Rose Chapel?"
* Witness: "It was in the evening. The autopsy started about 8:30pm."
* Lawyer: "And Mr. Eddington was dead at the time, is that correct?"
other things people said here.

Stay blessed...john

What an idea. Now, there is double the amount of room for books!





+neatorama