This week was Red Ribbon Week in Irving. You remember. It’s when kids wear attire corresponding to themes promoting anti-drug messages: Jersey Day; everyone team up against drugs, and some others I can’t recall. Has anyone ever offered new ideas for these days? So, with all the no-drug talk on my mind, earlier this week I got that Martika song stuck in my head. You remember Toy Soldiers? It’s not a crazy-jingle-I-wish-I-could-forget song. I like it; I think I recall really liking it when it came out. If I also remember correctly it was written to, dedicated to, or in response to a friend being overcome by drug use. On her way to school, Brittani scolded me for getting the song in her head (I had her look it up on youtube; what a dad!). Now, I figured I would let you in on the singing. Here’s the video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76xdi4nnwPM




It also got me thinking about our Lay Speaker’s sermon the week before last. What does the church need to do more that faithfully offers an expression of God’s love and doesn’t fall into a common use of force (bland term) to bring people away from the grips of drug abuse?

Stay blessed...john
now I want to watch some KIDS Incorporated videos.

I had to pass this on. It hurts. Our world hurts.

I hadn't wanted to comment on the whole balloon boy ordeal--everyone knows how disturbing it is.  But it sure provided a vivid illustration for us.  Please pass this on.  This is more real than any played out email forward.

Let's get real church!
+simplykurt
Stay blessed...john

I was trying to figure out if there were any patterns to my blogging—specifically looking at when I blog the most. As a quick reference point I looked at the number of posts each month for the last three years. I thought maybe there would be one or two months that consistently had the most. Wrong. By the way, all I did was look at the numbers included in the “Older Posts” heading.

In 2007, May had the highest total with June close behind. The following year, October must have been eventful; it had the highest with two more posts than May 2007. So far this year September is the highest with February and March one behind. The flip side to that is the lowest number of posts in a month for 2009, 2008 and 2007 were July, August and September respectively (Summer slump?).

What’s the point? It shows me how erratic I am. This is the first year (actually within the last few months) I’ve sought to maintain somewhat of a schedule. The overwhelming amount of research I put into this post is just to help me get better and provide you a better read while you’re here. We’ll see if it helps.

Stay blessed…john

Growing up, I always wondered why I had to have such a boring name. My last name also has a story behind it. I always wanted to have my last name changed. When I began my candidacy process I learned about this John Fletcher (good article). It, first learning about him, served as a sort of confirmation for me in a number of ways. Stay blessed...john


Click Here to check your own name

Two exciting sermons from this past Sunday to share with you. Of course, neither of them are from me. Our church observed Laity Sunday by having our Lay Speaker lead our service (it's been a while since I've sat in a pew).

He did a great job and offered, what I think, is a very important challenge. He hit it right on! The second sermon was just as challenging, I think. No, I'm not biased...well, okay I am, but that does not take away from the truth. Brittani gave her first children's sermon this Sunday. I think she did a wonderful job---but what do I know? You can hear each of them below.

Bob Ramsey:If the Only Tool Was Love


Brittani Fletcher: God Talks; We Listen


Stay blessed...john

It is no secret my favorite hymn is the Spirit Song.  The first time I heard it Rev Kay Alewine (you can listen to her podcasts here) sang it as part of her sermon one Sunday morning (heart strangely warmed).  If you've never heard it, here are the lyrics:

O let the Son of God enfold You
With His Spirit and His love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let Him have those things that hold You
And His Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life
And make you whole

(chorus)
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your Lambs
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your Lambs

O come and sing this song with gladness
As your hearts are filled with joy
Lift your hands in sweet surrender
To His name
O give Him all your tears and sadness
Give Him all your years of pain
And you'll enter into life
In Jesus' name

Here is a video I found. It's from Kids Time Praise; never heard of 'em, but appreciate the video. I hope you do, too:



Stay blessed...john

Laughs (as always: if you know where these originate from let me know)


What a ride that would have been!

Always together


Head-phones


Yess!

and Stuff

Wi-Fi signals used to see through walls
Bobby McFerrin Psalm 23
top-25-places-to-watch-free-movies-

Sorry for this being a couple of days late. I can feel your worlds falling apart since you were unable to hear this Sunday's past sermon (wink, wink, cough).

I used a clip of Whitney Houston's arrangement of "I Love the Lord" Sunday morning as a prelude.  As I was looking for music to use for the service I came across several artists' crack at the hymn. Good stuff. Anyways, here's the sermon entitled Where on Earth is God (thoughts):


And, here are few videos I found of people singing I Love the Lord:

Peter Berger's The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion is a sociological consideration of the function of religion in the human experience. Religion’s societal utility can be viewed empirically. When the observer is introduced to society’s need to maintain reality, a comparison can be made between the processes involved in that maintenance and the employment religion offers those processes. Berger describes people as “world builders.” Each member of every society plays a role in developing (building) what that society will look like.

From the human experience societies are fashioned and maintained through perpetual structures of internalization, objectivation and externalization. A person enters into an ever-changing relationship with society where both entities continue in the formation and establishment of the other. It becomes necessary for the society, comprised of individuals, to ensure its own duration. To that end a process of legitimization is established to appeal to each individual’s sense of maintaining what prescribed order of society has been given.
Religion, according to Berger, is one such form of legitimization. It is a most important form of legitimization. The sacred canopy religion develops is related to a human need to maintain a structured environment. Thus religion, a human conception, is used to identify the position each person has in the world and beyond all the while seeking to preserve order, preventing chaos and propagating prescribed societal norms.

It would not be difficult to find contemporary examples of literature or performing arts pieces whose plot is based on a character’s conflict with the standards or conformities of a more dominant group; these stories make for blockbuster movies and intriguing reads. Quite often the groups opposing such characters are portrayed negatively, as forcing governing agendas or even as what some might consider the “bad guys.” There can be a great difficulty then when one considers arguments similar to what Berger puts forward in The Sacred Canopy. On the surface it would appear religion, including the entire scope of what many people consider holy, shares roles with our aforementioned antagonists. Is it possible my religion, my scriptures, my minister or even my faith are all another’s attempt to keep me in line?

Once one is able to overcome the shock that can be associated with such ideas, Berger’s work can be quite valuable in one’s faith development and application for ministry. For many, the proper response to an argument or idea, especially one that might carry a high “shock value,” is to quickly judge whether it is “right” or “wrong.” That can quickly limit the realm of any discussion. When we are inclined to abruptly tune out another’s ideas based on our initial assessment of a statement’s validity we set ourselves up to miss many an opportunity for new understandings and insight. It becomes an asset then when we learn to consider things first not as right or wrong, but simply as they are. Then arguments like Berger’s can add greater depth to our understanding—specifically our perception of religion.

There is a freedom found in challenging many of our notions of being religious. We can add new values to former traditions. Our willingness to explore contemporary practices can help shape or reshape our churches so our time can be closer spent in relationship with God. This requires a change in mindset; change is difficult. However, the minister today cannot assume a complete acceptance or appreciation of normal religious values from every member of a congregation. We must be willing to go beyond our own assumptions and view the greater extent of our use of religion. In so doing, perhaps, we allow religion a new function: to move its adherents to new understandings of truth.

Here is a quote I came across on the Ironic Catholic.

If the Americans were as expert in spiritual matters as they are in business affairs, all of them would be saints.

– Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos


Stay blessed...john

At my age I've:
seen it all...
done it all...
heard it all...

I just can't remember it all.

Choral Call to Worship Through It All UMH #507
Prelude I Love the Lord

Call to Worship
Leader: God has called all God’s people to lives of hope and service.
People: We want to serve God, but sometimes life gets to be too difficult for us.
Leader: Place your trust in God’s power and love.
People: God understands our needs, our sorrows, and our joys.
Leader: Come, let us worship God who is with us always.
People: Praise God for God’s eternal presence. AMEN.


Hymn of Praise ‘Tis So Sweet UMH #462

Opening Prayer
Saving God, there is great suffering in this world. Your people are afflicted in many ways. Forgive us when we only recognize our own turmoil, and teach us to be ever mindful of the pain all your children endure. Lord, we do not want the difficulties we face to keep our hearts from you; allow your mercy to mend our brokenness. You have been our God and we trust your word for us! In the name of Christ our Lord and redeemer we pray. Amen.


Anthem

Affirmation of Faith Affirmation from Romans UMH #887
Gloria Patri

Old Testament Reading Job 23:1-9, 16-17 `Pew Bible p.471

Children’s Moments

Offering The Summons TFWS #2130
Doxology

Hymn of Preparation Stand by Me UMH #512

Epistle Reading Hebrews 4:12-16 Pew Bible p.220

Special Music God of Wonders

Sermon Where on Earth is God?

Prayers of the Church

Hymn of Dedication What a Friend We Have UMH #526

Choral Benediction God Be With You(1verse) UMH #672

Wow, this thought seems like so long ago. But here we are reading the words to my 400th post.

Some of you will recall The Blog That Ties used to be part of Bandera’s website; it began sometime in 2005. I went back to find the very first post—no luck. It probably read something like this: Hi, this is my first post. I don’t know what I’m doing, but all the other cool pastors are doing this. No, I wouldn’t follow them off the cliff—maybe—but this looks like it may be fun, or worthwhile…whichever you prefer.

The oldest post I did find (from Bandera's website not on blogspot) was from September 2005.

September 13, 2005 11:37 AM

Well, we held our first session of Beginnings last night. This is a program I really enjoy and I think will benefit everyone who participates. So, I was glad to see everyone who came. Most of us knew each other. The food was great! We didn't have as many people show up as we were expecting, but those who attended seemed to enjoy it.

We talked about how in life sometimes we get to a point where we ask "is this all there is?" It’s comforting to hear others share their own experiences about those times in their lives. It lets me know we all really do struggle with those issues.
Sometimes we feel like we are the only person in the world who has ever gone through the situations we face. That, of course, is not true. It’s funny how our situations and circumstances may have changed over the centuries, but the attitudes and actions of people haven't. I imagine God gets a laugh every once in a while over the ways we can get so worked up about things.

I did enjoy reading the bumper stickers we made. We had to summarize our philosophy of life. Mine was, "It wasn't me!" We'll have to talk about that one later. Stay blessed...john

Now, if you were a part of this Beginnings group you WILL remember your vow of secrecy (our last session got a little out of hand). Look at these photos I found (if you recognize some of the people in the pictures you should pass this post on to them):





Thanks for reading. If it’s worth it, keep reading, sharing and getting others to do the same. Maybe we'll have a blog party at 500. Stay blessed…john

Spend time around any three-year-old and you’ll quickly become acquainted with their favorite phrase: Why? You’ll also find “Because I said so” doesn’t enjoy the same privilege it once did. Part of growing up…okay, part of maturing….no, that sounds worse….part of not being able to take back years of life is learning. When we ask, we learn. Most three-year-olds grow up and don’t ask “Why” as much. Once you finish your hallelujahs I’ll ask you to consider why that might not be for the best. Sadly, I think, many are either unwilling to or unable to ask the important “why.”

Asking the tough questions of life and faith does not make us any less faithful, reverent or obedient to God. Again, when we ask, we learn, and learning is a process of repetition, listening, practice and patience. All these can deepen our understanding of who God is while drawing us closer to God. Read the Gospels; among other things Jesus was a teacher. He had to teach people how to be his disciples. That comforts me; it tells me I’m not the only messed up disciple. Ask the whys. I’m sure God is better at listening to them than we are.

Stay blessed...john

The following paragraphs are the parts of that one post I cut out because they were was too rantful. I was venturing towards a somewhat different topic—though not entirely unrelated. As I kept writing there was an assumption that seemed to creep through the words: when compared to non-manuscript sermons, sermons given by manuscript are by default the obvious boring of the two. That is to say those without notes are the more striking, innovative sermons. I can’t agree with that. I’ve been challenged tremendously by some B-oring (a family saying) written sermons and have laughed and enjoyed extremely entertaining sermons that did nothing for my faith. Boring is as boring does. Besides it’s an explanation of the Bible….

Discussing elements of the Second Great Awakening, Stephen Prothero, in his book American Jesus, offers this comment regarding preachers during the early nineteenth century: “…preachers entered the world of entertainment, tailoring their performances to not only the eternal truths of the Bible but also the shifting desires of a fickle public.” Now, what I call Sunday morning adult VBS will have to be another rant on another day. You have probably seen examples of these, but still….




Are things very different? Pick a church, any church. Each Sunday, as they pack out the church doors, the overwhelming majority of people can only think to say, “Good sermon” or “I liked that one.” Good sermon? You liked it? Those are things I say about a football play or a movie I’ve just watched—both cases being forms of entertainment. I don’t suppose most people mean it that way, and maybe if more sermons were just a taaaaaaaaad more challenging or inspiring people would think of something else to say, but on the surface it sounds like preachers just might be low budget speakers.

When I’m preparing for a sermon there are a couple of things I have in mind:
• How does this relate to what the church is experiencing now?
• Where and what is the challenge in the text?
• How can each listener take the challenge with them?
• Give listeners something from Sunday to talk about on Monday

A joke is told about a little old church lady who was making her way out of church one Sunday. Her new minister had just given his first sermon to his new church. Shaking the young minister’s hand the woman said, “Thank you, Pastor. That was a good sermon.” The young minister replied like many others do, “Thank the Lord.” She answered back, “It wasn’t that good.”

Stay blessed…john

This is a question for those of you who maintain your own site. However, those of you who do not can still add valuable information.

What is a decent, promising, one could hope for, if you don't have this you have nothing bounce rate for a typical personal blog?

As you're looking at this site what might be your suggestions to boost that percentage? I'd appreciate your input.

Basically, the bounce rate describes your site's ability to keep a reader on the site longer and looking at other pages on the site. What do you think?

Yes, I wouldn't mind pulling up to church in this car.
Watch the short piece on the car. Two miles per gallon!


+Born Rich

Here is a question I saw on the Bandera Bulletin website. I haven't taken much time to articulate an answer. But it might be an interesting question. What do you think: Should non-profits be exempt from city utilities?

Oh, and you're only allowed to answer 'yes' or 'no.' Stay blessed...john

I’m working on our church newsletter. We recently (couple of months ago) updated the publication. It has a new name and format. Now I’m looking to add two other pages. That may sound like a lot, but I figure if I pinpoint what type of information to add each month it will be easy to search for that material. For example, adding news from around the UMC sounds pretty easy (especially since UMCOM has a news in the pews publication).

Here is our newsletter (Under the Oak) for October. Take a look at it, or think about what you might consider worth reading in a church newsletter and let me know. November’s edition might have some of this new material; we’ll see.

Stay blessed…john