I came across (j-walk blog) a list this morning that provides for us (20) excellent reasons to leave Christianity. Unfortunately, I know nothing of the author except from what I pulled up via Wikipedia. Some of the reasons I have considered before--dare I say believed. While some frown at things like this I don't have a problem with looking at someone's criticisms and honestly evaluating where our faith has been. In fact, I think that is a constructive...
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Well, since you already have your microscope out, go ahead a read it. And speaking of the Bible, the Brick Testament is a repost for us, but it seems to be making it's way around again; I would not classify some of the images as totally appropriate, but overall a neat idea.This is only if you're still looking for that perfect gift. Get our of your cave and get shopping.It seems like everyone is moving to Texas, but read this just in case you haven't made...
I couldn't resist this one. Someone sent it to me this afternoon.The other day I was talking to one of my younger buddies about methods used to discipline children.We talked about 'time outs', grounding, holding back 'rewards' until the child displayed desired behavior etc. One of the things we discussed was the act of spanking and my friend explained that no, he does not spank any of his children.He explained that what he does is to take the misbehaving...
Today I've been cleaning house (office, that is). While going through stacks of magazines (and wondering how long is too long to keep old editions), paperwork (wondering why I hadn't turned that in yet) and CDs (wondering how did I use to carry all those in my car) I came across a publication full of sermons, illustrations and quotes. This particular one was called The Tool Chest, edited by someone named James Crawford.Here are some thoughts I kept from...
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Tuesday I completed my last final exam of the semester. So, with school over, yesterday I took my first complete day off in a while. It was nice. A member of the church had invited me to the gun range, and we convinced Gloria to go with us. That was a time I wished I had a camera.To finish the day, we (Gloria, Brittani & Ashlei) attended a concert. The girls (all of 'em) love Third Day. They played last night with Jars of Clay opening. This was...
Holiday Survival KitThat's LifeGood-O-MeterThese (2) videos are from a Ball High School Band Reunion (I wasn't there); these are two cadences we used to play.Instant FunkD...
Ouch! Tell me you didn't identify somewhere. Just in time for Christmas.God Pie+locustsandhoneyYou've gotta tell people to check this one out. Stay blessed...j...
1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to go out to eat. (more than once but less than 10) 2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold) 3. Add 5 4. Multiply it by 50 5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1757... If you haven't, add 1756. 6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born. You should have a three digit number. The first digit of this was your original number. (I.e., How many times you want...
I have been forwarded this video several times over the past few weeks. Many of you have probably seen it. But have you seen the second one. Someone sent it to me this morning.When we lived in the Valley there was a local Christian radio station (KVMV 96.9). It was cool having a station like that. There were always concerts going on; and they weren't the real expensive ones. Most were in churches or other auditoriums. Gloria and I would go a lot. ...
The story says that a young waitress in a small Georgia town was working late one night. There was a young truck driver came in who was facing an arrest. His offense was not too serious; his truck was overloaded. The young man wanted to call his boss before he went to jail to inform him of the situation. Not having any change to make a call it looked like he may have had to wait a little longer for his release.For whatever reason, the waitress walked the...
Adventures in Revland first did this (that I saw) and I thought it was an alright thing to do.I wrote these out in my mind long before I ever wrote them here. As the writing continued I noticed it became very therapeutic. And away we go....I confess that writing this was entirely too much fun.I confess I dislike church meetings.I confess my inability to stay organized for a long period of time.I confess that I do get disappointed with the church more than...
Whoa, if you're anything like me (I'll pray for you) you better get the tissue ready. Talk about Thanksgiving. When I hear children speak like this I am so thankful. I thank God for His promises and for the parents and teachers of the children.This young boy called in to KSBJ a Houston Christian radio station. As I recall this is a pretty good station. Anyways, the link below has the conversation.Niagra Falls baby: Logan Calf Storyhttp://www.ksbj.org/eblogs/morningShow/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/logan-calf-story.mp3After...
In honor of birthdays across the globe, I give you:MY NAME IS ALICE SMITH AND I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR MYFIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW DENTIST. I NOTICED HIS DDS DIPLOMA, WHICHBORE HIS FULL NAME.SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIRED BOY WITH THE SAMENAME HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS SOME 40-ODD YEARS AGO. COULD HEBE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON, WAY BACK THEN? UPONSEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICKLY DISCARDED ANY SUCH...
From the "Save This For a Sermon" file: Road RageA man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping...
I had seen this on several methoblogs and decided to go for it. What has education in America come to? Does this mean I can raise tuiti...
Some helpful advice for anyone looking to become an evil overlord. Number 100 is pretty funny.Peter's Evil Overlord List . Check out Cellblock A and B, too|thanX come to the wate...
On November 2, 2004 Theo van Gogh was brutally murdered on the streets of Amsterdam in broad daylight. His death was in response to a film he helped create months before entitled Submission. It would seem in some ways that Infidel, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, was written in response to that event—written to those willing to administer death unto others by their own religious convictions because of it, to those who were impacted by it and simply to those who would...
First, I'm not into decorations and all that, but doesn't the church lawn look pretty nice with all those pumpkins? Gloria taught her Sunday School class outside in the Patch yesterday (she co-teaches middle and high school students); the guys loved it--at least that's what we took from their smiles, feedback, participation and how can you not be happy laying in a Pumpkin Patch on a bean bag?Secondly, and here's probably my main idea, this isn't about the...
All is good in my world.**http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d803ac551**From Sunday School class yesterday: The last words of 1King 6 mention Solomon taking (7) years to build the Temple. The first words of chapter (7) mention it took him (13) years to build his palace. My question to the class was, "Why did it take Solomon almost twice as long to build his palace?" Response: "The wife kept changing the plans." He did have a few of them, didn't he?**I'm...
So, you've been wondering, "Is my presidential candidate a secularist or theocratic?" We're glad you asked:The God-o-Meter (pronounced Gah-DOM-meter) scientifically measures factors such as rate of God-talk, effectiveness—saying God wants a capital gains tax cut doesn't guarantee a high rating—and other top-secret criteria. Click a candidate's head to get his or her latest God-o-Meter reading and blog post. And check back often. With so much happening on...
Video game maker Electronic Arts created Altar Egos to test the market for Christian video games. The game, which EA describes as "Grand Theft Auto without the graphic violence and sex, and set in a church building," is not yet available in stores but was sent to hundreds of churches across the U.S. where it has become an instant obsession.So, do we have any gamers ready for a tournament? Here's the link at Lark News: Guilty Pleasure (+ThinkChristian)....
No, not like that. This was actually a non-threatening experience. You can read the profile at Locusts & Honey. Here's the link: Locusts & Ho...
As we're getting ready for the arrival of our pumpkins I've been looking around for last minute ideas and suggestions. I came across When Grace Happens--a blog from J. Scott McKay; here's a thought he shared about the Pumpkin Patch:Finally, the Pumpkin Patch reminds us that we may different but we are all beautiful. Unique does not mean unlovable. It takes all kinds of pumpkins to make a patch and it takes all of us to make a church.Read the rest of his Pumpkin...
I'm glad to have read this story: Avant's Faith is Far From ClicheIt has become so ordinary. Trite even. A receiver catches a touchdown pass, falls to his knees and points to the sky. After the game he tells Suzy Kolber or Bonnie Bernstein or Michelle Tafoya that he wants to thank God. Admit it. There is a temptation to roll the eyes. It's understandable. Too many times, that same receiver shows up on TV later, involved in something far from holy. Nobody likes...
I'm not even going to touch the issue some in the article (Foot-Washing Sink Plan Awash in Controversy) try to address. That is something I don't want to get into right now. I'm reading about this foot washing sink being installed in an Indianapolis airport. All kinds of things are running through my little mind: I'm wondering why the church's marquee says it's the "home of the eagles (strike that; upon further review I realized it's a Christian School),"...
No, not for me. It looks like our conference has remodeled its website. I want to say I had heard they were working on a new format, but nevertheless its up and running. Also, I came across our conference newspaper as well. I don't know whether that is new or not, but it looks informative--not just filler info.Southwest Texas ConferenceUnited Methodist WitnessOur church website may be down for a while. I've been trying to recruit someone to take over...
"Nobody leaves this place without sangin' the blues."(+neatorama)Fight For Kisses; I bet Freud would have loved this.Fight For Kisses //// www.ffk-wilkinson.comUploaded by killafather(+Hemmy.net)Mr. Bean and the Invisible Drumset(+Ursi's Blog)This is brief section of a documentary I saw in my Race and Relations class yesterday. The documentary is entitled Ethnic Relations. I recommend ...
Of course most of my middle schoolers, and a lot of my high schoolers, don't get the idea of real consequences to actions. Many of our youth don't understand that so much of what they do, and say, today effects their future. Not only that, but so much of what they do effects other people as well. You and I know that--I hope.I don't know why I started with that, and I really don't know where I'm going with this. What my frustration is aimed at is the way...
I'm out KAIROSing this weekend. Be in prayer and mind your blogging. Stay blessed...j...
I'm struggling with a decision. It may not seem too much of an issue, and indeed in a few weeks I'll probably think the same way. However, right now all the input I can get would be great.Our youth group has met on Wednesdays since I've been here (2 1/2 years) and even prior to that. For our community it seems that day is better than say a Sunday. This is the first church that I've been a part of that provided a youth meeting right after school. For a...
I recently finished a book that was loaned to me by a church member. not much just chillin: the hidden lives of middle schoolersSo did a great job, I think, of capturing the image of what many of middle school students deal with. It can be a daunting task to pinpoint the particular characteristics of many of these students. Many of them may fit into a particular category, but they are dealing with so much and changing so much that you run the risk of missing...
I'm getting ready for our community 5th Quarter party this Friday. In the meantime here are some videos to lighten your mood.You may not enjoy this video if you are not a drummer. This song taught me my first drum break when I was a kid. (+Creative Review)Church Growth IdeasSome stand upBy the way...Anyone know a reason to use what happens when you hit (Ctrl+Alt)+Down Arrow (or Up Arrow to reverse it)? Windows...
So, what can table fulls of chili dogs, chips, drinks, tacos, vegetarian egg rolls (!) and watermelon do for your day? Well, for me, it can keep the last class of the day from seemingly draggin on.It seems the president's offices have been out the last couple of days serving free food to students on campus. That's a nice gesture. I couldn't help but make a church connection as I had them pile on some extra cheese.Some of them were wearing long sleeve shirts...
I bought a print of this to put in our youth house. It laid against one of the bookcases in my office for about a week. There's was no way I could part with it after that. I'm not really sure what it is that I love about it. Maybe it let me laugh when I thought about stressing over something, or challenged me to think just a little more.Whatever it was doesn't matter; it now hangs above the doorway in my office. I'll see about getting the youth group...
I'm catching up on some letter writing I've been meaning to do. One of those letters is to the pastor of the UMC we visited in Little Rock (hey, better way late than feeling guilty I never wrote it). Part of her sermon included the story below. I'm not sure if I had heard it prior to then or not, but for some reason it just shouted at me that Sunday. Maybe it'll yell at you too:Once upon a time, the great river had a huge flood. A large scorpion was trapped...
A Woman was out golfing one day when she hit the ball into the woods. She went into the woods to look for it and found a frog in a trap. The frog said to her, “If you release me from this trap, I will grant you three wishes.”The woman freed the frog, and the frog said, “Thank you, but I failed to mention that there was a condition to your wishes. Whatever you wish for, your husband will get times ten!”The woman said, “That’s okay.” For her first wish, she...
When despair tries to take me under... I choose life.When I wonder what God could possibly be thinking... I choose trust. When I desperately want relief from unrelenting reality... I choose perseverance. When I feel oppressed by my disappointment and sorrow... I choose gratitude.When I want to keep my feelings to myself... I choose vulnerability.When nothing goes according to my plan... I choose relinquishment.When I want to point the finger... I choose...
This is one of my favorite hymns. I think everyone should be able to find a "version" they will enjoy. All of Creation serves as His signature--He is our King! Yet He calls us friend. May your day be blessed.Acapella...Piano and VocalsSalvador singingOn the guitarin Chinese Mandarin 如鹿渴慕on the saxoph...
This morning I took my final, and the Summer Session is now over. We'll begin again in the next couple of weeks. So, for the next couple of days I'll be catching up on some of my reading and putting more focus on some church projects scattered across my office wall.Next month we'll be participating in the KAIROS Torres #18 walk in Hondo. This will be the third walk Gloria and I have been a part of. What a blessing! If you've never had an opportunity to...
We actually have a chicken and a rooster that call our church home. Last year I first noticed them when I saw a line of chicks crossing the street to get to church. This year, during VBS, we had to convince the kids it wasn't a good idea to mess with the hen while she was laying her eggs--even though she was in the play house.Here's some crazy fish you probably haven't seen (I know I haven't) (+neatorama)Read some the "volunteering habits and trends in America’s...
So, if a group of people help distribute over 29,000 pounds of food and no one brings a camera to capture all the work, did it really happen? Of course it did. Wow! Yesterday we partnered with the San Antonio Food Bank and passed out boxes of food to families. The food bank had called us to help since Helping Hand was in the middle of constructing their new medical building.It kind of just came together and happened. One of our members graciously agreed...
Mr. Bean goes to church (+Adventures in Revland)ME WorshipThe Orthodox Church - A visual journeyChurch ComedyTOOOOOOOOOO THE WINDOOOOOOOWSSSSSSSSS TOOOOOO THE WAAAAAAAAAAALLS...
Several of our youth participated in our worship service yesterday. Generally, the fifth Sundays are designated as their time to lead. I enjoy when they participate. When I first came here, the youth would lead the Mother's Day and Father's Day services. I didn't enjoy that too much. Yes, I know it's not about what I like or don't like.Actually, I wanted them to be a part of worship during other times of the year, to experience some of the liturgical...
okay, a few videos for you to devour. Any conversation about 'em?Psalm 23 (children reciting Scripture moves me)the iBible (oh, the truth in this video is disturbing)Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! (I posted an audio file similar to this which I think was a bit funnier)Hut, Hut Tithe (the play by play is hilarious)one of the family's favorite songs (even if you don't like the style of music; the message is re...
Superpowers that are now possible (+neatorama)Thriller via the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines (+YesButNoButYes) Ten propositions on faith and laughter (+42)What if we had a "jazz-shaped" fai...
I'm taking a Population Dynamics class--demography. It's a little hard to sit through for an hour and a half (anything is hard for me to sit through that long), but the information is interesting. For example, did you realize the world's population did not pass 1 billion until 1804. Then it only took 123 years to reach 2 billion. The 3rd bill came 33 years later, 4th only 14 years after that, then it took 13 years to hit 5, and 12 more (in 1999) to surpass...
Here are some ideas I wanted to share with you that I highlighted out of Recapture the Wonder. These are just a few. I'd recommend the book to you to read a bunch more.Deep within every human heart throbs the undying hope that somebody or something will bring both an explanation of what life is all about and a way to retain the wonder. Yet if we would but pause and first ponder what it is that we already see in this world of wonder we might get a brief taste...
We're back. Everything went well, we had a good time, got a couple married, saw family and got back safely. Little Rock was a nice place. I'm sure we'll share with you some of our trip--especially pictures. I almost forgot I'm a student again. It's off to class now. In the meantime you can read about the Nazareth cross. Stay blessed...j...
--How about taking a tour of prague, moscow, venice, vienna, los angeles, belgrade, or syria; visit 360 cities for a Virtual Traveling experience.--check out some unusual keyboards.--what about this guy who tried to run off with an iphone on live tv--how about cooking your hot dog the mad scientist way--caption this pic at Locusts & Ho...
I can fly twice as hiiiigh... Take a look! It's in a book! A reading rainboowwwww!The second summer session at UTSAbegins this Wednesday; I'm enrolled to take Population Dynamics. That means its back to the textbooks again (edit:: I actually received my textbook shortly after posting this). Books that I want to read are going to have to wait a while. Reading is difficult for me, however, it has become a lot more fun over the last several years. Its...
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.Realize that the Transformers aren't involved with the transformation we're talking about. They make go back and forth from vehicle to robot, but they are the same inside. What we need to get to our churches is the whole paradigm shift in our minds that keeps us from continuing to conform to...
This is taken from NPR. These really are some great photos. It is a slide show, complete with commentary. You may want to watch it a second time with the volume down and just marvel at God's creation. Sky Visions: Michael Collier's Aerial PhotographyStay blessed...j...
No, I'm not talking about my favorite dance move. If Google Earth wasn't enough for you then this is for you. Google has provided a service to the people of America.Google Moon is an extension of Google Maps and Google Earth that, courtesy of NASA imagery (thanks, guys!), enables you to surf the Moon's surface and check out the exact spots that the Apollo astronauts made their landings.Now you and I can do some "lunar surfing." Now, for an added bonus,...
Last night we went to the Fredericksburg UMC. We were attending the installation service for the Rev Robert Hall, our new District Superintendent. Personally, I enjoy these types of services; it echoes back to me my commitment and responsibility as a pastor. Also, joining in worship with other clergy is a joy.Well, as the title would suggest, we celebrated Holy Communion. Ashlei has been away at Grandma's, so we had Brittani and Nathan. Brittani knows...
