Let's face it: You only want me for my sermons!
Every week I spend time preparing words I pray will be 1) faithful to God and 2) helpful for all us to grow in our understanding of who God is and what our response to God should be. The sermon play below should have most of our sermons available. It also includes scripture reading links you should make use of as well.
If you are having trouble viewing the player below, you can visit my sermon channel here....
This was too funny not to post. Is he worried he won't see any more church offering plat...
I had forgotten to put this sermon up yesterday. One day at one of the Mercedes churches I did a lesson with members of the youth group. Part of the activities was to think of an advertising slogan that could be used in church (i.e. God's like scotch tape; you can't see Him, but you know He's there). Mine was from the Payless shoestore commercial; they're slogan was the title of this sermon. Who knew all these years later I'd get to used it.Exodus 16:1-15Matthew...
The family was able to return to Galveston and get a first hand look at the damage from the hurricane. Mom said it's everything you see on television and worse. There's no way the TV can portray the stinch and desolate feeling accurately. One of my sisters was able to send me pictures of the house. It is still standing, but there is little hope anything can be done to repair it. Wow! That's an emotion that is difficult to explain.I don't know if that...
My mom found out their house is still standing. As of Monday night there was still about a foot and a half of water inside. My sisters both know their apartments have water damage. The rest of my family have yet to find anything out about their homes.I still haven't decided which is worse--coming back to see your home in ruins (beyond repair) or coming back and not seeing your ho...
It was just a small idea. We change our marquis each week to reflect (hopefully) this week's sermon. I thought I would post those here. You can also see what's going on at Oak Haven. Stay blessed...j...
Television newscasts have not done a good job in providing information--as far as I am concerned. The most info I have been able to get has been from a business that is running at less than full capacity and another company's building. The Galveston County News provides good information and pictures describing some of the clean up and devastation. Here is there website: The Galveston County NewsStay blessed...john and glo...
We know there are many of you who have been in prayer for the people who live on the Gulf Coast. Particularly, I know you have been praying for our family. I can’t tell you how much that means. Here’s a quick update:My mom and step dad are with my grandparents in High Island. The town is surrounded by water; so, there’s not getting out right now, but they are fine.My dad and his family went to Victoria; they will heading back today (Sunday) to Texas City.Two...
The question arose: Do you think the catholic church was too pragmatic in its approach to the lapsi (those who lapsed in their confession of the Christian faith in the face of persecution), or do you think the Novationists were too harsh? Why? Also, why do you think the Novationist position did not prevail? Here is a little detail about the Novationsists. Essentially, they were a group of early church believers that openly opposed allowing those people...
So, the question had to do with being in a new/unfamiliar church setting and focusing on what is coming next at each interval of the service/program (do I stand here, what does this mean, why do we do this, who is that big headed guy up front in the black dress, etc). For our purposes, we’ll make this a small discussion regarding church visitors. You want your visitors to feel comfortable enough to participate in your congregation’s worship time. Perhaps,...
Here's something I think we'll let the kids play. It's called Anatomy Arcade. Use the mouse to correctly place bones of the body.+U...
We Remember: I remember: A teacher making us turn off the television and getting back to schoolwork. So, we all used to internet to keep up for a while until we protested and made her turn it back on. Wanting to go to help so bad. I had no clue how I would get there or what I would do. Wondering where it was going to happen next. I think many of us wondered how many more targets there were going to be.Going into class and looking it up on foxnews.com....
I don’t know what your schedule looks like. You’re probably busy and have a million things to do. Believe me I totally understand. I want to offer to you a great way to focus on what matters (Luke 10:41-42). Have you ever sat in your church’s sanctuary alone? Of course, that would probably mean you would have to contact your pastor or figure out some way to get in the building. Whatever it takes, try it. Here at Oak Have our one building makes it something...
The other day I was having a conversation with someone. This person was describing how they ended up in Perkins. Perkins wasn’t the first choice to be. No, there wasn’t another seminary lined up. Rather there was a job in a church in New Mexico (I don’t remember exactly what the position was, but something to do with children). The church flew in this applicant to participate in a few weekend activities including a Sunday worship time. As far as this...
Okay, so I'm getting more and more info about things in the North Texas Conference. Here is an event coming up that should be worth anyone's time:The North Texas Conference Lay Speaking Ministries is pleased to offer an outstanding workshop on Teaching and Preaching to conference Clergy and Laity. Our leader will be the Rev. Dr. Alyce M. McKenzie, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. Rev. McKenzie offered...
This is from an email I received: Dear colleague,There are many churches all across America that use traditional worship as their primary way of doing worship services. Jim Bankston, pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston believes in the importance of traditional worship and St. Paul’s does only traditional worship. The large United Methodist Church I served for over 30 years in Tulsa does both traditional and contemporary worship. We are...
Maybe letting the Eagle out of the bag early wasn't the worst thing I could have done. Next Monday I'll be at Irving stadium watching the Eagles play that other team. A few members of the church invited me to attend. They did say if the Eagles win they wouldn't be at church on Sunday. Can I tell my DS this really great story why our church attendance was down this one week? They also said I couldn't wear any Philadelphia paraphernalia. We'll see what happens....
We have all heard, probably many times, the advantages of having a support system when raising children. Our family has certainly been blessed with that. So, we say (or at least we used to) “It takes a village to raise a child.” Yes, our children are often times in need of so much direction and guidance. There are so many things they have to learn about themselves, about their faith and about who we pray will be their Lord. Many families seem to...
Since our recent move I have not had an internet connection at home. I found out quickly that many of our beloved hotspots are no longer free, but you can subscribe to their monthly services. We also learned that our library closes kind of early. There was no connection in my new office either and it was only last week that I started going to school each day. So, I’ve been without a consistent internet connection for about a month. Next week that should...
Some of you may recall previous blog confessions. Those were a good thing for me. Here are my confessions upon making a move to a new town, church and school. I confess:This is the nicest parsonage we’ve lived in.Only in the last several days have I had my own time for grieving over our move.It still feels like I’m filling in for the senior pastor.I want to keep tabs on what the youth are doing in Bandera (Hello Generation X).During the weekdays, I have...
A few weeks ago, prior to the move, I mentioned my reading of one of Joel Osteen’s books. That book was Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential. It seems I have lied to you and myself. I had promised to finish it, but that just isn’t going to happen. First, I’m already well into several books for classes. Secondly, I just don’t consider it worth my efforts to complete it (there is a department store receipt serving as a bookmark...
Prior to classes officially beginning, I attended two orientations. One was the school’s general overview of studies and programs. The second was actually a retreat, of sorts, to introduce and address the importance of our Spiritual Formation class. It was an all day event (I only mention that so you would have pity on me and the others for having to sit in a chair all day listening to one person speak). Before the retreat, we were to have read What...
