AnotherJohn.Com

How about we put our hand in the hand of the man.  An awesome song.  The first time I heard this song was in Bandera at our church's Gospel Fest.  I loved it from the first time I heard it.  Classic.  The second video is just as great.  Stay blessed...john

So, in the spirit of Christmas.... Well, in the spirit of A Christmas Movie.... I triple-dog-dare you! Merry Christmas.

   Simon Wiesenthal’s The Sunflower recounts his experience as a Jewish prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. In the book, readers walk with Wiesenthal as he recalls those people and events that stand out most to him. Obviously, having the opportunity to share these memories separates Wiesenthal from so many of those close to him whose livelihoods and very lives were taken away during this time. Any familiarity with the events of the Holocaust will bring light to many of the descriptions of life in the concentration camps presented by Wiesenthal. People will have heard of the gruesome and inhumane descriptions of daily activity in these camps, but most likely have never considered an account specific to The Sunflower.    Among other things, enduring starvation, hatred, injustice and the very real, very near threat of death are common elements to Holocaust survival stories. What is unique about Wiesenthal’s story is his encounter with a dying Nazi soldier. Th...

   Once you get to traveling down any highway you’ll be quick to spot one, and they’ll show up quite often.   Billboards, banners or giant waving gorillas all offer the same invitation: Rent Me! Most likely you’ll accept the invite on the occasional time you need that particular piece of equipment or extra storage space. The concept is great.  Pay a little for something you will only need for a short time. It wouldn’t be cost effective to invest so much of yourself into something you will only use for a short time. Makes sense—we might consider that good economics.     Unfortunately, many of us employ that same strategy to our faith. True discipleship isn’t always good economics. At times following God’s call requires much more than we may be used to giving. Understand, though, that faith cannot fully strengthen if we use it on an “as needed” basis.  That would imply there are only certain times or situations it is important. Your faith s...

     Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony offers a transparent, often disturbing analysis of the condition of the ministry and purpose of the Church in the twentieth century. Ironically, perhaps sadly enough, few of the descriptions put forward by Stanly Hauerwas and William Willimon seem out of date or remotely antiquated by the twenty years passed since the book was first published. Together Hauerwas and Willimon contribute an all encompassing challenge to the Church to stand as the church it was meant to be. As the Church realizes its failed attempt to transform the world while coming to terms with the culture’s disinterest in all things church, this challenge comes at a most opportune time. Now, the authors assert, is the time to stand apart, aliens to a pagan world.      For too long the Church has tried to maintain a relationship with society that has proven detrimental to the vitality and integrity of the way presented by Je...

But today is the first day of Advent. +link

I’m sure some of you have opinions about the search for the historical Jesus. The morning after ABC aired a documentary about this topic several years ago, I remember DJs on the local Christian radio station in our area being very critical. I was, too; most of the network’s research relied on the Jesus Seminar. I’m not entirely comfortable with their work. More recently, a lecture touched on this issue and, in passing, mentioned The Infancy Gospel of Thomas. I had never read it; so, I took a moment or two. I’ve had many young people ask about what Jesus was like when he was a kid. It’d be funny, at least for me, to see what their responses would be to some of the stories in the document. Here are couple of them: Chapter IV: And when Jesus was five years old, there fell a great rain upon the earth, and the boy Jesus walked up and down through it. And there was a terrible rain, and He collected it into a fish-pond, and ordered it by His word to become clear. And immediatel...

It's Friday Fun and Stuff. This what you've been waiting for all week. Well done good and faithful reader. Let's get right to it. +view the rest here Have you read about the rare act of sportsmanship in Illinois last February?  A great story of community and and friendship. 

I have fallen to peer pressure.  Well, there hasn't been any pressure, but everyone's talking about Sesame Street's anniversary and posting their favorite moments from the show.  I'll do the same.  As I think about the lessons I've learned about my colors, math and reading, I wonder what we as the church might be able to learn from the Street: community, teaching, learning, sharing, all those people they welcomed over the years, etc. There are three favorite clips that stick out in my mind.  I can't believe Grover, Bert & Ernie or Oscar the Grouch are not one of the videos (those guys are my favorite).  Oscar was a good guy; I always wondered what it really looked like in that trash can. So, here are my top three most memorable scenes from Sesame Street.  Two of them are probably well remembered.  The last one...I really have no clue why I was never able to get the song out of my head.  What are your favorites? Stay blessed...john Pinba...

+matteroffact

We're getting close to another end of a semester. I'm sure all you who have students in school, or have led them through already can get a chuckle out of this scenario: Dear Dad, $chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you. Love, Your $on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Son, I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh. Love, Dad Happy studying; and enjoy your kids' visits. Here are some other Friday fun and stuff: + 30 Amazing and Funny Animal Pictures + Growing up in the '50s + Stick Man Humor + Create a Fun Video Starring You Stay blessed...john

a site I came across that helps us in Surviving the World .  That'll come in handy.  Stay blessed...john

Bishop Bledsoe's blog is up and running; I had been waiting for a while for it to launch.  It had been advertised on the North Texas Conference website for a while.  We'll see what kind of blogging schedule he'll maintain.  I appreciate his efforts to begin this project.  Visit his blog and check back often: The Bishop's Blog Stay blessed...john

I've told you before Oak Haven is full of smokers and drinkers .  Well, it's almost time for the smokers to get smoking.  If you are going to be in the Irving area the week before Thanksgiving please make plans to join us.  You won't be sorry.  You could be like many of the people who show up.  A lot of people come from out of town to see old friends and get their fill of ham and beans.  It would be worth your trip!  We'd love to have you.  Stay blessed...john

Your Friday Laughs and Stuff... Are you looking for some new threads? Sorry, I only found these t-shirts. Actually, there are a lot more.  These were a few of my favorites.  Read along and find the truth each one has.  Funny!  You can see the entire list here .   Stay blessed...john

i just found this out!  CMR Mourns the Passing of Juan James aka Enock Oh, my loving members who care nothing for rap music.   The Cross Movement wasn't the first Christian rap group.  But, in my opinion, they were the first quality Christian rap group. This is still my favorite song from them: Hold It Down stay blessed...john

You've always wanted to know who they.  Well, you're gonna still be in the dark on that one.  But now you can catch a glimpse of what they do on their days off: What Storm Troopers Do on Their Day Off A day off sounds good.  Stay blessed...john

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 faithfu...

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 thi...

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-