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As the semester begins so does the prescribed reading.  I haven't spent as much on books as I did last semester, yet.  Let me get some of those read and I'll share them with you. I don't have the time or, sorry, desire to provide beneficial reviews right now for the books I completed over the break.  But I'll share them with you with just a small note for each. Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World  I'll call...

There aren't many videos that include Pues Si Vivimos. Pity; it's a favorite hymn of mine. We sang it together last Sunday as a way to be in prayer for the many people suffering in Haiti. It was a special time, at least for me. I did come across this song: We Belong to You It's a nice song; I had never heard it before. You'll recognize the same thought as in Pues Si Vivimos (United Methodist Hymnal #356). Something worth sharing, learning and singing...

There’s a new addition to the Fletcher family. Well, okay he’s been around a little while. We’ve had him for several months already. So, he’s not really “new.” However, I have not had a chance to introduce our cyber readers to him. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet our family’s first dog. His name is Pookie. Yes, we’ve heard all kinds of translations from groomers and friends. We say it the way it’s spelled. Think Winnie the Pooh and Cookie Monster. He is...

No, it's not a Music Monday, but United Methodist Communications emailed this video to me and I wanted to make sure you had a chance to watch it.  Take time to watch it through, and take time to be in prayer. Read the article from the UMC website here. God be with you. Stay blessed...j...

Oak Haven will have a church wide planning session at the end of this month. I’m excited about it, and hoping a large percentage of our membership (not just members) attends. There are some ideas I want to put out, and who knows what might happen? I’ll also use this time to offer a few of my goals for the year. There’s actually one that I’m hoping everyone will get behind. I’m not sure how many Irvingites are readers of the blog. Just in case there...

It's Monday; we like music.  This week I begin the Spring semester.  When I'm done I'll have two years down! So, to celebrate, let's go back to school. Billy Madison Back to School Song Back, Back to School Again! Stay blessed...j...

Texas Stadium is ten walking minutes from where I live and five more from where I worship God (that is on Sunday mornings). Most people know I am not a Dallas Cowboy fan—Fly Eagles, Fly! That doesn’t mean I don’t recognize the organization’s history and significance in American sports (It does mean last Saturday’s game was horrible!). Just as well, living in Irving only deepens my understanding of what Texas Stadium has meant to Cowboy fans over the last...

Rodney Clapp’s A Peculiar People: The Church as Culture in a Post-Modern Society is a project challenging the Christian church to renews its stance as a peculiar people. The church has enjoyed a close knit relationship with the state since Constantine mandated Christianity a state religion. Since that time, the state, and much of Western society, has reduced the value of this relationship with the Church. As this process continues, Christians are left...

In the most recent edition of Under the Church (Oak Haven newsletter) I promised an extended version of my article. Yea, I know: Thanks, John. Whoopee! Still, here it is. First, so we’re up to speed, I’ve written monthly newsletter articles as Pastor, Associate Pastor, Lay Ministerial Assistant and all around good guy for four churches. That’s not nearly as much as some of my older other colleagues, but it’s not something I’m putting out there for comparison....

I’m writing this post about 48 hours before the last game of the regular season of the 2009/2010 season. There is a game on the schedule everyone is waiting for. A division title and a week off in the playoffs are possibly up for grabs. As I’m writing now (two days ago) I don’t know what you know about the game as you’re reading this right now. I do have my suspicions! No matter the outcome, Philly has had a good season. We’re in the playoffs and...

Please be in prayer for the members and friends of Mercedes FUMC. Earlier this week their church caught fire. They have a fellowship hall to use for worship services. Still. I remember preaching in their sanctuary was fun because a picture of Jesus looked back at you from the back (by the front doors) of the church. Here are two news reports about the incident: Mercedes Church Damaged in Blaze Fire Destroys Valley Church Interesting. The same church...