Are you a Craigslist addict? We tease someone in our family of almost being one. It’s hard to press her too much on it when she gets all the good deals. For example, a woman sold someone a brand new IPOD her ex-boyfriend gave her as a make-up gift. It was brand new, sealed in the box and at a cheap price. I guess the ex did a lot more damage than an IPOD could buy. She even left the card he sent her inside the package. Ouch. There’s more. Along...

The latest edition of our newsletter is finished. Well, it's copied and almost ready to be mailed. In the meantime you get a chance to see it first. Tell me what you think about the wish list. Stay blessed...john Open publication - Free publishing - More newslet...

I have been doing a little Oak Haven church history research. As the longest meeting religious organization in Irving, Oak Haven can trace its roots to a non-denominational Sunday school class meeting under a brush arbor in the 1880s. It’s a great story with, I think, modern ecumenical implications. Oak Haven started as that first group then formed into Hawk’s Chapel Methodist Church. In the 1930s the church changed its name to Union Bower Methodist Church...

I have had this CD for a while, but somehow missed this song. Actually, the album version includes a full accompaniment. While it's an awesome song on piano, the lyrics are what make this an incredible song.  Here are the lyrics: The cruelest world The coldest heart The deepest wound The endless dark The lonely ache The burning tears The bitter nights The wasted years Life breaks and falls apart But we know these are Places where grace is soon to...

With the incredible help from the Uth Kwoir (sound it out) of Trietsch Memorial UMC we are completing a week of Vacation Bible School.  It has been a lot of fun.  Children who visited us last year came back and new families joined us as well.  This is the second consecutive year we have worked with Trietsch.  I am impressed with the leadership the youth demonstrate (which means they are led well) and the enthusiasm they put into their...

Oh, this is a great song with some strong lyrics.  Have you heard of The Michael Gungor Band?  I'll confess I only have one album from them, the latest one.  It is called Ancient Skies.  One of the songs from the album is entitled White Man.  Watch the video below (or by clicking here).  The lyrics are printed below the video.  Read them.  What do you think?  I would love to hear your ideas! God is not a man God...

This is how you know your audience is into your presentation. How much does this apply to sermons? Maybe that's why churches want pews--to "at least" make sure everyone is awake. Maybe we’re not giving people a chance to be more interested if they can’t lean back just a little. Over the last six weeks or so I've tried to communicate to our congregation in many ways that the weekly sermon is only one facet of our worship service. What's more is it...