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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 with the IPOD the woman sold the same someone a $100 ITunes gift card (it was part of the original “I really messed up” gift) for $50. Who said breaking up is hard to do? I loaded someone’s purchase into our ITunes account. We don’t usually buy too much from ITunes; to have a balance over $100 was quite impressive. So, I started searching. I kept searching. I’m still searching. Maybe I’m more frugal than I realize, but I couldn’t figure out what to waste money buy off of ITunes. Why didn’t anyone tell me you can rent movie...

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 newsletter

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 and eventually, after moving to its current location in 1961, changed its name to Oak Haven Methodist Church. Of course, there are a lot of details missing from this meager account. After all, this wasn’t meant to be a 7-9 page paper written for a United Methodist history class (or, this wasn’t THE 7-9 page….). I would love to help fill in some blanks in Oak Haven’s historical records. That is an item I am putting on the “Pastor’s Wish List” in this month’s church newsletter—a update historical record of the church. A lot ...

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 be so amazing It may be unfulfilled It may be unrestored But when anything that's shattered is laid before the Lord Just watch and see It will not be unredeemed For every choice that led to shame And all the love that never came For every vow that someone broke And every lie that gave up hope We live in the shadow of the fall But the cross says these are all Places where grace is soon to be so amazing It may be unfulfilled It may be unrestored But when anything that's shattered is laid before the Lord...

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 work.  I can’t tell you how much I miss working with our youth.  Since this isn’t my group, and I know they have a plan, I have intentionally stayed in the background.  The hope is that they know I completely trust what they are doing.  This year is a little intriguing because we are planning to start a junior high group in September.  A few of our students who will be participating are attending our VBS and seeing how the youth from Trietsch work.  For that endeavor we’re getting a little help as well—...

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 is not a white man God is not a man sitting on a cloud God cannot be bought God will not be boxed in God will not be owned by religion But God is love, God is love, and He loves everyone God is love, God is love, and He loves everyone God is not a man God is not an old man God does not belong to Republicans God is not a flag Not even American And God does not depend on a government But God is good, God is good, and He loves everyone God is good, God is good, and He loves everyone Atheists and Charlatans ...

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 isn't even the most important part of our service. Please don't misunderstand my point. Interpreting scripture is a very important aspect of our faith. However, any sermon of mine (or anyone) that is even remotely sound, practical, good or beneficial means nothing if the listeners do not do something with it. Food is supposed to provide energy for life, for living life. Likewise, sermons help give what is necessary for understanding God’s word to live out our lives as disciples. Our life is a jo...