Would you rather do this or visit the dentist?
Gloria makes a return to the dentist's chair today. Let's hope this takes care of everything. When we were younger we made a bet concerning our teeth. First one to have them fall out owes the other a brand new car. We'll see how this visit turns out.
A few random thoughts about the dentist:
Dentists can be frustrating. You wait a month-and-a-half for an appointment, and they say, "I...
Here is a great thought for your day from Peter at beauty of the bible:
If you really want to get to know God, you have to be willing to get to know a God completely different from the God you think you know.What do you think? How easy is it to get God to mirror what we would like God to be? What are some of the things we discover when we choose to know a "different" God?
Stay blessed...j...
I am extremely excited about Oak Haven's youth ministry. We are starting from the ground up. There is no model; there have been no young people to teach or guide. Now, we have an opportunity to develop, teach, nurture and lead our young people, and those adults WHO WILL minister with them. And it all begins this Sunday afternoon!
What do you think is important for a youth ministry to be faithful? Are there some things that are...
The role of the United Methodist Women cannot be understated. They do so much to raise awareness of issues surrounding justice and mission in our church. I’ve always appreciated their efforts to raise money and do good. I haven’t always been the greatest UMW member; school has kept me from many meetings. So, when I was asked to help update the UMW directory for Oak Haven, I wanted to do something special. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what that would...
First, watch the video below (or here). Then decide what song is in your heart right now. Maybe you don't have a Hallelujah Chorus right now. That's okay. There are no right or wrong answers. This is your Music Monday. I think I have two right now. This one and this one, in no particular order.
So, let's hear your song.
Stay blessed...j...
We finished the church newsletter yesterday. Most people have to wait 2-3 working days to view theirs, or get their copy on Sunday morning. Not you! You get to first crack. See how awesome you are.
Open publication - Free publishing - More newsletter
Stay blessed...j...
Are You Prepared for Charge Conference?
I'm in the final stages of preparing our charge conference booklet. Our annual meeting has a different format this year. Next Sunday we are joining other Irving congregations for a joint worship service at Plymouth Park UMC, then each congregation moves to a room for their own charge conference. In part, I suppose, this helps eliminate administrative hours for the D.S. That was one of the goals...
You know how it goes. The pastor asks the congregation to "turn in your Bible to the book of..." Half the people spend the first minute trying to find where that book is. Some are brave enough to use the Table of Contents (that's what they're for!). Obviously, the more you read the more you know. So, read.
However, it is easy to get lost in the biblical world, especially if you are just trying to find a starting point. Funny names, unfamiliar places...
Here is the sermon from yesterday. It is the second sermon in a 7-week series entitled Is That Church Growing? There are many things I’m an excited about here at Oak Haven. Still, I don’t want to give any impression of my answer to the series’ question.
I did leave out an important connector in this sermon. Towards the end, after the balm in Gilead reference, I did not connect the idea of the church’s role in praying for that hope and healing like I should...
Happy Birthday, Britt. You can't imagine how proud your dad is of you. Yes, even though you wear 3-D glasses (with no lenses, mind you) everywhere. Maybe that's a reason to be proud.
Love yo...
You have got to get you the Spat Solver; it's what you need!
The heat of July is upon us. Do what you can to stay cool. These links will not help you do that, but are still worth checking out.
Does The Office have one of these?
When you can't be there to tell them a bedtime story.
If Twitter Isn't Christian Enough for You
Take the Michael Winslow Movie Quiz
The Best Pie Chart Ever
Some Things You May Not Know
Your Toy Story 3 Easter...
I know I’m a few days late. It’s been 2 years and three days since Hurricane Ike hit Galveston. Galvnews.com gets a daily hit from my laptop. Of course, all my family is in the area. I think I may have already mentioned that.
So, to bring you, my online reading family, to Galveston I want to share with you this link from The Galveston County News. It’s called Hope and Resurrection. Shouldn’t that be a sermon title? Still, you get the impression that...
I have to confess; I was not familiar with the ministry of Bishop Mathews. During the summer I took a UM History course. One of the reading assignments was Matthews' autobiography entitled A Global Odyssey. At first, the just under 500 page book seemed like another daunting addition to a course book list. However, I was glad I read it. I can't imagine living a life full of accomplishments and experiences that would require that...
Okay, Gloria wasn't thrilled about me sharing her video coverage on the Irving channel. So, you'll have to ask her to show you where that is. John Fletcher, however, is taking this time to be as self serving as he can be right now (third person is always the place to begin).
This was the second time I was asked to give the invocation at the city's council meeting. Last year I left a little ticked, but got over it. A councilperson's laptop magically turned...
In preparing for the beginning of this semester I came across Microsoft’s OneNote program. It came with the Office Suite I ordered a couple of years ago, but I never paid any attention to it. I was trying to sync my relatively new phone to my computer so I could have my classes, tasks and contacts up to date. As I did that OneNote opened.
So, I started messing around with it. I think I like it. Essentially, it’s a multi-subject notebook—all in one place,...
Last week I told you about our upcoming sermon series. This past Sunday we began the series Is That Church Growing?
You can listen to the first sermon of the series by clicking here or using the player below. Beware: the recording didn't come out like it should. I tried my best to make it easier to listen to. Sometimes that happens.
You can view the bulletin we used for our service as well by clicking here. Let me know what...
At this point we have enough people to begin a Disciple I group. I think this is an important element of Oak Haven's growth. So, thanks for praying with me, and keep praying.
I think I am going to share this picture with the group.
Those of you who have participated in a Disciple study probably realize how true this is, and that Disciple's goal is to get past that. What do you think? What are your Disciple I, II, III or IV experience? I've only met...
Let’s talk about sermons (not those). Specifically, let’s make mention of the sermons those Chosen ones at Oak Haven hear each Sunday—mine. I was somewhat surprised, but of course grateful, when I noticed recently our sermon count. As some of you know, in addition to being posted on this site, the church’s weekly sermons are available at www.oakhavenumc.org. I’ve told you before about the sermon player we use. It is great; I can’t personally do it right...
I am grateful for the rain. We needed it. Our water was tasting funny and our grass was suffering, etc. Of course, with rain comes flooding, car accidents and endless newscasts about them. That is so frustrating. We watch local news in the morning as we are getting ready for the day. When it rains like it has the past two days there is nothing else worthy of reporting. Some people probably appreciate that. I...
Summer time is over for us. It's back to the grind of school schedules and other activities. I thought I would share some pictures of some of the Fletchermints during the hot days of summer. .
Stay blessed...john
It's a party
Gloria and Oprah
Lovebirds
First day of school
Posing in the water
Another pose
Family visit
Nice moves
Feeding the ferry birds
Grandma and her baby gi...
I'm not sure which translation this represents, but I thought it was funny when I first read it. Thanks, Parks.
On the first day, God created the dog and said:
'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'
The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?'
So God agreed.
On the second day, God created...
Here is the final sermon in our latest series entitled Chosen. I would be interested to hear your comments or observations from the last three weeks. I am beginning another series next week related to this post; it's entitled Is That Church Growing?
You can listen to today's sermon below or, if you're reading by email, you can click this link. Also, if you visit the sermon channel you can view a copy of our bulletin. Let me know if you think that is a...
These pictures came in an email a few weeks ago (Thanks, David). Some of these are pretty funny. God separating the clothes is good, and Jesus being rejected is hilarious! I figured you could use a laugh. Which one do you like...
A few weeks ago I was introduced to someone as the pastor of Oak Haven. The eyes of the person told me very quickly there was a connection to the church. “I grew up in that church” was the reply. This individual shared family memories of being an active part of Oak Haven in years past. It was a surprise to both of us, I think, the opportunity to share this conversation had occurred.
Before I took my place the person asked me one question, “Is that church...
No one looks forward to the Summer time youth car wash when it's 107 degrees outside. And now that school is back in session churches will be looking for that oh-so-impressive, this'll rake in the dollars FO SHO fundraiser. Well...you've come to the wrong place. First, I don't like fundraisers (church fundraisers). Also, this idea just isn't one I would want to get tied up in. But you might be looking for a new way to put your...
Some of you are on Facebook and/or Twitter way too much. Yes, I understand and appreciate what these sites offer. I use them and have made sure Oak Haven does as well. If, however, your first waking act and last moments before bedtime and as often as you can in between are spent adding to your list of likes, then you might be a facebook glutton. Sorry, someone had to break it to you.
However, instead of just going cold turkey...
