AnotherJohn.Com

If you are having problems viewing the video, or are reading by email, click this link to watch the video. This video project is entitled The Mute Button. It is an example of a flash mob , something you have probably heard of or seen. The flash participants are to go about their business amongst an unsuspecting crowd. At a designated time they all mute themselves while continuing with whatever they were doing.  So, a couple is arguing, a man is playing a saxophone and dancers are performing and all of a sudden the shouts are gone, the voices are silenced and even the music has stopped. It probably will not go down as the best flash mob scene ever, but it was a good idea and something worth trying. In the video there is also a street preacher engaged in ministry, atop a light post. That was a good addition; of course people think I am a little biased. It did remind me, though, of the quote from Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel. And if necessary, use words." I...

If I wore glasses, which I should, this is something I would have to ask myself all the time: Anyone seen my glasses ? Dating is for some people, and then there are t hese guys The stay-at-home dad Finally, Barbershop 3 came out. There is a twist in the plot. I li ke vegetables Could all churches be as sincere as this?

Many of us do not like surprises. For the most part, I am one who does not. Well, okay maybe a birthday surprise at the end of a meal at my favorite restaurant. We all know, though, my wife’s early trip to the ladies’ room includes a brush with our server, if you know what I mean. So, that hardly counts as a full-fledged surprise. Plus, there are all kinds of surprises, and some are harder to keep a surprise than others. I certainly would like to have foregone the recent surprise by the I.R.S. And maybe I am too cynical, but the people I know would not be able to hide their cars from viewing to surprise me as I walked in the door to a party—that is stuff for television. Maybe that is just me; but I know other people who feel the same. Perhaps it is the fear of the unknown or part of our desire to always be prepared. I was never a Boy Scout—a Royal Ranger once—but that seems like a good mantra to have. Surprises take me out of control. It would seem, I suppose, that I like a...

I am writing in the midst of a storm. The thunder is loud; the lightening is bright; the hail is, for now, small. What a great way to reflect on a sermon I just gave. I want so much for my sermons to be instructive, that people would know more what it means to be followers of Jesus. I think I do that. What I also want to remember are the storms people face. Just because they hear a sermon on Sunday doesn't mean Monday's storms go away. So, I want a sermon to make sense enough that its listeners can see through the storm, much like I can now as I look through the mini-blinds in my office, to remember what God is doing in their life. Yesterday's sermon was on winning--the right way. Actually, winning with the way, the truth and the life God has for us. I would appreciate your input. Where was I off, or where could I have been a little more clear? ++If you're reading by email click here to listen to the sermon.++ Mr. Sheen would not be proud of my ...

Train your children to recognize greatness with The Cosby Sweater Project. Rare color photos of the Great Depression You knew they were smarter than you.  Now, learn the nations of the world with the Animaniacs.   I will never drink Coke again, until I forget watching this .  Creepy. Maybe. Crawly. Yep. Flying. Amazing.  Yes, folks, this is the case for cockroaches. Be confused by the inception chair. from an email (Thanks, David): A hungry bloke walks into a seedy cafe in Glasgow..... He sits at the counter and notices a Jock with his arms folded staring blankly at a bowl of chilli. After fifteen minutes of just sitting there staring at it, the hungry bloke bravely asks,”If you aren't going to eat that mind if I do?" The old Jock slowly turns his head toward the young bloke and says, "Nah, ye can gae ahead." Eagerly, the young bloke reaches over and slides the bowl over to his place and starts spooning it in with delight. He gets nearly down to...

May 4, 2011, I believe, will be a day Oak Haven UMC will remember for some time.  Perhaps the date will fade away; a handful of members were on hand that day.  However, I am convinced the partnership with F.M. Gilbert and The University of Dallas will prove to be a blessing for years to come. Our partnership with the school is not about money.  It involves something more important--relationships.  Money may do a school a lot of good.  Lord knows how the impact of loosing money is hurting our schools right now.  Relationships, real relationships, though, last a lot longer and have a greater impact on the lives of the people involved.  If we can care enough to be involved in our schools, in the lives of the people of our communities and share the joys and pains of those who work with our students then we, the body of Christ, allow for God's love to be demonstrated in lasting ways. Everyone around here knows how excited I am about this.  My pra...

Someone recently asked me if I ever get nervous when I preach.  People have asked me that before and my response is still the same.  I have never known enough to be nervous.  That is to say, if I would have had any of the knowledge, conviction and commitment that I do now back when I first began preaching, then I think would have been.  Preaching is a meaningful task. Now, that I have been preaching for several years, it almost comes out naturally.  So, there are no nerves involved.  Especially, on a day like yesterday.  Yesterday's sermon was one I think I will remember for a while.  I preach to myself just as much as I preach to everyone else on Sunday mornings, but this sermon was one that "cut" to my heart. Unless you hear the sermon you don't really know what I mean when I ask, "What are you full of?" ++Click this link to listen if you are reading by email.++ Thoughts? Reflections? Stay blessed...john

Blessed to Bless A Super Kind of Faith A Get-and-Give Life Neighborly Ways Last But Not Least, You

Our church asked ourselves what it means for a congregation to grow.  In answering that question we were able to discern what areas we were experience growth, what areas we were not and what any of that meant. Where Grace Happens Praying Like That Imagine That Seniors Who Don't Get Discounts Here, Have My Gospel The Book for Me and Other Misconceptions When in the Lion's Mouth

This week I finished most of my sermon by Wednesday.  I read what I wanted to.  There were no trips to Dallas.  I went to bed early a couple of times and did not feel bad about it.  Life on the other side of class is wonderful. And I've been able to use my Google Reader more this week.  Here are some things I came across that you might have missed, not because I'm cooler than you or anything.  Inflatable movie extras .  That'll preach.  Do we need better crossword puzzle skills?  "I had a growth removed last week." and "Who doesn't want to be super?"  Join a shallow small group today. How dangerous is sitting? The truth about sitting down you want to read. Your Magnet Boy picture of the day. And I think to myself, " What a wonderful world. " This is how not move into an apartment. Another brick in the wall like you've never known: Coke's 3D 125th Anniversary Illumination.  The song is pretty good, too: Stay b...

It is a Monday morning right now.  This is the first Monday morning after the end of a semester, and a special semester, indeed.  Last week I submitted my final paper and attending my final class at Perkins .  Yes, no more pencils, no more books... Now, I still have a year of internship to complete.  It is a course that requires written work.  However, I already have a sense of what kind of work I need to turn in, and I am not worried at all.  The pressures of the classroom, word counts and pages read are behind me--way behind me!  At the same time I hope to begin work on my commissioning paperwork.  Again, I am not too worried about that. This next year I get to focus on my church like I have not been able to in several years.  Classrooms have been a part of my schedule for the past 5+ years.  I am looking forward to being more available and attentive to my congregation .  And, giving more attention to my sermons as well. Tha...

This is just your neighborly reminder that this Sunday is Mother's Day. Stay blessed...john

The Second Sunday of Easter is one of the church's infamous "Low Sundays." That's dumb, and in this sermon I let you know why!  Yesterday's sermon title is That's What It's All About . The "Now What" of the sermon is to focus on one area of commitment this week. So, think about: Prayer: Choose a day you will pray more for your church, church leaders and other issues. Presence: Attend a church activity you would otherwise avoid. Gifts: Begin to tithe, or make a special offering. Service: Find a way to be of service to your church or someone in need. Witness: Think of a specific way you can be a witness to Christ. First, however, you have to hokey-pokey your way through the sermon. +If you're reading through email click here for the sermon link.+ Stay blessed...john