What are the best books to pass on to our children?  A parenting website called parenting.com (the home of parenting and baby talk) gives us some ideas.  You have probably read a lot of books on their list: The Polar Express (Okay, I admit I only watched the movie); Where the Sidewalk Ends; The Very Hungry Caterpillar; Corduroy. Here is the entire list they compiled: Best Books to Pass Down to Our Children There are even a few religiously...

June was a good month.  Gloria and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary; plenty of softball and tee-ball games; and we surpassed 10,000 hits on the blog.  Nice going, June.  You were a bit hotter than any of us expected you to be, but thanks anyway.  Anything special or out of the ordinary happen to you this month? Well, I have compiled the top post from this past month.  This list does not reflect any sense of superior writing...

I feel like I just did this!  We finished printing our church's newsletter a little while ago.  It seems like it was only last week I was printing and mailing last month's copy.  July is a five-Sunday month so I should get a little bit of a break.  I have been able to recruit a new newsletter team member, but I will not have them help until next month.  This newsletter business can be tough stuff.  Newsletter editors sing together:...

Yesterday, during the Sunday school class I am leading, I read two passages, and told the group they could pick which one we would discuss together.  First, I read Romans 6:12-23.  This is a great passage.  The wages of sin part is probably familiar to you.  After I read that passage there were no comments or questions.  Moving right along.  Then I read Genesis 22:1-14.  This is the story of the binding of Isaac.  I...

We are beginning a church-wide prayer initiative soon.  You will hear about it in the next week.  However, in the mean time, I have asked a couple of people to begin praying with me for very particular things as we lead ourselves into that initiative.  My hope is that this group will include more people in the future, and that their task will remain a most important one.  I am confident that will come to pass. We are praying for several...

I have always enjoyed watching computer animated movies ever since Toy Story.  Of course, as far as animation goes, they have only gotten better and better.  I would like to think I have seen most of the major productions, but who am I kidding?  If you have any suggestions let me know. Now, really, who does not love Sheriff Woody? He is a great character, and Tom Hanks does a great job of bringing him to life.  Here is a recent interview...

What a Wonderful World Yesterday was Trinity Sunday and Father's Day.  What to preach?  What to preach?  I am not convinced people are dying to hear another sermon on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  Are you?  I do my best to include references to the Trinity often.  Those references might not be specific or direct, but illustrate God's work through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  I am not even excited about preaching...

This is one instance where it is okay to laugh at the boy with tape on his face. (+link) Amazing little tea candles. Nintendo guns like they were intended. is it a vase or two faces? Remember to think simple.  This is what keeps us alive. Does this sum up free will? King of the Hill preaches! Hitler finds out the Miami Heat lost to the Mavericks....

You are about to read another bold prediction from another religious leader: I guarantee you something amazing is about to happen! Well, it may not be amazing to you, but it is for me.  You won't find this announcement on any billboards or buses, and I highly doubt there will be any come-to-Jesus moments because of it.  Then again, who knows? Within the next week--see how precise I am--this little blog that could, yes anotherjohn.com, will pass...

Our church is excited once again to be working with Trietsch Memorial UMC.  We have our Vacation Bible School planned July 11-15.  The theme is Shake It Up Cafe.  I am sure I will have much more to say about this partnership in the coming weeks. In the meantime here is a look at the promotional video, and, if you are interested, our online registration form. ++Click here to watch the video if you are reading by email.++ VBS 2011 - Shake...

Yesterday was a busy day. As usual, I was at the church by 7am. Yes, there is an important routine I follow. I led a Sunday school class with a small group; we had, I think, a great discussion. From there it was time to put on my dress and get ready for our worship service. After our service we had our monthly luncheon, followed by an Administrative Council meeting. So, we did not leave church until around 2pm. I had to be back at the church by 3:30...

  Please do not let this walrus work out better than you. (+link) This prank is coming to a camping ground near you! It was only a matter of time before the inspirational bike kid brought his speech to the nation. This Dirt Devil is good. Is there truth here? You knew Knight Rider was cool, but did you know all this?   Warning: You will watch the video below, and you will get dizz...

By this time next year, Lord willing, I will be commissioned as a Probationary Elder by the Southwest Texas Annual Conference, my home conference.  So, most likely, this week I attended what should be my last annual conference meeting as part of the North Texas Annual Conference.  Let me say it was one I will probably recall for some time. As far as meetings go this year's conference was pretty run of the mill. There were no pressing issues or dogfights....

I have spent this week preparing for sermons, Bible studies and writing personal reflections and blog post. Sometimes, within all that work, I come across some things you might be interested in. When you are down, and wondering where to start again this is the best place. Pi is better with music (+) Life in a perfect world Speaking of perfect worlds, what about glow in the dark TP? What 9-year-old hasn't dreamed of breaking this record? Or what teenager...

We have put out the latest edition of our church newsletter. I am not sure how often you read our newsletter, but I am thinking of implementing some design changes. It would be nice to have another regular feature as well. That may take a little more time to develop. People have had the best time trying to identify the Blast From the Past pictures. So, we will keep that up as long as we can. ++If you are reading by email, click here to view the June...