AnotherJohn.Com

Tomorrow I am doing something I never thought I would do. In fact, I often said I would never do it! Our family is celebrating the life of my step-father, Darrell. He passed away this past weekend, even though he was one of those people I thought would be around forever. Darrell and I butted heads quite a bit as I grew up. Oh, I was the know-it-all and he was the tough guy. That's a perfect mix for a lot of things. Still, I loved him and I know he loved me. He had been around all my life. So, what am I doing tomorrow? I'm leading the funeral service for my dad. I never called him by that name, but that is what he will always be to me. Many of you are praying people. If you're praying with our family, please include an extra or two prayers of strength for me. It isn't uncommon for God to ask us to do what we thought we would never do. God is funny that way. Praise the Lord, though, because in our weakness, we are made strong. Amen. Darrell Lance ...

Please don't tell me this is you! Stay blessed...john

Is it possible to go through life on this planet without being hurt?  I don't think so.  We all have pain.   Part of my role as minister is to remind people that God understands our pain and wants to comfort and console us. Christ knew what it meant to be hurt.  His home town friends tried to kill him and his disciples ditched him when he needed them the most.  And that's not even going theological--something about God become incarnate.   God is able to renew us and instill in us a peace that surpasses anything we could imagine.  That peace brings healing and wholeness of life. Still, people hurt.  And we don't know where in life they're dealing with their hurt, or not dealing with it.  Today may be the day they hear of God's mercy and peace and want it for themselves.  Tomorrow may be the day.  Their 101st birthday may be the day.  In the mean time, their anger may manifest itself in particular behaviors that ...

You can probably imagine the kind of looks I received when I told the church yesterday that I thought "we should stop reading the Bible." Those good church people knew that didn't sound right. Of course, I said a lot more (Well, not a LOT more)than that to explain what I meant. In many ways, it's unfortunate that the Bible, our sacred text has become another victim of our consumeristic ways. Many of us have been taught to read the Bible because it's what we're supposed to do. We've never been any good at doing what we're supposed to do. Some consider the Bible to be a life manual. There's two things problematic with that. First, most of us only read a manual if/when we think we need to. Second, the rest of us didn't even know there was a manual in the box. If we did, we probably threw it straight into the trash.  The Bible has to more to us than another product. I think we should learn to listen and hear God's word. When...

With the rush of the holiday season behind us and the New Year before us, I always appreciate receiving late Christmas cards.  Sometimes, the cards get returned to sender and that accounts for the tardiness.  There are address mix ups that happen, too.  Most of the time, however, I am thankful because someone sends a card because they are just like me—mailing cards just didn’t happen on time this year.  More than that, though, I like being reminded of the joy of the season.        Stress, anxiety and uncertainty are abundant and all too familiar to many of us.  Each of those alone is enough to burden someone.  When they are blended into everyday life, waking up everyday can be a chore.  We need the reminder that God wants so much more for us.  God offers peace that surpasses all understanding.  There is healing, pure wholeness of spirit that only God can provide.  When we are overwhelmed by the ci...