AnotherJohn.Com

* Did you stand?  What?  You saw the asterisk and you didn't stand?  I'm beginning to question your commitment to Christ.  Who doesn't stand in church when they see an asterisk? Answer: A lot of people. It's fun to watch the church wave as people realize they're supposed to stand to sing this song or hear that reading.  Some wait to be the last one sitting.  That's probably an ego thing. Now, instead of  making fun of  criticizing people for not knowing when to stand, even though you've inserted the canonical  *indicates stand  admonition, how about you help them out a little more.  I've done a lot of things I'm proud of in the last two churches I've served.  I'd hate to say it, but one of my most daring accomplishments has been that I have  X ed the *. Okay, I've done some more important things. Instead of hoping that asking people to, "Please stand" will work or remind them of the great and powerful *, we...

I will be disappointed if I find out Space Jam is not on Netflix because I think it's time to raise my children right.  Now, of all movies in the world to think about, why would I be worried about this film right now? I just learned that the website for Space Jam has not been changed since 1996.  That's the year I graduated high school and got married.  If you visit the website right now you'll remember what late 90's websites looked like.  You'll also be thankful we've learned a few web tricks since then. Still, it was kind of bomb (90's lingo, baby!) to be reminded that fluff can get in the way.   Word!  If I'm interested in Space Jam, that site has what I need.  As a preacher and a communicator that's a good lesson to remember. Give the message before anything else.  Don't get overly involved with the fluff that might take away from the message, or, maybe more dangerous, become more important than the message. What are you ...

You know a commercial series has its grasp on you when you see an actor in another setting and can't shake the image you have of them selling you something, say insurance.  J.K. Simmons put aside being the professor at the University of Farmers to make a pretty good movie.   I watched him recently in The Music Never Stopped . How many people have you met that did not like music?  There was a book of the Bible that was written about those people, but since there wasn't that many of them it didn't get included in the canon.  Most people love some form of music or, at least, understand that music touches the soul like nothing else can.  If that's you then I think you can appreciate this film. The Movie It's based on a true story about a husband and wife who learn their estranged son has been found to have a brain tumor.  The tumor is removed, but their son is left with no ability to form new memories.  The last memories they h...

Most people like O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.  Until you tell them we're going to sing the whole thing! Stay blessed...john

You've seen the "You are here" maps in public places. You've looked at that red dot and tried to make sense of where it was locating you, wondering if you understood where you really were. It's important information to have in case of an emergency situation. And it's good to have in life, too. I'm thinking this next song speaks to that a bit. How insignificant we feel sometimes. How hopeless our future seems. Consequently, our life reflects such feelings. That quickly wears a person down. Have a listen to Ben Howard's "The Fear" and see what you take from it. Here are the lyrics: Mama, cold-hearted child, tell me how you feel Just a blade in the grass, spoke unto the wheel Mama, cold-hearted child, tell me where it's all gone The luster of your bones, those arms that held you strong   I been worryin' that my time is a little unclear I been worryin' that I'm losing the one's I hold dear I been wo...

I say that I will scream if I hear another sermon, clergy retreat, district meeting  or conference presentation that mentions church membership decline.  And if they include numbers and percentages I will walk out.  Now, if I did that my throat would constantly be hoarse and I would never attend another meeting because it's mentioned quite a bit. And how two-faced am I?  Church membership decline came up in my sermon this past Sunday; I even slipped in a statistic.  I neither raised my voice beyond my usual bellowing and was the last person to the leave the sanctuary. I think it was God. It seemed right, and a good and joyful thing to mention it as we thought about Peter's miraculous work with Tabitha and how so many believed in the Lord because of it. It's agreed by many that the church has lost some of it's prophetic voice.  Maybe she's been yelling too loud at other things, but many do not think the Christian church has much to contribute to the...

We have been chosen by God. But what does that mean? How are we chosen? And for what are we chosen? You can use the mini sermon player below or click on the sermon title to hear each file. Chosen to Be Chosen for More Chosen to Know

   A small act of kindness goes a long way. Do you believe that? I do because it seems God is able to do much with very little. It is often said God formed Creation ex nihilo, meaning “out of nothing”—talk about not having much to work with. And what about 2John & 3John? These are two of the shortest books in the Bible, 13 and 15 verses respectively. You could read both in minutes. Quickly, these letters express Christian love, teaching and fellowship. I can imagine the joy and excitement as these were first read to their faith communities.    Letters like 2John & 3John, called epistles, were written to churches for various reasons. They were included in the Bible because early Christians considered them inspired and of God. Imagine that. A person pops in your mind, or you hear of a struggle someone is facing and you decide to write a letter to say “Thinking of You” or “I’m Praying for you.” A call or visit may be a small act to you, but it c...

Gloria told me I should change the title of this sermon.  So, I did.  You can thank her for not hearing a sermon entitled A Big But . Instead, I went with This Changes Everything, hoping I could still get the point across.  The point?  Easter is the biggest "But" of all!  It's called a coordinating conjunction.  Look it up or have a quick listen to this Easter sermon.  And don't be jealous that your church didn't talk about buts on Easter. That's a pretty big but(t) ++If you are reading by email or news reader, click here to listen to the sermon.++ Stay blessed...john