Monthly Archives: December 2008
Top Posts of 2008
Here are my top five posts of 2008.
- Many Hands Make an Elder
- New Appointment
- Mega-Misconceptions
- Clear-Paned Missiology
- Life After Death
So, that’s it. As those of you who read regularly know, I changed appointments in October. Since then my writing here has slowed, but I plan to pick it up again in 2009 and write at least a couple of more substantial blog posts a week. All I have coming up on the schedule is a D.Min. project, a new baby in March, and life as a Husband/Dad/Associate Pastor. Surely I’m wasting time somewhere that I can redeem by writing a few blog posts!
God bless you all and have a terrific New Year!
Merry Christmas!!
Yesterday, I helped in three different Christmas Eve worship services: 3:30, 6:00, and 8:00. It was wonderful to see so many people coming to worship on Christmas Eve! It doesn’t matter how many Christmas Eve services I attend or lead, I always get excited and go with a sense of anticipation. We shared Holy Communion with over 2,000 people in these services. Some were rejoicing and some were hurting, but both connected with Christ in a special way.
This morning we woke up to find that Santa apparently got our new address and left the kids a bunch of cool presents. The hits of the day are the Batman Cave, the Easy Bake Oven, and a Furreal Cat, who we’ve named Lily. Ever the romantic, I bought Nanci a new powercord for our Powerbook G4 Apple and an OU necklace. I got a shirt a couple of weeks ago and this morning I got a coffee mug handpainted by Emma.
We’ll be getting ready, packing up, and going to Talihina here in a little bit to be with my Mom and my brother’s family this evening. We’ll go to Nanci’s parents tomorrow and continue the celebration until coming back Saturday night!
It’s been a busy season, and I think Christmas came faster than ever before. It’s been a crazy year, but I’m sure next year will be even crazier!
Merry Christmas to all of you and great blessings in the New Year!!
Faith and Forgiveness
Just a few days ago, I read about the jet crashing into a home in San Diego. It turns out that the crash killed four members of a Korean-American family: a grandmother, mother, and two young daughters.
I just found this article about Yoon Dong-yun, the husband, who was working nearby and rushed home to see the devestation. Yoon, a United Methodist Christian, has already offered forgiveness to the pilot, and is concerned for his well-being, “Please pray that the pilot will not anguish over the accident. I don’t blame him for it. He is the one who did his best in order to prevent the crash…”
May we all demonstrate that kind of faith and forgiveness in our own lives.
Pick a Preaching Style, Any Style
Lately, I’ve been reading through Brian D. Russell’s work on missiological readings of Scripture. I can already see how these articles will seriously affect the way I teach and preach in the future.
As I was reading, I found this interesting quote from Erwin McManus. Brian asked him if there was a particular style of sermon that connected best with others, and this was his enlightening response:
Brian, in a lot of ways, I think what it comes down to is one simple thing: Does the person listening view you as the kind of person that they would like to in some way become? If the answer is no, no new approach of preaching is going to help you. If the answer is yes, it’s amazing how much people will adapt to your style.
Wesley Report on “Branding”
Shane Raynor has an interesting article on United Methodist “branding.” Go check it out, and “Go Granger!”
