Another Sunday Night!

It is now Sunday night, almost 10:00PM. I have finished the major presentation that I have to give tomorrow night in United Methodist Polity class, and now I just need to write the three page reflection paper based on the autobiography of Howard Thurman (a well known African American preacher who lived throughout most of the 1900’s) At least I have some idea of the direction that I intend to go with it which is always half the struggle for me.

This week I also have a meeting with my El Salvador class. Before Wednesday afternoon, I have a book on Latin American social struggles that I need to read. Right now I am thinking that I will get the chance to start it around 1:00 PM Wednesday afternoon. That gives me 4 hours before class, which should be just about right, it’s only 139 pages.

This week on Thursday, I get to (read have to) go up to Indianapolis and have a complete psychological evaluation done. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Actually, I had to go through one earlier in the ministerial process, and it really wasn’t all that bad, but I must say it is very extensive and painfully time consuming. I have to be there by 9:00AM and I don’t expect to leave up there until after 3:00 PM. I guess the good news, is that you can take heart and know that all Methodist ministers are sane. (Ok maybe I shouldn’t go there)

I can’t believe that October is almost over. The good thing is that I have a special post coming up with one of my all time favorite songs performed by one of Karen’s all time favorite performers. It will also give me a chance to tell one of my favorite concert stories. So much for previews of coming attractions, I think it’s time to go to bed. That paper can wait until later. See you all tomorrow!
Blessings

The Great Escape

To continue with the theme of our four legged friends, Jim also sent me this video. If you look closely you will see that this is obviously a long lost relative of Odie. I asked Odie about it, but he refused to divulge any information saying that he would stand on his 5th amendment rights protecting against self incrimination! (It is one of his own kind you know!)

Blessings and enjoy:)

Odie wanted to be sure that I added this disclaimer!

No dogs were injured in the filming of this movie (only the pride of the owners)

ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN..... Dont they?

I received this sequence of pictures today from my Brother-in-law Jim. I am not totally sure, but it appears from the pictures that these two churches are having a disagreement about the question of whether or not dogs go to heaven. Actually, if you look closely, you can tell that the pictures have been photo shopped, but even so, I must admit that it is an intriguing question and one which I have heard both sides of the debate many times. So what do you think? Do the animals that are a part of our family have a special place reserved for them in heaven? Or, is it because they have no souls they simply die? Or, do animals have souls? It certainly can be a source of debate. My heart tends to lean toward the story below.

An old man and his dog were walking down this dirt road with fences on both sides, they came to a gate in the fence and looked in, it was a nice, grassy, woody area, just what a 'huntin' dog and man would like, but, it had a sign saying 'no trespassing' so they walked on. They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white robes standing there. "Welcome to Heaven" he said. The old man was happy and started in with his dog following him. The gatekeeper stopped him. "Dogs aren't allowed, I'm sorry but he can't come with you." "What kind of Heaven won't allow dogs? If He can't come in, then I will stay out with him. He's been my faithful companion all his life, I can't desert him now." "Suit yourself, but I have to warn you, the Devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you into his area, he'll promise you anything, but, the dog can't go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll spend Eternity on this road " So the old man and dog went on.

They came to a rundown fence with a gap in it, no gate, just a hole. Another old man was inside. "Scuse me Sir, my dog and I are getting mighty tired, mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?" "Of course, there's some cold water under that tree over there. Make yourselves comfortable," "You're sure my dog can come in? The man down the road said dogs weren't allowed anywhere."

"Would you come in if you had to leave the dog?" " No sir, that's why I didn't go to Heaven, he said the dog couldn't come in. We'll be spending Eternity on this road, and a glass of cold water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now. But, I won't come in if my buddy here can't come too, and that's final. "

The man smiled a big smile and said "Welcome to Heaven." "You mean this is Heaven? Dogs ARE allowed? How come that fellow down the road said they weren't?" "That was the Devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up a life long companion for a comfortable place to stay. They soon find out their mistake, but, then it's too late. The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there. GOD wouldn't allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all, HE created them to be man's companions in life, why would he separate them in death?"
Author Earl Hamner, The Twilight Zone

Blessings

PS: One last question, If dogs do go to heaven did they go of their own "free will," or were they "predestined?" Sorry, just a bit of theological humor:)

El Salvador

I sure have been slow about posting on my blog this week. As I know that you are getting tired of hearing, school and preparations for the Commissioning process have been pretty overwhelming. One of the preparations that I have been working on is a Cross Cultural Learning Experience to El Salvador coming up in January. This week I have been busy applying for my passport and getting the necessary forms and medical information filled out.

Let me first share with you what the Cross Cultural Experience is. The administration and faculty at my seminary believe that in order to be full rounded as a pastor, one must have not only book experience, but also personal experience with cultures outside of main stream middle America. They feel so strongly, that they have made it a mandatory part of the curriculum. In other words, I don’t graduate if I don’t go. In the past few years, their have been trips to India, the Congo, Palestine, Guatemala, Russia, and South Korea just to name a few. With all of these choices, you might ask why I chose El Salvador. That is a legitimate question which can best be answered by; it chose me.

First of all, as you know I tend to procrastinate and I have been successful in putting off this trip as long as absolutely possible. This was my last opportunity to go on a Cross Cultural trip without actually postponing graduation. Another issue was money. I have been paying about $325 each semester so far (which was required), essentially banking money toward this trip. I was told by the last group that when they returned from El Salvador, they actually had money returned to them, so whooo hoooo, Life is Good! I procrastinated as long as possible, the trip would be paid for completely, plus I will get money back, What a deal!

Uhhhhhhhh Guess again! Not only won’t I be getting money back, but now I have been informed that I have to come up with another $870. So much for the best laid plans. So now, I have the additional worry of trying to come up with almost another thousand dollars, and that won’t include spending money for the trip. Are you beginning to see why I say that I am in need of a couple of miracles between now and graduation.

I have begun to do some of the preliminary research on the El Salvador. It has been an area of great unrest and violence, however, much of that has settled down in recent years. I do have a good friend, Ernesto, who grew up in El Salvador and was arrested for speaking out against the government. Actually his story is quite a compelling story of God’s grace and I am looking forward to talking with him prior to leaving to get his insights.

One interesting aspect of the trip is that we are not going as missionaries, we are not going to build anything, or save anyone, we are simply going to learn and observe, to talk with the people, and to ask questions of those in power to see what we can learn about their culture and society.

Honestly, my heart tells me that this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and that what I learn will change my life and ministry forever. Unfortunately, right now my mind is running through all of the things that I have to do between now and then, such as receive a financial miracle, survive this semester, and oh yeah, complete all of my Commissioning work.

I can sure use your prayers right about now, come to think of it, I could use them on a regular basis between now and let’s say……… May!

Blessings

Out of Time...

Life sure gets busy sometimes. I bet that you are beginning to get tired of hearing that from me. Yesterday, I got here to Ohio around 1:30 pm and spent the afternoon preparing for class last night. After class, I got back to my room around 9:30 pm and finished reading the assignments for classes today around 11:30 pm. This morning I was up at 6:00 am did a little more reading and then went to class from 8:30 until 5:00. Now tonight, I have to prepare for class tomorrow and begin to work on a couple of the major assignments which are due next week.

Sometimes I think that I am getting way too old for these late nights and early mornings. Of course John Wesley would call me a wimp, he was up at 5:00 AM every morning so maybe I should work on that.

I remember my friend Ron telling me that he just didn’t have enough time to get everything done that he needed to do. I remember chastising him, telling him that it was just a matter of priority, and besides, how can you not have enough of something that you all ready have all there is of? (you may have to read that twice to get it) I mean we have the same 24 hours that everyone else in the world has don’t we? Then how on earth can we not have enough time?

Well, let me say that I dind’t know what I was talking about, It is indeed possible to not have enough hours in the day. Of course, it is possible that I could work a little more proficiently, and I suppose that an argument could be made that I procrastinate way too much.

Naaaaaaaa, I think we will stick with there just isn’t enough time.

That’s my argument and I’m sticking with it!
Blessings

Give Me Jesus...

I ran across this video the other day, which reminded me of one of the highlights of my life. When I was in High School, Moline Sr. High School in Moline Illinois, we had one of the finest High School Choirs in the country. In my Senior year we were even selected to travel to Kansas City to perform for the Music Educators National Convention, which was quite an honor.

We rehearsed and practiced for over a year to perform a thirty minute concert. Nerves were running very high and emotions were quite deep. This song, Give Me Jesus, was the last song on our program and the last song that we sang together before graduation. With the 80 voice choir all holding hands, it was one of the most difficult and beautiful moments that I have ever had in music and although I do have that moment recorded with audio only, there was no video made.

When I first saw this video of the Central Islip High School Concert Choir from New York, I was very much reminded of my experience and I thought I would share this beautiful song with you. I am not sure if we were better than they were or they are better than us, but the overall sound comes pretty close to me.

Blessings

You Need to See This!

This was sent out to all of the pastors in The Fellowship of Jackson County Clergy. This is a part of what the Catholics have done to encourage their 67 million people to vote on election day. They don't tell them how to vote although I think that they obviously get their message across. Admitedly it comes from the Catholic perspective, however, everytime that you see the word Catholic, you could just as easily replace it with the word Methodist.

It is powerful and certainly gives you something to think about. Ok, I know, you can probably get the sense from how much I like this, which way I tend to lean politicaly, and I know that there are many points which my views differ from my friends and family, but regardless, I think that we all agree that this will be one of the most important elections in our lifetime.

Be sure to get out and vote on election day!

Blessings