Go Get 'Em Bus Driver

I know I am not alone when I say I am anxiously awaiting the finish of "A Bus Driver's Memoir -a look into the rearview mirror of the future", the book that our pastor Paul is writing, and I can't wait to read.

I don't know about you, but the "press" on this book has built some crazy anticipation.

Well, Paul? Friday is the deadline for our Novelist in residence. As far as I'm concerned, I'll take whatever you've got.

Pour the coffee and pass the snicker doodles.

-John

Hanging Of The Green

This coming Sunday, our congregation will participate in a long standing tradition held by many churches through the years. It is called:

'HANGING OF THE GREEN".



So what is this great tradition, called "Hanging Of The Green"?


Many churches still celebrate a type Advent to a certain degree. Advent is a time when believers prepare ourselves for the coming Messiah.


Advent means "Coming." We celebrate these days of Advent in expectation, reflection and preparation for Christ's arrival. While the Jewish community may be awaiting the arrival of the Messiah for the first time, Christians celebrate Advent as an expectation for the their King's second coming.


Through the years, Advent has been enriched by Christian tradition to reveal it's distinctive Christian meaning. It proclaims to the world how God revealed His love through the humble birth of Jesus the Christ in a stable. Then on to His sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary.

You see, it really points to the HOPE we have in Christ's return as the King of Kings.

Advent and the Hanging of the Green can make an Innkeeper out of you. Asking you to make room within your heart for the King to come in and dwell.

The Hanging of the Green service is a way of taking us through elements that show our preparation for the Arrival of the King. We will actually literally decorate our church sanctuary with Christmas Greens. I invite you to come and be a part of our celebration this coming Sunday December 2nd at 10:30 am.

But remember: the outward "decorations" are only an indication of what has hopefully taken place on the inside. If you have allowed the Christ to take up residence through His holy Spirit in your heart (Your Soul), then you are already a successful Innkeeper. If your are interested in finding out what this could mean for you then click on this link and read my story:


http://www.blogger.com/profile/15544110577385447466


-Merry Christmas

John M

Thanksgiving, Triyptophan and The Cowboys

Tryptophan is a chemical precursor to serotonin, and one of the chemicals somehow manifested during the cooking process of our glorious Thanksgiving Day Turkey. It is more commonly agreed to cause what is referred to as that "Post-Thanksgiving-Dinner-Coma". This is mistakenly referred to by some of our non-Dallas-Cowboy-Fans as boredom.

Whereas, Tryptophan is indeed a chemical that emerges during the Turkey cook-time, it is however negligible in it's dose. You would actually have to consume several whole turkeys to actually get enough of the effectiveness of the the chemical for it to make you slip into a semi-comatose state.

If you did indeed eat that many turkeys in one sitting, you would actually die from food overdose or explode long before the tryptophan kicked in.

Most likely the sleepiness we so often associate with our November meal is probably more the amount of food we ate. After a 2nd helping and an extra slice of whipped cream laden pumpkin pie, almost anyone would want to pass out on the couch as the Cowboys whoop up on whoever dares challenge them on this sacred holiday.

So, fear not, go ahead and take that second turkey leg and don't worry - Oh, and by the way, the Cowboys handled the Jets with ease! Go Cowboys!

-Happy Thanksgiving! or as they say in the old country-
"Feliz Dia Del Pavo Muerto"

-John M.

I Promise If You Promise

One of the best quotes I have heard in a long time is the one made by a elementary school teacher to a new students parents:

"If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens here in class I promise not to believe everything he says happens at home."

I got a good laugh out that one, but there is so much reality in it that I almost felt like crying. I am not sure how this ever happened, but I have grown a bit cynical in my old age. (42)

This is actually a tough position to hold when you are in the ministry. You want to hear what people are saying to you; and console and comfort and assure them that God is in control, but at the same time there is an element in your mind that asks: what am I hearing?

I realize this is a risky confession to make on line, but I also realize too that if a person is dealing with an issue and has a need to share it, whether is is real or perceived, I still need to help them and as they work through it.

BUT, How much of what we hear (myself included) needs to make it through the filter?

One of the biggest temptations for a gossip is the insatiable need to "fill in the blanks". When they hear only but a sweet-nugget of information- without wasting- time they create the entire story complete with sordid details, "publisher-ready".

I think we are all guilty of this on some level. What do we assume when a person resigns from a job? We think, I wonder if they really fired? What goes through our mind when a person whispers in an other's ear across the room? We think they are talking about us, and we begin to worry about what they "might" know. We begin to fill in the blanks of the story.

Recently, I was sitting in a restaurant with my computer open working on worship service PowerPoint's, (a very typical practice for me). While I was siting there, I could see almost every other table in the place with the exception of the one behind me. Interestingly enough, of all the other "open" tables, one 60-ish lady came and sat right behind me.

She sat there quietly. I felt as though she was peering over my shoulder to see what I was up to on the computer. Then, after about 2 minutes her husband appeared from the restroom and sat down next to her on the same side of the table.

I know she was trying to be discreet, but it was easy for me to hear her telling her husband all her observations. And she was filling in the blanks. But one story caught my attention. She talked about the family across the way where the mom, dad, and daughter (in her 20's) were having dinner with the daughter's baby. She said to her husband: "I think the grandparents must be raising their grandchild".

She assumed that since there was no "father" present that this young girl must be a single mother and the grandparents were stepping in to do the right thing.

Hmmmm? Maybe she was right, maybe not. But what is the point? The point is that for the sake of casual conversation with her husband she was assuming the worst about the people around her. Is this the kind of entertainment we enjoy over dinner?

Lord, forgive me for the times I have assumed the worst for the joy of entertainment.

Edgar Allen Poe was quoted as saying: "BELIEVE ONLY HALF OF WHAT YOU SEE AND NOTHING YOU HEAR - Question everything, especially rumors."

Shakespeare said: "This precious stone set in the silver sea, this sceptered isle · Though this be madness, ... While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!..."

The Word of God says in John 8:32 "Then you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." The Truth here is actually a person. It is Jesus. Knowing Jesus - the Truth - will set you free.

-John M

Question

Ok, I wonder if I can ask you a question? I guess I just did. How about a different one?

What do you think should happen when a person intentionally enters the presence of a person of great importance?

I mean what if a person got it in their mind that they wanted to make an appointment to meet their most favorite actor. Or, maybe they wanted to visit the White House and meet the President of the United States.

How would YOU react if you were walking down the street and suddenly a Limo pulls up and out steps Elvis Presley. Yes I know, Elvis is dead, but you get the point.

What would you do? Would you just stand there and wait for Elvis to speak first? Would you start screeching like an eighth grader? Maybe you would just faint?

Ok, now what about Jesus? What if the clouds open up and in the midst of angels singing the Hallelujah Chorus and trumpets blaring the 1812 Overture, what would you do? Would you fall on your face and begin to worship? Would you start crying? Would you be glad to see Him or would you be scared?

Well, if it helps, I don't know what I would do either. But I would love to invite you to click on the following link and read a short story. http://64.13.216.130/the_roomtext.php

Blessings,

John M

FREE GIFT!

Ok this is a RE-WRITE on this posting. You can comment and respond to either this one or the original. :)

I was reading another BLOG in recent days by a "Pastor John" from Alabama. He inspired me to do something I am hoping will work for me as well....

Here goes:If you are a regular reader of my BLOG, I would like to say thank you by giving you a gift. Just Respond to this POST by commenting with your name and address and let me know how often you stop by to read my BLOG.If you do, I will send you a FREE gift. It will not be a super expensive gift, but I will try to make it worth your response.

I will try to get the gift mailed out to you before Christmas so be sure to give me an accurate mailing address to your work or home or whatever works best for you.I really want to do this for you if you regularly read my BLOG, so please help me out:

Here is the run down one more time:

1. Comment to this posting.

2. Tell me how often you read my BLOG.

3. Give me your name and address.

4. Be ready to get a gift from me.

If you do not have a Blogger Account name, that's ok too. Just comment as "anonymous" and that should work too but keep in mind you still have to tell me who you are so I can send you the gift.

If that does not work then send me an e-mail to john@esbctwinfalls.com with the same info.By the way for all you "shy" types, I really do want to know who you are so help me out if at all possible. Thanks!-John M

I'm Back (To the BLOG) and FREE GIFT

For the last two months I have felt a necessary obligation to BLOG and keep everyone up to date on my time at Chaplain School. But once I got back and saw everyone face to face, I took a break from the obligation. Thanks for the break - Ahhhhhhhh! I needed the rest.

But I'm Back!

I was recently reading Pastor Paul's BLOG and I see that he is writing his first Novel. Wow, I am impressed. http://bridgebloggin.blogspot.com/

I heard someone say one time that once you turn 40, its a good time to write a book. I am not sure how true that is and if Pastor Paul is reflecting the standard, (40 year old) but I have enjoyed reading what he has written so far.

I am not sure that I will ever write anything in the form of a book whether for fun or study, but I am proud of our Pastor and I think he is uniquely qualified to give us a peek into the world of the wheels going round and round... LOL Go get 'em Bus Driver!

I was reading another BLOG in recent days by a "Pastor John" from Alabama. He inspired me to do something I am hoping will work for me as well.... Here goes:

If you are a regular reader of my BLOG, I would like to say thank you by giving you a gift. Just Respond to this POST by commenting with your name and address and let me know how often you stop by to read my BLOG.

If you do, I will send you a FREE gift. It will not be a super expensive gift, but I will try to make it worth your response. I will try to get the gift mailed out to you before Christmas so be sure to give me an accurate mailing address to your work or home or whatever works best for you.

I really want to do this for you if you regularly read my BLOG, so please help me out:

Here is the run down one more time:
1. Comment to this posting.
2. Tell me how often you read my BLOG.
3. Give me your name and address.
4. Be ready to get a gift from me.

If you do not have a Blogger Account name, that's ok too. Just comment as "anonymous" and that should work too but keep in mind you still have to tell me who you are so I can send you the gift. If that does not work then send me an e-mail to john@esbctwinfalls.com with the same info.

By the way for all you "shy" types, I really do want to know who you are so help me out if at all possible. Thanks!

-John M