RIP Eartha Kitt

I watched Batman after school in the 70's... oh, good times...

Random thoughts on the Advent of Christ

Wake, awake, for night is flying;
The watchmen on the heights are crying:
Awake, Jerusalem, at last!
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices;
Come forth, ye virgins, night is past;
The Bridegroom comes, awake;
Your lamps with gladness take;
Alleluia! And for His marriage feast prepare
For ye must go and meet Him there.

Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom;
For her Lord comes down all glorious,
The strong in grace, in truth victorious.
Her Star is risen, her Light is come.
Ah come, Thou blessèd One, God’s own belovèd Son:
Alleluia! We follow till the halls we see
Where Thou hast bid us sup with Thee.

Now let all the heavens adore Thee,
And saints and angels sing before Thee,
With harp and cymbal’s clearest tone;
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where we are with the choir immortal
Of angels round Thy dazzling throne;
Nor eye hath seen, nor ear hath yet attained to hear
What there is ours, but we rejoice and sing to Thee
Our hymn of joy eternally.

- Phil­ipp Ni­co­lai

Prayer for Christ the King Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

- Book of Common Prayer

yes, it's been awhile

I turned my heat on in my apartment for the first time on Saturday. I turned it off before I went to bed and haven't turned in back on since.

In other news, I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week! Where did the fall go?

I am thankful for a job, food, clothing, and a roof over my head. I am thankful for my vehicle, my family, and my friends. Most of all, I am thankful to my Lord for his great love and mercy....

Remembering Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Salutations (anyone listening?)

Has it really been over 2 months since I have posted here?

Wow.

I haven't given up on blogging. Watch for my return!

HAHA

Feeling rather like Piglet today....

"Help, help," cried Piglet, "a Heffalump, a Horrible Heffalump!" and he scampered off as hard as he could, still crying out, "Help, help, a Herrible Hoffalump! Hoff, hoff, a Hellible Horralump! Holl, holl, a Hoffable Hellerump!"

It's Wednesday...

"I live my life in growing orbits
which move out and over the things of the world.
I am circling around God, around the ancient tower,
and I have been circling for a thousand years,
And I still don't know if I'm a falcon,
or a storm,
or a great song."

- Rainer Maria Rilke

Popular Names

Most popular boy/girl baby names in 1950:

1. James / Linda
2. Robert / Mary
3. John / Patricia
4. Michael / Barbara
5. David / Susan
6. William / Nancy
7. Richard / Deborah
8. Thomas / Sandra
9. Charles / Carol
10. Gary / Kathleen

Here's the list from last year:

1. Jacob / Emily
2. Michael / Isabella
3. Ethan / Emma
4. Joshua / Ava
5. Daniel / Madison
6. Christopher / Sophia
7. Anthony / Olivia
8. William / Abigail
9. Matthew / Hannah
10. Andrew / Elizabeth

read article here

The beginnings of my To Do List:

1. Start throwing away stuff
2. Pack
3. Write a chapter
4. Finish Harry Potter
5. Find a new place to live
6. Work on sermon
7. Pray
8. Mow the lawn
9. assume identity of Ragamuffin Klugmann and go inworld
10. Meditate and listen to Chris Rice some more...
11. check facebook
12. Eat
13. Sleep
14. Watch the season finale of 'Desperate Housewives'
15. Text
16. Clean office
17. Clean House
18. give away clothes and books
19. cry
20. ...."what I like best -- " (stopping and thinking). ...although Eating Honey is a very good thing to do, there is a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but I don't know what it was called...


(When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and you Think of Things, you sometimes find that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it.)

One more reason I love the internet

Philosomatic weighs in on the recent General Assembly of the PSUSA.

I am so sorry, Saga, I didn't mean for this to happen! (can I have your bike?!)

“Spiritual Connections: Experiencing the Holy Spirit in Second Life”

You are invited to join the opening reception of the ECVA-SL art exhibition “Spiritual Connections: Experiencing the Holy Spirit in Second Life”

Sunday, June 29th
about 1:15pm PDT/SLT (or after the 12:00pm service at the Cathedral).

Look for the teleport to the exhibit room in the Conference Center once you land on Epiphany Island.

Spiritual Courage

"Courage is connected with taking risks. Jumping the Grand Canyon on a motorbike, coming over Niagara Falls in a barrel, or crossing the ocean in a rowboat are called courageous acts because people risk their lives by doing these things. But none of these daredevil acts comes from the centre of our being. They all come from the desire to test our physical limits and to become famous and popular.

"Spiritual courage is something completely different. It is following the deepest desires of our hearts at the risk of losing fame and popularity. It asks of us the willingness to lose our temporal lives in order to gain eternal life."

- Henri Nouwen

Yes, I visited the dance club ...

Bishop Whitaker on parliamentary procedure at General Conference

I agree 100%, the rules need to be changed.

Me, Gavin, & Nitro (meditating at the top of the DawnTreader)

My friend Nitrojeen

H2Ochurch.tv and Sex and the City

The campus pastor at h2ochurch.tv is blogging about forgettable things. Welcome to the world of blogging. My one piece of advice: never forget it's the *world wide web*

Did you hear about people who are upset because Christianity Today did a review of "Sex and The City"? CT responds.

Using Second Life, colleges create parallel universities

The Dallas Morning News reports on Second Life being used by colleges.

My Adventures in SL

I've been hanging out each day in Second Life some. I've meet some amazing people so far. And seen some amazing places. There are four faith communities that I'm exploring. The Anglican Cathedral, Koinonia Community Church, the Church of the DawnTreader, and the Goth church (which I can't remember the exact name right now.) So far only Koinonia and the Anglican Cathedral have regular worship times.

I've been asked to help with the Church of the DawnTreader. I have said yes. I don't know what all that means. I think, at first, I am just to talk with people who visit the community. I logged on this morning and there was someone exploring downstairs in the bistro and worship space (the church has worship space, a coffee bistro, a planetarium, and more!). I spoke with her for a few minutes. She seemed interested in coming back. Her SL (Second Life) profile said she was in a master-slave relationship. That is something I definitely don't experience in RL (Real Life). So it looks like SL will be interesting.

I've met people from mostly the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

In other news, I discovered a jazz dance club and this website, where you can listen to jazz music all day long. Cool!

If you want to meet me in SL, my name is Ragamuffin Klugmann.

This is me, lounging on the floor in my new home!

Darfur video

Prayer for Trinity Sunday

from the BCP online:

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us
your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to
acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the
power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep
us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to
see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with
the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.

The Way Forward on Darfur

Excellent editorial from the Wall Street Journal:

Next month the United States will assume the presidency of the U.N. Security Council, and not a moment too soon. The Bush administration will have perhaps its final opportunity to address the Darfur genocide, preserving its legacy as an architect of the imperiled U.N. peace agreement for Sudan.

Full story here

Young, evangelical ... for Obama?

Story here.

What United Methodists know...

Only 1 in 11 United Methodists (9%) can locate Darfur on a map;
12% believe the main issue in Darfur is genocide;
15% believe it is about children’s relief;
15% believe it is about disease;
11% believe it is about orphans;
and 24% don’t know (actually 88% don’t know, since the main issue is genocide)

A lot of other interesting tidbits about what UM's know about the world at http://blogs.gbod.org/research

Why Men Should Not Be Ordained

This has been around for awhile, but it's still good: Top Ten Reasons Men Shouldn't be Ordained.

Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o”clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Come, Holy Spirit...

Psalm 104

1Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty,

2wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent,

3you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind,

4you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers.

5You set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken.

6You cover it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

7At your rebuke they flee; at the sound of your thunder they take to flight.

8They rose up to the mountains, ran down to the valleys to the place that you appointed for them.

9You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.

10You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills,

11giving drink to every wild animal; the wild asses quench their thirst.

12By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches.

13From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

14You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth,

15and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart.

16The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

17In them the birds build their nests; the stork has its home in the fir trees.

18The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.

19You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.

20You make darkness, and it is night, when all the animals of the forest come creeping out.

21The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.

22When the sun rises, they withdraw and lie down in their dens.

23People go out to their work and to their labor until the evening.

24O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

25Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.

26There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

27These all look to you to give them their food in due season;

28when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

29When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

30When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.

31May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—

32who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke.

33I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

34May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.

35Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!

Pastoral Letter on Internet Safety

40 Days After The Resurrection

“Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Considering Others Better Than Myself at General Conference

Sunday night I had the chance to get away from General Conference and attend a church called Mosaic in Fort Worth. Although I didn’t hear them describing themselves as “emerging,” I would call them an emerging community. The scripture for the night was Philippians 2:1-11. The part I remember the most was verse 3 which is “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves” (NRSV). After the message time (which was interactive) there was a short break and then a meditation time. The meditation consisted of a series of slides with different individuals and groups inserted in Philippians 2:3. At Mosaic, each slide also contained a picture with it.

As I was driving home on Tuesday, I wondered what Philippians 2:3 would look like in the context of the United Methodist Church?

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Council of Bishops as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard seminary professors as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Reconciling Ministries Network as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the RENEW Women’s network as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Catholic and Orthodox Christians as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard laity as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the IRD as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard ordained elders as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the Western Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard ordained deacons as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard evangelicals as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Transforming Congregations as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard older United Methodists as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard high-steeple churches as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard diaconal ministers as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the general boards and agencies as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard students at non-UM seminaries as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard students at UM seminaries as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard United Methodist Men as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Methodist Federation for Social Action as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Affirmation as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard MoSAIC as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of other mainline denominations as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard children as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Pentecostals and charismatics as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Baptists as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the South Central Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Good News movement as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard United Methodist Women as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the Central conferences as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the Southeastern Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Lifewatch as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the Northeastern Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard youth and young adults as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard the Confessing Movement as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard Reconciling Congregations as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard members of the North Central Jurisdiction as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard small membership churches as better than yourselves.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.

Does the left have it right? (no pun intended) What about the right - do they get it?

Who in the UMC "gets it"? Here's one guy's take. Everyone should read this post.

Q. How is technology changing the world?

A. You can watch the live streaming of General Conference in Second Life. "It ain't your grandma's UMC!"

General Conference Update

I've been at General Conference in Fort Worth since Tuesday. I've been campaigning for campus ministry and lobbying on behalf of UMCMA. We've been busy! It's been hard to blog from a personal viewpoint. But I have been keeping an official blog on behalf of UMCMA.

Several people are blogging about General Conference. It's interesting, I was on the escalator, and the woman in front of me looked at my name tag and asked if I blogged. She recognized me as someone who has left comments on the UM Reporter blog. It was Amy Forbus who is both a delegate to General Conference and a staff person with the Reporter. I was surprised she was able to identify me that quickly!

At one point, I recognized Beth Quick in the hallway outside the legislative committee rooms. She was talking to other people and I was in a hurry to get to my own room to monitor a sub-committee so I didn't stop to identify myself and say hi.

Becca Farnum, who is one of the young people who gave the new Young Persons Address this year, is blogging here.

Luke Wetzel, a 20 year old from the Kansas East Conference, is the vice-chair for the Discipleship legislative committee.

Other bloggers include:
http://www.methoblog.com/
http://twoweeksintexas.wordpress.com/
http://generalconference2008.blogspot.com/
http://trinityunitedmethodist.wordpress.com/
http://cognitioetfide.blogspot.com/
http://nitrorev.blogspot.com/
http://mfsablog08.typepad.com/mfsa_at_general_conferenc/
http://conferenceimpressions.blogspot.com/
http://stephandjanatthegc.blogspot.com/
http://all-shall-be-well.blogspot.com/
http://www.genxrising.com/
http://www.umnexus.org/blog/
http://emergingumc.blogspot.com/
http://matthewlkelley.blogspot.com/
http://blog.hackingchristianity.net/
http://steverankin.blogspot.com/
http://www.generalconference2008.org/

If there are other blogs out there about General Conference, let us know. We'll be happy to list them.

GC08 begins today in Fort Worth

Christianity Today has two articles (here and here)on United Methodist issues at General Conference.

General Conference begins today in Fort Worth.

John 10:1-10

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

The Great 50 Days, Day 2

I've to the post-Easter Sunday, Monday blahs... But, hey, it's only the second day of the Great 50.

"At one point last night in the message I reminded our folks that we may not be giving away iPods or Jesus avatars for your Wii, but we've got the incarnate God dying and coming back to life, and that's not something you can sell. That stuff sells itself! And if a dead man coming back to life isn't enough to wow you, there's something wrong with you that cool videos and free stuff aren't going to fix." - Jared

Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

- Charles Wesley

It's Saturday...

He descended to the dead.

It's Friday...

Thoughts on Maundy Thursday

Jesus, I wish you would let me wash your feet, since it was through walking about in me that you soiled them. I wish you would give me the task of wiping the stains from your feet, because it was my behavior that put them there. But where can I get the running water I need to wash your feet? If I have no water, at least I have tears.

- Ambrose of Milan, 4th Century

Dave Thompson coming to Ada March 25

http://www.myspace.com/davethompsonmusic

Stories that caught my eye this evening

Last French WWI veteran dies

Woman sat on toilet for 2 years

The Great Litany

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,
Have mercy upon us.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy upon us.

O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy upon us.

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,
Have mercy upon us.

Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses
of our forefathers; neither reward us according to our sins.
Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast
redeemed with thy most precious blood, and by thy mercy
preserve us, for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.

From all evil and wickedness; from sin; from the crafts
and assaults of the devil; and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory,
and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want
of charity,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the
deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness
of heart, and contempt of thy Word and commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and
flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from
violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and
unprepared,
Good Lord, deliver us.

By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity
and submission to the Law; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and
Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.

By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion;
by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection
and Ascension; and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.

In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in
the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us.

We sinners do beseech the to hear us, O Lord God; and that
it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church
Universal in the right way,
We beesech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to illumine all bishops, priests, and
deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of thy
Word; and that both by their preaching and living, they may
set it forth, and show it accordingly,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to send forth laborers into thy
harvest, and to draw all mankind into thy kingdom,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give to all people increase of grace
to hear and receive thy Word, and to bring forth the fruits of
the Spirit,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such
as have erred, and are deceived,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give us a heart to love and fear
thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee so to rule the hearts of thy servants,
the President of the United States (or of this nation), and all
others in authority, that they may do justice, and love mercy,
and walk in the ways of truth,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to make wars to cease in all the world;
to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord; and to
bestow freedom upon all peoples,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to show thy pity upon all prisoners
and captives, the homeless and the hungry, and all who are
desolate and oppressed,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the
bountiful fruits of the earth, so that in due time all may enjoy
them,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to inspire us, in our several callings,
to do the work which thou givest us to do with singleness of
heart as thy servants, and for the common good,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to preserve all who are in danger by
reason of their labor or their travel,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to preserve, and provide for, all
women in childbirth, young children and orphans, the
widowed, and all whose homes are broken or torn by strife,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to visit the lonely; to strengthen all
who suffer in mind, body, and spirit; and to comfort with thy
presence those who are failing and infirm,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to support, help, and comfort all who
are in danger, necessity, and tribulation,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to have mercy upon all mankind,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive
us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue
us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives
according to thy holy Word,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors,
and slanderers, and to turn their hearts,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; to
comfort and help the weak-hearted; to raise up those who
fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to grant to all the faithful departed
eternal life and peace,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to grant that, in the fellowship of
[__________ and] all the saints, we may attain to thy
heavenly kingdom,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
Grant us thy peace.

O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.

Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of
those who ask in thy Son's Name: We beseech thee mercifully
to incline thine ear to us who have now made our prayers
and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things
which we have asked faithfully according to thy will, may be
obtained effectually, to the relief of our necessity, and to the
setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Bono on Darfur, the poor, the Church...

Gavin posted this over on his blog and I thought it was worth posting here.

Ministry With College Students in the UMC and Other Places

A few years ago, I attended a leadership conference that was not sponsored by a church or denomination. The event, called "Thirsty", was not a large gathering, relatively speaking. But during the conference, one of the leaders talked about reaching out to the college students in the Northeast. He said that about 15% of all college students in the U.S. live within a 90 mile radius of Times Square. But the number of college ministries in that same area is relatively small. So this group went to Times Square and had an event for college students. They didn't know if anyone would show up. They didn't know how they could pay for it. Events in NYC are expensive. But they did it. Lots of people showed up. And the next year, this same group went to the five boroughs of NYC for more events for college students.

Oh, by the way, this same group also went to Boston during this time and had an event there.

And they continued to have a yearly gathering in the heart of the U.S. that attracted about 20,000 college students each year.

Well, last year, this same group said they had a vision to visit 25-30 cities around the world. Could they do it? Could they raise the money?

Here's the itinerary: http://www.268generation.com/WT/

My challenge is to my own denomination. My own denomination is struggling with a multitude of issues (identity, christology, funding, etc). I know bigger is not always better. But why is our message not attracting more people? Is it because the message is too hard to understand? Too hard to live out? Is my denomination challenging people to such a degree that people are saying "no thanks".

My challenge is to my own denomination: What is our vision? (to make disciples....) And with all the resources we have (there are 11 million of us, after all) why are we not having events that attract large crowds of people? Why are we not starting new ministries? Why are we not taking our message to places around the world?

My own denomination is closing down ministries with college students. But the experts tell us that the number of college students will increase during the next few years. Will the church be there? Oh, i know the CHURCH will be there? But will my own denomination be there?

What has W done for Africa?

According to Bob Geldof, plenty.

free food & helping others

Here is a chance to help people right here in Ada:

First, every month free food is given out at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. This happens on the third Thursday of every month. Everyone who lives in Pontotoc County is eligible for the free food. They usually give out three bags of food to each person who comes asking.

The church does this with the help of several other churches and organizations and individuals in Ada. It takes a lot of work to pull it off. If you are interested in helping, please give St. Luke's a call to find out when they need the most help.

Second, First Christian Church has a free meal on the last Sunday of each month. It's free to anyone who shows up and wants to eat. No strings attached. They can always use help in preparing the food, serving it, and cleaning up afterwards.

Via Crucis

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7pm
Rollow Chapel, 14th & Broadway (Ada, OK)

Life Better When Hussein was Still in Charge?!

Wow. Here's a very interesting blog entry about something Jim Winkler (heard of the General Board of Church and Society of the UMC) said about Saddam Hussein. 

Striving to be like Bono?

I have sometimes wondered about the Product (RED) campaign and how effective it is. It does seem to promote spending money on products we probably don't need. But here's an interesting take on it. 

What I do when I am not working as Batman....

GBHEM has a new website.

UMCMA is working on a new site and also has a blog.

UMCMA has several pieces of legislation that they have submitted to the 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth.

My dilemma

In just a few hours I am scheduled to preach at a church about 20 miles from where I live. I thought that worship began at 11 a.m. So I also agreed to teach a Sunday School lesson in the town where I live (9:30 am - 10:30 a.m.) I assumed I could leave church at 10:30 and make it to the second church in time for worship there.

Late this evening, the pastor of the church where I am scheduled to preach sent me a text message and reminded me that worship begins at 9:30 a.m.

See my dilemma?

Christians United

I've been fascinated by churches, denominations, and, yes, even other religions, for as long as I can remember.

It's the week of prayer for Christian unity... not for sure how that spins out... but it's worth praying for!

I am blessed to be working in a ministry that is supported by five different denominations (and a couple of non-denoms). I am blessed to be working in a ministry that has been welcoming of people of all faiths (and even people of no faith). I am blessed.

We are not always perfect, but we do attempt to be welcoming of all.

"may they be one..."

Killing the Re-baptised

Today saw the first believers' baptism of modern times in Zürich, Switzerland, in 1525. With Protestantism less than eight years old, a handful of its most radical proponents concluded that baptism was an adults-only activity, and rebaptised each other. For this crime, most of them were executed. (ship of fools dot com)

The Baptism of the Lord

Prayers and Intercessions -

Our Redeemer permitted himself to receive baptism in the Jordan, at John’s hands. Let us pray to him:
- Kyrie, eleison.
Christ, by your coming you brightened our lives:
give your light to everyone we come across today.
You humbled yourself to receive baptism from your own servant and showed us the way of humility:
fill us with a spirit of humble service to mankind.
By your baptism you washed us clean of all sin and made us children of the Father:
show all who seek you that they are children of God.
By your baptism you sanctified your creation and opened wide the doors of repentance:
make us ministers of your Gospel in the world.
In your baptism you revealed the Holy Trinity to us:
renew the spirit of God’s sons in the royal priesthood of the baptized.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Almighty and eternal God,
Christ was baptized in the river Jordan;
the Holy Spirit descended on him;
you solemnly declared him to be your beloved Son.
You have chosen us to be your children
and you have given us rebirth in the water of the Holy Spirit:
look with favour on us always.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.

Hey, I think this too sometimes!

Have you ever wondered what God thinks of church?

I'm so predictable...

... because people don't change! (inside joke to all my close friends)

But I couldn't resist posting this (from Ship of Fools):

On this date.... In 1527 Felix Mantz was executed by Protestant authorities in ZŸrich, Switzerland, at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, for for being rebaptized as an adult. He was drowned (spot the irony) in the River Limmat, his mother calling encouragement from the river bank.

Have an "enlightening" Epiphany weekend... I will be away from my computer for awhile.

New Campus Ministry Blog

I am creating a blog that will contain information of interest to campus ministers and all who have a passion for ministry among college students. The blog is cminfo.blogspot.com

Welcome

I have decided to create a new blog. I needed to separate myself from the identity of where I work.

So welcome to my new blog.