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Showing posts from November, 2009

Advent Week 1

Yesterday we started our annual Adventure of Advent. This may not have much impact for those who aren't part of our congregation but our goals for this season is to have the Holy Spirit grow our hearts "three-sizes". God's generosity has been apparent in our congregation for years but yesterday it was demonstrated wonderfully as 12 of you signed up to be involved in our outreach, [side-note: only 2 people forgot to put their names on the sheets]. Twenty-four percent of those present took this step of faith. Don't forget to use the advent insert for seasonal scripture readings. Consider just a couple of verses from Monday's reading in John 1. "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." I was reminded by these that the blessings I have because of my talents, position, wishes or hard work. They are acts of God's grace poured out i

Black Friday Update

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"Hope Springs Eternal" wrote Alexander Pope and I have to believe that was the mantra of the two ladies trying to have Target employees load two (2) 40" Apex LCD TV's in to their red 2009 Kia Optima. Best wishes for them both on the drive home... Peace Alan

Truth is truth!

I have a strange mix of blogs on my Google page. Among them is "Hello, my name is" by Scott Ginsberg. In is post today he steps on my toes and probably a lot of others. It would be a simple thing to attache a Bible verse to each of his points and preach them. So what do you do when you're brought up short by an unexpected source? What if the source is not in your political arena? What if it doesn't wear your religious name tag? Is truth, truth? Ok, gotta go get my office cleaned up... thanks Scott Peace Alan

A Personal Manifesto For Congregational Singing

Hat tip to Chuck Huckaby on facebook. Personally I think "worship wars" is a bit overstated but there are some musical issues being felt within the church. Here's a bit of wisdom to get the focus off of us and onto God where it belongs. A Personal Manifesto For Congregational Singing Posted using ShareThis Thirty plus years ago during a Televised Christmas Mass the priest made the following comment just before a hymn. "Scripture says make a joyful noise to the Lord. If the Lord has given you a good voice it is your opportunity to praise Him. If he has given you a lousy voice, it's your chance to get even." Some sayings are worth remembering Peace Alan

Gutsy Move

I do not use the words "pro-life" or "pro-choice" because both terms carry more baggage than I care to be a part of. I am married to an RN who works with children, some of whom have babies long before they should. I've known people who will testify that the abortion they had saved their lives. And I know others who deal with post traumatic disorder from their abortion. I am aware of Sanger's eugenics background as she started Planned Parenthood and am not surprised that Portland's big, new Planned Parenthood center is on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in a mostly African-American community. Now having said all of that I felt it was necessary to post a recent news story out of Bryan Texas. Watch, comment if you want, and pray through your response. Peace Alan