Brand Loyalty

I don’t usually think of myself as particularly brand-loyal.  Something I did this weekend has me thinking otherwise.
Rachel and I were in Arlington for my parent’s 50th anniversary, and, upon checking into the hotel Thursday night, realized we had forgotten to bring toothpaste. I went on a quick quest for toothpaste.
As I pulled into the [...]

More Effective Preaching in Central Texas

Preaching in the Central Texas Conference has been weighed and found wanting.  So says Bishop Mike Lowry.
As a consequence, all the clergy in the Waco District received an email a month or so ago about our attendance being required at a workshop on preaching.
I was insulted at first.  Not only do I think I am [...]

One Year to Think

One year ago today was the busiest single day this blog has had what had then been 2 1/2 years.  The traffic was due to my In Memoriam for Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball.
As any life well lived ought to do, Kathleen’s life challenged me and pulled me closer to the Kingdom of God.  Today, on the [...]

Love v. Control

Surprise!  Ben Bernanke thinks the Fed ought to maintain control over banking.
Like many of my posts, this one is not actually about the topic with which I open.  Well, at least not the obvious one.
I do not, for present purposes, care what the role of the Federal Reserve is in regulating banking.
I want, instead, to [...]

Thoughts from Exploration 2009

I should tell you up front: I did not officially attend Exploration 2009.  I was in town for a wedding, but Rachel sponsored my Music Director at Exploration, so I visited.
From what I saw, and what I’ve been told, it was a good event, well ordered and well run.
Also, from what I saw, the future [...]

Which Bible for Youth?

We at the Methodist Children’s Home are about to select a new Bible to give to each new entering student.
Which one would you recommend?

Would YOU Buy What You’re Selling?

Do you know what the”WD” in WD-40 stands for?
Jon S. Barry, creator of WD-40, died recently. Inc. Magazine’s obituary piece is inspiring. It is inspiring to me because all the man did or cared about, business-wise, was selling WD-40.  Do you know how many different things this product is used for?  No one does: 80% [...]

LPI-Worthy of Your Support

I’m in El Paso, Texas, for the annual meeting of the South Central Jurisdiction’s Mission Council, the body that serves on behalf of the Jurisdictional Conference especially in the years between that group’s quadrennial meeting.
The Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI)has served as a very welcoming and gracious host for our meeting. LPI deserved to be better [...]

Endorsed!

I posted Aug. 28th that I was heading for Nashville to interview for Ecclesiastical Endorsement.  I was interviewed by a team of three peers – other clergy who, like myself, serve outside the local church setting.  All three are also chaplains in a variety of settings.
The interview was a very affirming process.  I was asked [...]

Money money money money

I’d like to pick up from one point that Michael Slaughter made Friday:
If it isn’t good news for the poor, it isn’t good news
This point went nearly unnoticed in my post yesterday, but it reminded me of something I posted a little under a month ago under the heading of  “THE Christian view on Health [...]