New Addition, This One is Not a Pet

I have been a bit off my blogging game, but for good reason. After fostering and adopting dogs, turtles and even a one-eyed cat, we stepped up this week and began caring for our first foster child. I have been busy with the transition and thinking about how I would handle all this on the weblog. Sometimes technology is pretty far ahead of our ability to best use it. I like the use the weblog as a way for people to get a little inside glimpse at the life of a pastor (be it their own pastor or not.) I also use it to talk about God and theology in ways I don't have time for on Sunday morning. More often than not, that includes personal stuff.

My wife Alisha ends up living a little bit in a fishbowl too, but I try to give her some privacy. So, I was thinking about how to deal with this new little person living in my house. I am going to play it by ear. For now, the weblog won't have pictures or even his name. If you are a member of the church or know me in other ways, you will get plenty of that. Otherwise, you get to learn about this new addition to our household the way scientists study things they can't see, by observing their effect on things around them. It would be hard to not notice that my life is being radically altered by the little boy living in my home. It is quite difficult to operate the same as usual in the midst of poopie diapers, endless snuggles and paddycake.


peace,

will

Sunday Preview - You Get it First Because You Read the Weblog!

It feels like a while since I have preached. I am back up this weekend and here is what is going on:

Sunday Preview
Sunday, August 13^th (10^th Sunday after Pentecost)
Scripture: Matthew 7:24-28
Sermon Title: “Read the Instructions”

Have you read the Bible much lately? Most of us answer that with something like, “Not as much as I would like.” We are going to talk about that in worship and think about how we can see scripture as the foundation of our faith.

This Sunday is Rally Sunday, the day our children and youth move to their new classes for the new Sunday school year. It is a great day for us, as adults, to think about how we are growing in our faith.

I hope to see you in worship!

peace,

will

They seem to be getting along

It has been a few months since we got Violet (the one on the right) and she seems to have settled right in. Bodhi, who spent nearly 10 years as an only dog has settled into resigned annoyance, but he is willing to share the bathroom rug.

peace,

will

More Light Reading

I am always trying to balance out my reading by reading one fiction and one non-fiction book most of the time. Last time I was in Austin, I picked up a few books at the really great Goodwill store Alisha and I used to live near. You can usually find recent titles for $2.50 and our latest visit was no exception. (I also found a popcorn popper that I have transformed into a new coffee roaster, but that is for another entry).

I picked up Ken Follet's latest, Whiteout. If you read the blog much, you know that I am somewhat finicky about what I read, even fiction. (See my entry on Michael Crichton's Prey.) Follet's latest was pretty good though. It was a quick, fun, adventure thriller, more like watching a movie than reading a book. It had a bit too much romance for my tastes, but that might just be me.

The weblog is always a great place for you to post what you are reading. I like to know what people are into. Plus, my stack of books to read is getting a little low and I need to know what to get next.

peace,

will

Making Safe Sanctuaries

Thank you to everyone who came out last night for our first session of training and reflection on Safe Sanctuaries. Safe Sanctuaries is a program developed by Joy Thornburg Melton in her books Safe Sanctuaries, Reducing the Risk of Child Abuse in the Church and Safe Sanctuaries for Youth, Reducing the Risk of Abuse in Youth Ministries.

I cannot stress enough the importance of this program. This isn't just another state of church mandated program to cover ourselves from lawsuits. This is a comprehensive undertaking, an effort to do everything we can to protect the children and youth of our church for abuse and neglect.

As the body of Christ, we are called to be responsible for the most vulnerable members of the body. That means not just having good intentions, but being intentional about doing every thing we can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children who seek and expect sanctuary in our presence.

The training last night and this Sunday is only mandatory for people involved with children and/or youth at the church. However, everyone is welcome. Whether you attend the training or not, I hope everyone will embrace these programs and policies and see them as part of the ministry of the church.

peace,

will

Such a nice name for a tropical storm

It is that time of year. Time to keep an eye out over the water. Tropical Storm Chris is churning around in the Atlantic. We don't think much about the technology that allows us to track these storms. I realize that it is not always accurate, but think about the days before hurricane hunter aircraft, radar and computer modeling. Your only real warning of a killer storm was when the surf started really kicking up. If you knew it was coming, the barometer might give you a clue as to whether it might head right for you or veer off. The only way to know how big the storm was was to look at the damage after it was over.

There is always a point, however, when technology goes from lifesaving to just plain silly. It won't be long now before we get to watch cable news anchor people trying to keep their hair looking good while standing in 60 mile an hour winds letting us know exactly how bad the storm is.

peace,

will

Betraying My Reading List - Reading About Disciple

In case you haven't noticed it, there is a panel on the right side of my weblog that lists the books that I am currently reading. Occasionally I ignore it and pick up another book. As we are coming upon that time of year to register for Disciple Bible Study, I picked up a book that has been on my shelf for a while, Nancy Kruh's The Disciple Story, The Transforming Power of Scripture, (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003)

Kruh tells the story of the origins of Disciple and then goes on to tell a number of stories of personal and church transformation brought about by the study. I actually know some of the students she spoke about, but what was amazing was how similar the stories were to the many stories of transformation I have witnessed in classes I have been involved in.

This book says what I am always saying, Disciple is was more than just a great Bible study, it actually changes lives.

Feel free to ask me about Disciple and don't forget to sign up. If you don't have a form, just send me an email.

Disciple Redux or Remedial Disciple

I have yet to say this or write it anywhere publicly but I am considering filling a couple of slots in my Disciple I class this year with people who have taken the course already. I don't mean to make this available just as a refresher. I have talked to a number of people who, for a number of reasons, don't really feel like they had a positive Disciple experience. I find that when people don't really have a quality experience with Disciple I they sometimes don't get as much out of the rest of the offerings or just never bother to sign up for them.

So, if you have taken Disciple I already, and really feel like you should take another shot, send me a note or email, and I will try to make a spot for you in this year's class.

peace,

will

Valerie's Weblog

As you may have heard or read in the newsletter, one of our member's Valerie Borhauer has just been commissioned as a US-2 Missionary of the United Methodist Church. Good news for us, she has a weblog and we can follow her adventures. You can find it here:

http://valerieborhauerus2-2006.blogspot.com/

peace,

will

Wonderful Book - Unfortunate Subtitle

I just finished the latest book from Rabbi Michael Lerner, The Left Hand of God, Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right (New York: HarperCollins, 2006)

The thing that I like least about this book is the title. There are some that might be intrigued by such a title, but there are also some who will never pick up this book simply because of the title. This seems to ago against the open-minded political sensitivity and warning against liberal elitism that Rabbi Lerner expresses in the book.

Wherever you find yourself on the political spectrum there is a well spring of deep insight in this book that will get you thinking theologically and politically. The title may mislead you. Lerner has some harsh insight for everyone. He speaks of a deep spiritual yearning within the American people and how the political right has exploited it and how the political left has ignored it.

The book does a wonderful job of looking historically at where the political and religious right and left have come from. This sort of writing can help people better understand each other so that they may engage in meaningful dialogue instead of partisan bickering.

Lerner calls for an embrace of the left hand of a God. This is not a political hand, but a hand that is rooted in compassion, love, generosity of spirit, kindness, peace, social justice, environmental sanity, and nonviolence.

The Rabbi has a vision and a plan as well. He wants to make the world a better, safer, more loving place and has some ideas of how to make it happen. He may sound a little idealistic, but then so did Jesus.

If you read the book, I would love to talk to you about it, whether you love it or hate it.

peace,

will

Peace Vigil

WHAT: Peace Vigil, Stop the violence in Lebanon Israel and Gaza

WHEN: Thursday, July 27, 2006, 7:30 PM

WHERE: 900 North Shoreline on the sidewalk by the statueof Jesus, Buford and Shoreline

BRING: Flashlights, water, signs urging peace (some signs will be provided

Email me for more info.

peace,

will

Where's My Camera? Wait, Where's My Paddle?!?

I didn't take this picture, it is stock footage. I was busy paddling. Alisha and I took a nice, leisurely evening paddle on the Nueces River last evening. We put in at Hazel Bazemore Park and paddled up to the salt water break at Labonte Park. On our way back, we were paddling along, enjoying the evening as the sun set when all of a sudden things got interesting. Suddenly, the water on the right side of the kayak was all frothy. Then the boat started lifting up out of the water. I looked down to see the back of a friendly south texas alligator. It was hard to tell how big it was since it was underwater, and surrounded by splashing water, not to mention the fact that it scared the _____ out of me. It was over in an instant and we went back to paddling. All the splashing soaked us both to the skin.

As scary as big teethy alligators can be, seeing one is actually a rare blessed moment. Despite what scary movies make you think creatures in the wild know better than to hang around with humans. The chances of actually having that close of an encounter with a gator is probably somewhat like getting struck by lightening. They do have more problems with them in Florida because humans have made the mistake of feeding them so they have lost their fear.

Have a blessed week and keep you feet out of the water.

peace,

will

The Power of Technology

In my short time in ministry, I have always believed in trying to use technology to help spread the gospel message. Here are a couple of ways I have seen that at work this week:

First, a man in Indonesia found the weblog and noticed that I was posting audio sermons. He emailed me to ask me a technical question about how I was posting the audio. He wanted to find a way to distribute audio via weblog for his ministry there.

Second, a woman found my page on myspace and sent me an email asking about the church. I don't know if she will ever come, but at least I got to make an invitation that I probably wouldn't have made otherwise.

Be sure and tell people about the weblog. You never know what other connections might be made.

peace,

will

Praying and Reading

I began teaching Prayer 101 this week so I decided to do a little reading about prayer. Roberta Bondi’s To Pray and to Love, Conversations of Prayer with the Early Church has been on my shelf for a while. I started reading it in seminary and only got through a couple of chapters. That happens a lot in seminary. Any book that is not required reading has a pretty good chance of being shelved in favor of something that from a current class.

Bondi’s work is very interesting in its appeal. Some people I know find it very light and uplifting, some find it a little hard to get through. I don’t know why that is, but I am somewhere in between. I love what she has to say, but sometimes I get a little bogged down in it.

In To Pray and to Love does a wonderful job of placing the early writings on prayer from Christian monastics in a more contemporary context. Bondi helped me see how similar my modern struggle with prayer is to the struggles that the earliest Christians had. As in all her work, she also reminds us of the depth and far-reaching nature of life of prayer. She says it in rich, deep ways, but also says it simply with the words, “prayer is a shared life with God.”[1] If that was all this book offered, a reminder that prayer is more than simply something we do, but rather a way that we live, than the book would be worth reading.

---

[1] Roberta Bondi, To Pray and to Love, Conversations of Prayer with the Early Church, (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1991) 27

This Week's Sermon - Text and Audio

I have worked most of the bugs out of the audio version of the sermon. The sermon from Sunday is now posted in a text version and in an audio version. For the audio version, you now have three ways of listening. You can listen using the little built in player. You can download the MP3 file or you can subscribe to the podcast. If you are technically inclined, feel free to email me and let me know how it is all working.

Sermon #25 - When Rejection is a Good Thing
Sermon #25 - Audio Version
Subscribe to the Podcast(note this link may look like gibberish to you if you are not into podcasting)

All this technology is a bit of an experiment. I am hoping that it will help some people stay connected when they can't be in church. I am also hoping that it may help some people get a chance to "check out" Grace. Sometimes people are searching but not quite ready to come through the doors. I hope this may be a way for them to see what we are about. I also hope that it may be a way to extend our reach and bring the message to people who are geographically far away. If you listen to or read the sermons, I would love to hear your comments about how they are helpful to you.

peace,

will

Just for Fun

Every one in a while, I read a book just for fun. I found Michael Crichton's Prey on a sale rack and picked it up. Crichton is always good for a fun adventure. What always drives me batty about his writing though is the odd little factual problems in the books. Sometimes it is like the editor just isn't paying attention. They are never a big deal, but telling a story is about suspending disbelief and when you have an unnecessary inconstancy, it pulls me out of the story. If the author needs to bend truth to make the story work, fine, but when the facts get fuzzy for no good reason it bothers me.

I was going to give an example, but frankly it would take me a while to set it up. If you have Prey, check out the sequence involving the dirt bike on page 228 (hardcover edition). Have you ever seen a motorized dirt-bike in the back of a Land Cruiser? This isn't a mini-bike, he uses it haul people through the desert later on.

Anyway, despite that a fun read.

peace,

will

my space at Myspace

I am always trying to find new ways to communicate both with members of the congregation and with anyone who might be interested in the world changing message of grace. So, I now have my own space on Myspace.

If you are a Myspace person, check me out at:

http://www.myspace.com/pastorwillrice

And add me as a friend. I don't have many yet.

peace,

will

Ask and Ye Shall Receive - Podcasting

Someone requested a podcast of my sermons and I love making people happy. If you don't know what a podcast is, don't worry, they will soon take over the world. There is a link to subscribe on the sermons website:

Pastor Will's Sermons

Just scroll down and you will see the XML link on the left sidebar. I just tried it out in iTunes and it seems to work well. Let me know if you have any problems. I will move the link to a more obvious place once I am sure it is all working well.

peace,

will

Methodist Children's Home

I want to thank Astria Smith from the Methodist Children's Home in Waco, along with Jessica, one of the residents who shared so a powerful witness in worship today!

If you want to learn about Methodist Children's Home, you can check out their website.

Methodist Children's Home, Waco, Texas


peace,

will

Audio Sermon

I have finally worked out most of the kinks and posted the first audio sermon. I get a lot better sound quality recording it at home rather than relying on a cassette tape recorded during worship. That still leaves some questions about how to post Pastor John's sermons.

The link will take you to my sermon page. You can listen to the sermon using the little embedded player or you can download it using the MP3File link. Let me know if you run into any technical glitches.

Sermon #24 - Audio Version

I also now have the capability of setting up a podcast of the sermons. Let me know if that would be helpful. (If you don't know what a podcast is, don't worry.)

peace,

will

Prayer 101

When we join the church, we promise to support it with our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service. We tend to talk quite a bit about presence, gifts and service. However, the church doesnÂ’t do enough to help people to develop a deep and meaningful prayer life.

Join me for a two week class that covers some of the obstacles to prayer, takes a biblical look at prayer and offers practical models and methods to help you begin or deepen your conversation with God.

The classes will be held Tuesday, July 18th and 25th from 6:30-9p.m. Everything is free. Please register by Monday, July 17th. We can provide childcare if you register in advance. You can register by email: pastorwillrice@gmail.com. Let me know in the e-mail if you will need childcare.

peace,

will

New Feature

In my endless quest to make this blog more interesting for you the reader, I have added a new feature. If you scroll down a bit and keep your eye on the right column, you will see "What Will is Reading Now." I regularly post about books I have recently read, but sometimes there is large gap between those posts, especially when I am reading more than one, or two or three books at once.

Hopefully the audio sermons will start appearing later this week.

peace,

will

Happy Holiday

I hope you are enjoying your celebration of our nation's independence. I have been putting the time off to constructive use, cleaning up and fixing up things around the house, running errands, etc.

I also took some time to get things set up so that I can finally start posting audio versions of the Sunday sermons again. I think I am going to go back and post my last sermon just to try the process out and then start posting them each week that I preach. It may take a little longer to start getting John's posted, but I will see what I can do.

Happy 4th!

peace,

will

On the Road Again

It still surprises me how much I drive now that I live in Texas. My colleague John got married today in San Antonio. (Not our Pastor John, he already got married some years back.) Alisha and I got up this morning, drove to San Antonio, went to the wedding, got something to eat and drove back.

I don't mind so much, but that stretch from the outside of San Antonio to the outside of Corpus makes me sleepy.

For those readers who live in Corpus, I hope you are enjoying the rain. My grass certainly is.

peace,

will

A Little History

I have been a bit out of my reading routine lately. I have been getting through plenty of magazines, reading the newspaper and plenty of online stuff, I haven't finished a book in a while. Today, I finished, My Brother Lyndon by Sam Houston Johnson.

The book is out of print, but amazon.com can set you up with a used copy.

I picked up my copy at used book store in New Mexico. Somewhere in my father's house is an autographed copy. It seems my grandfather used to run with Sam Johnson (and a little bit with Lyndon) in Texas political circles. It is said the Sam used to babysit my aunts.

This is probably one of the most candid books on historical politics ever done. Johnson wrote it the year after his brother left office. It is a bit jarring in its literary style, the storyline jumps around, a lot. But it is rare and different perspective of LBJ, Texas politics, the Kennedys and even a bit about Vietnam.

One of the most interesting parts of the whole book is Johnson's nearly prophetic view of the changing face of politics in the light of the new media:

More than ever before, the 1960 campaign emphasized the crucial importance of big money in politics. Television had become the most effective (sometimes the only) contact between the voters and the candidates, on local as well as national elections; and that's a medium that gobbles up money like a dollar slot machine in Vegas. Inevitably, this need for bigger and bigger money will taint the political process. When a candidate has to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars from a single fat cat, can anyone seriously believe those big contributors are merely interested in good government.

Sam Houston Johnson died in 1978 so he never knew how right on he was.

peace,

will

You Would Be Crabby Too...

...if someone had just picked up your house. We found this hermit crab wandering the beach on our last kayaking journey.

They are pretty amazing creatures. This one is just about to grow out of his shell and will soon go looking for a new shell to live in.

peace,

will

This Week's Sermon

This week's sermon is posted:

Sermon #24 - Two Stories about Seeds and a Really Big Tree

It took me a while this morning to sort out what I intended to say from what I really said. The written copy is somewhere in between.

As always, your thoughts, questions and comments are always welcome!

peace,

will

A different view of Corpus Christi

Alisha and I enjoy occasionally seeing Corpus Christi from a different angle. We try to get out as often as we can in the kayak and enjoy the view from the water.

We got a chance to get out for a couple hours Friday and launch off North Beach. We got to cruise around the Lex, which looks especially large when you are actually floating next to it.

will

She has a home

I am glad to announce that the dog (who had been temporarily named Snowball II) has been reuninted with her family. We were just starting to get used to her!

will

Is this your dog?

If you live in my neighborhood, perhaps you recognize this dog. I hope that you might help me reuninte her with her family. She has had a bath and is doing quite well, but she belongs somewhere else. Call or email if you have any ideas.

peace,

will

She is Not Staying!

Two dogs, two turtles and two people are enough. The little dog that followed Alisha home this morning is not staying! She is a cute little grey and white dog, but we are hoping her owners claim her soon.

peace,

will

Statement by Episcopal Church Bishop

I just caught this in the Reuters news site:

Episcopal Church Says Homosexuality Not a Sin


peace,

will

Working Hard

This past week was Sea City Work Camp week here at Grace. It is an amazing experience to have 100 youth living at the church for a week while they spend their days out working on homes. I got to go out to the sites a bit this year. I filled in on Tuesday and Thursday running supplies to the work sites.

The photo is of Mike Boggs and me working hard. We were either figuring out what part I needed to run and get him or deciding if it was time for lunch.

peace,

will

Genomes and God

Since I was talking about particle spin and the Trinity this past Sunday, I thought you might find the following article of interest.

I’ve found God, says man who cracked the genome

peace,

will

This Week's Sermon

This Sunday's sermon is posted:

Of Particle Spin and Other Things Beyond Comprehension

peace,

will

Greeting from Annual Conference

Greetings from the American Bank Center on the water in Corpus Christi. I am on the floor of the annual meeting of the Southwest Texas Annual Conference. As a clergy person, I am required to be here, along with our lay delegates every year.

There are a couple of improvements this year. First we are meeting in the new arena, where the Hammerheads play and where the circus performs. It is a little roomier and a little better ambiance than the old convention center. The other nice thing is the municipal wifi system Corpus Christi has installed. I can now email and blog from the conference floor.

Oh yeah, there is also the jumbotron. It is neat to see the bishop twenty feet high on the same screen I watch the Hammerheads replays.

peace,

will

There is a Fox in the Hen House or is that a Possum in the Turtle House?

The church parsonage is teeming with wildlife. Alisha spotted a pair of baby possums in the turtle habitat last night. Baby possums are cute, but adult possums, in my experience, are quite nasty. After a couple of picture they got a gentle incentive to move on via the garden hose. It is not that I don't love all of God's creatures, it is just that these two will need a new place to hang out.

peace,

will

Aliens? These would make a horribly boring movie

A physicist believes he has found alien life. However, it doesn't walk, talk, shoot a laser pistol or even phone home.

Check it out at cnn.com:
Mysterious red cells might be aliens

peace,

will

Da Vinci Discussed

Thanks to everyone who came out for "Da Vinci Discussed" Tuesday evening. We have about 35 people join in the discussion.

I said I would post some of the resources I mentioned. The links will take you to the book on Amazon.com.

Bart D. Ehrman - Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code: A Historian Reveals What We Really Know About Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Constantine.

This is a really great overview of the problems with the book and a really readable explanation of the issues involved. This book is really readable. It is actually a fun read that will enlighten you about a lot of issues of historic Christianity. I highly recommend it.

Bart. D. Ehrman - Lost Scriptures, Books that Did Not Make It into the New Testament

This is a compilation of some of the other gospels and other Christian writing that did not make it into the Bible. Ehrman's introductions give really great background.

Bart D. Ehrman - Lost Christianities: The Battle for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew

This one is a little denser than the others. Ehrman does a great job of showing what went into the formation of Christianity the way we now know it. The book reads a little academically, but for good reason. He is covering a lot of history and a lot of complicated theological issues. You don't need a seminary degree to read it, just a little more interest than the average person.

If you have read or do read any of these, I would love to hear your comments.

peace,

will

This week's sermon

Here is the link to this past Sunday's sermon:

Sermon 22 - Truthiness is a Word, Really

It is a little later than normal since I was busy getting ready for the Da Vinci Code class. I will write about that more later.

peace,

will

Which Came First, The Chicken or the Egg?

It is good to know scientists are working on this question.

Check out the story on cnn.com:

Chicken and egg debate unscrambled

peace,

will

Sunday Preview

Sunday Preview

Sunday, May 28, 2006 (Seventh Sunday of Easter)

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

John 8:30-33

Sermon: “Truthiness is a Word, Really”

Have you seen The Da Vinci Code yet? Have you read the book? Do you have questions? Have any of your friends of family members asked you about it? Do you have answers? Join us in worship Sunday at we talk about the book and movie everyone is talking about.

Don’t worry if the book and movie are not on your “must read” or “must see” list. The sermon will not simply be a review of Dan Brown’s work. It will address the issue of truth and how and why we believe what we believe. If you have friends or family members with questions, bring them along.

Don’t forget, on Tuesday evening from 6:30-9, Grace will present “Da Vinci Discussed” an evening of learning and conversation. We will cover some of the issues raised in the book and movie including: other gospels not included in the New Testament, how the New Testament came to be, and what we know about the “historical” Jesus.

peace,

will

God's Reaching

I want to post a message from an old and dear friend of mine. He has given me permission to post it on the blog. Two pieces of background: First of all, I have known Blake since before I found my way to Christianity and eventually the ministry. Second, Blake references an online audio sermon. He stumbled upon an experiment from last year where I posted an audio version of the Sunday sermon. I didn't get much response to I stopped doing it, but I guess God put it work anyway.

Here is Blake's message and my reply:

Just listened to the 8.14.05 sermon on the website and I should have listened a LONG time ago. I was engrossed. I’ve been thinking about going back to church after having been absent from it for years. It would really be the FIRST time I’m going in many ways. Yes, I used to go because my “mom made me.” Yes, I enjoyed the community, but no, I didn’t really grasp it. This would be me CHOOSING to go, along with my wife and my 4 year old daughter. I’m 35 years old now, so this is HUGE to me….and although my daughter is very loving and sweet, this would be a more concrete way to introduce her to the source of that love and really educate her about God. She doesn’t really know about God and I haven’t been comfortable with that fact for a while.

It’s easy for me to sit here many miles away from you and type this into an email, but this is something that’s been in my head and weighing on my heart for a while. The 1st part of that sermon appealed to the reader in me…the 2^nd part appealed to the believer buried inside me, and the 3^rd part appealed to the “Will’s distant friend” part in me and the part of me that’s feeling ready to live it more concretely

This isn’t the result of some specific, intense enlightenment or tragedy or moment in my life, which I always assumed would have to happen…and I’m not talking about wanting to become a monk or go to seminary…it’s just been…building…and that’s kinda odd to me. Without being melodramatic, words are falling short here. But I think if there’s anybody in this world that I personally know who would understand, it’s you….and probably my mom. J I actually brought it up casually with my wife the other day, and she said, “Do you want to start going to church? We can do that.” Absolute support from someone who is a sel-proclaimed “non-religious” person. Amazing.

I’m typing this and getting choked up. What’s going on with me? ( I say in half bewilderment and half joy.)

Wow…just thought I’d share. J There is a church right on my corner. I have no idea what kind of church, but I’m gonna start there.

I wanna post this on your blog so others can read it and comment on it (that would actually be very helpful to *me*), but it’s not like a message board where I can just POST something…and it wouldn’t really fit as a posted response to your DaVinci Code discussion…LOL. Feel free to post it on your blog somewhere if you feel inclined and please let me know your thoughts on all of this.

Blake

my reply:

Blake,

Thank you so much for sharing all of that. I am really glad you felt you could open up and lay that all out.

Let me start by speaking theologically. For me, the central point of the Christian message is grace. Grace is the unconditional love that God has for us no matter what. It is a thing that we can’t earn and that we can’t lose. No matter how far away we go from God, God is always there waiting for us. There is a really good parable about this in Luke 15:11-32. (You can read it in a good translation at this link: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=15391769) Theologically, we have realized that God’s grace is presented in many ways. The one you are most likely encountering is what we call prevenient grace. That is God’s reaching out for us. It is happening all the time, but there are times in our life when we especially feel it. I can tell you from talking to lots of people, there is something about children that opens us up to God’s reaching. I don’t know if children lower our defenses or if the absolute miracle of their existence makes us ask questions that God is ready to answer.

A little more practically speaking, God is reaching out to you and you are listening. And for that I am glad. I love your words that it has been “in my head and weighing on my heart for a while.” That is how it felt with me. I didn’t know what was going on but I eventually figured out it had to do with God. We often think these things only happen dramatically, but usually they just sort of slowly happen.

Church is a great place to start. Remind me what part of the city you live in now and I will send you some suggestions for places to try. I really think you might want to try the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ (make sure the United is in there, it is a big difference) or even the Presbyterian Church. There are a lot of good denominations out there, but I know enough about you to guess that you want to be around open minded, thinking, seeking people. I think you will want to be around people who don’t think they have all the answers, but are asking the same questions you are.

I am excited for you. You are about to start (or resume) a wonderful journey. Please let me know how it is going.

peace,

will

Da Vinci Discussed (con't)

I am currently working on this Sunday's sermon which is going to look at the book and movie version of The Da Vinci Code. At the same time, I am outlining the program John and I will be presenting on the 30th. (See Da Vinci Discussed)

While I am working on this, I invite you to post of e-mail me any questions or issues the book or movie has raised for you. I may or may not be able to work them into the sermon of the class, but I may and it will really help me to know what people are wondering about.

peace,

will

This week's sermon

This week's sermon is posted. Some folks who came to church on Sunday may not have heard it. We had the blessing of confirming 15 youth on Sunday at the 11:00 service. Instead of one of the pastors preaching, we let four youth talk about what confirmation meant to them. It was a wonderful service and we were blessed to also have a number of members of the confirmand's families join the church. The Grace family is growing!

So in case you were at the 11:00 service or read the weblog from out of town or just want to see it in print, here is this week's sermon:

Sermon #21 - The One About Grapes

peace,

will

Sunday Preview

In case you don't get it by email, here is what is going on Sunday at Grace:

Sunday Preview

Sunday, May 21, 2006 (Fifth Sunday of Easter)

8:30 & 9:45:

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Sermon: “The One About Grapes”

11:00:

Confirmation

Things will be a little different this Sunday at Grace. During the 11 service, we will celebrate as 15 young people publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ and be confirmed as full members of Christ’s Universal Church, The United Methodist Church and Grace United Methodist Church. Join us as we celebrate what God is doing in the lives of these young people.

During the 8:30 and 9:45 services, I will be talking about grapes. I grew up across the street from a grape vineyard, so I knew about grapes long before I knew about Jesus. Come, as we contemplate together what is means to be connected to the one true vine.

peace,

will

p.s. Off to see the Da Vinci Code this weekend? Pastor John has published an excellent piece “Decoding the Da Vinci Code” in this week’s newsletter. Give it a read before you head off to the theatre.

Reading about a book that became a movie

Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code has spawned not only a movie, but more books about the book than you can imagine. Some of the books try to debunk Brown's book (even though fiction usually doesn't need to be debunked), some try to support the theories presented in Brown's fiction, and some try to take the case even further.

I have stayed away from most of these books. However, when I saw that Bart Ehrman had release a book on the topic, I couldn't pass it up. Ehrman is an actual biblical scholar. He chairs the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina and Chapel Hill.

Sometimes biblical scholars produce books that only other biblical scholars can understand, but this book is really accessible. Closer to the release of the book, Ehrman released a list of ten historical errors in The Da Vinci Code. The author continues Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code in this same vein. He is not arguing theologically and he is not critiquing the value of the work as a work of fiction. What seems to bother Ehrman is related to two things. First, Brown writes on page one of the book, "All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate." Ehrman takes issues especially with the issue of documents. He finds critical factual errors in the author's description of documents. Had the author of this fiction book not made the statement as to their accuracy, this might not be a problem. What also seems to bother Ehrman is that some of the factual errors in the book didn't relate directly to the plot and could have been corrected with the tiniest bit of research.

What is really great about this book is that it addresses some really important issues of early Christianity in really understandable terms. If you are interested in learning a bit about Constantine in early Christianity, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Nag Hammadi Library, other non-canonical gospels, the formation of the New Testament canon and the historical Jesus, this book covers it all in a really entertaining way.

I am off to see the movie tomorrow. Don't forget, if you want to learn more, come to the class!

peace,

will

Da Vinci Discussed

Although it is getting panned by critics, I am off to see The Da Vinci Code on Friday. I am going in the spirit of preperation. Below is an article about my upcoming program on the book and movie.

The Da Vinci Code opens in theatres this weekend. Just like the novel, the film is raising questions and even controversy. While Dan Brown’s work is fiction, its basis in the reality of our faith can cause many to consider their own beliefs. Whether or not you have read the book, seen the movie or intend to see it, you are invited to join Pastors John and Will for a time of learning, questions and answers.

They will cover some of the issues raised by the book and movie, including:

• Other gospels not included in the New Testament
• How the New Testament came to be
• What we know about the “historical” Jesus

They will also talk about the movie itself including some factual inaccuracies and inconsistencies as well as its possible positive and negative impact on Christians and non-Christians.

The session will be held Tuesday, May 30^th from 6:30-9pm. It is totally free and open to all. If possible, please let us know that you will be coming so that we may have plenty of room and materials for all. To RSVP, call the church office or e-mail Will Rice at pastorwillrice@gmail.com.

Crowding Out Jesus

Sometimes you hear sermons on Sunday morning and sometimes they appear on your desk. On my desk sits a bobble-head Jesus that was given to me as a gift. I noticed yesterday in my hectic, busy day, Jesus had been knocked over and trapped under a binder. He was about to be pushed right off the back of the desk.

This is a wonderful metaphor for how life goes sometimes. We get so busy that our relationship with God gets shoved right off the desk. This can even happen when were are doing things that we think are God related.

Busyness seems to be our human condition, but not what God wants of us. I was just reading this morning in Exodus, chapter 16 about the Israelites in the wilderness. They were hungry and God provided the mysterious manna from heaven. God told them that there would be plenty of this bread-like food every morning to last the whole day. On the sixth day, they were told they could gather two days worth for there would be none on the seventh for it was a day of rest. On the sixth day everyone collected enough for two days.

Guess what happened on day seven? Some of the Israelites got up and went to gather some more manna. There was none and God was a little annoyed (to say the least). (You can read the story for yourself in Exodus 16:22-30)

God is pretty clear that we need to take time to rest and to worship and to just enjoy what God has already given us. The world tells us if we are not working, we are lazy. The world tells us if we are not working hard, we better be playing hard. God tells us to just settle down.

I am going to go find some room for my bobble-head Jesus.

peace,

will

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Pt. II Hungry, Hungry Hippo

My sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew are in the U.S. visiting from France. We met them yesterday in San Antonio and spent the day with the kids at the zoo. It was a wonderful day to spend with the animals, although it was a bit muggy since it had rained the night before. It would have been neat so see since here in Corpus it hasn't rained since I moved here.

It is always fun for me to see the amazing variety of God's creatures. I always like the big animals, the cats and the rhinos and the bears. But I had the most fun taking my niece into Lory Landing where she got to feed nectar to the lorikeets while they sat on my shoulder.

See you in worship!

will

Wilderness

Some of you know that I was on vacation the week after Easter. My wife Alisha and I packed Bodhi our Labrador Retriever and our Katrina surviving mutt, Violet, into the car and took off for a week in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Some people head off to Ruidoso to ski, some to take in the horse races, and some to shop. I go for the wilderness.

For me, every step deeper into the woods, every step farther away from the hustle and bustle and complexity of life in the world is a step closer to God. Wilderness is the context in which I can best sense GodÂ’s presence and truly begin to hear the stirring of the spirit. I love to walk alone in the solitude of the forest with nothing but the trees, birds and other wild things. If I get far enough into the backcountry and allow myself to be truly present in the moment I begin to feel simultaneously small and insignificant in comparison to the totality of creation and overwhelming loved as a child of God.

The gospels are full of accounts of Jesus stepping away into the desert or the wilderness. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus got up early, while it was still dark and went out to a deserted place to pray. (Mark 1:35) Knowing that the disciples needed some time away, Jesus invited them to "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31) It was in the wilderness that Jesus truly faced his call and struggled with temptation. (Mark 1:12)

I know not all of us are adventurous outdoor types, but we can all find our own “deserted places” where we can be still enough to sense God’s presence. I found a place the other morning on my back porch watching a solitary hummingbird who has found our feeder after a winter away.

With summer approaching, thoughts are turning to vacations, reunions and lots of busy recreation. I hope in the midst of it all, you will find some time and space to be quiet and alone with God.

peace,

will

This week's sermon

It has been a while since I posted a sermon. That is not because I failed to post, it is because it has been a month since last I preached (not counting the short meditation I gave on Maundy Thursday.) I didn't intentionally take a month of from preaching. It was just how it worked out between Easter and my vacation.

Anyway, here is the link the Sunday's sermon:

Sermon 20 - Doubting, Faithless, Believing Thomas

As always, feel free to return to the weblog for to post thoughts and comments.

peace,

will

Sunday Preview

For those of you who don't receive it by email:

Sunday, April 30, 2006 (Third Sunday of Easter)
Scripture: John 20:19-31
Sermon: "Doubting, Faithless, Believing Thomas"

It is so easy these days to get stuck with a bad reputation. You slip up once, the media picks up on it and you are branded forever. This is not solely a function of our modern, media-crazed society. This sort of thing also happened to disciples in Jesus' day.

Due to a couple of lines in John's Gospel and perhaps an unfortunate translation, Thomas, also called Didymus, one of the twelve disciples, one who had shown some amount of bravery and conviction earlier in John's Gospel, is now forever branded "Doubting Thomas."

I think this may be an unfortunate title. If we just see this week's reading as the "doubting Thomas" story we may miss a lot of what Thomas and Jesus are trying to teach us here. Join us in worship this Sunday as we dig into this text together.

peace,

will

Catching up on my writing about reading

I got behind on my reading and built a pretty big stack next to my bed. Then I caught up with my reading, but now I have gotten behind on writing about what I read. The longer I wait the harder it is to write about the book.

A couple of weeks back, I finished Thomas L. Friedman's The World Is Flat, A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005).

What is the author talking about when he refers to a flat world? If you own a Dell computer and have ever called tech support and spoken to someone in India, you have experienced a flat world. If you drive a Toyota made in America, you have experienced a flat world. If you have shopped at Walmart, you have experienced a flat world. Friedman does an amazing job of explaining the changes in technology, global trade and economics that have changed everything about how business in done around the world. He then does an amazing job of explaining why this matters.

If you really want to have a better perspective about how the modern world works economically and geo-politically this book is a must read. Whether or not you personally agree with Friedman philosophy, you have to agree that this book was researched incredibly well.

Ok, so why does a pastor, who should be reading Bible and theology, have such an interest in this book? I believe as Christians, we are called to take we believe and understand about God and Jesus, things we learn from scripture and prayer and discernment and let those things affect every aspect of our lives. As we reflect on what is happening in the world, as we make choices as consumers and we weigh in on political and social issues, we do so in the context of our faith. This requires two things: first that we take our faith seriously, second that we inform ourselves about the issues.

Let me give an example. I am a Christian and a consumer. I buy food, clothes, gasoline and lots of other stuff. As a Christian and a consumer, I have a moral obligation to consider where I shop and what I buy. Do I spend my money at a store that treats its employees well, that buys from suppliers who treat their employees well and treat the environment well? Am I spending my money responsibly or in my effort to save money am I contributing to the mistreatment of employees or even the planet?

To really make these decision well, we need to be informed. Sometimes we make well intentioned decisions based on a lack of information. For instance, I might decide to not by clothing from a certain store because I hear it is made in a foreign country in a factory that only pays their workers $10 a day. That seems unfair. However, what I may not know is that $10 is twice or three times the going wage in that country and that the company who has set up shop there is contributing to the country's infrastructure and giving the entire country an opportunity to begin to climb the ladder of economic opportunity.

This is all a long way of saying, good book. Give it a read if you get a chance.

peace,

will

Back from New Mexico

Alisha, Bodhi, Violet and I are back from vacation. We spent a week in Ruidoso, New Mexico hiking and relaxing. As usual there are lots of great pictures that are bound to end up on the screen during a sermon or two.

I got lots of reading done as well. I will try to catch up with the posting of books I have read. I have a stack of read books on my desk that I would love to tell you about.

I am rested and relaxed and already back in the thick of things. After a few weeks off from preaching, I have a sermon to prepare for Sunday.

Have a great week!

peace,

will

Happy Easter!

I want to wish everyone a joyous Easter filled with all the possibilities God reveals to us in the resurrection.

I will be out of the office (and away from the blog) for a few days. See ya when I return!

peace,

will

Maundy Thursday

If I had to make a list of the days on the Christian calender that I thought were the most important, Maundy Thursday would be in the top five. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum which simply means "command." It refers to the new commandment that Jesus gives in the John 13:34 after he washes his disciples feet.

³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

The service is about more than the commandment and it is more about washing feet. (Don't worry, there will be some foot washing, but the congregation won't be asked to participate.) The service also helps us to root our celebration of Easter in the Jewish celebration of passover. We will focus on two questions similar to those that would be asked at a traditional Jewish Sedar meal. We will add a third question unique to our Christian faith. Instead of a typical sermon, John and I will respond to the questions with scripture and some explanation.

Our service will build up to a celebration of Holy Communion. In an effort to root ourselves in the Jewish tradition, you will hear some of the Eucharstic prayer read in Hebrew.

I hope you will join us!

peace,

will

Take a deep breath... and go!

Holy Week is upon us. As a pastor this is one of the most hectic weeks of the year. We will have services on Thursday and Friday and a total of four on Sunday. (I actually get a break this year. In previous years in Austin we did an Easter vigil late Saturday night.)

There is always a little extra pressure surrounding Easter Sunday services. First of all, it is an important day in the life of the church. Second, it is a day when we will be joined by a bunch of people who don't normally attend our church. Some are first time visitors. Some are people who have visited before but not been back for a while. Some are long-time members, who for whatever reason have been away a while.

Whoever decides to come and worship with us and whatever it is that draws them to this place on Easter Sunday, it is so important that we do all we can to make them feel welcome and comfortable. On Easter Sunday they are likely to make a decision, consciously or unconsciously as to whether they will return and take part in the weekly rhythms of the life of the church.


Blessings to you on this Holy Week!

peace,

will

Walking on thin ice?

When I was new to the faith, I was often frustrated around Easter time. The root of my frustration was that some people often used the occasion to try and debunk certain aspects of Christian belief. There are always tv shows, news specials, magazine articles, etc. tackling "controversial" issues about Jesus life, death and resurrection. There is always someone asking, "Was Jesus a real person?" or "Was Jesus really resurrected?"

It took me some years to realize why these things bothered me. I realized, for me, that the problem was my own internal struggle. Because I was new to the faith, there were parts of me that had questions, and parts of me that weren't sure. When someone asked a question about what I believe to be true, I had to ask the same question and wonder what the consequences of the answer were.

This Easter season is no different than most. Yahoo! News this morning caught my attention with the headline: "Jesus May Have Walked on Ice?"

Professor Doron Nof of Florida State University has announced a study that found that an unusual combination of atmospheric and water conditions in northern Israel may have created ice on the Sea of Galilee that may have made it possible for Jesus to have walked on ice and appeared to have been walking on water.

Now this is precisely the sort of thing that would have unnerved me a few years ago. Upon reading this, I would have been faced with the question myself, "What if Jesus didn't walk on water?" and "If Jesus didn't walk on water, what does that mean for my faith?"

With a few years of spiritual growth behind me, my reaction has changed. I am less bothered and more compelled by this sort of thing. Here is why I am less bothered: my belief in God and Jesus Christ is not a thing that can be proven or disproved. It is more than a collection of facts. If you could prove of disprove any one of the facts that are part of the overall system of my beliefs, it will not change that faith that I have in God and Christ. In other words, if you could prove that Jesus didn't walk on water, it would cause no change to my belief in Jesus. Besides that, the gospels are more than just a collection of stories that prove that Jesus is the Son of God,
they are a collection of stories that tell who Jesus is and therefore who God is. If, indeed, Jesus did walk on ice, it doesn't change what the Gospel reveals to me about the nature of God.

Here is why the "controversial" announcements around Easter compel me. The reasons behind them are quite varied. Some are trying to debunk Christianity. Some are trying to make a name for themselves. Some are just trying to start a conversation. It is the last one that I like. I don't think that we talk about Christianity enough. I am not even talking about in "public" life. I don't think in the church or in our homes we talk about this stuff. If headlines like this one get us to think about our own faith and discuss it with our fellow journeyers, than they do more good than harm.

peace,

will

Can I see it?

I love it when people feel comfortable around a pastor to ask the questions that are actually on their mind. Someone asked me the other day if I thought it would be ok if they went to see The Da Vinci Code when it comes to theaters May 19th. The person wasn't asking my blessing and she was going to see it no matter what I said, she just wanted to know where I stood on the issue.

My answer, "of course it is ok." The movie, as is the book, is a work of fiction, an attempt to entertain. I am rarely in favor of suggesting one boycott things meant as entertainment. (Except in the event of children who may not always be ready to separate fact from fiction.)

As a pastor, I might go so far as to even suggest seeing this movie. If it is anything like the book, it will contain some things that we Christians consider heretical. There are some assertions made in the book that are contrary to the doctrinal beliefs of the church. However, I don't find that to be harmful to Christian readers or viewers. The wonderful thing about heresy is that in order to know what we don't believe, we have to know what we do believe.

The book, and I hope the movie, address, in a somewhat overdramatic fashion, the formation of the central beliefs of the Christian church. The subject matter is actually stuff that most pastors would love to talk more about, but people tell us it is boring. The book touches on topics of the history of the Christian Church, the formation of the canon (which books ended up in the Bible) and the development of the ancient creeds.

With a little study of the topics of The Da Vinci Code it quickly become apparent that the controversy it raises is over some seemingly terribly boring stuff. I think if there is truly any conspiracy going on, it is a conspiracy of boredom. So much of the history and "hidden" documents are available to us, it is just that nobody really wants to spend any time studying them.

If the movie ends up a box office success and it raises lots of questions about faith and religion for people, that will be wonderful. Christianity is a continuing conversation and we all need more conversation partners.

If you are interested in reading more about this topic, The United Methodist Reporter had a great article a couple weeks back.

peace,

will

Nobody's Perfect

If you can't quite make out the image, click on it for a larger image. This is proof that even big, polished companies like Amazon.com blow it once in a while. The subject line of this email from Amazon.com reads: "[placeholder for winning team] Wins the NCAA Tournament!" The placeholder is in there because the game has been played yet. This email was obviously set up to go out later tonight, but someone hit send too soon. I am sure some Florida fans (like my wife) are a little unnerved by the UCLA Wins! banner in the email.

I just can't help but feel bad for the guy (or gal) who hit send.

Back and ready for Sunday

I got back from San Antonio this afternoon and got right to the glamorous work of mowing the lawn. I really had a great experience at Soul Fiesta. Usually conferences are good and useful and stuff, but this one was a true "mountaintop experience." Trevor Hudson was absolutely amazing. We were truly blessed to have him come all the way from South Africa.

This week should be pretty busy getting ready for Palm Sunday and Holy Week, but I will try to find some time to blog more about the event. For those who went, feel free to post some of your own thoughts.

peace,

will

Greetings from San Antonio

The Soul Fiesta Conference is wonderful. We had a mini-retreat for clergy yesterday with author and pastor Trevor Hudson. He also preached a sermon on the wedding at Galilee during worship last night. Worship was over two hours long but it was worth every moment. If you worship at Grace or read the sermons online, I am sure you will be hearing about some of Trevor's thoughts on Christian transformation.

Today I am off to downtown San Antonio to consider spirituality in the midst of the city's homeless population. Travis Park UMC is hosting this break-out session. I am looking forward to it.

More later.

peace,

will

On the road again

When I first got into ministry, I didn't figure pastors traveled that much. However, it turns out I do get out of town quite a bit. Today I am off to San Antonio for Soul Fiesta. This is a dual purpose trip. First, it is something that I want to attend. Second, it qualifies for continuing education which I am required to complete a certain amount of each year.

This conference is for lay people and clergy and will explore spiritual vitality in our congregations. This is a national conference and it is quite fortunate that it is being hosted right in San Antonio. They have brought in a lot of top notch presenters including Marjorie Thompson author of the Book Soul Feast.

I will be back in plenty of time for church on Sunday. So, see you then!

peace,

will

Sanctuary outside the sanctuary

A momma cat settled into a little corner outside our sanctuary to have her kittens. It may be hard to tell from the photo, but there are three. Two are dark colored and one is pure white.

If you are an animal lover and are willing to help with the eventual relocation of these kittens, e-mail or call the office.

peace,

will

This Week's Sermon

Sunday's sermon has been posted. If you read it, feel free to return to this post for comments or questions.

Sermon 19 - "Lifted Up!"

Peace,

will

Sunday Preview

Scriptures: Numbers 21:4-9
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21

Sermon Title: "Lifted Up!"

This Sunday I am faced with the challenge of preaching on one of the most well-known pieces of scripture in the entire Bible, John 3:16. So many of us know this scripture, some even memorized it as children, but we don't take many opportunities to hear it afresh. What can be so appealing about the words of John 3:16 is that they simply and succinctly represent the good news of Jesus Christ. When we read them carefully and in the context of the words that surround them, they also represent a rich, in-depth understanding of the Gospel. On Sunday, I will try to help us to see these well-known words with fresh eyes and hear them with fresh ears.

See you Sunday!

peace,


will

P.S. The Labyrinth will be available again Sunday for walking prayer from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, as our Lenten series, "Journey to the Cross" continues. Come any time. There will also be a contemplative prayer service in the sanctuary at 5:00 p.m. You can walk the Labyrinth before, during, or after this common service.

Sometimes Deep, Sometimes Not

I think this weblog is a fairly accurate reflection of my life. Sometimes, in my posts, I share deeply theological and spiritual insights and sometimes I just post about the mundane, day to day parts of my life.

Spring is here, (It is hard for a man from New York to say that on March 21^st.) so I spent most of Saturday bringing the yard at the parsonage back to life. I raked and mowed and trimmed and fertilized. In case you think I am one of those men who enjoys yard work, I am not. I love being outside, I don’t mind working with my hands, but I do not enjoy yard work.

I am however, fascinated by fertilizer, especially the chemical kind. As I spread it on the lawn, I can’t help but think about how many lives it has saved. I put it on my lawn just to keep the lawn a nice pretty green and full. It keeps my grass healthy so that Violet won’t create so much mud when she runs around. However, worldwide, mass-producible, chemical fertilizers have increased crop-yields and allowed more crops to grow in more places therefore keeping people from starving to death.

Of course, now there are places where we use too much of the stuff and threaten the eco-system. But without it, there would be a lot more hungry people. (And my lawn wouldn’t be so green.)

peace,

will

Awake and Hungry

(click on the photo for a larger view)

In case you didn't know, turtles hibernate. How deep their hibernation depends on the climate and the turtle. Our big one, Simone, got up a few times during the winter, had a little snack and went back to sleep. The small one, Simon, slept straight through. The recent stretch of warm weather has woken them both and Simone is especially hungry. The picture shows her attacking a cherry tomato. On her plate is also some lettuce, grapes, strawberries, mushrooms and peaches. Simon better hurry or there won't be any left.

peace,

will

The Joy of Bible Study

One of the neat things about being a pastor is that you get to do a lot of different things. However, if I had to choose one part of the job to do exclusively, I think I would just teach Bible studies. The Bible is the most transformative pieces of writing ever created. As a church, we tend to just sort of poke around in it, picking out little pieces and ignoring most of it. I find when people really dig into it, explore it and engage it, lives are changed.

While individual study of the Bible is important and rewarding, group Bible studies are amazing. The dynamics learning and understanding are taken to a whole new level when people of different backgrounds gather around the text. People are able to hear and understand the message in whole new ways through the experiences of others. As a group leader, it is occasionally awe inspiring to give a group a little guidance and background and then let them turn them loose with the text. The insights and revelations they produce in groups rival the most impressive thinking of top theologians and Biblical scholars.

Right now, I am actually teaching two Bible studies, Disciple I, (the picture up top is from one the sessions of that class.) and The Bible from Scratch, The New Testament for Beginners. These two classes are some of the best hours of my week.

If you have never engaged in a real, in depth Bible study, I hope you will consider it. I will be offering another group study soon. Watch the blog for more info.

peace,

will

This Week's Sermon

Sunday's sermon is posted for review.

Sermon #18- Choosing Something More


peace,

will

Sunday Preview

Here is what is in store for worship this Sunday:

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Sermon Title: "Choosing Something More"

This Sunday we will take a look at one of those slightly odd and troubling exchanges in the Bible. Jesus is telling his disciples about what is on the road ahead. He tells them about his coming rejection, death and resurrection. Peter doesn't like this much and starts to reprimand Jesus. Jesus stops him in his tracks and says one of the harshest things Jesus ever says in the Bible, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

This is more than just a harsh reprimand; it is the beginning of another explanation of what is at the core of Gospel and the temptation we have to make it something else. It is a temptation that we all face as individuals and as a church. I hope you will be there Sunday as we continue our journey through Lent and explore this text together.

Remember that throughout these remaining Sundays of Lent, the Labyrinth will be available from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Grace church fellowship hall. A brief communal service will also be provided in the sanctuary each week beginning at 5:00 p.m.

See you Sunday!
peace,



will

Has anyone seen Will?

In case anyone has wondered where I have been, I spent most of the week in Kerrville. Monday and Tuesday I was at Mount Wesley in Kerrville for the annual Bishop's Convocation. In case you are wondering what a convocation is, it comes from the verb convoke, which means to cause to assemble for a meeting. Basically, the Bishop's convocation is an opportunity for all the clergy (pastors) of the Southwest Texas Annual Conference to gather to worship, study, meet in small groups and share fellowship. It is one of the only times that we all get to see each other since we are spread out from the valley, to Austin, to San Angelo and everywhere in between. It was nice to see some of my colleagues that I haven't seen in a while. Bishop Sharon Christopher of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference also did a great two part presentation of the need for spiritual vitality among clergy.

I spent Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday at my Covenant Connection meeting. I didn't get back in town until last night. Sometimes I get frustrated when I have to be out of town a lot. However, it is truly a blessing to be a part of the United Methodist Church. Gatherings like these remind us that we are not alone as pastors or as a church, but are working together with churches all around the world. Together, we are able to do a lot more for God's kingdom than we can on our own.

I hope to see you Sunday!

peace,

will

Leadership and Vision

I had the true blessing of spending this past Saturday with the leadership of Grace United Methodist Church at our annual leadership retreat. I was so pleased that so many (I think we had around 50) of our leaders willingly gave up their Saturday and spent it considering the life, ministry and future of Grace United Methodist Church.

We spent the first half of the day working through a program called Developing Discipleship Systems, created by Dan Glover, Director of Discipleship at Greenville Evangelical United Methodist Church in, Greenville, Ohio. The program made it clear once again how important it is for us to be a place of radical hospitality. We must send a clear signal to everyone who even comes near our doors that they are welcome at Grace! Dan’s program also reminded us all about how, as a church, we need to be intentional about helping our members grow and develop in faith and spirituality. In order to truly help people to become disciples of Jesus Christ, we need to do more than simply get them busy doing the work of the church. We need to continue to provide opportunities for people to grow in their faith in small group ministries that attend to their educational and relational growth.

We spent the second half of our day thinking and praying about the future of Grace. Pastor John got us started by sharing a piece of his vision and then we all spent some time absorbing the beauty of creation at the Berry’s Lonesome Dove Ranch and listening for God’s gentle whisper of guidance.

Grace United Methodist Church is a vibrant, loving, dedicated community of faith. Churches like Grace can’t help but grow, but growth can be a difficult thing. If we are going to be truly open to the abundant possibilities that God may place before us, we will have to make plans that allow room for more ministries, more missions and a lot more people.

I hope you will ask some of our church leaders about what they learned and discovered in our time together. Their vision and excitement along with everyone’s faith, trust and hope will pave a future greater than even we can imagine.

peace,

will

The Gospel vs. H.R. 4437

I want to share an interested editorial piece from this mornings New York Times. Wherever you are on the issue of immigration, it brings up some interesting issues on our roles as citizens and our roles as Christians.

The Gospel vs. H.R. 4437

As always, I love to hear your comments.

peace,

will

Settling into Lent

We had an amazing turnout at our Ash Wednesday service last night. I don't know that I have ever seen the sanctuary that full. If you were there, I hope that you found the service meaningful and I hope it will add to the meaning of the entire season of lent.

Don't forget that all through Lent we will be offering a special Sunday evening experience Journey to the Cross from 5:00 to 5:45. It will be a time for prayer and meditation as well as an opportunity to walk a labyrinth, an ancient means of prayer in the Christian tradition.

There is more information about Journey to the Cross as well as a lot of great information about lent in this week's newsletter.

peace,

will