First, I had to cancel the New Year's retreat due to lack of interest. I am sad, but will get over it. Perhaps we can reschedule for a date next year. We shall see.
Second, my post for today is to direct you here.
Grace & Peace
21 December 2005
14 December 2005
Found this, thought it was interesting
As I was perusing the internet, I came across the site for all the "The Way I See It" quotes from the side of Starbucks cups. The first one on the page caught my attention and I thought I would share it with all of you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Imagine we are all the same. Imagine we agree about politics, religion and morality. Imagine we like the same types of music, art, food and coffee. Imagine we all look alike. Sound boring? Differences need not divide us. Embrace diversity. Dignity is everyone's human right.
-- BillBrummel, Documentary filmmaker. His programs focus on human rights issues.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grace & Peace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Imagine we are all the same. Imagine we agree about politics, religion and morality. Imagine we like the same types of music, art, food and coffee. Imagine we all look alike. Sound boring? Differences need not divide us. Embrace diversity. Dignity is everyone's human right.
-- BillBrummel, Documentary filmmaker. His programs focus on human rights issues.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grace & Peace
12 December 2005
iPod anyone?
Question:
Do any of you own an MP3 player? How often do you download new songs/videos/podcasts to it?
Follow-up Question:
If I podcasted a weekly devotional, would you download it to your MP3 player and listen to it?
Grace & Peace
Do any of you own an MP3 player? How often do you download new songs/videos/podcasts to it?
Follow-up Question:
If I podcasted a weekly devotional, would you download it to your MP3 player and listen to it?
Grace & Peace
06 December 2005
I'd like to add an amen to this
I received this article from a weekly email subscription I have and I wanted to link to it or post it here so that you could get to the site and check that out too, but it only comes in email form, so I copy, paste, and give proper credit so that you can be blessed by reading it too. It is a little long, but worth the read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christian Love: Giving Up the Fantasy
by Peter J. Walker
My sister just caught her boyfriend soliciting a local prostitute online.
Now she gave me permission to write this, but this situation does raise the question: How far has common morality slipped? Is the Internet Age to blame? Has easy access to e-smut pushed us further and further toward the brink of depravity? Was the world always this bad, or is Original Sin merely as American as hot apple pie?
Do common ethics appear to be on the decline just as personal spirituality is exploding into everyday life? The 21st century looks to offer more potential for Christian evangelism than, perhaps, any period in the last 200 years. Today, even vocal anti-Christians acknowledge belief in God and respect Jesus, but such spiritual openness hasn’t translated to the kind of kingdom Jesus came to establish.
This is the central challenge posed to postmodern Christianity: How does one introduce a higher ethic, an absolute Truth, in the midst of exalted relativism?
We approach this question when we talk about “relevance” or “emergent Christianity,” but too often the relevant issues at hand are lost in theological rhetoric and pop-philosophy that has little to do with practical living. My views of hell and creation may be changing (and they certainly are thanks to postmodern literature), but if my love doesn’t grow, then my Christianity is just as stale and marginalized as it’s always been.
Conclusion: theology, per se, isn’t the whole solution.
So if intellectuals can’t save “selfish me” or my spurned sister or her philandering ex, where do we go from here? How does Christianity redeem a world where Christian virtues are trivial to the point of social incompatibility?
The Apostle Paul boiled it down to this: “And whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Romans 13:9, TNIV). Jesus lived and breathed this kind of self- negating, rights-surrendering, community-altering agape. It got Him killed.
If we are to embrace a brand of Christianity that truly alters our lives and the world in which we inhabit, it will require more from us than throwing out our secular music and wearing kitschy T-shirts bearing memorable Jesus-ized slogans.
First, it’s important to rediscover the unsexy unselfishness inherent in biblical ideas of love. We have to remind the world (and ourselves) that love involves sacrifice. Somewhere along the way, the “otherness” that love demands gets lost. In a generation where self-gratification reaches new levels through erotic mass media and a dangerously casual dating culture, the idea of abstaining from indulgence sounds almost puritanical. Yet such an attitude is completely contrary to a 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love that is defined, not by feelings or emotions or sensuality, but by matters of will, of choice and of sacrifice.
It doesn’t sound very erotic, but it may be the only prescription for healthy, transcendent relationships.
Next, the believer must expose and defy the all-too-American attitude that blindly tells us, “More is better—even relationally.” This lie convinced my frat brothers back in college that quantity is better than quality—that sleeping with four women in a week is perfectly acceptable, that there is plenty of time to settle down and be domestic later on. Years later, this lie convinced a man that his wife may have been adequate when his salary was $40K a year, but now that he’s reached junior vice president, it’s time to think about image.
“More” has been defined as a certain shape of body and a certain social inclination, a plastic replica of happy living. After all, how could something so pedestrian as love survive the rigors of corporate appearance?
Finally, love must be removed—with a scalpel, if necessary—from the romantic entanglements lauded by pop culture’s generic TV-archetypes. Ironically, this aspect of false love may be the most difficult to rid ourselves of. Because it is seemingly benign (almost adorably innocent), it escapes the critical lens of truth. Who could deny the life-changing love that grew and blossomed between Justin and Britney? Brad and Angelina? Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper? Who would want to?
The truth nobody likes to admit (but everyone knows deep down) is that love can be quite unimpressive, even boring; my parents have watched British comedies every Saturday night for 15 years! Before that, they square-danced. God save us from such fates …
Or perhaps: God redeem us through such simplicity.
I live next door to a woman with schizophrenia. Her husband left her last month, tired of dealing with the illness. For the last four nights, she has danced to blaring country music in her driveway, silhouetted by the empty glow of her parked pickup’s headlights. She’s out there as I write this paragraph, lost in some blurred reality that few will take the time to care about. I wonder what facets of love are lacking in her life. I wonder which parts of “ever after” fell by the wayside as her husband walked away for the last time.
Love is a lot of work—gut-wrenching at times—which means that Christianity is inevitably hard, no matter what the televangelists say.
In cautious reflection, I guess there must be a rush in making email contact with a real-life prostitute—the adrenaline of “what if” must excite the baser instincts in a man. Perhaps my sister’s ex isn’t so vile. I suppose I can almost see how something so empty and meaningless could provide a tempting escape from the responsibilities of a real, deep, give-and-take relationship …
But prostituted love isn’t real. Neither is empty, self-help Christianity, which promises far more than any religion could deliver: the simple life, the good life, the American pie. Maybe real love—real religion—is the one that Jesus was talking about before He gave His life for people, some of whom will never even realize why.
Peter Walker is a Spiritual Formation student at George Fox Seminary, and works with youth and drama ministries at his local church. He is desperate for change.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check out Relevant Magazine for more article like this and for your connection to making Christ real for people who are not interested in Christianity.
Grace & Peace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christian Love: Giving Up the Fantasy
by Peter J. Walker
My sister just caught her boyfriend soliciting a local prostitute online.
Now she gave me permission to write this, but this situation does raise the question: How far has common morality slipped? Is the Internet Age to blame? Has easy access to e-smut pushed us further and further toward the brink of depravity? Was the world always this bad, or is Original Sin merely as American as hot apple pie?
Do common ethics appear to be on the decline just as personal spirituality is exploding into everyday life? The 21st century looks to offer more potential for Christian evangelism than, perhaps, any period in the last 200 years. Today, even vocal anti-Christians acknowledge belief in God and respect Jesus, but such spiritual openness hasn’t translated to the kind of kingdom Jesus came to establish.
This is the central challenge posed to postmodern Christianity: How does one introduce a higher ethic, an absolute Truth, in the midst of exalted relativism?
We approach this question when we talk about “relevance” or “emergent Christianity,” but too often the relevant issues at hand are lost in theological rhetoric and pop-philosophy that has little to do with practical living. My views of hell and creation may be changing (and they certainly are thanks to postmodern literature), but if my love doesn’t grow, then my Christianity is just as stale and marginalized as it’s always been.
Conclusion: theology, per se, isn’t the whole solution.
So if intellectuals can’t save “selfish me” or my spurned sister or her philandering ex, where do we go from here? How does Christianity redeem a world where Christian virtues are trivial to the point of social incompatibility?
The Apostle Paul boiled it down to this: “And whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Romans 13:9, TNIV). Jesus lived and breathed this kind of self- negating, rights-surrendering, community-altering agape. It got Him killed.
If we are to embrace a brand of Christianity that truly alters our lives and the world in which we inhabit, it will require more from us than throwing out our secular music and wearing kitschy T-shirts bearing memorable Jesus-ized slogans.
First, it’s important to rediscover the unsexy unselfishness inherent in biblical ideas of love. We have to remind the world (and ourselves) that love involves sacrifice. Somewhere along the way, the “otherness” that love demands gets lost. In a generation where self-gratification reaches new levels through erotic mass media and a dangerously casual dating culture, the idea of abstaining from indulgence sounds almost puritanical. Yet such an attitude is completely contrary to a 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love that is defined, not by feelings or emotions or sensuality, but by matters of will, of choice and of sacrifice.
It doesn’t sound very erotic, but it may be the only prescription for healthy, transcendent relationships.
Next, the believer must expose and defy the all-too-American attitude that blindly tells us, “More is better—even relationally.” This lie convinced my frat brothers back in college that quantity is better than quality—that sleeping with four women in a week is perfectly acceptable, that there is plenty of time to settle down and be domestic later on. Years later, this lie convinced a man that his wife may have been adequate when his salary was $40K a year, but now that he’s reached junior vice president, it’s time to think about image.
“More” has been defined as a certain shape of body and a certain social inclination, a plastic replica of happy living. After all, how could something so pedestrian as love survive the rigors of corporate appearance?
Finally, love must be removed—with a scalpel, if necessary—from the romantic entanglements lauded by pop culture’s generic TV-archetypes. Ironically, this aspect of false love may be the most difficult to rid ourselves of. Because it is seemingly benign (almost adorably innocent), it escapes the critical lens of truth. Who could deny the life-changing love that grew and blossomed between Justin and Britney? Brad and Angelina? Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper? Who would want to?
The truth nobody likes to admit (but everyone knows deep down) is that love can be quite unimpressive, even boring; my parents have watched British comedies every Saturday night for 15 years! Before that, they square-danced. God save us from such fates …
Or perhaps: God redeem us through such simplicity.
I live next door to a woman with schizophrenia. Her husband left her last month, tired of dealing with the illness. For the last four nights, she has danced to blaring country music in her driveway, silhouetted by the empty glow of her parked pickup’s headlights. She’s out there as I write this paragraph, lost in some blurred reality that few will take the time to care about. I wonder what facets of love are lacking in her life. I wonder which parts of “ever after” fell by the wayside as her husband walked away for the last time.
Love is a lot of work—gut-wrenching at times—which means that Christianity is inevitably hard, no matter what the televangelists say.
In cautious reflection, I guess there must be a rush in making email contact with a real-life prostitute—the adrenaline of “what if” must excite the baser instincts in a man. Perhaps my sister’s ex isn’t so vile. I suppose I can almost see how something so empty and meaningless could provide a tempting escape from the responsibilities of a real, deep, give-and-take relationship …
But prostituted love isn’t real. Neither is empty, self-help Christianity, which promises far more than any religion could deliver: the simple life, the good life, the American pie. Maybe real love—real religion—is the one that Jesus was talking about before He gave His life for people, some of whom will never even realize why.
Peter Walker is a Spiritual Formation student at George Fox Seminary, and works with youth and drama ministries at his local church. He is desperate for change.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check out Relevant Magazine for more article like this and for your connection to making Christ real for people who are not interested in Christianity.
Grace & Peace
01 December 2005
Does anyone else hear the Hallelujah Chorus playing in my head?
Today was a milestone day across the board...
1) I turned in all my paperwork for commissioning this afternoon
2) Debbie went back to work this morning at 7:30am
and
3) Caitlyn went to her first day at TLC Daycare this morning
So in addition to not getting any sleep last night finishing up paperwork, I have been wondering how our little girl has been doing at daycare all day, and worried about Debbie being at work and not with Caitlyn...so tonight will be a celebration that we are all back together again and can sleep at the same time - whoop! Who knows, I may even finish Two Towers before too long!
Don't forget to sign up for the New Year's Retreat!
Grace & Peace
1) I turned in all my paperwork for commissioning this afternoon
2) Debbie went back to work this morning at 7:30am
and
3) Caitlyn went to her first day at TLC Daycare this morning
So in addition to not getting any sleep last night finishing up paperwork, I have been wondering how our little girl has been doing at daycare all day, and worried about Debbie being at work and not with Caitlyn...so tonight will be a celebration that we are all back together again and can sleep at the same time - whoop! Who knows, I may even finish Two Towers before too long!
Don't forget to sign up for the New Year's Retreat!
Grace & Peace
29 November 2005
Sanctuary Retreat
I have mentioned this retreat before, but it is approaching quickly and I wanted to get more publicity about it out for your consideration.
On Friday, December 30, we will leave TMUMC for a contemplative retreat in which we will focus on Jesus' journey to Golgotha. The Via Crucis will give you an opportunity to reflect, in a very personal way, on how much Christ gave for us in an effort to redeem humanity. This visceral experience will challenge you, compel you, and bring you to a point of transformation by Sunday morning, January 1.
If you are interested in this retreat, please send me an email or post a comment here with your contact info so that I can get a list going. If you would like to see more people go on the retreat, please link this post to your blog and start spreading the word about it. I am hoping that it will cost you guys no more than $40 to attend. If cost is an issue, please contact me and we can work something out.
Check out Sanctuary at WonderVoyage.com for more info about the Via Crucis and the retreat itself.
Grace & Peace
22 November 2005
Decision 1032
I don't have much time to blog about this now, but check out this decision by the Judicial Council and think about these questions:
1) What are the issues you see in this situation?
2) Where does ultimate authority lie?
3) Where do you see God at work?
4) Are some of the issues present here ones you deal with in your faith community? If so, what are its key expressions?
5) How will this judicial decision affect the future of Christian faith traditions and community?
I borrowed these questions from the MethodX site, so visit there to see what others are saying. I will try to find some other blogs about Decision 1032 and link to them later this week.
Grace & Peace
1) What are the issues you see in this situation?
2) Where does ultimate authority lie?
3) Where do you see God at work?
4) Are some of the issues present here ones you deal with in your faith community? If so, what are its key expressions?
5) How will this judicial decision affect the future of Christian faith traditions and community?
I borrowed these questions from the MethodX site, so visit there to see what others are saying. I will try to find some other blogs about Decision 1032 and link to them later this week.
Grace & Peace
Mourning
Yesterday I received this email from the Dallas-Denton District office:
Dr. Virgil Howard, Associate Professor, Perkins School of Theology, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 18th, while attending the annual meetings of the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature in Pennsylvania.
His wife Barbara is currently in Germany, visiting family. She will return to Dallas on Tuesday. We will share the information about the service when it becomes available.
Dean William B. Lawrence said, "I invite all of us to offer prayers of thanksgiving for his life, his service, his ministry and his noble spirit."
I never took a class with Dr. Howard, but I knew his reputation as a caring, insightful, and thoughtful professor. He helped me find my internship at Holy Covenant last year when the plans I tried to make fell through late in the year. If he hadn't been able to step in and recommend HC - I may have missed out on one of the greatest learning experiences in my ministerial career.
Dr. Howard was a great person to work with and I know that he will truly be missed throughout the entire Perkins community.
God, sometimes the events of life escape our grasp. Sometimes we can't make sense of what happens to those we love. I pray, dear Lord, that you hold us in your loving arms and keep us close to you, until our time is done and our journey through.
Grace & Peace
Dr. Virgil Howard, Associate Professor, Perkins School of Theology, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 18th, while attending the annual meetings of the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature in Pennsylvania.
His wife Barbara is currently in Germany, visiting family. She will return to Dallas on Tuesday. We will share the information about the service when it becomes available.
Dean William B. Lawrence said, "I invite all of us to offer prayers of thanksgiving for his life, his service, his ministry and his noble spirit."
I never took a class with Dr. Howard, but I knew his reputation as a caring, insightful, and thoughtful professor. He helped me find my internship at Holy Covenant last year when the plans I tried to make fell through late in the year. If he hadn't been able to step in and recommend HC - I may have missed out on one of the greatest learning experiences in my ministerial career.
Dr. Howard was a great person to work with and I know that he will truly be missed throughout the entire Perkins community.
God, sometimes the events of life escape our grasp. Sometimes we can't make sense of what happens to those we love. I pray, dear Lord, that you hold us in your loving arms and keep us close to you, until our time is done and our journey through.
Grace & Peace
16 November 2005
Psalm of the Day
I found this during my reading for The Grand Sweep. Enjoy!
Psalm 16:1-5, 9-11 (The Message)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keep me safe, O God,
I've run for dear life to you.
I say to God, "Be my Lord!"
Without you, nothing makes sense.
And these God-chosen lives all around-
what spendid friends they make!
Don't just go shopping for a god.
Gods are not for sale.
I swear I'll never treat god-names
like brand-names.
...
I'm happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
You cancelled my ticket to hell-
that's not my destination!
Now you've got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I'm on the right way.
Grace & Peace
Psalm 16:1-5, 9-11 (The Message)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keep me safe, O God,
I've run for dear life to you.
I say to God, "Be my Lord!"
Without you, nothing makes sense.
And these God-chosen lives all around-
what spendid friends they make!
Don't just go shopping for a god.
Gods are not for sale.
I swear I'll never treat god-names
like brand-names.
...
I'm happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
You cancelled my ticket to hell-
that's not my destination!
Now you've got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I'm on the right way.
Grace & Peace
14 November 2005
Life...or something like it
My how time gets away from me when I spend my days caring for my duties at Trietsch and my nights caring for our bundle of joy! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but as I am sure most of you know, life gets crazy sometimes (and if you don't, just wait). Things around the Libby 
household have been going well. It is hard to believe that Caitlyn celebrated her 1 month birthday yesterday. She is literally changing daily and her father is growing more and more in love with her by the moment.
Parenthood rocks!
In other news, my paperwork for P&Q is due December 1 and I am trying to make sense of all this theological mumbo-jumbo floating around in my head so that I can put it on paper and speak clearly about it to the members of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Please pray for me as I spend many hours in the next 16 days putting my thoughts on paper. Please also pray for those who will proofread my work - that they will have constructive comments and helpful suggestions for making it better.
Grace & Peace
household have been going well. It is hard to believe that Caitlyn celebrated her 1 month birthday yesterday. She is literally changing daily and her father is growing more and more in love with her by the moment.Parenthood rocks!
In other news, my paperwork for P&Q is due December 1 and I am trying to make sense of all this theological mumbo-jumbo floating around in my head so that I can put it on paper and speak clearly about it to the members of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Please pray for me as I spend many hours in the next 16 days putting my thoughts on paper. Please also pray for those who will proofread my work - that they will have constructive comments and helpful suggestions for making it better.
Grace & Peace
08 November 2005
Fusion Reflections, part 2
3) I am called to help the laity find their passions
Part of what my calling entails making "a commitment to lead the whole Church in loving service to humankind" (Book of Discipline, para. 304.1e). That "loving service" includes making sure that the people I minister directly to are able to minister to others in ways that they are passionate about. If I don't make the effort to align people's passions with their ministry opportunities, I am doing a disservice to my congregation. This area of my calling is one I always need to cover in prayer, because I am not always aware of where my people's passions lie.
4) Prayer stations are easier and more impacting than I had originally thought
experiential prayer is possible and needed in my life. After going through the Dokime at Fusion+Dallas, I see how simple acts of reflection can make for great prayer time. Also, spending an hour in a room with pillows on the floor, candles around the room, and prayer requests written in Sharpie on the walls is an hour well-spent. I hope to incorporate some of the tools I used at Fusion to make a difference in the ministry I do at Trietsch.
and finally...
5) Dan Kimball is a down-to-earth, funny, and challenging preacher/speaker. I appreciated his thoughts on emerging culture and the emerging church. I pray that when our emerging worship gathering launches, we can be faithful to the task of engaging the emerging generations in our gatherings, not just offering another place for Christians to hang out.
Grace & Peace
Part of what my calling entails making "a commitment to lead the whole Church in loving service to humankind" (Book of Discipline, para. 304.1e). That "loving service" includes making sure that the people I minister directly to are able to minister to others in ways that they are passionate about. If I don't make the effort to align people's passions with their ministry opportunities, I am doing a disservice to my congregation. This area of my calling is one I always need to cover in prayer, because I am not always aware of where my people's passions lie.
4) Prayer stations are easier and more impacting than I had originally thought
experiential prayer is possible and needed in my life. After going through the Dokime at Fusion+Dallas, I see how simple acts of reflection can make for great prayer time. Also, spending an hour in a room with pillows on the floor, candles around the room, and prayer requests written in Sharpie on the walls is an hour well-spent. I hope to incorporate some of the tools I used at Fusion to make a difference in the ministry I do at Trietsch.
and finally...
5) Dan Kimball is a down-to-earth, funny, and challenging preacher/speaker. I appreciated his thoughts on emerging culture and the emerging church. I pray that when our emerging worship gathering launches, we can be faithful to the task of engaging the emerging generations in our gatherings, not just offering another place for Christians to hang out.
Grace & Peace
07 November 2005
Fusion Reflections, part 1
After attending Fusion+Dallas this weekend I learned a few things:
1) All conferences are not created equal
Fusion+Dallas was a chance for 20 and 30-somethings to find out about mission opportunities that are available to them around the world. This is not the usual theme for conferences geared toward young adults. I am glad that the RightNow organization is passionate about igniting a fire in the hearts of this generation, but...
2) Not all mission work is overseas
I was highly unimpressed with the lack of opportunities within the US to evangelize, reach the unchurched, or share the gospel. Most of the mission opportunities were in "Christian-hostile" environments outside of the US. Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for Christians sharing their faith with those who's aim it is to kill them, but there are plenty of people in America who are hostile, indifferent, or confused about Christianity. Why do some sectors in Christianity continue to ignore the fact that the US is no longer a "Christian nation" - if it ever was? Why do the youth of American Christian churchs have to go to Mexico or Africa or China in order to spread the gospel? Why can't they see that there is a large population of people who need the love of Christ right in their neighborhood?
More tomorrow...
Grace & Peace
1) All conferences are not created equal
Fusion+Dallas was a chance for 20 and 30-somethings to find out about mission opportunities that are available to them around the world. This is not the usual theme for conferences geared toward young adults. I am glad that the RightNow organization is passionate about igniting a fire in the hearts of this generation, but...
2) Not all mission work is overseas
I was highly unimpressed with the lack of opportunities within the US to evangelize, reach the unchurched, or share the gospel. Most of the mission opportunities were in "Christian-hostile" environments outside of the US. Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for Christians sharing their faith with those who's aim it is to kill them, but there are plenty of people in America who are hostile, indifferent, or confused about Christianity. Why do some sectors in Christianity continue to ignore the fact that the US is no longer a "Christian nation" - if it ever was? Why do the youth of American Christian churchs have to go to Mexico or Africa or China in order to spread the gospel? Why can't they see that there is a large population of people who need the love of Christ right in their neighborhood?
More tomorrow...
Grace & Peace
03 November 2005
Meeting with the guys
This morning was the first time that "the guys" have had a chance to get together to share our lives with each other - however, Landon was not able to come because of work commitments. So next week will be the first time all "the guys" will be together.
Despite Mr. Taylor's absence, we pushed ahead and began to share our lives. I am extremely thankful to God for this opportunity to be held accountable for my actions, to inspire deeper commitment to Christ in others, and to learn from other young men in the ministry.
Thursday mornings will be a time of joy and expectation each week for me from now on!
Grace & Peace
Despite Mr. Taylor's absence, we pushed ahead and began to share our lives. I am extremely thankful to God for this opportunity to be held accountable for my actions, to inspire deeper commitment to Christ in others, and to learn from other young men in the ministry.
Thursday mornings will be a time of joy and expectation each week for me from now on!
Grace & Peace
02 November 2005
Power FM Share-a-thon
Today is the first day of Power FM's Fall Share-a-thon and I wanted to send out a request to all those who listen to the station to go ahead and make a pledge to keep the station rockin' for Christ! You can pledge online or call 1.866.787.1897 to phone in your pledge.Please know that this station has blessed me and all those who listen on a regular basis. They are doing amazing things for God here in the Metroplex (and around the country) through offering Christian Rock Music to a world that needs to hear the gospel.
Please pray about what you can give. If you don't listen to the station on a regular basis, please consider giving a one-time gift knowing that it helps further the ministry that I do on a daily basis. Share-a-thon ends on Friday, so please pray and let God inspire you to give generously!
Grace & Peace
01 November 2005
All Saints Day
In honor of today being All Saints Day, I wanted to share with you an article written about my great-grandfather just a few days after his passing last month.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Longtime gravedigger goes to his final rest
By Mark LaFlamme, Staff Writer
Saturday, October 15,2005
GREENE - For years, the running joke around town was whether or not Clyde Libby would dig his own grave. In three decades of service to the town, he had dug them for strangers and for some of his most beloved family members.
Libby died Tuesday night after a long career that involved work with a racehorse, the Fire Department and his legendary role as sexton for Valley Cemetery. He was 94."There weren't much that man didn't do," said Bert Ferland, a longtime friend and fellow firefighter. "He did a little of everything."
Libby took over as Greene's gravedigger in 1972 when the man who held that job suffered a heart attack. By then, Libby had already been the town road commissioner, a farmer and caretaker for a racehorse, among other things.
During his decades as sexton, he dug graves for many deceased friends and family members. When his newborn daughter died before ever leaving the hospital, he went to the cemetery at dusk to dig the small hole for her. When his wife of 53 years passed on in 1989, he asked his grandsons to help him dig the grave.
In an interview in 2001, Libby said he took pride in keeping the town cemeteries beautiful and neat, as much for the families of the dead as for the people who are buried there."I never heard one person squawk about my graves," he said in 2001. "And I tell you, it makes me feel pretty good."
Libby coached a Little League baseball team. He was a volunteer firefighter and a long-suffering Red Sox fan, who saw the team win championships in both 1918 and 2004. He worked in the woods and put up 10 cords of wood each year until last winter.
Friends said he was as good to his neighbors as he was to his family."He was a very, very nice man," Ferland said. "If you needed a helping hand, he was there for you."
In 1936, Libby married Laura Foster in Greene. The couple remained married until Laura died in 1989. Libby is survived by two sons and six daughters. A son and daughter died before him.
When Libby started working as sexton, graves were dug with a shovel. He had no backhoe or hired help. There was one period in springtime years ago when Libby had 36 bodies waiting to be buried.
Things improved in latter years, but it was still mostly Clyde Libby keeping the graveyards trimmed and digging holes for the recent dead."He loved it, he really did," Ferland said. "He didn't like to be cooped up. He liked to be out in the fresh air."
The work was seasonal. Libby opened the gates to Greene's seven cemeteries on May 10 and closed them Dec. 1. The digging, mowing, raking and weeding was done during those seven months, and long hours were required of him."My entire body hurts these days," Libby said during the 2001 interview. He was 90 at the time.
Libby held his job for so long, a funeral director once asked him if he planned to dig his own grave. Libby responded that he would if he was given enough notice.
Instead, he will be memorialized with a fireman's funeral in Monmouth. He will then be laid to rest at Valley Cemetery, where someone else will tend to the grave and make sure the grounds are neat and serene.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer for All Saints Day:
We bless your holy name, O God, for all your servants who, having finished their course, now rest from their labors. Give us the grace to follow the example of their steadfastness and faithfulness, to your honor and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace & Peace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Longtime gravedigger goes to his final rest
By Mark LaFlamme, Staff Writer
Saturday, October 15,2005
GREENE - For years, the running joke around town was whether or not Clyde Libby would dig his own grave. In three decades of service to the town, he had dug them for strangers and for some of his most beloved family members.
Libby died Tuesday night after a long career that involved work with a racehorse, the Fire Department and his legendary role as sexton for Valley Cemetery. He was 94."There weren't much that man didn't do," said Bert Ferland, a longtime friend and fellow firefighter. "He did a little of everything."
Libby took over as Greene's gravedigger in 1972 when the man who held that job suffered a heart attack. By then, Libby had already been the town road commissioner, a farmer and caretaker for a racehorse, among other things.
During his decades as sexton, he dug graves for many deceased friends and family members. When his newborn daughter died before ever leaving the hospital, he went to the cemetery at dusk to dig the small hole for her. When his wife of 53 years passed on in 1989, he asked his grandsons to help him dig the grave.
In an interview in 2001, Libby said he took pride in keeping the town cemeteries beautiful and neat, as much for the families of the dead as for the people who are buried there."I never heard one person squawk about my graves," he said in 2001. "And I tell you, it makes me feel pretty good."
Libby coached a Little League baseball team. He was a volunteer firefighter and a long-suffering Red Sox fan, who saw the team win championships in both 1918 and 2004. He worked in the woods and put up 10 cords of wood each year until last winter.
Friends said he was as good to his neighbors as he was to his family."He was a very, very nice man," Ferland said. "If you needed a helping hand, he was there for you."
In 1936, Libby married Laura Foster in Greene. The couple remained married until Laura died in 1989. Libby is survived by two sons and six daughters. A son and daughter died before him.
When Libby started working as sexton, graves were dug with a shovel. He had no backhoe or hired help. There was one period in springtime years ago when Libby had 36 bodies waiting to be buried.
Things improved in latter years, but it was still mostly Clyde Libby keeping the graveyards trimmed and digging holes for the recent dead."He loved it, he really did," Ferland said. "He didn't like to be cooped up. He liked to be out in the fresh air."
The work was seasonal. Libby opened the gates to Greene's seven cemeteries on May 10 and closed them Dec. 1. The digging, mowing, raking and weeding was done during those seven months, and long hours were required of him."My entire body hurts these days," Libby said during the 2001 interview. He was 90 at the time.
Libby held his job for so long, a funeral director once asked him if he planned to dig his own grave. Libby responded that he would if he was given enough notice.
Instead, he will be memorialized with a fireman's funeral in Monmouth. He will then be laid to rest at Valley Cemetery, where someone else will tend to the grave and make sure the grounds are neat and serene.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer for All Saints Day:
We bless your holy name, O God, for all your servants who, having finished their course, now rest from their labors. Give us the grace to follow the example of their steadfastness and faithfulness, to your honor and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace & Peace
31 October 2005
Am I emerging? - revisited
Amidst changing diapers, making bottles, and losing sleep, I have been wondering about just how I fit in with the whole emerging church movement/philosophy/worldview. I wonder if I am too much of a modern to interact successfully with postmoderns. I wonder if I could handle leading a worship gathering for people who have little or no church background. I wonder if I know enough about the emerging church to do it justice.
My prayer is for an understanding that moving my focus in this direction is correct and for a rising within my current sphere of influence to help me lead in this direction.
Grace & Peace
REVISION - After posting this I visited a new site I follow and someone who attended a discussion session with Brian McLaren posted on this very subject. Check it out!
Grace & Peace - again!
My prayer is for an understanding that moving my focus in this direction is correct and for a rising within my current sphere of influence to help me lead in this direction.
Grace & Peace
REVISION - After posting this I visited a new site I follow and someone who attended a discussion session with Brian McLaren posted on this very subject. Check it out!
Grace & Peace - again!
New Year's Retreat
I am very excited about this coming New Year's weekend (12/30-1/1) because the YAs of TMUMC will have the chance to spend 2 1/2 days connecting with God in ways never before possible. I don't want to give away too much info, but the weekend will be filled with lectio divina, times of silence, and creative projects. I am grateful to Wonder Voyage for inspiring me to take on this adventure. Please be praying about your participation (if you are a YA between 18 and 29) in the weekend retreat, as well as for those who will be leading the retreat.
More information will be available soon.
Grace & Peace
More information will be available soon.
Grace & Peace
24 October 2005
back to the grind
well, today is my first day back at work following caitlyn's arrival and i must say that i sure do miss my girls at home. there is lots to do here, but my heart is back at the house with debbie and caitlyn.
in other news, the house that tmumc built during our 40 days campaign was moved this morning. it was quite a sight to see - lumbering over the curb, blocking traffic in both directions, and wondering how the house was going to stay on that trailer! i know stephanie santa maria and her family will enjoy their new home in denton.
ok, i promise i won't post pictures of caitlyn all the time, but here is one i really love - hope you do to!
grace&peace
in other news, the house that tmumc built during our 40 days campaign was moved this morning. it was quite a sight to see - lumbering over the curb, blocking traffic in both directions, and wondering how the house was going to stay on that trailer! i know stephanie santa maria and her family will enjoy their new home in denton.
ok, i promise i won't post pictures of caitlyn all the time, but here is one i really love - hope you do to!
grace&peace
16 October 2005
welcome to the internet caitlyn!
the stats
name: caitlyn anne libby
born: 10/13/2005
time: 1:58pm
weight: 7 lbs. 15 1/2 oz.
length: 19 3/4 in.
thanks for being patient with me as debbie and i get adjusted to having a newborn in the house. i
hope to upload more pictures as time allows, but 
here are some from caitlyn's first few days on planet earth. she is truly one of God's most precious creations! 
grace&peace (from caitlyn's daddy)
12 October 2005
the wait is over!
tomorrow morning at 8am, debbie and i will be venturing into uncharted waters (at least for us) as we prepare to welcome caitlyn anne libby into the world sometime later that day. we are scheduled for an induction and we couldn't be more jazzed! i will be out of pocket for the next couple of days, so leave a message if you need to and I will get back to you when i have a free moment or two.
thank you for all your prayers and well wishes - without them we would not have arrived at this day in such fine fashion. i will post pictures as soon as possible!
grace&peace
thank you for all your prayers and well wishes - without them we would not have arrived at this day in such fine fashion. i will post pictures as soon as possible!
grace&peace
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