New Word - "Conbaffled"

My wife's newest word - Conbaffled

Definition - "The feeling expressed by the interrobang punctuation mark."

Typical sentence: "I was conbaffled after hearing last nights news about the atomic computer."

Yours because His,

Pastor Patrick

New Word - "Whitetified"

My wife's newest word - Whitetified.

Definition - "The color of the world after an unexpected, overnight snow fall."

Typical sentence: It's must have snowed last night, it is all whitetified outside.

Yours because His,

Pastor Patrick

Free Seminary Help: e-Gape (humor)

Seminary sure has changed since I attended. Look at what Calvin Seminary (from the Reformed Church) has managed to put together [:-)] .

e-Gape

We probably should't share this with all those going to Methodist schools - the students may want to transfer. I know I would have if I had not been married when I arrived on campus. [:)]

Blessings,

Pastor Patrick

PS This was passed to me earlier this evening by some friends who, like me, make use of the LOGOS Bible software program.

The Old Manor - A Camp Asbury Icon

Last summer, during the middle of June, some of us were privileged to be present when the Old Manor at Camp Asbury was taken down. The two videos below were created to remember that day. The first is a 10 collage of pictures taken thoughout the day. The second is a 20 minute time-lapsed video of the eight-hour event.

10 Minute Video

20 Minute Video

Shortly before the Old Manor was removed, a new building (now "The Manor") took its place. It is our prayer that this new building will serve as a place of ministry - just as the building it replaced did.

Yours because His,

Pastor Patrick

Book Review: Coffeehouse Theology

Book Review: Coffeehouse Theology

I stumbled on Contextual Theology purely by accident. While in seminary, in 1977, my wife and served as chaperons for a group of high school students who were holding Vacation Bible Schools for eight weeks in the upper Midwest of the United States. On the Sunday morning we were invited to attend Sunday School at the church scheduled for next week's program. One question caught my attention, “What are the problems of cities?” Having lived in cities all my life, I expected answers such as “pollution”, “crime”, or “isolation”. But the answer that was agreed to by most in attendance that day was “the destruction of prime agricultural land.” It was Contextual Theology, except I did not know it until I read Ed Cyzewski's book Coffeehouse Theology.

Coffeehouse Theology explores the implication of Contextual Theology for the church today. The author recognizes that each person who reads scripture does so from their own perspective. They bring to the scripture their own biases, their own history, their own successes, hurts, and desires. Those things that make us unique can influence how we read and study scripture. By balancing our understanding of scripture with our interaction with Christians from different cultures and different eras, allows them to help us grow. Then we can better understand the God who loves all mankind. Ed Cdyzewksi provides resources and tools allowing us to do just that.

The book comes with a strong recommendation to those who have not read previously on this subject.

Communion - March 8 2009

God Will Meet Me There

God Will Meet Me There

Matthew 26:32

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.

It was a difficult night. Jesus had His last meal with His disciples. Now they were making their way to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus would have an opportunity to pray. And now He tells His disciples, His friends, “You will all fall away.” It was not just Jesus speaking, it was also
the prophets. They knew it was true, but they did not think it would be them.

But in the midst of this conversation, Jesus speaks words that are not from the prophets, but from Jesus alone, “But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Jesus will get there first. He will prepare the way. He will be gone, they will see Him crucified, they know where His tomb lies. Yet He promised to go before them to Galilee.

We each will experience dark times. It might be spiritual – when God seems far away. Or perhaps it is a physical illness – when God seems so distant. Or maybe is a loss of a loved one or something of value – and we feel so alone. Yet, when I go through bad times, when we go through dark times, maybe we can still hear Jesus speaking, “...I will go before you...” And I will look forward to meeting Him there.

God of Life

God of Life

Earlier today, I was given a quote from a Jewish song or hymn:

       God of life, God of life,
            Let me live, let me live.
        Though I tremble in your sight,
            Like sand I am sifted
        Through your hands, through your hands
            Till I finally come to realize,
        I have been living my whole life,
            To be just who I am.

I like these words, but I cannot find a source. 

Yours because His,

Pastor Patrick