How long is too long for a sermon?

I found this online at a sermon humor website: http://www.javacasa.com/humor/sermon.htm

"A preacher was on program at a district convention to preach for twenty minutes. The other preachers from the district were sitting behind him in the choir section, giving him moral support and throwing in an occassional "Amen" to help the preacher along. The preacher preached his twenty minutes and continued on despite alloted time. He preached for 30 minutes, then forty minutes and then for an hour. He even continued for an hour and ten minutes. Finally, a brother sitting on the front row took a song book and threw it at the preacher that was still going strong in his message. The preacher saw the song book as it was hurled his way and he ducked. The song book hit one of the preachers sitting in the choir section. As the man in the choir section was going down, you could hear him say, "Hit me again, I can still hear him preaching!"

Pastoral Family

Well it has been a year since Corben got his first appointment as a United Methodist pastor, and since we became a pastoral family. It has been a very exciting year with many ups and downs along the way. I am very blessed to be a part of this journey in many ways and God is showing me new things on I would say pretty much a daily basis. One of the things that has surprised me most over the past year is how much I have enjoyed being a part of the church where up until January Pearl was the only child and Corben and I were the age of must of the member's grandchildren. I had always told my parents that I would always do youth ministry, because I hated working with old people. Boy does God have a sense of humor. It has been wonderful getting involved with the United Methodist Women's group here at Bridgewater, and as a result believe it or not starting next year at the District level. I always thought of the UMW as a old ladies group. My mom always told me to keep an open mind and not say that sort of thing. Well I will say it, she was and is right (if not all the time most of the time). Pearl has not yet let me sit through many worship services over this past year so that is still a work in progress and I would say at times one of my most frustrating weekly experiences. I have also found it hard to believe what we as a church have in place for the mentoring and accountability of Pastors and their families. I can not believe that for the local pastors they meet as a group for one to two hours six times a year and that is to be their accountability group and also mentoring time with their clergy mentor. One mentor for 15 to 20 pastors, and an accountability group that size. Pretty dysfunctional if you ask me. I also have been left a little dismayed at the spouses activities. I have in the past year not once been contacted by another Pastor's spouse to ask me how things are going or to give me advice. I think that we as a church need to do more for the spouses of pastors as well as do more for the pastors, especially for new pastors and their families. With that said I would say that the local church has been a true blessing, the connectional church well let's just say we need to ask God for help. I do have some ideas from what I have experienced if there is anyone out there reading this who might be in a position to make some changes and wants to listen.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:

I will write SPOILER WARNING if someone plans on readying the book and has not just before the paragraph that could possibly give a clue to the last of the Potter books, Deathly Hallows.

Is Harry Potter compatible with the bible and Christian teaching? Magic in the sense of the book is fiction and not reality. There are those in the world today who believe it to be true, but alas it is an illusion. It may not be a mere illusion since anything Satan gets his hands into can be not only tempting and seem real, but it usually contains at least a grain of truth so that it more convincingly entices. In Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets there is a plant called Devil’s Snare and it would seem the more you struggle the more you get intertwined and sucked in. The interesting part is when light, real light, hits the snare it shrinks away into the nothing that it really is.

Of course the magic that is presented in Harry Potter is not true, but one thing can not be denied.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows sold a record breaking 15 Million copies worldwide in the first 24 hours of its release which was noted in the Dateline interview with the famous author J.K. Rowling on NBC that aired July 29^th, 2007.

15 Million Copies in the first 24 hours seem inconceivable, but it is true. What is the most common global language today; it may just very well be ‘Potterian’. The language of world and person hood J.K. Rowling’s has created.

If we are going to speak to people with cultural relevance than maybe we need to know what they are talking about. This is why I was so excited to see the truth of the Gospel in the Harry Potter series even though it may not have been intentional.

The Dateline interview previously mentioned J.K. Rowling talks about redemption and forgiveness and that after the last book ends a new beginning is enabled. All very similar to one special person Christians everywhere hold dear, Jesus. In fact Harry Potter is called the ‘chosen one’. Jesus is God’s chosen one is he not? The series though speaks volumes on so many different levels and in so many different ways. I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE ANYTHING AWAY for those that have not read the last book yet, but the Christ like examples in it are amazing. I know there are holes, but it is something that culture knows and is interested in talking about and on top of that the face of Jesus can be seen in it.

At another point in the interview with J.K. Rowling she says, “We all have a choice like the Malfoy’s of the world”. The Malfoy’s are a family that makes some bad choices and chooses to follow greed, pride, and other things many church goers would today call sin, but J.K. Rowling is so right. ‘We all have a choice” and we are responsible for that choice.

I have many acquaintances that spasm at the idea of talking about Harry Potter let alone reading him as if they might get tainted, infected, or tempted to go down the wrong path, but Harry Potter shows, mortality, humility, selflessness, compassion, mercy, and grace in multiple forms (prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying). Harry Potter also shows these previously mentioned in balance with faith, love, truth, righteousness, and justice.

SPOILER WARNING

In the end the Harry Potter series is a made up world, fiction, but the truth of the bible, and especially Jesus Christ dying on the cross for the forgiveness of sins so that all who believe may have ever lasting life, redemption, is represented in one way or another, even the resurrection.

That is all I can say at this time so that I do not spoil the book

Happy Birthday to me

It is my birthday. Today is the big 30 as some may say. I am grateful for the blessings, challenges and growth God has given me the past 30 years and am looking forward to the next 30 years. Today Tim McGraw's song the next 30 years is my song. So I am going to make a list of what I am going to do. I will post it latter after I make it.

Worship God Tonight

Tonight we went to worship with our Christian family at Concord UMC for Saturday Celebration. Usually Corben is up front and pearl and I are in the pews with me trying to keep her quiet and there and Pearl wanting to either get up front with her dad or to the nursery to play. Not tonight. Tonight during the beginning of worship, a time of singing praises to God, Pearl wanted her Dad to hold her while we praised God. Corben was holding Pearl with one hand and raised his other hand while he sang praises to God. Pearl was looking at him and than the next thing I knew she put her hand in the air and was singing. I do not know what she was saying, but I am sure God knows. Pearl than went to the nursery to play, which is staffed, at Bridgewater if Pearl has to go to the nursery than so do I. So I got to actually sit and listen to the sermon. Which was great. The title of the sermon was "I did it my way---and still got to heaven! Why Mike is not a Christian." A few of the things that I want to remember from the sermon tonight are: 1)Know that Jesus is the ONLY way. 2) Know the truth and be concerned that others know the truth. 3) Be ready to give reason for my belief in a respectful way. It was a great evening and a truly needed worship time.

Justin is staying

Thanks for all of your prayers. Justin called Grandma and Grandpap yesterday and talked to them for a little over an hour. He said that things are looking up and that he is staying in the Navy. He said the food is great that they have all the stuff he likes. He said that he is getting mail now, he did not realize that he had to go pick some of it up at the mail room. He said that he learned how to iron, and that they get up everyday at 2:00 AM and spend an hour ironing their uniforms. My dad his Uncle Leonard said at least they could do is let them iron at a more reasonable hour. Justin said that he has passed the test that he had to take and that they have pointed him out for how he does his push-ups. He is looking forward to seeing all of us when he graduates on August 31st. I will be driving Grandma and Grandpap out along with Corben, Pearl, and myself for the graduation. He only has 4 tickets so Corben and Pearl are going to stay at the hotel while we go to the base for the ceremony. Than after the ceremony we will bring Justin back to the hotel to see them. He sent a message that I better bring Pearl with me, because he wants to see her. Please keep praying for him as he continues to train to defend our country.

"The Cross Makes Murderers Of Us All" from Becky Pippert

"The Cross Makes Murderers Of Us All" is such an interesting true story that when I read I knew I needed to share it with blogland.

The following is an excerpt from:

Hope Has Its Reasons, Rebecca Manley Pippert (pgs. 102-104)

"Several years ago after I had finished speaking at a conference, a lovely woman came to the platform. She obviously wanted to speak to me and the moment I turned to her, tears welled up in her eyes. We made our way to a room where we could talk privately. It was clear from looking at her that she was sensitive but tortured. She sobbed as she told me the following story.

Years before, she and her fiancé (to whom she was now married) had been the youth workers at a large conservative church. They were a well-known couple and had an extraordinary impact on the young people. Everyone looked up to them and admired them tremendously. A few months before they were to be married they began having sexual relations. That left them burdened enough with a sense of guilt and hypocrisy. But then she discovered she was pregnant. “You can’t imagine what the implications would have been of admitting this to our church,” she said. “To confess that we were preaching one thing and living another would have been intolerable. The congregation was so conservative and had never been touched by any scandal. We felt they wouldn’t be able to handle knowing about our situation. Nor could we bear the humiliation.

“So we made the most excruciating decision I have ever made. I had an abortion. My wedding day was the worst day of my entire life. Everyone in the church was smiling at me, thinking me a bride beaming in innocence. But do you know what was going through my head as I walked down the aisle? All I could think to myself was, ‘You’re a murderer. You were so proud that you couldn’t bear the shame and humiliation of being exposed for what you are. But I know what you are and so does God. You have murdered an innocent baby.’”

She was sobbing so deeply that she could not speak. As I put my arms around her a thought came to me very strongly. But I was afraid to say it. I knew if it was not from God that it could be very destructive. So I prayed silently for the wisdom to help her.

She continued. “I just can’t believe that I could do something so horrible. How could I have murdered an innocent life? How is it possible I could do such a thing? I love my husband. We have four beautiful children. I know the Bible says that God forgives all of our sins. But I can’t forgive myself! I’ve confessed this sin a thousand times and I still feel such shame and sorrow. The thought that haunts me the most is how could I murder an innocent life?”

I took a deep breath and said what I had been thinking. “I don’t know why you are so surprised. This isn’t the first time your sin has led to death, it’s the second.” She looked at me in utter amazement. “My dear friend,” I continued, “when you look at the cross, all of us show up as crucifiers. Religious or nonreligious, good or bad, aborters or nonaborters—all of us are responsible for the death of the only innocent who ever lived. Jesus died for all of our sins—past, present, and future. Do you think there are any sins of yours that Jesus didn’t have to die for? The very sin of pride that caused you to destroy your child is what killed Christ as well. It does not matter that you weren’t there two thousand years ago. We all sent him there. Luther said that we carry his very nails in our pockets. So if you have done it before, then why couldn’t you do it again?”

She stopped crying. She looked me straight in the eyes and said, “You’re absolutely right. I have done something even worse than killing my baby. My sin is what drove Jesus to the cross. It doesn’t matter that I wasn’t there pounding in the nails. I’m still responsible for his death. Do you realize the significance of what you are telling me, Becky? I came to you saying I had done the worst thing imaginable. And you tell me I have done something even worse than that.”

I grimaced because I knew this was true. (I am not sure that my approach would qualify as one of the great counseling techniques!) Then she said, “But, Becky, if the cross shows me that I am far worse than I had ever imagined, it also shows me that my evil has been absorbed and forgiven. If the worst thing any human can do is to kill God’s son, and that can be forgiven, then how can anything else—even my abortion—not be forgiven?”

I will never forget the look in her eyes as she sat back in awe and quietly said, “Talk about amazing grace.” This time she wept not out of sorrow but from relief and gratitude. I saw a woman literally transformed by a proper understanding of the cross."

Hope Has Its Reasons, Rebecca Manley Pippert (pgs. 102-104)

Wow, that is something to think about and it really levels the playing field. No one is better then anyone else so no one should be prideful or hypocritical.

Justin Update

We got a letter from Justin yesterday. He is still at Great Lakes participating in training. However he still does not like it. By the sounds of it it's not the Navy he doesn't like it is being away from family that he dislikes. He tells us that he needs his family. We wrote him letters encouraging him to hang in there that after the first couple of weeeks we will be able to visit and see him as often as he wants to see us. He wants to try to switch to the Navy reserves or get out on medical from when he broke his arm when he was in kindergarden. I have encouraged him not to do anything to quickly and to always be honest and tell the truth. Still praying for him.

Brenda's Turning 30:-)

I can not believe it. Brenda is turning thirty. It is amazing to think she is still so young and yet so mature. Birthdays come and birthdays go, but I am forever grateful for Brenda being born. She truly is God's helpmate for me and I for her. As this momentus occasion approaches, July 29th of 2007, we already celebrated a surprise party tonight at Brenda's mother's house. I am not sure how surprised she was, actually she was not surprised at all. Brenda is one smart cookie.

I would be lost without her. There is no gift great enough, there is no appreciation strong enough, there is no words to convey thanks for everything Brenda has done, is, and continues to be and do.


Happy birthday

Daddy's coming home

Well here it is Friday afternoon and Pearl is very excited. I am also. Corben has been in Kentucky this week for the second of his three classes for the summer. He called at about 12:30 and said he was done and on his way home. I gave Pearl the phone for him to tell her, and she got a smile on her face so big I can not describe it. We are also very proud of him because he got an A in his class. The class he was taking was on Technology in ministry. He was learning how to produce videos and do powerpoint for worship services. I do not think he'll be able to use the knowledge here at Bridgewater, but I know God is preparing him for the future ministry He has in store for us. We can not wait to see him he will be home this evening. Pearl will be a little bigger at the next graduation. This picture was taken May of 2005 when Corben graduated from Geneva.

Please Pray

Last Thursday we went up to the Federal Building in Pittsburgh to say good bye to our cousin Justin as he shipped out for the Navy. He will be at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois for the next nine weeks. He called home yesterday and said that this is harder than he thought and did not know if he could make it. I know that he can. Please join us in praying for Justin. This is a picture of Pearl and Justin that day right before we left.

God of Wonders

It is amazing to see special relationships. I am amazed when I see Brenda and Pearl sitting together in the chair watching a kids movie.

God is so amazing and watching Brenda and Pearl relate as they bond today reminds me what God of wonders we truly have.

This thing God created called motherhood is such an amazing gift. It not to say mothers have it easy for Pearl gives us all, mom, dad, gramma, papap, and the like all a run for our money, but to see mother and daughter relate and relax together, the way God designed is awesome.

Russell Family Update

Wow it has been a long time since I have posted a blog. Here is what has been happening around here. In May Corben finished up the spring semester. Pearl and I were very happy it was over and proud of Corben for all of the hard work he put into the semester. We took Pearl to two Pirate games in May she seems to like going to the ball games alot. We traveled to White Lake Onterio for a weeks vacation. We took my sister with us. Pearl had a blast "fishing" and hanging with everyone. No phones, no TV, no computers. It was great. Pearl did have a portable DVD player and Aunt Dottie did not want to even her the name Shrek upon our return to the states. After vacation Pearl develped an ear infection which caused a high fever and resulted in a trip to the ER with a sevrille seisure. The doctors say they cause no damage and that she will grow out of them, the key is to keep her tempertures down. Than it was off to Annual Conference @ Grove City College. This was a very eye opening event. I enjoyed getting to catch up with old friends, getting to meet some of the other bloggers face to face, and meeting new friends. I was a little disappointed with the clergy spouse event. It seemed like everyone for the most part had their group of friends and did not want new people to come in. We'lll have to wait and see what happens next time. After Annual Conference we picked Pearl up from Grandma and Grandpap's Sunday night, unpacked, and repacked to head for Pigeion Forge Tennessee @ 7 AM Monday morning with my parents, grandparents, and cousin. Two cars with eight people and a whole lot of stuff headed to a cabin in the Somokies. Awsome time was had by all even in the mist of construction traffic and one car breaking down on the way home. On Father's Day Corben left for a week at school in Kentucky. Pearl and I took my Dad and sister to the Pirate Game for my Dad's birthday and Father's Day. We also took my sister, she said it was too hot and that we parked too far away. Corben came home to a very happy Pearl that Daddy was home. She meet him at the car and would not even let him get out. This past week Pearl went to the community Bible School. She loved it did not even want us to take her in after the first night just wanted to say by love you have fun and run in. To her dimay however someone always took her in. She is defintly going to miss it, and so will I two hours to get stuff done. Maybe Pre-shcool is a thing for her. Yesterday we celebrated Justin's graduation from high school, and his leaving for the Navy on July 4th. We are so proud of him. We can not wiat to see him in his Navy Uniform. Pearl will miss him, but she will survive along with Justin and the rest of the family. Today we are done with church and are now getting ready to go to the Pirate game, it is kid's day, Pearl will get an autograped baseball. After that we will come home and the family is comeing over for homemade icecream and staying for Bridgewater's Fireworks. Wow what a start to summer. Will post a few pictres latter.