Owner: LittlePastor URL:http://littlepastor.blogspot.com Join Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 09:53:40 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: Random musings and observations from an unimportant pastor. Yes, a pastor. A very unimportant pastor. One could say I was a LittlePastor. Site statistics:Click here
Flaming Nostrils of Death 2007-03-05 02:21:00 I have not been feeling well for about a week now. Stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and generally feeling the effects of hay fever. Fortunately, all the OTC medicines I'm taking have made life bearable; at least in 3-4 hour increments. Well suddenly Friday night the medication ceased to do it's job, and I couldn't get any relief. I was having severe sinus pain, and it seemed to be worse when I would lay down. Not laying down makes it hard to go to bed, so Friday night I got about 3 hours of sleep, in between working through 2 boxes of tissues.I then had to get up for an 8am Leadership Meeting at our church Saturday Morning; which had everyone asking me, "Are you alright? You look terrible man!" and other terribly inappropriate things to tell an individual in my condition.So on my way home I picked up something I've never used before in my life. Decongestant nose spray. Apparently you stick this tube thing in your nostril and spray. I read that I should spray 2 or 3 times
Satan's Sex Ed Interview 2007-03-05 23:57:00 From one of my favorite churches in America, LifeChurch.tvShocking! And I love it! Read more:Satan
Church Marketing Strategies 2007-03-07 17:00:00 I'm a big fan of ChurchMarketing
Sucks.com (mostly for their brute honesty) and have always loved seeing the marketing campaigns churches are using for their churches and for their special sermon topics and series.I found one at LifeChurch.tv that is great. Maybe I think it's great because I know most Christians would be repulsed by it?SatanHatesLife.com Read more:Strategies
No Strategy for the Future 2007-03-08 18:16:00 I've been in a mini-strategy session this morning with some of the staff at the church I work at. Our Senior Pastor has been trying to get us to be honest about some areas in the church, and to evaluate their potential for growth; and we have been getting him to be honest about some things as well. It was a good overall meeting, but the 1st in what should be many more strategy sessions. It got me to thinking about this post I read a long time ago on Tony Morgan's blog. It's great stuff, and I've been in a place that resembled these very closely...10 Advantages of Doing Ministry Without a Ministry Strategy
You give the loudest person the opportunity to decide what happens at your church.Sharp leaders who are accustomed to serving in organizations with clearly defined plans for future growth won’t stick around your church. That means more ministry for you!You’ll get to hone your debating skills as people argue about what to do next.More meetings! Where there's no strategy, Read more:Future
Flying First 2007-03-09 03:50:00 Friday morning, my family is doing a first. We are all boarding an airplane together, and heading out of town. My kids have flown at various times in their lives, but never together, and none of them remember it. Here are some observations and questions from my two sons over the last few days about their first airplane ride:Will it fly upside down?Do we get to wear space suits?Will the birds know to get out of the way, so we don't hurt them?Will we smell the clouds?Does it ever go to the moon?Why do they serve peanuts? I'd like fruit snacks more.And the most interesting observation tonight came tonight over dinner.Dylan: "How does the big airplane get up in the sky?"Ryan: "Does it have a daddy airplane that teaches him or something?" Read more:Flying
, First
Vietnam Journey 2007-03-13 16:24:00 I know we share of lot of readers, but I wanted to include a link to a friends blog; just in case you aren't a reader. Keith is in the process of traveling back to Vietnam
to spread his mother's ashes, per her request. It's a great story of a sheltered half-asian Texan taking a trip back to his mother's homeland, and he's even posted pictures of his travels. Read more:Journey
Stuck in a Book Rut 2007-03-15 05:16:00 I've been in an little bit of a reading rut over the past few weeks. Things in my schedule have been a little unusual, and I've gotten out of my reading habits. I'm currently reading Rob Bell's follow up to Velvet Elvis. It's titled Sex God. Weird title, huh? It's really an interesting book, but in my estimation is suffering from a completely wrong title. I'm 1/2 way through the book, and the content just isn't meeting the expectations that the title gave me.My wife told me the other day that some of the readers of my blog may see my reading list and think that I'm reading a book on how-to be a Sex God. So do my readers really think that? I hope not. Because why would I need a book? (insert humor here...)Today I picked up an additional book for my nightstand while perusing the racks at Borders. The book I bought is titled, Good to Great by Jim Collins.I've heard about this book for two years, and I constantly see it listed on favorite book list around the blogosphere Read more:Stuck
Oh My! 2007-03-15 20:39:00 I'm perusing the headlines today and I stumbled across possibly the most horrible, terrible story I've ever heard of. This girl will need years of therapy to recover from this event. I think if this ever happened to my family, I'd call and immediately put my house on the market. Who wants to live in a world like this?Girl finds missing dog's head in box on her front porchTwo weeks ago, a gift-wrapped box was left at the house Crystal shares with her grandmother. The box had batteries on top, and a note that said "Congratulations Crystal. This side up. Batteries included." Crystal opened the box and found her dog's head inside. The box also contained Valentine's Day candy. Crystal screamed when she saw her dog's face. "She was just hysterical," said Crystal's grandmother, Shirley Brown. "She was screaming. She said, 'Grandma, it's my dog's head!' "I said, 'no it can't be!"' Authorities say the case is an isolated incident and the suspect likely knew the family. A mo
Where Da Gold At? 2007-03-17 14:41:00 In honor of St. Patrick's day I present a classic!Some of the Greatest quotes in TV news history."It Could be a Crackhead...""I wanna run a backhoe and uproot that tree! I wanna know where da gold at!""Who all sees the leprechaun, say Hey!""Don't be afraid."We'll never know the true identity of the Mobile, Alabama Leprechaun.
Birthday Day 2007-03-19 02:50:00 On this day in History.......I was born. Read more:Birthday
Metrosexual Tendencies 2007-03-20 21:52:00 For my birthday this year my wife bought me a shirt and some shoes. I really like it when my wife picks out clothes for me, since it cuts down on the shopping for me. This year, and especially over the past few years, my wife has begun bringing home some clothes that I really do like; but would never intentionally purchase for myself. She's bought purple, blazing orange and some wild colors over the years; and usually I wear them and see what kind of response I get.Well this year's purchase might have pushed me into the dreaded Metrosexual realm. (For those of you unfamiliar with the label of a metrosexual, click here.) This year she bought me a nice black, button-up, short sleeved shirt. The thing is that it has this grey design coming up over the shoulder of the shirt and onto the back. The shirt is really cool looking. The problem is me. I'm a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy, and everyone around me knows it. Not that I dress badly, but I never buy 'outfits.' I just buy
For Real? 2007-03-22 21:33:00 My 4-year old Ryan has a funny habit of saying, "For Real?" if he ever suspects you of not telling the whole truth. For example:Dad: "Ryan, there's an alligator in your bathtub!"Ryan: "For Real?"---------------------------Ryan: "Where are we going?"Dad: "We're going to the moon to pick up some cheese."Ryan: "For Real?"As a result of this little phrase, Starr and I have started using the "For Real?" phrase in all the most cynical ways possible. For Example:Starr: "Man, the kitchen is dirty!"LittlePastor: "For Real?"Anyways, in the spirit of "For Real?", I present a few news headlines I've seen this week that seemed to be breaking news that everyone with 1/2 a brain should have already known.Now comes a brand-new study that indicates that, indeed, some people are literally addicted to ultraviolet light.Firefighters face a far greater risk of dying of heart problems while battling a blaze The typical Chinese restaurant menu is a sea of nutritional no-nos, a consumer group has found.
What's Up With That? 2007-03-23 03:46:00 I stumbled upon this news article today, and came away feeling really funny about it's content. Indianapolis Colts head coach, Tony Dungy, accepted an award from some family-friendly organization in Indiana. The coach told the audience he supported the group's efforts to amend the Indiana constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. "I appreciate the stance they're taking, and I embrace that stance," Dungy told the crowd of about 700 people."We're not trying to downgrade anyone else. But we're trying to promote the family -- family values the Lord's way," Dungy said.Apparently those are fighting words. I understand that those against this stance take issue, and they have the freedom and right to disagree and tell others that they do disagree. Where I have a problem is at the bottom of this news story. Dungy is not the first public figure to draw fire for anti-gay comments. Former NBA star Tim Hardaway apologized twice after responding to a question about
Go West Young Man 2007-03-27 17:28:00 It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power. -Alan CohenI figure most already know, but to my Internet friends and foes I want to publicly let you in on a little happening in the littlepastor's life. I'm moving to the plains of West Texas, and I'm taking my family with me! Over the past few months, I've been in some discussions to take a job at a really great place in Lubbock, TX. Well last week I made the decision to take the position, and moving my family to a new city. Making this decision has been the hardest thing I've done in my entire 31 years of living, and sadly it involves leaving some wonderful, wonderful people behind. I'm really excited about this new opportunity, and I feel like God has made my path clear throughout this entire decision m
Update 2007-03-26 22:00:00 Here's an updated link for the Peyton Manning SNL appearance. The previous YouTube video has been pulled; for copyright reasons. Read more:Update
Happy Happy Day 2007-03-28 16:47:00 Happy Birthday to my wife! Today we're celebrating her last birthday. Not because she won't be here when she turns 30, but apparently we stop counting at 29. Happy Birthday my love! Read more:Happy
Egg Hunt 2007 2007-04-03 16:30:00 Forgive me for being out of the loop for a few days. My job can easily consume my time come this time of year. For many pastors it's Easter Sunday, but for me it's Palm Sunday; and the Egg Hunt that accompanies it every year. The church I work at here in Dallas had their 14th Annual World's Largest Egg Hunt. Yours truly is responsible for the planning and organizing of this egg hunt, and my time has been monopolized for weeks preparing for it.I try and do the egg hunt different than most other churches. First, we don't do it on Easter or even the Saturday before. We have the stranglehold on Palm Sunday egg hunts, and we like it that way. Second, we make families come into our Sanctuary for a quick, I mean lightning quick, kid-friendly Easter service. It's in this service that we play some super fun games with humongous beach balls, enjoy some music from our guest el trio De Hoy, I then do a real quick illustrated Easter sermon for the kids (which this year involved me maki
Opening Day Not To Be 2007-04-05 02:44:00 For every year of my son's life, we've attended the Texas Ranger's opening day baseball game. I'm a huge baseball fan, and there is nothing quite like the excitement of Opening Day. We will both dress up in our Ranger jersey's, buy some sunglasses, pack a bag full of fruit snacks, juice boxes and peanuts, and hit the ball field. Once we get past the super scary jet fly-over; Ryan is usually great. Great, meaning we make it to the 7th inning stretch before heading home.Well, this year I was going to take Dylan along for the ride as well. A great Father-Son-Son baseball event. But this year I pulled a goof, and we're not going. I usually get an email early in March giving me a pass code to purchase tickets early. (I get this early opportunity because I often take groups from our church to games during the summer.) This year the spam filter was my downfall. The email was trapped, and by the time I realized it was approaching opening day the whole game was completely sold o
USPS Madness 2007-04-06 23:13:00 Something Weird has happened at the United States Post Office.Strange times I live in... Read more:Madness
Ramblings of a Home Seller 2007-04-06 22:40:00 With our move to Lubbock coming at the end of April, selling our home in Dallas has become a HIGH PRIORITY! I can't afford to pay a mortgage on a house in Dallas and Lubbock, so with three weeks to go I'm putting on the full court press. I've dropped my real estate agent, and I'm now a 'For Sell By Owner' home seller.I've plunged the price pretty low, and listed it with Craigslists.com hoping to get some attention. Hopefully I can get someone looking to get a great deal and soon. In three weeks, I've dropped my asking price over $8k and at this point would be happy to find a home buyer that would assume the mortgage with my 5.75% rate.Now all the 'stepping out in faith' talk is really be tested. Read more:Seller
Sex God Review 2007-04-05 16:19:00 A few weeks ago I finished Rob Bell's new book, Sex God. I'd made some reference to the title being misstated, and I still stand by that. When I first picked up the book in early March, I thought it was going to be about sex, and the biblical thoughts concerning sex. The book is indeed about sex, but not entirely. The book is primarily about relationships. Relationships with our spouse, those we love, and most importantly about our relationship with God's Son, Jesus Christ.I really loved Rob Bell's first book, Velvet Elvis. This book is not as great as Velvet Elvis, but it is still a very, very good book. Where Velvet Elvis kind of broke some new theological thoughts into the mainstream, there is very little in Sex God that I have not heard at various different encounters in my life. So in many ways this book doesn't measure up to the standard that Bell set with his first book.I will say that this book is equally a great read for those having sex with their married partner
Resurrection Morning 2007-04-08 16:15:00 Luke 24:4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Read more:Resurrection
, Morning
Woe is Me... Not Really 2007-04-12 08:00:00 So my family and I have taken a little trip up north to Tulsa, OK to visit with some family before making our move in the next couple of weeks to Lubbock. Basically we cram as much as we can into the four days we are in town. Lots of visits with friends, family, and the like.Well Wednesday it all came crashing down. And I blame it completely on my wife. She had the audacity to get sick. In the middle of our nice visit, she had to come down with full-blown strep throat; high-fevers, nausea, headaches, and the dreaded sore throat. So instead of visiting friends and family, we've been trying to get her back to full health. I took her to the doctor, bought lots of soup, and tried my best to make it better.Mother Teresa I am not! I love my family and have always given it my 100% when someone is sick, however my flesh is wanting to go away and find something else to do. I was not that kid who took in stray dogs and nursed them back to health, so this doesn't come naturally to me.
What Not to Wear 2007-04-13 04:30:00 Yesterday I sat in a waiting room while my wife registered for her Dr.'s appointment. I see this person in their late 60's to early 70's come through the lobby walking very slowly behind a black walker. SHE is wearing black pants and a black and blue striped polo shirt. I noticed her because she was walking slow, but also because she had a real close-cropped hair cut, kind of a woman's crew cut with spikey hair on top. SHE was wearing makeup and obviously was a woman, but I thought to myself how sad it was that SHE was wearing men's clothes and had a man's haircut.About 5 minutes later I leave the same waiting room to visit the bathroom. It's a small restroom; one urinal and one toilet. As I enter I am greeted by a black walker in the corner of the room, and a PERSON with a crew cut wearing a black and blue striped polo standing at the urinal with their black pants around their ankles.(And this deserves it's own web-posting at a later time. For no reason should any man o
Crazy Mute Math Video 2007-04-16 01:41:00 Found this from one of my new(new for me) favorite bands. Dedicated to the Music Video King, Chill Pastor. Read more:Crazy
I'm Leaving 2007-04-17 16:28:00 I've always appreciated that children I work with tell me how they feel without beating around the bush. If I plan something and they don't think its fun, they'll tell me, "Pastor Jonathan, this Stinks!" It's honesty like that that makes my job so much fun.Well, this Sunday I finally told all the kids at the church that my family and I would be leaving Dallas, and therefore they would not being seeing me ever again after next Sunday. I was more nervous about telling the kids I was leaving, than telling anyone else. I was mostly afraid of what they would say to me about it. Here were some of the reactions:"I hope you're cursed for this!""I don't want to come to this church if you're not here!""Why? Why would you do this to us?"Mostly the group of 100 kids sat with their mouths open, not knowing what to say. I really do feel for them, and I understand that things like this are hard for kids to understand. I told them that I've taught them to listen to God and be quick to Read more:Leaving
One Week Countdown 2007-04-19 16:32:00 This time next week the movers will have taken over my humble 1000 square foot house, and my life will officially be in "transit." I'm in the ambiguous place where it's too early to start packing, but too late to make many other arrangements. I've not sold my house yet, and my faith is really being tested in this process. How I'll make a mortgage payment in Dallas, and apartment rent in Lubbock is beyond me at this point.Last night was my last Wednesday Night service at the church here in Dallas, and my last Sunday is fast approaching. I've had such nice things said to me by parents and others here in Dallas. It's kind of sad that it's taken me leaving to hear about my impact in the lives of some of these families. I've been trying to cram in as many lunches and dinners as I can with friends before I leave Dallas, and my schedule is pretty tight at this point. Tonight is a rescheduled soccer game for the 'Cool Cats', my next to last game to coach, Friday I have a HOT d Read more:Countdown
, One Week
Dallas Living 2007-04-19 16:26:00 Is Dallas
ready for $3 cupcakes?There are so many different things wrong with this store. Most of which involve me buying a $3 cupcake this weekend. Read more:Living
If God Be For Me 2007-04-27 13:08:00 In almost 9 years of marriage, Starr and I have now moved over 6 times. Twice we've moved over 250 miles away, but mostly within the same city. Because of this, I hate moving. I really hate moving. Part of me always hopes that a natural disaster comes and just wipes away all my belongings so that I don't have to pack them. I could then get a nice check from Allstate and be on my merry way. I know, I know... that is a ridiculous plan, but I really, really hate moving.Yesterday I sent my wife and kids off to Lubbock, and I watched the movers put my life into a semi-trailer. Starr had gone to Lubbock early to secure our 'sight unseen' apartment, and to reserve some storage space. Then it all came crashing down. I've learned in my 31 years to try and be patient when things so terribly wrong, but yesterday was very hard. When the movers had packed everything in the trailer, I was told that there was still a balance on the moving costs, and it would need to be paid upon arrival
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