Rev. Who?

The article headline in yesterday's paper reached out and grabbed my attention. It read, "Online Ordinations Rise." The gist of the article concerned a growing number of people applying for online ordination credentials in order to perform weddings for family and friends. Hmm. I thought back to my ordination process (an 8 hour written exam followed by a two and a half oral exam). Passing this qualified me for "licensure." Three years later, I finished the process with another oral exam. So as I thought about online ordinations, I was wondering just how easy it would be to get "ordained" a second time.

To find out, I went to the web site of the Universal Life Church (whose web site's tag line is "Get Ordained for Free for Life.") I clicked on the tab labeled "Get Ordained." I proceeded to complete the application under the name of Frank Miller (I figured they might think my real name was fake). Upon completion of the application, I clicked on "submit." Immediately the following page came up: "Rev. Miller. Congratulations! Your Ordination date is December 14, 2010. Your name has been added into our directory and the registry of ordained ministers."

That's all it took! Wow! And from the research I did, there are other websites that also offer a no cost and no effort ordination! This makes me wonder what's next? Websites offering M.D.'s? This is just another reminder of the mark of our culture of "Let's do it the EASY way!"

Yet the Scripture uses analogies like "fighting the fight" and "running the race" to teach us about our Christian journey. So ... as followers of Christ we cannot afford to get sucked into the "let's do it the easy way" mentality of our world. So beware! The easy way is most often NOT God's way!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj (a.k.a. "Rev. Frank Miller")

A Prayer for Today . . . And Everyday!

Here's a great prayer . . . Take a moment and make it yours!

"May I speak each word as if my last word, and walk each step as my final one. If my life should end today, let this be my best day. Amen."

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A La Carte

I have a few minutes .... so here are a few links worth a click!

1. What would you do if you got a phone call to catch a plane and report to play for the New York Jets? Here's a refreshing account of a young man and what he did when he recently received such a call.

2. God gifts us and shapes us for specific tasks (Ephesians 2:10). Here's a sobering video of a couple who just were not doing what God shaped them to do!

3. Should we get all upset when we see the word "Christmas" spelled "X-mas?" Theologian and author R.C. Sproul answers this question quite well ... and if you take the time to read his answer, you will see there's no need to hyperventilate when we see the word "X-mas" this Christmas season!

I'll be back to regular posts next week. I leave tomorrow (Saturday) with my son to travel to Pittsburgh. Will head to church Sunday morning with friends ... and then on to see the Steelers play in the snow! Should be fun!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

An Invitation

This week is a vacation week for me, so this will be my first and most likely only posting of the week. With the Christmas season fast approaching, it is a great time of year to invite friends, co-workers, neighbors and family members to our holiday services. Please take a moment and view this video which is a humorous commentary on inviting unchurched people to church over the holidays.




Hmm . . . who is it YOU could invite?


Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A Prayer for Your Weekend

From time to time, I run across a written prayer that causes me to pause and pray. Here is one such prayer. I encourage you spend a few moments praying it back to our God. It comes from the pen of John Piper, in his devotional book, Life As a Vapor.

"Gracious Father, grant me a lowly spirit of gratitude. Make me feel the preciousness of past grace. Give me an honest memory of mercy. Forgive me for the pride of unremembered gifts and callous thanklessness. Waken faith in my wavering soul and give me strong confidence in your solid promises. Where past and future meet, make me humble and bold. In Jesus' name and for His sake, Amen."

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A La Carte

Again ... here are some other web sites/articles that you might want to check out:

1. Yet another surprise choral offering of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus (this time at a crowded shopping mall food court). I especially enjoyed the facial expressions of joy on the faces of many of the choir members who were singing! Watch and worship!

2. If you are looking for some help in organizing your intercessory prayer life - you might want to check out the iPhone app "Pray!". It costs $.99. I have not used it yet, but it does look like it might prove helpful. Click here to check it out.

3. You may have heard about the recent study on Americans' views on marriage. Time Magazine picked up on this with their recent cover article, "Who Needs Marriage?" For some thought provoking comments from a biblical perspective on this issue, you might want to check out Al Mohler's blog. Dr. Mohler is one of the brightest thinkers in the Evangelical world today.

4. Finally, sometimes, sports teams need some luck to go along with their skill in order to win. This past Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers got some luck when Steve Johnson, a Buffalo Bills wide receiver dropped a sure touchdown pass during the Over Time period. A few minutes later, the Steelers kicked a game winning field goal. After the game ... Johnson went on to trash-talk God. Check out some insightful thoughts on this incident from pastor Erik Raymond.

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Gospel of Luke.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love so much about the day .... the reminder it is to give thanks to our God for ALL his blessings; the family fellowship around the table; the food on the table; and the after dinner banter around a football game. Part of me hates to see the day fade away ... but as with every day, it passes by far too quickly.

Of course, it is replaced by what we have labeled "Black Friday." Because it is one of the largest shopping days of the year, retailers are hoping for big sales that will go a long way toward helping them to finish the year with more income than expenses (i.e. "in the black") - and therefore the name, "Black Friday." Now there was a time that Black Friday would begin on Friday morning ... but now - some retailers have moved it up to midnight on Thanksgiving Eve (and for a few - even earlier). Add to Black Friday the hype about "Cyber Monday" (the Monday following Thanksgiving) on which day online retailers offer some great deals. Probably many of you have personally shopped either in the stores or online either last Friday or this past Monday (I confess that I bought my wife's Christmas present on Amazon last Friday). It is a good time to pick up some great deals. So these shopping days have their place.

But I am wondering . . . the place they have grown to hold? - what does this say about our culture? Are we becoming too consumer-driven? Too materialistic? This is an area of life in which we who choose to follow Jesus must constantly monitor in our own lives. It would be very easy to get sucked into the consumerism of our society. After all, we are bombarded around-the-clock with messages that we need to buy this or that product - if we want to be truly happy!

Jesus told a parable about a rich fool in the gospel according to Luke (Luke 12:16-21). The Lord prefaces the parable with the following warning, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). Words of wisdom for all of us!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj