Watching Again

So last night I found myself watching General Conference with my wife.
also for the feed, by cutting and pasting: http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.3989537/k.3B6D/Live_Streaming_Coverage_of_General_Conference.htm


The words Gavin sent to several of his UMC friends rang true with me too.
"watching General Conference online is like watching CSPAN for united methodists"

Hope you are enjoying your watching, reading and General Conferencing this week.

The Dip

I am a regular reader of more blogs than I really keep track of, and that number has risen quite quickly with the number of folks who have started blogging for General Conference.

I was turned onto Seth Godin through Gavin Richardson who had referred me to Sam Davidson

I given insight into Seth's book, The Dip, which I have found to be very helpful in determining my plans and their viability.

But Seth put out a plea today in his blog that I share this book. I think I have already loaned it out to about 4 people, but would be glad to loan it out until the binding gives out, and the pages are unreadable. Yes, I think it is that good. It is a short read and anybody with about 10 minutes to an hour (depending on your reading speed) should be able to crank through it and extract the salient points.

If you want to borrow it, and you are in the area, just pop in and let me know. I will be happy to share, as long as it isn't already in another's hands...then you get to practice patience, or find a copy of your own.

Methodists Run Out

The start of General Conference is well underway, and who should make the New York Times, but the Methodists.

I figured it wouldn't be long before this happened, and I have been cringing waiting for the headlines to start spewing forth in all manner of newspapers, blogs, and media outlets with all of our internal fights made big for the world to see. Once again driving perceptions of Christians into the ground.

Only, this time things took a bizarre twist. The Russian Orthodox Church and Vladimir Putin, along with the Kremlin seem to be driving the Methodists out of Russia. There is a tinge of mistrust of "Western Churches" especially the Protestant Movement. So, when Putin decided to be a churchman at the Russian Orthodox Church, everything took a turn to the state. The Russian Orthodox Church became the primary church of the land.

In the midst of our own elections in this country, and every church clamoring for the President to be from their denomination, and the Presidential Candidates clamoring for the endorsement of every denomination they can muster, I find it interesting that the choice of the President Putin has put the denominations in Russia on notice.

As one who is seeking ground to find a place for God to become real, I give him applause. If he is able to spur the Russian people to unity in a single church (possibly at the expense of "other" denominations) without losing ground in the faithful, or growing the population of worshipers and disciples, I would applaud that as well.

It isn't about denomination, though we make it so from time to time. My prayer is with President Putin, the Russian people and especially the Russian Orthodox Church that God would be revealed in their love for neighbor, overcoming the ties to denominations, for the sake of the Gospel. May this not just be another power play by another national leader to incorporate the might of the church for their cause of "might makes right".

On the DL

I am staying on the Down Low (DL) this week. My mother-in-law and her mother are here for a little bit of visitation and motherly care for my wife.

This is a definite plus for us here at the house.

After all drama of funeralizing for both of our paternal grandmothers in the past two months this has been a blessed break of enjoyment and laughter.

I have been working on several projects on the computer and trying to sort through various data sets for the Conference, CEF and the lectionary study group in which I participate.

I have to admit I am appreciative of the chance to rest while working a little this week. Next week I have some appointments set up and I am back on the ground running, but a chance to get my body clock reset after two and a half weeks in Alabama and Tennessee, and the stress of death I am grateful for the chance to be with family in the joy of the moment. (My wife's grandmother just had a birthday - 39 and looking great - and that was a plus for this stay)

May you find rest in your endeavors as well.


Peace,

I'm here...Kinda

Apologies to those who look here for something every once in a while.

I have been out of town with a funeral for my wife's family in Alabama.

I came back and got back on a plane within 18 hours to fly back to Nashville for a meeting with CEF/PFC design team.

While I was there, my editor put my feet to the fire on a project I was way behind on, and so I returned to hustle out some writing. I also had church stuff and preaching to prepare.

Design Team responsibilities have also gotten into my time as I try to sort out the workshops for the database so that people can effectively sign up.

I have family (both sets of in-laws) are descending on the house this weekend, one set for one night, and another for the week ahead.

My wife is in a play and they have been having late night rehearsals, and opening night is tonight.

Busy, crazy, fun. More blogging to follow, as I recover from this whirlwind.

Peace,