NFL Rankings - Week 13

1 - Indianapolis Colts (last week 1...they hold on to the top spot by a thread...their typically efficient offense is paired with a horrific defense which could sabotage their Super Bowl hopes)

2 - San Diego Chargers (last week 2...RB Tomlinson is the best player in the NFL, and, with the very effective Rivers at QB, could earn a Super Bowl title this season)

3 - New England Patriots (last week 3)

4 - Chicago Bears (last week 5...they need to solve the problem of QB Grossman's inconsistency...now)

5 - Seattle Seahawks (last week 6...with Alexander and Hasselbeck back, NFC teams better start worrying about them)

6 - Dallas Cowboys (last week 7...watch out for Parcells' team, which could break a lot of NFC hearts)

7 - Baltimore Ravens (last week 4)

8 - New Orleans Saints (last week 9)

9 - Cincinnati Bengals (last week unranked)

10 - Denver Broncos (last week 8)

Teams on the Bubble:
Atlanta Falcons (if QB Vick can learn to pass effectively), Carolina Panthers (if they can learn to be consistent), Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs (last week 10), New York Giants (the collapse of the year), New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles (though I think this bird is cooked)

Worst in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals (goodbye, Denny Green), Cleveland Browns (their "Super Bowl" is tonight at Heinz Field), Detroit Lions (the Ford family needs to fire ineffective GM Matt Millen post-haste), Oakland Raiders (Al Davis needs to give up power to an effective GM and hire a good coach...maybe Jeff Fisher if the Titans make a mistake and fire him at season's end), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the miserable loss to a bad Steelers team which was without its two best players is not a good sign for Gruden's team)

Heisman watch:
It's got to be Ohio State QB Troy Smith...though Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn will likely go before Smith in the NFL Draft.

About Pitt:
I'd advise giving Coach Dave Wannstedt one more year to turn things around...then, if there's no decent Bowl bid, cut him loose.

High School:
Tomorrow night, the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars play General McLane in the AAA semifinals. TJ is heavily favored to win and advance to next week's state championship. Go TJ!

Tonight:
My brother and I will be at Heinz Field to see the woeful Browns play the disappointing Steelers. It promises to be a cold evening, but, hopefully, one with a victorious Pittsburgh team.

I Believe in Santa Claus

In the month of December, much is focused upon one of the biggest superstars in our culture. I'm not talking about Elvis Presley, the Beatles, John Wayne, or Joe Montana; there is at least one superstar bigger than even those talented folks...Santa Claus.

Each year, images of Santa are everywhere...in our music, in our stores, on our televisions...everywhere. This doesn't bother me in the least; after all, Santa Claus is very real, and, if we remember who this man is, we should be more thankful for him and his ministry, which continues to touch people today with the love and peace of Christ.

"Santa Claus" is the Anglicized/Americanized name of Nicholas, a fourth century bishop in what is today referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, in what is now the nation of Turkey. Known for his great generosity and prayerful devotion to the Scriptures, he was at one point imprisoned for his faith, but was eventually freed and participated in the critical Council of Nicea, which did so much to define, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, what entailed Christian orthodoxy.

It upsets me when I hear Christian sisters and brothers making the claim that Santa Claus doesn't exist. Imagine if in six centuries people claimed you never existed! Just because someone lived a long time ago doesn't mean they are fictional.

This is upsetting for a few reasons. First, Jesus had a special place in his heart for little children (Mt 19:13-25), and to hurt a child by claiming that Santa isn't real is not very Christ-like (see also Lk 17:2).

Second, human beings need fairy tales...we need to hold onto a sense of the fantastic. I posted briefly about this subject in May 2006, and it is a firm truth. To quote G.K. Chesterton, "Fairy tales are more than true - not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." We need this important concept, because the notion that "dragons can be beaten" is crucial to an understanding of the Christian faith; Jesus proclaimed an extremely powerful apocalyptic message (I refer you to Dale Allison's 1999 book on the subject). For a Christian to deny Santa's existence because his story is fantastic and filled with magic is to risk denial (for the same reasons) some pretty important aspects of the gospel which are also fantastic...such as the virginal conception and the Resurrection of Our Lord.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, we believe that disciples of Jesus Christ have a future (Jer 29:11), that death is not the last word (1 Cor 15:54-57; 1 Thess 4:14-18). We believe that in some way as yet not perfectly known, the dead in Christ are with God (I'll leave it to others to argue about the specific nature of the "intermediate state"). If we believe that, then is Santa Claus - Bishop Nicholas - with the Lord? If not, then are Grandma, Aunt Bessie, and your old Sunday School teacher with the Lord? John Wesley? Mother Teresa? Saint Paul?

Of course, in some mysterious way, we believe that the dead in Christ are in the presence of God, even if we cannot know the specifics of what that looks like or feels like. And, since the dead in Christ are experiencing the divine presence in a wonderful way which we cannot yet fully comprehend, they are very much alive in Christ (Lk 20:38; Phil 1:23).

Bishop Nicholas - Santa Claus - is real. And, in the bosom of the Father, he is very much alive.

He stands today as he did centuries ago as a disciple of Jesus Christ committed to prayer, the Holy Scriptures, and (remember Nicea?) Christian orthodoxy.

He stands today as he did centuries ago as a disciple of Jesus Christ committed to remaining faithful to God, even at the risk of suffering and persecution.

He stands today as he did centuries ago as a disciple of Jesus Christ committed to standing with those who suffer, those who hurt..."the least of these".

He stands today as he did centuries ago as a disciple of Jesus Christ committed to sacrificial giving and sharing, both materially and spiritually.

Let us thank God for Santa Claus and his ministry, which continues to touch the world and inspire the Church; and let us use his example to inspire us to be more faithful as disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Preaching texts for Advent 2

"...little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them,
but Jesus said,
'Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them;
for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.'
And he laid his hands on them and went on his way."

- Matthew 19:13-15 (NRSV)

"Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary
by the blood of Jesus,
by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain
(that is, through his flesh),
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water...
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
the conviction of things not seen.
Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God,
so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible."

- Hebrews 10:19-22, 11:1-3 (NRSV)

Merry Christmas from John & Yoko

Here we go...

The Steelers' hopes for a Super Bowl repeat may be significantly dimmed, but we are blessed to have this fine team in western PA. This afternoon, Robyn and I will be attending the game against Tampa Bay at Heinz Field...a kind couple in our congregation gave us their tickets. Yay God!

I'll also be at Heinz Field Thursday night for the game against the Browns (I'm taking my brother that evening). We're praying for victories!

God is good, good, good!

Update at 9:45 PM: Steelers 20, Tampa Bay 3

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day, a day to raise awareness of the AIDS crisis which is devastating children, women and men around the world, particularly in Africa.

It seems that every Christian denomination has its own AIDS task force, but all in all, the Church ought to be embarrassed regarding its response to this global pandemic. The American Church has been so preoccupied with other issues that we have allowed this particular issue to take a back seat. Some of these issues are important and shouldn't be taken lightly...human rights issues such as abortion, poverty, and war. Other issues which have preoccupied the Church should be viewed as nowhere near as important as AIDS...issues such as homosexuality, gay marriage, and presidential politics. Both the Left and the Right have been obsessed with these issues, to the detriment of our mission concerning AIDS response and other ministries.

In our Conference, a relatively small group of pastors (led by my good friends Randy Roda and Bob Zilhaver) formed a compassion ministry for folks who suffer with AIDS several years ago in the Brookville area; other than that, I can't think of a single Conference-related AIDS ministry here in Western PA. I'm sure that many local churches are reaching out to persons in their communities who are dealing with this disease, but if our Conference is a microcosm of the denomination (and, indeed, of the Church Universal), then we are sinfully falling short of God's hopes for us.

World AIDS Day is a day to raise awareness of the AIDS crisis; sadly, this awareness needs to be raised in the Church, who ought to be the group raising the awareness!

I commend Baptist pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California, who hosted a conference concerning how the Church should be responding to the crisis. Shame on those evangelicals who chastised Pastor Warren for inviting Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois to participate. Sen. Obama's support for legal abortion is troubling, to be sure, but that doesn't mean he can't be helpful in combatting AIDS, any more than Pres. Bush's troubling support for capital punishment means he can't help fight poverty. No politician is perfect...no Christian is perfect (Obama nor Bush...and certainly not me!)...but let us go on to perfection together, all the while faithfully addressing important crises such as AIDS.

The truly startling realization is that the great world issues of our day...AIDS, abortion, economic justice, education, health care, poverty, terror, war...are all intimately related, and to faithfully address one means addressing all of them in afar more holistic fashion than the Church has done to date. I believe that we need to be in prayer as to how we might more faithfully approach these issues. I have failed, to be sure, and do not write from a position of superiority.

I pray that "compassionate conservatives" and "compassionate liberals" can band together to be the Church in this chaotic hour.

The Blessings of Commercialization

"'There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud" with power and great glory.
Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.'
Then he told them a parable: 'Look at the fig tree and all the trees;
as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.'"

- Luke 21:25-31 (NRSV)

Jesus said to be on watch for the signs of the times, because when the signs are "just right", miraculous things will happen.

In Luke 21, he is primarily talking about that glorious Day when he returns to fulfill God's Promise to reconcile all creation to heaven.

But while we wait (sometimes rather impatiently) for the blessed return of Our Lord, we can also look for other signs marking other times, other miraculous seasons, other incredible opportunities to praise Almighty God and to reach out to others.

This is why I don't condemn the commercialization of Christmas, as many do; on the contrary, I revel in it.

Why? Because the signs are all around us! Trees, lights, bows, candles, greens, snow...and the wonderful music! The world is reminded during this time that we are about to commemorate one of history's greatest events, as God became incarnate in human flesh in a grand effort to save the world! (Why we evangelicals don't make a bigger deal out of the date of Jesus' conception is beyond me...so, Christmas it is.)
Because the culture has decided to commercialize Christmas, we are given a great opportunity to share the gospel. Everywhere people look they are faced with the nativity scene...they are reminded in song of the miraculous birth from the womb of a maiden...they must deal with the beautifully powerful message of the greatest and most profound of all Christmas carols, "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing".

So, bring on the bright lights, the cookies, the candy, the presents, the reindeer, and the cocoa by the fire! For at least one more season, the world is faced with an opportunity to meet Jesus in his most vulnerable state - that of a newborn infant - and is given one more opportunity to consider (or ignore) the kenotic miracle of God's love!

Merry Christmas!

NFL Rankings - Week 12

1 - Indianapolis Colts (last week 1)

2 - San Diego Chargers (last week 2...Tomlinson may keep Peyton Manning from winning another MVP award...he's the best back in the NFL by far)

3 - New England Patriots (last week 4)

4 - Baltimore Ravens (last week 5...a solid offense and outstanding defense crushed the last hopes of the Steelers)

5 - Chicago Bears (last week 3...with a more consistent QB, they could be a real threat)

6 - Seattle Seahawks (last week 8...they may come from behind and end up in the Super Bowl again, where they would likely lose to Indy, San Diego, the Pats, or Baltimore)

7 - Dallas Cowboys (last week unranked...Romo looks like the real deal, and they may go far, but are really building into next year's Super Bowl favorite)

8 - Denver Broncos (last week 6...they need to solve the QB issue)

9 - New Orleans Saints (last week 10)

10 - Kansas City Chiefs (last week 9)

Pittsburgh Steelers status:
Most mock drafts see the Steelers picking either a cornerback or offensive lineman with their first pick in 2007. Both are needed.

This Friday

Ambition / Success

"I am convinced that personal pastoral ambition, and a pastoral ethic centered around productivity and success is brutal to our souls and destructive to the souls of the people we lead. I believe there is a better way. But it requires us to walk right into the messiness of our own ambitious hearts, ready to die to those ambitions. We must become skilled at detecting the odor of personal ambition, then flee from it as if the church's future depends on it. For I believe it does."

- Kent Carlson

Thanks to Dying Church and Barry Clarke.

On Evangelicalism: Good quote

"Here is no unanchored liberalism—

freedom to think without commitment.

Here is no encrusted dogmatism—

commitment without freedom to think.

Here is vibrant evangelicalism—

commitment with freedom to think

within the limits laid down in Scripture."

- Dr. Vernon Grounds, Chancellor, Denver Seminary

(Thanks to Emergent Nazarenes.)

I like this quote because it concisely differentiates evangelicalism from theological liberalism as well as fundamentalism while also leaning upon Scriptural authority without a commitment to any particular hermeneutic. Good stuff.

Incidentally, a Nazarene brother recently emailed me and mentioned three Nazarene-related sites which deal with both sacramental theology and the emergent church conversation among our Wesleyan brethren; here are the links...

* Emergent Nazarenes
* Nazarene Round Table
* Sacramental Nazarenes

(Thanks to Nathan Zipfel.)

I Relate in Many Ways

Smart Quiz

"Intellectually" Intelligent You're 'Intellectually Intelligent.' That pretty much means that you're good with theoretical ideas and concepts - but this comes to you naturally. More or less, you're a natural brainiac. Good for you. 30% theoretical intelligence 40% natural intelligence

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Thanks to Chris Kindle (who is "All-Around Smart").

Christ the King Sunday

"Before the colonialists imposed national boundaries, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas.

Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were considered Laotians.

On the other hand, those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses on the ground, and decorated them with Chinese-style dragons were considered Vietnamese.

The exact location of a person’s home was not what determined their nationality.

Instead, each person belonged to the kingdom whose cultural values he or she exhibited.

So it is with us; we live in the world, but as part of God’s kingdom, we are to live according to his kingdom’s standards and values."

- Missionary John Hess-Yoder

Sunday's preaching texts

"Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?'
Jesus answered, 'Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?'
Pilate replied, 'I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?'
Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.'
Pilate asked him, 'So you are a king?'
Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.'"

- John 18:33-37 (NRSV)

"Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood,
and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.
'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

- Revelation 1:4b-8 (NRSV)

Thanks and Giving

What a wonderful holiday! Of all the great festivals of the year, Thanksgiving is the most distinctly American...not the notion of giving thanks, of course, but the turkey, the pilgrims and the Native Americans, the Macy's parade, the football...the way we celebrate Thanksgiving is very American; it's a great holiday!

But there is an angle to Thanksgiving which we sometimes forget. We who call ourselves Christians are fairly good at giving thanks...we pray the right prayers, sing the right songs, and speak the right words.

But, as the name implies, if we are truly thankful to Almighty God for all he has done for us, for what he continues to do for us, and for what he promises to do for us in the future, then we must allow our thanks to give way to giving.

Jesus said, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:12-14, NRSV)

As we gather with family and friends to enjoy the feast, the fellowship, and the football, have we made sure that our poor neighbors have been invited? Are they sufficiently cared for? Have they enough for their daily needs? Thanksgiving isn't really about the turkey and the football; it's about the poor, and having a blessed opportunity to serve these beloved children of God.

If we fail to remember this, then we are simply playing a game with Thanksgiving. We need to remind ourselves of the mission statement Jesus claimed for himself, and make it our own...

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
(Luke 4:18-19, NRSV)

NFL Rankings - Week 11

1 - Indianapolis Colts (last week 1...one loss isn't enough to force them from the top spot)

2 - San Diego Chargers (last week 5...wow...Tomlinson may be the best RB since OJ, Rivers looks like the real deal, and WHAT a defense...they could upset Indy and go all the way)

3 - Chicago Bears (last week 2)

4 - New England Patriots (last week 3...Brady & Co. seem to be getting into postseason form, which is bad news for the rest of the NFL)

5 - Baltimore Ravens (last week 4)

6 - Denver Broncos (last week 6)

7 - New York Giants (last week 9)

8 - Seattle Seahawks (last week 7)

9 - Kansas City Chiefs (last week 10)

10 - New Orleans Saints (last week 8...slip slidin' away...)

Honorable mentions:
Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys (looking better each week), Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers (they'll miss the playoffs, but finally seem to be getting their act together after so many miserable years)

Steelers note:
Great come-from-behind win last week in Cleveland...a terrible first half but an inspired second half...Hines Ward was solid as always, Santonio Holmes had his best game yet, Troy Polamalu did what he needed to do, and, to quote ESPN, "Ben Roethlisberger did what great QBs need to do every now and again -- he simply took over and won the game for the Steelers."

Dumb Hollywood

For years now, I have been absolutely convinced that the average IQ in Hollywood is dramatically lower than that in the rest of society. That's not to say that folks with lower than average IQs can't be talented actors or musicians; it's simply to say that, far too often, many (not all) entertainers seem almost supernaturally dense. It's not their politics; it's the things they say (and do) to support their views.

Here's some evidence...

"We are supposed to be liberated in America but if our President had his way, we wouldn't be educated about sex at all. Every woman would have six children and we wouldn't be able to have abortions." - Actress Scarlett Johansson

What an overly simplified view of the abortion debate! It's disrespectful to folks on both sides of the political spectrum who take the abortion issue seriously! How monumentally misinformed!

Thank you, Ms. Johansson, for helping to prove the notion of "dumb Hollywood".

Women in Ministry

There is an excellent piece written by Stan Gundry reprinted (with permission) at Scot McKnight's blog. You can read the piece here.

I am a firm believer in equality for women, and recognize discriminatory practices as bigotry and gravely sinful, flying against the will of God in the moving of the Holy Spirit. This sin encompasses, sadly, most of the Church Universal, and it is something concerning which we need to repent and find transformation.

Read the post on Scot McKnight's blog...it's good, good stuff!

Labor Pains

This Sunday's Gospel lesson refers to wars, rumors of wars, nations, kingdoms, earthquakes, and famine. Pretty scary stuff!

But the point of the passage isn't to scare us. Jesus' powerful "mini-apocalypse" in Mark 13 reminds us - in extremely powerful language - of the reality of change. Other than God himself, what is the one constant in our universe? Change!

The movie The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring begins with the prophetic words, "The world is changing." And so it is. Change surrounds us...cultural shifts, political transitions, and the ever-changing seasons here in western Pennsylvania. Autumn is now nearing its end, and we have seen the green summer leaves transform into beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges, and then die.

But this change is not a bad thing...if we are aware of what is happening.

The leaves change, fall and die each year in order that the trees may survive the cold, desolate winter and be reborn in a lush, green springtime.

God himself - the One who never changes, who is always the same, forever - changed 2000 years ago by becoming incarnate in human flesh, that we may survive the cold, desolate winter of our sin and be reborn in a lush, green springtime. For though God is never-changing, he is never static; God is the definition of "dynamic".

The changes in our world, our culture, and our lives should not be approached or observed with fear or uncertainity or trepidation. Rather, we need to remember that Jesus said that the changes we see are actually "labor pains", and that God is using the dynamic state of reality to give birth to something wonderful and dramatic...something far beyond our hopes and dreams.

So, be alert! Look for the changes around you! Adapt! Do not fear! Know that though change can be daunting, God is still sovereign and has tremendously exciting plans for each of us, for his Church, and for the world he has created!

Sunday's Gospel lesson

"As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, 'Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!'
Then Jesus asked him, 'Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.'
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
'Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?'
Then Jesus began to say to them, 'Beware that no one leads you astray.
Many will come in my name and say, "I am he!" and they will lead many astray.
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of labor pains.'"

- Mark 13:1-8 (NRSV, adapt.)

What I'm Reading

The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generations
by Dan Kimball...

...this was recommended to me by a friend...aside from discovering that I am apparently "postmodern" (click here and scroll down to the term for a workable, if imperfect, definition), I am also discovering that my "ministry philosophy", which has at times looked "old", is actually pretty current and, excitingly, forward thinking...a good read so far - affirming and challenging...

The Pendragon by Catherine Christian...

...I actually read this Arthurian piece years ago and am taking another look at it now...a good distraction to settle my mind...it's one of the better Arthurian novels out there (though it can be difficult to find nowadays), and mixes Malory's take with a real Dark Ages flavor...highly recommended...


Luke 1 - 2

...to spiritually prepare for the busy-ness of Christmas, I've been prayerfully reading these two chapters in multiple translations.

Spider-Man 3

May 4, 2007

NFL Rankings - Week 10

1 - Indianapolis Colts (last week 1)...though their last win was ugly

2 - Chicago Bears (last week 3)...though their last win was ugly

3 - New England Patriots (last week 2)

4 - Baltimore Ravens (last week 7)

5 - San Diego Chargers (last week 8)...a very impressive come-from-behind win

6 - Denver Broncos (last week 6)

7 - Seattle Seahawks (last week 10)

8 - New Orleans Saints (last week 4)

9 - New York Giants (last week 5)

10 - Kansas City Chiefs (last week 9)

Honorable mentions:
Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles

Surging?:
Pittsburgh Steelers...I'm hoping they've turned things around, and that it isn't too late

Looking toward the Draft:
Washington Redskins...Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs just hasn't yet found that certain chemistry to turn the 'Skins into a productive team

Believing Jesus

"If you believe what you like in the gospels,

and reject what you don’t like,

it is not the gospel you believe,

but yourself." - St. Augustine

Thanks to Andrew Stoddard

NFL Rankings - Week 9

1 - Indianapolis Colts (last week 3)...the best in the NFL;
Peyton Manning will likely win ANOTHER league MVP award, and, I believe, his first Super Bowl championship

2 - New England Patriots (last week 2)...tough loss to Indy...several uncharacteristic mistakes by future Hall of Famer Tom Brady proved costly

3 - Chicago Bears (last week 1)...they lose their first game of the season to Miami? U-G-L-Y.

4 - New Orleans Saints (last week 4)...with a bye this week...oops, sorry; they play the Steelers

5 - New York Giants (last week 8)...the NFC will come down to the Bears, the Saints, and Peyton Manning's little brother's team

6 - Denver Broncos (last week 6)...they didn't look TOO impressive beating a Pittsburgh team that beat itself, but Mike Shanahan finds a way to stay in the mix year in and year out

7 - Baltimore Ravens (last week 7)

8 - San Diego Chargers (last week 10)

9 - Kansas City Chiefs (last week unranked)

10 - Seattle Seahawks (last week unranked)

Honorable mentions:
Atlanta Falcons (last week 5), Cincinnati Bengals (last week 9), Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets

Midseason awards:
MVP - Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Coach - Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
Offensive player - LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers
Defensive player - Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos or

Shawne Merriman, DE, San Diego Chargers

Predictions:
AFC Championship: New England at Indianapolis
NFC Championship: New Orleans at Chicago

(but don't be surprised if NY ends up here instead of the Saints)

Super Bowl: Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts
Super Bowl Champion: Indianapolis Colts

Methodist History

Misc. thoughts...

I think that...

...I felt blessed this morning to have the privilege of voting; I took my daughter Kate to the polls with me...

...regardless of how they are performing so far this season, I am so thankful that the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl earlier this year and that I was able to share that joy with my children for the first time...

...Jefferson Church is a voting station, and I hated seeing the building surrounded by signs promoting political candidates...I felt dirty when I left the office today...

...Christians throughout the nation need to be in prayer for Ted Haggard and his family, as late last week Haggard resigned his pastorate at New Life Church in Colorado Springs due to his confessed "sexual immorality"...we also ought to be in prayer for the man who made the allegations, and be careful not to react with spite or bitterness...

...it's Charge Conference season again, and I strongly dislike the paperwork we need to complete, as it emphasizes numbers more than ministry, figures more than transformed human lives...when we do that too much, we become the world...

...I will be very glad when the election is over; I am so tired of the mean discourse (from both sides of the political aisle) and the seemingly endless deceptions masquerading as television commercials, which I can't seem to avoid when all I want to do is watch a football game with my family...

...it was somewhat cowardly for either the Judicial Council or the Council of Bishops (or perhaps both) to delay release of the recent decision regarding General Conference representation by Cote d'Ivoire Methodists until the Bishops were finished with their recent meetings in Africa; good way to avoid answering questions...

...personal character and integrity are the #1 factors in leadership, by far, and Pennsylvanians are blessed to have two decent men (Rick Santorum and Bobby Casey) running for U.S. Senate...

...this month, Rev. Andy Verner of Western PA Conference will lead in the launch of a new faith community in the Pittsburgh Mills Mall, and that seems like one of the neatest ministry settings around...

...the recently announced Genesis reunion tour would be much more fun if original singer Peter Gabriel were onboard...

...too often, when it comes to issues of justice, the Church takes a paternalistic "we'll take care of you" stand rather than a more Jesus-like, fraternalistic "we stand with you" stand, which would be far more difficult and demand a far greater commitment...

...this is the season that Peyton Manning finally gets his Super Bowl ring...

...as I have been prayerfully preparing for the Advent and Christmas seasons, I am once again convinced that Charles Wesley's "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" is the greatest of all Christmas carols...matched with a beautifully majestic tune by Felix Mendelssohn, Wesley's text brilliantly and powerfully tells of the Christmas miracle...the Emmanuel message that "God is with us"...and that Jesus truly is God incarnate in human flesh; no other Christmas carol possesses the theological depth and power of this Methodist classic...

...after ten years of pastoral ministry in Western PA Conference, I still avoid going to our Conference Center whenever possible, because I still get the creeps when I'm too close to the "institutional" side of the Church, and I'm not sure why that is; I'm theologically pretty "High Church" for a United Methodist, but still maintain this strange paranoia when it comes to the institutionalization of the Body of Christ...

...the Church really needs to be doing more for and with the poor...numbers don't matter at all unless we're being faithful to God and our sisters and brothers regarding this absolutely essential ministry area.

Ecumenism

Jesus said, "I pray...for those who will believe in me...
that all of them may be one, Father,
just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us
so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
I have given them the glory that you gave me,
that they may be one as we are one —
I in them and you in me —
so that they may be brought to complete unity.
Then the world will know that you sent me
and have loved them even as you have loved me."

- John 17:20-23 (TNIV)

An important part of our disciple-making mission as 21st century Christians is to work toward Church unity. Actually, it's more than important; it's essential. Just as we need to be actively pursuing the spread of the gospel through verbal witness and social witness, we need to be actively pursuing ecumenical involvement with the aim of "complete unity".

Why? Because it was the prayer of our Lord that we be "brought to complete unity".

Why did Jesus pray this prayer? That the world might know the gospel. As the world sees a disunified Church, our witness is damaged. When United Methodists work against Baptists, or Roman Catholics work against Pentecostals, or Lutherans work against Presbyterians, we are hurting not only our effectiveness, but we are hurting our Lord, who desperately desires unity.

More than simply agreeing not to work against one another, we need to actively pursue working together. Folks in our communities need to know that the UM pastor, the RC priest, and the Episcopalian vicar are all "on the same page", and view themselves as part of the same team, not as competitors (deliberate "sheep stealing" is a grave sin, and one for which God will demand an accounting).

Today, I'm happy to say, I will be meeting with other local clergy...all good people...to discuss how we might work together more formally. Our hope is, of course, to accomplish something for the gospel...and to proclaim to the people of Jefferson Hills and Pleasant Hills that we are one. We have our doctrinal specifics, to be sure, but we all share the same Lord, and everything else is subordinant to him.

Ecumenical work is not only the work of clergy. Our laity need to be actively engaged as well...or the whole thing is just a show.

How are you actively pursuing Church unity? How are you equipping others for this task? These are important questions as we seek to be faithful and fruitful.

VOTE next Tuesday...

NFL Rankings - Week 8

Things are beginning to stabilize in the NFL this season. ..

1 - Chicago Bears (last week 1)

2 - New England Patriots (last week 2)...if they beat Indy this Sunday, they're the favorite to win it all...Brady has looked phenomenal

3 - Indianapolis Colts (last week 3)...if they beat the Patriots this Sunday, they're the favorite to win it all...Manning has looked phenomenal

4 - New Orleans Saints (last week 4)

5 - Atlanta Falcons (last week 5)

6 - Denver Broncos (last week 6)

7 - Baltimore Ravens (last week 7)

8 - New York Giants (last week 8)

9 - Cincinnati Bengals (last week 9)

10 - San Diego Chargers (last week unranked)

Honorable mentions:
Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams

Game of the Week:
Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts against Tom Brady's New England Patriots...what a game it will be! Michael Smith of ESPN, thinks that when their careers are over, Brady and Manning will be considered the two best quarterbacks of all-time...read more here.

All Saints Day

"Sing with all the saints in glory, sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth's dark story, to the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking, soon the storms of time shall cease;
in God's likeness we, awaking, know the everlasting peace.

"O what glory, far exceeding all that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts, for ages pleading, never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it, there on high our welcome waits.
Every humble spirit shares it; Christ has passed th'eternal gates.

"Life eternal! heaven rejoices; Jesus lives, who once was dead!
Join we now the deathless voices; child of God, lift up your head!
Patriarchs from the distant ages, saints all longing for their heaven,
prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages, all await the glory given.

"Life eternal! O what wonders crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
when, amidst earth's closing thunders, saints shall stand before the throne!
O to enter that bright portal, see that glowing firmament;
know, with thee, O God Immortal, Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent!"

- William J. Irons, 1873 (United Methodist Hymnal #702)

10 Greatest Horror Films Ever Made

1 - Frankenstein (1931)

2 - Psycho (1960)

3 - King Kong (1933)

4 - Jaws (1975)

5 - The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

6 - Alien (1979)

7 - Dracula (1931)
(Note: My brother insists that the Spanish-language version made at the same time is actually the superior film...he probably knows better than I do in this case.)

8 - The Bride of Frankenstein - (1935)

9 - Halloween (1978)

10 - The Haunting (1963)

11 (in case you don't consider "King Kong" a proper horror flick) - The Shining (1980)

Halloween 2006

When Robyn and I began our life together, we lived in Pittsburgh...in the small borough of Wilmerding, to be precise (near Turtle Creek). During the 1991 Halloween season, when Christian was only 11 months old, we purchased pumpkins for carving Jack O'Lanterns at a little fruit stand on Rt. 30 in East McKeesport. I took this picture and have loved it ever since...beautiful Robyn with the brilliant orange tones of the season around her...

Now, thirteen years after leaving the Pittsburgh area, we are back in the city. This year, we went to that same old fruit stand on Rt. 30 in East McKeesport to get our pumpkins, and we took a new picture of Robyn, even wearing that same old shirt...

...still unbelievably beautiful!

Here are our Jack O'Lanterns for Halloween 2006,
which we carved with the kids on Sunday afternoon...

Here's my brother Kevin at the recent "Zombie Walk" on the South Side...

Happy Halloween!

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities,
he made a public spectacle of them,
triumphing over them by the cross.
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink,
or with regard to a religious festival,
a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
These are a shadow of the things that were to come;
the reality, however, is found in Christ."
- Colossians 2:15-17 (TNIV)

War & Torture

I have been very concerned with the rhetoric (as well as the actions) surrounding the "War on Terror" since 9/11/01, when it really began (though I am aware that neo-conservatives claim it had started years earlier...the USA was just unaware of that). As I've stated before, I don't believe Bill Clinton or George W. Bush are responsible for the 9/11 tragedy, as either would have done whatever they felt necessary to prevent the attack had they known it was coming. To speak of conspiracy theories involving either man, which typically comes from the Reactionary Right and/or the Radical Left, is humorous at best and terribly sad at worst.

The Church has generally been of little help regarding the War on Terror. In the days and weeks after the 9/11 tragedy, the Church was kept busy comforting the mourning, guiding the confused, and helping to mobilize relief. That was fine; it was good ministry. But when the War on Terror started its Afghan phase, the Church was woefully silent. Again, when the Iraqi front opened, the Church was, for the most part silent. We do have a statement in our Social Principles in the Book of Discipline which gives us a theological springboard from which to address war, human rights, and "weapons of mass destruction", but the Church was silent...

"We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy, to be employed only as a last resort in the prevention of such evils as genocide, brutal suppression of human rights, and unprovoked international aggression. We insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them; that human values must outweigh military claims as governments determine their priorities; that the militarization of society must be challenged and stopped; that the manufacture, sale, and deployment of armaments must be reduced and controlled; and that the production, possession, or use of nuclear weapons be condemned. Consequently, we endorse general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control."

- Book of Discipline 2004, par. 165.C

How many United Methodists pondered this statement as the Afghan and Iraqi fronts opened? A legitimate question for our denominational leadership and those who will be making Church law at General Conference 2008 in Texas is, "If remarkably few United Methodists utilize or consider these principles and resolutions, of what real value are they?"

To their credit, both the General Board of Church and Society and the national leadership of the United Methodist Women early on denounced the widening war and called for an end to hostilities, but both groups have been so tainted by bizarre behavior and, in the case of the national leadership of the United Methodist Women, recent flirtation with heresy (in reference to the entire "Re-imagining" movement of the late 20th century), that it was nearly impossible for the Church to take them seriously.

Where were our bishops? While they did pass a series of resolutions "lamenting" the state of affairs, I don't recall any great move from the Council (like the one we saw after the Hurricane Katrina disaster) to teach the Church and lead us to stand against the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Indeed, in the autumn of 2005, two years after the Iraqi front opened and a full three years after the opening of the Afghan front, our bishops spoke against U.S. action in the Iraqi front, and admitted their complicity in failing to lead. This struck me as "too little, too late"; they had missed a kairos moment to prophetically lead the Church into faithful but difficult waters, speaking out only when the mood of the American people had shifted regarding the war, and the belated statement of the bishops revealed real cowardice.

Throughout the War, the White House has been "skirting the edge" regarding what are acceptable practices during a war of this nature which, granted, is a new kind of war. I believe that President Bush is a decent and sincere man who is trying his best in the midst of extraordinarily difficult circumstances to be faithful to God, to protect the United States, and prevent another 9/11-like attack. I also believe that he and his administration have made some real mistakes regarding the War on Terror, on all of its fronts; I believe that, for good or ill, the President is obsessed with preventing another 9/11-like attack.

While as a pacifist I believe all war to be wrong, whether in Afghanistan or Iraq, Haiti or Kosovo, Germany or Japan, I also believe that military and political leaders should do their best to minimize the horror of war. Perhaps I'm being too naive, expecting people who are engaged in radical sin (war) to "pretty up" the sins a bit. That's something concerning which I'll need to meditate.

I have been quite concerned about the prisoners detained at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. While, for all I know, every one of them is guilty of war crimes, the United States should be seeing to it that all of them are treated with compassion and justice. I am aware that many of them would reject these same considerations if they held American combatants, but if the United States is to claim a moral high ground, we should take this opportunity to demonstrate some just ideals. All of the prisoners in Cuba should have been given the opportunity to defend themselves in trial by now, and our national leaders should see to it that these hearings are expedited with utmost urgency.

How can the Church help? Well, perhaps the General Board of Church & Society (and similar boards in other denominations) can offer to actually pay for legal representation for the prisoners; prisoners certainly qualify as "the least of these" by the Biblical understanding. Showing them this compassion would certainly qualify as faithful witness to the gospel. Additionally, perhaps our bishops could visit Cuba regularly, even if it means incurring fines from the federal government, to speak with, eat with, and serve the prisoners in some way. There has to be a way to do that. What powerful images we could see...our bishops serving the prisoners, helping them, modeling the love of Christ! Now, that would be leadership, and might go a long way to restoring the tarnsihed moral authority of the Council in regards to the War.

There may be no more disturbing element of the War, however, than the allegations of torture. The incidents at Abu Ghraib were surely conducted by a few misguided soldiers who acted inappropriately and who should probably be behind bars for a very, very long time. But their actions don't seem to have been condoned by their superiors, or by the White House.

What we should hold the White House responsible for is the secretive ways in which the CIA and military "experts" have been permitted to conduct torture or, at least, torture-like activities. I understand that the American leadership wants to do all it can do to prevent another 9/11, and I appreciate the urgency of that desire. But that does not mean that Christians ought to turn a blind eye or, even worse, condone these kinds of activities (I write this knowing that both President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are United Methodists).

The White House has fought for several years now for the right to maintain secret interrogation facilities where torture or torture-like activities are practiced in an effort to gain information. In a speech earlier this week, Vice President Cheney seemed to make light of a particular torture (or near-torture) method, and seemed to actually endorse it. While the White House has denied the speech was an endorsement, it still raises concerns.

If the Church can't speak out strongly against torture, we are a completely neutered and tame institution.

Scripture teaches us, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21, TNIV) Our Social Principles in the Book of Discipline state, "...the mistreatment or torture of persons by governments for any purpose violates Christian teaching and must be condemned and/or opposed by Christians and churches wherever it occurs." (par. 164.A) The GBCS released a statement in 2005 condemning the presumed torture.

Now is a time for our denominational leaders to show leadership. They need not personally attack the president or vice president, which would be antithetical to the gospel, but ought to tell the world that the Church is clearly and entirely against torture, and that we regard this as a great moral and theological issue.

We have been given another kairos moment in which to prophetically lead the Church into faithful but difficult waters...let's pray that this time, we are more faithful.

Here are some helpful links...

* A Wesleyan Attitude Toward War
* Methodists United for Peace with Justice
* National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT)

How Many of Me?

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 7 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Thanks to Gavin Richardson at Hit the Back Button to Move Forward

30 Scariest Films Ever Made

This is not the same as "Greatest Horror Films"...

1 - Scott of the Antarctic (1948)

2 - Psycho (1960)

3 - Jaws (1975)

4 - The Blair Witch Project (1999)

5 - Phantom of the Opera (1925)

6 - The Exorcist (1973)

7 - The Amityville Horror (1979)

8 - Deliverance (1972)

9 - The Haunting (1963)

10 - Race With The Devil (1975)

11 - The Wizard of Oz (1939)

12 - The Ring (2002)

13 - Nosferatu (1922)

14 - The Shining (1980)

15 - Poltergeist (1982)

16 - Rosemary's Baby (1968)

17 - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1958)

18 - It (1990)

19 - Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

20 - Carrie (1976)

21 - Fantasia (1940)

22 - Alien (1979)

23 - The Birds (1963)

24 - Freaks (1932)

25 - Halloween (1978)

26 - The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

27 - Salem's Lot (1979)

28 - The Others (2001)

29 - The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

30 - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

'Tis the Headless Horseman season

'Tis the War season

'Tis the Mummy season

NFL Rankings - Week 7

1 - Chicago Bears (last week 1)

2 - New England Patriots (last week 2)

3 - Indianapolis Colts (last week 3)

4 - New Orleans Saints (last week 4)

5 - Atlanta Falcons (last week 8)

6 - Denver Broncos (last week 5)

7 - Baltimore Ravens (last week 7)

8 - New York Giants (last week unranked)

9 - Cincinnati Bengals (last week 9)

10 - Carolina Panthers (last week 6)


Honorable mentions:
Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles (last week 10), St. Louis Rams

Not long now:
Denny Green will not see Thanksgiving as Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals, who are now vying with Oakland for the label "Football's Worst Team"

Nothing But Nets

This is one of the most exciting projects in which the Church has been involved for some time.

Sports Illustrated, the United Nations, the NBA, and The United Methodist Church have banded together to start "Nothing But Nets", a program to stop the deaths of millions of people each year due to malaria. We know that by providing nets to stop mosquitos, the spread of malaria can be severely slowed. Together with vaccinations and other methods, we can really make a difference in Africa.

Bishop Thomas Bickerton, representing the UMC, will appear in Times Square on November 14 with NBA stars to give an official kick off to the program. He said that the UMC was asked to help with "Nothing But Nets" because there is a United Methodist presence — a school, clinic, or church — in nearly every African village. "United Methodist clinics, schools and churches are developing a community-based model of education, prevention, and treatment that can be used in other countries. It will teach people how to use the nets, use preventive drugs, and control mosquito-breeding areas. Our Communications Foundation also is setting up a community-based radio network to deliver information about prevention and treatment."

To learn more about this exciting ministry opportunity, click here.

To read an article in our Conference newspaper (a PDF file), which highlights the Bishop's involvement, click here.

10 Greatest Horror Film Icons

1. Lon Chaney
2. Boris Karloff
3. Bela Lugosi
4. Vincent Price
5. Christopher Lee
6. Peter Cushing
7. Anthony Hopkins
8. Donald Pleasance
9. Anthony Perkins
10. Elsa Lanchester
11. Linda Blair
12. Lon Chaney, Jr.
13. Colin Clive
14. Max Schreck
15. Janet Leigh
16. Peter Lorre
17. Robert Englund
18. Jack Nicholson
19. Jamie Lee Curtis
20. Heather O'Rourke

updated at 5:20 PM

60 Greatest Film Monsters

1. Dracula (Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Gary Oldman)
2. Frankenstein's Monster (Boris Karloff)
3. The Wolf Man (also The Howling, An American Werewolf in London)
4. Kong (1933)
5. Sharks (Jaws, also Open Water)
6. Count Orlock (Nosferatu)
7. Godzilla
8. Phantom of the Opera (Lon Chaney)
9. Wicked Witch of the West
10. Michael Myers (Halloween, 1978)
11. The Flying Monkeys (Wizard of Oz)
12. The Mummy (Boris Karloff, Tom Tyler, Lon Chaney, Jr., Christopher Lee)
13. Satan (The Exorcist, Legend)
14. Ghosts
15. Dead sisters (The Shining)
16. Clowns (Killer Klowns, Poltergeist, It)
17. Norman Bates
18. 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville
19. Zombies (Night of the Living Dead and sequels)
20. Freddy Krueger
21. Apes (Planet of the Apes, 1968)
22. Creature from the Black Lagoon ("Gill Man")
23. Alien
24. The Oompa Loompas (Willy Wonka, 1971)
25. Black Riders (Lord of the Rings)
26. Invisible Man
27. The Headless Horseman
28. Mr. Hyde
29. Samarra (The Ring)
30. HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey)
31. The Blob
32. Bride of Frankenstein
33. Blair Witch
34. Moby Dick
35. Medusa (Clash of the Titans)
36. The Joker
37. Chernabog (Fantasia, 1940)
38. Hannibal Lecter
39. Baby Jane (Bette Davis)
40. Pinhead (Hellraiser series)
41. Gollum (Lord of the Rings)
42. The Fly (1958)
43. Dinosaurs (Jurassic Park)
44. Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th series)
45. Creature in the crate (Creepshow)
46. Ghostface (Scream)
47. Sleestaks (Land of the Lost TV series)
48. The Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937)
49. The Body Snatchers
50. The Grinch (Dr. Seuss / Chuck Jones / Boris Karloff)
51. Giant ants (THEM)
52. Minnie Castevet (Rosemary's Baby)
53. The White Witch (The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, 2005)
54. Chucky (Child's Play series)
55. Mrs. Baylock (The Omen)
56. The Cast of Freaks (1932)
57. Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
58. Witchiepoo (H.R. Pufnstuf TV series)
59. Cujo
60. Prince Prospero (Masque of the Red Death, 1964)

On this date...

Bob Kane was born on this date in 1915. Kane, who died in 1998, was a true American treasure. An artist and writer of comic books, Kane, inspired in part by Zorro, in 1939 created "Batman", one of the greatest superheroes ever created and arguably one of twentieth century literature's greatest characters.

Among the other great characters created by Bob Kane were the Joker, Catwoman, and Robin the Boy Wonder.

Throughout the years, many fine writers, artists, and filmmakers have put their own spin on Kane's creations. In the 1980s, Frank Miller's take on the Batman "mythology", The Dark Knight Returns, not only was a revolution in the superhero comics medium, but jumpstarted the Batman film franchise and also led to the modern fascination with superhero films.

What wonderful stories we owe to Bob Kane! What joy his work has brought to the world! Today, I thank God for Bob Kane!

Steelers review

I'm too upset to blog.

'Tis the Werewolf season

Exciting times

It's good to be at Jefferson United Methodist Church these days. The community is growing by leaps and bounds as hundreds of young families move into the area, building beautiful new homes. Thomas Jefferson High School is currently ranked #9 in Pennsylvania for academics, and the football team is ranked #1 statewide. The autumn leaves look stunning; we may live in the best place on earth. Attendance is up at JUMC. We had nice crowds for Laity Sunday, and I look forward to the opportunities given with the "holiday boost" coming up between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

A few weeks ago, our choir director (who also has served as a volunteer youth director) resigned to take a higher paying position at a nearby Episcopalian church. While we are all sorry to see her go, we are excited for her family and the opportunities her new position will bring her way.

I've also been encouraging JUMC to look at this as a blessed opportunity. While our first choice would have been for our staff to remain intact, the Spirit has brought us a chance to "jumpstart" our ministry and begin to really take advantage of the growth in the area to work on our disciple-making mission.

While we begin the search for a new choir director, we already have a temporary "fill in" lined up, who can work with us through the important Advent and Christmas seasons, when beautiful, quality music is our sincere desire. Also, JUMC has decided to begin the search for someone to oversee not only Youth ministry, but ministries to children and families as well. This is a big step for JUMC, as they've never had paid staff for this kind of ministry. We recognize that it will be a leap of faith and will work hard to see that the resources are there, but the church really feels called to "take the next step" and begin to move into the future.

We are also beginning a building program to connect our church and education buildings, complete with a much needed new roof on our ed. building, as well as a revamped exterior. The new design is really exciting and is traditional yet contemporary, which will, I think really be attractive to visitors, especially if our ministry matches our appearance.

Additionally, in 2007, we're beginning a visioncasting time, during which we will prayerfully seek the Spirit's leading regarding our future. To where is God calling us? How does he want us to get there? What does God want the ministry of JUMC to look like in 5 years...10 years...20 years?

It's an exciting time to be here, and I am thrilled that God has planted the McIlwain family in this place at this moment in time!

"I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High..."

- Psalm 9:1-2 (TNIV)

Sports thoughts

Evgeni Malkin (#71) made his NHL debut last night as a center for the Pittsburgh Penguins...and what a debut it was! Malkin was without question the dominant player on the ice, scoring his first NHL goal against perhaps the top goalie in the game, Martin Brodeur of the NJ Devils (though the Pens lost the game 2-1). Malkin was so fast, it looked for a moment as if Mario Lemieux had returned...he was so big and strong it seemed as if an NFL linebacker had skated up for the game...in short, he was everywhere...Polamalu on ice. Now, the Pens have both Malkin and arguably the best young player in the game, Sidney Crosby (#87). Once this team meshes and finds its identity, they will be probably the best young team in the NHL. Let's hope they can find a way to stay in Pittsburgh; they play the NY Islanders tonight at 7:30 PM...

...the story that terrorists may target NFL games on Sunday is frightening, and, hopefully, untrue...

...the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (#1 in WPIAL and in PA) play Chartiers Valley this Friday before their regular season finale next week against rival West Mifflin (which is having a less than satisfactory season), but folks in the area are already looking to the playoffs; I hope the team and Coach Cherpak aren't looking any further than Friday night...

...NY Giants running back Tiki Barber, having the best season of a fine career, is contemplating retirement...I would suggest he play for a few more years until he starts losing steam; all of those media opportunities will still be there in a few years for the charismatic, well-spoken player...

...with rumors swirling around that Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis may bolt the school for an NFL opportunity, Coach Weis made it clear he had no intention of leaving the Fighting Irish, which is good news for Roman Catholics everywhere...

...regarding the melee at the University of Miami football game last weekend, here is what a colleague of mine has to say (Pastor Chris Whitehead of Charter Oak UMC), and I agree with him 100%...

...I will painfully miss Sunday's Steelers game against the Atlanta Falcons, but will be praying hard; we'll be in downtown Pittsburgh serving lunch & dinner to folks who normally don't know from where their next meal is coming, helping a wonderful ministry of New Hope United Methodist Church (led by pastor Ron Wanless)...

...despite his team's collapse Monday night against the Chicago Bears (a collapse which may ultimately cost coach Denny Green his job), Arizona Cardinals QB Matt Leinart will soon be a superstar, a slap in the face to all the teams who passed him over in the draft...

...it's hard to care whether St. Louis or the Mets make it to the World Series to play Jim Leyland's Detroit Tigers; with the Pirates uncompetitive for what seems like a thousand years, sports fans in western PA stopped caring long ago.

Creation

"Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, thou art very great! Thou art clothed with honor and majesty,
who coverest thyself with light as with a garment, who hast stretched out the heavens like a tent,
who hast laid the beams of thy chambers on the waters, who makest the clouds thy chariot, who ridest on the wings of the wind,
who makest the winds thy messengers, fire and flame thy ministers.
Thou didst set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be shaken.
Thou didst cover it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
At thy rebuke they fled; at the sound of thy thunder they took to flight.
The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place which thou didst appoint for them.
Thou didst set a bound which they should not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth...
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy creatures...
Praise the LORD!"

- from Psalm 104 (RSV)

NFL Rankings - Week 6

1 - Chicago Bears (last week 1)...a close Monday night game, but they persevered

2 - New England Patriots (last week 2)

3 - Indianapolis Colts (last week 3)

4 - New Orleans Saints (last week 7)...the football story of the year

5 - Denver Broncos (last week 9)

6 - Carolina Panthers (last week unranked)

7 - Baltimore Ravens (last week 5)...McNair better get healthy...fast

8 - Atlanta Falcons (last week 8)

9 - Cincinnati Bengals (last week 4)...are they beginning to implode?

10 - Philadelphia Eagles (last week 6)

Honorable mentions:
Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers (what a dominating performance), San Diego Chargers (last week 10), Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams

Wow:
Arizona Cardinals...they almost beat the #1 ranked team in the NFL, but made some very costly mistakes against an opportunistic defense...QB Matt Leinart is coming on fast, and will very quickly be one of the NFL's best

Yuck:
Oakland Raiders...each week, they put on a clinic: "What Not to Do"...what a horrible mess of a football team