But where were they going without ever knowing the way?

This title/lyric comes from Fastball, a band that had two awesome songs and then faded from the planet shrewdly awaiting their turn to find a new band member on some unbearable reality show and mount their comeback. The song was called The Way, which is too good a title for the song, and the song is pretty good. Bible scholars know what I'm saying. Check out the band, which apparently still exists, by clicking the title and check out The Way, which still exists in some place, at a church near you.

This morning the church I am serving, First Reformed Church of Bluffton, is having a Visioning Session per my suggestion trying to determine the direction the future will take at this church. From the feedback recieved at this meeting I am going to begin my campaign to replace myself. (With two people I might add; a Youth Pastor and a Children's Pastor)

This could be the begiining for this church of an amazing future and I would be proud to help them turn the ship in this new direction, any direction they choose it turns out. I guess, as I sit here in the waning hours of Friday I am both excited and worried, hopeful and resigned, looking to their future with excitement but conscious it is not mine, and even more excited about mine. I have news on that front by the way, but want things to be official as to not jinx them.

I have my monthly award to present. I was going to try to do that today, but then I struggled to find anyone to give it to. Trust me, I simply had a merciful streak. It will pass and soon I will post that blog as well.

For now I could use all the prayers, positive thought, good will, good juju, and pleasant mojo available. Please aim it at 301 West Cherry Street, that they may begin again and I may be able to take what I've built and give it to another gifted minister to build upon. This isn't a selfless request. I want my work to continue to matter long after I am gone. I hope I do that with the best intentions, even though my ego is immense. This quote has me motivated as I look to today.

“If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.”
Buddhist Proverb quotes

O Come All Ye Faithful!

George Carlin once said that this hymn was the only one to ever successfully combine sex and religion. Click the title to visit his website.

Now I told you sometimes, I can get a bit perverted. Keep in mind I work with teenagers. Here is...

THE WEEKLY INAPPROPRIATE CHURCH SIGN

I would like to apologize for my mind. Not my sense of humor so much, but my mind. However, were I on the staff at this church, this sign would have included some kind of invitation to church!

Anyone else imagine wrecked cars all along this street?

Have a great Thursday!

One life, but we're not the same. We get to carry each other. Carry each other. One.

The title/lyric is from the song One by U2, which today was voted the best pop lyric of all time. I tend to agree although I prefer Johnny Cash's cover to their original. Clicking the link willt ake you to a very cool article about how Episcopal church's are building worship services around U2's music!

I need to be a better activist.

I have been a signature bearer/supporter of The ONE Campaign since its inception. I think it's a terrific idea. From today on I will have a link to the ONE campaign's site linked on the right side of my blog. If you don't know anything about this campaign check the site out, read the blog, listen to the podcasts, and if you're so inclined sign the declaration, order bands, and get involved! If you live near me I have about twenty bands left (it's the only way to financially support the campaign) and I'll gladly give you one for free. I'm just feeling today that there is a whole lot more we can be doing and this is one way I know to start.

So hard to look outside and know where to begin.

This lyric is one of mine. Click the title and this link will take you to a pretty neat video set to Ray Boltz' Watch The Lamb, a song I've sung a few times and think is pretty good, if not a scoche dramatic.

This is the song I wrote for our Sunrise service this morning. Steve had a pretty sweet tune already in mind and this song arrived in just a few minutes. I am really happy with it! Thought it was a decent thing to share today.

There is God
By J.D. Rose
April 15, 2006

So easy to hang your head
And say that love will never win
Too easy to see the scars
But not see how they’ll mend

Too difficult these days
To truly find a friend
So hard to look outside
And know where to begin

But where there’s hope
Where there’s youth
Where there’s wisdom
Where there’s Truth
Where there’s mercy
Where there’s grace
Where there’s spirit
Where there’s faith
Where there’s beauty
Where there’s love
Where there’s forgiveness
There is God

So you spend your nights
Trying to find your place
You can spend a life
Trying to save face

While you’re letting all your
Sweetest dreams go to waste
Because you’re so afraid to believe
In grace

But where there’s hope
Where there’s youth
Where there’s wisdom
Where there’s Truth
Where there’s mercy
Where there’s grace
Where there’s spirit
Where there’s faith
Where there’s beauty
Where there’s love
Where there’s forgiveness
There is God

God is joy and peace
God is the hungry and the weak
God is the kind word you speak
And the shelter you offer to the meek

But where there’s hope
Where there’s youth
Where there’s wisdom
Where there’s Truth
Where there’s mercy
Where there’s grace
Where there’s spirit
Where there’s faith
Where there’s beauty
Where there’s love
Where there’s forgiveness
There is God

Hope everyone is having a blessed Easter and a peaceful weekend.