Blogabatical

I'm off on vacation until the 7th or so. We're going back home to Birmingham. I'll still do the Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup on Sunday or Monday, but otherwise, I'll be absent. My co-blogger Larry is in Mississippi on a mission trip, so he will likely be silent.

But I lined up a special guest-blogger: Robin Russell, the editor of United Methodist Reporter and author of the recent article on Methoblogging.

UPDATE: Check out Jesus' latest column in The Onion.

Question of the Day

If you could change anything about the Revised Common Lectionary, what would you alter?

UMC Congregation Invokes Right of Sanctuary

The First United Methodist Church of Tacoma, Washington is offering its campus as a sanctuary for military personnel who wish to escape deployment orders.

Question of the Day

Do you preach from memory, notes, or a full manuscript?

Question of the Day

When will the cheesy VBS songs stop running through my head on a continuous loop?

The Asbury Bloggers' Blogroll

This post will stay at the top until June 26. Scroll down for updates!

Brian Russell and I have created a scripting blogroll for bloggers related to Asbury Theological Seminary. Any student, professor, alumnus/a/um, or staffer may participate.

Here is the coding to add to your sidebar.

If you would like to join the Asbury Blogroll, e-mail me at locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com.

In order to demonstrate a commitment to community, you must have or add at least five* Asbury Blogroll members to your own blogroll.

I will maintain this blogroll, which will update automatically through the scripting. I suggest that you add a heading like "Asbury Bloggers" above it when adding the script to your template.

*As soon as we get five. Presently, we have three, but I expect that it will fill out fairly soon.

Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 71

Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:

Steven Manskar preached on living without fear.

Allan Bevere wrote about gender inclusive language in the Trinity, that receiving the sacraments is a privilege, and his recent mission trip to New Orleans.

Andy Bryan wrote about liberals and conservatives sharing conversation and open-minded epistemology.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for June 19, 20, 21, and 22.

Chris Morgan wrote about rising personal debt among Americans and that God preserves us from our fears.

Bad Methodist wrote about a new GLBT advertising campaign in Arizona.

At Bandits No More, Richard Heyduck wrote about declining church attendance in America.

Betty Newman wrote about ignorance of the Word.

Brian Russell wrote about developing an ethos in a Christian community.

Bruce Alderman wrote about the discovery of Noah's ark.

Josh Tinley wrote about apocalyptic fervor worldwide.

CBRN wrote about why everybody seems to hate Intelligent Design.

Dave Faulkner wrote about Nike's use of crucifiction imagery in advertising.

Dave Morris wrote about those times in our lives when we wonder if God even cares about us that our gifts from God should only be used to lift people up.

Dave Warnock listed logical fallacies used to argue against Christian acceptance of homosexuality.

Derek Tang has a lot to say on the World Cup.

Sally Coleman preached on Jesus staying cool under pressure.

Gavin Richardson wrote about ringing church bells to commemorate the fallen in Iraq. He also wrote about how churches define 'mission'.

Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote about scientific criticism of global warming theory, gay marriages in UMC congregations in Nebraska, how the PCUSA is struggling with that issue, the Leftward journey of the ECUSA, the assurance that we have that Jesus is praying for us, and fashionable theologies.

Greg Hazelrig wrote that we must acknolwedge God before his enemies.

Greg Lee preached on the theology of Christ's blood.

Guy Williams wrote about the process of being faithful to something.

Henry Neufield wrote that public policy should not be directed through opinion polls and Christian social justice applied to the minimum wage.

Chris Roberts wrote that the Christian faith is counter-intuitive and how it would impact his life if Christianity was wrong.

Jeff Croft addressed his Annual Conference on church growth.

John Battern attended a church media conference.

Just As I Am taught about what it means to be a good servant in God's church.

Lake Neuron likes the new gameshow Gameshow Marathon.

Larry Hollon wrote about the new media/old media implications of the return of the Dixie Chicks, the decline of community in America, problems that he's observed in Africa, the impact of community radio in Kenya and South Africa.

Mark Winter is a self-proclaimed old fart trying to understand the emerging church.

Keith McIlwain wrote about the modern holiness movement.

Craig Moore wrote about the polygamy movement (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!).

Michael Daniel wrote about the struggle to be humble in a society that places no value in it.

Neil Bishop wrote that Christians shouldn't expect God's protection from every trouble in life.

Olive Morgan wrote about a celebration of the accomplishments of Methodist (UK) Relief and Development.

Peter Cammarano wrote about the role of humor in sermons.

Pulpit Perspectives presented a perspective on what a church should be.

ReligioNews wrote about a critique of evangelicism from within.

Rereason is trying to see the big picture.

Sandpiper wrote about perceived gender roles in the church, delegating work at church, that God will work through us, even if we are physically exhausted, having a child-like faith, and a Christian view of anger.

Tim Sisk wrote that you can't claim to be humble and actually be it and worship as entertainment.

Tony Mitchell wrote that being a Christian means living with suffering.

Jim McKay wrote about a new Star Wars video game and the ad campaign of WV Senate candidate John Raese.

Scott McKay wrote about the commandment on coveting and the Christian themes found within the music of U2.

Willie Deuel wrote about the challenge of following Jesus.

Additions? Corrections? Do you know of a blog that should be included in the MBWR? Would you like to receive the MBWR via e-mail? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!

Weekend Rabbit Blogging

Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Caption Contest

What, did you expect substance at Locusts & Honey? Too busy right now. Papers and sermon prep.

Look! A pretty picture. Write a caption and I'll give you a cookie.


WINNER: Rev. Ed: "So, do you really think I care where you saw a mouse?"

Book Recommendations

I'm rather surprised that my opinion on books is actually valued, but so long as it is, permit me to make a few recommendations in the fields of science fiction and speculative fiction. These are books that I have read and re-read countless times.

The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold is subtitled as "The last word in time machine novels". This novella is indeed the finest time travel fiction that I have ever encountered. It is a first-person account of one man's discovery of a time machine in the form of a belt and his subsequent encounters with his alternate selves that result from travel in time.

My wife offers her own anti-review due to the, ahem, gay sex scene. The homosexual element of the novella is, however, integral to the story, which would be substantially diminished without it.

Trivia: this book is written by the same man who composed the Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles."

Next, you should read Midshipman's Hope, the first novel in the Nick Seafort Saga. This science fiction series of 7 books was composed by the late David Feintuch. What is so gripping about these novels is not the plot or background, but the main character, Nicholas Ewing Seafort, a guilt-ridden Calvinist convinced of both his duty to the UN Navy and his own inevitable damnation. He is simply one of the most compelling fictional characters that I have ever met. Nick Seafort has contributed significantly to my image of masculinity.

Speaking of novel serieses, a truly great yarn is found in The Lost Regiment Saga by William R. Forstchen. It begins with the 35th Maine Infantry Regiment led by Col. Andrew Lawrence Keane (directly modeled after Joshua Chamberlain) in January, 1865. The 35th is being transported by sea from Virginia to South Carolina when it is suddenly sucked into a wormhole. It lands...somewhere else. What follows is so truly original that the series defies genre classification. Rally Cry is the beginning of a stirring generational epic of courage and liberation.

Yes, a Star Trek novel. Who would think that a pulp fiction genre could produce a classic novel, but Diane Carey created a truly great yarn with magnificent craftsmanship. It is a story about a young lieutenant named Piper who suddenly given command of a rusted, ancient tug and dispatched on a secret mission -- so secret that even she doesn't know what it is! What makes Battlestations! the finest of Star Trek novels is Carey's ability to suck you into her story and make its presence very real to the reader.

"God, I love Australia."

Charles Krauthammer's view of that nation.

Hat tip.

Car Racing Evangelism

Methodist Motorsports Evangelism brings the gospel to stock car racing aficionados.

Question of the Day

Let's say that it were within your power to change seminary education completely from scratch. Instead of making minor reforms, you could change seminary as a concept. What would this new institution be like?

Caption Contest

WINNER: DannyG: We are in negotations for corporate sponshorship of the space station, with the leading bidder being the Microsoft Death Star.

Methodist Blogger Profile: Ivan Corbin

Ivan Corbin of Connexions

My name is Ivan Garth Corbin and I am Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand, FL (www.trinityumcdeland..com) . I am married to Debbie and have two children, Chris, a religion major at Florida Southern College, and a daughter , Rachel, who is a Junior at DeLand High School. I have been serving United Methodist Churches in North Georgia and Florida since June 1984. I served in Center Point, Georgia, Boca Raton, Key West, Fruitland Park and now, DeLand, Florida. I am greatly involved in church transformation at the local and conference level, have been very involved in the Russia Initiative and Cuba-Florida Covenant and have been a supporter of Habitat for Humanity and World Vision for many, many years. I believe in the ministry of the local churches utilizing the gifts of both clergy and laity.

Why do you blog? I actually guest blog on Richard Hall’s site and usually to stir the pot on subjects that appeal to me. I may start my own blog someday, but am happy to make guest appearances for now.

What has been your best blogging experience? Just having the opportunity to express my opinion with many other thoughtful people on the Connexions blog, either in response to Richard’s entries or other guest entries, has been a rewarding experience.

What would be your main advice to a novice blogger? Don’t try to cover more than one subject at a time and don’t get too defensive when people respond with opposite or even harsh opinions.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be? I actually don’t read too many blogs – time factor, for some reason – anyway, I read Richard Hall’s Connexions regularly.

Who are your spiritual heroes? Jesus, Gandhi, Bonheoffer, John and Charles Wesley, C.S. Lewis, Rev. Leslie Poe and my grandmother, Jennie Leone Davies Corbin Squires (she outlived 3 husbands, thus the many names)

What are you reading at the moment? The Da Vinci Code, Bill Easum’s “Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First,” Nancy Beach’s “An Hour on Sunday,” and N. Graham Standish’s “Becoming a Blessed Church.”

What is your favorite hymn and why? “Be Thou My Vision.” I love the Irish tune (even though I am of Welsh decent) and the Theo centric message is where I am spiritually.

Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've changed your mind? When I was 17 years old I drove through South Georgia to look at my eventual college. I saw all sorts of shacks along the road where people still lived and I thought “If this is what Jimmy Carter did for Georgia as governor, I can’t imagine what he’s going to do to the US now that he is president.” This was 1977 and I had been raised in a Republican household. I eventually realized that, despite serving only one term, Jimmy Carter has done more as a former president than almost anyone before and after – especially with Habitat for Humanity and in the area of human rights, fair elections in other nations and weighing in on some pretty important issues. Needless to say, I repented of being a Republican long, long ago, though I tend to now vote for the candidate I feel is right, not because he or she is of one party or another.

What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat? I have a real issue with the United States’ seeing itself as God’s new Israel and chosen people, thus giving it the right to be the world’s watch dog, policeman, and conscience.

If you could effect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be? Term limits for senators and congress people so that they would actually enact laws and legislative measures that reflect what is best for our country and the world without regard to who they might be offending that could keep them from being re-elected. Knowing you’re in your final term no matter what might actually encourage courageous leadership.

If you could effect one major policy change in the Methodist Church, what would it be? I would like to find a way to elect delegates to General and Jurisdictional conferences that reflect the majority of the members of the UM Church instead of the many times most liberal and conservative persons.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life? Life is a gift – cherish it and use it wisely, living each day with joy and expectation.

What, if anything, do you worry about? I worry about what kind of world we’re leaving for my children, grandchildren and future generations.

If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently? I would learn to eat better and exercise more much earlier in life.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)? I have a romantic notion that I would like to live out my remaining years after retirement either in my ancestral home of Wales or the state of Virginia in the Blue Ridge area near the Shenandoah River.

What do you like doing in your spare time? Genealogy, golf and activities with my wife, Debbie and my children Christopher and Rachel.

What is your most treasured possession? My collection of family photos and memorabilia.

What talent would you most like to have? I’d love to be an excellent guitar player.

If you could have any three guests, past or present to dinner, who would they be? Any one of the original disciples of Jesus (including Judas), Abraham Lincoln and John Wesley.

What Does the Bible Teach About Rabbits?

And Jesus taught the crowds, "What do you think? If any man has a hundred rabbits, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the meadow and go and search for the one that is straying? If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray."

Then some rabbits were brought to him so that he may lay his hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them, for rabbits were unclean. But Jesus said, "Suffer the little rabbits to come unto me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as thse."

Home Depot Criticized For Pledging $10 Billion To American Cancer Society For Every Padres Home Run

SAN DIEGO—Home Depot has come under fire from cancer patients, baseball fans, and Padres players for the company's recent "heartless and insulting" offer to donate "$10 billion in cash" to the American Cancer Society each time a Padres player hits a home run for the rest of the 2006 season. "This outrageous offer of 'charity' is a slap in the face to our organization," said Jay Czarnecki, a spokesman for the ACS. "Having your donation depend upon a San Diego player hitting a baseball over 300 feet through the air is not only placing unfair and unrealistic expectations on the Padres, but is equivalent to telling everyone who has cancer to go off and die." Czarnecki suggested that, if Home Depot truly supports the research and eradication of a disease that kills millions of Americans every year, they should pledge a dollar for each time a Padre strikes out or commits an error.

Story link.

Pygmalion and Galatea by Jean-Léon Gérôme

It is, of course, a damnable heresy to suggest that any painter exceeded the genius of Bouguereau (Peace Be Upon Him), but...if anyone came close, it was Jean-Leon Gerome.

For surely there is no work in Western art which is as romantic as Pygmalion and Galatea. It is a slicing blade of passion, taking a moment in time -- the moment when idealized eros is at its height.

Gerome was a technical master (notice the very subtle vertical transformation of stone to flesh, right down to the skeletal flexibility), but this painting exceeds the technical requirments of good art. It is the emotion imbued in the work that presents the sweeping exhilaration of romantic love and makes Pygmalion and Galatea stand out. It always reminds me of that head-rushing Sunday afternoon when I first told my future wife that I loved her.

Alas, I have never seen this work in real life. It lies enthroned in that mystical, magical land known as the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York. I've never been to NYC, but this museum alone justifies the journey, if not this very painting.

Consider it to be a pilgrimage to a holy site.

Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 70

Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:

Steven Manskar wrote that most Methodist laymen are consumers of churchianity instead of equipped, evangelizing disciples.

Christopher Gudger-Raines wrote about a memorial service at the West Virginia Annual Conference.

Andy Bryan wrote about wearing stoles, church growth, and what it means to be a liberal evangelical.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for June 15 and 16. He wrote about being ordained at this annual conference.

Bad Methodist wrote about the homosexuality debate at the Desert Southwest Annual Conference.

At Bandits No More, Richard Heyduck wrote about how much we try to accomplish without God.

Beth Quick reviewed Brian McLaren's A New Kind of Christian.

Brian Russell wrote about how we should react theologically to natural disasters and how an authentic Christian life requires courage.

At Connexions, Richard Hall wrote abou the utility of the term 'Islamofascist' and what teleportation technology says about the reality of the soul. Joel Thomas wrote that congregations themselves need to accept responsibility for decline. District Superintendents, he says, should directly address errant congregations.

Josh Tinley looked at the best way to frame arguments against the death penalty and reviewed the movie Nacho Libre.

Dave Faulkner wrote about the importance of Christians developing a sense of mystery about God.

Dave Warnock wrote about the Together For the Gospel understanding of Biblical canon.

Derek Tang is following the World Cup very closely.

Sally Coleman wrote about how families should be places of nurturing.

Steve Heyduck thinks that the world would be better off if people would sit down for casual conversation without agendas.

Gavin Richardson likes to formulate themes in youth ministry as seasons.

Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote that global warming ended in 1998, advertising that promotes polygamy, that Christians should be careful about following an environmentalist agenda, and some gems from her daily Bible reading.

Daniel McLain Hixon wrote about Jesus as a Superman figure.

Greg Hazelrig was ordained.

Greg Lee preached on original sin.

Guy Williams reviewed Henri Nouwen's In the Name of Jesus.

Henry Neufield wrote that Together For The Gospel is majoring on the minors.

Chris Roberts thinks that modern American Christians have lost their sense of their own sinfulness.

Mike Holly wrote about the martyrdom of Polycarp and the power of spoken preaching.

John Battern wrote about backroom politics at Annual Conference. He also says that Superman is from Iowa.

Just As I Am taught on keeping the local church on track.

Ken Carter reviewed the book United Methodist Doctrine: the Extreme Center and compared Left Behind with The DaVinci Code.

Jan Kindle explained prayer.

Larry Hollon wrote about the need for communications technology in the poorest parts of Africa, drug-resistant malaria, the cultural framing of faith, and information-starved Africa.

Matt Kelley wrote that Hurricane Katrina exposed urban poverty in America.

Matthew Johnson wrote about the Arkansas Annual Conference.

Craig Moore explained theologically why he supported the war in Afghanistan, but not Iraq.

Michael Daniel is tired of debating homosexuality.

Jeff Lutz wrote about the difficulty of walking the line between judgmentalism and licensiousness.

Neil Bishop wrote that Jesus Christ is always a home game. He also examined the decline of the Church in the West.

Peter Cammarano looked at the qualities of a good rural pastor.

Pastor Laura was ordained.

Jason Wooleever wrote about theological diversity in the UMC.

Sandpiper wrote about what happens when the church turns away the marginalized.

Lorna Koskela wrote about doubting the existence of God in the light of the new book Second Guessing God by Brian Jones.

Smallest Angel reviewed the book No Perfect People by John Burke and wrote about how churches deny access to people that they consider unworthy.

Taylor Walters wrote about a UMC communications conference at Africa University.

Theoblogical wrote about the despair that many American Progressives feel now and the influence of bloggers in the recent SBC presidential election.

Tim Sisk wrote about the Mississippi Annual Conference.

Tony Mitchell wrote about what the Bible teaches us about politics.

Shane Raynor wrote about boring worship services.

Scott McKay reviewed the movie Cars.

Russ Philips wrote about the proposed merger of the two Annual Conferences in Indiana and budgetary constraints in the North Indiana Conference.

Additions? Corrections? Do you know of a blog that should be included in the MBWR? Would you like to receive the MBWR via e-mail? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!

Cuteness Alert

A baby hippo that thinks that a giant tortoise is his mother.

Breaking a Fast

Rev. Matthew Johnson learned the hard way that you shouldn't break a period of spiritual fasting with tequila.

Never Again

Never.

Cat=Hitler

One of my rules of dating, developed far too late to be useful, was to never date a cat person. Cat people cannot be trusted.

Cats themselves even more so.

What Americans Think of Soccer

Meaning, of course, The Simpsons.

Hat tip.

Caption Contest

WINNER: Brett -- The store manager took the phrase "big shoes to fill" literally.

Adultery in the UMC Pastorate

I'm taking a class right now that was formed as a direct result of the shockingly high incidence of adultery among Asbury graduates in the Kentucky Conference.

My wife and I talked about what the UMC could do to reduce the incidence of adultery in the pastorate. She has an interesting idea: the candidacy process should include an intensive examination of the candidate's marriage (if he/she is married). Not simply repeatedly asking "How does your spouse feel about you going into the ministry?", but formal assessments under a trained marriage counselor. The governing boards over the candidacy process would take into account the health of the candidate's marriage.

Let's take that idea a step further: mandatory biennial marriage checkups for all clergy with a professional marriage counselor. The counseling sessions would be kept confidential from the UMC hierarchy except that the sessions were attended.

What do you think?

What can the UMC do to reduce the incidence of adultery among pastors?

Scripture Depleting/Scripture Loading

A few years ago, I enjoyed recreational bodybuilding (stop laughing!). I still hit the gym 3 times a week, but I was a very serious lifter back in the day, getting up at 5 every morning to slap the iron down at a Gold's Gym.

I decided to make it my goal to be in peak physical condition at the time of my wedding and drove myself relentlessly toward this goal. Two days before the wedding service I had pictures taken of myself to commemorate this athletic achievement. I looked pretty good.

One of the practices that I engaged in is called "carb depleting/carb loading". It is a common technique used immediately before a bodybuilding competition to accentuate muscular definition. It works like this: about six days before competition time, a bodybuilder will cease all intake of carbohydrates and consume only protein. Then, about two days before competition, he resumes eating carbs. The effect of this delicate balancing game, when timed properly, is slightly increased definition.

Nothing prepared me for the experience of carb depleting. My diet consisted entirely of protein powder drinks during that time. A gnawing hunger ate at me continuously. To fight it off, I drank a protein drink. Yet the shakes had no impact on my hunger. It was as though I was pouring the shake into a vessel with a hole in the bottom.

When I resumed consuming carbohydrates, I felt as though I had not eaten in days. The first carb serving that I ate -- spinach -- was simply the greatest, most nourishing food that I had ever tasted in my life.

Christian literature is like the carb depleting/carb loading process. At your neighborhood LifeWay or Cokesbury, there are an endless array of spiritual formation and speculation books to buy and read. They can be useful for Christian personal growth and application.

But there's no substitute for the pure milk of the Word. Nothing can fill the hunger of my soul except daily Bible reading. I know that as a Christian and a minister-candidate, I'm supposed to find so much meaning in the writings of people like Henri Nouwen, Theresa of Avila, and the Desert Fathers. But my experience is that after reading them, I still feel as empty as I did when I had a protein shake during the carb depleting phase. I know that I'm supposed to be impressed by these contemplative works, but they seem so...well, tedious.

But Scripture fills me like that first meal during carb loading. Even the long stretches of Leviticus, Zechariah, and Revelation. They feel like solid food in a way that nothing else does.

As I said in my Methodist Blogger Profile a year ago, I rarely read anything other than the Bible. That is, in part, because I dearly want to know the Bible intensively (I've been a Christian for only just over four years). But mostly because everything else seems so boring and empty in comparison. Going without Scripture is like going without carbohydrates -- there is no substitute.

[Editorial note: No, that is not a picture of me.]

Pope Makes First Papal Visit To Six Flags

EUREKA, MO—Pope Benedict XVI returned to Rome today following a historic, three-day trip to Six Flags St. Louis, the first official papal visit to a major American theme park since Pope Paul VI's Thanksgiving Mass at Wet 'n Wild in August 1966.

As the park opened its doors to the general public last Friday, the pope emerged from the last car of the Foghorn Leghorn National Park Railway to greet the throngs of people who had assembled hours earlier for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pay their respects to the blessed pontiff and to vie for a seat on Superman Tower of Power, a popular free-fall ride.

Story Link

Hot or Not?

Hot or Not? Hot Not Free polls from Pollhost.com

Question of the Day

¶ 328 – From among the baptized, deacons are called by God to a lifetime of servant leadership, authorized by the Church, and ordained by a bishop. Deacons fulfill servant ministry in the world and lead the Church in relating the gathered life of Christians to their ministries in the world, interrelating worship in the gathered community with service to God in the world. The Book of Discipline, 2004.

If you could change anything about the ministry of the Order of Deacons in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?

Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 69

Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:

Andy Bryan wrote about his experiences as a police chaplain.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for June 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Clif Guy wrote about open source church management software.

Bad Methodist wrote about how legalized gay marriage may effect straight people (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!).

At Bandits No More, Steve Heyduck wrote about squabbles between big and small UMC churches and Richard Heyduck listed various links for better understanding The DaVinci Code.

Beth Quick wrote about her ordination, ordained women in the UMC, and the challenges of such women.

Betty Newman preached on the OT meanings of Pentecost and wrote about the metaphor of birds in the Bible.

Brian Russell wrote about what he learned at the Origins conference and starting conversations with The DaVinci Code.

Bruce Alderman looked at various pieces of legislation floating through Congress.

At Connexions, Richard Hall wrote about the moral issues related to Zarqawi's death. Joel Thomas wrote about the size of the Ivory Coast delegation in the UMC General Conference and Thomas Oden's call for theological liberals to leave the UMC.

Contending for the Faith wrote about how the doctrine of prevenient grace suggests that gay marriage is permissible.

At Corrupt Generation, Josh Tinley wrote about vine metaphors in the Gospels.

CBRN wrote about a Baraminology conference.

Dave Morris wrote about his experiments with labyrinthine worship.

Dave Camphouse wrote about buzzword bingo.

Derek Tang looked at the World Cup game between Costa Rica and Germany and then several Day 2 games. He has many, many pictures on his blog.

Sally Coleman reviewed the book Standing Up To God and preached on Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus.

Steve Heyduck wrote about modernist/post-modernist views on dissent.

Gavin Richardson wrote about what teenagers are looking for in worship services and living in the contemplative/mystical lifestyle.

Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote about the menace of global cooling.

Daniel McLain Hixon wrote about the history and the meaning of the doctrine of the Trinity and the gay marriage amendment.

Grandma Jean wrote about her reactions to The DaVinci Code.

Greg Hazelrig wrote about discerning the effects of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Greg Lee preached on what the NT says about the roles of women in society and wrote about how to effectively measure church growth.

Henry Neufield wrote the thought processes involved in dating books of the Bible, the substance of creation science, the faith implications of accepting evolutionary theory, examining the articles of Together For The Gospel, and the inerrancy of Scripture (among other related Scriptural issues).

Chris Roberts apologized to people who have been hurt by the Church (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!).

Mike Holly looked at the theological issues behind a recent election in Alabama.

Jay Voorhees thinks that the government should provide preventative health care and Constitutional issues related to gay marriage.

John Battern blogged every day at his Annual Conference.

Josh Tinley looked at the shape of the debate on gay marriage.

Just As I Am preached on sources of wisdom.

Lake Neuron wrote about a celebrity poker show and Lee Oskar brand harmonicas.

Mark Winter wrote about a revival of evangelism in his conference.

Matthew Johnson wrote about the Arkansas Annual Conference.

Keith McIlwain wrote about how the UMC views gay marriage and UMC doctrinal issues related to homosexual membership.

Michael Daniel wondered if we have a moral obligation to provide health care to the less fortunate and wrote about how legitimate worship can morph into idolatry.

Michelle Hargrave looked at the messy formation of orthodoxy in early Christian history.

Louie Gannon wrote about Solomon's request of wisdom from God.

Neil Bishop wrote about the differences between God and Baal as shown by one particular psalm of Baalist origin.

At New Reality Blog, Jared Williams wrote about the theology of environmental stewardship.

Padre Complex wrote about the increasing age of clergy in the UMC. Apparently, as time passes, people get older.

Jason Woolever reported in from the Illinois/Great Rivers Annual Conference.

Todd Bergman wrote about envisioning great dreams.

Sandpiper wrote about the new vaccine for HPV.

Steven Webster looked at homosexual church membership in the UMC.

Tim Sisk is a big fan of U2.

Tony Mitchell wrote about Brian McLaren's new book The Secret Message of Jesus.

Wes Whiddon wrote about his fear of spiders. And hornets.

Paul Martin wrote that Rupert Murdoch is a Pharisee.

Jim McKay wrote about the West Virginia Annual Conference rejecting the Council of Bishops' resolution on the war in Iraq and its resolution on homosexual church membership.

Shane Raynor wrote about teenagers' interest in worship services.

Scott McKay remembered the anniversary of his wife's death.

Corrections? Additions? Do you know of a blog that should be included in the MBWR? Would you like to receive the MBWR via e-mail? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!

Visual Effects

Don't they say that the camera adds ten pounds? Well anyway, Lorna Koskela learned that wearing a crucifix adds a cup size. I guess that's good motivation for wearing one.

The Ten Commandments of the Internet Age

from Ben Witherington.

Hat tip.

Dean Snyder is Back!

Sort of, at least. Good eye, Gav.

UPDATE: I should clarify for the noobs. Dean Snyder was a big league Methoblogger but then disappeared after the first round of Judicial Council decisions about Beth Stroud and Ed Johnson. I guess that he was emotionally crushed by the verdicts.

Christian Tracts

You know those tracts that look like folded-up dollar bills, but when you unfold them, they actually are gospel tracts? Well, if you hand out such things, be sure that they don't look too much like real money, or you may get busted by the Secret Service for counterfeiting.

Hat tip.

President of Judicial Council Involved in Lawsuit

A messy situation for Dr. James Holsinger.

Did I tell you about the time I met the guy?

A Passing

Scott McKay marks the seventh anniversary of his wife's death.

Weekend Rabbit Blogging

Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Eugene Peterson's "The Message" Paraphrase

Heh.

Most Ill-Conceived Themes for Vacation Bible School

Malling Adventure

Siberia Trek

Cavalcade of Ethnic Stereotypes

Cross Caber-Tossing Champions

Ark of Ceremonially Unclean Animals

Just Shut Up Until 3 O’Clock and I’ll Give You All the Cookies I Have

Brothers and Sisters in Baal

Dump Your Kids Here for the Week

Upward Bound & Bondage Play

Lichen Safari

What is the most ill-conceived theme for VBS that you have seen/can think of?

Patristic Youth Ministry

How did the Early Church Fathers conduct youth ministry?

Hat tip.

The First Rule of Asbury Theological Seminary Fight Club...

...is don't talk about ATS Fight Club.

Sorry, but that's all that I can say.

Question of the Day

+4 Charisma just by wearing this shirt! That could really come in handy when I preach. Then my stat will be up to, uh, 7. Make those saving rolls in the pulpit a little less scary. Of course, I would have to wear it under something so that the congregation doesn't know of the unnatural advantage.

What (if anything) do you wear under your ministerial robes?

Doctrinal Purity

Joel Thomas has some thoughts about schismatic movements within the UMC and Thomas C. Oden's views that theological liberals should face certain theological tests or be removed from positions of authority within the denomination.

Art Blogging: Adolphe Alexandre Lesrel

Adolphe Alexandre Lesrel (1839-1921) was a French Academic painter. He composed historical scenes in the tradition established by Meissonier, carefully researching the subject matter for accurate depictions of fashion and furnishings from the time period.

Lesrel's technical virtuosity is well-displayed in Baptism of the Conde. The Princes of Conde were a line within the French royal House of Bourbon.

Devoted to his craft, Lesrel saw no detail as beneath his attention -- from the folds in the carpeting to the ornate paneling in the background to the hairstyles of the musicians -- Lesrel packed his canvas with vivid, vibrant precision.

Giant Puppetry

This is among the most bizarre yet strangely captivating videos that I've ever seen.

Question of the Day

How many times a century should the church directory be updated?

Top 11 Things That Anti-War Protesters Would Have Said At the Normandy Invasion on D-Day (Had There Been Anti-War Protesters At Normandy)

11. No blood for French Wine!

10. It’s been two and a half years since Pearl Harbor and they still haven’t brought Admiral Nagumo to justice

9. In 62 years, the date will be 6/6/6. A coincidence? I think not.

8. All this death and destruction is because the neo-cons are in the pocket of Israel

7. The soldiers are still on the beach, this invasion is a quagmire

6. Sure the holocaust is evil, but so was slavery

5. We are attacked by Japan and then attack France? Roosevelt is worse than the Kaiser!

Here are the rest.

Hat tip: Instapundit (AKA the Anti-Christ).

Sermon on Canvas: Christ in the Wilderness

This is Christ in the Wilderness by Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoy (1837-1887). It vividly depicts the ordeals of Christ as he fasted in the wilderness, suffering all of the temptations that human beings are subject too...and resisting them all:

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"

Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
A close-up reveals the exhaustion on Jesus' face as he answers Satan. His words were not bold proclamations from a pulpit, but wheezing gasps from a desperately hungry and thirsty man. They might as well have been his last breaths, yet Christ did not give in. He did not succumb to temptation.

And because he did not, Jesus could offer himself up as a perfect sacrifice for our sake.

The price was so very, very high.

Keeping the Africans In Their Place

That is, underfoot. Joel Thomas writes about a deplorable UMC General Conference 2004 decision to limit the size of the Ivory Coast delegation contrary to the principle of proportional representation.

Caption Contest

Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 68

Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:

Alan Bevere wrote that Christian morality is more than just obeying a set of rules and that it is okay for Christians to ask God tough questions.

Christopher Gudger-Raines wrote about what mood is appropriate for Memorial Day and gambling on the National Spelling Bee.

Andy Bryan thinks that conservatives are too afraid of non-problems.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for May 30, 31, June 1 and 2.

Chris Morgan wrote that God, unlike us, doesn't throw away damaged people and that we can learn from every mistake and sin.

At Bandits No More, Richard Heyduck wrote that no one is truly in favor of completely 'Open Doors' in the UMC and the episcopal address at the Texas AC.

Beth Quick reviewed a satirical book about Jesus' childhood.

Brian Russell is very grateful to Dan Brown for The DaVinci Code (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!) and examined the Sinaitic Covenant.

Bruce Alderman wrote about how his city is trying to build social services for the homeless.

Josh Tinley wrote about evangelicals and global warming, the secularization of Pentecost (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!), and how the US is compromising humane foriegn policy in order to combat Islamo-fascism.

Dave Morris wrote about the struggle of depression, a sickening video game about killing for Christ, and procrastination.

Dave Warnock wrote about paranoia in response to gender egalitarianism, an overemphasis on the atonement of the cross, and worry about doctrinally dying denominations.

Dave Camphouse explained what a good sheep who follows a shepherd is like.

Derek Tang handicapped the World Cup soccer championships.

Sally Coleman wrote about the alienness of the wisdom of Christ, compared the Body of Christ with various science fiction collectives (e.g. the Borg), considered her calling into ministry, and a church booth that she set up at a local festival.

Steve Heyduck wrote that Christians spend too much time trying to sort people into 'saved' and 'unsaved' categories.

Gavin Richardson wrote about a youth experiment in listening.

Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote about the demographics of population replacement and that conservatives should stay home during the 2006 elections in order to punish the GOP.

Greg Crofford wrote about the core characteristics of America, the possibilities of life-extension technology, and stories of baptism.

Greg Hazelrig wrote that Pentecost was the opposite of the Tower of Babel and that we shouldn't worry about the end times, but focus on our mission.

Greg Lee preached on the divinity of Christ in contrast to The DaVinci Code.

Henry Neufield wrote about overemphasis on symbols (e.g. American flag), Christian video games, models of doctrinal affiliation (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!), theological nitpicking by Together4theGospel, creationists misrepresenting scientific positions, and that war does not always produce the desired results.

Chris Roberts reported on the North Indiana Annual Conference.

Mike Holly wrote about the difficulty in formulating what is a healthy Conference.

John Battern wrote that pastors should remember that they are not indispensible for the gospel.

John Wilks wrote about a UMC church in Omaha holding gay weddings.

Ken Carter reviewed the books Ancient-Future Evangelism and The Unnecessary Pastor.

Jan Kindle has a crazy idea that the goal of the church is not division.

Larry Hollon wrote about the nationalization of spelling bees, that answers to problems have increasingly shorter life-spans, a Christian video game, and how Christ would define hot-button issues.

Mark Winter wrote about a Methodist children's camp in Mexico.

Keith McIlwain wrote about hymns lost in the pages of the UMC Hymnal, the anniversary of a famous Beatles album, and that the 'tongues of fire' in Acts may refer to varieties of worship styles.

Craig Moore asked how Christians should relate to the needs of the poor.

Michael Daniel wrote about a Congressional race in Arkansas and what Stephen saw as he was martyred.

Michelle Hargrave wrote about The DaVinci Code.

Mike Hensley wrote about the art of Dick Detzer, which is very critical of Christianity.

Mike Lamson wrote about the utility of youth mission trips.

Neil Bishop examined hate in the name of God.

Padre Complex thinks that Robert's Rules of Order may be too flawed to function in a church.
Jason Woolever wrote about the four major views on the Book of Revelation.

Olive Morgan wrote about a professors' strike in British universities.

Rereason wrote a letter to President Bush calling for gay marriage rights and wrote a detailed report about the finances of his school district.

Theresa Coleman prayed for God to bless the poor and remembered the passing of her mother.

Sandpiper wrote that we should have the courage to try new wineskins, that life isn't fair (and that that's a good thing), and that we should be patient with other people's worship styles.

Lorna Koskela reviewed a book on anger, that God is more concerned with our condition than our comfort, that one of the lessons of Elijah and Elisha is that in times of turmoil, and we aren't supposed to stop moving forward with God.

Kurt Boemler wrote about closing UMC local churches.

Jonathan Marlowe explained the concept of the Annual Conference for the un-initiated.

Brian Vinson asked readers who in the Bible they would invite to dinner.

Tony Mitchell explained the relationship between Methodism and Pentecostalism (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!). He also reflected on patriotism.

Jim McKay supports a education funding initiative in West Virginia.

Shane Raynor reflected on God's test of Abraham's loyalty and open theism.

Scott McKay wrote that playgrounds are essential places for children to learn and grow.

Because of a variety of technical problems yesterday, I may have accidentally skipped a number of blogs.

Corrections? Additions? Do you know of a blog that should be added to the MBWR? Would you like to receive the MBWR via e-mail? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!

The End Times

I would like to point out that it is 6/6/6 and Beth Quick took her vows as an Elder in the UMC.

Just an observation.

The MBWR

A variety of technical problems prevented me from completing it yesterday. I'm working on it and will publish certainly by noon.

UMR Article on the Methoblogosphere

The United Methodist Reporter has an article about the Methodist blogging community. I'm quoted a few times in it.

A Priest, a Rabbi, and a Pentecostal Preacher Walk Into a Bear

Here's a great joke.

"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned...."

Ken Carter is confessing his sins. I hope that his DS doesn't read his blog.

New Feature

I've added a new weekly feature at Locusts & Honey -- a weekly painting from William Adolphe-Bouguereau. This week it is "The Virgin and the Angels." Click on it for a larger view. This one always makes me think of my mother.

Brought you by the good people of the US Armed Forces.

Question of the Day

How was Annual Conference?

When Christians Talk About Sex

David Wayne says that evangelicals have unwisely adopted the Augustinian view that sex is inherently evil:

My own personal opinion, which may not be yours and which may be wrong, is that when most evangelicals and/or conservatives talk about sex it is usually in the context of warnings against illicit sex, and I believe this is because we default to thinking of sex in its state of corruption before we can think about it in it's state of goodness.

I saw this in a funny way this past Sunday. Last week I announced that this week I would be talking about how the Bible is very pro-sex. I forgot to mention ". . . in marriage." A couple of people have already pointed that out to me. And of course they are right and I am going to make a big deal of that this coming Sunday. But I do detect a hint of nervousness as if we can never say that sex is good without putting the proper qualifiers on it.

And I don't completely disagree with this mindset - sex has been so corrupted in our society that warnings and qualifiers are certainly in order. But it seems to me that, for the most part we either don't talk about sex or we bring it up to warn people about it. I don't know if we evangelicals know how to fully embrace the goodness of sex, even in marriage.

Amen. I picked up on this theme in the Every Man's and Woman's Battle books, which depicted sexual attraction, regardless of context, as sinful. Married couples can have sex, but it's very important that they not enjoy it too much.

Hat tip.

Methodist Blogger Profile: Conrad Harvin

Conrad Harvin of Rad's Methodist Blog

Why do you blog?
I started blogging because I had thoughts that I wanted to share. My blogging has also been an opportunity to understand my own thoughts. Sometimes as I write, I realize that I didn't really think what I thought I did. Writing about things gives a new dimension to our thought sometimes.

What has been your best blogging experience?
The time that I got an email from someone who said that something I wrote gave them new encouragement about something they were struggling with.

What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?
You don't have to be perfect.
I wrote lots of drafts when I got started and would never post them because I thought they weren't good enough. I know we Methodists are supposed to be moving on to perfection, but our blogs don't have to be.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?
Locusts & Honey, Bad Methodist & PamBG

Who are your spiritual heroes?
Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby and Beverly Sawyer
Beverly was my pastor when I joined the UMC. She is author of the prayer book Singer of Seasons.

What are you reading at the moment?
I just finished What They Didn't Teach You About the American Revolution

What is your favorite hymn and why?
Hymn 379 Blow Ye the Trumpet Blow by Charles Wesley
Especially the chorus "The year of jubilee is come! Return ye ransomed sinners home.

From the old hymnal, my favorite is "How Happy Every Child of Grace" by Charles Wesley (The tune is Clensing Fountain"

Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've changed your mind?
In my teens & twenties I was a hard core Republican. I was vice president of the Arkansas College Republicans. Almost EVERYTHING I believe politically has changed.

What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?
The whole concept that the Bible is the LITERAL word of God. The Bible is God's TRUTH.
Things can be true without being factual.

If you could effect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?
To add Universal Health Care that included mental health.

If you could effect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?
That we would accept that faithful Christians disagree on homosexuality.
If we could move past this issue we could put more energy in making disciples.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
It's ok admit you were wrong.

What, if anything, do you worry about?
I try not to worry.

If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?
I would focus more on school and avoid credit.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?
Eureka Springs, Arkansas

What do you like doing in your spare time?
Working in my flower garden

What is your most treasured possession?
My grandfathers journals.

What talent would you most like to have?
To be able to play the piano well. (I sorta play)

If you could have any three guests, past or present to dinner, who would they be?
The Apostle Paul, Charles Wesley & Benjamin Franklin (assuming we had a translator for Paul)