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Friday, December 31, 2010

New Year's Eve in New Mexico

Amazing wind blowing in New Mexico... Gusts up to 60 mph...

2010 blowing out with vengeance... Glad to see it go...

First six months really sucked (untrue perceptions and allegations really hurt others, but the Lord is good! see Genesis 50:20)

The last six months consisted of recovery...

I'm ready for a truly great 2011!! Are you with me? Can I get an "Amen"?

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Kids telling the tale!

I'm attending the St John's Episcopal School's annual Christmas program! Kids telling the tale of the advent of our Lord!

If you haven't taken in a Christmas program, find a church and go. You don't need any kids to attend, just go! It'll do you good!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010

Change isn't always helpful!

   Part of moving to a new community is the beginning of new relationships with doctors, dentists, and the like... I've never had a problem with that and adapt pretty well.  However, my "new" doctor here in Odessa decided that my (moderately) high blood sugar would benefit from a change in my blood pressure medication.  The medication that I had been on for over 10 years was a combination medication in that it helped control my blood pressure, but also kept my heart rate steady. 

   Sunday after church I felt my heart begin to race and didn't feel well.  Even after a good lunch and a restful afternoon, my heart rate was still somewhat elevated, but I didn't bounce back like I generally have done the few times that it has happened. After a good night's sleep and a check of my blood pressure and blood sugar which were both acceptable, I still didn't feel well.

   A visit to my doctor resulted in him realizing that I probably needed to remain on something to help steady the heart rate, so he put me back on the same medication that he had taken me off several weeks earlier! I'm glad he did!  I think I will begin to feel better soon!

   How does this episode relate to Church and Ministry?  Glad you asked!  I'm "old school" enough to realize that change just to change isn't always a good idea. I also realize that you must consider how the change will effect everything else before you implement it. It is also important to be willing to reverse the decision to change if the change isn't effective.

   I've always been of the mind that methods of communicating God's love must always be changing, while our message never changes! Some things must always change, but the essential truths of God's Love and God's Word are never to be changed!

  

Thursday, October 28, 2010

A Different View?

   I took a different way to get to work today... I had a breakfast (Thanks to Odessa Regional Medical Center for the breakfast and appreciation gift!) meeting and came to work from there.

   I found it somewhat disconcerting.  The traffic flow was different. I found myself at different traffic lights becoming anxious because I couldn't anticipate the changes as I do on my normal route. I saw different things. It wasn't comfortable! Some of the things I saw were nice to look at, while some of the things I saw weren't so nice to see...

   So what's the point? Glad you asked!  It is really easy (too easy!) to go the same way to work everyday. It is really easy to do the same thing the same way every time we do it.  It is easy to become predictable.  It is so comfortable to be in our rut.  Ritual and routine is nice, however, we miss out on so much if we limit ourselves to the rut of it!

   There is a danger in being comfortable. We can lose our focus and not see what is around us. There is a difference in seeing and really seeing. Ritual and routine can cause us to become comfortable and not really see what the Lord might want us to see.

   Take a different route to church, work or wherever you go sometime... Take a close look and ask God to show you what you need to see!



  
  

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Excellent Customer Serivce!

A brake light on my truck was out, so I stopped by the Kent Kwik Lube at 42nd and Grandview in Odessa to get it looked at. The guy removed the lens and replaced the bulb. When finished, I asked how much I owed him and he said, "Just a handshake." Wouldn't take any money...

Guess where I'll go to get my oil changed?

Any ideas how this might apply to church?  I do!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Randomness

   Driving Odessa's 42nd street isn't all that different from driving Westheimer in Houston. Not as long, but similar driving styles...

   Anyone that isn't convinced that Odessa can't support more than one Starbucks, needs to join the 8 other cars in line at the drive-thru at 8:20 am most morning...

   Men: You NEED to be up to date with your colon and prostate screening! Women: You NEED to be up to date with your breast and gyno exams!  Someone whom I was looking forward to getting to know better apparently didn't and had a tumor burst filling him with infection that may take his life! Git 'em done!


   Isn't Fall the absolute best time to live in West Texas?

   Isn't it great to be a Christian?

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Lectionary?

     If you attend a worship service at Bethany Christian Church - Odessa, you will notice that on the front of our worship bulletins where we list the date of the service, we also include the date of the “Church” year. Many congregations do the same.

     Ever wonder why? Let me tell you…

     For a number of years, we have followed the “Revised Common Lectionary” as a guide and uniform approach to worship. The Lectionary is a 3 year cycle of Scripture readings that is used by many denominations. There are Scripture readings for each week and covers 80% of the Bible every three years. Each week includes a reading from the Old Testament, one of the Poetical books, the Gospels and the Epistles, the New Testament letters.

     We generally use one of the passages as our Call to Worship / Responsive Reading, another as our Scripture reading for the week and another (generally the Gospel) as the text for the sermon. Preaching from the lectionary is useful because it allows for a systematic study through a specific book from the Bible. It also prevents the passing over or ignoring passages that are difficult to understand and hard to teach. On occasion, pastors may set aside the Lectionary to preach on a special theme or timely topic, but overall many find it to be a good disciplined approach to preaching.

   What do you think? Let me know.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Home alone!

Going to be "home alone" this weekend as S & A are going to Tucumcari to work on the in-laws stuff...

Anyone want to hang with the Revelvis this weekend? or have breakfast in the morning?

Actually, I have reading to do and football to watch, but I'm available!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

I still like the Big 8!

Congrats to Turner Gill, whose KU team made a nice recovery and knocked G-Tech off for his first win at KU... I still like those Big 8 schools! Settling in to watch OU vs FSU...

Hope OU takes it to them big time! Not happy with the way Bobby B was treated... kinda like when J Jones pushed Tom (the only coach the Dallas Cowboys will ever have!) Landry! Guess I should get over it, but still...

Friday, September 10, 2010

The transition from the dark side has begun!

Ok, I'm done with my Blackberry... the final straw came when I could not carry on a 5 minute conversation with my secretary with a full battery! It just decided to shut itself down!


I have begun the transition from the dark side! Have ordered a 16 gig I-Phone 4... Don't know when it will arrive, but it can't get here too soon!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

A major accomplishment!

I purchased a skill saw and sawed off a quarter of an inch off the bottom of a door that was hanging... That may not sound like a big deal to most, but for Rev. Elvis it is a HUGE accomplishment!!

I should have listened and watched my dad closer when I was a kid as he was trying his best to teach me how to do stuff....

Ah, the lessons we should have learned!!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Equifax does the straw thing!

If you write a check at a business that uses Equifax to clear their checks, be aware that if Equifax does not like your check writing history, they can reject it and leave you looking like a deadbeat!

I was in the market for a larger, flat screen television and wanting to make Dave Ramsey happy and not buy retail, I went to a local pawn shop and found just what I was looking for at about half the cost! I wrote a check. The clerk ran it through their system and it was REJECTED!  The code the clerk received stated that it was not rejected for insufficient funds, but because my check writing patten was not consistent with the Equifax "model."

I called my Credit Union, which told me that Equifax sometimes does this and to call them.  I called them and after finally getting to talk to a person, had my identity and bank balance verified. I was then told that they could not (would not?) override the computer.  I then asked to speak with a supervisor who told me the same thing!


Thus Equifax became the sole decision maker whether I could write a check at a business of my choosing to purchase a product of my choosing!

Equifax is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission who will be hearing from me in the very near future!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Thoughts

Relaxing in a hotel room in Junction, Texas... A little alone time before serving as a Spiritual Director for a Walk to Emmaus this weekend in McFaddin, Texas...

Enjoying the solitude, but missing spending time with Sharna... The longer we're married, the more I want to be with her...

Friday, August 6, 2010

33 Years

‎33 years ago today, a pretty young lady from Tucumcari, NM said she would and after all these years, I can say that she has!

I am a blessed man!

Sharna, I still love you!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Amos of Tekoa and Keith of Odessa

Amos of Tekoa was a tree trimmer and spoke for God... Keith of Odessa is NOT a tree trimmer, but does attempt to speak on behalf of the Lord...

Keith of Odessa is beaten, scratched, sore and somewhat bloody from trimming trees, but they are done!

Ah, the joys of home ownership!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Tuesday @ Bethany!

Tuesday @ Bethany means Mother's Day Out!

Our building will be full of little ones!

We are blessed to have them visit us twice a week!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

I fought the lawn and the lawn...............................

I fought the lawn and the lawn............................... lost!

Although it did get in a couple pretty good shots!

Wow! Not having to do lawn work for the past 14 years has gotten me spoiled.

Maybe I'll stick it rich and be able to buy my wife a lawn boy (we don't have a pool and won't be getting one!) to do it for me!

Monday, July 12, 2010

What a life!

Sunday! Bible School, Worship, lunch with our music minister, hospital visitation, board meeting, Elders meeting, Deacons meeting... Monday starts a new week of ministerial adventures... What a life!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

First Service at Bethany

   The first service at Bethany Christian this morning went pretty well!  We had 90 in attendance, which considering that it was the 4th of July and typically a huge vacation weekend is quite amazing.

   The congregation is very friendly and loving. They seem very pleased to finally have a pastor after being without a long time.  Rev. Clark Ford did a fine job as their intentional interim.

   We are very blessed and honored to be able to serve the Lord in Odessa, Texas!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Weekend Update...

Busy day yesterday sorting through Sharna's folks stuff... Amazing history!

Worship at First Baptist - Tucumcari, visit Sharna's parents at the living center and sort some more.

Hope to hear about our house soon! Keep praying!

Friday, June 4, 2010

On the docket...

Quite a weekend and month on the docket... Going to "Praise in the Park" and Astros game Saturday, should receive confirmation of our call Sunday afternoon, resign jobs on Monday, a trip to take my library to the new office and secure housing, finish packing and get moving!

In the midst of all that, we need to visit our parents...

Life! Isn't it great!

Monday, May 31, 2010

Real vs Photoshop?

Back in El Campo after spending the weekend in Odessa meeting the community of Bethany Christian Church and hunting for houses. Meeting the congregation was amazing and FUN!

We also looked at LOTS of houses, which was fun for the love of my life, but not quite as fun for me.  I'm a guy so shopping isn't really that much fun.  I can do most of our Christmas shopping in less than an hour, while the love of my life wants to see, touch, smell and take in every little detail. 

We didn't find anything that we feel ready to pull the trigger on yet... but we'll need to go back next week and try to make a decision on someting... That is assuming the congregation gives their approval, which we have been assured that it will be positive.  However, we still need to wait and let the process work...

Back to the housing stuff... it is amazing how nice and neat the houses look on the internet and how different they look in person!  Jesus said something about white-washed tombs... nice on the outside, but dead on the inside.  Almost ALL of the houses look pretty cool on the internet, but in reality need a LOT of work!  Sounds like a lot of people I know... Me included! How about you?

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Wednesday Update

Led a parenting discussion today at lunch, spent the afternoon in the office, now I'm off to teach the last session of the GED completion course for the semester... then to get busy for the big move and the new gig!

It's been a loooong year and it's not even half over!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Time to ride?

I'm thinking the motorcycle group's dinner ride just might be the thing to do tonight! Had a full day of training for the August Walk to Emmaus. A ride just might be the best way to end the day...

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Head's UP!

Head's up: If you use hand sanitizer while driving & get pulled over for driving faster than the posted limit, you just might be suspected of driving under the influence...

Seems the odor of said hand sanitizer wafts out the window while handing the Trooper your license, insurance and CHP causing him to suspect that you have been over-indulging!

Got a warning to be more mindful of the posted speed limit...

Monday, May 3, 2010

One of the most profound thoughts I've heard lately...

From a tweet on William Vanderbloemen's twitter...

"Nothing that has ever been done BY you or TO you is greater than what Jesus did FOR you."

Very profound, I think!

Interesting thoughts...

Ron Degges, the President of the Disciples Home Mission writes:  "The Christian faith is always in danger of being routinized as is congregational life and the thought patterns of its followers. Routinization is believing and doing the same thing over and over again with the expectation that something different will occur. Each time we routinize the faith as it is embodied in the church and ourselves, we reduce the divine imperative to be fruitful and multiply. With fear, we measure out faith so carefully. We enviously count the number of cookies taken by our children and visitors at church fellowship events, lest they leave us empty handed, snatching either the faith or the cookies, and run away into oblivion.


I have some news for you. The faith and our cookies are not running away anywhere, especially to oblivion. Instead they are running to the hearts, minds, imaginations, and stomachs of all who desire to learn a new thing. In Christ, did not God do a new thing? When we as a people were choking to death on mere ritual and empty promises, did not God en-flesh Godself in our humanity? In life's brokenness, have we not become strong at our broken places because of God's love for us – all of us?

The time has come for us Christians and Disciples, I hope I got the order right, to follow the living Christ by amplifying, developing, and enlarging God's message of abundant love. There are more than enough cookies to go around. Let's stop abbreviating, abridging, and condensing God into our limited, confining, and routinized expressions of faith and action. If we do not, all we can expect is a lower grade God who will ping in our fuel tanks. Where is the octane? No, where are the cookies, please?

I attended an Independent Christian Church worship service this past weekend. The pastor said that "the church is the real roll back place, not Sam Walton's Walmart." It was God who rolled back the stone and it is God who will roll back the stones, no matter how large, that block our way to the timeless truth of the unroutinized gospel. The same pastor also said that "if you are hungry, eat, but don't expect the preacher to feed you all the time." Feed one another. I suspect that we've gotten ourselves into this routinized decline because we have not fed one another.

The word is not in the dictionary yet, as far as my sources of research indicate, but if it were, the word spiritfication would stand as the logical opposite to routinization. It would signify the Spirit-making and Spirit-producing power of a God who is always highest grade, of a God who breaks forth into the world, the church and each individual life opening them to life in all its abundance."

Great thoughts!!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Interview Time!

I've got a telephone inteview with a church. 

I'm praying that I will hear what I am supposed to hear & say what I am supposed to say and not what I want to hear or say. Does that make any sense?

I know how I'm supposed to act, feel and know the standard "trust in the Lord and let Him lead and guide" answers, but I really want to hear and say what is real and truthful. I'm looking for what is right and real.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Randomness

   Haven't posted in a while so I thought I would give an update on my thoughts...

   I'm having a running conversation with the Lord regarding employment, what it means to be in ministry and my identity as it relates to those.

   After 28 years of being a “professional, paid minister” while preaching and teaching that everyone is a minister (that whole “Priesthood of All Believers” deal) I’m finding it hard to accept that it just might be the Lord’s will that I earn my keep doing something that is not specifically in paid ministry, while remaining in ministry in a totally different way. That is what some would call bi-vocational ministry.

   I have said for MANY years that I believe that the only way for many churches in small and not so small communities to survive is to have a pastor who is bi-vocational. Of course, that is the pattern that we see in the New Testament.

   Perhaps, the Lord is leading me to model what I have taught. What do you think? Let me know!

Friday, April 9, 2010

New Dell Mini...

I'm trying to get used to my Dell Mini netbook. Got tired of lugging my notebook around. It wasn't that heavy or bulky especially when I remember my first "portable" computer with dual floppys and 512k ram during grad school. I hauled it back and forth to California. Thought I was really "high" tech. It weighed close to 20lbs...

The new Dell Mini netbook weighs maybe 2lbs with a 120+ gig hard drive and a gig of ram and was less than $300! Amazing!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter IS a big deal down here!

   After a really inspiring Easter worship service this morning, the love of my life and I weren't ready for lunch, so we headed over to the Barnes and Noble to find a cd she wanted.  I also wanted to go by the mall and check out the Apple Store to see if she could discover a way to extend her battery life on her I-phone.

   Barnes and Noble didn't have what she wanted, so I asked a young lady looking in the same section if the mall might have another music store in it. She said she didn't know but added, "The mall is closed. I guess Easter is a big deal down here."   Wish I could report that we had a deep and meaningful conversation resulting in her accepting Christ and being baptized in one of the fountains, but it didn't. Perhaps it will give her pause and think about what Easter means.

   The truth is that Easter is a big deal.  In fact, it is the only really big deal that matters. Resurrection (Easter) Sunday is the day that makes all other days have meaning and purpose.  1st Corinthians 15:58 tells us that our labor is not in vain.  That nothing done for the Lord will be lost, wasted or pointless!

   How's that for a resurrection message!!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Checking in...

Well, I probably should check in just in case anyone is reading this on a regular basis...

Our Tour of Churches took us to the Tomball Bible Church, in Tomball, Texas.  A young man (Skeet Alderson) who was in our youth group in El Campo will soon become their Senior Pastor.  A very nice, surburban church in transition from a standard, typical church into a contemporary, more cutting edge church as their community becomes more contemporary and more cutting edge.

Skeet appears to be the man for the job! I think he'll do fine!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Our Tour of Congregations

So far our "Tour of Churches" has taken us to:  Lakewood, Sagemont, First Colony C of Ct, First Colony Christian, River Pointe, Central Christian in Austin, Faith United Methodist, and Family Life Christian Fellowship... A different congregation each week!

Lots of ideas to consider when our next ministry opportunity knocks!
Where will we wind up next week?
Any suggestions?

Check back next Sunday!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

The Passing of a Friend

   My friend Ron Thomas died last Thursday afternoon at the Veterans Hospital in Houston. I talked with Ron on Wednesday and knew that he had an appointment on Thursday. We were to talk again on Friday, but I did not hear from him. His sister in Oregon called today and told me that security at the VA found him dead outside the clinic Thursday afternoon. Ron had survived numerous strokes and heart attacks the last few years and had a family history of early deaths. An autopsy was preformed and showed that to be the case. He will be cremated and his ashes transported to his mother in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.


   Ron was a loner, a rebel and an outcast. Some of that was of his own choosing and some due to his decision to be and live as he wished. When he was discharged from the Air Force (interestingly, he was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico, my hometown while I was in high school!) he determined that he would not live according to anyone’s expectations or be concerned with what others thought of him.

   Ron began attending the church I pastored simply because I decided to be his friend and because he wasn’t rejected by the people he met at there. He knew there were some who did not care for his appearance, hair, smell, etc…, but thankfully comments were not made to him directly. He was extremely grateful that he had some friends and was back in church!

   Ron was certainly one of those to whom Jesus referred to as “the least of these.” Ron taught me that it is ok to be friends with those no one else wants to be friends with. I consider ministry to Ron the past couple of years some of the most important in my career. On a related note, Chuck Thornton, another of those “least of these” died Thursday, as well. I never got Chuck to come to church, but he at least let me pray for him before he was transferred to the VA in Houston a couple of weeks ago.

   Because of Ron, I have a renewed sense of purpose to see the world with the eyes of Jesus and to seek to be his hands and feet in service to “the least of these.” As my friend Jesus said: “Go, thou and do likewise.”

   Pressing on!

   Rev. Elvis

Monday, March 8, 2010

Church Dysfunction

H. B. London of Focus on the Family writes in today's Shepherd's Covenant Encourager:


I had an opportunity recently to see what some of you do "up close and personal." I spent time with a pastor of a dysfunctional church. The chances that he will survive there are slim.

It was my privilege to stand alongside this pastor in helping to lead his congregation back to unity and into a deeper walk with the Lord. Only time will tell if our mission, assisted by the Holy Spirit, will be successful.

I had a pastor say one time, "If I was not the pastor of this church, I know for sure I wouldn't attend it." The truth is there are a lot of clergypersons out there who would echo that pastor's sentiments. Question: What are we going to do to turn that trend around?

Some say it will take a revival. Can you define revival? For me, revival is the Body of Christ in renewed obedience to the will of God.

Others say we need to change the church's polity (government). In other words, let the pastor's fate be in the hands of fewer people rather than a whole congregation.

Still, there are some who say the problem in the church today is that we have a tendency to mirror society rather than society mirroring the church. I do know that our consumer-driven society does carry over to the church.

I hear from my colleagues who say that, in a small-to-medium-size church, you will always be dealing with the power structure — and, most of the time, that base is resistant to change. And most of the churches in America are small-to-medium in size.

So what is the answer? I am no expert on this, but after reading Paul's first and second letters to the Thessalonians, I am convinced that the Body of Christ must respect its clergy, live in peace with one another, feed the flock of God, avoid evil, be joyous, and be careful not to put out the Spirit's fire (quench His workings).

I challenge you to reread the Thessalonian letters, and then feed that truth to your people. It can't help but make a difference. And, as the Apostle Paul would say, "Now may the Lord of Peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you" (2 Thess. 3:16).

Thanks H. B. for the message and the encouragement!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

From an e-mail received from my friend, Max Hickerson...

Every day, 400 million Microsoft Windows users across the world double click icons on their desktops to launch applications, and open files. I began to wonder why Windows requires a double-click rather than a single-click.

A quick search for “double-click” in Wikipedia revealed the answer. Double-clicking allows two different actions to be associated with the same mouse button, so, In general, the first click highlights the icon and the second click executes it. The only catch is that the second click cannot be delayed longer than the time set in the control panel under mouse properties or the desired effect will not be realized.


Every day 2.1 billion Christians across the world are challenged to double-click the applications of their faith without delays so that the desired effects of our Heavenly Father can be fully realized. Double click your faith every day!

Click 1- Pray…     Click 2 …without ceasing

Click 1 Rejoice…     Click 2 …in the Lord always

Click 1 Let your “yes” be “yes”…     Click 2 …and your “no” be “no”

Click 1 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul …     Click 2 …and your neighbor as your self

and something else to think about... The first click is to select the action, the second click is to execute the action.


The apostles seemed to often be stuck between the two clicks. They click once and then stop. It seems that many Christians today are still stuck in between the 2 clicks.

Click 1- Pray without ceasing......But never get to click 2 and pray.

Click 1-Rejoice in the Lord always.....but still negative.

Click 1-Watch your language...But do not be a part of "NO CUSSING WEEK" in CA.

Click 2- Love your neighbor..but you throw trash over the fence at night.

CLICK TWICE EVERY DAY!!!!!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Notice to my friends

Friends,


Just a note to fill you in on some changes taking place in our lives. If you are one of my “Facebook” friends or following me on “Twitter” you probably know about this, but I have haven’t sent out anything to those I consider friends and whom I know will support us in prayer. I’ll do my best to give you the abbreviated version.

We’ve had a situation with our church that we have been dealing with for some time. I felt that we were getting past it and felt confident that it was handled in a proper way. Apparently it wasn’t. It originates back a couple of years ago when I proposed beginning a new educational program for the church and took my sabbatical. Apparently, the power brokers in the church really didn’t think too highly of those proposals (even though they approved them!) and were waiting their time to get even.

Not to go into many of the specifics, there was a secret, invitation only meeting to discuss me and ask our leadership to discuss my future with the church in El Campo. As a result, I have resigned and am in the search and call process of for our denomination. I have taken a part-time job with our local mental health provider doing public relations and counseling. There is a possibility that I might be able to teach at our local Junior College in their Continuing – Basic Education department.

I have met with our Area Minister and he is very encouraging about us being able to make a move that will be to our advantage. The reality is that I have been well below average in salary and benefits for some time now. I have stayed here because of my commitment to working with small, struggling churches. While that may be a noble cause, it hasn’t been good in regards to retirement and especially the goal of being able to purchase a home of our own. So we are hopeful that the Lord will lead us to something and someplace really special.

We ask for your prayers for us. We would also ask for prayer for the church. They have had close to 50 different pastors in their 106 year old history and I had been there almost 13 years! We didn’t know that until we began compiling the history of the church for the centennial celebration. We honestly thought that had broken the revolving door! Apparently not.

We will keep you informed as to how the Lord is leading us!

Thanks!

Rev. Elvis

Friday, February 19, 2010

Regarding noisy trains

A recent letter to the editor of our local newspaper that has lessons for far more issues than just a noisy train...


“Be careful what you pray for, you just might get it!” is a phrase that comes to mind in the midst of the outcry over the current railroad whistle-gate.

Shortly after moving to our fair city 12 years ago, I heard a presentation from a prominent citizen regarding the benefits of having train service. I scoffed at the idea and questioned the sanity of any corporation that would pay (at that time) close to $1 million a mile to restore rail service.

Fast forward through the years and let the celebrations begin! The efforts were successful and we have restored rail service. What an amazing accomplishment! Except for that annoying whistle that is a legally mandated part of having rail service!

Did anyone not realize or have the foresight to know that with the positive features of having rail service would come the bonus of waiting for trains at their crossings and whistles at all hours? Did those who wanted rail service assume that the trains would run quietly through town at a convenient time when no one would be bothered? The truth is that with progress comes change and with change comes some inconvenience.

I grew up in a town that had not just one train track running through it, but several. My boyhood home still sits three blocks off the tracks. My current residence is three blocks off the track. I hardly notice the whistles and the trains seldom inconvenience me. I suppose I’ve adapted to the change.

My suggestion is that those who are vexed by the noise of the train to do the same. Perhaps ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones could become a fashion statement? Do they come in Ricebird Red?

With tongue firmly in cheek, I am,

Rev. Keith Gibbons

Friday, February 12, 2010

Three Things That are Never Good for a Pastor

There are three things that can happen in the course of pastoral ministry that are sure signs that you are moving on...  They are:

   1. Meetings of selected individuals for the purpose of discussing the minister's status with the congregation.  The meetings are not openly announced and not every member of the congregation is invited. 

   2. Having a single family (immediate & extended) make up a large portion of the leadership.

   3. Reasons for discontent are easily seen as not the real reasons.

Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17 gives a very clear process of how one is to approach someone with whom they are in disagreement. If followed, there would be a lot less heartache among people.

Inclusion of Older Posts continued

Thursday, December 4, 2008


"We Don't Have Time for That!"

Typical of last minute Christmas shoppers, a mother was running furiously from store to store. Suddenly she became aware that the pudgy little hand of her three year old son was no longer clutched in hers.

In a panic she retraced her steps and found him standing with his little nose pressed flatly against a frosty window. He was gazing at a manger scene. Hearing his mother’s near hysterical call, he turned and shouted with innocent glee: "Look Mommy! It’s Jesus - baby Jesus in the hay".

With obvious indifference to his joy and wonder, she impatiently jerked him away saying, "We don’t have time for that!" (From "The Wonder of Christmas” by Glenn Pease.)

Amazing, isn’t it? The Creator and Sustainer of the universe has the time to hear and respond to our prayers, meet our needs and give us most of our desires. Yet, we often don’t have time for worship, communion, Bible study and sharing our faith in Jesus with others.

Quite frankly, it isn’t a matter of not having enough time, but a matter of how we choose to live our lives. It is a matter of choosing that which is really important to us and whether we really believe what we claim we believe.

“But when the right time came, God sent his Son …” Galatians 4:4

Inclusion of Older Posts continued...

Friday, October 24, 2008


Brussel Spout Theology

Zed grew up in a Brussel Sprout family. In fact, Zed’s family has a long history with Brussel Sprouts. They can trace their digestion of Brussel Sprouts as far back as the 1200’s in Belgium and Northern Europe. Several of Zed’s grandfathers were Brussel Sprout farmers and scholars.

For as long as Zed can remember Brussel Sprouts were served in his family at least twice a week and sometimes more than that! Twice every Sunday and every Wednesday evening was a Brussel Sprout ritual for Zed’s family.

There were times when Zed got tired and bored with Brussel Sprouts, but Mom and Dad (mostly Mom) persisted in explaining the benefits of Brussel Sprouts. Brussel Sprouts are filled with vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid and dietary fiber and helpful in preventing colon cancer.

As Zed got older, into college, and into life, he decided that he was old enough to make his own decisions regarding Brussel Sprouts. Many of his friends grew up in families where they were allowed to make their own decisions regarding Brussel Sprouts, so he decided that he would do the same. Zed met Nelda and they got married. Nelda grew up in a family that had other preferences regarding vegetables, but their family was as devoted to their vegetable as was Zed’s family. Nelda was happy to let Zed lead, and she agreed to do whatever Zed wanted.

Zed and Nelda began their life together and alternated their vegetables, but never really settled into a consistent pattern. After all, they felt pressured by their parents while they were growing up and were glad to finally be out on their own.

Eventually, Ned and Zelda had two children, Bart and Barb. Both sets of grandparents emphasized the need for regular vegetable consumption for the grandchildren, but Ned and Zelda were content to allow their children to make their own choices.

On special occasions and holidays, Ned, Zelda, Bart and Barb did have Brussel Sprouts. Out of respect for their parents, Ned, Zelda, Bart and Barb did have Brussel Sprouts on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and some other occasions when they visited back home.

Bart and Barb really enjoyed their time with the grandparents and longed for their parents to serve Brussel Sprouts more often, but Ned and Zelda were set in their ways and always found other things to serve. Brussel Sprouts just aren’t that important to them.

Only time will tell how this story will work out, but the reality is this: Since Brussel Sprouts aren’t that important to Ned and Zelda, it is a near certainty that they won’t be to Bart and Barb.

Note: This story is fiction, although any resemblance to anyone you know is entirely possible. However it isn’t directed at anyone in particular.

Wonder if this has anything to do with church? Consider this from Hebrews: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love… not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Inclusion of older posts

Wednesday, October 8, 2008


Why Should We Expect Anything Else?

While stopping at the post office this morning, I met up with someone whose outlook on life and the events of this world are always intriguing and challenging (in a positive way) to me.We don’t get to visit as much I would like, so I enjoy the brief times when we do.

I began to vent about the financial messes of the past couple of weeks, the election and the indifference of our world about the things of God. As I vented, this person very calmly stated that they understood that Jesus had said that he was coming back and that the state of the world’s affairs would not be any better than when he left. So why should we expect anything else?

Sometimes the preacher needs preaching to!

As I thought it through, I realized the truth in her statements. Throughout history, God has always responded to the needs of the world when it seemed as if there was no hope. God is always faithful and asks us to do the same.

The world was pretty bad when God called Noah to build the ark.

Israel was in slavery in Egypt before God called Moses to lead them into freedom.

Goliath had Saul’s army terrified and paralyzed as God brought David on the scene.

The Assyrians had Jerusalem surrounded and facing certain defeat as Hezekiah called on God for a miracle.

There was a valley of dry bones come back to life in the days of Ezekiel.

The destroyed walls of Jerusalem and the Temple were rebuilt during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Peter was in jail for sharing the gospel while the Christians prayed and the doors opened.

Paul and Silas were singing in their chains when the chains came loose, the cells opened and an entire family became Christians.

Hebrews 11 is full of examples of God taking care of His faithful people.

So what’s the point? Simply that while we need to be faithful in doing what we know is right and praying that God’s will be done in our nation and individual lives, we must have the faith and trust that regardless of what happens, Jesus is coming again! We shouldn’t expect or be surprised at anything else!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Why Rev. Elvis?

Some may wonder why (or how) I took on the name "Rev. Elvis." 

The story isn't as exciting as I might want it to be... Elvis Presley died on my 20th birthday.  The media of that day made such a big deal about "The King" dying that it made me want to puke. You would have thought that someone really important had died! 

It wasn't too long after that that restaurants began asking for names for their waiting lists. Not wanting to give my real name (it isn't that special or wonderful, ...sorry mom) in my opinion and wanting to set myself apart from the ordinary, I began using "Elvis."  The reverend part about simply because it is the standard title used for ministers.

Thus, Rev. Elvis I am!

Now isn't your life so much more enlightened now that you know!  I know mine is!

Rev. Elvis Resurrects!

After a much too long absence, the Rev. Elvis blog returns!

It's a long story, but simply one of not taking the time to keep it updated. Assuming that it must be something of substance and great length each time it is updated.

Ok, the truth is........ laziness! Along with the fact that it had been so long since I even checked it, I forgot my log-in and password information!

I am going to make a concentrated effort to make this work this time!

I hope you enjoy it!

Rev. Elvis

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Odessa, Texas, United States
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Christian, Minister, One of the Good Guys!

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