New Twitter Widget

Haven't been regularly posting much here, for a variety of reasons. I have been spending more time on Twitter and Facebook, however. If you want to read my latest "tweets" I added a more efficient widget in the sidebar at the right. The old one didn't take you to the links within the tweet. This one, taken directly from Twitter's "Goodies", should do the trick.

Issues, Etc. 24...this promises to be good

Twenty-four hours straight of good, solid, Bible study from respected teachers and theologians. I'm sure I won't be staying up for 24 hours straight, but I'm excited about downloading the podcasts of this.

Redesigned LCMS website

Check out the new and improved website design of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The past design I thought was a clunker, but this new one is real slick and much easier to navigate.

You can find it by going to www.lcms.org.

Facebook and Twitter good for the brain?

So, according the Wall Street Journal, the use of social media such as Twitter and Facebook may be good for the brain after all. Whoda thunk it? Click below to read the article.

http://ping.fm/BOMpD

(Surely we wouldn't say that MySpace is good for the brain, would we?)

One of the many reasons why we support Issues, Etc.

Click below to read a recent post at the Brothers of John the Steadfast website...

http://ping.fm/fCNTX

New Issues, Etc. Promo

500 Posts!

Wow! Yesterday's sermon was post number 500 on this blog. I guess that's a milestone of sorts, althought there are other bloggers who have been doing this longer than I. I've slowed down a bit since I got back from China. Lately it's just been sermons and quick tidbits.

I started this thing as a place to post my sermons, pictures from the church, and some links that I wanted to share with folks at the congregation. It became a place for me to share other thoughts and point people to interesting things out there on the web. I've also been amazed at how many people find there way here from all over the world (ever since I added the Feedjit widget...pretty cool).

We'll see if I make it to 1,000. That is, if the internet doesn't run out of bandwidth by then.

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Our Church

I was surfing around checking out the websites of some of our area churches, and I ran across one particular church in our community. I could not believe my eyes. On their website, they list the top 10 reasons to attend their church. Here they are, directly copied from their website...

10. You can hang with real people, like yourself.
(Get connected with social activities and class electives, when you're ready)

9. You'll feel welcomed but not harassed.
(no one will contact you, unless you want to be)

8. We have great children and youth programs.
(your kids will love the variety of activities offered)

7. Your infant will feel safe and secure.
(and so will you; we have a great nursery staff)

6. You won't be preached "at" or bored to tears.
(Commandment #11 - Thou shalt not bore people with the gospel)

5. We won't put you on the spot.
(feel free to blend into the crowd)

4. We have cool music.
(no aunt Betsy singing her favorite hymn, again)

3. We won't beg for money.
(and we don't pass an offering plate)

2. We offer great munchies.
(the best desserts and refreshments on Sunday; a hearty snack that rivals any dinner on Saturday)

1. Dress is casual and comfortable.
(no fashion police show up here)

Now, here are the top 10 reasons to attend Messiah Lutheran Church...

1. Jesus

2. Forgiveness of sins

3. Jesus

4. Forgiveness of sins

5. Jesus

6. Forgiveness of sins

7. Jesus

8. Forgiveness of sins

9. Jesus

10. Jesus

The "CAnniversary" of Issues, Etc. at Stand Firm

My friend Scott Diekmann, author of the blog Stand Firm, has big plans for next week. Next week is the anniversary of the cancellation of the "original" Issues, Etc. show. Scott has invited guest bloggers to offer their insights on his blog regarding the cancellation of the show and it’s re-emergence on Pirate Christian Radio. The week will be filled with their thoughts, plus a variety of audio and visual treats. So be sure to click on over to Stand Firm next week.

Issues Etc. Trademark Dispute

Below is a simple, straightforward video about the recent trademark dispute over Issues, Etc. Our congregation is one of the Issues, Etc. "300" ... congregations which commit financially to support this wonderful internet broadcast which boldly confesses the Gospel and winsomely teaches Lutheran doctrine (and which the LCMS suddenly removed from its KFUO flagship radio station back in March '08 under suspicious circumstances). Watch the video below and sign the petition by clicking here.