rev neal watch out

[lougee1043]

every day that you dont post means that i am one day closer to catching up to your 5000 posts

[Himself]

How does the REV get all this time to post????????????????

[Pudgesmom]

He prays for forgiveness? :D

[RevNeal]

every day that you dont post means that i am one day closer to catching up to your 5000 posts

Hardy har har har.

I've posted several times today. :D
So ... keep posting. You might catch me ... someday. :D

[lougee1043]

Hardy har har har.
I've posted several times today. :D
So ... keep posting. You might catch me ... someday. :D

thanks for the encouragement

[RevNeal]

thanks for the encouragement

And thank YOU.
Your best opportunities for "catching up" to me will come this summer, when I'm out of internet range and too busy teaching in the UMC Schools of Mission. I'll be dormant for at least a week each time. Then, again, this fall when I'm on the Zaandam cruising to Hawaii for 15 days. I'll be posting, but no more than once or twice a day. If you post three or more a day you'll be able to make some head-way on my lead. :D Ditto for January 2007, then April 2007, then November 2007. :) Catch my drift??? :D

Chances are I'll be moved next summer, meaning that a good 4-6 weeks will pass in late May and most of June in which I'll be too busy to post much because I'll be (1) packing, (2) un-packing, (3) learning my new congregation.

[L&B Cruisers]

;) Are you at liberty to say where your new congregation will be yet? Just curious, I was raised Methodist and I'm familiar with your itinerant status.

[RevNeal]

;) Are you at liberty to say where your new congregation will be yet? Just curious, I was raised Methodist and I'm familiar with your itinerant status.

LOL :)
I don't even know if I'll be moving next year! I'll have been at First UMC Seagoville for 6 years next June 15, however, and so I've been told to expect a move next June. I'm completing my 5th year THIS June, which seems impossible to me but it's true (it's been a fast and full 5 years).

I won't know IF I'm moving, and if so where, until sometime in late March or early April. I would hope that I'll be seated in my new church and packing to move in June BEFORE I depart for Hong Kong on April 15, 2007.

And, of course, I'll let the board know when I know anything. However, it won't be for a year. :) (Thank God ... I'm not up to moving this year, and my people would be VERY angry if I were to be moved this June).

[Grumpy1]

How does the REV get all this time to post????????????????Well.... he only "works" on Sundays:D

[Pudgesmom]

RevNeal,

I have so enjoyed reading all your posts, and especially looking at your photos of your travels. I hope you don't have to move before you and your congregation are ready.

I have an idea for you. Maybe the Missionary Department of the Methodist church would consider an "at sea" project? ;) I propose you carry the good news permanently on HAL!!!!! Wouldn't that be a great job?!!!!

When you do move, I'll miss knowing you're in the DFW area.

Beth

[L&B Cruisers]

:) I know the feeling..DW & I are booked on the Statendam in March 2007 for the Sydney to Hong Kong cruise. (just prior to your April cruise). Thing is I'll probably be retiring the end of April & it seems to be a lot to do to get ready for the cruise & the "rest of our lives"!

[obriendan]

L&B Cruisers,

We're also booked on the Sydney to Hong Kong Statendam March 2007 cruise. And we're Texans just up the road a piece in Aggieland! Please join the small group on the Statendam Roll Call Board!

[Himself]

Grumpy:

I must respond to you. You say Rev. Greg Neal only works once a week. I would bet he works a lot more than once a week. Most clergy I know work a lot more than one realizes. They council people, visit the sick, visit the hospitals, go to meetings ( a real drag), go to wakes, and of couse perpare thier sermons. They also spend a lot of time in prayer. So, when I ask where he gets the time I am quite serious.

[RevNeal]

Grumpy:

I must respond to you. You say Rev. Greg Neal only works once a week. I would bet he works a lot more than once a week. Most clergy I know work a lot more than one realizes. They council people, visit the sick, visit the hospitals, go to meetings ( a real drag), go to wakes, and of couse perpare thier sermons. They also spend a lot of time in prayer. So, when I ask where he gets the time I am quite serious.

Thanks, Father Himself. :D I took Grumpy's remark as a bit of humor.
I multi-task a lot. :)
I skim the board every day a few times from the office and from home, of course. :)

[L&B Cruisers]

L&B Cruisers,

We're also booked on the Sydney to Hong Kong Statendam March 2007 cruise. And we're Texans just up the road a piece in Aggieland! Please join the small group on the Statendam Roll Call Board!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon14.gifIve been looking for a roll call group..yes we'll join ASAP! Gig'em! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Grumpy1]

Grumpy:

I must respond to you. You say Rev. Greg Neal only works once a week. I would bet he works a lot more than once a week. Most clergy I know work a lot more than one realizes. They council people, visit the sick, visit the hospitals, go to meetings ( a real drag), go to wakes, and of couse perpare thier sermons. They also spend a lot of time in prayer. So, when I ask where he gets the time I am quite serious.My brother is a retired Methodist minister and I'm quite aware that the ministry can be very demanding of a person's time, and that most ministers are essentially "on call" 24/7. But I also know RevNeal's notorious sense of humor and knew he would take it in the kidding manner that it was intended. Please pay attention to the use of the "smiley" icons in posts. They often give a good clue to the poster's intent. Now, if they just had a "tongue-in-cheek" icon, it would probably be more obvious...

[cutelittle]

A "tongue in cheek" icon would be great!

Given your current post in Seagoville, and your cruising hobby, I think your next UMC assignment must have the words, "sea", "ocean", "harbor" or some such in the name.

So how about Seattle, WA or Oceanside, CA?

[RevNeal]

Given your current post in Seagoville, and your cruising hobby, I think your next UMC assignment must have the words, "sea", "ocean", "harbor" or some such in the name.

So how about Seattle, WA or Oceanside, CA?

<sigh> I doubt it. UM clergy are almost never moved outside the boundries of their diocese (we call them "Conferences"). I'm resident in the North Texas Conference, which is comprised of Dallas in the south, and Wichita Falls, Sherman, and Paris across the northern part of the area. I'll be appointed somewhere within this area.

In all likelihood, given how crazy I am, I'll probably be appointed to Terrell ... after all, that's where one of the state's largest mental hospitals is located. ;)

[Grumpy1]

<sigh> In all likelihood, given how crazy I am, I'll probably be appointed to Terrell ... after all, that's where one of the state's largest mental hospitals is located. ;)RevNeal, we have always known that you are committed to your job... are you saying there are some that think you should be committed?:D Witchita Falls... well, thats a little bit nautical...

[LHC]

Theisyear one of my favorite Methodist Ministers in middle Tennessee is taking a year off after a 5 year stay at Nolensville UM church. Rev. Diana has battled breast cancer during the last year and a half while going back to school for her PhD. First UM has been an old historic church since its beginnings. Lots of old five generational families wanting it to stay just the way it always has been....but the one thing I know when my son had his car accident 3 + years ago and I returned to Knoxville one night never to go back, this wonderful minister drove 200 miles at least 5 times and baptized him in the trauma unit when he was possibly dying. That is Love, that is Faith and to me I will always know she has been that special minister that made a difference in so many lives.
Ministers are a blessing given to us by God at just the time we need them. God is ultimately in Control..
Linda

[RevNeal]

RevNeal, we have always known that you are committed to your job... are you saying there are some that think you should be committed? Witchita Falls... well, thats a little bit nautical...

LOL ... yes, I should be committed. :D
As for Wichita Falls being "a little bit nautical." HAH! I served at a church in Wichita Falls for 4 years. NEVER AGAIN. It is in the middle of NOWHERE up on the OK boarder. And the Falls ... they're FAKE. :)

[RevNeal]

Theisyear one of my favorite Methodist Ministers in middle Tennessee is taking a year off after a 5 year stay at Nolensville UM church. Rev. Diana has battled breast cancer during the last year and a half while going back to school for her PhD. First UM has been an old historic church since its beginnings. Lots of old five generational families wanting it to stay just the way it always has been....

Bless her. Battling breast cancer, going to school for the PhD, AND having to deal with an old OLD church that refuses to change? Ouch! I know what some of that is like, but the combination is just horrific!

...but the one thing I know when my son had his car accident 3 + years ago and I returned to Knoxville one night never to go back, this wonderful minister drove 200 miles at least 5 times and baptized him in the trauma unit when he was possibly dying. That is Love, that is Faith and to me I will always know she has been that special minister that made a difference in so many lives.
Ministers are a blessing given to us by God at just the time we need them. God is ultimately in Control..

She DOES sound like a special minister, bless her ... and bless you. Thank you for the encouragement.

[Himself]

Hey Grumpy:

Now that I have finished preparing my homily I can go on line for a few minutes. I don't put icons on my posts but if you knew me you would know that I do have a bit of a sense of humor myself. Just trying to draw a rise out of you and I guess it worked. I better put in an ICON

[RevNeal]

Father Himself,

Just out of curiosity ... do you usually finish your sermon preparation on Fridays? I begin my exegetical work on Monday mornings by checking the Lectionary to see what scriptures are appointed for the coming Sunday. I work on it throughout the week, usually finishing on Thursday morning or afternoon.

[cruisegirl]

And thank YOU.
Your best opportunities for "catching up" to me will come this summer, when I'm out of internet range and too busy teaching in the UMC Schools of Mission. .

Where are you teaching? Will you be in Kansas for regional school?

[RevNeal]

Hey, Ann ... no ... I'll be at the South Atlantic Regional School at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Virginia. I gave thought to attending West Gulf at Southwestern in Kansas, but it makes more sense for me to go back east this time since I'll be teaching in South Carolina and Western North Carolina. It's been a while since I taught in the Southeastern Jurisdiction, and I'm looking forward to it.

You?

[JLC@SD]

every day that you dont post means that i am one day closer to catching up to your 5000 posts
Let see,so far...........RevNeal has 9 posts on this thread........loungee 2......:)

loungee.....you lost ground........;)

[cruisegirl]

Hey, Ann ... no ... I'll be at the South Atlantic Regional School at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Virginia.
You?

Sorry I'll miss you. I'll be in West Gulf since both of my schools are in this jurisdiction. Kay Antinoro, who lives in my town (or I live in her town) will be at South Atlantic teaching the Peace study. If that's what you're teaching I hope you get her as your leader. She's very good.

[cruisegirl]

LOL ... yes, I should be committed. :D
As for Wichita Falls being "a little bit nautical." HAH! I served at a church in Wichita Falls for 4 years. NEVER AGAIN. It is in the middle of NOWHERE up on the OK boarder. And the Falls ... they're FAKE. :)

Well, what can I say. You should have been on the OTHER SIDE of the boarder!