Welcome to the Houston Minister Services Blog.
Our site provides families in the greater Houston area with services to meet their spiritual needs including wedding ceremonies, funeral services, baby dedications and baptisms.
These days there are many families who are unaffiliated with a particular house of worship, some are of mixed faiths, and some practice their spirituality on a more individual basis. We offer a wide variety of services from traditional to non-traditional, as well as customized ceremonies to fulfill your requests. Let us customize your ceremony according to your beliefs values, and your faith.
The Houston Minister Services Blog includes information such as wedding checklists, wedding ceremony options, information on baptism and baby blessing ceremonies, funeral readings and poems as well as unique reception ideas. Additionally please browse through our photo gallery and our video gallery to see ceremonies we have had the privilege to officiate. You can also read more about what we do at Minister Services as well as contact us for a free phone consultation if you find yourself in need of our services.
The minister you choose will play a large part in shaping the overall dynamics of your ceremony and we would be honored to take part in this significant time in your life. We feel confident that our professionalism and compassion will enhance the quality of your ceremony.
We are happy to travel anywhere in the greater Houston area including Galveston, Katy, Pearland, Conroe, Spring, The Woodlands and Baytown. (Nationwide service also available) Whether your ceremony takes place at a formal location, beach park or private home, we can customize your ceremony to meet your needs.
Budget Concerns?
We provide Houston Minister Services to fit most budgets. We offer services of value that will fit your needs and that should fit your budget. You will find that our cost is comparable to other minister services in the greater Houston area.
You can read more about who we are in the about us section of the Houston Minister Services site. You can also call us at 713-208-2025. We would appreciate the chance to speak with you regarding your needs.
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:21)
The Bible has a lot of saintly things to say about us who are made perfect through Jesus Christ. In the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, we are described as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In John we are the fruit connected to Christ, who is the Vine. In Romans we are joint heirs with Christ, sharing his inheritance. In Corinthians we are a temple a dwelling place of God. In Galatians we are sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ. In Ephesians we are saints, fellow citizens with the rest of God’s family. In Philippians we are citizens of heaven, seated in heaven right now. In Colosians we are hidden with Christ in God. In Thessalonians we are chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. In Peter we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. And in Revelation we are those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
II Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” We are saints because we have been made perfect through Jesus Christ.
George Gallup, famous for his Gallup Polls, wrote a book called THE SAINTS AMONG US, in which he interviewed people from across the nation who apparently have lifestyles that have their friends calling them “saints.” These “saints” are not racially prejudiced, and are more giving and forgiving than most people.
It would be great if the people who know us would consider us to be saints. But what is really important is how God sees us and how we see ourselves. We are saints because of Jesus Christ who makes us perfect in the presence of God.
Dear God, it is really hard to me to think of myself as a saint. I am thankful, however, that I am a saint in Your eyes, because of Your offering of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
One crisp winter evening, a pastor got an astronomy lesson from his teenage son. About forty-five degrees up from the horizon in the northern sky, the boy pointed to the North Star. He pointed out that the constellations–Taurus, Pegasus, Orion, and all the others. They rotate like the hands of a clock around that one fixed light–the North Star. They move, but it never moves. That is why sailors in every century have used the North Star to steer in the right direction. It is always a reliable point of reference. It does raise or lower about twenty-three degrees in reference to the horizon between summer and winter. But while everything else in the heavens shuffles around, it basically stands still.
Perhaps Abraham Lincoln had the North Star in mind. During the darkest days of the Civil War, Lincoln had the burden of sustaining the hopes of the Union. Once when a delegation called at the White House with a catalog of crises facing America, Lincoln comforted them with this story: “Years ago,” said Lincoln, “a young friend and I were out one night when a shower of meteors fell from the clear November sky. The young man was frightened, but I told him to look up in the sky past the shooting stars to the fixed stars beyond shining serene in the firmament , and I said, ‘Let us not mind the meteors, but let us keep our eyes on the stars.’”
There are some lights that shine as a fixed reminder of a permanent reality. The light of Christ is that kind of light. Indeed, the whole idea of liberty is impossible without the dignity Christ gives to the individual life. How can anyone count his or her life unworthy who can say, “The Son of God died for me?”
Heavenly Father, continue to be a permanent reality of Your light in my life everyday. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31)
There is an old story about a court jester who was once given a wand by the nobleman he served. “Keep this,” said the nobleman, until you find a greater fool than yourself.” The jester put away the wand and kept it for many years. One day the nobleman lay dying. Calling the jester to his side, he said, “I am going on a long journey.” The jester asked, “Where to?” The nobleman shrugged his shoulders. “For how long?” asked the jester. “Forever,” replied the nobleman weakly. “What provisions have you made for your journey?” asked the jester. “None,” answered the nobleman. “Then,” said the jester, “take this,” and he handed the nobleman his wand. “For you are a greater fool than I.”
The nobleman was a fool because he had not prepared for his future. Jesus knew it was important to be prepared for the future. For only fools don’t prepare for what is to come.
In our scripture reading today, Jesus is trying to prepare the disciples to be ready for what is to come. He directly says to them, I will be rejected, I will be killed, and after three days I will rise again. Jesus wanted the disciples to be prepared for what was to come. The road would not be easy. And Jesus did not want the disciples following Him under false pretenses. Jesus wanted the disciples to be ready for the trials and suffering they would endure.
It is important that we ask ourselves if we are ready for what is to come, because if we take our faith seriously the road ahead will not be easy. It will be a great challenge. But, we can also be prepared for the future by developing our spiritual lives in connection with God through Jesus Christ. Are we prepared for what the future holds?
Dear God, thank you for the opportunities You have given me. . May I do all I can to truly be prepared for whatever the future holds. In Jesus name, Amen.
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. (Ephesians 4:26)
How many of us are not disciplined in our use of anger. Someone usually gets hurt. Do you remember reading about Mr. Bing the manger of the Metropolitan Opera? He disliked having to negotiate with the trade unions after having experienced their attorney’s particularly outrageous behavior. Once, after one colorful tirade, Mr. Bing leaned across the table and said to the lawyer, “I’m awfully sorry, I didn’t get that. Would you mind screaming it again?”
The lack of discipline shown by this attorney showed how childish we all can be, unless we are disciplined. How many of us let anger get the best of us? How many of us get angry at other drivers on the road; then proceed to do the same stupid things they did?
There is an appropriate story about a mother and her little girl who were driving down the street. The little girl asked, “Mommy, why do the idiots only come out when Daddy drives?” It is amazing what children pick up from us when we are not disciplined.
Undisciplined anger can do a lot of damage, but Jesus can take away our anger if we will let him.
Dear Lord, please take away my anger and fill me with your love. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves.” (Luke 9:23)
Many self-help books tell us that denial is good. Self-denial is the path to success. If you delay gratification, if you work hard, if you put your money into savings, if you wait to have your needs met until a time when you can afford it, if you cut down on your cholesterol and get plenty of exercise, then you can be successful. We all recognize the wisdom of that advice. To gain control over our desires–to subjugate them to some greater and higher goal–this is the path that leads to fulfillment. Everyone of us at some time or another has followed this advice.
Do you remember the cartoon that showed a little boy attempting to lead a huge Saint Bernard dog on a leash? The dog was dragging the boy along behind and obviously in a different direction from which the boy wanted to go. The young fellow was bracing his feet and turning to the dog and angrily shouting, “Let’s get this straight! You are my dog. I’m not your boy.” Denying ourselves of some things in life is a lot like this boy; they can pull us in the opposite direction we want to go, but we must preserver.
We all recognize that somehow we must, if we are going to be successful, control our desires. How else can we be everything that God created us to be?
Dear Lord, guide me in controlling my desires, so that I can experience Your destiny for me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Because Paul was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. (Acts 18:3)
A speaker was presenting Christ to a large audience on one of the great university campuses. One of the professors in the audience was stricken by the power of the message and the calm and peaceful appearance of the speaker. Leaving the auditorium, the professor said to a fellow professor walking beside him, “I suppose that preacher spends most of his time in study and preparation of sermons, away from the tension and strain of this busy world of ours.”
“Would you like to meet the speaker?” the fellow professor asked. “I know him well.” The professor said he would, so a meeting was scheduled for lunch the next day.
How shocked the professor was when he was taken to a snack room in one of the local factories. Sitting there at the table with the speaker, he asked him about his profession. “My occupation is to do the will of God and to love people while I wait for Christ to return to earth, the speaker replied. “Meanwhile, I operate one of the machines here at the factory.”
A person does not have to be a great preacher to be in the will of God. Your profession is to do the will of God and be a strong witness for Christ no matter where He places you.
Heavenly Father, help me to stay humble, and do Your will. In Jesus Name, Amen.
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
On a dairy farm there were two frogs. One day they were sitting by a bucket of milk. The bucket of milk had a lot of foam on top, and there were lots of flies hovering over it.
One frog said to the other one, “Those flies up there sure look good for lunch. I am going to jump up and grab a hold of the edge of the bucket and have a feast.” So that frog jumped up and misses the edge of the bucket and goes curr-plunk right into the milk. Now, it had been a long time since his tadpole days, so he couldn’t swim every well. So he starts yelling for help. The other frog thinking that she was smarter than her friend also jumps up to grab a hold of the edge of the milk bucket. But, she also goes curr-plunk right into the milk bucket.
Both of the frogs are now paddling in the milk for their life. The first frog gets tired and sinks to the bottom of the milk bucket and drowns. The second frog says a prayer and keeps on paddling.
She paddles all day and night. Then the next morning, as the sun began to shine, you could see that little frog sitting on a pallet of butter that she had churned all night.
We can learn some important lessons from this story. First, we should never give up. The challenges of life serve to remind us of our need for Christ. Secondly, with God’s help through Jesus Christ, we can be better people, we can better realize our goals, and we can be closer to God.
Heavenly Father, help me to never give up on You or myself. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 8:34)
In the comic strip, BEETLE BAILEY, the general looks at his office staff, who are leaning on their elbows at their desks, and immediately changes a wall sign from THINK to ACT.
Jesus had done much to teach his disciples. Now it was time to act. Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” My good friend Dr. Johnny Price, Pastor of Life Family Church wonders if it’s even possible to speak about self-denial. After all, we live in a society where ME comes first. We say things like, “I’ve got to find myself. I’ve got to do my own thing. I will buy only the finest, because after all, ‘I’m worth it.’” We are the ME generation. We want what we want and we want it now.
How strange these words of Jesus seem in this context. “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves.” Deny yourself. How out of place those words may seem, but that is exactly what our Savior is calling us to do.
Dear God, may I act rightly today by denying myself, as I pick up the cross of Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name, Amen.
They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” (Mark 7:37)
In a Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown, Linus, and Lucy are on their way to school. It’s show and tell day. Lucy asks Linus if he has remembered to bring anything for show and tell.
“Yes,” Linus answers, “I have a couple of things here to show the class.” He then unfolds some papers. “These are copies I’ve been making of some of the Dead Sea scrolls,” he says. Holding them up for Charlie Brown and Lucy to inspect he continues. “This is a duplicate of the scroll of Isaiah, chapters 38-40. It was made from 17 pieces of sheep skin and was found in a cave by a Bedouin shepherd.”
Pulling out another piece of paper he says, “Here I have made a copy of the earliest known fragment ever found. It’s a portion of I Samuel 23: 9-16. I’ll try to explain to the class how these manuscripts have influenced modern scholarship.”
Lucy responds, “Very interesting, Linus,” and she turns to Charlie Brown and asks, “Are you bringing something for show and tell Charlie Brown?”
“Well,” says a dejected Charlie Brown, “I had a little red fire engine here but I think I’ll just forget it.”
Do we, sometime, feel like Charlie Brown in trying to live out the Christian life? The truth is – we don’t have to do it better or try harder. Jesus has already paid the full price for our human sin and situation. God simply calls us to step out in obedience.
Our theme for the day comes from words spoken about Jesus. After he had taught and after he had healed, the people said, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” What more can anybody ask of us than to do our simple best at being obedient to God?
Heavenly Father, your obedience led your son to the cross to cover my sins. Help me to simply be obedient to you in heaven, so that others will see your love through me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15)
Choosing great persons for models is good advice for anybody. But who would be on your list? A few of us might choose Mother Teresa. Some may choose Martin Luther King, Jr., the Pope, or Billy Graham. But if you want to find someone who has done all things well our list would be mighty short.
Who shall we choose to follow? There is only one who achieved excellence in every area of life and that one was Jesus Christ. He lived well, he taught well, he died well. Beyond that, he rose triumphantly and lives with God forever. Christ is the one we celebrate today. Christ is the one we should model our lives after.
In a Peanuts cartoon, Snoopy sat droopy-eyed at the entrance of his dog house. He lamented, “Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I will still be a dog. There’s so little hope for advancement!”
We are who we are, but we can be so much more by modeling our lives after Jesus Christ.
Dear God, how wonderful is the example of your son. May I do all I can to allow him to live through me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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