"1984 quote." written by Drew on estrip.org

Category: sermon

10/29/07 10:24 - 53ºF - ID#41872

1984 quote.

Next Sunday's sermon, briefly. Based on Ephesians 1:15-23

When George Orwell wrote, "He who controls the present controls the past. He who controls the past controls the future," it was a scary picture of government controlling history.

For Christians, this scary quote is actually good news--not because we have taken control of the present (and therefore, history), but because we see efforts of control in the present as fleeting compared to the extraordinarily different power the Christ exhibited in the past, which we believe to be a guarantee of the future.

Fate is not in control, and neither is Caesar, or George W. Bush, or whoever comes after that.

So, because of an event in the past (namely Christ's resurrection and ascension) we have hope for a resurrection-life in the future, and claims to power based on death (i.e. all of them, save God's) are empty--setting us free to live a different way in the present!

We'll spend more time unpacking that idea on Sunday, and considering how it might affect us as individuals and a community.

Permalink: 1984_quote_.html
Words: 178
Location: Buffalo, NY

10/29/07 01:23 - 50ºF - ID#41860

Want to go to New Orleans?

Jan 6-12. Most of the people on this trip will be Presbyterians, but all types of people are welcome (and though my userpic may lead you to believe otherwise, there will be no coercion on this trip).

The cost of the food/lodging while you work will be $120. Plane tickets are reserved for $300 (round trip) and can be held with a $100 deposit. The deposit is due next Monday.

The work will be construction and deconstruction. There is a special need for skilled workers, but there is plenty to do for everybody. Even those with physical issues can assist in feeding other volunteers or handling the paperwork that is involved in the relief effort.

Want to go? Comment and I will email you an application right away.

Permalink: Want_to_go_to_New_Orleans_.html
Words: 126
Location: Buffalo, NY

10/29/07 10:23 - 40ºF - ID#41857

I only wrote 13 blogs so far this month

I am slipping, since I was over 20 during August and September.

And of those 13, a few were lame, like this one, #14.

And the more lame ones I write, the less likely they are to get read.

Therefore, I will write a good one tonight. Really. #15 will be fantastic.

Will I get to 20 before the end of the month?

You'll have to stay tuned to find out.

Or realize that I would have to post 2 and 3 times a day to get there, which really just defeats the purpose.

So, no, I won't.

Are you still reading this? I'm sorry.

The party was fun. Happy Halloween.

(also happy Reformation Day, All Saint's Day, and All Soul's Day)

Permalink: I_only_wrote_13_blogs_so_far_this_month.html
Words: 115
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: halloween

10/27/07 05:35 - 54ºF - ID#41840

Research for the party tonight

Spend some time on

Conservapedia.org

and

creationwiki.org

as well as at Answers in Genesis

if you want to engage with the distinguished member of the scientific community tonight.

Those sites should cover all of those things that you Roswell Doctors missed in your sinful "universities" and "medical schools."

Permalink: Research_for_the_party_tonight.html
Words: 50
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: 10 things

10/26/07 09:46 - 47ºF - ID#41812

10 Things I like about google docs

A special 10 things presentation.

I have another relatively new post below, but I couldn't wait to do this one.

Paul, is there a way to imbed the presentation? Or is linking to it best?

Permalink: 10_Things_I_like_about_google_docs.html
Words: 34
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: religion

10/25/07 11:08 - 48ºF - ID#41806

Money

This week, I had a tough job for my church. Why? Because every year ask people to make a pledge for the next year, which allows us to set our budget. Because I want our service to and connection with the community to grow, I would also like our budget to grow, but that means that the people that go to the church have to give more money.

And I'm actually ok with asking for money, because I believe in what we are doing. (My guess is that Paul feels the same way regarding asking for estrip money--his appeal inspired this post).

Here's my problem. Most of the proven methods of getting people to give are counter to our message. They either appeal to pride (Christians shouldn't be too keen on that) or fear (we believe that there's nothing for us to fear). It's all well and good for Paul to give out titles and stars (and I DO want my title!), but the church's message is quite different.

So anyway, we normally kick things off with a letter. Here's my first draft. (there will be a 10 things I love about google docs soon)

It's the kind of letter that normally gets written by Presbyterians Pastors, with a little bit of Drew style thrown in.

But I was almost ready to mail it and it didn't feel right. So I scrapped it and wrote this letter.

More honest, more direct, less about pride and/or fear.

To be honest, I don't know if it will make any difference, but I feel much better about the second effort.

Permalink: Money.html
Words: 267
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: 10 things

10/23/07 10:09 - 60ºF - ID#41758

10 Things I like about rain/CELEBRATE!

1. It makes stuff grow.

2. It makes football more interesting (less passing, more fumbles, more slips).

3. Playing in mud (it's been a while, but its fun)

4. It keeps whatever I am allergic to down.

5. It's cheaper/easier than a car wash.

6. The arrested development song "rain."

7. My dog will not bug me for a longer walk.

8. Rain helps streams, and I like streams.

9. Rain can cover for me if I accidentally leave the house with bed-head.

10. Estrip tells me that it is raining.

Why the celebration? This post put "10 things" in the tag cloud on the estrip main page. My lack of creativity/tendency to make lists has finally paid off! I am slightly less insignificant now!

Permalink: 10_Things_I_like_about_rain_CELEBRATE_.html
Words: 116
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: 10 things

10/21/07 01:23 - 74ºF - ID#41735

10 Things I like about Sundays

1. Most of the time, I leave church in a good mood.

2. The Simpsons.

3. Football.

4. Naps.

5. Sunday Dinners.

6. Phone calls home.

7. Walking outside when the weather is great, like today. Building a fire and/or hunkering down when it is cold.

8. The Sunday newspaper.

9. Brunch

10. Seeing the "early Elmwood" people on the way to church.

Permalink: 10_Things_I_like_about_Sundays.html
Words: 54
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: food

10/19/07 02:09 - 72ºF - ID#41714

Wegman's Sushi

Day off, had to buy Pirogies for a dinner tonight, and had a couple of months bottles to return, so I loaded them into the truck and headed to Wegman's.

I decided I deserved a treat, but I wanted to be healthy.

"Wegman's has Sushi I thought!" excitedly.

I went over to the little place and quickly realized that Wegman's made ahead of time sushi is MORE EXPENSIVE than the great, custom made, fresh sushi of Kuni's.

I like Wegman's, but they are way off with their sushi pricing.

tinypliny writes at 03:48:22 10/20/07 - Comment #26696: My two paisa-worth. I think Wegmans is slightly cheaper than Tops for everyday non-exotic produce. But Tops is better for greens and dried lentils. I don't buy any prepared foods, so I don't have a clue.

jbeatty writes at 02:08:23 10/20/07 - Comment #26680: I have shopped at both Tops and Wegmans and don't really see all the big of a price difference for the items that I buy. Those prepared foods are very expensive on the other hand. I recall buying a quart of soup from that section(without looking at the price) and I almost had a heartattack when it was 6 dollars.

jenks writes at 01:54:57 10/20/07 - Comment #26673: my understanding is that wegman's is 'nicer', but more expensive than tops. But I haven't done a serious side by side comparison.

fellyconnelly writes at 10:44:50 10/20/07 - Comment #26655: okay serioiusly guys - for basic household needs - which is more expensive? Tops or Wegmans?

museumchick writes at 03:00:42 10/19/07 - Comment #26610: Yeah... wegmans really does have unreasonable sushi prices. At the Price Chopper (the local supermarket here), they sell decent Vegetarian Sushi for three dollars.

janelle writes at 02:59:05 10/19/07 - Comment #26609: Hm, can't explain the discrepancy other than maybe regional differences in pricing?
Although I did hear on NPR news that Tops is a high priced grocers due to a lawsuit they suffered and so cannot charge competitive prices.

joshua writes at 02:46:31 10/19/07 - Comment #26607: Hmm. You think so? I was going by what my friend in the grocery business always said, as well as what some of the factories I've visited that supply there said, not to mention my own experiences with the markets you've listed and more. I suppose we'll have to disagree. The only one that I can think of that possibly might be more expensive are the west coast chains.

I've been in 20 different Krogers around the country - I've always thought they are shabby. Same for Tops for that matter.

jason writes at 02:44:38 10/19/07 - Comment #26606: I really like their pre-made pasta dishes. I had a basil sauce with penne one day and it tasted great. I then realized I could probably do it myself, even with my meager ability.

janelle writes at 02:24:31 10/19/07 - Comment #26604: If you're talking pre-made food, (e:joshua), I'm in full agreement. Otherwise, it's prices are cheaper than Giant Eagles, Acmes, Tops, Schnucks, Krogers, etc...

joshua writes at 02:22:00 10/19/07 - Comment #26602: Wegman's is one of the most, if not THE most, expensive supermarket chains in the USA. All of the premade food is overpriced. I never, ever buy the sushi there, not necessarily because of the quality, but yeah... Kuni's is better and more cost effective. And, its closer! I fail to see a downside.

jim writes at 02:20:41 10/19/07 - Comment #26601: All the food in that section is over priced - a take out meal there costs as much as going to a restaurant, not just the sushi.

janelle writes at 02:14:14 10/19/07 - Comment #26600: We must have had enough bottles to actually to completely cover the cost of the pierogies, right?! We had an ungodly amount of beer bottles laying around! Thank you sexy man for taking them back!

Permalink: Wegman_s_Sushi.html
Words: 89
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: 10 things

10/17/07 11:07 - 58ºF - ID#41697

10 Things I like about scrabulous

1. It's playing scrabble.

2. It's playing multiple games of scrabble at once.

3. It's free.

4. It's at your own pace.

5. You can talk trash as you play.

6. You can check the dictionary and two word lists as you play.

7. I can play with friends near and far.

8. It doesn't involve my wife having simulated affairs or dieing.

9. Good feelings when I log in and see its my turn.

10. I haven't lost a game yet.

If you are on facebook, look for me (my last name is Ludwig) and start a game!