My church is experimenting with gathering in each other's homes. Every Thursday night, during April and May, a few of us (about 10) are getting together, to eat and drink together, have a discussion about a piece of scripture, talk about what's going on in our lives, and (for those that are comfortable with it) pray for each other.

You don't have to believe anything in particular to be there. Everybody promises, at the outset, to respect each other.

It starts at 7, and we make sure we finish before 8:30.

My street address is in the chatter, or if that goes away, you can email me.

I know not everybody likes them, but every day I am concluding more and more that they are a force for good.

Next week they are having their fund raising party. They still need some volunteers to do easy things like pass out nametags and watch the auction items (I will be showing people where to park/cleaning up, if you want to join me).

Even if you don't like what they do, they are a small organization, and one volunteer's opinion will be heard. You can help the EVA become what it should be.

And I know. I am still not posting for real. I better stop this or nobody will read my blog anymore.

University of Dubuque Choir. 7pm. Lafayette Church.

elmwoodjesus.org

Back to real posts soon, I promise.

Interesting story:

Yesterday was screen door day. I first went to the Bargain Outlet on West Ferry, because they are nearby and cheap.

And, to their credit, they did have cheap screen doors.

But they were wrapped up in plastic, and I couldn't see any of the hardware, or even know if there was any.

So I asked at the desk.

"It's in there" she said.

"Ok," I said, "if I take it home and don't like it, I can bring it back, right?"

"Right," she said, "as long as you don't open it. If you open it there is a $25 restocking fee."

"So I have to buy it blind?"

"Yes."

Needless to say, I did not buy from a store with such a stupid policy and bad service. Which is too bad, because they really are cheap sometimes.

But when I got to Value, on Elmwood (after checking True Value, also on West Ferry).

They had the same doors, cheaper, and (get this) assembled, on display. So I knew what I was getting.

After all of that, I ripped the screen putting it into my truck. Then it was REALLY hard to install (due to crappy instructions, mostly).



Totally unrelated: (e:janelle) and I are grilling tonight. If you want to come by, bring something to throw on the grill or drink, go for it. Email for address/directions.

My wife is going out without me on Friday night. The Penguins are playing hockey.

Anybody that wants to drink beer and watch hockey, I'm game.

Sorry I haven't posted much lately. I have been posting on the church site regarding the Poverty Challenge.

1. Mario Lemieux. He saved the team by playing for them, by buying them, and by selling them. Then he decided to help Crosby be the next Lemieux. Back problems couldn't stop him. Neither could cancer. He is the Pens.



2. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the same power play line.

3. They wear Black and Gold, like every professional Pittsburgh team.

4. The logo: Simple, understated, perfect.


5. George Laraque: Dude can fight, AND play. He's a black hockey player, too, so he's got that going for him.

6. Back in the day, when Jaromir Jagr could hardly speak English, he would read the weather report on WDVE. It was hilarious.

7. They gave Mellon Arena it's appropriate nickname: the igloo. (Actually, I guess this is not approrpiate, since Penguins live near the South Pole, and igloos are found around the North Pole. But it's cool anyway, and the arena kinda looks like an igloo with its white roof.)

8. Student Rush tickets. It's a cheap way for students to get good seats.

9. They have not yet lost a playoff game this year.

10. They are going to win the Stanley cup this year.

Do you think that the Elmwood Strip would be interested in such a film, and a discussion of it? I am thinking of ordering it (The full length version, not the youtube clips)

I listened to him a little bit more on the News today, and I have to say, he is a smart man.

Now, if his goal is to get Obama elected, he is likely making a bad move. Wright, however, was never called to put people in power, or to campaign. In fact, he said that while he wants Obama to become president, he will likely oppose him once he is elected. Wright is taking this position because he knows the Bible.

In ancient Israel, there were three types of leaders: prophets, priests, and kings. While sometimes a prophet would anoint a king, most of the time a prophet would correct a king (or remove him.) Even the best of kings had to be corrected by prophets.

Today, America is deciding who will be our "king." Meanwhile, most religious leaders are more likely to see themselves as priests rather than prophets: taking care of ceremony and "established" religion. Wright, however, has never seen himself in this role. He has been denied it, he has been made an "outsiders" by the rest of American culture. His calling is prophetic.

Obama certainly wishes Wright would shut up, but because Wright's first concern is not electing a president, but remaining obedient to the word of God, he continues to speak. He has an opportunity that few black pastors are given: a national audience.

Rev. Jackson had this opportunity, but his voice was compromised when he sought political power (Only Jesus was able to be prophet, priest AND king--and he is a very different kind of king).

Before him was Rev. King, and his voice was silenced when he started talking about poverty and war.

It's funny: Wright is called anti-American for saying similar things to King, and there is a national holiday in King's honor.

Couldn't Wright wait until after the election to speak? I'm sure Obama would like that, but who will be listening then? Once the election is over, Wright will only be given a fraction of the attention he is being given now.

Wright is smart not to wait. He is attempting to seize a unique opportunity.

Now is the time for a conversation on race and justice in the United States.

Obama's candidacy facilitated that conversation, but ironically, he will not be able to win office if he pushes that conversation. After the election, the impetus will be over. Wright is smart to speak up now.

For the first time in a long time, mainstream white America is being exposed to the concerns of blacks. Many have pointed out that Wright's comments are shocking, but that avoids the more important question: are they true?

A conversation will not happen without willing partners. Like it or not, Wright has taken the next step in the conversation that Obama began. He has said some hard things, but they need to be heard. Is white America willing to listen?

I hope so. It will be difficult, and hard. We will have to face some uncomfortable truths. But this is too big to ignore. Its time to listen.