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Category: religion

04/05/09 09:58 - 46ºF - ID#48302

Haven't posted a sermon in a while . . .

. . . but I did something different for Palm Sunday. Here it is:



At first, we like God.

Because we think God is going to save us.

At first, we like God.

Because we are sure that God is on our side.

At first, we like God.

Because God can act now, quickly, and decisively.

So we shout, "Hosanna." "Save us."

And God does.

And we celebrate.

But notice--

His War Horse is not a Horse.

He's on a pack animal. And a borrowed one, at that.



Now look, he goes to the Temple.

We wave our branches higher.

He's going to save us our religion.

He's going to save our country.

He's going to take back the land for God.

We've wanted God to come. Now God is here. Victory will be ours.

"Save us," we shout. "Hosanna" "Blessed is David's Kingdom."


David built God's temple.

You are going to tear it down?

David defeated God's enemies.

You are going to feed them?

David took the land for God.

Your Kingdom is not of this world?

David took God's throne.

You are taking the cursed cross?

At first we liked you.

But you aren't going to save us.


A grain of wheat must die?

The first must become last?

We must take up a cross?

No!

You are not like David.

You are not like God.

You are the anti-King.

You are the anti-God.


You cannot save us.

You will destroy us.

You must be stopped.

"Save us?"

We were so foolish.

We have no King but Caesar.

"Crucify him."


"Save Us," cries the crowd.

"Take up your cross," replies Jesus.

It sounds silly,

But to people-in-salvation,

the cross is the power of God.

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Location: Buffalo, NY


Category: religion

03/30/09 04:24 - 36ºF - ID#48241

Lafayette Church, beginning April 12

Some shameless promotion of upcoming events:


Jesus, revealed!




* On SUNDAY MORNINGS we see Jesus in the stories of his post-Resurrection appearances, and consider where he might be showing up today. (10-11:15am)

* On SUNDAY EVENINGS we will see Jesus through contemplative prayer and sacrament. (8-8:45pm)

* On TUESDAY EVENINGS we will see how Jesus was revealed in scripture and the early church, as we watch and discuss the PBS Documentary "From Jesus to Christ." (7-8:30pm)

* On THURSDAY EVENINGS we will see Jesus as we serve others, rehabbing houses with West Side Ministries. (5-9pm, but late arrivals/early exits are ok.)

* On FRIDAY, APRIL 17 we will host a free screening of "Lord, Save Us from your Followers," a humorous documentary that shows how Jesus is and isn't revealed by the church.


EVERY EVENT is open and accessible for people of ANY or NO FAITH. There will always be snacks, there will always be an optional time of discussion, and you will be treated with respect.

Lafayette Ave. Presbyterian Church
On the corner of Lafayette and Elmwood
elmwoodjesus.org
886-6635

Beginning Easter Sunday (April 12) and continuing until May 7.


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Location: Buffalo, NY


Category: web

03/27/09 07:58 - 55ºF - ID#48217

Web Stuff

I did a SEO analysis online, and Lafayette Church gets an 81 (out of 100).

Other area churches got a 26 and an 18, despite hiring professionals to make their sites.

Gloat, gloat.
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Category: food

03/23/09 08:47 - 23ºF - ID#48162

PriceRite review

Quite simply, it filled me with joy. (e:Janelle) had to reprimand me for staring, jaw agape, at prices and saying, "wow."

Seafood is less than $3/pound. Regular fish is even cheaper, but you can get scallops and crab and stuffed crab for less than $3 a pound.

Lots of fruit and vegetables are $1/pound or less.

Goya beans are .66/can. And oh my, the selection of Goya products!

Meat can be had for $1/pound, but I suspect that is just part of the grand opening madness. Turkeys were something like $.20/pound.

Cheese, shredded can be had for $2/pound, and sliced only slightly more--real cheese!

Cornflakes--$1 a box.

Plus it had all the staples, and quite a few treats.

Well laid out, clean, and well staffed. Uber-busy yesterday, but I anticipate being able find some space soon.

I want to go to there.
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Location: Buffalo, NY


03/16/09 09:56 - 38ºF - ID#48067

Parade

Judging by the crowd yesterday, there are quite a few people that aren't so worried that they stopped spending money. I think if I was scared about the economy, one of the first things I would cut from my budget would be plastic beads.
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Location: Buffalo, NY


03/13/09 10:22 - 21ºF - ID#48041

"Saved" tonight at my house

on the medium screen (bigger than tv, but def. not imax).

People that want to talk about it afterward will be invited to, but not required.

The movie is really funny, and a little bit too true.

I will make popcorn and have pop, popcorn, and beer. If you want to bring something else to share, feel free. Otherwise, just show up and enjoy.

7pm, 265 Lexington

Ten things I like about the movie.

1. MacCauley Caulkin plays an angst-y character.

2. I know guys that are like the pastor.

3. All the non-Christians act like Jesus.

4. There is a nice balance of thoughtfulness and slapstick.

5. If (e:felly) came and watched a movie starring Mandy Moore it would be super-awesome.

6. A guy in a wheelchair playing footsie.

7. (shouted in anger) "I am FULL of Christ's love!"

8. "There's only one reason why good Christian girls go to Planned Parenthood" . . . "Mary's planting a pipe bomb?!??!!"

9. Happy memories--(e:janelle) and I saw it first on a date in Philly.

10. More happy memories--when I showed it to a youth group in Mt. Lebanon, they totally didn't get it. (but I'm sure you all will.)



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Category: haiku

03/12/09 03:16 - 26ºF - ID#48030

Another work haiku

Another detail.
Preach? details Heal? details. Pray?
boiler's broke again.
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Location: Buffalo, NY


Category: football

03/07/09 09:44 - 38ºF - ID#47980

How to build a football team

For the Bills, because they do not know.

1. Hire a good coach, and stick with him, even when he has a bad year. If a player won't play for him, said player goes--not the coach. (See: Noll, Cowher, Tomlin)

2. Build your team through the draft. Free agent signings should be rare, but when you make one, they should be for undervalued players, with more career ahead of them (See Bettis, Farrior).

3. Wide Receivers can be found at all levels, and should never be gone after in Free agency. Ditto Running backs. WRs are successful because of good QBs, and RBs because of good lines. (See: Ward, Parker, Washington)

4. Defense wins championships, and should always be the top priority. (See: the Steelers--always)

5. Character counts. Never invite the troublemaker, and don't be afraid to let him go, even if he is talented (See: Plexico Burress).

6. Coaching counts. Even the pros can still learn, if they are willing. Sign the guys that are willing to listen (See: Polamalu)

7. Another acceptable free agent signing is for depth--i.e. back-ups (see: Batch, Leftwich)

8. Even if a guy is great, let him go if and when he is old and wants a giant contract (see: Porter, Webster)

9. Stay in town. If your team has a city name in it, you better stay in said city. Don't go to the suburbs, and don't even think about relocating internationally.

10. Focus on fundamentals. Trickery will only go so far if you can't block or tackle.
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Location: Buffalo, NY


03/05/09 03:01 - 50ºF - ID#47960

Girl-drink Drunk

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Location: Buffalo, NY


Category: politics

03/01/09 03:59 - 22ºF - ID#47915

An economic stimulus proposal

So next year, quite a few military personnel will, if all goes according to plan, be returning from Iraq.

This could be bad news, or good news.

Of course, it is always good news if there is peace and safety, but the possibility of bad news is this: an economy that already has high unemployment will have a glut of new workers--workers that have spent at least a year outside of our culture (more for most), and who's skills may not have an equivalent in our economy.

To make matters worse, quite a few have suffered trauma. Historically, re-adjustment to civilian life has not been easy.

Here's the good news. Many of these service people will be flush with combat pay. They will want new homes and new cars and furniture and clothes without camo and all sorts of things.

As long as we are throwing around all sorts of cash, I think we should make an investment in this area. In addition to regular veterans benefits, I would provide an additional bonus for veterans to take a class on starting a business. Another bonus for attending a support group. We should pay them to rehab houses and give them affordable mortgages to buy them. I would also love a bonus paid to veterans who stayed drug and/or alcohol free, or pledged not to own a gun.

So much can go wrong when veterans return. More Vietnam veterans have died of self-inflicted wounds than died in the conflict. This, however, is not only preventable, but by making the right choices, the end of our current war can be an integral part of the economy's jump start.
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Permalink: An_economic_stimulus_proposal.html
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Location: Buffalo, NY


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