"National Day of Prayer" written by Drew on estrip.org

05/07/09 10:01 - 52ºF - ID#48612

National Day of Prayer

Obviously, I think prayer is good.

I don't need, or even want, my government to tell me to pray.

And--although part of my job is praying in public, Jesus made it pretty clear that prayer is something best done in private (Matthew 6), and so I will follow that admonition.

Permalink: National_Day_of_Prayer.html
Words: 49
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: tv

05/01/09 12:10 - 61ºF - ID#48548

The Simpsons

Permalink: The_Simpsons.html
Words: 24
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: adhd

04/30/09 09:40 - ID#48541

ADHD update

So, (e:jim)'s update has reminded me that I have not updated.

Basically, I am off the meds because the doctor's appointments and bills became to much to deal with. My doctor was great, but their office staff was a wreck.

I promised my dear wife I would start over again with a new doctor.

Does anybody know a good doc, with an organized/efficient front office and billing system?

And Jim, I am sorry that the other stuff stopped working for you. The Ritalin, for the short time that I was on it, worked sometimes and not others. I only felt bad if I drank too much coffee with it, or took my doses to close together.

Permalink: ADHD_update.html
Words: 118
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: computers

04/23/09 04:26 - 44ºF - ID#48485

Dear Computer Nerds

I am downloading the newest version of Ubuntu right now. Windows will live on in a partition of my harddrive, but hopefully, I will use it infrequently.

I am more excited about changing an OS than a person should be, but I am glad to stop complaining about crazy Microsoft and actually start doing something about it.

I give credit to Open Office and Firefox for demonstrating how much better Open source can be, and to Vista, for convincing me that a different OS couldn't be much worse. Also to Ubuntu for making a live CD easy to test out and for making installation look easy (we'll see how easy when I am done)

Permalink: Dear_Computer_Nerds.html
Words: 114
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: politics

04/20/09 09:22 - 45ºF - ID#48446

Torture

Our government has admitted to torture, in general, but hasn't "named names" or prosecuted it. In my opinion, the Obama administration is failing to do its' duty here. While the "low-level" guys MIGHT have an excuse, the higher ups do not. Prosecution will be difficult, but if we do nothing, there is no deterrent to future torture.

To avoid trials, I would be willing to offer amnesty for all people that made a full reporting and apology for any involvement in torture. Following that period of amnesty, there should be a full investigation and trials.

To me, this is not a left/right thing. It's a humanity thing, a security thing, and a rule of law thing. There is never a reason to torture a person. Every time we condone torture, we gain enemies and alienate allies. Every time we ignore our laws and our values, we weaken them.

Permalink: Torture.html
Words: 149
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: computers

04/10/09 08:34 - 37ºF - ID#48339

Paul inspired me

I've wanted to try Linux for the longest time. Now I really have. I downloaded an Ubuntu live CD last night, and am making this post right now from my home computer running it.

(e:Janelle) is more fond of windows than I am, so we will not install it on the home computer, but I do anticipate that I will install it on my laptop sometime soon (I have one windows game that doesn't work on the home computer--I've got to wear that out a little, first)

Everything works great, everything looks great. It's fast and its easy and there is all kinds of stuff for free.

My only beef is that the internet looks different. I think it's the fonts.

I don't know if you can see the difference in this screen shot:

hmm. can't upload the screenshot. nevermind.

That's the other thing you can't tell from the live disk--how the plug-ins and other necessary downloads work. I am still growing in my confidence though.

uncutsaniflush writes at 07:26:11 04/12/09 - Comment #47519: (e:drew) - some distros such as Mandriva (formerly Mandrake) :::link::: and PCLinuxOS (originally based on Mandrake) :::link::: can automatically import Windows fonts from existing Windows partitions in a dual boot scenerio. They also can import Windows fonts manually from any partition. Of course, the legality of this depends on what rights the EULA or license that the fonts were distributed with.

I would suspect that there are other distros with similar something similar to drakfont.

There are also a number of cli (command line interface) methods of importing fonts depending on the desktop manager (kde, gnome, etc) and the distro used.

paul writes at 08:40:28 04/10/09 - Comment #47480: I also have used linux pretty much every day since 2001 and I have to say, if you are using the main flavors (fedora, ubuntu, suse) they have gotten significantly easier to use. I mean I am sure a lot of it is because I have learned more about it but the last couple installs have required almost no significant tweaks to get the major stuff going (sound, video, wireless, fonts, web). A big change from when I first started.

uncutsaniflush writes at 08:32:14 04/10/09 - Comment #47479: Welcome to Linux. I've been happily running Linux (various distros) since about 2001 almost exclusively. I hope that you have lots of fun with linux and that the learning curve isn't too steep and frustrating for you.

tinypliny writes at 02:40:21 04/10/09 - Comment #47467: In fact, last month I switched from OpenOffice to MS 2007. I couldn't handle the format disasters and general disarray between work and home any longer. Plus I hate the fact the OpenOffice still doesn't have soft shadows.

tinypliny writes at 02:38:34 04/10/09 - Comment #47466: WAY TO GO! *Applause* I want to switch as well... (But I am way too wimpy).

paul writes at 10:26:15 04/10/09 - Comment #47464: This is so exciting. Ya the file uploads work fine with the flash player.

mrmike writes at 09:14:08 04/10/09 - Comment #47462: I have too much crap that is Windows based on my main pc (as much as Vista just flat out blows) but I have an 80 gb box just sitting, a shell of its formal xp self.

Might be worth an experiment, once I finish cleaning the files off.

jim writes at 08:48:35 04/10/09 - Comment #47461: If you also want the operating system's display to use more windows-like fonts (not just the contents of web pages), you can additionally take other steps: :::link:::

jim writes at 08:45:40 04/10/09 - Comment #47460: Drew, after you install (if you're using Ubuntu?) it pops up a question and asks if you want to also install non-free software like Flash, etc. That's free as in open source, so the not-free software is free of cost.

File uploads should work after that.

As for as web page rendering in Linux, that's due to a different set of fonts. They are mostly similar to the Windows/Mac font set but aren't quite as nice.

Open a terminal/command line window and type: "sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts"

You'll need to enter your password. After that web pages will look more 'normal'.

Permalink: Paul_inspired_me.html
Words: 167
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: religion

04/07/09 01:39 - 28ºF - ID#48319

I guess my church isn't the crassest . .

Permalink: I_guess_my_church_isn_t_the_crassest_.html
Words: 12
Location: Buffalo, NY

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.

Permalink: Haven_t_posted_a_sermon_in_a_while_.html
Words: 283
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.

Permalink: Lafayette_Church_beginning_April_12.html
Words: 188
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.

Permalink: Web_Stuff.html
Words: 29
Location: Buffalo, NY

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