Waiting...

Odd that American Recordings, JohnnyCash.com or Lost Highway records haven't fully disclosed the release date of American Recordings VI. The wait is just too much.

In a few moments a few members of the congregation will come over to the office for the weekly bible study session. I provide coffee, knowledge and gossip - they provide complaints of aches and pains, questions about the text and in general come to laugh. I have been threatening for some time to switch the coffee and actually make regular instead of decaf. I really wonder if they would notice?

This weekend my sister-in-law and friend came up for a visit. Due to federal regulations I cannot release the name, gender, orientation, height, weight, or hair color until a to be determined future date. I can only say that the friend is a good person and I was glad to meet the person. I can also add that this person won second place prize at the Inaugural Family Pumpkin Painting Contest. (pictures forthcoming) This unidentified person would have one an easy first place prize if this person was, well let us just say "legal," we'll leave it at that for now.

The sermon Sunday went well. The scripture was the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Many people have said that if Jesus were to come back today that he would mainly hang around the poor, displaced, hungry, and the untouchables. I firmly believe that, but I think this parable also shows that Jesus would be hanging around rich folk too. If the kingdom of God is good news for everyone then it has to touch everyone!

I found it interesting that Bill Richardson, as he is inching his way up to almost pass Edwards in some polls, has taken on Edwards' view of the "two Americas." I find Edwards' two Americas right on the money, but is it enough to simply explain a reality? On the same note Eddie Vedder, lead singer of Pearl Jam, in the song Bushleaguer sings the haves have not a clue. I agree that most do not, but then my cynical side laughs at Vedder writing this when no doubt he is living high off the hog. These are just some swirling thoughts, I find it best to jam a bunch of conflicting thoughts together, let them fight it out and see what synthesis emerges.

I have been predicting, from the pulpit, for weeks that the Patriots are going to lose - but they keep winning. I really don't care. I have never been able to get into Pro Football, it is too boring. The offenses are predictable and the defensive players are too fast. The only Pro Football I ever enjoyed was the Buffalo Bills of the 90s. Why? I distinctly remember Jim Kelly running the option one time with Thurman Thomas. I about fell out of my chair. The only other pro football worth mentioning is the neckbrace days of Steve Grogan. To see a quaterback wear a neck pad was really something. For Christmas a few years ago i bought dad an autographed picture of Grogan. What I really wanted was an autographed neckbrace but no one had one!

This is Too Good to be True

I learned today that the West Virginia Council of Churches has come out not only against mountain top removal but also has criticized the Bush administration's relaxation of the Clean Water Act.

Go here to read the press release.

Home Life

For Christmas last year I bought an Ipod. I was enamored with it at first. I think I expected it to open my garage door, change channels on the tv and maybe even scratch my back. Nope, it is just a hard drive with flash memory. Oh well.

This morning I went to the coffee shop with the Ipod in my briefcase. I sometimes put my headphones in to keep people from bugging me when I am working at the establishment. But this morning I was using the Ipod and praising Steve Jobs for his invention. Why? The folk behind the counter had Def Leppard blasting from the sound system. I've never felt more thankful for my ipod as I put on the earbuds and listened to Ben Harper and some Johnny Cash.

The Only Lady went to the beauty shop and asked if I would watch #2 and #3 while she was away. No problem, and could I also take #2 to swim class. No problem. #2 did great at swim class, swimming by himself, jumping off the side and diving blocks - he was beaming with self-confidence. As I sat watching, feeding and observing #3 the two mothers there commented how quiet #3 was under my care than under the only lady's. They asked that I don't dare tell the Only Lady, but come on those kind of comments don't come very often.

The sister-in-law arrives this evening. It will be good to see her and spend some time with her. She is a great sister-in-law more like a sister than an in-law. No Mrs. P no one could replace you, you are the best sister ever.

Ah Man...

I read in the WV Gazette on Saturday that my beloved Souther Kitchen will be closing on the 15th. I loved that place. Dad and I used to go there for chili, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy or perhaps just bacon and eggs.

I think it was one of the few authentic foodie places in the valley. Goodbye ole friend, you will be missed.

Later that day, St. Albans, ranked #2 in the state going into the game, lost the Battle of the Bridge to Nitro: 58-14.


No sermon yesterday, Liliana Da Valle, the new executive minister of ABCORI was the guest minister. She preached an interesting sermon, I'm glad the search committee hired her - wise choice.

Candidate Templates

The 2008 presidential election this year seems awful silly, so many folks running, so much money being raised and not much that really excites me. As a Baptist minister I don't put too much of my trust and faith in politicians. I am more of an issue oriented person. I was brought up with my father's side split one being Republican farmers and the other strong Democrats. On my mother's side it seems they were all Republicans, my cousin once told me my grandpa said vote Republican because they have all the money and you want to make money too. I started out Republican but have moved more to the Democratic side, but I'm not an Armani Democrat which most of the party seems to be nowadays. I'm more of a Democratic Christian Socialists, more of the Netherlandic model expressed by Bob Goudzwaard (I heard him at CRCDS during convocation ceremonies.)

Nevertheless I was intrigued by the templates offered by the Des Moines Register: templates for pumpkin carving. I'm going to carve a John Edwards pumpkin this year.

Who will be the Democratic nominee? I cannot see Hillary Clinton hanging on through the duration as the front runner. Will Obama rise to the challenge? I do not know, he has a lot so ground support and lots of donors and I think he taps into a deep hunger for change and authenticity. I dont buy the not enough experience argument. I think is bogus. Edwards, even though I like him I cant see him breaking through, that leaves Bill Richardson. Richardson is my dark horse candidate to win the nomination.

Who will win the Republican nominee? I can't see Giuliani winning, too squirelly for the voters I believe. Cant see Romney winning, his flip flops make Kerry look conservative. Thompson is too lanky. I see McCain making a run and being the nominee. I heard him speak in Rochester in 1999, couldn't believe the people at Highland park in the cold that came out that evening. If he can tap into that once more, who knows what may happen...

Post for Later usage

I keep wanting to write something on this dude and his job as it relates to ministry, but dont have the time. In the near future, there will be some reflection on this. Till then, if you have a few moment read this article on Andrea Mosconi. I dont want to lose the link so I am posting it here for later usage.

Chuck Norris Fan Club

One night last week I couldn't go to sleep. I didn't want a nightcap of JW, although you will go to sleep rather quickly - you never settle into a deep sleep. So I went downstairs and watched some of the David Letterman Show. Even thought DL is a total cornball I couldn't help but laugh at his statement that butter is the new cheese. I'm not for sure what that means but I got a kick out of it. A few months ago talking with Dr. Burg about having three kids, he said you know 3 is the new 2.

Later on during the show DL had a segment of George Bush vs Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

This was my favorite:

AHMADINEJAD: member of the Islamic Society of Engineers
BUSH: member of the Chuck Norris Fan Club

Then I tried to find the official Chuck Norris Fan Club, there aint one.

More tv news, last week I wasnt able to catch the season premiere of The Office, so I watched it online this week. Come to find out Pam and Darrell are Presbyterians, would have never guessed that. I had them pegged for Methodists.

CD news:

The new Steve Earle recording. Well I'm not overwhelmed or overtly impressed, too low key. However, the pictures inside are quite comical, especially Earle's new beard and long hair. No where as near as political as his previous recordings. He said it was due to Allison's influence; they make an interesting couple.

If you haven't taken the time to listen to Wynton Marsalis' s From the Plantation to the Penitentiary, especially the tracks featuring Jennifer Sanon you should. Her voice is absolutely amazing, soft and rich like a bechamel sauce.

The Other Side of the Mountain...

Saturday, after step dancing lessons of course, we packed the kids into the van and drove north past Worcester to Mount Wachusett for a hike. We have been on short strolls, but never a full fledged hike up a mountain.

We arrived, got situated and headed up the mountain. We decided to take the "medium/kind of easy" trail up the side to the summit. It was a hard path, rocks and roots everywhere, dropoffs, and no graded trail. The kids loved it. #1 & #2 did not need help or carried, #3 rode on my back in a pack. When we got to the top we could see for 50 miles, past Boston. It was amazing at the top. I felt like those, minus folk with disabilities or limited health, who drove up the mountain really cheated themselves of a marvelous sense of accomplishment.

A view from halfway up the mountain:#3 Riding comfortably:The kids on the way down, notice the steep grade:We are saving pictures from the summit for later.

Read about Ron's bear problem.

At Least St. Albans is Undefeated...

The St. Albans High School football team, my alma mater, is currently 6-0; they beat Greenbrier East last night 28-12. The WVU team, however, lost again to South Florida. I was able to watch the game online with ESPN360. I wished someone would have told me about this free service sooner. Meanwhile the Marshall team is waiting to move from the defeated to the win column when they face Memphis on Tuesday evening (to be aired also on ESPN360.

Did anyone pay attention to Huckabee's comments on the Iraq War yesterday? The guy continues to impress me.

If you didn't listen to the On Point program Wednesday on John Coltrane, you really need to; well worth your time and energy.

Today we are off to climb Mount Wachusett, after #1 comes back from stepdancing class. Right now it is a boys day inside, as #2 calls it.

Anglobaptist has posted his thoughts from a recent seminary conference. Looks like some good stuff worth chewing on.

Well, Well...

Dating