tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193995512024-03-13T08:46:55.169-05:00Following a Call to Soap HollowThe story of a pastor trying to do God's will in Southwestern PA.bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-9618549155761615502010-01-05T12:48:00.007-06:002010-01-05T14:21:30.528-06:00"Why white folks focus on dogs and yoga, while people on the low end trying to ball and get over" – CommonThis quote has been on my mind ever since I started reading Shane Claibourne’s book The Irresistible Revolution. And last night I saw a picture – that looked something like this:and the thought came to mind – what in the World is going on with the church of Jesus of Nazareth?There are a ton of thoughts in my head tied around this one central thought that I just can't get out of my head, so I am bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-19644032277800866562009-12-16T14:58:00.003-06:002009-12-16T15:20:04.744-06:00Speaking of Faith with Rick Warren and Jim WallisSo I haven't been listening to Speaking of Faith for a while. I don't know the topic just hadn't been that interesting to me, or maybe I was neglecting spiritual conversation.Either way, I have just recently been listening to a two part series via pod cast that is just wonderful. Krista Tippett is interviewing "The New Evangelical Leaders" part one is with Jim Wallis, the author of God's bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-13325582026960580012009-09-15T14:28:00.007-05:002009-09-17T10:09:57.879-05:00Why should Christians celebrate John Calvin's Birthday?Alternative title: Open Letter to my first year theology professor.Michael Servetus was an renowned heretic in Calvin's time - who was executed like most out spoken heretics during the 1500's. The Spanish Inquisition was actually seeking Servetus for his writings against the Trinity - and had sentenced him to death by burning. But what makes this pertinent is that it was in Calvin's Geneva thatbobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-19159813298614750652009-09-10T09:23:00.002-05:002009-09-10T09:27:32.403-05:00Sharing/Borrowing as a Spiritual DiscipineI have been participating a loosely connected intentional community with several other Christians. One of the practices that we talked about using was sharing resources. With my anti-consumerist leanings, the idea of using products people owned instead of buying additional products sounded very practical and beneficial, and I didn’t see it as a spiritual discipine at all. My wife and I have bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-80702715906356835652008-12-28T11:05:00.005-06:002008-12-28T11:28:02.636-06:00MartyrdomSo I was in Memphis Tennessee at the beginning of December for the "Great Emergence Conference" with Phyllis Tickle. This was my first time there. Great city - didn't make it to Grace Land, but I did make it to the Civil Rights Museum.The Museum is based around the hotel where Martin Luther King Junior was shot, and the apartment across the alley where it is believed that the fatal bullet came bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-51357811871419280662008-12-28T10:56:00.004-06:002008-12-28T11:04:59.410-06:00The Joy of ShavingFor a very long time, I had hated shaving... that was one of the reasons that I wore a beard. But I have to make it clear that there is a better way. I have switched over to what is called "wet shaving" - it is probably because you end up getting water everywhere.But any ways - I have started using a shaving brush (Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger Brush), an old fashioned safety razor (1960's bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-10552276589989992902008-10-17T09:55:00.002-05:002008-10-17T10:00:16.577-05:00McCain and Obama Share Some Laughshttp://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/10/obama_mccain_share_laughs_at_d.html This is video from the Alfred E. Smith Dinner in NYC last night. It is a benefit dinner for Catholic Charities - where many famous politicians show up. The wonderful thing about it, is the light heartedness about it.It is so great to have some laughs through this rough and tumble election. It is great bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-40532699605001515562008-10-05T16:47:00.004-05:002008-10-05T17:12:08.756-05:00Are Free Market Capitalism and Total Depravity Compatible?So this might go off the theological/political/financial deepend a little bit, but ever since this whole financial meltdown popped up, I have been thinking about it. It seems that there may be some who would inclined to believe in both Free Market Capitalism and the theological concept of Total Depravity. Let me explain them both briefly:1. Free Market Capitalism: The idea that there is no bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-18808502137140322602008-10-05T16:27:00.003-05:002008-10-05T16:42:23.884-05:00Kabuki SueHere are some pictures of my completed bike.It is a fixed gear (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed_gear) bicycle. Basically you can't ever stop pedaling. It took a bit of adjustment at first, but there is a certain level of connect that you feel with the bike since you can't coast.Building my own bike was an even bigger adventure. Figuring out which parts fit, and which didn't. Making all bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-75178386491344329352008-09-18T10:25:00.000-05:002008-09-18T10:27:01.495-05:00I just don't get Sarah Palinhttp://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5793307Check out this story from ABC. I just don't get her, her rhetoric, or where the McCain/Palin ticket is headed.I know all politicians flip/flop and bend the truth - but this seems like it is getting a bit out of hand.bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-1826372379069951992008-08-14T10:54:00.003-05:002008-08-14T10:57:37.973-05:00Growing Food / Changing Liveshttp://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-garden14-2008aug14,0,872568.storyThis is a great story about a skid row half way house for homeless people who have started some pretty serious gardening.It is such a great story, about people given some help and encouragement actively changing their lives in meaningful ways. Lauren and I have done our first gardening this year, and even though it has beenbobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-40141509764437442332008-08-14T09:51:00.001-05:002008-08-14T09:51:58.843-05:00Can Cindy McCain Make it as First Lady?http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-trailcindy14-2008aug14,0,5635143.storybobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-28405137934356228452008-06-30T16:26:00.002-05:002008-06-30T16:40:36.828-05:00Something to do with my free time.Build a bike!Why not, all the cool kids are buying/finding old 10 speed frames and converting them into single speed/fixed gear cruising bikes.So I got myself a Bridgestone Kabuki - it just needed wheels, cranks, gears, tires, a better seat, brakes (maybe). I am trying to make it with all used parts - as much as possible. Certain things are a little harder to find. Any ways - I guess I should bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-22592029838191053522008-06-23T13:27:00.003-05:002008-06-23T13:38:58.118-05:00Four Spiritual Laws vs. The 12 StepsI have made it clear that I don't believe that the 4 spiritual laws are the most helpful way to be introduced to the story of God. If you haven't heard of the "4 spiritual laws," before you may just think that it is how Christianity works. Here is the basic story:1. God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life. (John 3:16, John 10:10)2. Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-83476187536654338932008-04-17T23:03:00.003-05:002008-12-09T21:02:01.748-06:00Introducing Grace MarieWe now have another niece. Born on Wednesday morning. Praise God.bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-2948424763980769142008-04-03T12:33:00.000-05:002008-04-03T12:34:19.508-05:00India Thriller with English LyricsI nearly fell over laughing the first time I saw this. Oh my. I should have posted this a while ago.bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-9360705576017894302008-03-17T15:42:00.005-05:002008-03-17T16:01:07.134-05:00Time to RelaxI have had the opportunity in the past week to spend some time relaxing and connecting with God. While working as and admin and at my corporate job, I got a little overwhelmed.Anyways, I took two retreats to two different contemplative centers in a week. That is a good way to do it.On Wednesday I visited St. Paul's Monastery in North St. Paul. It is a community of Benedictine Sisters that has bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-2106154273164319312008-03-17T15:42:00.001-05:002008-03-17T15:42:51.842-05:00DJ Bob Brown in a Church BasementWelp - I am sure it will attract a slightly different crowd that some of my old gigs, but I am playing what has been titled a "Resurrection Rave" on Easter sunday in the basement of my church - Solomon's Porch. I am the only dj, and will probably only spin for about 2 hours or so. We have neighbors.All are welcome, it will be relatively early, and there will be some drumming/drum circles before bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-14893145964567813592008-01-29T11:03:00.001-06:002008-01-29T11:12:44.553-06:00Human Traffickinghttp://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/01/28/rogers.uk.sex.trafficking.itnHere is a CNN UK report on the modern day slave trade.There is an active group in my church that is working on making a difference globally and locally in the trade of human beings. They work with a group called "Not for Sale"One of the main things that these groups are currently doing is working to raise awareness bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-79310687352983977322008-01-11T13:28:00.000-06:002008-01-11T13:30:30.359-06:00Need a Smile?I love this song - and recently I finally saw the video for Basement Jaxx's Romeo.It made me smile - and maybe think that humanity has a bit of God's goodness it in. Fun and pointlessly beautiful.bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-76623688469506898672008-01-08T14:23:00.000-06:002008-01-08T14:47:21.919-06:00Calling all Mac NerdsAre you a mac-nerd?Do you regularly check any Apple Rumor Sites?Do you know that the Mac World Conference is Jan 15th?If so you might really enjoy this game for the upcomming Mac World Steve Jobs key note on January 15th: http://arstechnica.com/staff/fatbits.ars/2008/01/06/mwsf-2008-keynote-bingoThis way you can play along at home. I love all the specific rules/definitions of the squares.bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-65945240998885390152008-01-04T16:56:00.001-06:002008-01-04T16:56:54.578-06:00Art/Vandalismbobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-72590282538590243032007-12-16T15:16:00.000-06:002007-12-16T15:17:09.037-06:00Google Maps Streetview TestingView Larger Mapbobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-86738522402006415622007-12-04T14:35:00.000-06:002007-12-04T14:47:10.547-06:00Two JobsI have officially been working two jobs for the past month. One is my corporate job - 32 hours there - and the other is the part time interim admin at Solomon's Porch. It has been great to help get the books and other record keeping information up to date at the Porch and feels good to put together some systems for getting stuff done quickly so that this job can live a little less in the grey bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19399551.post-63743861906809381252007-10-31T21:59:00.000-05:002007-10-31T22:06:08.403-05:00Stop Junk Mail - Some of it at least.Here is a way to opt out of pre-approved credit offers: http://www.creditsourceonline.com/opt-out.html The short of it is that if you have a good credit rating, the major reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, etc.) sell your information to credit card agencies. So instead of getting pre-approved mailings 5 and 6 times a week the way we used to, with in 2 weeks, we didn't get any more bobbydalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02328239880104772267noreply@blogger.com0