Installation Anniversary

Last month, I informed you that July 22 is the anniversary of my ordination. It was 2 years ago that I was installed as pastor here.

I post this not for shameless self-promotion, but to express my gratitude for another year of God's grace.

New Cell Phone

Dear Readers, I have finally solved a nagging problem for myself. And in the process, I upgraded my personal technology. Here's what I mean:

Yesterday, I got a Blackberry Curve. And I switched cell phone providers. The nagging problem was that I got no cell phone reception inside my house. And I got poor reception and dropped calls aplenty in town. So, the solution was to drop Sprint when the contract was up and switch to Verizon. So, that is what I did.

It was so refreshing to actually make a cell phone call in the parsonage last night! The image above is actually from Blackberry's website.

Erie County Fair Pics- Animal Edition

These are more photos fromt he Erie County (NY) Fair. These show the animals that were featured in the petting zoo. I love baby animals. It was cool how my niece and I got to feed the animals too. Enjoy!

Erie County Fair Pics- Random Edition

Here's some photos from the Erie County (NY) Fair. A good time was had by all. the cute little kid in the pictures is my niece. Also, the things in the white bag are deep fried Oreos. Enjoy!

Silver Creek Flooding

Earlier this week, the town of Silver Creek, NY (where I currently reside) was devastated by massive flooding. The trailer court was pretty much destroyed, as was the fire house. Here are some pics. Also included is a video of some of the devastation.

This is absolutely heartbreaking, dear readers. Please keep all of the people in Western NY in your thoughts and prayers.

Pastoral Reading List: 2009-10 Edition

As I explained in a post last year, I have a reading list. The list is organized by month. Each month has a different theme. I try to read books and articles in that category each month.

It's a system that works for me. I don't actually plan what specific books I'll read. I just read what's in that category for the months, and looks good. The cycle starts over every September. Also, I should note that this list IS in a particular order.

SEP: Evangelism
OCT: History
NOV: NT/Luke
DEC: Preaching
JAN: Lutheran Confessions
FEB: Other Religions
MAR: Prayer
APR: Pastoral Theology/Pastoral Ministry
MAY: Old Testament
JUN: Worship
JUL: Gospel of John
AUG: Christian Lit. Classics

Like I said, this list and this reading plan works for me. Other pastors have different systems which work for them.

Youth T-Shirts

Let me bring up something that's been on my mind for a little while. At the risk of sounding like Andy Rooney or some other bitter old man, let me ask what's the deal with little kids wearing replica concert T-shirts or band T-shirts?

The other night I attended National Night Out block party in Buffalo. There was a little girl wearing a T-shirt that had a replica of the Woodstock poster. And she was way too young to even have attended the one in 1994!

This isn't the first time. I've seen kids as young as 8, 9, and 10 wearing shirts bearing the name and/or album covers as such luminaries as Led Zepplin, AC/DC, and Jimi Hendrix. You just want to walk up to these kids and say, "I'll give you a dollar if you can name a Led Zepplin song. I mean, other than 'Stairway to Heaven.'" Maybe they can, and I am simply underestimating them.

Look, I'm no great dresser or fashionista. Even a cursory glimpse at the photos on this page should inform you of that fact. But, even I know that "faux vintage" is just not cool.

Just wondering what the deal is. Feel free to comment.

Frosty Goodness

This place is really close to my house on Routes 5 & 20. Technically, it's in Irving, NY. I know summer has officially arrived when this place opens.

They've got all kinds of specialty sundaes. They're all pretty tasty. Especially interesting is their "flavor of the week." Each week they have a new flavor of soft-serve ice cream. As you can see in the pic, this particular week's flavor is pistachio. Pretty good. You can get the flavor of the week by itself or twisted with vanilla.

I just felt the need to tell you how great Frosty Treat is. And to give them a little free press. As always, I received no compensation for my endorsement. And I needed to post something.