Dear Black Friday Fans

Dear Black Friday Fans:
I would like to remind you that last year some really eager counterparts of yours (read: greedy) took the life of someone's son. What a shame that a reduced-priced gadget is worth more to you than a living, breathing person. What a travesty that the flat screen you want so badly on which you will witness thousands of unreal deaths will be the cause for you to participate in a real mob killing (actually, it's not the TV's fault. You're just greedy). In trying to save a buck this Friday, please stop. Save a life. Use your mouth to build up your fellow Black Friday fans. Keep your middle finger to yourself. Let someone else have that parking spot. Dudes, let the ladies ahead of you (yeah, even if they seem obnoxiously pushy). Finally, what will it matter if you gain the Friday discount but lose your own soul?

Dear Corporate America in a Depressed Economic America:
Shame on you for feeding our appetites for more. While you have your logos emblazoned all over charities and sponsorships, you sit in your boardrooms lusting for more and groping to keep your investors happy. While you throw money distantly to society's disenfranchised, your commercials are positioned to exploit the passions of the same ones. You'll get back your charity money eventually. Sad.
(By the way, Sears, I appreciate your approach this year. It saves on the madness.)
Shame on you for opening your doors even earlier? When will 3am be too late? How about this for a change: open your doors at 7 and keep the same deals all day long or save the best deals till later? How counterintuitive would that be to your marketing strategy? Try it.
Finally, what will it matter if Friday's spending results in increased 4th quarter revenue and you die?

Dear Jesus:
Forgive me for my own greed and for any hypocrisy in the above charges. I long for your redemption. Thank you for pouring out your riches, becoming poor and dying for my greedy self so that I might be rich toward God. Have mercy on me, a sinner.

They being dead still sing God's grace... Wow!

My friend, Bill Provenzano, recently wrote me:

"Almost 2,000 years ago, Christians were massacred in the Roman Colosseum. It gives me pause when I consider that so many years later, Amazing Grace shakes the very walls wherein our brothers and sisters were slain for the sake of His everlasting name, even by a group called Il Divo."

Singing this hymn at games, concerts and other venues seems trite and almost predictibale. At the Roman Colosseum, however--ironic. Check it out.

Experimentweeting

Check out the side bar. You'll see I've plummeted further into the world of social media. I was on Facebook previously for my previous employment and discontinued that. This seems more doable to me.

From the Unemployment Line to Entrepreneur?

Yesterday was my last day on staff at Holy Trinity Church. I was being laid off because of the financial stress the church has been undergoing. There were and are no hard feelings. As in any institution or company, there is no perfect culture. HTC has her organizational problems, but that doesn't change the fact I still love her and serve her regardless of my employment status. I've know this has been coming since March. I've had adequate time to prepare.

On a positive note, I am considering becoming self-employed. I've got a lot to plan as I don't want my wife to carry the load for that long. Lots in my head.... Stay tuned.

Unstoppable Salvation

At HTC, I have the privilege to preach every now and then. The last opportunity was over Labor Day weekend. More than highlight the sermon, I wanted to recognize my brother, friend and co-worker, Samuel Andres, for his creative design. This piece which he created for the Romans series artwork for the HTC website was unfortunately turned down by one of the decision makers. It is so abstract yet compelling, that I had to ask him for it. Thanks, Samuel!

Sermon- God's Unstoppable Work of Salvation

John Piper's Call to the Pastorate

As I'm facing job loss and praying about entrance into a pastorate, church planting and/or the EvFree denomination, I providentially stumbled upon this tribute to John Piper's call to the pastorate. God has used JP in a special and strong way in Gospel Christianity. I praise God for the influence and grace he has spoken into my life.

Here's an example of a talk that God used in my life from the good doctor.

HT: (predictably) Justin Taylor

Mesmerized by the "Princess"

We had the delight of attending the wedding of a co-worker. Gabrielle was mesmerized by the "princess" (the bride) the whole time. Of course, here she looks a bit underwhelmed at being with Papi. That's okay. I love getting in whatever pics I can with her.