Interactive Sermon

Who's Your Jesus?

Who is Jesus Christ?

Was he a historical figure who lived and died, or is he still alive today? Was he a prophet, a rabbi, a moral example? Or was he who he claimed to be? And while we’re at it, just exactly who did he claim to be? Is he, because of his claims, as C.S. Lewis famously articulated on his BBC radio program and in his book Mere Christianity, necessarily either a Liar, a Lunatic, or the Lord?

Is he the Jesus we see in old movies: A blue-eyed, white guy with a well-trimmed beard, who sort of glows, and speaks with a British accent? Or more hip, like a scene from Talladega Nights, perhaps we can picture him however we’d like, “I like to picture Jesus in a tuxedo t-shirt because it says, ‘I want to be formal, but I’m here to party.’”

Is he the Jesus we hear about in song? The Jesus of hymns and praise choruses: What A Friend We Have? Name Above All Names? Is that how we’ll respond to him? Or is it more like I Can Only Imagine? Surrounded by his glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? 

Or, perhaps, for those less misty, it’s enough that we tap our foot along with the Doobie Brothers: Jesus Is Just Alright With Me! 

Is he the Jesus pop-culture consigns? Jesus as defined by Oprah? Lady Gaga? Sure, John Lennon apologized for his infamous ‘The Beatles are more popular than Jesus’ boast, but among Justin Bieber Beliebers, the Biebs definitely has the upper hand. 

Is he the Jesus we’ve seen in literature? Is he Mary Stevenson’s Lord—you know, the one who assured her that when she only saw one set of footprints in the sand it was because he was carrying her? Or is he the Jesus from William Paul Young’s The Shack—a middle-eastern carpenter who hangs out with a portly African American woman (God) and an Asian looking mirage (the Holy Spirit)?

Is he the Jesus we see represented on CNN? The Lord of demonstrators holding signs that read: ‘God Hates Fags’ and ‘God Is Judging America’? Is he the Lord of the famous ministers caught in sex scandals and televangelists making ridiculously false claims about the end of the world?

Is he the Jesus of Christianity? The Jesus of Mormonism? The Jesus of the Jehovah’s Witnesses? Are they all one and the same, or are they very different?

Is he the Son of God or God in flesh? Yes? To which one? Both? 

The Bible records a conversation Jesus has with his disciples. He asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

It’s one thing to consider what others think—John Lennon had an opinion and so did Ricky Bobby. But your answer to the question ‘Who is Jesus?’ is key. It will determine how you live in response. 

 

Done!

Thank you family and friends for the encouragement and support you've been to me as I've worked and reworked the manuscript for Big Buts of the Bible: Gospel of Matthew. I am pleased to announce--It's DONE! Actually more than pleased. I want to dance!

I've sent it off this afternoon to the agent I am hoping will work with me. I appreciate your continued prayer.

So now back to more blogging. Not to mention Big Buts of the Bible: Genesis. And Big Buts of the Bible: Gospel of John. And...

 

A Revamped Buts Page

All this snow provided me with time to perform some site improvements on the Big Buts website.  Take a trip over and see for yourself.  Go ahead, follow, subscribe and all that good stuff!

Along the way, site analytics revealed that a good number of the visitors who happen upon the site do so having searched for the words big but (with one 't') while clearly having intended to find a site about the two 't' variety.  Top search terms were "teachers with big buts" and "big latin buts".  Really? 

So for those spelling-challenged visitors hoping to find a picture of a teacher with a big butt, I included a picture of a preacher with a big but, top right column.  See for yourself.  I aim to please!

Please tell others about the internet home of the word BUT!  www.bigbutsofthebible.com   

Back, New & Improved

 

www.darinmichaelshaw.com is back! The new and improved site will be the internet home of my literary pursuits. God help us.

I had put the URL in the drawer for a season while I attempted to sort out my literary journey. Consider it sorted. I didn't say clarified, mind you--I still have no idea--but sorted, i.e. I think I know which piles to look in.

Stop by the new site. Let me know what you think. I appreciate your friendship and encouragement.

 

We're Back!

Well it's about time!  Mark your calendars - next Friday night, October 22nd, 9pm to 1am - 3 Chords at Madison's Irish Pub in Milford, NH.  We're looking forward to sharing the evening with YOU!

 
Plan also to spend Saturday November 27th with us at the Nashua Holiday Stroll!

Pigskin Preachin' Week 3

A post from my Pigskin Preacher blog at TBO/Tampa Tribune Online

In Pewter We Trust ~

It seems that the rest of the NFL world doesn’t buy the 2010 Bucs.  There’s scarcely a mention on the national talk circuit after our 2-0 start.  They’re talking about Chicago’s, Miami’s and Kansas City’s 2-0 start—not ours.  Shoot, they’re talking about Buffalo’s 0-2 start more than the Bucs.  I say, let ‘em all remain unconvinced!  The Steelers are coming to town.  They have a great defense and a beast of an offense.  Of course, when we beat them on Sunday people will point to the fact that they’re down to their fourth string QB. 

News this week that a quarter of our secondary went up in smoke.  In the last year of his deal, on the eve of what people are saying could be an uncapped horizon—Tanard’s future may have just gone up in smoke, too.  Word to Tanard: Stay away from the stadium the rest of the season, even if Aqib Talib offers you a plush seat in his stadium box!

In Buccaneer spin, all the talk has been on the running game’s lack of production.  Am I concerned?  Not really.  We ran the ball pretty effectively against Cleveland.  We didn’t pile up the yardage against Carolina, but they tend to be a tough defense to run on.  Now the Steelers come to town with their top-tier defense.  I don’t look for the yard-per-carry average to jump this week.  That said, I think we’ll be okay.  As the passing game continues to grow in effectiveness, our opponents will give us less eight-in-the-box looks.  It’ll pick up.  The key will be perseverence.

It’s an NFL world ~

The Toronto Argonauts (aka Buffalo Bills) are starting a new QB.  Wait.  Didn’t they take all offseason to decide that Trent Edwards was THE MAN?  Apparently two games was enough to decide Ryan Fitzpatrick is THE MAN.  Is Chan Gailey’s house on the market yet?

Braylon Edwards will play, but won’t start for the Jets on Sunday.  That’s the word from Head Coach Rex Ryan.  Of course, those weren’t the only words from Rex—there was a fair amount of profanity in there.  I have a completely different take.  Sure it’s bad that he was arrested for DUI and he should be disciplined.  But I think they ought to suspend him four games for that horrible looking beard he’s wearing!  With that beard, Homeland Security and TSA might stop him from getting on a plane for the trip to Miami, thinking they’ve caught an Al Qaeda operative.

The real wait-and-see of the week is playing out in Texas.  If the Texans send the Cowboys to 0-3, I’m guessing all hoopla breaks loose. This weekend, a couple of 0-fers will get the egg out of the win column and a couple of perfects will get dinged.  Vikings fans, take heart.  Nothing spells remedy better than a game against the Lions, eh?  The Cowboys are wondering why they can’t play the Lions.

You want to know how it’s going to go down?  I’m here to tell you.  The Preacher is a respectable 22-10 on the season so far.  Try these on for size: 49ers over Chiefs; Vikings over Lions; Patriots over Bills; Saints over Falcons; Giants over Titans; Original Browns over Replacement Browns; Texans over Cowboys; Bucs over Steelers (and that’s not a pick with my heart—that’s a bonifide belief in an upset!); Bengals over Panthers; Eagles over Jaguars; R’skins over Rams; Colts over Broncos; Raiders over Cardinals; Seahawks over Chargers; Dolphins over Jets; Packers over Bears.

Pigskin Preachin' Week 2

A copy of my TBO Blog post. The picks alone should be worth it--I went 13-3 last weekend.  You seein' this?

In Pewter We Trust ~

How about our friends at Sports Illustrated? The Bucs are 29th in their Power Standings after week one.  29th!  This is good, my friends.  Let ‘em think what they want.  We’re in search of nothing more than number two in our race to ten.  And I say it comes this weekend in Carolina.  Shoot, maybe next week we’ll move up to number 28.

Aqib Talib is back in action for us this week, vowing to be a kinder-and-gentler-citizen-Aqib.  Look, I don’t care if you’re cursing at coaches or slapping taxi drivers in your spare time, just cover Steve Smith for us, ok?  And while you’re at it, throw your body in the path of Williams and Stewart all afternoon.

Franchise QB Josh—or as we’ve come to know him, Number 5—stands poised to play better than in his last visit to Carolina.  I believe he will.  It’s the QBs on the other side that are on my mind.  Is it Matt Moore with a concussion hangover or rookie Jimmy Clausen that we’d rather play Sunday?  Can we get them to bring Jake Delhomme back?

It’s an NFL Blogosphere ~

Michael Vick will be starting for the Eagles Sunday, as Kevin is still trying to get the Kolb-webs out after getting his bell rung by the Packers last weekend.  They’re in Detroit.  Matthew Stafford is on the shelf.  Does it matter who starts for Philadelphia?  Vick wins.

Word out of Buffalo is that they plan to keep RB Marshawn Lynch even though he’s slipped to third on the depth chart.  Playing for Buffalo is as close to being in the Canadian Football League as you can get—and to be a third stringer on a CFL team… Poor fellow! 

The two sexy Super Bowl picks, the Cowboys and Jets, are both looking to bounce back from week one defeats.  In Dallas, Jerry Jones is giving public assurances that Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett are not on the hotseat.  Jets Coach Rex Ryan had this to say, “I’m not !@#$% !@#$ !@#$%! It’s a long season, you @#$% !@#$% !@#$%!”  It is a long season, and that’s why this is going to be good to watch.

Little Bro is coming to town.  Eli is making a house call on Peyton.  Hey, did you hear?  Bob Saunders is out.  I want to know what the over/under is on how many times we’ll hear someone say, “Colts can’t stop the run without Bob Saunders in the line-up.”  If it’s less than a dozen, take the OVER.

Enough, let’s get to the reason you’re reading this.  Picks—you love me for my picks. I feel so… used. Alas my fiends, take these to the bank: Vikings over Dolphins; Falcons over Cardinals; Ravens over Bengals; Browns over Chiefs; Cowboys over Bears; Eagles over Lions; Titans over Steelers; Bucs over Panthers; Broncos over Seahawks; Raiders over Rams; Patriots over Jets; Chargers over Jags; Redskins over Texans; Big Mannings over ‘Lil Mannings; and Saints over Niners. 

Over Forty Blues

Dreamed up a lyric on the way to band rehearsal last night.  Imagine some old-school blues pattern, a harmonica, some sad guitar licks... and age.

I need bifocals for my eyesight, and orthotics in my shoes

Some Viagra to get excited, and Fiber to break me loose;

I need a minute to catch my breath and a soft chair to sit down--

Need darn near fifteen minutes to get myself up off the ground;

It's all goin' south so fast, ain't much left to lose--I got the over forty blues!

I might need a hip replacement, and my knees don't want to bend

Seems every other commercial, is 'bout the Hair Club for Men;

Need ointment for sore muscles, baby aspirin for my heart--

Losing control of when I burp and when I... uh...

It's all goin' south so fast, ain't got much left to lose--I got those over forty blues!

Hair's growing in funny places but it's fallin' out of my scalp

I can't remember nothin' but to pee before leavin' the house;

I might be getting older, but I'm still eighteen in my head--

And I... ain't... dead... yet!

It's all goin' south so fast, got nothin' left to lose--I got those over forty blues!

There's one last verse rolling around in my head, something about that special physical you get when you turn forty.  Trying to find the words--some of you know what I mean. 

So there you have it.

Dear Mr. Mahoney

Please note that in an earlier post here, and in numerous email attempts, I've appealed to Congressional Candidate Sean Mahoney to remove my private email address from his campaign's distribution list.  When I posted my plea last week, I sent a link to the article to all of the email addresses I had for him with still another plea.

Over the weekend I've received several more campaign notes.

Dear Mr. Mahoney,

I will not be voting for you on Tuesday.  I believe that we need men and women in Washington who are not just politicians.  I want representatives who have us in mind as they govern--not just when they need our votes. 

Your campaign placed me on your spam list without my permission--and had the nerve to include a paragraph that said "You're receiving this email because you've indicated an interest."  I beg your pardon, Sir.  I don't recall ever having indicated an interest.  And I am absolutely certain that I did not give you THAT email address.  So I assume that the expedience of campaigning placed me on the list.  I don't need that in my representatives in Washington.

I've sent many, many requests to be removed.  To no avail.  You and your campaign have inspired no confidence in me, in that you're unable to accomplish the most simple function imaginable.  How can I believe you will accomplish anything in Congress?  It's the key that says 'Delete' on it, Mr. Mahoney.  I've got one.  I know, because dozens of times each week I've had to use it deleting your email! 

Either your website contact format doesn't work, or you neglect to respond to it.  Neither of those explanations fly for me.  You should have competant people working for you.  Would you take the same yahoos with you to D.C.?  They can't manage to read and respond to email?  You've employed them?  The economy must be better than we think. 

You'll not have my vote tomorrow.  I'm sorry it's come to this.  I'm willing to bet that your campaign ends tomorrow.  If it doesn't--you'd better figure out a way to get my name off that email list.  As promised, my next step will be a series of Op/Ed pieces to every newspaper in the area.

Sincerely,

Darin M. Shaw

Now, to my Interactive Sermon readers, FB and Twitter pals, and blogger-buds everywhere--please accept my apology.  You know this isn't my norm.  I've had it.  I've vented.  I'm done (I hope).  In case you're wondering, I do plan to vote tomorrow.  In this race, I'd vote for former Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta were this my district. 

Pigskin Preachin'

Yes, I had decided to give the Pigskin Preachin' up.  Four years of being a regular Buccaneers and NFL blog superstar had taken its toll on me.  But--and you know I'm fond of that word--football season is here again and the juices just started flowing.  How could I let down the masses who depend upon my weekly wit and prognostication?  How could I pass on opportunities to goof on old man Brett Favre, back for his twentieth season?  How could I possibly step away when Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are on the same team?  And what of the second year of Rah in Tampa?  This is either going to be miraculous--or darn amusing.

So have no fear fiends, the Preachin' continues for a fifth year.

In Pewter We Trust ~

How about the Bucs wearing the all whites for all four preseason games this year?  I liked it.  They looked like the good guys.  I hope Rah will do this more often.  I mean, if we can't play good, at least we can look fashionable. 

Greg Olson promised the Bucs offense would pack a little more punch this year.  Indeed we will.  The team added LeGarrett Blount to the roster just this week.  I'm not sure if he'll help us beat the Browns on the scoreboard, but bet on us in the post-game brawl. 

Seriously, I think the key to this season is going to be getting off to a good start.  You hate to call week one a must win, but this one will go a long way.  The schedule makers wrapped us a gift with the first three weeks on the slate--well, actually, Big Ben gave a big assist.  There is a real opportunity for starting well.  What will we do with it?

Kellen Winslow Jr. is speaking of this game--his return to Cleveland--like any other.  Don't buy it.  As T.O. would say, "Get your popcorn ready!" 

The NFL Blogwork ~

The joke is on the Arizona Cardinals, eh?  Kurt Warner retired.  Matt Leinert... well, he's Matt Leinert.  And now he's a Houston Texan back-up QB, which is exactly what he should have been all along.  Derek Anderson is the starting QB in Arizona, because he wasn't good enough to make it in... wait for it...  CLEVELAND!  I know!  You're like, peeing yourself laughing!  Me too.

How about this one?  They talk 66 year old Brett Favre into coming back out of retirement for the eleventh time because the Vikings have "so much talent around him."  Then their best receiver goes on I.R., their second best offensive threat has debilitating headaches, and the change-of-pace back is nursing sore ribs.  Let's top this off with a season opener in New Orleans, oh joy!  Welcome back rag-doll.

Rex Ryan says his New York Jets are the best team in the NFL.  Well that's not exactly how he said it.  He said, "The {bleep} New York mother {bleeping} Jets are the {bleepity bleep} best {bleeeeeeeeeeep!} football team in the {bleep-bleep} NFL!"

Oh and this just in: Albert Haynesworth will still be a Redskin on Sunday.  They're not sure about Monday, but at least this Sunday...

Take It To The Bank ~

Just like the Bucs, the Pigskin Preacher will start strong.  You ready for this?  Saints over Vikings; Dolphins over Bills; Titans over Raiders; Patriots over Bengals; Giants over Panthers; Steelers over Falcons; Bucs over Browns; Jags over Broncos; Colts over Texans; Bears over Lions; Niners over S'Hawks; Packers over Eagles; Cardinals over Rams; Redskins over Cowboys (no, I'm not kidding... Haynesworth will still be a Redskin, after all); Ravens over Jets (but remember: the Jets are the best team in the NFL); Chargers over Chiefs.