We should have enough money aside to pull something off, but I decided to make this post because I know there’s a lot of people out there who know Marsha.  They know how loving, compassionate and self-sacrificing she is.  There are lots of people who I know would like to do something nice for Marsha.  So, here’s something nice you can do.  If you would like to donate a small amount towards her birthday trip, you can do so by clicking here or the “Donate“ button below.

Your donation and amount will be entirely anonymous to Marsha, unless you drop her a line to let her know (which she’d love).  I’m not sure what response we’ll get, but I do know this: I love my wife.  I want her to have a wonderful birthday.  I know there’s other people who want that to.

PS: If you’re interested in some of the songs we’ll be listening to on the way, check out my songs about Marsha!

Every time the Christian community lays hold of a celebrity, we run around town with their head on a pike proclaiming “Look who we got!”  At the same time, we hold celebrities to a higher standard than we would any other believer.  Dylan’s walk is his own.  He has, however, returned to performing his proclamation of faith – I Believe In You – on his most recent tour.  The lyrics have always shaken me, both before I believed and after:

I Believe In You (by Bob Dylan)

They ask me how I feel
And if my love is real
And how I know I’ll make it through.
And they, they look at me and frown,
They’d like to drive me from this town,
They don’t want me around
‘Cause I believe in you.

They show me to the door,
They say don’t come back no more
‘Cause I don’t be like they’d like me to,
And I walk out on my own
A thousand miles from home
But I don’t feel alone
‘Cause I believe in you.

I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter,
I believe in you even though we be apart.
I believe in you even on the morning after.
Oh, when the dawn is nearing
Oh, when the night is disappearing
Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart.

Don’t let me drift too far,
Keep me where you are
Where I will always be renewed.
And that which you’ve given me today
Is worth more than I could pay
And no matter what they say
I believe in you.

I believe in you when winter turn to summer,
I believe in you when white turn to black,
I believe in you even though I be outnumbered.
Oh, though the earth may shake me
Oh, though my friends forsake me
Oh, even that couldn’t make me go back.

Don’t let me change my heart,
Keep me set apart
From all the plans they do pursue.
And I, I don’t mind the pain
Don’t mind the driving rain
I know I will sustain
‘Cause I believe in you.

Here’s a few links to some other stuff related to Dylan’s faith…

• Bob Dylan’s Jesus Years DVD
• Article revisiting Dylan’s gospel albums
• Christianity Today’s review of Bob’s most recent album
• Book: Restless Pilgrim (The Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan)
• Dylan Devotional blog

Pastor Mark Sypher, a gifted and passionate speaker, led us through the first story in the new “Storylines” series of messages leading up to Easter. He shared the story of Abram (whose name meant “exalted father”, Genesis 12), and the how he trusted God and believed the promises God made, despite the unlikelihood of any of them. Mark shared how God fulfilled his promises, changing Abram’s name to “Abraham” (which means “father of many” Genesis 17), promising the birth of a son and entering into a covenant with Abraham, the outward sign of which, would be circumcision of every male.

With oratorical flair, Mark paused at this point, and asked several personalizing questions, challenging at least the men in the audience to consider all the things they might be willing to give up to avoid [Insert dramatic music crescendo here] CIRCUMCISION!!!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINEEE!!!!! It was just then that Mark’s headset microphone shorted out, and the feedback was teeth-shatteringly loud. In the comedic attempts to disentangle himself from the headset mic (which inside his jacket to the battery pack on his belt), there was much laughter from the congregation. So we were all getting a laugh at Mark’s expense. Finally, Rick Fowler pointed him to a microphone that worked (and would reach the pulpit) and Mark says, “Okay… now where was I?”

It was at this point that, had my wife been sitting next to me, she may have inspired a little more self control, but since she wasn’t, and since we were all a little giddy, I couldn’t resist…

I cupped my hands around my mouth (so that it wouldn’t carry too far beyond Mark ears), “CIRCUMCISION…… BUT YOU GOT CUT OFF!”

It was a bad pun, yes, but when Mark made the mistake of laughing, and repeating what I’d said into the microphone… which, of course,  everyone else heard… and people were crying, they laughed so hard.

So, to all present last Sunday, my apologies. Jokes about genitalia, or the surgical diminishment thereof, have little place in worship. I just couldn’t help myself

Semi-Sincerely Yours,
Pete

PS: The whole sermon is available online as an mp3, and here’s a clip of the funny bit…

Photos of Tachikoma from “Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex” manufactured by Good Smile Company.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0v5Lz788aA

I’m going to keep this blog a little more random than usual.  So you’re welcome to stick around and have a bite.  It’s delicious!