TO FORWARD OR NOT TO FORWARD?

“I had many things to write, bur I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:”  (III John 13)

To forward or not to forward?  That is the question.

I probably receive at least 25 forwarded e-mails a week.  Ironically, around 4 people send me the overwhelming majority of these e-mails.  I end up forwarding on around 10% of them and deleting 90% of them.  Sometimes I feel guilty about e-mails that I don’t forward on- especially if an e-mail has come from someone that I really think a lot of and it says something like, “If you really care about me you’ll forward this on to ten people,” or “show that you really care about the love of Jesus by sending this on to everyone in your address book,” -stuff like that.  On the other hand, sometimes I feel guilty about e-mails I DO forward on.  Some will have tag lines that say something like, “Send this back to me, and then send it on to at least five of your friends.”  I may send it on to twenty people and then I may get one back.  It makes me think, boy, did the other nineteen think I was  a real jerk for sending it?

This week, I received a forwarded e-mail from a young Assemblies of God minister entitled , “Virus Warning”.  I read it and it sounded pretty serious.  I had no idea if this potential virus was  “for real” or just an urban legend, but I thought that even if there was a 10% chance that it was true, I’d send it along, so I did send it on to quite a few people.  Sometimes I like to change the Subject line so it doesn’t say something like, “Fwd: Fwd: FW:  Virus Warning”.  I changed the Subject  before I sent the e-mail along, and after I sent it I realized I spelled “Virus” wrong!! I felt like a fool.  I then re-sent it with “Virus” spelled correctly.
I wonder, do the 20 or so of my friends appreciate that I sent this to them, or do they think I’m an annoying jerk?

What do you think?

Do you forward stuff along?  Do you think it just clutters up the internet?  Do you think  people who send all kinds of forwards are good friends or real pains?

Post a comment here, or e-mail me at revrbaril@aol.com

"JESUS CAMP"

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

This past Saturday evening, I watched the documentary “Jesus Camp” on D.V.D. along with my 20-year-old daughter Rachel and my 24-year-old son Jon. Jon had heard a number of negative things said about the film. He wanted to objectively view it and form his own opinion, and Rachel and I were very interested to watch it, as well.

“Jesus Camp” was filmed in 2005 and released in 2006. The main focus of the film is a female Pentecostal minister from North Dakota who runs a high intensity training camp for Christian children. Several of the kids who attended the camp were featured up close including a 10-year-old named Rachael and a boy of around the same age named Levi. Levi was from St. Robert, Missouri. I can’t remember for sure what Rachael’s home town was...maybe Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Interspersed between scenes of the children’s home lives and footage of camp activities were scenes of a liberal “Air America” radio talk show host pontificating on the dangers of the religious right.

I get the impression the purpose of the film is to terrify liberal and
moderate Americans about the army of right wing religious children which is being trained to burst on the scenes in a few years and take over. In fact, neither the religious right nor the “secular progressives” (as Bill O’Reilley calls them) come out of this film looking particularly good.

Most of you know I’m both an evangelical and a Pentecostal. I’m also a
registered Republican. At one time, I was what would have been considered a very hard line “religious right” person. My hard line right wing politics have toned down quite a bit over the past fifteen years, and even my past hard line approach to evangelism has somewhat mellowed. I find myself in the position that many of my fellow evangelicals and Pentecostals would consider me “liberal” in certain areas; yet, most people in America’s mainstream would classify me as “far right”. In a way, that means I’m in kind of an awkward, misunderstood spot at times, but it DOES mean that I can view a film such as “Jesus Camp” pretty objectively.

My kids and I agreed that we were very comfortable with about 75% of what was taught and practiced among the evangelicals in the film. We bristled when the “Air America” host ridiculed the teaching of “intelligent design” in the public schools, and made it sound as though anyone who believes in Biblical creationism is a total idiot. (Well, my kids and I believe in Biblical creationism, and on that one, we’re pretty much on the side of the religious right.)

My kids and I were also very uncomfortable with about 25% of what was taught and practiced among the evangelicals in the film. There WAS a HUGE political agenda. The kids were taught to support President George W. Bush because he is a born-again Christian. At one point, a life-sized cardboard cutout figure of President Bush was brought out before the kids at the Christian camp. All held their hands toward the cardboard figure, essentially saluting and praying, and, well, practically worshipping him! The Bible DOES tell us to pray for those who are in authority over us (see I Timothy 2:2). But that means EVERYBODY in authority. That means liberal Democrats, independents, socialists,
EVERYBODY. If John Kerry were President, I don’t think the camp would EVER have had him prayed for in such a fashion. The kids were also encouraged to openly and publicly share their faith and evangelize others, which is good, BUT their approach did not set well with us. Ten-year-old Rachael would goup to ADULTS who were perfect strangers and blurt out, “Where are you going when you did?” or “The Lord told me to tell you He cares about you.” I think it’s far more effective and appropriate for children to share their faith in a non-pushy way with friends their own age. After Rachael asked a group of African-American adults where they were going when they died, and they answered

“Heaven”, she retreated from them concluding, “I think they’re Muslims!”  (That scene boggled my mind!)

Now, I DID say I liked 75% of what was taught to the kids, and I did. As an evangelical Christian, I believe the Bible IS God’s Holy Word, and that God has a plan for each of our lives. And as a PENTECOSTAL evangelical Christian, I believe in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. There were clips of kids seeking and receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. To “secular progressives” it’s fanaticism, but to Bible-believing Christians, it’s the power of God.

In one ironic scene, several of the kids are taken to Ted Haggard’s
MegaChurch in Colorado. The kids obviously looked to Haggard as a huge hero. Haggard railed against homosexuality in his sermon. Of course, about a year after that scene was filmed, Haggard was exposed as being in a secret homosexual lifestyle and has lost his ministry. One wonders what the kids think of Haggard today.

Bottom line, “Jesus Camp” is a very interesting documentary. It will
frighten most “secular progressives” who view it, and it may stir and even confuse some evangelicals and Pentecostals who see it. AND, after this frank and honest review, I may not have any friends left!

TREE'S COMPANY

“And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.” (Acts 28:5)

The above verse refers specifically to a poisonous snake- a viper.  After being shipwrecked on the island of Malta, the Apostle Paul was bitten by a viper.  He should have quickly been dead; however, he (miraculously) shook the snake off and was fine.  I’ll get to the significance of that shortly.

At the easternmost extreme of our 32 South Street, Framingham, church property, there is a large, old, ugly tree.  I am not even sure what kind of tree it is.  Its branches grow into all sorts of weird contortions and limbs and branches have at times fallen off the tree.  The tree is literally right on the line of our property and the parking lot of a Rte. 135 professional building which our property borders.   For some weird reason, last night at around 7 a very large limb fell from the tree.  I’ve stated that branches and limbs have fallen before through the years, but this was huge- much bigger than anything that’s fallen before.  The weather was not windy at all.  There was seemingly no reason for this limb to fall, but it did.

Last night, I thought I could just drag it to the wooded periphery of the property, but when I got close to it, it was about three times larger than I’d expected.  I’d say the limb was at least eighteen feet long and probably about four inches  thick.  There were all sorts of (those) contorted branches, leaves, etc., spreading out all over the place.  There was no way I could move this without a lot of work.

Claire Grimes from our church offered to pay to rent a chain saw.  Well, I’ve just sometimes found that rending power equipment can be more trouble than it’s worth, so I declined that offer.

At around 8 this morning, I went over to the church property in “bummy” clothes to deal with this tree.  All I had to work with was a small bow saw.  I decided the best thing to do would be to cut all the branches off the limb, and drag them off to the peripheral area, THEN deal with the eighteen foot limb.  I began cutting off branches and dragging them off to the brush and leaf pile at the edge of our property.  At one point, I stood on the pile to get in a good position to throw a branchin an ideal location.  Suddenly, Ifelt a sharp pain on my head...then another, then another, then YELLOWJACKETS FLYING ALL OVER ME! It turns out there was a yellowjacket nest in the brush!  I literally ran out to Taylor Street and then to South Street, and STILL had a few yellowjackets around me!  Now, I’m a HIGH RISK when it comes to yellowjacket stings!  In the early 1990s, I had two bad experiences with running into yellowjacket nests while mowing my lawn.  I got twelve stings on one occasion, and fifteen on the other.  When I received the fifteen stings, I had a strong allergic reaction.  I broke out in hives all over my body. My wife took me to (then) Southboro Medical in Southboro.  I was treated, and told to rest and take Benydryl.  I was pretty well “out of commission” for a couple of days.  I expected to suddenly break out in hives.  I wondered if I’d have trouble breathing.  Would I have to call 9-1-1?  The church building was locked.  I fumbled to get the door open. 

I was at least somewhat in shock.

I rested and waited about ten minutes.  Nothing happened.  In fact, the pain of the stings was suddenly reduced by about 90%.  I was “gun shy” about going back outdoors, but finally, I stepped out.  I could see a few yellowjackets flying around.  I continued cutting up the tree but did not immediately drag any brush to the pile. 

Marty Rivera, a big 58-year-old Puerto Rican from Taylor Street came over to ask what I was doing.  He was shocked to hear about the yellowjackets and was also shocked to watch me doing this job with a small, inadequate saw. 

“It will take you forever that way!” he exclaimed.  “I’ll be right back.”

Marty returned with an ax and a machete.  In five minutes, he had the eighteen foot limb cut into five equal pieces.  He then took the machete and cut the brush into small pieces.  I dragged the stuff to the brush pile, but threw it onto the pile from a distance.  There’s NO WAY I was stepping on the pile.

Marty cautioned that the tree is a diseased tree.  We’ll have more trouble with it.  Certainly it would come down in a hurricane. 

“I could take the whole tree down in one day with my ax and machete!”  Marty proudly announced.  He probably could.  Maybe the church should hire a tree contractorto professionally cut it down and haul it away.  That will be a matter for our Board to discuss.

My Saturday had quite a start!  In all of the trouble, though, DID God perform a miracle and protect me from the effects of the yellowjacket stings?  I think so.

"EITHER OR..."

"... Surely thou art one of them: for thou are a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto." (from Mark 14:70)

On Wednesday afternoon's "Jay Severin Show" on Boston's FMTalk 96.9, Jay Severin played a sound bite from Hillary Clinton (in which she calls Barak Obama "irresponsible and naive").  After playing the cut, to my surprise, Jay seized upon Hillary's pronunciation of the word "either".  Hillary pronounced the word as "EEEther" (with a strong long E sound and no I sound).  Severin then emphatically stated that the correct pronunciation of "either" is  "I-ther" (with a strong long I sound and no E sound).  Jay Severin explained that "either" has a Germanic root and that therefore the correct pronunciation is "I-ther". 

I later asked my son Jon (who holds a B.A. in Writing from Emerson College) what the correct pronunciation of "either" is and Jon said, "Well, most people say 'EEEther' but the correct pronunciation is actually 'I-ther'.  I then checked with a dictionary.  In fact, it's a 1949 Random House Dictionary that I have, and it stated that the PREFERRED pronunciation is "EEEther" but that "I-ther" is an alternative and is the British pronunciation.  Out of curiosity, I looked up the word "neither."  The Random House dictionary also said that "nEEEther" is the PREFERRED pronunciation but that "n-I-ther" is an alternative and is the British pronunciation.

I'm just curious.  How you pronounce it?  Is it a big deal?  If we say "I-ther" does that make us kind of highbrow?  If we say "EEEther" does that make us kind of trailer trash?

THE DIET SODA THING

"... and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."  (from Galatians 5:1)

The story is on the front page of the (Framingham, MA) MetroWest Daily News for Tuesday, July 24, 2007:       "STUDY:  DIET SODA ALSO A RISK TO HEART".  Many of you probably read that story in the  MWDN or in some other newspapers.  The story was also prominently featured on the late night T.V. news on Monday night.

The thing that's STUNNED people (including objective scientists) is that diet soda which has ZERO calories is at least as harmful (causes at least as much weight gain, etc.) as sugared soda.

I was NOT surprised by the story. In fact, it confirmed something I'd received from the Internet.

About two months ago, my father-in-law forwarded a lengthy e-mail to me warning of the dangers of diet soda.  The problem is the ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER in the diet soda.  When I received my father-in-law's forwarded e-mail I was FASCINATED because just a few days before that I'd seen the profile of a 600 pound woman on one of those syndicated daytime T.V. shows.  The woman lives on practically nothing but diet soda.  The more diet soda she drinks, the fatter she gets.  My father-in-law's forwarded e-mail explained that the artificial sweetener contains MUCH harmful stuff.  One of the characteristics of this artificial sweetener is that it AFFECTS AND CHANGES your fat cell molecules so that they actually absorb and hold more fat!  Thus, you really WILL get fatter on diet soda than on regular soda.  Diet soda had been linked to numerous other health problems.  "Regular soda" is not good for you, but diet soda is MUCH worse!

I'm a HUGE soda drinker.  Up until two months ago, probably about one-third of the soda I drank was diet soda.  I have not had a diet soda in 8 weeks and I feel much better.  My wife was a much bigger diet soda drinker than I was and she's cut out all diet soda.

This week's news story only confirms my father-in-law's forwarded e-mail.

Word to the wise:  stop drinking diet soda- TOTALLY! 

FENWAY PARK VISIT

“In the beginning...” (from Genesis 1:1)

My wife’s brother, Donnie, works at Boston’s Fenway Park. Donnie has worked there since 1996 doing construction, renovations, repairs, and lots of “miscellaneous”. This past Saturday, Tim McCarthy from our church (and from Moody Optical in Ashland) and I went to Fenway Park. Not only did we attend the 3:55 game and watch the Red Sox beat the White Sox 11-2, but we were given a PRIVATE Fenway Park tour by Donnie at just after 10 a.m.

There were a couple of tour groups visiting the Park at the same time. The great thing about Donnie’s tour is that we got to go all sorts of
places that virtually nobody gets to go, including down on the field and INSIDE the scoreboard! There is SO much I could write about that I hardly know where to begin. For one thing, the “dirt areas” on the field area are really not dirt at all. The “dirt” is actually very finely ground red bricks. Originally, very fine ground stone was used, but the present owners like the finely ground red bricks (presumably for the “Red” Sox). The “ball”, “strike”, and “out” lights on the scoreboard are really red and green traffic lights. The national leagues figures have to be changed by hand. The numbers are on very heavy metal plates. A number of players have autographed the wall area inside the scoreboard.

Speaking of the “wall” we went to the seating area atop the “green monster”.

The “green monster” is 37 feet high. It is made of wood with metal inside. The original wall was built in 1947. The present wall is NOT the original wall. The present wall, a virtually exact copy of the original (which was starting to deteriorate) was built around 5 years ago. As a kid, I can remember Fenway Park being forest green. In fact, it WAS forest green in the past. Today a lighter shade of green is used.

I did not know that the present Fenway Park is actually 3 buildings
immediately adjacent to each other. One of the adjacent buildings was originally built in 1914 and was mainly an auto storage garage. There was an elevator lift to bring the cars to the various levels. These other buildings have largely been incorporated into Fenway as luxury seating areas, etc. Speaking of luxury seating areas, we got to go into the Coca-Cola luxury suite. There are a number of luxury suites. Each costs a mere $300,000 per year! There’s also a luxury “high end” elegant restaurant! We also visited the “Budweiser” area at the opposite end of the park which was large and impressive. Incidentally,Coca-Cola is one of a number of corporate sponsors. That makes it difficult for Donnie because as long as I’ve known him, he’s been addicted to Mountain Dew
(a Pepsico product!). I guess he just has to keep Mountain Dew away from work.

Donnie has had pleasant and unpleasant experiences at Fenway. Do you
remember the female concert goer (stoned out of her mind) who climbed up onto an overhang, fell, and was badly injured. Donnie was present. He says the worst part was NOT watching her fall but rather listening to the sound of her hitting the ground. It’s a miracle she lived!

I was struck by how much WATER Fenway Park uses. On Saturday morning, crews were hosing down everything outside, and I mean EVERYTHING. I also learned that the INDIVIDUAL lights on the light towers are EACH specifically aimed at an exact spot. Inspectors from M.L.B. come once a year to check that the lights are aimed EXACTLY right AND they measure the exact height of the grass!

Tim and I were not able to visit the Red Sox clubhouse because the players were there at the time. We DID get to see just about everything else, however. Saturday was like watching an episode of “Main Streets and Back Roads” on Chronicle, OR like watching a special episode of “Greater Boston”. The exciting thing is, this wasn’t T.V.- we were really there!

I almost forgot to tell you why I led this piece off with “In the
beginning...”.
It’s because that’s the only verse about baseball in the entire Bible. You
know, “In the big inning...”

YELLOW PAGES - WHO'S TO BLAME?

Longtime readers to this blog may recall that about 4 months ago I posted a piece indicating my frustration with Idearc/Verizon about advertising rates substantially increasing with very short notice.  Our church was considering "pulling" our advertising from the yellow pages at the time.  We DID pull it.  Today the new local phone book came out.  We SHOULD have had the "one free small print line" listing under "CHURCHES-ASSEMBLIES OF GOD".  I was really disturbed that we did not get that.  Our church has no listing in the new Idearc/Verizon Yellow Pages whatsoever.  (We DO have a line in the Independent  "Yellow Book".)  I'm sad and frustrated that First Assembly of God of Framingham has absolutely no listing in the local Idearc/Verizon yellow pages for the comng year.  I don't know if I should consider it THEIR fault or if I should consider it OUR CHURCH'S fault...or maybe both?  Below is word-for-word what I wrote today to Idearc Customer Service.  It will be interesting to see what they will have to say.  Bottom line- be very careful and thorough in dealing with Yellow Pages companies.  Make sure you're all "on the same page" (pun intended).


From:  Pastor Bob Baril
First Assembly of God of Framingham, MA
508-875-5030

To Whom it May Concern at Idearc Media,

I received my 2007-2008 Idearc/Verizon directories today and was extremely disappointed to find that our church did not even merit a small print one line listing in the yellow pages!

We had purchased an ad for a number of years.  In the Spring we were contacted (with VERY SHORT NOTICE) informing us that the directories were being consolodated and the rates were going up.  We were already running several months behind in our payments.  In fact, our Treasurer just wrote out a payment to you for what we owe this week.  Our Board met and certainly did not want to pay any more money for telephone directory advertising.  I felt that we should substantially reduce the ad- perhaps to just one block print line- but that we should not pull all advertising entirely.  But the price increase, the short notice, and the fact that we were falling seriously behind all contributed to the church Board's decision to totally drop the adfor the '07-'08  Idearc/Verizon directory.

I did inform the Idearc/Verizon rep. and I was told we'd still get the one free small print line.  I WAS SHOCKED THAT WE DID NOT EVEN GET THAT!

Ironically, today we also rec'd our latest "Yellow Book" directory.  In "Yellow Book" there IS a free small print one line for us under "CHURCHES- ASSEMBLIES OF GOD".

In Verizon/Idearc Directories in the future we SHOULD have a free small print one line under "CHURCHES-ASSEMBLIES OF GOD".... something like
First Assembly of God   32 South St. Fram   508-875-5030

We MAY choose to advertise in the '08-'09 directory.  In fact, I will encourage that with our Board to do so, although this omission by Idearc/Verizon MAY turn them off on Idearc/Verizon even more!

MINDI HAS A NEW BLOG

My friend and colleague, The Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, of First Baptist
Church in Framingham has a new blog. It's found at:

http://rev-o-lution.blogspot.com/

I hope you'll check it out.

AND for those of who who either live in Framingham, Massachusetts or have
ties to Framingham, I hope you'll also check out Michelle Swartz McElroy's blog
"This Is Framingham" at:

www.ThisIsFramingham.com

HURRYING

"For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the
time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem
the day of Pentecost." (Acts 20:16)

That verse comes from the old King James Version. It says "he hasted", but
you'll find that most "modern language versions" say "he was hurrying". I tend
to be a guy who hurries quite a bit, and over the years I've taken some flack
for that. I've been told that committed Christians should trust God and
shouldn't be in a hurry. The above verse shows that the Apostle Paul WAS in a hurry to get to Jerusalem. Was he incorrect to be in a hurry? Truthfully,
that's something serious Bible scholars disagree about.

This morning I saw the famous Christian conference speaker and teacher Joyce Meyer being interviewed on a Christian T.V. program. I only watched a brief clip of this interview, but what struck me is that she spoke about "hurrying" and said that while she's always tended to be a person that's in a hurry, she's not happy with all the hurrying and she's rethinking her lifestyle.

I'm one of the most fast-paced and time-disciplined people I know. I really
am. The Rev. Dick Germaine of Hopkinton tops me in those areas, but he's
one of the very few that does. For all of my fast-paced living and for all of
my time-discipline...well, sometimes it surprises me that the church I pastor
is so small and sometimes seems kind of "hokey" and that my

surroundings do not really present a "spit & polish" image. Through the years, I've watched clergy colleagues who present themselves as relaxed, laid-back, and even lackadaisical, and yet you could eat off the floors of their church buildings, and all of their church publicity materials look like they were prepared by a Fortune 500 company! You'll go into that colleague's home, and it's so perfect you wonder if anybody actually LIVES there. THEN the guy will tell you he's just finishing up his D.Min. degree or a second Master's or something, while he tells you about all the time he spends on the golf course.

I go back to my "to do" lists, my fast-pace, my exhaustion, and my hokey
looking surroundings and I wonder...how do these guys do it?

What got me thinking this way today? I really don't know, except that I need
to get back to my work because on a happy note I'm going tothe Red Sox game on Saturday! Thetickets were a gift. My brother-in-law has an important job in the Red Sox organization and in fact I'm getting a behind the scenes tour of Fenway on Saturday morning. I will report on my Fenway experience sometime next week.

And as far as my philosophizing, well if anybody's got any thoughts, I'm wide open!

WILL WHITEY LIVE?

"A time to be born, and a time to die..." (from Ecclesiastes 3:2)

Today, my daughter Rachel had an unfortunate experience with our 1993 Olds station wagon.  When she went to start it this morning, it would not start, and a "charge battery" light came on the dash.  Immediately following, smoke poured out from under the hood.

I later looked under the hood and the "serpentine belt" which essentially powers everything was off and broken.  I had to replace the serpentine belt in the Summer of 2000. At that time, there were other complications and the total bill was $213.  Lately the car has been making "funny noises".  Bill Lincoln at our church who is a mechanic has said he believed the Power Steering pumb was dying and soon to completely fail.

We got the 1993 Olds wagon in December of 1997.  For the past several years, 20-year-old Rachel has done 90% of the driving of the car we call "Whitey".  It's been great transportation for her back and forth from Westfield State College and around Framingham and Westfield.  We had a close call with Whitey awhile ago.  In September of 2005, Whitey broke down and became undriveable.  It sad broken down in our driveway from September of 2005 to August of 2006.  We had to put a new gas tank into Whitey and "sink some serious dough" into Whitey in August , September, and October of 2006.  Since then, Whitey's not been too bad. 

For us, money is a big issue.  If we have to take Whitey off the road and replace the car, no matter what, it's going to be a huge hit that we don't need.  On the other hand, if I have to spend more than $200-$300 to get Whitey back "alive" is it worth it?  Maybe not.

It's amazing how you can get attached to cars and how much you depend on cars.   I will have to have Bill Lincoln thoroughly look at Whitey in the near future.

Will Whitey live?

WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE SUCH JERKS?

"And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how
they chose out the chief rooms;" (from Luke 14:7)

We were able to have the yard sale in Canton on Saturday. The weather was
perfect. Overall it was a good day. We did not sell quite as much as we would
have liked to, BUT we DID sell quite a bit.

Although my giant bin full of antique Jeep parts did not draw any customers,
my license plates and automotive collectibles table did VERY well. I had put
out a mailing to my mailing list of "car nuts" to attractive them to the sale,
and for the second year in a row, the mailing worked well. I DID specify on
the mailing that I did not want any "early arrivals" before 8 a.m. and that
there would be no sales before 8 a.m.

At 7 a.m., as my sister and I were working hard and setting up, a guy around
58 years old pulled up. He claimed to be just coming home for work and said
he very much wanted to "at least LOOK at the stuff". I reluctantly let him
look. He immediately went to the most expensive and desirable stuff I had at the
auto collectibles table. "I want to buy ALL this stuff!" he said excitedly.
I told him he would have to wait until 8 a.m. He whined about it, and whined
about it. He tried and tried to get me to break my policy.

"Look," I told him, "I gave my word that I won't start until 8 and I won't
start until 8." He disgustedly drove off. By 7:55, there were 3 or 4 guys
"chafing at the bit" as it were to buy auto collectibles. I actually let the sale
begin at 7:58. At 7:59, the very first (pushy) guy came charging in. He was
practically GRABBING stuff out of other guys hands.

"I WANT THIS STUFF, I WAS HERE FIRST!" he yelled.
"No I was here first," another angrily replied.
"Well, technically he was here first at 7 a.m." I said, "but I think there
should be plenty of stuff for everybody."

There was then a lot of pushing about who's stuff would be added up first and
who could pay first, etc. The first guy (that I'm labeling a "jerk") did get
about 75% of the best items. Yes, he paid for them, but at the end of the
day, I had a sad feeling. I almost felt guilty about selling some of the stuff.

Money is tight for me, and often things are financially difficult. A sale
like this can mean that instead of going around looking for quarters, I can
actually do some eating out in restaurants and filling my cars up with gas and
just not have to worry about that kind of stuff. I WAS happy for the money I'd
made, but I realized, it wasn't that I was sad about selling the stuff...I was
sad that the 7 a.m. "jerk" had bought so much of the best stuff. A part of me
really DIDN'T want him to have it.

He couldn't follow the rules. He was pushy and selfish. Yes, he got some
valuable auto collectibles. He may well go on-line and sell the stuff for two
or even three times what he paid for it. But he has to live with himself and
he has to look at himself in the mirror. I would never want to be like that
guy.

I'm just venting, but WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE SUCH JERKS?

JUST SO Y'ALL KNOW

I know "y'all" seems very southern but I have a strong southwestern Missiouri connection, so I guess that sort of counts!

I'm a real stickler about how I want everything to look and come across on this blog and right now I'm not real happy with it, but it's due to circumstances beyond my control.

1.  Many of you know that about 2 months ago my home iMac computer decided to not let me post or edit anything on my blog.  This became a very frustrating situation.  After numerous calls to AOL technical services and to a computer geek who is an expert on Apple I just had to give up, and so I can't do anything with the blog on my home computer anymore.

2.  I then started posting and editing from the Framingham Public Library computers.  My initial experience with them was pretty good until just a few days ago.  For some reason, the computers at the library are suddenly 5 TIMES SLOWER than they used to be!  What used to take me about 4 minutes to do on a library computer now takes 20 minutes.  AND, just getting to the blog and posting on it is a nightmare. ... forget about editing entries.  That's why the entries seem sloppy and contain some extra "computer junk," etc.  I've even had great trouble setting my "mood" - that's why the Canton Yard Sale piece doesn't list a mood.

3.  Bottom line, I'm not going to stop blogging but it's gotten a lot harder for me!
The sloppiness in my blog entries is due to complications beyond my control!

FINALLY, we're hoping to have a brand new state-of-the-art computer at home by January 2008. In the meantime, we've got to just put up with this stuff!


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CANTON YARD SALE

From: RevRBaril@aol.com
Subject: CANTON YARD SALE

My sister is once again hosting a spectacular yard sale on Saturday, July 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or so).  (If it rains, it will not take place, although my understanding is that it's not expected to rain.)
You may know we inherited lots and lots of classic automobile memorabilia.  Some of that stuff will be for sale at "my" table.  (I know that stuff is of interest to a select market, and I've sent out a specific U.S. mailing and e-mailing to that market.)

You're welcome to come to 99 Independence St. Canton (cormer of Prospect and Independence Streets...near Sherman Street and Pleasant Street) just one mile from downtown Canton on Saturday, July 14.  I'd love to see you!


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MONDAY'S BOSTON HERALD

"And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the
land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols,
and among the people." (I Samuel 31:9)

I'm a subscriber to the MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, MA) but at least
two mornings a week, I buy a Boston Herald. I know the Herald is a struggling
tabloid, looked down upon by the Boston Globe and by the "literati" of the
metropolitan Boston area, but I learned some stuff in the Monday, July 9 Boston
Herald!

First, I was fascinated by the front page story, "FEATHERS FLY IN DUCK WAR".
I learned that there is now a copycat duck boat tour company in Boston. I've
taken the "real" duck tour with Boston Duck Tours and really enjoyed it. The
upstart company is "Super Duck Tours" of Charlestown, MA. Many tourists are
confused, assuming Super Duck Tours IS Boston Duck Tours, and even some locals
have been confused. Many of those who have taken the "Super Duck Tour" were
upset to learn that it was not the real thing. Boston Duck Tours is taking
the matter to court on Wednesday. I think the upstart company should have to
clearly say in it's advertising and promotional material something to the effect
of: "Not affiliated with the original Boston Duck Tour company".

Second, I learned from page 3 that Times Square Church (an independent
Pentecostal church in New York City's Times Square which is associated with the Rev.
David Wilkerson) is very upset because of billboards affixed to their
building featuring naked buttocks with smiling faces on them. That matter is also
going to court.

Third, I learned that people should really think carefully before switching
to Verizon FiOS. Now, please don't misunderstand. I'm a Verizon stockholder,
and it's very much in my interest for as many people as possible to sign up
for Verizon FiOS. Even so, the article on page 23 states that FiOS is much
more expensive than Verizon DSL and that when homeowners sign up for Verizon FiOS
their traditional copper phone lines are essentially cut forever. Some have
regretted their decision to sign up with Verizon FiOS.

Fourth, I learned from page 22 that a number of "expectant fathers" are
wearing "pregnancy empathy" suits to find out what their pregnant wives are going
through. I think that's a bit much, and although my wife and I attended
natural childbirth classes back in the 1980s, and I was present at the births of all
of my kids, I'd never have worn a "pregnancy empathy" suit.

The Herald also had stories about the fake cop who raped a woman in Randolph,
and about the number of babies who were born on 7/7/07. The "Inside Track"
has a piece about John Krasinski who is one of the stars of "The Office" and of
the film "License to Wed". I knew he was originally from Massachusetts, but
I did not know he'd actually been a camp counselor in Wayland, MA. I also got
the latest news about Clay Aiken's incident on a recent Continental Airlines
flight and about Avril Lavigne being sued for (supposedly) stealing the
lyrics to one of her latest songs.

I'd say all of the above information was worth the 50 cents I spent for
Monday's Boston Herald!

DYS 'n 'dat

(I have sent this to a number of people that I know and I decided to also post this on my blog.)

Many reading this are connected in some way to a school or a church- you particularly may be able to be of help in a very practical way.

DYS is an overhead projector bulb that is now very difficult to get.
Specifically it’s the small DYS halogen 600 watt, 120 volt overhead projector bulb. They were made by Apollo.

Our little church has not “graduated” to “Power Point” yet. (Sometimes I think some of us are too dependent upon Power Point, but that’s a matter for another time.) Our (circa 1988) overhead projector works fine and is still a great tool.

Up until around 2004, the bulbs were easily available at any Staples store.
I’d always have at least one spare bulb available in case the projector bulb
blew at an inopportune time. In mid-2004, I went to Staples to purchase a DYS overhead projector bulb only to learn the store no longer carried them in stock. I was told I could call a toll free number and have a bulb shipped.
Between 2004 and 2006, I ordered 2 or 3 bulbs from Staples’ toll free number which were always delivered within a couple of days. A couple of weeks ago, the overhead projector bulb blew out. We replaced it with the spare bulb we had on hand. I called Staples toll-free number and learned that Staples no longer
carries them. I was given the name of a supplier to call. I called the supplier, but I was told I could not order them because they only sell them to retailers. I was also told the price of the bulbs have gone up...now $32 (at one time were around Hi! (I’m sending this to a number of people that I know and I will also be posting this on my blog.) Many reading this are connected in some way to a school or a church- you particularly may be able to be of help in a very practical way. DYS is an overhead projector bulb that is now very difficult to get. Specifically it’s the small DYS halogen 600 watt, 120 volt overhead projector bulb. They were made by Apollo. Our little church has not “graduated” to “Power Point” yet. (Sometimes I think some of us are too dependent upon Power Point, but that’s a matter for another time.) Our (circa 1988) overhead projector works fine and is still a great tool. Up until around 2004, the bulbs were easily available at any Staples store. I’d always have at least one spare bulb available in case the projector bulb blew at an inopportune time. In mid-2004, I went to Staples to purchase a DYS overhead projector bulb only to learn the store no longer carried them in stock. I was told I could call a toll free number and have a bulb shipped. Between 2004 and 2006, I ordered 2 or 3 bulbs from Staples’ toll free number which were always delivered within a couple of days. A couple of weeks ago, the overhead projector bulb blew out. We replaced it with the spare bulb we had on hand. I called Staples toll-free number and learned that Staples no longer carries them. I was given the name of a supplier to call. I called that supplier, but I was told I could not order them because they only sell them to retailers. I was also told the price of the bulbs have gone up...now $32 (at one time were around $18-$20). I’m aware that a number of churches and schools have either replaced their older overhead projectors with new ones or they have replaced their older overhead projectors with Power Point. There may be DYS 600 watt, 120 volt halogen bulbs laying around on shelves in schools and churches which someone like me could really use. (Warning: the bulbs are usually kept in clear plastic cases. NEVER touch them with your bare hands or the acid from your hand will ruin the bulb.) If someone has a small DYS 600 watt, 120 volt halogen bulb which you’d like to donate to our church. we’d be most grateful. Our mailing address is: FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD, P.O. BOX 4702, FRAMINGHAM,MA 01704. For shipping, use my residence: Rev. Bob Baril, 40 Harrison ST, Framingham, MA 01702. I can be reached at my office at 508-875-5030. Maybe you DON’T have any DYS 600 watt 120 volt bulbs but you might know someone who does. Would you please e-mail that person and ask them to check out this blog entry? Thank you.

HOME AGAIN

"... I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (from Philippians 4:11)

My daughter Rachel and I arrived home on Tuesday night.  I'm happy to report that the drive home from Missouri went well- it was very different from the ride TO Missouri!

Time would fail me to tell ALL about the trip.  We DID get to go to Silver Dollar City in Branson, but did NOT get to visit Silver Dollar City's "Marvel Cave".  This was VERY disappointing for my daughter Rachel.  Most of the time we were there, the cave tours were closed.  We DID have fun at Springfield, Missouri's Bass Pro Shop.  Visiting Bass Pro in Springfield (their "Store Number One") is an "experience"!

Back here at home, we attended the Natick 4th of July Parade on Wednesday morning.  I always enjoy the Natick Parades and this year's was great, as always.

I made the mistake of joining my wife for a grocery shopping trip on Wednesday at Noontime.  I guess the folks back in the pre-1980 era had the right idea to have supermarkets closed on major holidays!  Without going into a lot of detail, I had a real bad experience at this supermarket.  I won't tell you which supermarket it was, but I absolutely regretted going.  We usually shop at the crack of dawn to avoid crowds and foolishness.  Today only confirmed that shopping at the crack of dawn is a VERY good idea!   After a week in the amazingly friendly and polite Midwest, I'm finding the Boston-area rudeness kind of hard to take.  I wish we New Englanders could be more like the people in those "middle America red states" but I guess I have to learn to be content where I am, as the Apostle Paul admonishes in Philippians 4!

Anyway, I'm back!