July 6, 2009 — 11:16 AM

The straight sermon

Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity of preaching and celebrating Communion with the congregation of First Presbyterian Church in Alameda, CA. I know the Rev. Jack Buckley, the pastor there. As he was planning time away over the summer he invited me to come and fill the pulpit during one of his Sundays away.

This makes the third sermon I've written in a month's time. And as I was finishing up my final edits, I realized that I didn't use one bit of humor in the whole sermon. That was surprising to me. I always use at least a little bit of humor in my sermons. And sometimes the whole deal is pretty humorous (if I do say so myself!). So to write a whole sermon without even one little remark meant to lighten things up a bit was definitely off the beaten track for me.

I gave the sermon that came to me. It was built on an idea that struck me on the very first reading of the texts. I really don't know why it was so serious. I'm going to have to think about that some more. It's not that serious sermons are a bad thing, it's just different. See for yourself: Can I have Option A?

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June 26, 2009 — 8:43 PM

Cycling in SF just got better (sort of)

Today, plans to improve bicycle lanes citywide were finally approved. Yay! Now cycling will get a whole lot easier.

But not so fast!

The man who, along with two other groups, stalled the whole process by suing to have an environmental impact study done on them is not through yet. You read that right, an environmental impact study was necessary to create and improve bicycle lanes around the city. Who knew that bikes are bad for the environment? I had no idea!

45 of the 46 projects in this plan were approved after the EIR was completed and filed. I think that proves that indeed they are not. But the man who held things up before is not done yet. He's suing to stall the projects even further. One man is mucking up life for the thousands upon thousands of people who ride their bikes throughout the city.

Rob Anderson has said he will appeal the decision to the Board of Supervisors. Here's hoping they don't let this one voice shout down the will of so many of their constituents. Get over yourself Mr. Anderson. Cycling is a very real piece of the fabric of San Francisco and improving the roads to accommodate them is the right thing to do.

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