It was two years ago today, July 4th, 2006, Independence Day, that Shuck and Jive began. Here is the first post. I didn't post anything for a month though, and started the shuckin' and jivin' with this post. But today (as I make my 1275th post) is the official birthday of Shuck and Jive. Thanks to all of you bloggers, linkers, and lurkers. It is and will continue to be interesting!
First Presby, Bill, wrote me an e-mail in response to my post earlier today Is Christmas Political? In response to Will Spotts summary of my theology, Bill wrote:I thoroughly enjoyed Supplement A. I think your theological views are extremely refreshing and germane for the 21st century. Maybe we can finally get out of the Dark Ages we have been stuck in for centuries. Have you considered hiring this guy as your PR front man? He is really good at picking out the meaty, thought provoking points. The collection of points is good for hours of contemplation for people who are not afraid of free thought, free will, enlightenment. This stage of my life is the ONLY time I ever wanted to go to church and it is because I finally have validation for the religious perspective that I developed myself in a vacuum. I finally have a community! Thanks, Bill! Glad you have found us and we you! I have to say that I am flattered that Mr. Spotts took the time to outline my theology, complete with
The Name That Shuck contest has ended. Here are the results:Fifty-three people surveyed...Top four answers on the board...Here is the tally...Demonically Possessed Defiance 7%A Secular Humanist in Sheep's Clothes 24%Left-Leaning Gadfly 28%A Full-Fledged Child of the Enlightenment 39%Yes, I am a Full-Fledged Child of the Enlightenment! I kind of like that.I have added some pics from folks in our congregation and links and other stuff to the right of this blog. Enjoy!
We have had fun naming the New Whiners. Now is your opportunity to name the Shuck!These are selected from recent letters in Presbyweb and the Layman. In addition to offensive, mocker, blasphemer, heretic, and apostate, some of the names were quite clever.Go to the poll at the right and vote your favorite description for John Shuck from these four: Demonically Possessed Defiance (Layman, Oct. 12) A Secular Humanist in Sheep's Clothes (Layman, Oct. 12) Left-Leaning Gadfly (Layman, Oct. 12) A Full-Fledged Child of the Enlightenment (Presbyweb, Aug. 14)Happy Voting!
Ever read Shuck Comics? It sounds eerily close to home, especially as my loyal opposition describes me. Here is a description of the main character, Shuck:Shuck is a devil, retired in a small town, trying to stay out of trouble. Disguised as the neighborhood handyman, Shuck gets in adventures with the precocious little girl Thursday Friday, untangling the town from discord he unknowingly brought with him from Hell.Mirror Image?
Alberta is one big sandy irritant, well at least that’s what Al Gore would have you believe. I’ve been hearing a lot from Mr. Gore recently about the oil sands and their role in contributing to global warming.First and foremost I think we as Canadians care about the environment and have always taken the steps needed to protect our beautiful country. Secondly, in my opinion the off shoot of the economic world growth, especially in China and India, will ultimately help improve living conditions around the world and over time, better equip us as a global community to deal with climate changes as well as decrease global warming.Alberta is an irritant, just not the kind Mr. Gore implies. As a kid I remember going to Hawaii and on every street corner there were Hawaiians selling oysters from big icy barrels. They were something like 3 for $5, maybe more I can’t remember exactly. You had a chance to grab an oyster with a pearl in it. Every tourist bought them. Sure enough, every time, y
I have been checking out a few other blogs as well as the Layman and so forth. My name appears every now and then as a supposed example of everything that is wrong in our denomination. I have been taken out of context, misrepresented, and slandered. In these blogs and letters to editors, people have been urged to contact denominational officials to do something about me--the heretic. But I don't take it personally. Because it isn't about me. There is a power struggle in this denomination. Some clergy want to leave the denomination and take the presbytery's property with them. Others want control over the denomination. There are two tactics. The first is to encourage sessions to withhold funds in order to dry up the presbyteries, general assembly and staff. The second tactic attempts to paint the denominational leaders as apostate. Here is how that works:Rather than charge me with doing something wrong, which they certainly could do...Rather than actually meet
As I checked my site meter this morning I was surprised to find a number of referrals from the Wall Street Journal. In a review about a book by Christopher Levenick, The Political Teachings of Jesus, Shuck and Jive was linked as a blog with something to say about this topic. The link was to my latest post in my conversation with Bob.The staff at Shuck and Jive is all a twitter. I have to confess, I don't read the Wall Street Journal too often, although I do enjoy the swimsuit edition. It is proving to be quite a week for Shuck and Jive. First a RevGalPal and now a Wall Street Pal! And I don't even have a portfolio!
Last month I posted a story about the Devil Dog Black Shuck, a local legend in the area I grew up.This weekend I came home to have mum read a story from the local newspaper, it would seem that Shuck may become a little better known as there is talk of making a film based on the legend.Shuck the Movie has drummed up interest from both Working Title, the multi million pound studio that released hits such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones, and more recently Hot Fuzz, and Handmade Films, behind Withnail and I and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.It's not certain yet if the studios will take it on but they are showing interest, at the moment the film is £50,000 shy of it's £180,000 target. The story will be based on the original Blythburgh story based in 1577.
Being a non-laptop owner, I am going to relax without the computer. I am attending the Westar Spring Meeting in Miami. So no shuckin and jivin for a week or so (unless of course there is some kind of computer set up--but I hope not) as I need a break from this addiction. There is a world out there!Peace,JohnP.S. Here is a pic--something to remember me by
