Saturday Notes

• Hey, Dan isn't the only post-adolescent on Xanga. I just discovered that high octane Alex McManus is over there, too.
  
  
• The community plan for the area around UC Merced
  
  
• We've finally gotten some structure and order to the website that will be the home to Cheryl's music. So far we've uploaded three songs. We're inching forward.
  
  
• Last year, First Baptist Church in Euless, Texas (literally a few blocks from where we lived until moving back to California 10 years ago) spent more money on their July 4th service than on Easter or Christmas. "Marines rappelled into the sanctuary, church members in uniform stuck rifles and helmets into a Styrofoam grave site made by a Broadway set designer, and indoor fireworks exploded over a packed house in back-to-back services."
  
  We have a slightly different understanding of what worship should look like. Tomorrow, we'll thank God for our nation and pray for our leaders (as we do weekly) but we will attempt to keep our focus on God rather than country (as wonderful as our country is). Sorry -- no rappelling marines or indoor fireworks. However, on Monday evening we're going to do a tail-gate party on the church grounds -- sitting around for a few hours -- grilling, eating, playing games, and chatting as we wait for the fireworks display at the university just down the street. It won't cost the church a dime. Drop by if you're in the neighborhood.