24 Event this Friday & Saturday!

Come one come all to the PA Statewide 24!

I am currently securing a 2nd mortgage to finance a Cheesesteak Challenge for 2 very special intercessory families – that’s 9 cheesesteaks. Hopefully we have a bunch of pictures and stuff of this joyful occasion.

Philadelphia Dead-Raising & Nuptuals: Ben & Betsy

Ralph Archbold takes a fine woman home

Well half of this is true at least – Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross have gotten hitched. I saw it yesterday before the Philly Pops concert. My girlfriend spotted the opportunity and we showed up for it. The pops played some great tunes – “Indiana Jones” theme (hers) and of course “Rocky” (mine). Mayor Nutter officiated on a platform in front of Independence Hall.

Actually Ben & Betsy are pretty decomposed by now, 300 years after they roamed these streets. This couple is the closest resemblance we have to them. I heard they met on match.com.

Cheesesteak at the Philly Film Festival

My girlfriend and I will be attending the following film this weekend.  It promises to be an exceptionally informative and delicious evening.  Please read below, and check out the show if you can.  I am glad that the movie industry is prophesying about cheesesteak, although some might call this a minor abomination of desolation, what with all the calories you receive from such a tasty treat.

Catch this collection of three short films celebrating our collective obsessions: Rocky and cheesesteaks! — Scott Johnston

This Program includes the short(s):

Rocky Jumped a Park Bench
( USA, 2008, 20 min , Matthew Von Manahan, James Rolfe )

The never-ending franchise has created its own myths in this city, and with tongue set firmly in cheek this short doc dares to find the truth by visiting the one true neighborhood of Rocky — every “one true neighborhood” of Rocky. Even if Rocky is fictitious, his mythology is not.

Frankie13 vs the World
( USA, 2007, 25 min , James Eowan, Douglas Shaffer )

Like his hero Rocky, Frankie13 is a man with a dream, only his sport is far more dangerous: Rock Paper Scissors! Franki devotes his time to being the best at his chosen sport. With an upcoming Philly regional competition looming, he prepares to dominate the field and perhaps get to the international competition in Canada.

This Is My Cheesesteak
( USA, 2008, 40 min , Ben Daniels )

In this town, fist-fights have erupted, friendships have been destroyed and families have been brought together over their chosen steak. While this film covers the sandwich’s rise to glory, the focus here is on Philly’s cheesesteak elite, from the lovable Tony Luke Jr. to the controversial icon, Joey Vento, and every major player in between. The result is a portrait of this city’s devotion and a terrific documentary for viewers wit’ or wit’out a love of steaks.

Eye of the Tiger, Thrill of the Fight (Trailer)

Partially shot on the familiar steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this upcoming feature dramatizes a locally-set reality TV series that leaves several people dead. This preview will whet your appetite.

Cheesesteak Challenge: A Scriptural Defense

Several of us from the Philly area went out yonder (6 hours yonder) to near the Ohio state line in order to join with 6 other Houses Of Prayer in PA. Special thanks to Dennis and Ralph at the Altar HOP in Meadville for pulling off something unpredented in recent history around here.

We had ourselves a blast, what with all our declarations, proclamations, and other utterances. At one point our generous team even had an altar call of sorts for anyone who would like to try to beat the living tar out of the timpani in the front and obliterate the worship band’s rhythmic cohesion in the process.

Yet at one point in the weekend, my disciples came unto me saying something like, “why dost thou offerest the cheesesteak challenge, whilst Jamie’s disciples fast?” And verily I did speak, saying the same:

Did not our Lord speak, saying that we shouldst use our mammon to make ourselves friends amongst the heathen? So that they might find the truth and have eternal rewards?

And should I not use my resources to recognize and reward those, yea those even in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, who do not cease to pray night and day for the harvest?

And is not the Cheesesteak a principality over our city? And are not those who partake of its gluttonies in need of deeper soul food? Are not its proprietors and workers themselves members of an Unreached People Group?

Yet I was somewhat reviled at first, until I was able to find said passage in Luke 16:9.

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Now, it DID take me a few minutes to find the scripture, without being distracted by taunts and false lifelines (“maybe it’s in Hezekiah 2:14!” “have you tried Isaiah 67?”) but in the end the scripture was proclaimed, and my detractors were silenced.

And then we all discovered the local Steak & Shake, which almost none of us had ever seen before.

Effectual Fervent Prayer… Availeth Much in Philly

Well the city hasn’t exactly erupted in revival yet… (and I’m glad about that… frankly could we handle more than 100 disciples here per week or month for that matter?) but ONE prayer has been answered. And I believe that it is a sort of firstfruits (or first-burrito, if you will) that many more of my prayers will be answered.

Chipotle is opening its THIRD store in the Philadelphia region soon. Bucks County. (unfortunately Upper Bucks rather than Lower Bucks where I live) This is a blessed day for the City of Love – and I’m lovin’ those burritos.

What better way to minister God’s love, and the heart of the Father than to abduct a recent father, trapped and overwhelmed by domestic responsibility, and drag the poor soul to the local Chipolte. This is exactly what I did to my brother-in-law, the man responsible for making me an uncle.

I sat him down and bought this man a burrito. He deserved it. I even got him some Guac for him and my sister. They are a bit on the high maintenance side where culinary stuff is concerned, so I did have my doubts that Chipolte would breeze through – but they both proclaimed it of the highest caliber available in the Philadelphia region. They proclaimed that they have never tasted Guac of such caliber.

Jack Stack Challenge – IHOP 2.0 Trip

I’m packing up for the Joseph Company’s “Cities of Refuge” conference at the IHOP.

Will be in town for a shorter trip than last time – from Thursday the 18th to Sunday the 21st. I’m happy to sit down & buy CBB commenters a coffee or juice drink but have less availability for dinner… with at least one exception:

The soul who can give me a lift from the airport circa 5pm Thursday the 18th will win dinner at the fabled Jack Stack’s for him/herself and a friend/spouse/significant other. It’s the least I can do. Leave a comment to be eligible. The runner-up comments at least get a free drink in the coffeehouse.

Ironically I am also packing up for a move to the Princeton area for the new job I start immediately afterward. Been in the Philadelphia city limits for just over 1 year at this point and it looks like God’s moving me exactly halfway between Philly and New York City.

The challenge is on! Comment to win!

Trivia Question:

How much is the fine for 5 DVDs in the Philadelphia library system that are overdue by 24 hours or less? You get 3 guesses, Sherlock.