How stories do their work on us: “Real life doesn’t always feel like a great adventure. Sometimes doing the right thing is rather dull. Great adventure stories remind us that in the end, the choices we make every day are the stuff of greatness. The world is changed by people who choose to tell the truth, to show kindness, to be courageous.”
The Sum of Good Government
“A wise and frugal government … shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.” – Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801
More like this at Sweetness & Light. (via Rush Limbaugh)
Coffee Inspired Volunteers
Ten thousand Starbucks employees are helping rebuild New Orleans‘ parks, schools, and houses while in town for a convention. “This is the largest single volunteer corporation effort I’ve ever seen, and I’ve worked with hundreds of corporations,” one community leader said.
Gathered from the Heedless Winds
I’ve been posting hymns from Martin Luther this week as we approach the anniversary of his nailing a few disagreements to the door of a new Wittenberg church, thus making him the world’s first blogger.
I wish I could give you the melodies for these, because I’m sure they carry the words better than their rhythm alone. This one is a sober hymn which needs a quiet tune to bring it home.
Flung to the heedless winds
Or on the waters cast,
The martyrs’ ashes, watched,
Shall gathered be at last.
And from that scattered dust,
Around us and abroad,
Shall spring a plenteous seed
Of witnesses for God.
The Father hath received
Their latest living breath,
And vain is Satan’s boast
Of victory in their death.
Still, still, though dead, they speak,
And, trumpet-tongued, proclaim
To many a wakening land
The one availing Name.
Discovered: “Vast Copper Mine” in Jordan
The 10th century mine could be one of King Solomon’s mines. That is super cool.
Vikings and global peace
Ah me. I haven’t got much tonight. But I figure you probably gave up on last night’s long post half-way through. So just go back and finish it. I’ll wait.
Meanwhile, I share this link to a trailer for an independent movie that looks very much like a straight-to-DVD deal. It’s about Vikings. I only know about it because they took out a full-page ad in the last Sons of Norway magazine.
I can’t find any information on the site about how to order the thing, but I have the addresses if you want them. I can send them to you if you e-mail me.
Personally I think I’ll pass it by. I can smell the cheese, even through my computer monitor. Continue reading Vikings and global peace
Music Influences You
As if you didn’t know, LiveScience has the goods on it.
For all you gym rats, here is exactly what listening to music does for your workout, Karageorghis said. First, it reduces your perception of how hard you are working by about 10 percent during low-to-moderate intensity activity. (During high intensity activity, music doesn’t work as well because your brain starts screaming at you to pay attention to physiological stress signals).
Secondly, music can have a profound influence on mood, potentially elevating the positive aspects of mood, such as vigor, excitement and happiness, and reducing depression, tension, fatigue, anger and confusion.
Thirdly, music can be used to set your pace . . .
Mary DeMuth Writes Amish Suspense
The story of Rachel Yoder’s angst, murder, and the years of cover-up by Mary DeMuth, budding Amish crime novelist. “Rachel suddenly couldn’t find her voice. Hearing Stephen sounding so sinister choked it from her. He didn’t sound like his simple Amish self! She moaned again.”
Not only evil, but morons
Associated Press reports the arrest of two skinheads who planned to go on a killing spree, targeting black people, and finally to assassinate Barack Obama, wearing white tuxedos and top hats.
Way to demonstrate the old racial superiority, there, guys.
“Thine over all shall be the praise”
From Luther’s hymn, “May God Bestow on Us His Grace”
Oh, let the people praise Thy worth,
In all good works increasing;
The land shall plenteous fruit bring forth,
Thy Word is rich in blessing.
May God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit bless us!
Let all theworld praise Him alone,
Let solemn awe possess us.
Now let our hearts say, Amen.