Good News From Mary January 27, 2009

The Distinguishing Mark of Christianity

Jesus is Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3) is the distinguishing article of Christianity and marks the essential confession of faith (Romans 10:9). Jesus proclaimed it to His disciples, His enemies, and His casual inquirers alike-and He refused to tone down its implications.

The expression "Lord" (kurios) speaks of ownership, while "Master/Lord" (despotes) denotes an unquestionable right to command (John 13:13; Jude 4). Both words describe a master with absolute dominion over someone else. That explains Jesus' incredulity at the practice of those who paid homage to Him with their lips but not with their lives: "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).

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No worries on board ice-bound cruise ship

A cruise ship carrying nearly 400 people has been stuck in thick ice in the St. Lawrence River in Eastern Canada for over a day, but passengers are nonetheless having a "festive" time, the company that owns the vessel said Tuesday.

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US Airways passengers get $5,000 each; is it enough?

Many US Airways passengers who endured a crash landing in the Hudson River 12 days ago say they appreciate the $5,000 that the airline has offered — but some say it's not enough.

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Ice Storm Hits Midwest, Cutting Power Lines

A powerful winter storm cut through the Southern Plains Tuesday, leaving a dangerous mix of ice and snow on roads across Texas and the Midwest.

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Auschwitz Survivors Mark 64 Years Since Concentration Camp's Liberation

In the depths of the Polish winter, Auschwitz survivors and government officials marked the 64th anniversary of the Nazi death camp's liberation Tuesday as part of worldwide Holocaust remembrance ceremonies.

The yearly commemoration honors the day the advancing Soviet army liberated the camp in 1945. The anniversary has been established as an annual Holocaust remembrance day by the United Nations.

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Good Vibes, Bad Vibes: Obama's First 72 Hours

"No matter who we voted for in the presidential election, many of us—perhaps most of us—felt a patriotic pride in seeing America’s first African American president take the oath of office. As Peggy Noonan wrote in the Wall Street Journal, 'There was a low-key patriotic fervor” on Inauguration Day, and as Obama was sworn in, children who were watching “must have picked up this: Anything is possible in America.'”

Read Chuck Colson's full commentary here."


Bats' surprising behavior

"Researcher finds their health is more apt to take wing if they live under bridges than in caves, and they handle the stress of noise just fine after awhile."

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The eighth baby was the surprise

"A team of 46 doctors, nurses and surgical assistants at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center meticulously planned the births for weeks. As the date approached, they held two practice runs. They didn't want any surprises. But they got one anyway Monday morning when it came time for the delivery."

Click here to read about the historic delivery.


Ballet company's performances at NOCCA will have an international flavor

"On his previous visit to New Orleans, as a dancer with the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Benoit Swan-Pouffer broke his foot on stage and continued to dance."

Leap into the rest of the story here.


A new page of bicycle racing history

"The Amgen Tour of California bicycle race begins in Sacramento Feb. 14, featuring some of the world's best teams and riders, including Lance Armstrong. A new Web page dedicated to race coverage includes, among other features, an interactive contest for picking winning times."

Race over to check out the information here.


In Orange County of the 1950s, a lifelong friendship began

"It is possible, of course, for friendships to be eternal. Who can say whether it's chemistry or karma or some magic combination of the two, but when you have one, you know it. Doesn't have to be defined or explained, it's just something belonging to you and someone else that can't be sold or traded away."

Follow the friendship here.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Good News Posts from Margaret

Steelers Owner Dan Rooney Turns His Business Into a Family

"Draw a straight line between the goalposts at either end of Heinz Field, extend it south, and you’ll find that they line up directly with the fountain at the Point, where this city’s three rivers meet — a happy symmetry probably lost on the Terrible Towel-waving hordes attending Steelers games. The axis was Dan Rooney’s idea, and in addition to its implicit civic gesture, there is another, more private geometry at work: follow the line in the other direction and it runs right into Rooney’s house, as if his life, the life of the Steelers and the life of Pittsburgh were aligned."

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Netflix 4Q profit up 45 pct, defying recession (AP)

"Netflix Inc.'s fourth-quarter profit climbed 45 percent to surpass analysts' estimates Monday, propelled by the widening appeal of its relatively inexpensive DVD rental and Internet streaming service during a budget-crimping recession."

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Spring Rose Care

"Growing roses is not as difficult as we’ve been lead to believe. Roses will keep growing and blooming even if gardeners neglect them entirely. But they do benefit from some TLC and the efforts you make in caring for your roses in the early spring will mean that many fewer problems to tend to during the growing season."

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Fewer Calories, Better Memory?

"Cutting calories may help older adults better remember items on a grocery list or the name of someone they just met, a study shows."

Read more about this study here...


Winter exercise possible if precautions are taken

"When exercising outdoors during cold winter months, it is important to take special precautions.

In the cold, the arteries in the heart constrict and blood pressure rises, increasing the potential for a heart attack. This is especially true for senior citizens and those with cardiovascular disease."

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Do You Believe Jesus Wants to Heal You?

"While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' And immediately the leprosy left him (Luke 5:12-13)."

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