Girl with Guitar
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Good News From Mary Feb. 18, 2009
Adopting Me: An Adopted Child Shares His Perspective
The day was no different than any other. It was the fall semester of my sophomore year in college; the changing colors of the leaves against the backdrop of weathered stone buildings made the walk to my dorm seem like a stroll through a promotional brochure for the university. I scanned my ID card to enter my residence hall, unlocked my room, and closed the door behind me.
Then I opened the letters from my birthmother for the first time.
Click here to read the rest of this story
Prayer: What the Guy in the Pew Wishes the Pastor Knew
n the last couple of years, I have become a Pew-Spud. If people who occupy their time sprawled in front of the television are couch-potatoes, it figures that those who spend their Sundays soaking up sermons in church auditoriums are pew-spuds. And after over 40 years of pastoring, I have become one. It's not all bad. In fact, I'm enjoying it, even though I still relish the opportunity to preach.
I keep reminding our pastors that when I drop in on their services, I come as a worshiper and not as a critic or advisor or their mentor. I come as a fellow believer. I consider myself a good audience for a preacher. I want him to do well, I pray for him and work at listening.
But, I'm about to violate that unspoken contract with our pastors. I need to tell you something that weighs heavily on my heart. Pastor, you need to give some thought to what you say from the pulpit. No, I'm not referring to the sermon. You seem to be doing well on that. I'm talking about what you say to the Lord, your prayers in the worship service.
Click here to read the rest of this story.
Events recall WWII Japanese detentions
Kristine Minami was in college before she learned that her father, grandmother and uncle had been essentially jailed by the U.S. government for the crime of being Japanese.
The detention of 120,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II was not discussed in Minami's household. She learned about it in the 1980s through the National Day of Remembrance, which was observed around the country Thursday.
Click here to read the rest of this story.
Danton wreck found in deep water
A French battleship sunk in 1917 by a German submarine has been discovered in remarkable condition on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea.
Click here to read the rest of this story.
The mystery of Ireland's worst driver
Details of how police in the Irish Republic finally caught up with the country's most reckless driver have emerged, the Irish Times reports.
Click here to read the rest of this story and a good laugh!
Good News for February 19 (posted by Mary Beth)
Wal-Mart Foundation donates $75,000 to World Vision
"Wal-Mart Foundation has teamed up with World Vision to help families in impoverished Chicago communities by providing them with clothing, toiletries and household items through their Family Essentials Program. This program provides support to unemployed women who are searching for a job."
More on the partnership is awaiting you here.
Campbell's changing tomato soup recipe to lower sodium content
"Campbell's tomato soup is one of the top 10 grocery items purchased each week in America, according to its manufacturer. The company announced Wednesday that it has reformulated its century-old recipe to contain just 480 milligrams of sodium per serving, a level considered healthy under federal guidelines, company spokeswoman Juli Mandel Sloves said Wednesday."
Get the rich and steaming details here.
Southwest to serve Logan International Airport by fall
"Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. said it plans to begin flying out of Logan International Airport by the fall, a long-awaited move that could drive down airfares for Boston passengers."
You'll find the rest of the story here.
'Revolutionary Road': Narcissism as Virtue
"Moviegoers are flocking to see their favorite stars from Titanic, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, reunited on the silver screen. But what the Oscar-nominated film Revolutionary Road serves up—and certainly what the critics are eating up—is rank, vile narcissism at its epic worst."
Chuck Colson continues his commentary here.
Wild West, family style
"Throughout five decades, a small unassuming western clothing store has sold countless cowboy hats, boots and belt buckles to generations of area residents -- and made numerous lifelong friends in the process."
Learn more about the success of this family business here.
Joe Icet's life is a field of greens
"In the early ’90s, as Joe Icet’s divorce was going down, he was sick of his life. He didn’t have many friends. Tired all the time, he spent weekends resting so he could drag his sorry self to work on Monday. He worked in Baytown, repairing chemical plants’ refrigerator systems. That job left him as unsatisfied as the meals he microwaved."
Learn how Joe changed his life AND made a difference here.
Amid the grieving, a rare act of sportsmanship
"The coach never considered any other option. It didn't matter that his DeKalb, Ill., High School basketball team had ridden a bus two and a half hours to get to Milwaukee, then waited another hour past game time to play. Didn't matter that the game was close, or that this was a chance to beat a big city team."
Click here to read the story behind an act of true sportsmanship and compassion.
"Wal-Mart Foundation has teamed up with World Vision to help families in impoverished Chicago communities by providing them with clothing, toiletries and household items through their Family Essentials Program. This program provides support to unemployed women who are searching for a job."
More on the partnership is awaiting you here.
Campbell's changing tomato soup recipe to lower sodium content
"Campbell's tomato soup is one of the top 10 grocery items purchased each week in America, according to its manufacturer. The company announced Wednesday that it has reformulated its century-old recipe to contain just 480 milligrams of sodium per serving, a level considered healthy under federal guidelines, company spokeswoman Juli Mandel Sloves said Wednesday."
Get the rich and steaming details here.
Southwest to serve Logan International Airport by fall
"Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. said it plans to begin flying out of Logan International Airport by the fall, a long-awaited move that could drive down airfares for Boston passengers."
You'll find the rest of the story here.
'Revolutionary Road': Narcissism as Virtue
"Moviegoers are flocking to see their favorite stars from Titanic, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, reunited on the silver screen. But what the Oscar-nominated film Revolutionary Road serves up—and certainly what the critics are eating up—is rank, vile narcissism at its epic worst."
Chuck Colson continues his commentary here.
Wild West, family style
"Throughout five decades, a small unassuming western clothing store has sold countless cowboy hats, boots and belt buckles to generations of area residents -- and made numerous lifelong friends in the process."
Learn more about the success of this family business here.
Joe Icet's life is a field of greens
"In the early ’90s, as Joe Icet’s divorce was going down, he was sick of his life. He didn’t have many friends. Tired all the time, he spent weekends resting so he could drag his sorry self to work on Monday. He worked in Baytown, repairing chemical plants’ refrigerator systems. That job left him as unsatisfied as the meals he microwaved."
Learn how Joe changed his life AND made a difference here.
Amid the grieving, a rare act of sportsmanship
"The coach never considered any other option. It didn't matter that his DeKalb, Ill., High School basketball team had ridden a bus two and a half hours to get to Milwaukee, then waited another hour past game time to play. Didn't matter that the game was close, or that this was a chance to beat a big city team."
Click here to read the story behind an act of true sportsmanship and compassion.
Thursday, February 19, 2009 Good News Stories (Margaret)
Controlling Humidity for Indoor Plants
I now know why my houseplants are getting brown leaves even though I have been watering them.
Click here to read more about houseplant care
Fast vs. Loving One's Neighbor
"I once ate chicken pot pie on Good Friday. It was the day I got home from the hospital after the birth of my first child. My very kind non-Catholic neighbor made us a welcome home dinner. I did a quick mental appraisal of the situation. I could either stick with the Good Friday rules on abstinence and offend my neighbor, or I could eat the meal graciously and demonstrate my appreciation for her thoughtfulness. I chose the second course of action."
Click here to read more
Catholic legislators must protect life, pope tells Speaker Pelosi
"Pope Benedict XVI met privately with U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, and told her that all Catholics, especially those who are lawmakers, must work to protect human life at every stage."
Click here to read more about the Pope's meeting with Nancy Pelosi.
I now know why my houseplants are getting brown leaves even though I have been watering them.
Click here to read more about houseplant care
Fast vs. Loving One's Neighbor
"I once ate chicken pot pie on Good Friday. It was the day I got home from the hospital after the birth of my first child. My very kind non-Catholic neighbor made us a welcome home dinner. I did a quick mental appraisal of the situation. I could either stick with the Good Friday rules on abstinence and offend my neighbor, or I could eat the meal graciously and demonstrate my appreciation for her thoughtfulness. I chose the second course of action."
Click here to read more
Catholic legislators must protect life, pope tells Speaker Pelosi
"Pope Benedict XVI met privately with U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, and told her that all Catholics, especially those who are lawmakers, must work to protect human life at every stage."
Click here to read more about the Pope's meeting with Nancy Pelosi.
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