Science At What Price?

A reminder of of the temptation to put technological advancement above ethical issues of justice and honesty:
Allthings2all: Project Paperclip: Science At What Price?.
I hadn't heard about all these details of the Nazi involvement of some scientists that had been hired for US projects before.

Thank you for the music

In connexions: Thank you for the music Richard Hall expresses the importance of music. I couldn't have explained better why I named my blog Joyful Song. Sometimes music makes me happy, and helps me to celebrate. At other times it helps me in the grieving process. Music can make me feel closer to God and is a way to express my faith.

What are you especially thankful for?

One Bag

I'm still learning to travel light. Today I found a site: www.onebag.com (all about packing, luggage, and travelling light) that looks like a great resource.

On a long journey, even a straw weighs heavy.

Spanish proverb

Quote of the Day

Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.
- GK Chesterton

Review: The Bible or the Axe

Disclaimer: The Bible or the Axe by William O. Levi as told by A.F. Chai was given to me through Mind & Media as a gift for the purpose of review.

I'm so glad I got this book to review.
This is a wonderful book. I love the style of story telling, the way the author describes his personal experiences. The book reads like a novel, but is an autobiography packed with information. After each chapter, I wanted to read more. Only put it down because I had to go to work and to sleep, but kept reading whenever I got a break.

This book is about much more than the persecution of Christians in Sudan. I liked the background of Sudan's history from William's point of view. He really brings to life the value of an education, and his passionate desire to get one. William wanted and needed to get an education to be able to help his people in the Sudan. He shows compassion instead of anger to people who may be his enemies. At one time, he is even tortured, but he continues on his path. Reading about the many ways God teaches William to rely solely on Him can teach and motivate us to do the same.

Here's a quote from the book which is William's father's advice to his son: "You will always be with your family, because your family is the Body of Christ. Wherever you go, find your family first."

I would definitely recommend this book.

Other Reviews

The Bible or the Axe

Office Hours: As Though There Were No God

A powerful and thought-provoking story: Office Hours: As Though There Were No God by J. Budziszewski, published in Boundless Webzine. Go read it!

Aren't we all Christians?

In the article Spero News | Vatican on confessional identity of Klaus Berger, we read that "the Vatican sought to clarify whether or not Pope Benedict XVI had precise knowledge of Berger's Protestant status, when granting him communion while still a cardinal".

Every Christian should be granted communion in every church, no matter what Christian denomination. If something as simple as this is still an issue, how can ecumenical talks get anywhere?

Parable of the Spoons

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, “Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like. “The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man’s mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, “You have seen Hell.”

They went to the next room and opened the door.. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man’s mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, “I don’t understand.”

It is simple” said the Lord, “it requires but one skill. You see,
they have learned to feed each other. While the greedy think only of themselves.

(Found here.)

Sense of Right and Wrong

Even though I'm usually not posting much about politics, I found this quiz kind of fun (Found through Connexions)

"You exhibit a very well-developed sense of Right and Wrong and believe in economic fairness.

You are a Social Liberal (63% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (13% permissive) You are best described as a: Socialist Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test