Lights in Darkness

“If this is a sign of how religious liberty claims will be treated in the years ahead, those who value religious freedom have cause for great concern,” Alito said Tuesday in a critical dissent.

Article: Justice Alito on legal developments this week

Full dissent

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. -John 3:19

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -John 1:5

Haptics for the Deaf-Blind

Haptics are ways of communicating to the deaf-blind through touch. I saw a video of this being done on facebook, and I hope this video comes through.

Beautiful.

https://www.facebook.com/TIYADB/videos/1841889996035174/

Douglas Wilson's post (and picture) on approaching worship

An Invitation to Mess With It

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We have a meal here that entails consecration. All of Christ is offered to you, and in natural return, you are summoned to come. But when you are summoned to come, this means that all of you is summoned to come.

The cup of blessing is here, set before you. But we want always to remember what the Scriptures teach about the nature of blessing. “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Ps. 119:2). So you are invited to come, and you are being exhorted to come with an entire heart.

The underlying cause of great affliction for many struggling Christians is partialism. They want to have God in their lives, but they want to hold back something for themselves in reserve. God can have that, but we want to retain this. Thus we parcel ourselves out, and are surprised when nothing works as it ought. God is happy to work with the fragments of your life, but He insists on having all of them.

Different people want to retain different things, but the results are always some sort of dislocation. Some want to keep control of their money, others of private lusts, and others of their position in the community. If we turn whatever it is over to God, He might mess with it.

But God’s people are, always and everywhere, exhorted to deal with God in bulk. “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12). So what you are saying by approaching this Table—since it is governed by the words of Scripture, and not our own private desires—is that you want God to take whatever it is . . . and mess with it.

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.

A Day In the Life of a Pioneer Woman

Tired Just Reading This! 

Mrs. Pardiggle, Mr. Bumble, and the rest

Nothing subtle about Dickens.

Charles Dickens and the linguistic art of the minor character. 

Top 5 Interior Design Errors

An interior designer told me once the most common mistake she sees are people hanging pictures too high. They are supposed to be at around eye level of a regular person.

Top 5 Interior Design Errors and how to correct them

Global Power Book

Congratulations to my husband, David Chamberlin, who made it into PR Week's 2016 Global Power Book -- the annual guide to the 350 most influential PR professionals in the world!

PR Week page with link to searchable directory. 

Prayers for the People (48)

48. For Those Who Live Alone

Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head:
Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their
solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find
fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

-- Online Book of Common Prayer

Strengthening the Executive Function

Three publications look at how to develop your frontal lobe function

-- Psychology Today

-- Sharp Brain

-- Ideas from NaturalHealth365

"Examples of neurobic exercises are listed below:

Writing or using a utensil with your non-dominant hand.
Walking down your hallway with your eyes closed.
1-leg balancing exercises.
Spend time outside smelling all the plants and flowers.
Eat foods with lots of colors to stimulate your visual senses.
Feel the texture of different objects like rocks, shells, etc.

Additional neurobic activities include:

The use of essential oils – take a sniff to excite your brain.
Brushing the teeth with your non-dominant hand.
Listening to classical music or music that has different tones, melodies and instruments than you are used to listening too.
Surround yourself with lots of different colors.
Play a new instrument or try a new sporting activity.
Do a crossword puzzle.
Walk barefoot outside and pay attention to the unique feel of the rocks and ground with your feet.
Sit in a park and journal about all the unique sounds and smells you are experiencing.
Read a book or recite a speech out-loud while pacing with your eyes closed
Try a new, healthy dish with unique flavors you are not accustomed too."

Handel in Summer

I found this succinct post at the website of a Methodist minister (I know nothing about the rest of his site or his ministry so I am not necessarily commending those).

The post is a list of the Scripture verses used in the Messiah. The blog begins with some short historical notes, then there is a a list of the Messiah's program. Following that are the verses used, listed by song. A handy, concise resource!

Handel's Messiah in writing

Here is an NPR discussion of the presentation in the mid 20th century. Apparently, the Philadelphia Orchestra's recordings of the Messiah went gold before the Beatles did.

And below is one rendition  of Handel's Messiah by Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

(I tried to find the older, famous presentation with Eugene Ormandy, et al but was unable to find the whole production. I trust that the following recording is legally being reproduced.)

Messiah Part I