http://www.jimandellen.org/finch/surether.html

Perhaps this rightfully belongs on my BZeal site, but since it deals with poetry, I'm posting it here.

I stumbled over this little poem, "Right Zeal," by Ann Finch. Among it's strong lines:

This quickens Souls grown stupid, and imparts
An active Ferment to devouter Hearts.

Give it a look.

Uplift for 1 November 2002
by Randal Matheny

This time back to the U.S., we hear the latest catchword, "extreme." Modern society is on a chase for thrills. Each time, it demands more intense levels of emotion.

But God works through the mind. The thoughts lead the feeling.

With extreme thrills, the world jumps off the edge, to death. In Christ, the saints rejoice forevermore in life eternal.

-----
Travel, travel! We're racking up the miles on the rental van. Over to Alabama, down to the Mississippi Delta, up into Tennessee. Great visits, wonderful time with friends and new acquaintances. Sunday, we're off to Memphis, then back to Arkansas next week.

Oh, for my own little bed!

by Randal Matheny

Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura accepted an award from Kids Voting Minnesota, a youth education group, and stated, "Did you know that in the United States, only 50 percent of adults vote? That's pathetic."

The governor himself is a regular non-voter. One week earlier, he failed to vote in his own party's Sept. 10 primary.

Do as I say, but not as I do?

But it's not only politicians, so we should be careful not to criticize them so heavily. Perhaps they merely reflect the population at large.

If it weren't such a problem, Jesus would not warned his followers about those who teach right but live wrong.

He said, "Therefore, do everything they tell you. Obey them. But don't act as they do, because they say one thing and do another" (Matthew 23.3, SEB).

So say right and do right. That's the path to true contentment and happiness.

Jesus, again. "The people who hear the message of God and keep it are the ones who are truly happy!" (Luke 11.28).
_______
News story about Gov. Ventura:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/3339871.html

A few days ago, I sat with daughter Leila to watch the video "Lion King." The best song in the whole film is "Hakuna Matata," or however you spell it. The song capsulizes the carefree attitude that one should not have and which Simba finally rejects. But it's the best song, and the catchiest, in the whole movie!

After these three or four days since we watched it together, it's still bouncing around inside my head!

Goes to show how important to take care what we think, for our thoughts direct our lives. Bad attitudes and outright false ideas, clothed in catchy jingles, will echo for weeks.

The bottom line of today's random variable: you can't be too careful what you let into your brain. It's mind over matter, so choose with utmost care what lurks there.