Saturday Smile

During a service at an old synagogue in
Eastern Europe, when the Shema prayer was
said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting.

The half that was seated started yelling at
those standing to sit down, and the ones
standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up.

The rabbi, learned as he was in the Law and
commentaries, didn't know what to do.
His congregation suggested that he consult a
housebound 98-year old man, who was one of
the original founders of their temple.

 The rabbi hoped the elderly man would be able to tell him
what the actual temple tradition was,
so he went to the nursing home with a
representative of each faction of the congregation.

The one whose followers stood during Shema
said to the old man, "Is the tradition to stand during this prayer?"
The old man answered, "No, that is not the tradition."

The one whose followers sat down, asked,
"Is the tradition to sit during Shema?"
The old man answered, "No, that is not the tradition."

Then the rabbi said to the old man, "The
congregants fight all the time, yelling at each
other about whether they should sit or stand!"
The old man interrupted, exclaiming, "THAT is our tradition!"

Fact of the Day

As of June 30, 2008, If all circulating U.S. dollars and coins were equally distributed among the nation's population, everyone would receive $2,712. On June 30, 1960, this figure was $177.
- From The World Almanac 2009

Today's Prayer

I rise today...
with the power of God to guide me,
with the strength of God to raise me,
with the wisdom of God to lead me,
with the vision of God to see for me,
with the ears of God to hear for me,
with the words of God to speak for me,
with the hand of God to protect me,
with the path of God before me,
with the shield of God to guard me,
with the friendship of God to keep me.

A prayer of St. Patrick

Cranky Christians

Dan Dick, United Methodist blogger, writes about Cranky Christians and concludes with these thoughts:

Cranky Christians? I’m trying to love.
The world? I wish I loved it better.
My goal? To make those who know Jesus care more about those who don’t.

Church Sign

Forgive your enemies,
it will mess with their mind.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Sara!

Saturday Smile

A rather awkward freshman finally got up the nerve
to ask a pretty junior for a dance at the homecoming.

She gave him the once-over and said,
"Sorry, I won't dance with a child."

"Please forgive me," responded the underclassman.
"I didn't realize you were pregnant."

Headed Home

Headed home today from Phoenix to Detroit to South Bend.