Craig Venter on DNA and the sea
Genomics pioneer Craig Venter takes a break from his epic round-the-world expedition to talk about the millions of genes his team has discovered so far in its quest to map the ocean’s biodiversity.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Pajama Story
My uncle, Emanuel J. Sorenson, was a missionary in Ethiopia and Jamaica before and after World War II. Once a week there will be story that provides a glimpse of what missionary life was like for his family, as related by his daughter and my cousin, Jane Spear.
“That cat” was majestically occupying a favorite position at the head of the bed. Loud purring with an occasional swishing of the tail and stretching legs indicated a decision to stay. This was what Shirley had also decided. After all, “that cat” also was known to be helpful in pouncing on the lizards, which came through the unscreened windows. There were no screens on the windows of our home in Jamaica, which did not disturb us. In spite of all the good qualities possessed by “that cat” and Shirley’s insistence that the cat deserved our loving care, it was not the cat but the hundreds of fleas that swarmed into our sleeping bodies that I found objectionable. “If that cat stays, I go,” I announced to Mother. That was the decision, and I moved to the sun porch at one end of the house. Mother had made café curtains to pull closed on the three sides. My Jamaican friends jokingly advised me to keep the curtains pulled closed at all times, especially during the bright new moon of the tropics. The golden beams would cause hideous disfigurement, “and don’t forget the duppies ghosts,” was the advice. Besides, the soft lacy Poinciana leaves outside the window did not completely obscure the view from the sidewalk outside which led to the porch of the boy’s dorm. The sun porch was a great solution. The disappearance of “that cat” was a mystery.
Read more at Adventist Perspective.
Camille Seaman: Haunting photos of polar ice
Photographer Camille Seaman shoots icebergs, showing the world the complex beauty of these massive, ancient chunks of ice. Dive in to her photo slideshow, "The Last Iceberg."
The Two Debtors
This is a book first posted on Grace Connection, the Magazine. There is no printed edition. All 30 chapters will appear on the Wheel in the following weeks.
CHAPTER 16
Luke 7:36-50
The setting was an oriental banquet. Simon the Pharisee had invited Jesus home for dinner because Jesus was a prophet. Perhaps he had heard him preach in the local synagogue. In those days prophets were rare in Judea. Ever since the days of Ezra, they had not had a real prophet except perhaps for John the Baptist. But this man was greater than John even by John's own admission. Simon was smiling and happy as he introduced his friends to his celebrity guest. They seemed to be duly impressed.
It was time to dine. They reclined at low tables, legs and feet extended beside them. Jesus reclined near Simon as the guest of honor. Onlookers milled about who were not guests. This was not unusual. When the time came to eat, Simon looked about with satisfaction at his admiring friends and especially the prophet, Jesus Christ. Everything seemed to be going on so smoothly. Simon anticipated a lovely evening.
Read more at Adventist Perspective.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Maya Beiser(s) and her cello(s)
Cellist Maya Beiser plays a gorgeous eight-part modern etude with seven copies of herself, and segues into a meditative music/video hybrid -- using tech to create endless possibilities for transformative sound. Music is Steve Reich's "Cello Counterpoint," with video from Bill Morrison, then David Lang's "World to Come," with video by Irit Batsry.
The Tanks are Coming!
My uncle, Emanuel J. Sorenson, was a missionary in Ethiopia and Jamaica before and after World War II. Once a week there will be story that provides a glimpse of what missionary life was like for his family, as related by his daughter and my cousin, Jane Spear.
A hush fell over the classroom. Miss Moyer, teacher for the thirty students in grades four to six, had the two new students stand. “This is Shirley Sorenson in fourth grade and Jane Sorenson in sixth grade,” she announced.
After a short silence, there was a ripple of exclamation. For the first time in my life I can remember the overwhelming feeling of being in a classroom with such a multitude. Oh for the days when my teachers had been my mother and father and later the private teacher, Mae Matthews, who had come from Kansas to teach the American children and head the Ethiopian Girls’ School in Kabana. That year will never be forgotten, nor the next year in Redfield, South Dakota, when I was in seventh grade with not more than ten students. My father, during this time, was attending the University and writing his Masters Thesis on Ethiopia. Shirley, Mother, and I followed him as he was also employed as a college professor. We acclimated from the 9,000-foot elevation of Africa, with its lush beauty, to the plains of Nebraska. Having many aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents made it bearable, and soon we had our own circle of friends.
Read more at Adventist Perspective.
The Unmerciful Servant
This is a book first posted on Grace Connection, the Magazine. There is no printed edition. All 30 chapters will appear on the Wheel in the following weeks.
CHAPTER 15
Matthew 18:21-35
A thousand years ago, Tsar Samuel ruled the Bulgarian Empire. His archenemy was Basil II, the Byzantine emperor. For decades they had fought without either side winning a decisive victory until Samuel set a trap for Basil in a gorge along the river Struma. Basil eluded the trap and captured Samuel's entire army. He then taught the tsar a lesson in Byzantine revenge.
Basil blinded the eyes of all but 150 of the 15,000 captured soldiers. He then blinded one of the eyes of the remaining soldiers so that they could lead their blind compatriots back to the Bulgarian Empire. A horrified Samuel watched the return of his once proud army, eye sockets vacant, shuffling, stumbling, clutching one another, each hundred led by a one-eyed soldier. The sight killed him, and his empire came to an end. Needless to say the Bulgarians never forgot the cruelty of Basil the Bulgar slayer.
Read more at Adventist Perspective.
What My Father Taught Me
Dads help shape us, and four contributors to the radio series This I Believe describe how.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
His name was Paul... I later found out!
Reported by Roger Lutz
I once met a man that brought me to the realization of what Jesus meant when he said, “What you did by caring for the underprivileged was as pleasing to my Father as if you had done it for me.” (Matt 25:40) His name was Paul, as I later found out! We were in the outer areas west of Hanoi, North Vietnam When I first laid eyes on him. He was looking into a crowd of babies, kids, and needy moms along with other men of women of various ages from pregnant ladies with infants to the older than elderly. Paul was sporting an amazing and engaging smile with a big red bulb for a nose and multiple big round black Jamaican style pigtail braids hanging from a beggars hat. I got the feeling that Paul must have given his real hat to a needy person and the replacement was just a way to make those around him feel at ease! 
Every so often I would see his hand streak back over his shoulder seeking a bag of goodies hidden under a rather robust pigtail and grab up a nondescript furry love ball that resembled a smile enclosed or surrounded by some sort of gleeful representative of the animal world. I noticed that he kept the most provocative bundles of fur for those kids that were really need—you know like physical defects, handicaps or just a spirit that was overcome with need. The forays of gifting from this bag full of furry goodies representing the Animal kingdom continued on as he let the kids check out his overgrown red bulb for a nose and a face that erupted into an overwhelming smile reflecting his unmitigated pleasure at bringing a bit of comfort or making life just a bit better for those in the crowd. As my interest intensified and my observation became more detailed I noticed a thin glistening stream of water coming from an obscure area at irregular intervals. The stream aimed at a frowning face and invariable brought a catching smile to a frowning face—as well as those in the surrounding area. I came to the realization that this was Paul’s way of handing out smiles and making life a bit easier for each of those that surrounded him—it even worked on me a guy that smiles inside but sometimes forgets to tell his face to do the same! 
Then there was a more serious side of Paul’s nature that I did not at first perceive. He promoted happy faces and kept the needy crowd entertained as they waited for the Dentists, Doctors, and surgeons. This in itself was and is priceless! Countless times I observed the serious side of Paul’s nature peak out from underneath the clown camouflage. Out of the corner of my eye I would see him grab a small kid and with mom in tow march them in military style up to a Doc for special consideration. As Paul got closer I focused on his face and noticed a face lined with character, eyes a bit misty with compassion and facial expressions extruding kindness. In an instant I realized that this was a total “manly package” that reflected the good side of humanity and this goodness just reached out and grabbed at my inner self. 
Paul provided me with a view and an understanding of what “good” is all about! I came to realize that I being given insight as to what Paul finds most important. I was and still am overcome with admiration and appreciated for this rare treasure of personal commitment to help others. I got the impression that this glimpse of Paul personality was just the tip of the iceberg. Paul’s humanity immerged into full focus from the background of evolving circumstances as he did something good for each of the needy persons that arrived within his sphere of concern. As the day came to an end my mind reflected on Paul’s brilliant eyes, kind face and a smile. The realization came that I had been privileged to observe and learn from this special person how to convey compassion, concern and a smile, delivered with determined passion as it warms each of those that are touched by the association. For me I can report, that I have become a better person for being in the approximate vicinity of Paul---as I later found his name to be!
I came to realize that I being given insight as to what Paul finds most important. I was and still am overcome with admiration and appreciated for this rare treasure of personal commitment to help others. I got the impression that this glimpse of Paul personality was just the tip of the iceberg. Paul’s humanity immerged into full focus from the background of evolving circumstances as he did something good for each of the needy persons that arrived within his sphere of concern. As the day came to an end my mind reflected on Paul’s brilliant eyes, kind face and a smile. The realization came that I had been privileged to observe and learn from this special person how to convey compassion, concern and a smile, delivered with determined passion as it warms each of those that are touched by the association. For me I can report, that I have become a better person for being in the approximate vicinity of Paul---as I later found his name to be! The Full impact of what Jesus was telling that “legal beagle” in Matt 22:37-40 and Matt 25:40 finally made the home run of the century within the recesses of my mind. It is all about love---we Love God because he first loved us 1John 4:19, and as we reflect in God’s love and goodness, we begin to resemble God’s goodness and pass that on to those around us!
Jesus said, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them." Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' Matthew 22: 37-40; 25:40
Jack Horner: Building a dinosaur from a chicken
Renowned paleontologist Jack Horner has spent his career trying to reconstruct a dinosaur. He's found fossils with extraordinarily well-preserved blood vessels and soft tissues, but never intact DNA. So, in a new approach, he's taking living descendants of the dinosaur (chickens) and genetically engineering them to reactivate ancestral traits — including teeth, tails, and even hands — to make a "Chickenosaurus".
Click here for more.
Our First Frightening Experience
My uncle, Emanuel J. Sorenson, was a missionary in Ethiopia and Jamaica before and after World War II. Once a week there will be story that provides a glimpse of what missionary life was like for his family, as related by his daughter and my cousin, Jane Spear.
Shirley and I had clutched imploringly to Obashi’s hands. This nice Ethiopian, in his white Ethiopian shama was our savior.
The train had stopped at the station in Exira and below us on the platform were the joyous faces of all the relatives and friends who had not seen their sister and her husband for eight years. Had not even seen us.
Smiles and waves, arms reaching for us, brought only terror to our hearts! We had never seen so many white faces in our lives.
SDA Office of Archives & Statistics
At this address, readers can access The Adventist Directory: locate Adventist entities, The Adventist Yearbook: the official organizational directory, The Adventist Archives: search historical documents, and Adventist Statistics: annual statistical reports.
The Unprofitable Slave and the Gracious Master
This is a book first posted on Grace Connection, the Magazine. There is no printed edition. All 30 chapters will appear on the Wheel in the following weeks.
CHAPTER 14
Luke 17:7-10; Mathew 20:1-16
It is fortunate that Luke 17:7-10 is not the only parable that Jesus related concerning God's relationship to his servants. If this were the case, it would give us a distorted picture of God. The parable does, however, provide a vital truth.
Jesus begins this parable as he often does by asking his audience to agree with him.1 "Who among you would say to your bondservant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, `Come here at once and take your place at the table'? Would you not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? Do you thank the bondservant for doing what was commanded?"
Read more at Adventist Perspective.
Mixed Messages
by Phil Taylor
I don't know you, but I know you are out there. Maybe you are a 14-year-old point guard in rural Texas, or a 15-year-old goalkeeper in a wealthy Philadelphia suburb, or a 16-year-old linebacker in inner-city Detroit. Maybe you are all those people. I don't know who you are or where you are, but I know you are young, you are an athlete and you are gay. Hardly anyone knows about that last part. It's a side of yourself that you keep hidden.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
First Memory of Sadness
My uncle, Emanuel J. Sorenson, was a missionary in Ethiopia and Jamaica before and after World War II. Once a week there will be story that provides a glimpse of what missionary life was like for his family, as related by his daughter and my cousin, Jane Spear.
We were way up high in a New York Hotel. My parents had waited eight years for this furlough to go back to America to see family and friends. But why such deep sadness? Why the tears on my mother’s face and her grief?
Daddy was comforting her while Shirley and I sat on the bed bewildered. Why was this piece of paper in my mother’s hands causing her to cry so bitterly?
Read more at Adventist Perspective.
The Pharisee and the Publican
This is a book first posted on Grace Connection, the Magazine. There is no printed edition. All 30 chapters will appear on the Wheel in the following weeks.
CHAPTER 13
Luke 18:9-14
This parable follows the parable of The Widow and the Unjust Judge and contrasts the self-righteous prayer of a Pharisee with the prayer of a humble and contrite publican. While the focus of the parable is on the attitudes each brings to their prayers, the words of the prayers also serve to contrast acceptable and unacceptable prayer models.
Jews could pray at the temple at any time, but corporate prayer took place at nine in the morning and three in the afternoon during the time of the morning and evening sacrifices. Apparently the parable takes place during corporate prayer because both men are some distance from the other worshippers and pray at the same time.
Read more at Adventist Perspective.
New corporate website
ADVENTIST HEALTH HAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW CORPORATE WEBSITE. After months of working on content, visually pleasing design and increased functionality, the new site is now more user-friendly and patient-centered. Visitors to the website will find:
- Directions (and zip code search) to find all Adventist Health facilities
- Health library with interactive tools, recipes, articles and more
- Links to hospitals, Find a Doc, bill pay and giving abilities
- Employment opportunities
- Convenient links for employees and physicians
Check out Adventist Health’s site at www.AdventistHealth.org.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Ric Elias: 3 things I learned while my plane crashed
Ric Elias had a front-row seat on Flight 1549, the plane that crash-landed in the Hudson River in New York in January 2009. What went through his mind as the doomed plane went down? At TED, he tells his story publicly for the first time.
Where are the Girls?
My uncle, Emanuel J. Sorenson, was a missionary in Ethiopia and Jamaica before and after World War II. Once a week there will be story that provides a glimpse of what missionary life was like for his family, as related by his daughter and my cousin, Jane Spear.
Our train was on board the ferryboat bound for Denmark. It was 1939 and our long journey from Addis Abeba had led us up the boot of Italy, across Switzerland and Germany. In Hamburg we visited the zoo, which was supposed to be the best in the world at this time. The parrots had been taught to say “Hail Hitler” and the monkeys to do the Hitler salute. Mother had shopped for clothes for all of us. Shirley and I had bright red blieghly knit dresses, light brown belted coats, and brimmed hats with flowers tucked into the ribbons. Mother always checked the fashions worn by Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose…just to be sure we would be in style.
Once secure on the ferryboat, our first smorgasbord array was like eating from a picture book. For myself, it was with remorse, because I was now seasick, I fed all of mine to the fish. This was done after climbing on the boat’s railing and leaning precariously over. One of the women passengers grabbed my skirt and with an alarmed voice, informed my mother that this was not safe.
Read more at Adventist Perspective.
The Importunate Widow and the Friend at Midnight
This is a book first posted on Grace Connection, the Magazine. There is no printed edition. All 30 chapters will appear on the Wheel in the following weeks.
CHAPTER 12
Luke 18:1-8; 11:5-13
In the introduction to the parable of “The Importunate Widow”, Jesus emphasized the need to pray always and not to lose heart. The parable of “The Friend at Midnight” follows the Lord's Prayer and also underscores the need for persistence in prayer.
The first parable deals with a judge who is described as one "who neither feared God nor had respect for people" (Luke 18:2). Jesus describes an immoral, unsympathetic judge. He is a man who uses his power to enrich himself rather than to execute justice and consequently demonstrates no concern for the poor and unfortunate.
Read more at Adventist Perspective.
John Hunter on the World Peace Game
John Hunter puts all the problems of the world on a 4'x5' plywood board -- and lets his 4th-graders solve them. At TED2011, he explains how his World Peace Game engages schoolkids, and why the complex lessons it teaches -- spontaneous, and always surprising -- go further than classroom lectures can.
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