Author: Will Durant, Historian & Philosopher

Remembering American author, William James "Will" Durant on his day of birth ( November 5, 1885,  died November 7, 1981). What a mind! He not only wrote the 11-volume set, The Story of Civilization, etc. but he also said and/or wrote some profound things. Here are a couple:

As to harmonizing the theory of evolution with the Biblical account of creation, I do not believe it can be done, and I do not see why it should be. The story of Genesis is beautiful, and profoundly significant as symbolism: there is no good reason to torture it into conformity with modern theory. (Will Durant, on Religion and Evolution, 1927)

The discoveries here summarized have restored considerable credit to those chapters of Genesis that record the early traditions of the Jews. In its outlines, and barring supernatural incidents, the story of the Jews as unfolded in the Old Testament has stood the test of criticism and Archeology; every year adds corroboration from documents, monuments, or excavations.... We must accept the Biblical account provisionally until it is disproved. (Will Durant, on History and Bible, 1963)

Will Durant

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Celebrating Poet Emily Dickinson

Painting of the Dickinsons
as children

American Poet, Emily Dickinson, was born on December 10, 1830.  What strikes me most was her almost unnatural reclusiveness. For her this was the norm. For someone who was often out of sight, there was much going on behind the scenes as revealed through her poetry, writings, letters. I barely scratched the surface here.

Solitude was for Emily Dickinson a necessity; it was her natural state.  As she explained, "The appetite for silence is seldom an acquired taste."  Like all creative persons, she needed time in which to set down her fast-running thoughts, to capture them before they swept past ... she must find an outlet for the thoughts pounding within her.  Only in poetry did she find release.  And there must be time for books ... 'those enthralling friends.' (source, unknown)

Emily Dickinson

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Millennials' Death by Deliberate Ignorance

via: pluralist

The man on the left will be forever remembered as having said and believed the following.  He and his GF suffered the most awful of consequences -- in the hands of very real and EVIL men -- while travelling by bike thru Tajikistan:

As is in 100% of the case, God hit it on-the-nail.  Below is reality. Truth. It is what afflicts ALL men, women, and children the world over.  No exceptions.

We are Sinners no matter how much "good" we've done.  The depravity of all souls can barely be fathomed by our finite minds.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one

However, God is willing to forgive and create in each of us new hearts.  God is LIFE, and LOVE, and MERCY -- in Christ Jesus. He alone is the Saviour.

The SOLUTION

 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.  (Romans 3:24-28)

Read the tragic story of the Millennials  H E R E

Republic of Tajikistan

Millennial Couple Suffers Tragic Consequence

Biker Couple Killed by ISIS

IG: Simply Cycling

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I am a Child of Immigrants

While a mere wisp of a child and living in a 3rd world country in SE Asia, my R N  Mama and Civil Engineer Papa sought greener pastures elsewhere. Mom and Dad were hard workers, could speak fluent English, had their college degrees, and knew a few relatives and acquaintances abroad. That's it.  Oh, they also had RAW. SHEER. COURAGE. 

Which country to choose? The travel agent had cajoled them to move to Canada. It's quick, and relatively "easy" said she. I am certain they could have also chosen Japan, Australia, England, South America, and so on.  But no, it was USA/America or bust!

And no wonder. The USA was a very popular choice for many. Safety was never going to be an issue in a country known for its stability. Jobs were plentiful. Success was not unheard of. My parents must have also liked the list of rights afforded to all LEGAL immigrants (emphasis mine): 

Your Rights as a Permanent Resident*

As a permanent resident (green card holder), you have the right to:

• Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law
• Work in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing. (Please note that some jobs will be limited to U.S. citizens for security reasons)
• Be protected by all laws of the United States, your state of residence and local jurisdictions

 After filling-out a mountain of paperwork, passing the physical exam and fulfilling all requirements set by the immigration laws of the USA, we were given our green cards  (status: Legal Resident).  Five years after moving here,  our family of 5 proudly chose to become  US Citizens. Through the years and up to today, we have had no reason nor desire to ever permanently leave this country. By the grace of God, we have been blessed beyond measure.It was worth the wait and all difficulties.  My parents made an excellent choice. The R Family loves you, America.  Happy, Happy Birthday on this 4th of July!

*via Department of Homeland Security