Hello again, Spain: A train crash was said to occur when a train travelling at three times the speed limit left the fails and burst into flames; leaving 77 people dead and at least 140 injured. The train was travelling from Madrid to the naval port of El Ferrol 3km outside Santiago de Compostela in the North West Province of Galicia.
A name for the new roral arrival was announced yesterday. The latest arrival in the royal household will have the names George, Alexander, Louis and will be known as HRH Prince George of Cambridge, third in line to the throne his kingly title King George VII.
Hassan Rowhani’s victory in last month’s Iranian elections raised hope of a diplomatic rapprochement with the West according to recent reports. He takes office next month and has invited Mr. Jack Straw, former labour Minister to his inaugaration. Although Mr. Straw cannot attend the inaugaration he is hopeful that he can visit Tehran immediately afterwards says the report.
UK growth acelerates as recovery gains traction is a line proffered in English newspapers. However reports also show that the NHS is in serious difficulty and facing an uncertain future and that deaths have increased as the elderly and the disabled suffer further reductions in their allowances and conditions.
Rugby star, Brian O’Driscoll’s firm’s profits reportedly rose by E310,917 to E3.19m since 31st August last. Reports also say that the firm ODM & Promotions was founded by Brian when he was just 22.
CAN YOU SOLVE THESE RIDDLES:
What is black and white and red all over?
How many wells would make a river?
ANSWERS TOMORROW
ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S STUFF:
You follow their tracks.
You rocket
INSPIRATION: I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. – Stephen Covey
ON THIS DAY:
0326 - Constantine refused to carry out the traditional pagan sacrifices.
1394 – Charles VI, of France issued a decree expelling all Jews from France.
1564 – Maximillian II became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
1587 – Japanese strongman, Hideyoshi, banned Christianity in Japan and ordered all Christians to leave.
1964 – Matt Le Blanc aka ‘Joey’ in television classic Friends was born.
WORDS TO THE WISE: The best way to become a successful writer is to read good writing, remember it, and then forget where you remember it from.
SACRED SPACE:
BENEDICTUS
(The Canticle of Zechariah)
Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel
He has visited His people and
redeemed them.
He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour
in the house of David His servant,
as He promised by the lips of holy men,
those who were His prophets from of old.
A saviour who would free us from our foes,
from the hands of all who hate us.
So His love for our fathers is fulfilled
and His holy covenant remembered.
He swore to Abraham our father to grant us,
that freed from fear, and saved from the
hands of our foes,
we might serve Him in holiness and justice
all the days of our life in His presence.
As for you, little child,
you shall be called a prophet of God, the most High.
You shall go ahead of the Lord
to prepare His ways before Him.
To make known to His people their salvation
through forgiveness of all their sins,
the loving-kindness of the heart of our God
Who visits us like the dawn from on high
He will give light to those in darkness
those who dwell in the shadow of death,
and guide their feet into the way of peace.
SMILE A WHILE: What’s dracula’s favourite soup?
Scream of tomato.
How did the vampire cure his sore throat?
By gargoyling.
What do you get if you cross a vampire with a
mummy?
A gift-wrapped bat.
What do you get if you cross a werewolf and a
vampire?
A fur coat that fangs around your neck.
Ciao Bellissimo
Valerie
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:
Dear Reader, Shalom! How are you? I offer my deepest sympathies to all those who were touched and indeed marked by the train crash in Spain and offer an assurance of prayer.
If anyone was f ollowing me before they will know that I had a spot on the web wwwQUESTION-OF-BALANCE.com and while I was able to get some technical support I was unable to actually see my blog published more than a few times. Regrettably I moved to Google Blogger and am very happy with the results. Indeed in my enthusiasm with my fresh start I forgot to explain to readers (if there are any) what was happening: my apologies for that. I ask your patience with me because I will occasionally leave you again.
For instance I was on holiday with Ataxia Ireland (AI) in Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) holiday centre Cuisle, Donammon, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. We had a ball I went racing, visited Athlone, eat grandly and generally enjoyed myself with the fifty-five or so others on the holiday. When on holiday I don’t blog.
Today is the feast of St. James the Great he was the son of Zebedee, brother of John, worked in the family fishing business in his native Galilee. Indeed he was mending his nets when Jesus called him and John.
James and John stayed with Jesus during his time on earth and seem to be among his closest friends. James is specifically mentioned when; Jesus cured Peter’s mother-in-law; raised Jairus’s daughter to life; as a witness to the Transfiguration; and as being with Jesus during his agony in Gethsemane. It was his mother who asked Jesus if her sons might sit one at his right hand and the other at his left in the kingdom. In subsequent Church history James was the first apostle to be martyred at the hands of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-2).
Beyond Biblical evidence little is known about James but a tradition began in Spain in the seventh century that he preached there. People of the ninth century believed he was buried there, his body brought from Jerusalem after his martyrdom. Modern scholars refute this and it is now widely believed that the shrine is built on an early Christian burial site.
While exact details may be somewhat hazy the influence of the tradition was enormous. The shrine at Santiago de Compostela was one of the great centres of pilgrimage throughout the Middle Ages with James becoming the rallying point for Christians against the Moors.
Numerous stories of St. James appearing at the shrine abound to this day, which remains hugely popular and very well used.
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