Thursday, September 25, 2014

Gottca



They think they’ve solved the Jack the Ripper murders. After 126 years, Russell Edwards, a scientist in Liverpool, has claimed he has solved the murders that terrorized London in 1888.  DNA from a shawl worn by Catherine Eddowes, one of the Ripper’s victims, has been matched with a descendent of Aaron Kosminski, an original suspect in the case. Kosminski, a Polish immigrant was considered a suspect by Scotland Yard as early as 1894.

Edwards and molecular biology professor Jari Louhelainen performed a number of tests and have stated that they are completely certain that Kosminski is the villain. But is he? 
Ripperologists, (Honest I didn’t make it up) have their doubts and point to similar claims in the past.  And really, we will never know for sure as the shawl has been handled by literally dozens of people over the past 126 years and according to some Kosminski didn’t match eye witness descriptions of the ripper. 
But it doesn’t matter, because although Jack the Ripper may have escaped justice on earth it doesn’t mean that he has escaped justice.  The Bible reminds us that our sins will find us out and it doesn’t just mean sins as onerous as Jack’s.  And that is why we need God’s grace and forgiveness.  Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

What me worry?



It was 2:17 in the morning when it happened.  I woke up.  But more than that, I woke up and it was pouring out, and my first thought was a question.  Did I put the roof up on my car when I came home?  The obvious answer was, yes.  I have been driving convertibles since I was 18 years old and I have never forgotten to put the roof up for the night. Never.  At least that’s what I tried to convince myself of at 2:17 in the morning and again at 2:25 and 2:30.  Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore and I got up, went downstairs and looked out the garage window to confirm that my roof was indeed up.
Why do we so often default to the negative and worry about things that we know we shouldn’t worry about?.  In the case of my middle of the night obsession, the solution was easy. I went and checked and then I went  back to sleep. 
What is it that wakes you up in the middle of the night?  At that point there are two things that you need to know:  Can you do something about it or not?  If you can, then do it, if you can’t, then go back to sleep.    Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Best of intentions, but. . .



I was at the beach, but I had no intention of getting wet.
Last week Angela and I decided that a picnic with the grand kids would be fun while the weather was still warm so we arranged to meet our daughter and her family at the lake. 
My plan was to read and watch them frolic in the water.  What is it they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? 
It started when I went to the edge of water to watch the girls but then the girls wanted to know why Grampy didn’t come in, so I did, calf deep.
And then it got interesting.  Our four year old grand-daughter loves the water so she convinced Mommy and Nanny to take her further out.  The two year old wasn’t sure that she wanted to go so she was left with Grampy, but then she wanted to join her sister so she took my hand and asked me “Grampy?”  Well what could I say? 
When I was thigh deep I was remembered I had my e-reader in the cargo pocket of my shorts. Arrggggh!
And once again I was reminded that good intentions don’t excuse me from the consequences of my choices.   Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.