Local icon dies

From the WDL:

By JOANN LIVINGSTON Daily Light Managing Editor

Waxahachie ISD sports’ biggest fan, Mary Jane Eubank, passed away Friday afternoon and her best friend, Debra Wakeland, is still in shock at Eubank’s sudden death.

“She was such a loving, caring person,” Wakeland said of the 65-year-old, who was found injured and unconscious at her home Wednesday morning. “She considered every student in Waxahachie as her child.”

Wakeland recalled her own son’s graduation ceremony and how she and Eubank – who was unmarried and who had no children – were standing together. She said she noticed Eubank crying even more than herself and asked her why?
“They’re all my children,” Eubank said to Wakeland, who told the Daily Light, “That’s how she felt.”

Read more here and here

Scientists create embryonic stem cells from skin

From NPR:
Two teams of scientists have independently discovered a way to turn ordinary human skins cells into stem cells with the same characteristics as those derived from human embryos, a breakthrough that could open the door for advanced medical therapies.
If the work holds true to its promise, it would largely bypass ethic issues that have dogged research on human embryonic stem cells and allow scientists to tailor the cells to specific individuals, eliminating the possibility of rejection.

In my opinion, if this works like they say, this is HUGE. Imagine having the use/power of stem cells for research without the ethical implications of destroying an embryo. Simply amazing. This could lead to so many things.

Listen to the story.

You think your gas tank is expensive?

We’re paying $2.85 to $2.95 in the Dallas area for a gallon of gas right now. But in Bethel, Alaska, folks are paying from $5 to $7. Ouch! The only saving grace is that the prices are locked in until a new supply can be shipped in next June.

Listen to NPR’s story.

Bill Mercer on Think

Bill Mercer, former play-by-play announcer for World Class Championship Wrestling, the Cowboys, Rangers and others was on KERA’s Think yesterday (as a replay show).

Anyone in the broadcasting business around here knows the name Bill Mercer. And anyone who considers themselves a sports fan has probably heard his voice. In September we spent an hour with Mercer, whose 50+ year career as a broadcaster and broadcasting instructor continues today. His recent memoir is “Play-By- Play: Tales from a Sports Broadcasting Insider” (Taylor Trade, 2007).

I’m going to have to add that book to my Amazon Wishlist for sure.

Listen online

Answer to the Question

Loving this song today…

Answer to the Question
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I’m growing tired of a mouth shut tight
when all I want to do is tell the whole world
about the Man sitting at the right
hand of the One in Heaven
how could I sing about anything but Him

He is the answer to the question
He is the cure for the infection
He is all He says He is
He is the ultimate reflection
of holiness and true perfection
He is all He says He is

How can I not cry watching as the
world dies without a prayer
They look to their own construction
bound to the living God of Earth and Heaven
How could they sing about everything but Him, yeah, yeah

He is the answer to the question
He is the cure for the infection
He is all He says He is
He is the ultimate reflection
of holiness and true perfection
He is all He says He is

I’m so tired of a mouth shut tight
All I want to do is tell the whole world
about the man sitting at the right
hand of the One in Heaven
How could I sing about anything but Him

He is the answer to the question
He is the cure for the infection
He is all He says He is
He is the ultimate reflection
of holiness and true perfection
He is all He says He is

Happy Reformation Day

While there is another holiday going on today, today is also Reformation Day, the day that is traditionally believed to be when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the doors of a church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517.
In doing so, Martin Luther brought about the Protestant Reformation and current fracture in the church between the protestant and catholic church.

In honor of Luther and the changes he brought about, here is his hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, translated by Frederic Hedge:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

I’m attempting to find a modern arrangement but I haven’t been able to find anything yet unless it sounds like 80’s bubble gum pop. Sigh. Let me know if you find anything.