Concerning Anger and Murder: A Found Poem

A Poem of Jesus Christ

from The New English Bible (1970):

Matthew 5:21-22

You have learned that our forefathers were told,

"Do not commit murder;

anyone who commits murder

must be brought to judgement."

But what I tell you is this:

Anyone who nurses anger

against his brother

must be brought to judgement.

If he abuses his brother

he must answer for it to the court;

if he sneers at him

he will have to answer for it

in the fires of hell.

Cover of The New English Bible

Silence of Fools

Those who are sure of themselves do not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight. After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut.

     --The Bible: Proverbs 17:27-28 (Good News Translation)

It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.

     --Mark Twain

     

Emily Dickinson on Asking Forgiveness of God

Here is an untitled poem by American poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) on asking forgiveness of God. This poem is in the public domain.

Of God we ask one favor,

That we may be forgiven --

For what, he is presumed to know --

The Crime, from us, is hidden --

Immured the whole of Life

Within a magic Prison

We reprimand the Happiness

That too competes with Heaven.

Emily Dickinson

An Amazing Cover of Toto's "Africa"

A choir called Angel City Chorale performed an amazing cover of Toto's song "Africa" -- complete with rain and thunder. It is a cover every bit as magical as the original. Read the story about this cover here, where you can watch a YouTube video of the choir's performance.

Quotation from Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Stupidity

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)

"On Stupidity" -- Letters and Papers from Prison

The Wayfaring Stranger

THE WAYFARING STRANGER

Anonymous

I am a poor wayfaring stranger,

While traveling through this world below;

There is no sickness, toil, nor danger

In that bright world to which I go.

I'm going there to meet my father,

I'm going there no more to roam;

I am just going over Jordan,

I am just going over home.

I know dark clouds will gather o'er me,

I know my pathway's rough and steep;

But golden fields lie out before me,

Where weary eyes no more shall weep.

I'm going there to see my mother,

She said she'd meet me when I come;

I am just going over Jordan,

I am just going over home.

I want to sing salvation's story

In concert with the blood-washed hand;

I want to wear a crown of glory,

When I get home to that good land.

I'm going there to see my classmates,

Who passed before me one by one;

I am just going over Jordan,

I am just going over home.

I'll soon be free from every trial,

This form will rest beneath the sod;

I'll drop the cross of self-denial,

And enter in my home with God.

I'm going there to see my Saviour,

Who shed for me His precious blood;

I am just going over Jordan,

I am just going over home.

Source: The Broadman Hymnal (Copyright 1940 Broadman Press)

Here is a music video of Angel City Chorale singing an arrangement of the American spiritual "The Wayfaring Stranger."