While reading the testimony of a friend (http://www.ahavatammi.org/bob’s_testimony.htm), I was struck by an experience he had as a youth. ‘One Sunday morning when I was 8 years old I was messing around with some friends while waiting in line to go to mass. Well that annoyed one of the Nuns and she came up to me from behind, smacked me in the head to stop and called me “a little Jewish B****rd!”.’

As a teacher of young people, I felt immediate conviction (though I’ve never been a Nun – promise!). I wanted to slap her silly - a most unchristian attitude on my part, actually, and a little late to boot. Too often I find myself agreeing with Ghandi’s sentiment in that I love Christ but very often dislike Christians. Too often, my own sin shows through as the Nun’s did, in uncharitable attitudes and unkind language, and I’m so terribly unaware of it at the time.

Children are sometimes impacted by these “minor” events far out of proportion to what seems reasonable to adults. When I was young and visiting a Baptist church in another state, the teacher led a group of about 40 kids in playing a game in which, if your number was called (mine was 4), you had to jump up before “it” did something (I forget what). If “it” beat you, or you jumped up when a number was called that wasn’t yours, you had to go to the end of the line, and everyone below you advanced one. To win the game and a modest prize, you had to advance to slot #1.

Being badly over-competitive (then and now), I had achieved the #1 slot when the agreed upon time expired. I was quite excited to have won, and was surprised when the leader announced “We’ll do one more round.” He then looked directly at me and called “four!” - I paused and then jumped up – and as soon as he saw me standing, shouted “tee!”. He then took great pleasure in presenting the prize I had rightfully won to the girl who had finished second – a local girl I later learned was his favorite.

Was this truly a significant event in my life? Hardly – and yet I remember the humiliation of being forced to lose to this day. I’d like to think that I can draw on this experience, and my friend’s by empathy, to become more sensitive in what I say and how I act toward my students. If so, then God receives the credit, for no man can truly tame his own tongue.

So short a life for so much needed change – so I’m glad He is a God of miracles!

 In honor of Microsoft’s OOXML press release regarding the failed ISO vote handily outspinning my Dremel, I proudly present this White Star Line press release, circa 1912.
—
Today the Senate Investigating Committee released the results of its preliminary review of the highly publicized maiden voyage of White Star’s RMS Titanic. The report shows that Titanic completed fully 74% of her voyage with greater speed and in more decadent luxury than had been previously expected. White Star expressed confidence that the Gigantic, set to attempt its maiden voyate next March, will travel even farther after incorporating extensive spontaneous passenger and crew feedback from Titanic.

Carrying over 2200 passengers from 51 countries, Titanic reflected an unprecedented level of blue-blood society participation as she sped at over 23 knots across the ice-strewn North Atlantic. Titanic reached the ice floe at 41°43′32″N, 49°56′49″W fully six hours ahead of the smaller Cunard liner Carpathia, whose passengers complained of delays and crowded conditions for the remainder of their cruise. The spacious Titanic, by comparison, felt much less crowded and offered real value for transatlantic passengers around the globe. Further refinements in the Gigantic, such as larger rudders and binoculars for the iceberg watch, are expected to provide an even finer cruising experience.

"We are extremely delighted to see the more than 700 survivors arrive in New York, voicing strong support for the changes we plan for the Gigantic," said Bruce Ismay, who personally participated in life boat exercises during the voyage. "These changes, resulting from the Senate’s recommendations and the recovered notes of the late shipbuilder Thomas Andrews, will represent a milestone in the widespread adoption of large steamers for crossing the ‘pond’ at high speed in the middle of winter."

Founded in 1863, White Star Line is the worldwide leader in transatlantic services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential, in and out of the water. White Star is considering rechristening the Gigantic as the Britannic, and possibly changing the company’s name, for reasons that do not concern you.