Pierz ... St. Cloud ... San Francisco

A profile of John Stumpf: From farm boy to Wells Fargo executive!
Pierz ... St. Cloud ... San Francisco

Ready to catch the next stage


Excerpts:

What Stumpf calls his “story of absolute good fortune” began when he was born the second of what would be 11 children to arrive within 13 years on the Stumpf family farm. There were so many children, he quips, “When the Stumpfs didn’t show up for band practice at school, they cancelled.”

Growing up, the older Stumpf children lived through years of financial hardship on the dairy farm and their parents searched out a way to augment their meager income. The answer came in a contract with the Jack Frost Co. and building a chicken barn to house 15,000 laying hens. That meant added chores for the Stumpf children, said Stumpf’s sister Jessie.

Their mother, a nurse, and father provided the children with the right formula for life. “There was that model of education, of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and going on to find a way to conquer,” Jessie Stumpf said. “There was always an attitude of ‘we will find a way – we won’t sit back and see what’s going to happen.’”

Stumpf: “I remember seeing a poster ... that reminded me how the goal of learning was not necessarily good grades. It was an ad for a flight training school that said, ‘We’re in the business of helping people learn how to fly safely – not just pass the test.’ ”

Comment: I recommend the linked article as a proud Wells Fargo employee! I met John a year ago at a BCP conference in San Francisco!

Pyromaniacs: Here's Mud in Your Eye

Pyromaniacs: Here's Mud in Your Eye

A good read about a passage that I've found both intriguing and confusing: John 9

The "invisible primary"

Checks and Balances - Wasn't McCain-Feingold supposed to take big money out of politics?

Excerpt:

Sens. John McCain and Russ Fiengold failed miserably in their attempt to drive money from politics.

....

Now Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are shattering any illusion that money isn't central to winning the presidency. Together the two senators raised more than $50 million in the first quarter of this year and are enjoying reams of media coverage for the feat and for having far outpaced Republican candidates.

Shortly before the close of the quarter, Mrs. Clinton made it known that her fund raising wasn't simply about paying for ads and other campaign related expenses. Donating to her campaign was also to be a political statement meant to show that she was still the prohibitive favorite to win the Democratic nomination.

Comment:

The irony is that the very "campaign finance reform" designed to take the big money out of politics has actually infused more $$ into the process! It's as if "get out and vote" means little but "give early and give often" is the new political mantra!

Work and Life

Work:

1. My boss was supposed to be in Brazil last week but his trip fell through: Spring break band trip breaks down
   
2. We had a fire drill at work: a product that we use for workstation data encryption is not working on some workstations - the workstation bluescreens! I need to write a communications tomorrow morning about
   

Life:

1. I received an invitation to preach in Boy River MN on July 8th. Nice.
   
2. Kathee and I read Joshua 3 & 4 tonight.
   

---

Did you know?

That when Israel entered the promised land that the Jordan river parted (like the parting of the Red Sea 40 years earlier)!

Joshua 3:14-17, "So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan."

Compare Exodus 14

The Elizabeth - Monty feud!

Elizabeth Edwards afraid of neighbor - She has never met `rabid Republican,' but wouldn't be nice

I file this under the hope that we could all just love each other and get along! Here where I live we have 4 homes per acre. Down in the Edwards' neighborhood you have only two homes in 140 acres. This feud is (tongue in cheek!) reminiscent of the Hatfield-McCoy feud a century ago!

I have these questions for Elizabeth Edwards. Do you not like Monty because ...

1. He is a Republican?
   
2. He has a gun?
   
3. He is "rabid" (something)?
   
4. He posted a "Go Rudy Giuliani 2008" sign 100' from your driveway?
   
5. His property is "slummy"? Followup question: "How do you feel about others whose properties are slummy? I ask because some of those folk might just be democrats!"
   
6. He was there first?
   

Suggestion to Elizabeth. Bake a pie, call your neighbor up and make up, and deliver the pie as a gesture of friendship!




Excerpt:

Elizabeth Edwards says she is scared of the "rabid, rabid Republican" who owns property across the street from her Orange County home -- and she doesn't want her kids going near the gun-toting neighbor.

Edwards, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, particularly recalls the time neighbor Monty Johnson brought out a gun while chasing workers investigating a right of way near his property. The Edwards family has yet to meet Johnson in person.

"I wouldn't be nice to him, anyway," Edwards said in an interview. "I don't want my kids anywhere near some guy who, when he doesn't like somebody, the first thing he does is pull a gun out. It scares the business out of me."

But Johnson defended the occasion he brandished a gun, saying those on his land didn't have the proper approval.

"I use the gun for protection, and I considered that an appropriate time," Johnson said. "Sometimes you have to take drastic measures."

Edwards views Johnson as a "rabid, rabid Republican" who refuses to clean up his "slummy" property just to spite her family, whose lavish 28,000-square-foot estate is nearby on 102 wooded acres.

Post-Modern Church Stained Glass

Church unveils stained-glass image from 9/11: World Trade Center pane in Dutch cathedral shows ‘hell on earth’

Excerpt:

A new stained glass window in a Dutch cathedral that contains an image of the World Trade Center attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people was blessed on Sunday by a Dutch bishop.

The window, built up of about 20 different panes with representations of heaven and hell, has the WTC pane at the bottom showing “hell on earth,” its maker Marc Mulders said.

The pane shows an airplane about to crash in one of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

Comment:

It shouldn't surprise anyone that as a result of the church ignoring Christ, that soon after church-art will eliminate Him as well!

Common sense on Global Warming

Why So Gloomy?

Comment: Although you probably have never heard of him, Richard Lidzen, is qualified (in contrast to Al Gore) to speak to climate issues.

Excerpts from the Newsweek article:

There is no compelling evidence that the warming trend we've seen will amount to anything close to catastrophe. What most commentators—and many scientists—seem to miss is that the only thing we can say with certainly about climate is that it changes. The earth is always warming or cooling by as much as a few tenths of a degree a year; periods of constant average temperatures are rare. Looking back on the earth's climate history, it's apparent that there's no such thing as an optimal temperature—a climate at which everything is just right.

A warmer climate could prove to be more beneficial than the one we have now. Much of the alarm over climate change is based on ignorance of what is normal for weather and climate.

Overall, the risk of sea-level rise from global warming is less at almost any given location than that from other causes, such as tectonic motions of the earth's surface.

Many of the most alarming studies rely on long-range predictions using inherently untrustworthy climate models, similar to those that cannot accurately forecast the weather a week from now.

Was He the Eggman?

I post this only because I like Eggs Benedict (from Perkins!)

According to the NY Times, here's its history:

New York Region / The City
Was He the Eggman?
By GREGORY BEYER
Published: April 8, 2007
A dashing turn-of-the-century Wall Streeter may have invented eggs Benedict. Or maybe not.

Wiki: Eggs Benedict

Island lifted 10 feet

A man looks at an exposed coral reef on the remote island of Ranongga. The seismic jolt that unleashed the deadly Solomons tsunami this week lifted an entire island metres out of the sea, destroying some of the world's most pristine coral reefs

Quake lifts Solomons island out of the sea

Excerpt:

In an instant, the grinding of the Earth's tectonic plates in the 8.0 magnitude earthquake Monday forced the island of Ranongga up three metres (10 foot).

Submerged reefs that once attracted scuba divers from around the globe lie exposed and dying after the quake raised the mountainous landmass, which is 32-kilometres (20-miles) long and 8-kilometres (5-miles) wide.

Corals that used to form an underwater wonderland of iridescent blues, greens and reds now bleach under the sun, transforming into a barren moonscape surrounding the island.

Comments:

Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883, by Simon Winchester, is a fascinating book that describes plate tectonics. The above article describes a recent dramatic lifting of the earth!

Easter 2007

1. Breakfast: Roger made breakfast this morning: Frittata. I bought Hot Cross Buns at Lunds' bakery yesterday.
   
2. AM worship: at 4th Baptist. Pastor McLachlan preached from 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
   
3. Dinner: Brother joined us. Kathee had a great dinner: smoked turkey breast, asparagus, potatoes, salad, and fresh baked bread. She had angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream.
   
4. Pool: Roger and I played pool (9 ball) and I won 7 games to 4.
   
5. PM Worship: Kimball Cummings had a vocal number, testimonies, and Pastor brought a short message.
   

Back to work tomorrow.

The World From Our Window: President Bush's 2007 Easter Message: 'Rejoice'

The World From Our Window: President Bush's 2007 Easter Message: 'Rejoice'

The Resurrection

The Resurrection - Gustave Dore
Matthew 28:1-10

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

Stuff Out Loud: Why Jesus Had To Die

Stuff Out Loud: Why Jesus Had To Die

Comment: A Scriptural message on the death of Christ!

Am I a threat to society?

Movie Poster

"Neo" is seemingly the new (pun intended) prefix and appellation. I've heard of neocons (new conservatives), neo-fundamentalists, and neo-orthodoxy.

To some "neo" is freshing change ... to others "neo" is dangerous thought. Neo was the protagonist-hero in "The Matrix". I'm pretty sure that I don't want to be called "neo-anything" (although I'm a Tom Pryde fan (the neofundy))!

Until today, I had never heard of a "neo-atheist". Here's the editorial defending me (a believer in the resurrected Savior) against neo-atheists who consider me a threat to society.

E. J. Dionne Jr.: Answers To the Atheists

According to Mr Dionne, neo-atheist Sam Harris states that "certainty about the next life is simply incompatible with tolerance in this one" and "We have been slow to recognize the degree to which religious faith perpetuates man's inhumanity to man." Dionne, in his defense of me, says the neo-atheists "think a belief in salvation through faith in God, no matter the religious tradition, is dangerous to an open society."

I'm shocked! Am I a danger to an open society? Intolerant?

At the age of almost 58, I wish someone would call me a neo-something. (better than being called an paleo-anything!). If you see me on the street, watch out, I might just trip you with my crutch and tell you about Jesus!

How Stuff Works: Automatic Transmissions

How Stuff Works: Automatic Transmissions

One of the most confusing parts of a car (to me) is an automatic transmission. This graphical, 10 (short) lesson article explains. Don't miss the interactive animation of automatic transmissions different gear ratios and the the shift lever interactive animation!

Al Gore: "a gross alarmist"

Forecaster Blasts Gore on Global Warming
calling Al Gore "a gross alarmist"

Excerpt:

"He's one of these guys that preaches the end of the world type of things. I think he's doing a great disservice and he doesn't know what he's talking about," Dr. William Gray said in an interview with The Associated Press at the National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans, where he delivered the closing speech.

Gray, an emeritus professor at the atmospheric science department at Colorado State University, has long railed against the theory that heat-trapping gases generated by human activity are causing the world to warm.

PROFILES: Dr. William Gray

Bob Grummet obit

Robert L. Grummet, aged 71, of Alto, passed away April 2, 2007. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ron and Elsie Grummet, brothers, Fred and Ray Grummet, sister, Zelma Pearson. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lila Lee; children, Robert (Rebecca) Grummet, William (Carol) Grummet, Marilee (Mark) Trierweiler, Joseph (Susan) Grummet; sisters, Fran (Jim) Warner, Sharon (Larry) Jenks, Mary Lou Carzoli; brother-in-law, Steven (Carol) Green; sisters-in-law, Linda (Denny) Hawk, Becky Grummet; Aunt Nina Fortuna; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; many cousins. Bob retired after 30 years for the Kent County Sheriff's Department as a Kent County Sheriff's Deputy. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 6th at the Roth-Gerst Funeral Home, 305 N. Hudson with Rev. Dean Bailey officiating. Interment Bowne Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to: Alto United Methodist Building Fund or Saladin Shrine. Roth-Gerst
Published in the Grand Rapids Press on 4/4/2007.

(My Cousin Lila's husband. We saw them this past Summer. I was 6 or 7 when they were married. )

Illegal Diplomacy

Did Nancy Pelosi commit a felony when she went to Syria?

Excerpt:

The Logan Act makes it a felony and provides for a prison sentence of up to three years for any American, "without authority of the United States," to communicate with a foreign government in an effort to influence that government's behavior on any "disputes or controversies with the United States." Some background on this statute helps to understand why Ms. Pelosi may be in serious trouble.

Free to tell the truth!

We were blindfolded, bound and stripped, say our sailors

Royal Navy captives: Key quotes

Excerpt:

On arrival at a small Iranian naval base we were blindfolded, stripped of all our kit and led to a room where I declared myself as the officer in charge and was introduced to their local commander.

Two hours later, we were moved to a second location and throughout the night were subjected to random interrogation.

The questions were aggressive and the handling rough, but it was no worse than that.

The following morning, we were flown to Tehran and transported to a prison - where the atmosphere changed completely.

We were blindfolded, our hands were bound, we were forced up against the wall. Throughout our ordeal we faced constant psychological pressure.

Later, we were stripped and dressed in pyjamas. The next few nights were spent in stone cells approximately 8ft by 6ft, sleeping on piles of blankets.

Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1672

Comment: Latest pic from the Hubble!

Hubble: Stellar Nursery in the arms of NGC 1672

Science Daily: Spectacular Hubble Image Of Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 1672

Excerpt:

NGC 1672, visible from the Southern Hemisphere, is seen almost face on and shows regions of intense star formation. The greatest concentrations of star formation are found in the so-called starburst regions near the ends of the galaxy’s strong galactic bar. NGC 1672 is a prototypical barred spiral galaxy and differs from normal spiral galaxies in that the spiral arms do not twist all the way into the centre. Instead, they are attached to the two ends of a straight bar of stars enclosing the nucleus.

Psalm 8

O LORD, our Lord,
         How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
         Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
       
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
         You have ordained strength,
         Because of Your enemies,
         That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
       
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
         The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

What is man that You are mindful of him,
         And the son of man that You visit him?

For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
         And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
       
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
         You have put all things under his feet,

All sheep and oxen—
         Even the beasts of the field,

The birds of the air,
         And the fish of the sea
         That pass through the paths of the seas.
       
O LORD, our Lord,
         How excellent is Your name in all the earth!