Sunspots 693

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else:

The Arts: CBS Overtime shows a young lady, not in high school yet, create a piano sonata from four random notes picked out by Scott Pelley.

Christianity: Relevant has a good article on how the Bible says to treat refugees. However, the article didn't mention Isaiah 16:3, which says "Give counsel! Execute justice! Make your shade like the night in the middle of the noonday! Hide the outcasts! Don’t betray the fugitive! 4a Let my outcasts dwell with you! As for Moab, be a hiding place for him from the face of the destroyer." (This was in spite of the fact that the Moabites hadn’t always been good to Israel. See Josh 24:9, Judg 3:12-30, 1 Sam 12:9.)

(And politics) The current President of the Southern Baptist Convention is one of the evangelical leaders invited to the White House for a dinner. He recognized the possible pitfalls, and says that he did not sign a Bible for Mr. Trump, which contained an inscription including these words: "History will record the greatness that you have brought for generations."

Sojourners has an article with more to say about this meeting with President Trump, and a recent previous meeting of the President with African-American pastors. One thing that article points out is that James Dobson, and other evangelicals, called for the removal of President Bill Clinton, because of the Lewinsky affair, but are lauding President Trump, in spite of his affairs with several women.


Health: Scientific American reports on the dangers of earwax buildup, especially in the elderly.

Gizmodo on grudges. Animals can carry them for long periods of time. They can do considerable harm to us, if we carry them.

Humor: Listverse tells us about the 10 strangest roadside attractions.

(or clothing) The Pudding compares pocket size (and existence) in female vs. male clothing.


Politics: Gizmodo reports that there are controversies over whether to allow bobcat hunting, in Ohio and elsewhere.

A Yale opinion map, showing, by county, Congressional District, metropolitan area, or state, what people believe about global warming.

Thanks for looking!

Sunspots 609

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else:


Christianity: Relevant reports that Christians are the most persecuted people in the world.

Sojourners has extracted excerpts from speeches from soon-to-be-ex-president Obama, on his faith.

Benjamin L. Corey points out that God didn't demand the death penalty for the murder of Abel. (I don't always approve of Mr. Corey's language, but his posts are always thought-provoking.)

Corey also points out that, even if you don't believe in Christianity, it's wrong to dismiss the Bible as a fairy tale.


Education: Listverse points out some troubling facts and trends in higher education.

Finance: The Associated Press reports that eight men are, in combination, as rich as half of the people in the world.

Health: Apparently, President-elect Trump is listening to the anti-vaccine movement, in spite of the lack of scientific evidence that vaccination is linked to autism, and may be going to do something about what he hears, according to Scientific American.

Scientific American also reports on warnings against cleaning out your earwax.

History: I don't expect this will change any holocaust denier's mind, but ListVerse has 10 facts that prove that the holocaust really happened.

Humor: (or something) Listverse reports on 10 surprising lost objects, including a city, a spaceship, and thousands of shipping containers.

An amazing construction of marbles, and other items. (Video, about 2 minutes.)


Politics: FiveThirtyEight points out that, barring unforeseen events, soon-to-be-ex-vice-president Joe Biden will be the only veep who served for two terms, and never cast a tie-breaking vote.

Image source (public domain)