Shade Tree Wisdom 4/7/08

Beverly Sills, singer and president of the N.Y. Opera, said one time “There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going”. I thought of that because this next Sunday April 13th, 2008, Christ Lutheran Church in Chalmette, La is rededicating its rebuilt and refurbished church building. When Katina hit, New Orleans suffered from wind and water damage, and Chalmette, just east of there, came under ten feet of water. The Church was damaged badly, furniture destroyed, books and items water-damaged beyond repair. But over the next months volunteers from many areas came with helping hands and helping dollars. They mucked out homes, cleaned yards, swung hammers, rebuilt, and replaced, so that today the Church can rededicate the building to the glory of God and the teaching of the way of salvation in Christ Jesus.


That’s a success story. If you wish, a Congratulatory letter will reach them c/o Pastor Philip T Miller, 106 Cedarwood Dr, Slidell, La 70461 (The Pastors home address). After Sunday the Church address is 3300 Jupiter Dr, Chalmette, La 70043. To God be the glory.


Other bits and pieces. Here is a book, Nudge, Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, Happiness, by two University of Chicago Professors. Their thesis is that if we give people a choice with a sort of nudge, they will make better choices. For example, in a cafeteria line, placing health foods first before the chips and cookies will have children select more healthy choices.

Or if companies offer corporate retirement savings plans in which the companies make matching contributions [free money], and make such plans automatic unless new people ‘opt out’, inertia makes more people simply do the right thing.

One more bit. UPS, you see their brown trucks everywhere, plan routes so the drivers turn right. The company shaved 30 million miles off delivery routes, saved 3 million gallons of fuel, and reduced emissions by 32,000 metric tons. Now, doesn’t that urge one to plan to turn right when driving?
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And this, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” .Ps. 37, 4.7.