Exodus 15 (NIV) (please read the entire Chapter 15; portions listed below)

1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.

2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh’s officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.
6 Your right hand, Lord,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord,
shattered the enemy.

7 “In the greatness of your majesty
you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;
it consumed them like stubble.

11 Who among the gods
is like you, Lord?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?

12 “You stretch out your right hand,
and the earth swallows your enemies.
13 In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
14 The nations will hear and tremble;

18 “The Lord reigns
for ever and ever.”

19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.

Reflection:

In the Bible, there are so many instances where the Red Sea salvation experience of the Israelites is remembered and recounted over and over again. Have you ever wondered why? When we read those parts, we could respond with, “I know this story already,” and move on quickly. But let’s take a moment to wonder why God would remind us over and over again. Perhaps it is because it is vital for us to remember that how God has saved us was something we could not have even thought of let alone put into effect on our own. Correctly recounting the salvation of God softens our hearts and resets them back to that place of being humble and grateful before Him.

Responding to the Transmission:

Let’s remember how God has saved us - not just the first time when He brought us from death to life to become His son or daughter, but also the many times since then where God has demonstrated that He will continue to deliver and care for us. The Israelites faced many real threats of capture and death. We too, at times, face real threats, real diseases and real pain. But God intervenes with His salvation and grace, and He will complete what He has begun. Let’s remember and worship Him with thanksgiving.

Are Pit bulls getting a bad rap?

It seems that this notorious breed of canine is now being put in a legal doghouse.

This has to do with a recent case in Maryland  known as Tracey v. Solesky. Herethe Court determined that owners of pit bulls or pit bull mixes and landlords who allow said owners to live in their establishments can both be held liable in pit bull attacks.

Additionally, in the event of a pit bull attack, the victim no longer has to prove that the owner and/or landlord knew the dog was dangerous–he just has to prove that they knew the dog was a pit bull or pit bull mix.

But why the breed discrimination? Well, in its Tracey v. Solesky decision, the Court had this to say about the natural disposition of the dogs:

“Because of its aggressive and vicious nature and its capability to inflict serious and sometimes fatal injuries, pit bulls and cross-bred pit bulls are inherently dangerous.”

Even if we disregard the fact that the pronoun-noun agreement really bites, the above statement from the Court still manages to sound somehow…well, wrong–especially since many veterinarians and dog experts agree that pi bulls are not “inherently dangerous.”

If you don’t believe us, just give this video from Animal Planet’s Dogs 101 a view.

You’ll learn more about the true nature of pit bulls from people who really know dogs (and I mean, come on, just look at those pups. They’re so CUTE!)

During its special session in July, the Maryland General Assembly may be placing a bill to put pit bulls on the same level as all other breeds with regard to liability laws. If a bill is successfully passed, the Assembly can overrule the Court’s decision.

Normally, the dog-eat-dog nature of politics is frowned upon, but in this case, many constituents may be pleased to see the Assembly take a deep bite into the Court’s ruling.

Each year, the Alumni Association Scholarship program helps amazing students succeed at UMBC. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing some of their stories with you. This week, meet scholarship recipient Paige Khoury ’12.
When you meet Paige Khoury ’12, dance, it’s easy to see why the new grad has trouble sitting still. Not only does she dance and choreograph, she’s also a dedicated volunteer – and even, recently, a budding filmmaker.
As one of four Alumni Association Scholarship winners for the 2011-2012 school year, Paige puts her passions to work wherever she goes, and UMBC is all the better for it.
“Dance helps my soul thrive,” said Khoury, whose choreographed piece, “Catalyst,” was performed by other students in the 2012 UMBC’s Undergraduate & Creative Achievement Day. “There really aren’t words to describe it. Dance is something that anyone can do…anybody is capable of it, and I love that.”

Each year, the Alumni Association Scholarship program helps amazing students succeed at UMBC. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing some of their stories with you. This week, meet scholarship recipient Paige Khoury ’12.

When you meet Paige Khoury ’12, dance, it’s easy to see why the new grad has trouble sitting still. Not only does she dance and choreograph, she’s also a dedicated volunteer – and even, recently, a budding filmmaker.

As one of four Alumni Association Scholarship winners for the 2011-2012 school year, Paige puts her passions to work wherever she goes, and UMBC is all the better for it.

“Dance helps my soul thrive,” said Khoury, whose choreographed piece, “Catalyst,” was performed by other students in the 2012 UMBC’s Undergraduate & Creative Achievement Day. “There really aren’t words to describe it. Dance is something that anyone can do…anybody is capable of it, and I love that.”

While dancing takes up a lot of her time, Khoury also truly enjoys giving back through volunteer work. She spent a month in Haiti during the summer of 2010 helping earthquake victims rebuild their lives. The volunteering – which she completed as a part of her church’s mission work – shaped her world outlook, she says.

“We helped out at an orphanage with 50 children in it that was run by one woman all by herself,” she says, showing off a bracelet given to her by a little boy named Albert, who latched onto her her first day in the torn country.

“I cherish this,” says Khoury, who has stayed in touch with Albert, and who is working from afar to raise money for the people in his village.  “He had nothing, and he gave this to me…he showed me that possessions aren’t important. Only people are important.”

Newly graduated, Khoury is taking some time to figure out what she wants to do long term. She knows she wants to help people. She wants to dance. Perhaps she could combine the two somehow, she says.

Ever grateful for the chances her scholarships gave her (she also earned a partial Linehan Artists Scholarship for dance), she also hopes to stay involved with UMBC.

“Every year, I’ve struggled to pay for school,” she says. “The scholarship allowed me to pursue dance and the things I love…it really helped make this year great. Thank you.”

* * * *

– As a sort of going away present to the Class of 2012, Paige orchestrated (and choreographed!) a video “lip dub” entitled “Study Rock Anthem” (to the tune of “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO). Watch it here. 

Image from Flickr

Congress does (or sometimes doesn’t do) some serious stuff.

For example, this week the Senate blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act.  Congress investigated ethics violations and tried to negotiate a deal on student loan interest rates.  Whether or not you agree with these actions, they’re pretty legit, right?

However, Congress is also responsible for taking care of some less serious business.

Just this week, a bipartisan group of Massachusetts Senators and Representatives teamed up to create the Cranberry Caucus.  They’ve been joined by their Wisconsin colleagues in the effort to

promote the industry and help lobby for exemptions from food-labeling rules that could depict cranberry products as unhealthy

The cranberry industry, which employs many of its workers from – yep you guessed it! – Wisconsin and Massachusetts, is concerned that cranberry juice will be lumped in with other sugary drinks that are the target of greater regulation and labeling requirements.  Unsweetened cranberry juice, they explain

is too tart for mass consumption, which means the fruit requires an infusion of sugar to make it palatable.

Therefore, the industry argues, cranberry juice should be a category of its own and be exempt from such regulations.  And lucky for them, now they’ve got a Congressional caucus to advocate for them!