Good News Round-Up

At work yesterday, my supervisor made the point that all that’s on the news is generally negative. It’s kind of true of this blog. While I wouldn’t consider every story negative, I think we focus a lot on political battles and such, so I’ve decided to round up some feel good news every now and again to balance our normal fare.

From Happy News,  someone in Japan is doing some random acts of kindness:

Envelopes containing 10,000 yen ($82) bills and well-wishing notes have been discovered in municipal toilets across Japan, media reports said, baffling civil servants and triggering a nationwide hunt.

Local media have estimated that over two million yen ($16,400) worth of bills were found at men’s rooms in city halls in at least 15 prefectures (states) in recent weeks.

Each package of 10,000-yen bills, some wrapped in traditional Japanese washi paper, was accompanied by handwritten letters that read ”Please make use of this money for your self-enrichment,” and ”One per person,” according to reports.

Officials are baffled over the identity of the benefactor or any motives, the reports said. Packages turned over to police were to be kept for some time in case someone claimed them.

 Some folks are having fun with their new Iphones:

Apple Inc.’s iPhone frenzy has bred some iFun.

About 350 software developers who attended iPhoneDevCamp, an ad hoc jam session in the Silicon Valley last weekend, managed to produce about 60 new Web-based applications tailored for the mobile gadget, including a bunch of casual games.

Sudoku and Tetris-like puzzles were bound to appear but the creative juices — fueled by bagels, pizza, wine and beer over the three-day event — also led to programs taking advantage of the iPhone’s special features, such as its position sensor or the touch screen that responds to two fingers at once.

With a game called ”Tilt,” players rotate the phone to control a creature who likes to eat falling leaves and butterflies.

In ”Pool,” the display turns into a blue lake that creates ripples when you touch it, and if another member signed into the pool community on another iPhone touches the same spot at the same time, you will catch a fish.

Congrats to the World’s tallest man on getting married at the age of 56. It’s tough for a lot of those taller people to live that long, but getting married. Congratulations to him (and his little woman.)

A couple high school kids are getting to study with NASA scientists.

A Marine bioscientist has identified a potential way to produce biodiesel fuel without diverting our normal food production.

Meanwhile, God’s church is busy throughout the world. In Latin America, Transworld Radio is opening its doors to provide bible training to remotely placed pastors. In Zimbabwe, the church is responding to the needs of those devestated by hyperinflation:

Churches across Zimbabwe report hundreds of people coming to them each week with needs ranging from school fees to medicine and food. The Christian aid worker says at least 50 people show up on her doorstep every day. The program she directs has the means to help only around 15 people per day. She offers a clinic to help with basic medical needs, as well as a twice-a-week feeding project. The program also helps widows taking care of orphans with rent and basic food.

“By far, the greatest problem is meeting day-to-day needs for the average Zimbabwean,” the Christian aid worker says.

“The church has always been more concerned about salvation and tithing, but are we limiting God when the church functions like that?” Motsi asks. “God deals with the nations. He feeds the poor and heals the sick. He wants the nation of Zimbabwe for His purpose and glory. God is redefining the role of the church in Zimbabwe.”

Cross and other pastors agree. Most churches have an ever-expanding social ministry program, relying on God to meet their basic needs every day. Cross says the church also must be an example to the rest of the nation for not only meeting physical needs but how to “move on” with life.