Thursday Text: Romans 12:2

There is a quote on the wall of the Divinity School at Duke University that comes from Romans 12:2. It says "be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." We really liked that. Here's the full scripture:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Thursday Tunes: Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown

When we were at Duke early this summer, we picked up a copy of the Methodist Hymnal. The other day I discovered a hymn by Charles Wesley set to a Scottish tune that I really like, called Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown. (Click the title to go to a page where you can hear the tune.)

Come, O thou Traveler unknown,
whom still I hold, but cannot see!
My company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee.
With thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day;
with thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.

I need not tell thee who I am,
my misery and sin declare;
thyself hast called me by my name,
look on thy hands, and read it there.
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.

Yield to me now, for I am weak,
but confident in self-despair!
Speak to my heart, in blessing speak,
be conquered by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.

'Tis Love! 'tis Love! Thou diedst for me,
I hear thy whisper in my heart.
The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
pure, Universal Love thou art.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.

Friday Featured Art: The Nasher Museum of Art

Duke University has an interesting art museum. This piece is part of the permanent collection at the Nasher Museum of Art. I can't remember who the artist is, but this is a self portrait. It was fascinating - the stubble on the chin and the eyelashes and all of the features were so lifelike (and it's gigantic)!

North Carolina Bluestone

The campus of Duke University is very beautiful. The buildings are neo-Gothic, and most are made of a combination of Hillsborough bluestone and Indiana limestone. Here's the Duke Chapel that towers 210 feet and houses 50 bells. The stone combination is very unusual but very effective aesthetically.

Friday Featured Art: Abel Pann

I spent a lot of time at the Perkins Library while we were at Duke University. In the entry, they had an exhibit called "Illustrating the Hebrew Bible." There were some interesting works of art. I liked this one of the creation of Adam by Abel Pann. The caption says, "And he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life."

Thursday Text: Duke Motto

The motto of Duke University is Eruditio et Religio. It refers to the founding of the institution and the hope that education and religion would always go together. I think that's a great aspiration.

Southern Magnolias

Southern Magnolias were a nice part of our trip to the South. They were everywhere, and they were in full bloom when we arrived in North Carolina. The scent was heavenly. The trees are evergreen, and they are gigantic. (As you can see in the bottom photo - they dwarfed the buildings.) Beautiful.

Mayfel's

We just returned from 3+ weeks in North Carolina. My husband was studying at Duke University, and we had a great time. On the way there, we stopped in Asheville - what a lovely town. We had dinner at a place called Mayfel's, and I had eggs benedict that included fried green tomatoes and a lime hollandaise sauce. Yum!