On the subject of ChatGPT

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“Language models are trained to predict the next word,” said Yilun Du, a researcher at MIT who was previously a research fellow at OpenAI, and one of the paper’s authors. “They are not trained to tell people they don’t know what they’re doing.” The result is bots that act like precocious people-pleasers, making up answers instead of admitting they simply don’t know.

That’s why I pity the students who rely on ChatGPT to write their homework assignments …

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Emmanuël Nicolaïdes and the Trio Emmanuël

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In the late 1970s, while a student at the (now unfortunately defunct) European Bible Institute (EBI) in Lamorlaye, north of Paris, I came across an album by Trio Emmanuël, with lead singer Emmanuël Nicolaïdes, an alumnus of EBI. I never owned the album (it was part of the record collection at EBI’s small radio studio) and the compact cassette copy I had made for myself unfortunately got lost during one of our many moves, but the songs are so impressed on my mind that today, more than forty years later, I still remember most of the words. Some time ago, to my delight, I came across the songs from that album on YouTube.

Later Emmanuël lived in Canada, and while I never actually met him I briefly corresponded with him a few years ago. Two months ago I found out that he went home to glory about two years ago, after a long illness and Covid-related complications.

So, in memory of Emmanuël Nicolaïdes and Trio Emnanuël, here are the videos I found on YouTube.

Note: Unfortunately I don’t have the words, and my French is not good enough to do a satisfactory transciption, so if anyone out there can help with that, I would appreciate it.

Je chante pour Jésus

Je chante pour Jésus

      

Roc séculaire

Roc séculaire

      

Jésus vint

Jésus vint

      

Quand je contemple

Quand je contemple

      

Rends moi comme Toi

Rends moi comme Toi

      

Tu seras honoré

Tu seras honoré

      

Oh, Jésus m'aime

Oh, Jésus m'aime

      

Un jour dans ma memoire

Un jour dans ma memoire

      

Le Père admirable

Le Père admirable

      

Vers qui se tourner

Vers qui se tourner

      

Jusqu'à la fin

Jusqu'à la fin

      

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Mentalitätsunterschiede?

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“24h Polizei im Einsatz”, eine aktuelle Serie auf puls24 TV die Grazer Polizisten auf ihren Einsätzen begleitet, ist genauso interessant, wie die deutschen Serien “Auf Streife” und “Ruhrpottwache” — aber auf ganz andere Weise. Teilweise liegt das sicher am Ansatz (die Deutschen stellen Einsätze mit teilweise tatsächlichen Polizisten und anderen Ersthelfern nach, die Grazer begleiten tatsächliche Einsätze), aber ich glaube, es liegt auch den Mentaltätsunterschieden zwischen Deutschland und Österreich. Mit einer bayrischen Sendung wären die Unterschiede wahrscheinlich etwas geringer.

Und auch innerhalb Österreichs scheint es Unterschiede zu geben: die Wiener Polizisten, mit denen ich im Laufe der Jahre zu tun hatte, kamen mir allesamt nicht so sympathisch vor wie ihre Grazer Kollegen (aber das mag auch an einer anderen Wahrnehmung liegen, wenn man selbst Ziel der Amtshandlung ist ).

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USA: Problems with super long trains

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When we were living in Plano, TX in 1984-1989 trains would regularly cut the town in half; as soon as the sound of a train whistle was heard, cars started racing along Avenue K to get to a crossing before the train blocked all crossings for half an hour. And this was not rural Texas, but part of the Dallas Metroplex. This situation seems to have been fixed since then by elevating the train tracks so road traffic can pass below them, but the same and worse problems continue to exist across the U.S., with paramedics and fire engines unable to reach the site of an emergency or to reach the hospital with critically ill patients.

In situations like those described in this article it is incomprehensible to me why the world’s most advanced and powerful nation (by their own assessment) is being held hostage by freight train operators and is unable to mandate the conversion of grade crossings into road underpasses.

As with the gun control issue legislators in sway to powerful lobbies passively look on while citizens’ lives are being devastated and destroyed. Incomprehensible and enough to disillusion any Americanophile — this one, at least.

(Sorry, article may be behind a paywall.)train

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Judging But Not Being Judged?

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In the lectionary of the Lutheran churches in Austria and Germant the sermon text for today, Pentecost Sunday, is 1 Cor 2:12-16, where it says, among other things,

“But he that is spiritual judges everything but is himself judged by no one.”

Retired Pastor Detlef Korsen made this comment in his Pentecost sermon today:

You can brush this passage against the grain and the result is that spiritual people can judge anything and are not judged themselves. And immediately people who like to sit in judgment are drawn to this passage and say,

“Yes, I would like that too: that nobody can judge me, nobody can say anything about me; but I can say something about everything, and what I say about everything remains unchallenged, because I’m right!”

That is not how the Holy Spirit works. This is how the spirit of the world, disguised as the Spirit of God, works. So stay away from this attitude.

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Salzburger Katastrophen-Koalition

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Wie man hört plant Wilhelm Haslauer in Salzburg eine Koalition mit der FPÖ — wohl ein Vorbote dessen, was uns im Fall einer Doskozil-SPÖ auf Bundesebene bevorsteht.

Man sieht daß, wenn es um Machterhalt geht, Schwarze (bzw Türkise) und Rote ziemlich gleich agieren und nicht den gebührenden Abstand zur ausländerfeindlichen Kickl-Partie halten.

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Classic and Contemporary Hymns

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Keith & Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend, and their team, as well as Bob Kauflin of Sovereign Grace Music[1], are doing their best to revive hymns in the classical style (Bible-based, theologically deep words in multiple verses, often with contemporary-style tunes), to counteract the dominance of today’s worship by short chorus-like songs, many of which are theologically shallow and experience-based.

As much as I love some of the contemporary songs (and of course, the Scipture in Song choruses of the 1970s still feed my soul), this project really resonates with me.

On this page I will begin to collect some of those hymns; there are currently 11 songs, and more songs will be added as time permits.

Feel free to visit Keith & Kristyn Getty’s YouTube channel, as well as Bob Kauflin’s and  Sovereign Grace Music’s channel,

For most of these hymns I provide the words. By clicking on the title below each video you can display or hide the words.[2]

Behold, Our God

Behold, Our God

Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice

Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King! Nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him!

Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the One Who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King! Nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him!

Who has felt the nails upon His hands
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man?
God eternal humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior risen now to reign!

Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King! Nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him!

Men: You will reign forever
Women: Let Your glory fill the earth

Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King! Nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him!

__________

Behold Our God (Live from Sing! 2022)
Keith & Kristyn Getty, Bob Kauflin, Jordan Kauflin, Sovereign Grace Music
Stream the album: https://va.lnk.to/singchristourhope
Words and Music by Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, Ryan Baird and Stephen Altrogge
©2011 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP) / Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI) / adm by Integrity Music
      

Facing A Task Unfinished

Facing A Task Unfinished

Facing a task unfinished
That drives us to our knees
A need that undiminished
Rebukes our slothful ease
We, who rejoice to know Thee
Renew before Thy throne
The solemn pledge we owe Thee
To go and make Thee known

Where other Lords beside Thee
Hold their unhindered sway
Where forces that defied Thee
Defy Thee still today
With none to heed their crying
For life and love and light
Unnumbered souls are dying
And pass into the night

We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord
We bear the torch that flaming
Fell from the hands of those
Who gave their lives proclaiming
That Jesus died and rose

Ours is the same commission
The same glad message ours
Fired by the same ambition
To Thee we yield our powers
We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord

O Father who sustained them
O Spirit who inspired
Saviour, whose love constrained them
To toil with zeal untired
From cowardice defend us
From lethargy awake!
Forth on Thine errands send us
To labour for Thy sake

We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord
We go to all the world
His kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord

__________

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Fionan Debarra / Keith Getty / Edmond Martin Cash / Kristyn Getty
Facing A Task Unfinished lyrics © Capitol Cmg Paragon
      

For The Cause Of Christ The King

For The Cause Of Christ The King

For the cause of Christ the King
We give our lives, an offering
'Til all the earth resounds
With ceaseless praise
To the Son

For the cause of Christ we go
With joy to reap, with faith to sow
As many see
And many put their trust in the Son
Christ we proclaim
The Name above every name
For all creation
Every nation
God's salvation
Through the Son!

For the King once lifted high
To cries of rage, of crucify!
Endured the cross
As every sin was laid
On the Son

To the King who conquered death
To free the poor and the oppressed
For lasting peace
For life and liberty
In the Son

Christ we proclaim
The Name above every name
For all creation
Every nation
God's salvation
Through the Son!

Let it be my life's refrain
To live is Christ, to die is gain
Deny myself, take up my cross
And follow the Son

Let it be my life's refrain
To live is Christ, to die is gain
Deny myself, take up my cross
And follow the Son

Christ we proclaim
The Name above every name
For all creation
Every nation
God's salvation
Through the Son!

Christ we proclaim
The Name above every name
For all creation
Every nation
God's salvation
Through the Son!
__________

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Keith Getty / Stuart Townend / Kristyn Getty
      

His Mercy Is More

His Mercy Is More

VERSE 1
What love could remember no wrongs we have done;
Omniscient, all-knowing, He counts not their sum.
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore;
Our sins, they are many, His mercy is more.
 
CHORUS
Praise the Lord!
His mercy is more.
Stronger than darkness; new every morn;
Our sins, they are many, His mercy is more.
 
VERSE 2
What patience would wait as we constantly roam;
What Father, so tender, is calling us home.
He welcomes, the weakest, the vilest, the poor;
Our sins, they are many, His mercy is more.
 
VERSE 3
What riches of kindness He lavished on us;
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost.
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford;
Our sins, they are many, His mercy is more.
__________

"His Mercy is More" Live from the Sing! 2021 Conference - Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, ft. Shane & Shane
Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
© 2016 Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP), Love Your Enemies Publishing (ASCAP), Getty Music Publishing (BMI), and Messenger Hymns (BMI) (all adm. by MusicService.org)
      

Is He Worthy?

Is He Worthy?

Do you feel the world is broken? We do
Do you feel the shadows deepen? We do
But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? We do
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? We do

Is all creation groaning? It is
Is a new creation coming? It is
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? It is
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? It is

CHORUS
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this? He is

Does the Father truly love us? He does
Does the Spirit move among us? He does
And does Jesus our Messiah hold forever those He loves? He does
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? He does

CHORUS
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From ev’ry people and tribe
Ev’ry nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God to reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this? He is

__________

"Is He Worthy" led by Andrew Peterson 
Recorded LIVE at the Sing! Conference 2019
Words and Music by Andrew Peterson and Ben Shive
© ©2018 Capitol CMG Genesis (ASCAP) / Vamos Publishing (ASCAP) / Adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com / Jakedog Music (ASCAP) (adm. by MusicServices.org) / Junkbox Music (ASCAP)
      

Living Waters

Living Waters

Are you thirsty
Are you empty
Come and drink these Living Waters
Time unbroken
Peace unspoken
Rest beside these Living Waters
Christ is calling
Find refreshing
At the cross of Living Waters
Lay your life down
On Thee, all come
Rise up in these Living Waters

There's a river that flows
With mercy and love
Bringing joy to the city of our God
There our hope is secure
Do not fear anymore
Praise the Lord of Living Waters

Spirit moving
Mercy washing
Healing in these living waters
Lead your children to the shore line
Life is in these Living Waters

There's a river that flows
With mercy and love
Bringing joy to the city of our God
There our hope is secure
Do not fear anymore
Praise the Lord of Living Waters

Are you thirsty
Are you empty
Come and drink these Living Waters
Love, forgiveness
Vast and boundless
Christ, He is our Living Water

There's a river that flows
With mercy and love
Bringing joy to the city of our God
There our hope is secure
Do not fear anymore
Praise the Lord of Living Waters
__________

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Edmond Martin Cash / Kristyn Getty
Living Waters lyrics © Capitol Cmg Paragon
      

May The Peoples Praise You

May The Peoples Praise You

You have called us out of darkest night
Into Your glorious light
That we may sing the wonders of
The risen Christ
May our every breath retell the grace
That broke into our strife
With boundless love and deepest joy
With endless life

May the peoples praise You
Let the nations be glad
All Your blessing comes
That we may praise
May praise the Name of Jesus

All the earth is Yours and all within
Each harvest is Your own
And from Your hand we give to You
To make Christ known
May the seeds of mercy grow in us
For those who have not heard
May songs of praise build lives of grace
To spread Your Word

May the peoples praise You
Let the nations be glad
All Your blessing comes
That we may praise
May praise the Name of Jesus

This our holy privilege to declare
Your praises and Your name
To every nation, tribe and tongue
Your church proclaims

May the peoples praise You
Let the nations be glad
All Your blessing comes
That we may praise
May praise the Name of Jesus

Holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
Worthy, worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
All creation praise Your glorious Name

May the peoples praise You
Let the nations be glad
All Your blessing comes
That we may praise
May praise the Name of Jesus

May the peoples praise You
Let the nations be glad
All Your blessing comes
That we may praise
May praise the Name of Jesus
__________

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Keith Getty / Edmond Martin Cash / Stuart Townend / Kristyn Getty / David Zimmer
May The Peoples Praise You lyrics © Capitol Cmg Paragon
      

My Worth Is Not In What I Own

My Worth Is Not In What I Own

Lyrics
My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross

Refrain:
I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest Treasure,
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in Him, no other.
My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

As summer flowers we fade and die
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom’s fleeting light
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross

Refrain

Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed – my ransom paid
At the cross

__________

"My Worth Is Not in What I Own" led by Fernando Ortega & Kristyn Getty
Recorded LIVE at the Bridgestone Arena for the Sing! Conference 2019
Words and Music by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Graham Kendrick
© 2014 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) / Makeway Music (Admin by Musicservices.org)
      

Only A Holy God / Holy, Holy, Holy

Only A Holy God / Holy, Holy, Holy

Who else commands all the hosts of heaven
Who else could make every king bow down
Who else can whisper and darkness trembles
Only a Holy God

What other beauty demands such praises
What other splendor outshines the sun
What other majesty rules with justice
Only a Holy God

Come and behold Him
The One and the Only
Cry out, sing holy
Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God

What other glory consumes like fire
What other power can raise the dead
What other name remains undefeated
Only a Holy God

Come and behold Him
The One and the Only
Cry out, sing holy
Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God

Who else could rescue me from my failing
Who else would offer His only Son
Who else invites me to call Him Father
Only a Holy God
Only my Holy God

Come and behold Him
The One and the Only
Cry out, sing holy
Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God

Come and behold Him
The One and the Only
Cry out, sing holy
Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God

Come and behold Him
The One and the Only
Cry out, sing holy
Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

__________

"Only a Holy God / Holy, Holy, Holy" Live from the Sing! Conference 2022
Keith & Kristyn Getty, CityAlight
From the "Sing! Christ Our Hope in Life and Death - Live at the Getty Music Worship Conference" album
Stream the album: https://va.lnk.to/singchristourhope

“Only A Holy God” - Words and Music by Michael Farren, Jonny Robinson, Dustin Smith and Rich Thompson; “Holy, Holy, Holy” - Traditional

©2016 Integrity's Praise! Music (BMI) / Integrity's Alleluia! Music (SESAC) / Farren Love And War (SESAC), CityAlight Music (APRA) / adm at IntegratedRights.com
      

The Lord is my salvation

The Lord is my salvation

The grace of God has reached for me
And pulled me from the raging sea
And I am safe on the solid ground
The Lord is my salvation

I will not fear when darkness falls
His strength will help me scale these walls
I'll see the dawn of the rising sun
The Lord is my salvation

Who is like the Lord our God?
Strong to save faithful in love
My debt is paid, and the victory won
The Lord is my salvation

My hope is hidden in the Lord
He flowers each promise of His word
When winter fades, I know spring will come
The Lord is my salvation

Who is like the Lord our God?
Strong to save faithful in love
My debt is paid, and the victory won
The Lord is my salvation

Glory be to God, the Father
Glory be to God, the Son
Glory be to God, the Spirit
The Lord is our Salvation

Glory be to God, the Father
Glory be to God, the Son
Glory be to God, the Spirit
The Lord is our Salvation

Oh, who is like the Lord our God?
Strong to save faithful in love
My debt is paid, and the victory won
The Lord is my salvation

who is like the Lord our God
(Strong to save) strong to save faithful in love
My debt is paid, and the victory won
The Lord is my salvation
The Lord is my salvation
The Lord is my salvation
__________

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Nathan Nockels / Jonas Myrin / Keith Getty / Kristyn Getty
The Lord Is My Salvation lyrics © Sony/atv Tree Publishing, Tomdouglasmusic, Capitol Cmg Paragon, Son Of The Lion
      

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

Verse 1
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

Refrain 1
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to his
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Verse2
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

Refrain 2
To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Verse 3
No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

Refrain 3
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Verse 4
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

Refrain 4
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!

Tag
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!


__________

"Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me" recorded live at St Paul's Castle Hill.
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2T15n2J
Apple Music: https://apple.co/2PRW8mL
Words and music by Jonny Robinson,  Rich Thompson & Michael Farren
©2018 CityAlight Music
      

__________
  1. Please let me know if you are aware of other projects and/or singer-songwriters engaged in this type of ministry.[]
  2. The words come from the video descriptions or from various sources on the internet; corrections of typos etc. are always welcome.[]
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Doskozil will Parteiwohl in den Mittelpunkt stellen

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Doskozil in der gestrigen ZIB2 auf die Frage, ob er Andreas Babler unterstützen würde, sollte dieser zum Vorsitzenden gewählt werden:

„Natürlich. Das Wichtigste ist jetzt, das Parteiwohl in den Mittelpunkt zu stellen, und nicht die Personen.“

Na ja, Herr Landeshauptmann, wenn Ihnen diese Erkenntnis bereits in den letzten Jahren gekommen wäre und sie Pamela Rendi Wagner unterstützt hätten, statt ständig querzuschießen, dann stünde die Partrei heute anders da …

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