The online editorial staff comprises Betsy Shirley, Jenna Barnett, Josiah R. Daniels, Mitchell Atencio, Heather Brady, Kierra Bennning, and Zachary Lee.
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Via Dolorosa: A Good Friday Musical Meditation
“When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart. For as long as you remember me, I am never entirely lost. When I'm feeling most ghost-like, it is your remembering me that helps remind me that I actually exist. When I'm feeling sad, it's my consolation. When I'm feeling happy, it's part of why I feel that way. If you forget me, one of the ways I remember who I am will be gone. If you forget, part of who I am will be gone. "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." the good thief said from his cross (Luke 23:42). There are perhaps no more human words in all of Scripture, no prayer we can pray so well."
~ Frederick Buechner
Afternoon News Bytes: April 5, 2012
Evangelicals May Double Their Support For Obama In 2012 Election – A Kinder Mix Of Religion And Politics During Holy Week (OPINION) – Teen Pregnancy More Prevalent In States With High Income Inequality: Study – Stopping Climate Change Is Much Cheaper Than You Think – On The Stump, Dems Split With Obama Over Keystone XL Pipeline – Biologist E.O. Wilson On Why Humans, Like Ants, Need A Tribe – Somalia Theatre Bombing Kills Top Sports Officials – U.S. Moves Toward Normalizing Relations With Myanmar – After New Orleans Cops Sentenced In Bridge Shooting, Focus Shifts To Police Department Reforms – Connecticut Poised To Abolish Death Penalty After Senate Vote A Look At How Different Countries Are Getting People Back To Work – Student Loan Debt: Can These Innovations Save America’s Workforce?
Verse of the Day: Sharing the Cup and Bread
"Isn’t the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Isn’t the loaf of bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one loaf of bread, we who are many are one body, because we all share the one loaf of bread." - 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (Common English Bible)
Voice of the Day: Rachel Naomi Remen
“Helping, fixing, and serving represent three different ways of seeing life. When you help, you see life as weak. When you fix, you see life as broken. When you serve, you see life as whole. Fixing and helping may be the work of the ego, and service the work of the soul.” - Rachel Naomi Remen from, A Time for Listening and Caring
Prayer of the Day: Maundy Thursday
Holy God, source and sovereign, you put all power and authority into the hands of Christ -- Christ, who washes our feet in humble service. Teach us to love one another as Christ has loved us, so that everyone will know that we are his disciples; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen. From PC(USA)'s liturgical resources
Chuck Colson in Critical Condition After Brain Surgery
Chuck Colson. Photo via Getty Images.
Chuck Colson, the evangelical leader and founder of Prison Fellowship, is in critical condition after undergoing surgery following a brain hemorrhage on Friday.
According to The Christian Post:
"Colson is listed in critical condition at this point but has shown some early signs of potential for recovery," said Michelle Farmer, Colson's spokesperson.
The 80-year-old Colson fell ill while addressing a conference in the Washington, D.C. area over the weekend. He underwent surgery on Saturday morning to remove a pool of clotted blood on the surface of his brain. Earlier this week, an update on Colson's Facebook page showed that he did not have a stroke and was resting comfortably.
Sojourners CEO Jim Wallis, who has been on a writing sabbatical since January, offered his prayers for his friend and brother in Christ: "I am in my last days of sabbatical and heard about the critical condition of Chuck Colson. I want to offer my prayers for Chuck and his wife Patty, hoping for his speedy healing and recovery."
A former advisor to President Nixon, Colson was convicted and served seven months in prison in connection with the Watergate scandal. He became a Christian shortly before his time in prison, and since his release has worked with prisoners and ex-prisoners through Prison Fellowship, which calls itself “the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families,” with a presence in 113 countries.
Sojourners offers its thoughts and prayers to Chuck, his family, the organization he has been at the center of for so many years, and all affected at this difficult time. We pray that God’s healing hand would be on Chuck and that his peace would be upon all of those who know and care about our brother in Christ.
Verse of the Day: Jesus Quotes the Psalmist, Cornerstone
"Haven’t you read this scripture, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord has done this, and it’s amazing in our eyes?" - Mark 12:10-11 (Common English Bible)
Prayer of the Day: Malaria
Voice of the Day: Jean Vanier
“Those with whom Jesus identifies himself are regarded by society as misfits. And yet Jesus is that person who is hungry; Jesus is that woman who is confused and naked. Wouldn’t it be extraordinary if we all discovered that? The face of the world would be changed.” - Jean Vanier from, From Brokenness to Community
Afternoon News Bytes: April 3, 2012
Obama: Paul Ryan's Budget Is 'Nothing But Thinly Veiled Social Darwinism' – Red Cross Proposes Daily Cease-Fires In Syria – World Evangelical Alliance, South Sudan And Tribes Discuss Ending Violence In Embattled State – The Happiness Agenda: Can The UN Help Develop A Happier World? – Libyan Militias Turn To Politics, A Volatile Mix – Egypt’s Accountability War – A Glass Half-Full – Google Brings Churches Back Into Nonprofit Program – To Fix America's Education Bureaucracy, We Need To Destroy It – Fiscal Therapy.
Prayer of the Day: Shooting at Oikos University
God, we pray for the families and the friends of the victims of yesterday's shooting at Oikos University. We pray for everyone at Oikos - the students and faculty - as well as the greater Oakland community. Lord, comfort them and give them peace. Amen.
Verse of the Day: Promises to the Poor and Needy
"But the LORD says, 'Because the poor are oppressed, because of the groans of the needy, I’m now standing up. I will provide the help they are gasping for.' The LORD’s promises are pure, like silver that’s been refined in an oven, purified seven times over!" - Psalm 12:5-6 (Common English Bible)
Voice of the Day: Desmond Tutu
“After the grueling work of the commission I came away with a deep sense – indeed an exhilarating realization – that, although there is undoubtedly much evil about, we humans have a wonderful capacity for good. We can be very good. That is what fills me with hope for even the most intractable situations.” - Desmond Tutu from, No Future Without Forgiveness
Afternoon News Bytes: April 2, 2012
Syria Dismisses Notions Of Foreign Intervention — Christianity In Crisis Apple’s Chief Puts Stamp On Labor Issues — Christian Is Not Synonymous With Conservative — Obama Proposes New Rule For Immigrant Families — How About Some World Governance Goals? — How A Grassroots Rebellion Won The Nation's Biggest Climate Victory — Is Capitalism Worth Saving? — Dem Lawmaker Implies GOP Budget Violates Biblical Teachings — When Corporations Abandoned The 99% ' — The Island President': Mohamed Nasheed, Former Maldives Leader, Battles Climate Change.
BREAKING: ICE Arrests 3,100
This just in from the Associated Press:
"The Obama administration said Monday it arrested more than 3,100 immigrants who were illegally in the country and who were convicted of serious crimes or otherwise considered fugitives or threats to national security. It was part of a six-day nationwide sweep that the government described as the largest of its kind."
The sweep involved more than 1,900 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents. According to ICE, more than 1,000 of the people arrested had multiple criminal convictions. The totals included an estimated 50 gang members and 149 convicted sex offenders, other serious offenses included murder, manslaughter, drug trafficking and sexual crimes against minors. It appears to be a response to earlier suggestions that ICE would not vigorously pursue immigrants who are veterans, elderly, lived in the U.S. since they were children, or have relatives who are citizens of legal residents.
Verse of the Day: Hidden Peace
"As Jesus came to the city and observed it, he wept over it. He said, 'If only you knew on this of all days the things that lead to peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes.'" - Luke 19:41-42 (Common English Bible)
Prayer of the Day: Foolishness
God, bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. Bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we really can make a difference in this world, so that we are able, with God's grace, to do what others claim cannot be done. Amen. Adapted from a Franciscan Blessing
Voice of the Day: Ralph Waldo Emerson
“It must be that when God speaketh God should communicate, not one thing, but all things; should fill the world with God’s voice; should scatter forth light, nature, time, souls, from the center of the present thought; and new date and new create the whole.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pastor Who Granted Sanctuary Releases 'Why Am I a Deportation Priority?' Video
The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park in Newark, NJ, has been advocating for Indonesian immigrants in his congregation.
After years of living in the United States, a large group of immigrants—many of whom escaped religious persecution at home—is being threatened with deportation. Some have already been deported. One, Saul Timisela, has taken sanctuary in the church.
No Joke: The Beginning of the End of AIDS by 2015
Our friends at the ONE Campaign took traditional April 1 tomfoolery and turned it on its head with the new video "I Predict," that uses humor to drive home a stone-cold sober reality: Within three years, we may very well witness the beginning of the end of AIDS worldwide.
