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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Prayer of the Day: Mali Coup
God of peace, we pray today for the country of Mali and its people. Bring about reconciliation between enemies -- rebels and the government -- so that peace and stability may be restored. Guide Malian leaders, and give them wisdom. Amen.
Verse of the Day: House of Prayer for All
"And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to [the Lord], to love the name of the Lord, and to be [the Lord's] servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered." - Isaiah 56:6-8
Verse of the Day: 'Salvation Perfect Through Sufferings'
"It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings." - Hebrews 2:10
Voice of the Day: Francis de Sales
"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your imperfections but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the new task." - Francis de Sales
Prayer of the Day: Civility
God, as our neighbors protest and argue over the health care law, we pray for civility and respectful dialogue by all sides of the debate. Give wisdom to our judges and elected leaders as they shape the healthcare landscape for the future. Amen.
Voice of the Day: Claudia Lapp
"If peace were our greatest industry, / harmony our best-selling product, / and no one unemployed in its pursuit, / this scene would be as common as chicory flowers in June / as we soaked in solar pleasure and / the simple beauty of humans in harmony / at the jade green lake." - Claudia Lapp
Prayer of the Day: Trayvon Martin Tragedy (2 of 2)
Almighty God, we pray today for the family and friends of George Zimmerman. Comfort them as well as the families of others who have been accused of violent crimes. God, as we lament tragedy, lead us in the way of forgiveness and grace. Amen.
Verse of the Day: Pray, Forgive
"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that [God] in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." - Mark 11:25
Obama: 'If I Had a Son, He'd Look Like Trayvon'
President Barack Obama, JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama spoke out about the Trayvon Martin shooting Friday morning at a press briefing nominating Dr. Jim Yong Kim to head the World Bank.
"If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon," he said. "And I think [his parents] are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves and we’re going to get to the bottom of what happened."
Breaking: Sanford Police Chief Steps Down From Trayvon Martin Case
esidents of Sanford, Fla. attend to a town hall meeting 2/20 to discuss Martin's slaying. Via Getty Images.
Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee, who has been criticized for his handling of the Trayvon Martin shooting case, has stepped down temporarily, according to The Miami Herald.
“I am aware my role as leader of this department has become a distraction from the investigation,” Lee said, according to the report, adding that “temporarily removing” himself from the role would restore a “semblance of calm to the city which has been in turmoil for several weeks.”
Afternoon News Bytes: March 22, 2012
Obama’s Speedy Keystone Review Won’t Accelerate Cushing Pipeline, Under-Reported: Man-Bites-Dog Story Of Global Poverty, "We Are All Trayvon Martin": Photos And Video From The Million Hoodie March, Big Neighbor Is Watching, Do We Need Government To Fight Discrimination?, How The Other Half Saves: Financial Planning On $2 A Day, Ugandan Girls Trafficked For Sex, The New Globalist Is Homesick, Robert Gates: Attacking Iran Would Be A ‘Catastrophe’, Obama Says He's Added Pipeline 'To Encircle Earth And Then Some', Soldiers Say They Have Seized Power In Mali.
Verse of the Day: Avoid Wrangling Over Words
"Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening." - 2 Timothy 2:14
Voice of the Day: Aldous Huxley
"Every moment of our human life is a moment of crisis; for at every moment we are called upon to make an all-important decision-- to choose between the way that leads to death and spiritual darkness and the way that leads toward light and life; between interests exclusively temporal and the eternal order; between our personal order will... and the will of God." - Aldous Huxley
Prayer of the Day: Trayvon Martin Tragedy (1 of 2)
God, we pray today for the family and friends of Trayvon Martin. Lord, we want to scream for justice -- an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth -- but remind us to pray for comfort and healing, for those close to Trayvon and for those whose stories are not, and may never be heard. You alone are the ultimate counselor and healer, judge and deliverer. Amen.
Happy World Water Day!
World on water, violetkaipa, Shutterstock.com
Today is World Water Day – an opportunity to celebrate the amazing H20 that we have the privilege to enjoy every day. It is also a day to remember and campaign on behalf of the 780 million people who lack access to clean water across the globe, and the 2.5 billion without access to a basic toilet.
Here are some of the best World Water Day links from around the world:
World Vision offers an inspiring story of how life-changing access to clean water can be for people in the developing world.
UK-based Christian international development organization Tearfund have worked on issues of water and sanitation for many years and offer their thoughts on why today is an important day for all of us.
BONUS 'BLUE': The Lost 'Blue Like Jazz' Cyber Interview and More
Before he caught up with them in Colorado Springs this week, Christian Piatt interviewed Blue Like Jazz's director Steve Taylor and star, Marshall Allman, via Skype while they were in Austin, Texas for the premiere of the film at SXSW.
We give you, BONUS BLUE: THE LOST CYBER INTERVIEW:
And there's even more bonus 'Blue' goodness inside the blog...
Afternoon News Bytes: March 21, 2012
Obama To Fast Track Southern Half Of Keystone XL Pipeline, 'Global Warming' Gets A Rebranding, DR Congo Forces Killed At Least 33 During Polls-UN, Is Walmart Really Going Organic And Local?, The Occupiers: A Liberal And A Radical Struggle For The Soul Of A Movement, Makers, Takers and $2-a-Dayers, New Jersey Church 'Safe Haven' For Indonesian Immigrant, Somalia's National Theatre Reopens In Mogadishu, Keeping The Focus On Children In A Tough Economy (OPINION), Who Pays The Bill For Wall Street's Mess? (OPINION), Does Florida Law Let Killers Go Free?
Verse of the Day: Providence
"The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing." - Psalm 145:14-16
Voice of the Day: Hans Urs Von Balthasar
"The silence required of the Christian is not found fundamentally and primarily of human making. Rather, believers must realize that they already possess within themselves and at the same time in God the quiet, hidden “chamber” into which they are to enter and in which they are with [God].” - Hans Urs Von Balthasar
Prayer of the Day: Thanks be to the Light
We praise thee O God, we thank thee O Light, in whom darkness dwelleth not. And why we give thanks, I tell you I will be saved and I will save. I will be loosed and I will loose. I will be born and I will bear... Glory to God the Creator, Word, and Spirit. Amen.
Adapted from the Acts of John