June 29 Something to Think About
Every now and then, I get an e-mail or tweet about religion and spirituality that causes me to stop and think about a particular issue.
From now on, I’ll try to pass some of these on to others through this blog.
Today’s “something to think about” comes in the form of an article published in the June 2011 edition of byFaith magazine, the web magazine of the Presbyterian Church in America.
The article “If Grace Is Received, It Must Be Given” was written by Robert Petterson, pastor of Covenent Presbyterian Church in Naples, Fla. 
“We can’t come to the altar asking for more grace from God without going to our brother and sister and giving them the same grace we are begging for from God,” Petterson writes.
Read the entire article here: “Grace”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Pope on Twitter: Seeing is believing
Watch a video that shows the historic moment when Pope Benedict joined the Twitter world.
Pope makes tweet history
Now may be a good time to follow Pope Benedict XVI – on Twitter.
The pontiff (pictured here in an AP photo) made tweet history this week by writing his first tweet on an iPad and joining the world of ever-popular world of Twitter: “Dear Friends, I just launched News.va. Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI”.
The pope’s tweet comes at a momentous time.
First, it announced a new Vatican news portal.
Also, it was launched for the feast day of St. Peter and Paul, which falls on today, June 29. Today is also the 60th anniversary of of Pope Benedict’s ordination as a priest.
There is a contingent of Oklahomans in Rome joining in the celebrations for these occasions. The Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, the archbishop for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, is in Rome to receive his pallium from the pope and there are many Oklahomans and Kansans joining him on his pilgrimage.
Read the Associated Press story on the pope’s historic tweet here: “My tweet lord”
June 29 Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, when we are not able to be with friends and family, please protect them. Amen. 
June 28 Today’s Prayer
Let us follow the examples of those whose daily lives are testaments of Your goodness. Amen. 
June 27 Today’s Prayer
O Lord, we pray that doubt and suspicion will not invade our view of life. Amen. 
Camping to leave radio show
Charisma magazine’s online component, Charisma News Online, is reporting that Harold Camping (pictured) is leaving his radio show, a weekday segment called Open Forum. 
Camping is the founder of California-based Family Radio who made headlines worldwide when he infamously predicted — falsely — that Jesus would retun to Earth and take all believers to Heaven on May 21. Camping called it the beginning of the end of life on Earth as we know it. He had numerous followers, many of whom quit their jobs, withdrew their children from school early and made other life-altering decisions based on prediction.
Camping suffered a stroke earlier this month and a spokeswoman for his radio organization said he is still in the hospital recovering.
Read Charisma’s story here: “Doomsday Prophet Camping Leaves Radio Show”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
June 24 Today’s Prayer
Thank You for the kindness of strangers when we least expect help with our problems. Amen. 
June 23 Today’s Prayer
Thursday, June 23
Dear Lord, we ask that our leaders be good stewards of what You have given us. Amen. 
Spotline shining on new SBC VP
The first black vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention was recently interviewed by Time magazine.
The Rev. Fred Luter Jr.’s election to the convention’s VP post made headlines last week and lots of people are talking about him and wanting to talk to him. 
Look for a story about Luter(pictured here in an AP Photo) in a future edition of The Oklahoman.
For those interested in the Time interview with Luter, here’s a link to the story: “10 Questions for Pastor Fred Luter Jr.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
For those interested in Time’s interview with the New Orleans pastor, here’s a link to the story: “10 Questions for Pastor Fred Luter Jr.”
