Practices Search Results
Thousands of people have lost their homes to flooding in Minot, North Dakota, as the Souris River has spilled over dikes and levees. Photographs show the widespread devastation caused by this natural disaster, but we can only at this time imagine the extent of the losses inside the homes. Our hearts go out to those whose homes are now submerged under water.
Master of the Universe, we are so grateful for the chance to read books that fire our imaginations, stir our soul, and expand our circle of compassion.
Poll: For all the talk of print books being replaced by digital ones, the vast majority of readers in the U.S. still like print books. Some 28% of Americans read at least one e-book in 2013, up from 23% the year earlier. But the percentage of people who read print books increased as well: 69% said they read at least one print book, up from 65% the year before.
O Peaceful God, help us keep our children away from the attractions of violence and revenge.
Study: The amount of gun violence in movies rated PG-13 has more than tripled since 1985, according to a new study in the journal Pediatrics. The average American sees seven movies in theatres every year and those with this rating are often the highest grossing. (CNN.com)
A powerful documentary in the PBS series "Independent Lens" titled The Undocumented, directed by Marco Williams, focuses on efforts to identify the 200 Mexicans each year who die while making the crossing through the Arizona desert into America in search of work to provide for their families. Victims of heat stroke and the lack of food, water, and medical care, they pay the highest price for the dream of a better life.
We give thanks for the convenience and the many ways the Internet enriches our lives and connects us with other people.
New Report: Americans are spending nearly twice as much time online this year as they did in 2010, thanks to an increase in mobile devices and more ubiquitous Wi-Fi. (HuffingtonPost.com, 08/2013)
O Great Creator, help us not to overdo our time online and neglect those who are near and dear to us.
Sidney Poitier died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on January 6, 2022, at the age of 94. The Bahamian-American actor, film director, and ambassador was the first Black person and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for Lilies of the Field. He was granted a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974. In 1995, he received the Kennedy Center Honor. In 2009 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the ceremony shown above). In 2002, he was given an Honorary Academy Award in recognition of his "remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human being"
Great and eclectic Communicator, we are so thankful for the many ways religious people are sharing their faith online as a complement to attending a religious service.
POLL: In a recent poll, the Pew Research Center found that one-in-five Americans share their religious faith online, about the same percentage that tune in to religious talk radio, watch religious TV programs, or listen to Christian rock music. And nearly half of U.S. adults see someone else share their religious faith online in a typical week. Younger Americans do more faith sharing online while older adults watch more religious TV. (Pew Forum) Unbounded Spirit, we rejoice in the electronic mediums which enable us to share our faith with others and enrich our spiritual lives through online websites, television, radio, and music stations.
Great Heart of Love, we pray that all those who work in hospitals may be attentive to their work and aware of how little mistakes can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Fact: About 440,000 people die as a result of preventable error in U.S. hospitals every year, a new study in the Journal of Patient Safety found. That means one in six deaths can be attributed to mistakes in hospitals, making them the third leading cause of death. (NYTimes.com)
Compassionate One, lavish your love and care upon those grieving the sudden loss of loved ones and be with those who are tormented by guilt over their costly mistakes.
Companion of the Sorrowful, our hearts ache for all the young war veterans who have committed suicide; may they rest in peace. Be with their loved ones; may they experience the healing balm you offer in response to all our troubles.
Fact: The Number of young veterans committing suicide jumped dramatically from 2009 to 2011. According to Veterans Affairs officials, 22 male veterans a day under 30 years of age take their own lives. There was an increase of 11% in the suicide rate of female veterans over the same time span. Overall, suicide rates for all veterans remain significantly above their civilian counterparts. (Stars and Stripes)
O Wise and Faithful Guide, we see that Internet connected devices are growing in popularity. They are supposed to make our connections with others more timely and meaningful. Unfortunately, in many situations, they have become excuses for rudeness and make us prone to be easily distracted in our relationships.
Poll: The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week puts on display the latest gadgets that may become must-haves for many Americans. A recent poll showed that the devices Americans own have changed over the past decade, with ownership of laptops (64%) and iPods/MP3 players (45%) up most dramatically from 2005. Meanwhile, far smaller numbers of Americans now own VCRs and basic cellphones, which were a staple to many in the past. (Gallup)