GOD AND COUNTRY
NBC newsman and political commentator Tim Russert, who died earlier this month, was recognized last week for witnessing to his Catholic faith.
“Tim Russert was not shy about telling people to turn to prayer and promising to pray for them in their time of need,” said Archbishop George H. Niederauer of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Communications Committee.
Niederauer commented that, over Father's Day weekend, Russert's colleagues praised his devotion to his family and church.
“Russert in his public life was loyal to journalism,” said Archbishop Niederauer. “In his private life, he was faithful to his family, fatherhood and faith. That's a wonderful measure of a man.”
WORTHY OF NOTE
Earlier this month, Robert Shillman, chairman and CEO of Cognex, presented $26,000 to the Serving Older Holocaust Survivors program of Jewish Family Service through the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County Supplemental Directed Giving Program. Shillman's donation enables Serving Older Holocaust Survivors to continue providing home care and emergency services to more than 80 clients who depend on the program.
ET CETERA
Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv in Oklahoma City asked three other pastors a question: “If you could ask God to do one thing for the church, what would you ask?” They gave their answers in the form of a prayer beginning, “Lord, make us ” The three – Ed Young Jr. of Fellowship Church in Dallas; Perry Noble of NewSpring Church in Anderson, S.C.; and Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel in Atlanta – as well as Groeschel delivered their responses as video sermons to air in each others' pulpits.
This month, roughly 600,000 people in 19 countries have been hearing the four sermons over four weeks. Other pastors have since asked to submit their sermons. Churches may sign up to participate with LifeChurch.tv. Visit oneprayer.com for more information.
CHAPTER AND VERSE
If research is to be believed, many people are experiencing a spiritual hunger, and they're turning to what Robert M. Price calls “pop mysticisms.”
Price, professor of scriptural studies at the Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary, has a new book out on the subject, “Top Secret: The Truth Behind Today's Pop Mysticisms.”
He takes a look at the historical roots and appeal of popular movements and books, including Eckhart Tolle's “The Power of Now”; Rhonda Byrne's “The Secret”; the Jewish Kabbalah, made popular by Madonna; and Deepak Chopra's “How to Know God.”
