Lord Christ, who for our sake didst become poor, though thou wast rich: Help us to use our money rightly, wisely, and generously, that, having used corruptible goods to thy glory, we may at last gain the inheritance incorruptible, where thou livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

—Student Prayer; A Book of Prayers for Students; A Devotional Diary, arranged by J. H. Oldham (London, SCM, 1937)

“The Falls of Williams River”
Once, a long time ago, the falls marked the extent of western US expansion; it then marked the northwest boundary of Botetourt County, Virginia.#AlmostHeaven #WestVirginia #Highlands #ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/detPHMNtZX

— Thomas R Fletcher (@ThomasRFletcher) July 31, 2024

Make us tender and compassionate towards those who are an overtaken by temptation, considering ourselves, how we have fallen in times past and may fall yet again.  Make us watchful and sober-minded, looking ever unto thee for grace to stand upright, and to persevere unto the end; through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Guten Morgen, habt alle einen schönen Tag.☀🍃 pic.twitter.com/52V8Uezpom

— Constanze Riegel (@ConstanzeRiegel) July 30, 2024

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunrise from Surfside this morning. What a beauty Travis Huffstetler! #scwx pic.twitter.com/FPpajSEOi2

— Ed Piotrowski (@EdPiotrowski) July 29, 2024

Almighty God,
who sent your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of your Church:
open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

It’s looking like a beautiful day in #Aberdeen today 🌞 I hope you all have a super Sunday 😁 pic.twitter.com/EUMd6e617T

— Natalie Hood (@NatalieAHood) July 28, 2024

O Lord, Who hast taught us that the way of man is not in himself, and hast mercifully promised to keep the feet of Thy saints: direct our thoughts and inspire our actions, we humbly pray Thee, to the good of Thy Church and the fulfillment of Thy eternal purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

–Frederick B. Macnutt, The prayer manual for private devotions or public use on divers occasions: Compiled from all sources ancient, medieval, and modern (A.R. Mowbray, 1951)

🌞🌺 Schönes Wochenende 🌺🌞 pic.twitter.com/gb17i7XkpJ

— Brigitta Neurauter (@BrigittaNeurau2) July 27, 2024

Almighty Lord and everlasting God,
we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern
both our hearts and bodies
in the ways of your laws
and the works of your commandments;
that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever,
we may be preserved in body and soul;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

The Fählensee in the Alpstein looking as smooth as glass #Switzerland 🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/6lFlBxr8AG

— HikingSwitzerland (@HikingSchweiz) July 26, 2024

O Almighty and merciful Lord, who givest unto thy faithful people the Holy Spirit as a sure pledge of thy heavenly kingdom: Grant unto us this same Spirit, that he may bear witness with our spirit that we be thy children and heirs of thy kingdom; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

"Sunrise over the Valley"#AlmostHeaven #WestVirginia #Highlands #StormHour #ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/RuBuv1x2RK

— Thomas R Fletcher (@ThomasRFletcher) July 25, 2024

You may listen directly here:

Or you may download it there.

Today's art: The Multiplication of Bread and Fish – Van Limburg brothers https://t.co/adtpCwP3I5 pic.twitter.com/nkkmm5qezG

— Art and the Bible (@artbible) September 6, 2022

Keep me, O my God, from the great offence; quench in me all vain imaginations and sensual desires; sanctify and supply my heart with the dew of Thy Holy Spirit; refresh it with the streams of Thy grace, that it may bring forth fruit in due season, and not cumber the ground nor be cut off in Thy anger.     

05:00 this morning – Loch Shieldaig. pic.twitter.com/8qOCDyO6Tm

— Steve Carter (@HighlandRampage) July 24, 2024

O God, who hast given us not the spirit of bondage, but the Spirit of adoption into thy family: Grant us the witness of thy Spirit within our hearts, testifying that we are thy children; and give us that fellowship with the sufferings of Christ which shall end in our being glorified with him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

I never get tired of these views! 🤩#Switzerland 🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/LiXXu2ftQv

— HikingSwitzerland (@HikingSchweiz) July 22, 2024

Almighty God,
whose Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of mind and body
and called her to be a witness to his resurrection:
forgive our sins and heal us by your grace,
that we may serve you in the power of his risen life;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Grant to us, Lord, grace to hear Thy Word with devout attention, with deep reverence, and with a true desire both to practice what it commands and to obtain what it promises.  Imprint it upon our minds, and write it upon our hearts; and grant that, contemplating Thy glory in this bright mirror of Thy Gospel, we may be changed into the same image through Thy Spirit.     

–Frederick B. Macnutt, The prayer manual for private devotions or public use on divers occasions: Compiled from all sources ancient, medieval, and modern (A.R. Mowbray, 1951)

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.
 For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

–Psalm 30:4-5

#DailyPictureTheme #Rugged

The rugged unspoilt beauty of the Beara Peninsula! 💚#WestCork #Ireland @DailyPicTheme2 pic.twitter.com/E3gAA0dU46

— Margaret O'Connell🌻 (@MargaretOC6) July 20, 2024

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever.  Amen.

Beautiful sunrise over Downtown Charleston on this Friday morning! pic.twitter.com/hni3d1vHSG

— Joey Sovine Live 5 (@JoeySovine) July 19, 2024

Almighty God, who in thy Son Jesus Christ hast called us in from the bondage of sin to be servants of righteousness: Give us grace to yield our lives wholly to thine obedience; that, being made free from sin, we may have our fruit unto holiness, and hereafter may be made partakers of the life everlasting; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Happy Thursday all! pic.twitter.com/db0cqyuqFX

— David Oxtaby (@Disc_light) July 18, 2024

You may listen directly here:

You may also download it there and there is a video version here.

Today Jesus sends out the twelve apostles (Mk 6:7-13). In the original Greek, an "apostle" is one who is sent. All of us are are "sent" to do a certain mission in our lives. The most important part of that mission is remembering who sends us. A meditation: https://t.co/YLZ7HcHtGC pic.twitter.com/iKMe3qKS5E

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) July 14, 2024

Good morning from @summervillesc #SouthCarolina #lowcountrylife #chswx #scwx #dogsmakelifebetter @EdPiotrowski pic.twitter.com/aukUyY3seL

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) July 16, 2024

O Lord, take from me a careful heart in all worldly things, and grant that neither poverty oppress me and drive me to despair or falsehood, neither wealth nor prosperity lift me up to forget Thee or myself; but that in prosperity I may be thankful, and in adversity patient and humble.  Make me merry without lightness, sad without mistrust, sober without dullness, fearing Thee without desperation, trusting in Thee without presumption.

–Frederick B. Macnutt, The prayer manual for private devotions or public use on divers occasions: Compiled from all sources ancient, medieval, and modern (A.R. Mowbray, 1951)

It’s been a scorching summer! 🌞

While exploring the outdoors this summer, beat the heat and stay safe with these tips:

🌲 Take breaks

🌤️ Wear sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen

💧 Drink lots of water

🥜 Eat snacks and keep your energy replenished

Photo by Hannah Rugger pic.twitter.com/yF5qq5JKfw

— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) July 15, 2024

While there were unsuccessful assassination attempts, incidents or plots targeting George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama during or after their terms, Mr. Trump was the first current or former president wounded in an act of violence since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981 by a would-be assassin trying to impress a Hollywood actress (NYT).

From Archbishop Steve Wood:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the midst of this time of uncertainty, social tensions, and violence, please join Jacqui and me as we pray for peace in the United States tonight: pic.twitter.com/cLxBRg7sgE

— ACNA (@The_ACNA) July 14, 2024

Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
graft in our hearts the love of your name,
increase in us true religion,
nourish us with all goodness,
and of your great mercy keep us in the same;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

–Mark 1:21-27

We turn to you, O Crucified Redeemer, converted through your cross, conquering in its sign, transformed by its grace and at peace within its shadow. Amen.

Morning everyone hope you are well. Before the grey weather returned. The path to Grasmere (from Loughrigg). I always have to stop to take this in. Have a great day. #LakeDistrict @keswickbootco pic.twitter.com/nVUB28B9Hg

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) July 13, 2024

But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

–Romans 10:14-21

Sunrise on Glastonbury Tor this morning. A golden start to the day and magic in the air. pic.twitter.com/OJHzpMnPnl

— Michelle Cowbourne (@Glastomichelle) July 13, 2024

A South Sudanese bishop has warned that food is being used as a weapon by parties involved in the brutal civil war in Sudan, a country on the brink of famine.

“They harass humanitarian agencies,” the RC Bishop of Yei, the Rt Revd Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo, told the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales last week. “And, when humanitarian agencies are harassed, they stop delivering food because they also have to protect their own lives.

“The food aid sometimes is blocked by the RSF [Rapid Support Forces], not allowing them [the agencies] to enter. Because when you take food aid to the people, you are also going to feed their own enemies.

“So, they use food as a weapon, so that once food is not delivered, their enemy is weakened. That’s their point of view.”

Read it all.

A South Sudanese bishop has warned that food is being used as a weapon by parties involved in the brutal civil war in Sudan, a country on the brink of famine.https://t.co/mGd5sSFiPS

— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) July 12, 2024

Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK, said: “For the first time ever, the number of those affirming versus swearing an oath has come close to reflecting the beliefs of the population as a whole. We’ve known for a while that the UK is one of the least religious countries in the world. We now have one of the least religious national parliaments in the world, too.”

About 53 per cent of people in Britain say they belong to no religion, and 42 per cent do not believe in a god.

Chine McDonald, director of the Theos religion think tank, said: “What we see reflected here is a falling away of cultural, nostalgic Christianity and a rise in the number of options available in an increasingly diverse and multi-religious society. It’s no surprise that a younger and less conservative group of parliamentarians might be less wedded to cultural Christianity, yet there are still a good number with a vibrant and active faith.”

Read it all (requires subscription).

Record number of MPs chose to take non-religious affirmation rather than swear on a Bible or other holy text this week

Up to 40% from 24% in 2019:https://t.co/3jlvKWTYpz

— Kaya Burgess (@kayaburgess) July 12, 2024

….a better diet for pregnant mothers and infants would eventually make humanity more intelligent. Alas, child malnutrition is far from being eradicated—and not just in poor, war-charred places like Congo. Many middle-income countries also have shockingly high rates.

How much of a cognitive boost would the world get from feeding babies better? Precision is tricky, but scientists agree it would be huge. If a fetus’s weight is below the tenth percentile, the child can expect to score half a standard deviation worse on all neuro-developmental measures—the rough equivalent of seven iq points. After birth, the speeds at which a baby puts on weight (before four months) and length (before 12 months) are good predictors of iq at the age of nine. A study in Bangladesh found that the combination of malnutrition and inadequate stimulation common in poor families was associated with an iq gap of a whole standard deviation (about 15 points) by the age of five.

Even if a baby has enough macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fat), its brain development can be hobbled by a lack of micronutrients such as iron, iodine or zinc. Yet such deficiencies remain rife: half the world’s young children and two-thirds of women of reproductive age do not get enough micronutrients. For brain development, the most serious shortfall is iron. Two-fifths of children aged 6-59 months were anaemic (iron deficient) in 2019. Between 2012 and 2019, at least 92 countries saw no improvement on this score, laments Dr Shekar.

Read it all.

The cover of @TheEconomist this week: Small investments in nutrition could make the world brainier pic.twitter.com/kEsSdAieMt

— alain servais (@aservais1) July 12, 2024

In 2018 an international team of scientists — from labs in Houston, Copenhagen, Barcelona and beyond — got their hands on a remarkable biological specimen: a skin sample from a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth that had been recovered from the permafrost in Siberia. They probed the sample with an innovative experimental technique that revealed the three-dimensional architecture of the mammoth’s genome. The resulting paper was published on Thursday in the journal Cell.

Hendrik Poinar, an evolutionary geneticist at McMaster University in Canada, was “floored” — the technique had successfully captured the original geometry of long stretches of DNA, a feat never before accomplished with an ancient DNA sample. “It’s absolutely beautiful,” said Dr. Poinar, who reviewed the paper for the journal.

The typical method for extracting ancient DNA from fossils, Dr. Poinar said, is still “kind of cave man.” It produces short fragments of code composed of a four-letter molecular alphabet: A (adenine), G (guanine), C (cytosine), T (thymine). An organism’s full genome resides in cell nuclei, in long, unfragmented DNA strands called chromosomes. And, vitally, the genome is three-dimensional; as it dynamically folds with fractal complexity, its looping points of contact help dictate gene activity.

“To have the actual architectural structure of the genome, which suggests gene expression patterns, that’s a whole other level,” Dr. Poinar said.

Read it all.

My latest for @Nature: On Siberia's frozen tundra some 50,000 years ago, a woolly mammoth met its end. In the animal’s skin, researchers have now discovered chromosomes preserved in their original 3D shape—a feat previously thought impossible https://t.co/zr1mvj10h7

— Giorgia Guglielmi (she/her) (@GiorgiaWithAnI) July 11, 2024