View From Columbia

  Just a note before my main post: R.I.P. Lucille Bridges:  She was a former sharecropper who hauled 90 pounds of cotton the day before her daughter was born. Her daughter was going to do better.  Lucille Bridges 's determination helped power six-year-old  Ruby Bridges  to become, 60 years ago on Saturday, one of the first Black pupils  to integrate an elementary school in the South . Of the crowds that jeered the school-bound first grader ( pictured above, escorted by U.S. marshals ), her mother said: “Don’t pay them no attention. Just pray for them.” Lucille Bridges died Tuesday at her home in New Orleans,  the  Washington Post  reports . She was 86. (from National Geographic History email newsletter)   Gathering Prayer Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth, we come together in Your name. We come as living sacrifices, to offer You our worship and thanksgiving, our praise and our prayers. Come among us, living Lord. Through ...

  Remembering the Saints   Prayer I will praise God in every moment, and through every situation. Through my words and action, my life will pay tribute to God. Whenever the poor and humble hear of God’s greatness, they will celebrate, too! Come and lift up God’s name with me; let’s praise God’s name together! Amen. ~ Christine Longhurst. re:Worship blog. Inspired by Psalm 34:1-3 ( The Voice translation) Matthew 5: 3-11 “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. “Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth. “Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full. “Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy. “Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God. “Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God's children. “Happy are people w...