TODAY IN HISTORY-WEDNESDAY MARCH 23, 2011

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Today is Wednesday, March 23, the 82nd day of 2011. There are 283 days left in the year.

Today in History: AP Highlight in History: On March 23, 2001, Russia's orbiting Mir space station ended its 15-year odyssey with a fiery plunge into the South Pacific. AP Photo/Rob Griffith
On this date in: 1743 George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" had its premiere, in London. 1775 Patrick Henry called for America's independence from Britain, telling the Virginia Provincial Convention, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" 1919 Benito Mussolini founded his Fascist political movement in Milan, Italy. AP Photo 1933 The German Reichstag adopted the Enabling Act, which effectively granted Adolf Hitler dictatorial legislative powers. 1942 During World War II, the U.S. government began moving Japanese-Americans from their West Coast homes to detention centers. 1981 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could require, with some exceptions, parental notification when teenage girls seek abortions. 1983 President Ronald Reagan proposed the development of technology to intercept enemy nuclear missiles; the plan was dubbed "Star Wars" by its critics. President Reagan 1994 Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings broke Gordie Howe's National Hockey League career record with his 802nd goal. 1998 "Titanic" won 11 Academy Awards, including best picture, best director and best song, to tie the record set by 1959's "Ben-Hur." (The record was tied again by "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" in 2003.) 2003 A U.S. Army maintenance convoy was ambushed in Iraq; 11 soldiers were killed and seven were captured, including Pfc. Jessica Lynch. 2004 R&B singer Usher's album "Confessions" was released. 2010 President Barack Obama signed a $938 billion health care overhaul.		Today's Birthdays: Actress Keri Russell turns 35 years old today. AP Photo/Evan Agostini Name Profession Age Ric Ocasek Rock musician (The Cars) 62 Chaka Khan R&B singer 58 Moses Malone Basketball Hall of Famer 56 Amanda Plummer Actress 54 Catherine Keener Actress 52 Hope Davis Actress 47 Marin Hinkle Actress ("Two and a Half Men," "Once and Again") 45 Jason Kidd Basketball player 38 Perez Hilton Gossip blogger 33 Nicholle Tom Actress 33 Maurice Jones-Drew Football player 26 Actress Michelle Monaghan turns 35 years old today. AP Photo/Peter Kramer

Thought for Today: "What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn't much better than tedious disease." — Alexander Pope, English poet (1688-1744).

“A Prayer Of Thanks For Warnings”

Father, we glean so much from the characters of the Bible; both bad and good examples of those who thought themselves to be above Your commands and those who heeded Your warnings. Achan in Joshua 7 had a heart of greed, a lying spirit, and prized himself above innocent lives who perished as a result of his sinful actions. Your judgment eventually came upon him and he paid with his life and that of his entire family. But we also see Noah who labored for years building an unprecedented mammoth boat for the torrential flood waters Your warned him about. He heeded Your warning and thereby saved his family’s lives and the pairing of many animals that would reproduce on the earth following the flood. Help us to realize that we are wise to follow Your warnings given in the commands of Scripture. To feel that we are the exception is a lie straight from the pit of hell that will immediately or eventually lead to our demise. You warn because You love us and want the very best for us, Your children. Remind us often; through Scripture, through fellow believers, through negative and positive examples we see all about us, and through the inner working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen