Accepting God’s Rest…


Accepting God’s Rest. Ahhh….a nice reminder of  the ‘ol Nestea Plunge commercials (like this one HERE)!

In the post from Sojourners HERE, we get some much-needed reminders of ways to accept God’s invitation to rest:

  • Use Transitions
  • Cleanse with Water
  • Remember Your Ancestors
  • Cultivate Relationships
  • Nap (and who can’t use one of those?)
Any of these resonate? If so, check out the full article to see many more good ideas.
 
May you enjoy your days on this beautiful earth, filled with the Spirit!


Seeking rest while admiring God’s creation? Maybe it’s time for a field trip visit to a place with beautiful flowers?

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 27, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including Creation (according to Non Sequitur) …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip

The earth is the Lord’s…Clothing Considerations


“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ~ Matthew 6:28-29

With all the headlines about Climate Change, considering how we continue to make a difference as individuals seems important to continually highlight. CP has previously shared the earth.org listing HERE of 15 potential actions. That listing includes Support Sustainable Brands and provides links to ways of doing this. A little research can make a big difference when making such purchases.

Actions along these lines were further reinforced by a conversation the other day at a Green Umbrella event in Cincinnati. The topic of up-cycling clothes was discussed. The idea is to take old clothing – not necessarily suitable for someone else to wear – and use certain components for creating new clothing items.

One such creation place is Sew Valley.  If you’re a crafty sort in the Cincinnati area, perhaps you’ll be interested in their “sustainably focused garment factory, sample room and incubator space?” Plus, a website link to Textile Exchange provides some inspiring reading and possibilities!

Perhaps when hearing about such opportunities, some of us will clear closets of unworn clothing items and get them to folks who can re-use (find the local Goodwill or other store like it) or re-purpose components? Our closets will be happier and maybe that purging will also brighten our spirits all-the-more because we know of such Textile Exchange possibilities?

May you enjoy your days on this beautiful earth, filled with the Spirit!

P.S. the comic HERE was encountered that seems worthy of sharing  🙂



Seeking solitude while admiring God’s creation? Maybe it’s time for a field trip visit to a place with beautiful flowers?

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 20, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including Creation (according to Non Sequitur) …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip

SONG: “Now Thank We All Our God”


“Now Thank We All Our God”

That’s reasonably easy to do when things are going well; not so simple in challenging days.

Imagine living in the 1600s, invaded by outsiders with many dying all around you due to plagues. Penning a song of thankfulness in the midst of such times would be a challenge. 

Benjamin Pratt shares some wonderful perspective of a 17th Century saint who did exactly that. In the article “Faith in a Pandemic: ‘Now thank we all our God’ ” (HERE)  we read of Martin Rinkart, a German Lutheran clergyman and author of hymns who endured much over a lifetime. Inspiring!

At the end of the article are these prayerful words that resonate:

“… May we remember those who will lose work and have no monetary cushion. When we cannot embrace our loved ones, let us seek new ways to be the a loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

P.S. Want to hear the song “Now Thank We All Our God”? One rendition is HERE



Dance of the Hummingbirds… See slideshow of antics HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 20, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items
  • share financial gifts and/or volunteer time with organizations helping alleviate childhood hunger. One such organization in the Cincinnati area (a CP favorite) is Whole Again (HERE)

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including Creation (according to Non Sequitur) …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip

The Time is Short (cont’d)…Is Fruitfulness Calling?


But this I say, brethren, the time is short. ~ I Corinthians 7:29

 
 
Precisely where we are weakest and often most broken and most needy, precisely there can be the ground of our fruitfulness. …
 
Just a little later the post finishes with
 
So you have to realize that you are part of that beautiful process, that your death is not the end but in fact it is the source of your fruitfulness beyond you in new generations, in new centuries.
 
“Death is not the end…” Having just passed two anniversaries of dear loved ones passing – one now of 21 years and another of 10 years – this really resonates. These two men live on in the ways that many of their “disciples” journey today – their love of life, teaching others, showing compassion, modeling honesty, sharing love and much, much more.
 
May we find in our own best last days those same opportunities to use our weakness for fruitfulness…
 
PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITY …  REALLY? AGAIN? If you haven’t started, maybe today offers that opportunity? If you began last time, perhaps it’s something you can continue thinking about today?
  • set a timer for 10-20 (or more!) minutes and spend that time thinking about the people you would want accompanying you on that Best Last Day, plus some of the activities. If you want some structure, the last two pages of the At the End document provide an approach for doing this [in viewable/printable form HERE**]
  • Now consider: which of these activities could you do today?
  • Why not live out selected elements of Your Best, Last Day now – and again, and again… –  well in advance of that very last day? 🙂

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!


**  and downloadable as a Word format document HERE  by clicking the link  “AT THE END_BoaL_Burial_Service_Best Last Day“]



Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 13, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items
  • share financial gifts and/or volunteer time with organizations helping alleviate childhood hunger. One such organization in the Cincinnati area (a CP favorite) is Whole Again (HERE)

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including Creation (according to Non Sequitur) …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip

The Time is Short (cont’d)…Why Not Live Your Best, Last Day Now?


But this I say, brethren, the time is short. ~ I Corinthians 7:29

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.  ~ Psalm 23:5-6

Pastor Lisa Bernheisel’s video link in the 2021 Christian Playbook post (HERE) was a valuable description of her cancer journey.

  • “Running from death” begins transforming to “dancing with death.”
  • Doesn’t that fit nicely with the imagery of the 5th and 6th verses of the 23rd Psalm?

One of the many legacies of Lisa’s life is CP inspiration based on that video. The result? Two new pages for the At the End section (HERE) in the Binder of a Lifetime.

In considering your life, how would you describe “Your Best, Last Day?” Reflecting on that  provides a joyful reminder of the gratitude each of us can experience, while dancing with life (and death.)

PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITY:

  • set a timer for 10-20 (or more!) minutes and spend that time thinking about the people you would want accompanying you on that Best Last Day, plus some of the activities. If you want some structure, the last two pages of the At the End document provide an approach for doing this [in viewable/printable form HERE**]
  • Now consider: which of these activities could you do today?
  • Why not live out selected elements of Your Best, Last Day now – and again, and again… –  well in advance of that very last day? 🙂

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

**  and downloadable as a Word format document HERE  by clicking the link  “AT THE END_BoaL_Burial_Service_Best Last Day“]

P.S. Any successful sharing of the Four Things That Matter Most from the last CP post?



Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 6, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items
  • share financial gifts and/or volunteer time with organizations helping alleviate childhood hunger. One such organization in the Cincinnati area (a CP favorite) is Whole Again (HERE)

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including Creation (according to Non Sequitur) …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip

The Time is Short…


“But this I say, brethren, the time is short” I Corinthians 7:29

Referencing my Great-Grandmother Miller’s copy of Daily Strength for Daily Need on the July 29th daily reference brought to light this Phillips Brooks quote [HERE] regarding time being short. Among other compelling words, Brooks shares these

you who are keeping wretched quarrels alive because you cannot quite make up your minds that now is the day to sacrifice your pride and kill them;

POTENTIAL ACTION:  Let’s consider any current relationship situations we have like Brooks describes and share these Four Things That Matter Most***:

  • Please Forgive Me [For Any/All Hurts You Have Sustained From Me]
  • [If There are Things You Wish I Could Forgive, Know That] I Forgive You
  • Thank You [For Being Part of My Life]
  • I Love You
  •  

Expressing these four things does not suggest that hurts are gone or that you somehow excuse all that transpired. Since time is short, doing so can help move us and others towards a peace that passeth all understanding…

May it be a great day, filled with peace and the Spirit’s movement though you…

*** from the book The Four Things That Matter Most by Ira Byok, with added words in [ ]

P.S. For that matter, can it hurt to express these Four Things to any/all family members and friends who may value the connection and confirmation?



Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 6, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including Creation (according to Non Sequitur) …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip

The earth is the Lord’s…


“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof”  ~ Psalm 24:1a

Following up on this CP post about a Healthier Planet, is a listing HERE of 15 things earth.org suggests as potential actions.

Today we’ll focus on one of those actions, quoting directly from the earth.org article regarding “reduce plastic usage”

Single-use plastic is one of the greatest threats to the environment. Approximately 300 million tons of plastic is produced worldwide every year, with more than 90% ending up in landfills, the ocean or simply dumped.

When ordering takeout, consider using your own reusable food containers. Going for coffee? Bring your own portable mug or thermos. Going grocery shopping? Bring reusable shopping bags. Opt for reusable products instead of single-use plastic to limit your plastic consumption. Being a bit more aware of your consumption habits will definitely help you help the planet. 

This topic area gets some movie buffs to thinking about The Graduate (see HERE.) As with so many innovations, they bring with them some unintended consequences.
 
The good news? There are activities afoot to limit plastics from single-use, including

How will you find your way to plastics-limiting efforts to share gratitude with this earth of ours?

May you enjoy your time on this beautiful earth, filled with the Spirit!



Seeking solitude while admiring God’s creation? Check out this spider’s web-work, losing yourself in the artistry of the webbing (and 20 feet above the ground at that! Watch out, high-flying insects!)

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 30, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including Creation (according to Non Sequitur) …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip

Positive Thinker: Al Roker…


“Always be yourself. People can do whatever they want, but they can’t take that from you. Everybody wants to be somebody else; just be you.” ~ Willard Scott

Guideposts is a wonderful read. Now you can also listen to many of the articles at their website. This one HERE – Positive Thinker: Al Roker – Today Show weatherman, journalist, author – can be read (or listened to at that webpage.)

As a positive thinker, it’s fun to see/hear his responses to several questions (with details in the full article)
  • Your real-life hero: wife Deborah
  • What you do for your spiritual well-being: journal every day

How inspirational to read such materials. Thanks to Guideposts and Al Roker for sharing some wonderful tips and tricks for living life in positive ways! Who knows, maybe some of us will journal as a result?

Enjoy your time on this beautiful earth, filled with the Spirit!



Seeking solitude while admiring God’s creation? Check out this spider’s web-work, losing yourself in the artistry of the webbing (and 20 feet above the ground at that! Watch out, high-flying insects!)

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 23, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including Creation (according to Non Sequitur) …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip

God Never Gives You More Than You Can Bear…


“God Never Gives You More Than You Can Bear”

Really?

That phrase troubles many of us. In fact, there are certain situations when such a statement seems just flat-out wrong to use!

Perhaps the perspective printed HERE from Cardinal Manning in a 1911 Australian Catholic newspaper helps? Some CP take-aways:

  • in certain situations, the idea of the accumulation of life experiences – including eliminating some challenges and adding heavier ones – can fit
  • for other times, it’s still hard to imagine how “never gives you more…” sharing is helpful

When about to utter some common phrase, catching oneself can be helpful. Is this really the right time for that sharing? Perhaps in some cases, your presence is all that’s necessary, without a word to share? 🙂

PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITY: Consider making a list of some “common phrases” you have heard that in certain situations may not be helpful.

  • To get some perspective, find a friend to discuss your list, possibly asking them for a few “common phrases” that cause them discomfort.
  • Are these phrases in any way like Cardinal Manning’s perspective – – in the right spot, or given enough context, they can feel helpful? 

Enjoy your time on this beautiful earth, filled with the Spirit plus situation-appropriate phrases!



Seeking solitude while admiring God’s creation in action? Click on the picture below for 3 minutes of the Twirling Primrose going from bud to glorious flower

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 16, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including the one HERE about the first publisher to be smote  …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip

Becoming Like Children…


“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants;” ~ Matthew 11:25b

Today, imagine you’re in the lobby of the Mount Washington Public Library in Cincinnati around 11 AM. A variety of children will be coming in the library doors with their adult companions for a special scavenger hunt. These children, over the course of June weekdays, have been lovingly mentored by adults/teens/pre-teens during “Summer Camp.”

On the last day of camp these children heard/saw a book about ways to make a difference in our world’s climate. Some concepts were new. How many adults will these children influence with the new information?

As we – Children of God – think about making a difference, perhaps we can use such children as examples. Their school is composting, creating a pollinator garden, raising plants. In camp they learned how to cooperate, consider water and air pollution and much, much more.

PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITY: Want to learn more about more lovingly treating our earth with a child-like mind?  Some links and excellent book summaries about climate issues** are HERE. Perhaps this will allow you to share such wisdom with “children of all ages?”  🙂

Enjoy your time on this beautiful earth, filled with the Spirit!

P.S. Another cool thing about such child-like efforts? They frequently involve the Creating Independence moments posted earlier this week and some follow-up experiences!

** according to TIME magazine

 



Seeking some solitude while admiring God’s creation in action? Click on the picture below for 3 minutes of the Twirling Primrose going from bud to glorious flower

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 9, 2023:


POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: This season will likely find increasing numbers of folks looking for food, presenting opportunities to

  • share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
  • check with your faith community about upcoming opportunities to feed community members
  • volunteer to help with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
  • find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE



Know someone who might like receiving Christian Playbook messages like this?  If so, please forward this message and they can sign up WITH THIS LINK


CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically

Including the one HERE about the first publisher to be smote  …  plus toonfever like this one:


Click on the cartoon above to visit toonfever.com!

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!


CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

DevotionalPraying handsSingendes Quartett3StudyMobius strip