On Veteran’s Day, it’s a Playbook tradition to review pictures of family veterans in uniform…
Does one look a little “out of place?”
Brother Andy was stationed in the country of Togo, West Africa in the Peace Corps in the mid/late 1980s. Why make that choice? He and so many other veterans have shared the love of the American people worldwide by “working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation” ~ (taken from the Peace Corps mission statement)
Isaiah 2:4 mentions “beating our swords into plowshares.” In Togo, they did that quite literally by instructing the people to plow with oxen (in addition to teaching them math, English and engaging in many other worthwhile activities!) Whatever the role, it is tough work for the Peace Corps volunteer and the people in-country they work with daily. The result? Even 30+ years later, these Peace Corps volunteers are recognized and welcomed with open arms (I had the pleasure of experiencing these greetings first-hand in 2009 – – many Togolese thought I was my brother! )
We are blessed to have people willing to serve in such ways in the Peace Corps!
Could we say a lot about the blessing of what our military personnel have done for us, including Uncles Jack and Fred (pictured above?) Absolutely! Yet, it’s likely you’ll get a chance to read a lot more about military folks, so we’ll leave it here for today.
ACTION: Let’s honor and remember our veterans today in one or more ways such as
- trip to a park or cemetery where a veteran’s memorial exists
- attending area events honoring veterans – men, women and more (animals in K9 corps and others)
- watching a show in a war setting
- watching videos of Peace Corps volunteers sharing experiences HERE
PRAYER: God, we are blessed to have military veterans and currently-serving personnel who hopefully ultimately have made and are making our world a more peaceful place. We are equally blessed to have Peace Corps veterans and volunteers working for a more peaceful world. We remember and honor their efforts and sacrifices for such peaceful long-term priorities. Strengthen and support all of them – and us – in our roles of becoming better peace-makers worldwide! Amen.
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 17, 2024:
- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10
- Daniel 12:1-3 and Psalm 16
- Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25
- Mark 13:1-8
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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
- accept a Call to Action item from Season of Peace devotional posting
NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE
DISCIPLE PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically. Included now is a grin-inducing New Bible Reading Plan (Pearls Before Swine)
STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!
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