Have you spent time lately reflecting on those individuals who have been particularly important influences in your life, and how they live on in you?

Maybe today is the day for such an activity? It’s a wonderful exercise! [for those in the U.S., we get an extra hour for such activity with “fall back” in Daylight Savings time! 🙂 ]

In this “All Saints Day season,” encouragement for such reflection is reinforced in worship, scripture, devotionals and more. Particularly powerful is this from Henri Nouwen – “Turn Your Mourning Into Dancing” – including these inspiring sentences: 

“In their absence we can develop a new intimacy with them and grow. We even can become more like them and fulfill their mission in life until the day comes that we too have to leave so that our spirit can stay with those we love. In this way mourning can slowly turn into joy, and grief into rebirth.”

And lest such a season lead to sad thoughts … let’s schedule gatherings with those loved ones still living. Who knows what will result in such times? Perhaps some new “spirit can stay” times for us and/or them…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

P.S. for those from the MWPC community, some reminders of dear influences like Lee Davis, Dick Yund, Cliff Reeder and Jane Wiseman are links HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 3, 2024:

• Ruth 1:1-18 and Psalm 146
• Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Psalm 119:1-8
• Hebrews 9:11-14
• Mark 12:28-34

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, please forward this message to them and let them know they can sign up HERE

POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: These times will likely find large numbers of families looking for nutritious food, presenting opportunities to

• share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
• check with your faith community about opportunities to feed community members
• volunteer to assist 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
• TAKE ACTION using an item from this 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. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

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

The recent Henri Nouwen website devotional “Be a Real Friend,” is powerful and we encourage you to read it HERE. It includes these beautiful sentences: 

“In this sense, true friendships continue beyond the boundary of death. When you have loved deeply that love can grow even stronger after the death of the person you love. This is the core message of Jesus.”

What a blessing that so many of our Playbook readers past and present qualify as True Friends. We cherish the times together, and know that when one of us passes… “Those you have loved deeply and who have died live on in you, not just as memories but as real presences.”

Perhaps today or in the days ahead, you’ll find time to write to a True Friend, whether still living or one who has passed. Tell them a little about why they’ve meant so much and perhaps an example or two of how they live on in you… You’ll be better for the experience.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

P.S. Thanks to each of you who have been True Friends … we’ll count on the fact, as Nouwen says, that we will be treasuring our love and friendships for eternity! 

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 27, 2024:

• Job 42:1-6, 10-17 and Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22)
• Jeremiah 31:7-9 and Psalm 126
• Hebrews 7:23-28
• Mark 10:46-52

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, please forward this message to them and let them know they can sign up HERE

POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: These times will likely find large numbers of families looking for nutritious food, presenting opportunities to

• share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
• check with your faith community about opportunities to feed community members
• volunteer to assist 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
• TAKE ACTION using an item from this 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. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

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

It’s been a pleasure to begin understanding the Jewish faith more completely while reading the book Here All Along with a friend. The author, Sarah Hurwitz, writes really well and makes the material more accessible to the layperson.

In talking about Rosh Hashanah (which starts this Wednesday, by the way,) Sarah addresses worry

I instead tend to think that I can prevent misfortune by worrying a lot about it in advance.

Do you fit this approach?

Many of us have found life success by attempting to be well-prepared for surprises. That we might do this for others as well can become all-consuming if we’re not careful. That’s where today’s “headline” comes in… perhaps it’s time to “Resign as general manager of the universe…” **

Yet, perhaps these “worries expressed” can also be an approach for prayer? Some worriers we know share their concerns with God and then take action in the form of writing a card/text, extending social invitations, scheming with others on positive next steps, placing a phone call, etc..

May we all do our part to make this global community better, without feeling the need to become general manager…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

** Sarah attributes this quote to Methodist pastor Larry Eisenberg

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 6, 2024:

• Job 1:1, 2:1-10 and Psalm 26
• Genesis 2:18-24 and Psalm 8
• Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
• Mark 10:2-16

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, please forward this message to them and let them know they can sign up HERE

POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: These times will likely find large numbers of families looking for nutritious food, presenting opportunities to

• share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
• check with your faith community about opportunities to feed community members
• volunteer to assist 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
• TAKE ACTION using an item from this 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. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

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

The CAC posting HERE provides some wonderful stirring in the midst of our chaotic worlds. While each travels this world uniquely, Mirabai Starr writes about mysticism we can experience in the “monasteries” of our everyday lives:

When you say yes to cultivating a mystical gaze, the ordinary world becomes more luminous, imbued with flashes of beauty and moments of meaning. The universe responds to your willingness to behold the holy by revealing almost everything as holy. A plate of rice and beans, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, your new baby, the latest political scoundrel, the scary diagnosis, the restless nights.

Hmmm… how can we receive these flashes of beauty and moments of meaning?

POSSIBLE ACTIONS… (as Mirabai Starr mentions HERE:)

• “Set your intention to uncover the jewels buried in the heart of what already is. Choose to see the face of God in the face of the bus driver and the moody teenager, in peeling a tangerine or feeding the cat….
• Open your heart, and then do everything you can to keep it open. Light every candle in the room….”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

P.S. Any “Peace Day” AHAs you care to share? ( salong_now @ yahoo.com )

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 29, 2024:

• Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 and Psalm 124
• Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 and Psalm 19:7-14
• James 5:13-20
• Mark 9:38-50

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, please forward this message to them and let them know they can sign up HERE

POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: These times will likely find large numbers of families looking for nutritious food, presenting opportunities to

• share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
• check with your faith community about opportunities to feed community members
• volunteer to assist 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
• TAKE ACTION using an item from this 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. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

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

Today is the U.N. International Day of Peace. May world leaders feel the power of our prayers for peace in the midst of these troubling times…

Such a day is a reminder of the song Let There Be Peace on Earth and its hopeful and empowering message (details on the song HERE). Want to hear it performed by the International Children’s Choir? It is HERE for free listening.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: Have time to engage intentionally in one or more supportive peace act?

• Perhaps set your alarm for noon today and observe a minute of silence along with many others around the world
• Include in your prayers our world leaders, that they might find the strength and feel the support for peaceful actions with a goal: “may peace prevail on earth!”
• Listen to the BeThePeace Guided Visualization towards the bottom of THIS PAGE
• Many more ideas and/or activities are listed HERE

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 22, 2024:

• Proverbs 31:10-31 and Psalm 1
• Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 and Psalm 54
• James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
• Mark 9:30-37

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, please forward this message to them and let them know they can sign up HERE

POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: These times will likely find large numbers of families looking for nutritious food, presenting opportunities to

• share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
• check with your faith community about opportunities to feed community members
• volunteer to assist 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. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

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

Before launching into this first Disciple Playbook post, let me say

• “many thanks” to those who responded favorably to the idea of continuing posts from a renamed and refocused Disciple Playbook.
• taking a sabbatical from regular postings for the past several months has been helpful. The struggles of a life-long Christian to be somewhat divorced from that word is substantial. So it is with certain monikers that define us at certain times that go away because we do, or because the contemporary wording takes on new meaning…

The good news in such spiritual struggles and many others?

“All Shall Be Well” according to our Disciple friend, Julian of Norwich! 

As this CAC posting suggests, 14th and 15th century times of Julian brought challenges to believers then as our times do now. Yet, in spite of substantial challenges, English poet and author Ann Lewin points to Julian’s trust in God for encouragement:

[God] did not say: You will not be assailed, you will not be belabored, you will not be disquieted, but he said: You will not be overcome. God wants us to pay attention to his words and always to be strong in our certainty, in well-being and in woe, for he loves us and delights in us, and so he wishes us to love him and delight in him and trust greatly in him, and all will be well. [3] 

During our teeth-gritting times, perhaps we can recall Julian’s wisdom?

May this day bring you “all shall be well” moments, filled with Spirit-inspired action…

P.S. An interesting note from Wikipedia about the mystic Julian:

In her fourteenth revelation, Julian writes of the Trinity in domestic terms, comparing Jesus to a mother who is wise, loving and merciful. Author Frances Beer asserted that Julian believed that the maternal aspect of Christ was literal and not metaphoric: Christ is not like a mother, he is literally the mother.^[73] Julian emphasised this by explaining how the bond between mother and child is the only earthly relationship that comes close to the relationship a person can have with Jesus.^[74]

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 18, 2024:

• 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
• Proverbs 9:1-6
• Psalm 111
• Psalm 34:9-14
• Ephesians 5:15-20
• John 6:51-58

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, please forward this message to them and let them know they can sign up HERE

POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: These times will likely find large numbers of families looking for nutritious food, presenting opportunities to

• share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
• check with your faith community about opportunities to feed community members
• volunteer to assist 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. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

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

For quite a while, there’s been growing angst and soul-searching in using the word Christian to describe efforts. What to use…Christ-follower, Disciple of Christ, or ???

The CAC post HERE (https://email.cac.org/t/d-e-eldjiuy-tlkriyddur-yd/) really resonates. The word Christian now is “carrying baggage” that many Disciples would prefer not to own.

And in that posting, Brian McLaren nails it when saying:

“These days, Christian often seems to apply more to the kinds of people who would push Jesus off a cliff than it does to his true followers.”

All this contemplating has implication for the name of this blog and website. While the name Christian Playbook has now been on the web for over 15 years, it’s time for a change. You may have already noticed that you’re getting postings from Disciple Playbook – that’s CP’s new name (at least for now.) 😊 The frequency of posting has tapered off a bit too – showing up “when the Spirit moves.” 

A REQUEST

With the commentary above in mind, would you send a one word (or more if you wish) reply to salong_now@yahoo.com with an answer to this question?

• • Are you likely to read Discipleship Playbook postings in the future if they follow a similar pattern to the previous Christian Playbook postings, though perhaps less frequent?

NOTE:  If you have other comments or thoughts, please include those in the email as well. Many thanks.

May this day bring you joy and gratitude moments, filled with Spirit-inspired action…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 14, 2024:

• 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Psalm 24 
• Amos 7:7-15 and Psalm 85:8-13 
• Ephesians 1:3-14 
• Mark 6:14-29

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, forward this message to them and they can sign up HERE

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. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

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

Surprised to not get mail today, be able to process a Wall Street trade or any number of other activities today?

Happy Juneteenth Day!

It took a long time to get a federal holiday for this. That said, it’s “better late than never.” This sad chapter in the early history of the United States gets additional, necessary recognition.

Thanks to Our Daily Bread for the 2 minute video devotional on Juneteenth Day HERE…

Here’s hoping you’ve enjoyed a wonderful holiday, filled with the Spirit…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 23, 2024:

• 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 and Psalm 9:9-20
• 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16 and Psalm 133 
• Job 38:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 
• 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 
• Mark 4:35-41

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, forward this message to them and they can sign up HERE

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

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

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

Happy FeRoMo** Day to all the wonderful female role models worldwide!

Many of you have read about FeRoMo** from previous years of this Playbook. Should you have interest in an updated version, there’s more about FeRoMo** HERE.

Included in that commentary is this question and POTENTIAL ACTION opportunity:

Which women come to your mind when thinking of folks who have helped shape your life? Is today ripe with opportunities to brighten their days by

• • arranging a visit?
  • sending a text message, email or card?
  • placing a phone call or videochat?
  • forwarding of this message with your personalized comments?
  • forwarding of the Helen Steiner Rice poem HERE which captures nice thoughts about women who care for us in special ways?
  • other special actions?

May we find ways to make these days refreshing and special for all women who are positive role models in our world…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

** FeRoMo (Female Role Model)

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 12, 2024:

• Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 
• Psalm 1 
• 1 John 5:9-13 
• John 17:6-19

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, forward this message to them and they can sign up HERE

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

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

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

This is World Labyrinth Day. More on that HERE, including this commentary:

Every year on the first Saturday in May thousands of people around the globe participate in World Labyrinth Day as a moving meditation for world peace and celebration of the labyrinth experience. Many “Walk as One at 1” local time to create a rolling wave of peaceful energy passing from one time zone to the next, and there are additional ways to participate. Read more!

The page HERE describes an approach to labyrinths shared by Rev. Dr. LP Jones and other online links to helpful materials.

ACTION: On this World Labyrinth Day, perhaps you’ll feel the urge to walk a labyrinth near you, do an online walk (options HERE ) or ???

Here’s hoping you are fully enjoying this day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 5, 2024:

• Acts 10:44-48 
• Psalm 98 
• 1 John 5:1-6 
• John 15:9-17

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, forward this message to them and they can sign up HERE

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

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

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