Our sense of WOW can happen anywhere, as Anne Lamott highlights in her book Help. Thanks. Wow.. In the Earth & Soul email for August** is this perspective:
“The universe has a way of reminding us to slow down and pay attention. While the beauty and joy do not take away the horrors and sorrows neither is the beauty diminished. We live with both right in front of us. The flowers do not refuse to grow because the soil is not perfect. The spider does not cease weaving webs when the wind blows. Let us too create beauty, live with compassion, and love Earth and her life forms in the midst of it all. Shall we practice noticing together this month? And in noticing be inspired to be part of the beauty and joy in the midst of the deep challenges of this moment. We are not alone, we have one another, the flowers, birds, spiders, rivers, sky, and trees. And we have all come from the heart of God.”
There are many ways we can experience WOW and bring joy in our world. As the devotional says: “Let us too create beauty, live with compassion, and love Earth and her life forms in the midst of it all.” May we feel inspired to do just that!
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
** While the full text of that devotional is not easily found on the internet just yet, perhaps soon enough it’ll be HERE? (It’s well worth signing up for the free, monthly email HERE)
P.S. Like what you’ve seen here from Earth & Soul? Consider checking out more of their materials, including…
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 9, 2026:
- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 and Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b
- 1 Kings 19:9-18 and Psalm 85:8-13
- Romans 10:5-15
- Matthew 14:22-33
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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!
CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO DISCIPLE PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE













