Praise the LORD! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. … Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. … His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Praise the LORD!  ~ Psalm 147:1-11, 20c (selections)

The hymn Praise Ye The Lord feels like it partially talks about this Psalm and it’s sung HERE if you want to hear it. And HERE’S a little history of this hymn in case you’re interested (fascinating how sometimes those who receive credit for a song are the ones who write the harmonies?)

ACTION: go about your day, spurred on to help heal the brokenhearted and in all things to Praise Ye the Lord!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, February 4, 2018:

• Isaiah 40:21-31
• Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
• 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
• Mark 1:29-39

ACTION: Each of us has a unique faith journey to share. Today can you find an opportunity to share “The Secret” or other aspects of your journey with others in your midst?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, January 28, 2018:

• Deuteronomy 18:15-20
• Psalm 111
• 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
• Mark 1:21-28

Movin’ and prayin’ can be a wonderful way to experience God. One nice example is this Quaker Prayer:

{Put your PALMS UP – arms stretched out in front of you}

God, you have given my life into my hands. I give it back to you. My time, my property, my life itself…knowing it is only an instant compared to my life with you in eternity.

{Move to PALMS DOWN – arms stretched out in front of you}

Parent God, to you I release the cares and concerns of this world, knowing you loved us enough to send your child who shared loving words and actions. I’m a sinner in need of a God-inspired example and, once again, I accept what you have done for me as sufficient.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

ACTION: Did the movements enhance your prayer? If so, maybe you’ll want to try another of these “movin’ and prayin’ ” prayers today or in the days ahead?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, January 21, 2018:

• Jonah 3:1-5, 10
• Psalm 62:5-12
• 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
• Mark 1:14-20

The Lectionary Psalm for this week is perfect as we journey through challenges:

Psalm 62:5-8    For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

ACTION: Stories of healing and peace are prevalent in the Bible and Christian Playbook has taken some key ones and placed them HERE in written and audio formats.

• Please listen to some portion of these if you feel so motivated
• Please let us know what you think by placing a comment below
• If you like this page of recordings, prayerfully consider whether someone you know might appreciate receiving them as a link on an email from you and send them along

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, January 21, 2018:

• Jonah 3:1-5, 10
• Psalm 62:5-12
• 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
• Mark 1:14-20

As people attempting to follow the loving example of Christ Jesus, we’re still going to fall down every once in a while. We’re only human, after all. In fact, that’s part of the “forgiveness equation,” isn’t it?

When you have a few minutes, take a listen to this song – We Fall Down But We Get Up. It first made my attention when suggested to us by a member of another jail ministry worship team.

“Get back up again!” … When you make one of the “suitable number of mistakes” in trying to follow your faith and the Spirit … “Get back up again!” As the song says, “For a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up.”

ACTIONS: give yourself the grace to step out in faith, every once in a while falling down (wishing you acted differently in some way)

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, January 14, 2018:

• 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20)
• Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
• 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
• John 1:43-51

Friends and family members are treasures (at least for most of us.) Hopefully each of us has enjoyed time with some of these blessed folks over the holidays.

While those holiday memories are fresh, consider enjoying 6 minutes with the Daily Prayer Audio focusing on Friends/Family

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, January 14, 2018:

• 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20)
• Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
• 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
• John 1:43-51

What would have happened if it had been three Wise Women instead of three Wise Men?

They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts.

That joke and a few others about Epiphany are HERE

ACTION: On this Epiphany, this d365.org devotional is worth a read. Among many good comments, Meredith says:

“If the story of the wise men is about the light of Jesus shining out for all to follow, it is also about seeing and recognizing the Lord — often in the most unexpected places. Are our eyes open to recognize Christ among us? The light is shining above the vulnerable, the poor, the refugee, the homeless, the outcast. May the light of our faith be our guide as we seek to see Jesus in our midst.”

What actions among the vulnerable, the poor, the refugee, the homeless, the outcast might we be able to take this upcoming week? A few ideas are HERE

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, January 7, 2018:

• Genesis 1:1-5
• Psalm 29
• Acts 19:1-7
• Mark 1:4-11

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, January 7, 2018:

• Genesis 1:1-5
• Psalm 29
• Acts 19:1-7
• Mark 1:4-11

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Beginning another calendar year offers the opportunity for reflection. There are many wonderful New Year’s prayers linked HERE including this one:

“Heavenly Parent, for this coming year just one request I bring.
I do not pray for happiness or any earthly thing.
I do not ask to understand the way you lead me;
But this I ask—teach me to do the thing that pleases Thee.
I want to know Your guiding voice, to walk with you each day.
Heavenly Parent, make me swift to hear and ready to obey;
And thus the year I now begin, a happy year will be,
If I am seeking just to do the thing that pleases Thee.”

~ Anonymous (with slight CP alterations)

To do the one thing that pleases God. Hmmmm… exciting to think about that. What might that one thing be for you at this moment?

ACTIONS:

• consider saying the prayer above each day of this week to get the year off to a good start
• interested in “spiritual decluttering” in this New Year? If so HERE’S a good article by Joe Iovino that concludes with this uplifting commentary

“The New Year can be one of new experiences in your church and spiritual life. Make room in days ahead for the Holy Spirit to do a new work in you. Then see what happens.”

Enjoy the year ahead, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, January 7, 2018:

• Genesis 1:1-5
• Psalm 29
• Acts 19:1-7
• Mark 1:4-11