Even those we don’t know can make us “feel like a king” as we’re reminded in the Guideposts devotional HERE. As you read the devotional, can you see the grin on the face of the woman who owns the house?

We all have this opportunity to help another feel like royalty. Where will you find that opportunity today on this Halloween?  🙂

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 4, 2018:

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

Music is a Christian Playbook focus topic. Today’s selection, Hymn of Promise (listen HERE), has a wonderful message for any season. Many find that it is especially meaningful and want it used in end of life gatherings.

As you listen to the music, find a word or phrase that resonates with you. Focus on that word/phrase during your day ahead, enjoying the message with the music!

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• Make a comment below, sending along favorite Christian songs that inspire you
• Think of songs you might want played at your celebration of a lifetime. Have you shared such wishes with loved ones so they know your desires?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 28, 2018:

• 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

“encourage one another and build each other up” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Who has been an encouraging presence in your journey of faith? Frequently the answer is minister, relative or friend, but in some cases the presence certainly comes from more serendipitous encounters with “strangers.”

This Our Daily Bread devotional (HERE) share some historical examples of encouragers. It’s wonderful perspective as we then read commentary about spurring ourselves on to be encouraging to others.

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• Who will you see today who might use a word or act of encouragement?
• Feel like praying with some guided audio prompts and a focus on shepherds and encouraging? The online audio HERE may be something you’ll want to do?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 28, 2018:

• 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

These verses were originally intended as a submission for the Technology edition of the Alive Now devotional:

Prayer tools online,

devotionals too.

Privacy unbound,

are “quiet times” through?

 

God, help us use technology

in ways that are good.

Not idolistic life-support but supporting life;

as most Christian efforts should.

 

May technology make relationships strong,

Holy Spirit ever powerful.

With love like Christ taught;

and child-like energy, hearts full.

 

Help us make effective use

of what technology avails.

Social media, phone and pics;

sharing love, which never fails.

 

May this day find you in the midst of great love, with or without the assistance of technology.  Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 21, 2018:

• Job 38:1-7, (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
• Isaiah 53:4-12 and Psalm 91:9-16
• Hebrews 5:1-10
• Mark 10:35-45

“On that day, you will know that you are in me and I am in you.”  ~ John 14:20

THIS CAC DEVOTIONAL mentions: “The Perennial Tradition states that there is a capacity, a similarity, and a desire for divine reality inside all humans.” Would you agree?

What do you think of Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s metaphor for the greater unity?

May we each find time to experience that light, the oneness and the fullness of the colors!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 21, 2018:

• Job 38:1-7, (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
• Isaiah 53:4-12 and Psalm 91:9-16
• Hebrews 5:1-10
• Mark 10:35-45

Pray As You Go (PAYG) is a nice combination of music, leading thoughts, scripture with plenty of time allowed for prayer. We can listen to PAYG directly at their website and/or using an app for “smart devices.” Details are HERE for both options. Today (or in the week ahead), when you have 10-15 minutes available maybe it’ll be worth a listen?

“The Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.”

Romans 8:26-28 is the PAYG reading for October 13/14 and the quote above is a focus of some of the 12 minutes of audio. We count on intercession of the Spirit on a periodic basis; perhaps even more so as we grow in our faith?

PRAYER: Creator God, strengthen us in the days ahead so we will allow the Spirit more impact in our lives. Amen

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• Bookmark this website for future use if you like it
• Do you have a favorite website for prayer that you haven’t seen mentioned in the Christian Playbook? If so, please send us an email at salong_now@yahoo.com

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 14, 2018:

• Job 23:1-9, 16-17 and Psalm 22:1-15
• Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 and Psalm 90:12-17
• Hebrews 4:12-16
• Mark 10:17-31

The Guideposts Daily Devotional HERE by Sue Monk Kidd shares a wonderful message about transition. Her walk and experiencing the changing colors of leaves helped provide a new satori (“aha” moment.) Such visits to nature can do exactly that, allowing one openness to that still, small voice.

ACTION: take a few minutes and find yourself in nature, even if it’s examining a planter or tree in/near your home or office! 🙂

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 14, 2018:

• Job 23:1-9, 16-17 and Psalm 22:1-15
• Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 and Psalm 90:12-17
• Hebrews 4:12-16
• Mark 10:17-31

In his book A Spirituality of Homecoming, Henri J. M. Nouwen says “Following Jesus means that we have to keep walking on the ground, keep struggling.” [if you have time, take a few minutes now and read the rest of the paragraph and following commentary  HERE***]

How can each of us do some small effort to help stem the issues in our communities? Among these in our area are climate change, opioid epidemic, tempering the vitriol surrounding our politics, embracing immigrants in our country, health care, etc.

One step at a time! ACTIONS may include: smiling to the Muslim wearing a head scarf, having civil conversations even when disagreeing with another’s political views, encouraging use of a church building as host for an NA meeting and more.

Kris Kristoferson co-developed the song “One Day At A Time” in the 1970s and it’s still popular today.** A lyric in that song rings true here: “help me to be all I can be, and all that I am.” Each of us has a part to play in this world, so let’s go out and help make this a better place to live!

May the Spirit move you to walk in new and exciting ways in the upcoming days!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

** in fact, friends Bill & Bill heard it on the radio on the way to getting donuts this past weekend for our men’s retreat participants!

***

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 7, 2018:

• 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

Media exposure  is not always so Christian-friendly and morally uplifting these days. Guideposts in this posting (HERE) suggests that these upcoming “TV shows” may be of interest for believers

• The Good Cop
• Manifest
• A Million Little Things
• God Friended Me
• The Kids are Alright

The old Andy Griffith Show was one filled with Christian messages. In fact, several churches have enjoyed using “The Gospel According to Andy” Christian Education materials**.  In case you’re interested, here is a snippet of the Man in a Hurry episode where Andy and Barney sing “Church in the Wildwood,” helping a busy businessman slow down a little.

May your day be a little more “Mayberry-like” in its pace. Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit …

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 7, 2018:

• 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