Deepening our Lenten Commitment…

A friend recently shared this quote and it seems perfect to forward to the Christian Playbook community:

“Look to the trees. They need light to survive, right? So they grow leaves to turn that light into energy. But as the leaves grow, notice something; they leave room for each other. Watch the leaves—they never steal each other’s light. Instead, they make room for one another.”

~ Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.

In this devotional, Kaji Dousa, encourages us “For today, let’s look to the trees and ask: what profits in our lives come at the expense of someone else? Can we give those up, for once and for all?”

Enjoy the day, filled with the example of those trees and the energy of the Spirit!


Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 31, 2019:


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Brevity is bliss…

Dennis the Menace returns to the Playbook with this comic classic reminder.

We can all benefit from a “brevity is bliss” perspective from time-to-time, including while sharing our Christian thoughts and/or passions.

Today, look for an opportunity to share a quick phrase expressing your faith to another (‘praise be to God,’ ‘God works in mysterious ways,’ ‘prayers are with you,’ ‘we can do no great things, only small things with great love’ ~ Mother Teresa, ….)  Who knows – maybe such a phrase will start a much lengthier conversation?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit and a little extra grin!


Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 31, 2019:


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A Focus on Thanksgiving…

The second paragraph of LP’s prayer*** focuses on thanksgiving…

Lenten Prayer* – Rev. Dr. L.P. Jones

Guiding God, we are traveling the Lenten road. We are ready for it to end. We prefer celebration to reflection and self-examination. On the table, pulpit, and lectern, we prefer pure white, festive red, hopeful blue, or gentle green to Lent’s pensive purple. We know our sins are many, but why must we confess them so often? Remind us, gracious God, that you call us to confession not to burden us, but to free us. Help us to offer you every fear, failure, and sin, so that your forgiveness can calm and cleanse us and your steadfast love can draw us to new beginnings.

We thank you, God of wonders, for countless blessings. We thank you for those special people whose embrace, friendship, and accepting eyes ease our burdens and heighten our joys. We thank you for the songbirds who greet the dawn with exuberant melody. We thank you for the ability to laugh: to laugh at ourselves when we are mistaken; to laugh with our friends when we take ourselves too seriously; to laugh for the pure pleasure it brings. We thank you for eyes that see familiar friends and a new face in the crowd, savor a peaceful sunrise or sunset, and note a hand in need of our touch and open arms waiting to receive us.

Because we are so blessed, help us to respond faithfully to life and its goodness. Because people and relationships are so important, help us to look beyond ourselves and share our plenty with those in need. Help us to build a community known for the risks it takes to help others experience your loving presence. Because life can be so abundant, help us to be a community as joyous in our celebrations as we are committed to service in Jesus’ name. Because not everyone sees your blessings so readily, help us to comfort the bereaved, accompany the lonely, offer hope to the despairing, and reach for a better world for all.

We pray for all whose needs and concerns touch our hearts. We pray for those in need whom we cannot or do not see. We pray for new members and those preparing to receive baptism. We pray for all making difficult decisions. We pray for those enduring illness of body, mind, or spirit, and those who struggle to hope. We pray that we will complete our Lenten journey by seeing our brokenness borne by and entombed with Jesus, which will prepare us to hear anew the almost unimaginable proclamation that the tomb is empty, Jesus is risen, and life and love prevail. These and all our prayers we offer with confidence, for we bring them in Jesus’ name. Amen.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

  • Consider making this prayer part of your regular, Lenten practices…
  • Reflect on the second paragraph.
    • which of your blessings seem most relevant for thanksgiving today?
    • has the interaction with a special friend “made your day” recently?
    • heard the birds singing in the last day?
    • what wonders have your eyes noted in the last hour?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!


*** In the early 2010s, Rev. Dr. LP Jones prepared and shared the prayer below with the MWPC community as part of his weekly newsletter column. He granted us permission for use of this with the Christian Playbook community.* It is also available to listen to HERE

* ever-so-slight alterations made so the original Holy Week prayer applies throughout Lent


Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 24, 2019:


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Walking with Jesus…

In this Lenten Devotional (HERE) by Lynne Baab and Janette Plunkett, we’re asked to Walk with Jesus. “Creation Care as a Hopeful Spiritual Practice for Lent” allows each of us to make a daily, personal effort.

POSSIBLE ACTION from the devotional above: “This week, try to do one thing different in the way you get rid of waste and recycling. For example, avoid single use plastic.”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

 


Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 31, 2019:


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Blessings and curses of technology…

Written a few years back, this poem (HERE) shares some thoughts on blessings and curses that technology provides the faithful.

As we continue in life today, may God…

Help us make effective use

of what tech avails.

Social media, phone and pix;

sharing love, which never fails.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

 


Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 24, 2019:


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Lenten Prayer by LP (in written and audio form)…

In the early 2010s, Rev. Dr. LP Jones prepared and shared the prayer below with the MWPC community as part of his weekly newsletter column. He granted us permission for use of this with the Christian Playbook community.* It is also available to listen to HERE

This week, our focus is on the first paragraph…

  • is the Lenten road feeling long?
  • are you feeling God’s reminder that confession is freeing?
  • remember to embrace those new beginnings from God’s forgiveness

Lenten Prayer* – Rev. Dr. L.P. Jones

Guiding God, we are traveling the Lenten road. We are ready for it to end. We prefer celebration to reflection and self-examination. On the table, pulpit, and lectern, we prefer pure white, festive red, hopeful blue, or gentle green to Lent’s pensive purple. We know our sins are many, but why must we confess them so often? Remind us, gracious God, that you call us to confession not to burden us, but to free us. Help us to offer you every fear, failure, and sin, so that your forgiveness can calm and cleanse us and your steadfast love can draw us to new beginnings.

We thank you, God of wonders, for countless blessings. We thank you for those special people whose embrace, friendship, and accepting eyes ease our burdens and heighten our joys. We thank you for the songbirds who greet the dawn with exuberant melody. We thank you for the ability to laugh: to laugh at ourselves when we are mistaken; to laugh with our friends when we take ourselves too seriously; to laugh for the pure pleasure it brings. We thank you for eyes that see familiar friends and a new face in the crowd, savor a peaceful sunrise or sunset, and note a hand in need of our touch and open arms waiting to receive us.

Because we are so blessed, help us to respond faithfully to life and its goodness. Because people and relationships are so important, help us to look beyond ourselves and share our plenty with those in need. Help us to build a community known for the risks it takes to help others experience your loving presence. Because life can be so abundant, help us to be a community as joyous in our celebrations as we are committed to service in Jesus’ name. Because not everyone sees your blessings so readily, help us to comfort the bereaved, accompany the lonely, offer hope to the despairing, and reach for a better world for all.

We pray for all whose needs and concerns touch our hearts. We pray for those in need whom we cannot or do not see. We pray for new members and those preparing to receive baptism. We pray for all making difficult decisions. We pray for those enduring illness of body, mind, or spirit, and those who struggle to hope. We pray that we will complete our Lenten journey by seeing our brokenness borne by and entombed with Jesus, which will prepare us to hear anew the almost unimaginable proclamation that the tomb is empty, Jesus is risen, and life and love prevail. These and all our prayers we offer with confidence, for we bring them in Jesus’ name. Amen.

SUGGESTED ACTION: Consider making this prayer part of your regular, Lenten practices…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

* ever-so-slight alterations made so the original Holy Week prayer applies throughout Lent


Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 24, 2019:


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Small groups provide great support …

Times together in small groups of 4-12 people can enrich our Christian lives substantially. Wonderful discussion about our faith and our families can ensue. One beautiful aftermath is when we get back together years later it is still so comfortable.

If you or someone you know is looking for discussion materials to use with another couple or small group, Serendipity booklets and other resource items are HERE. In addition, if a small group of men want some materials, please check out the FATHERS Team materials (Upbuilding Ministries.) And, of course, an internet search can yield plenty of possibilities too.

Enjoy the day in your times with God (and small groups of believers,) filled with the Spirit!


Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 24, 2019:


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Love Lifted Him…

In this Guideposts article, Casting Crowns lead singer Mark Hall describes his feelings of wanting to keep his cancer diagnosis private. He and his family quickly found out the value of letting others know.

SUGGESTED ACTION: Since most of us can’t count on thousands of fans making contact, we all can do our part to lift others up. Do you know someone going through cancer or other challenges right now? Maybe a card, call, text or other contact can happen today or this weekend?

May the Spirit fill each of us today with unexpected joy and action!

P.S. Love Lifted Me is a song that shares some wonderful messages. Lyrics and the tune are HERE


Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 17, 2019:


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Child of the Wind …

This past weekend, the Lectionary included Christ’s temptation story with the devil. It seems appropriate then to point us to this story called Tempting Alternatives, written by Ron Johnson (formerly of Cincinnati and now living in Michigan.)

When you have 15 minutes today or later this week, it’s definitely worth a read to enjoy Ron’s prose and consider a few of the reflection questions. For instance,

“This story warns us how easy it is for those who are passionate about doing good to end up as agents of evil.  History is littered with the names of devils who thought they were saving the world.  How can we recognize the path of destruction when it looks like precisely the way we must go?” 

May we increasingly experience recognition of good paths…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 17, 2019:


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Something to “take on”…

How’s the Lenten journey going after a few days? Still looking for something to “take on for Lent?” This Guideposts short contains a really nice perspective-building  idea.

Bet we all have a few folks in our lives who deserve a – “I wanted to write to tell you how much I appreciate you. You really bless my life!” – note…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!


Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 10, 2019:


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