Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

~ James 5:16

Praying for one another is a highlight from James 5:16 and praying specifically for wanderers is a focus of James 5:19-20. Thinking of wanderers is a reminder to many of us about how during COVID-19 we’re missing jail ministry. While we can’t be there for worship leadership, it’s heartening to remember how frequently the inmates display prayerful moments for themselves and others.

May the peace of receiving prayers and mercy transform us, including those in jails (both those jailed and those caring for the jailed.)

PRAYER: Dear Creator, be with those incarcerated during these pandemic times, that they might feel the enveloping care from you and through our prayers. May we display your abiding love to so many in our path in the week ahead, blazing like a flame. Amen!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit and the knowledge that God’s mercy is available to us all…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 4, 2020:

• Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Psalm 19 
• Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:7-15 
• Philippians 3:4b-14 
• Matthew 21:33-46

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

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

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

Jesus Loves Me is a classic song many of us have heard in our Christian upbringing. Have you ever done “signing along” with this song?

If not – or even if you have – maybe you’ll want to check out this website with signing associated with the song. The video should start automatically in a small window on the website. Our instructor needs to slow down the song a little for my signing abilities thus far, but maybe I’ll get better as I do it more?

P.S. As a side note, the Joyful Noise Boys from MWPC did some of this as part of our singing at Mt. Washington Care Center in 2019. The lunch crowd enjoyed seeing the efforts and a few of them joined in!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 4, 2020:

• Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Psalm 19  
• Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:7-15 
• Philippians 3:4b-14
• Matthew 21:33-46

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

Many thanks to periodic CP contributor, Joan, for sharing the poem HERE by Rainer Maria Rilke. Is there a particular word or phrase that captures your attention in this poem?

Consider spending a few extra minutes on the poem by clicking on the “Listen” option on the webpage. For some of us,hearing provides a very different experience in comparison to reading, especially for poetry…

ACTION: How might you “Flare up like a flame” on this day?

PRAYER: God in us, move through us to flare up like a flame. Help us embody you in many ways, sharing praise! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

NOTE: Joan was also good enough to share the picture below. This image was a reminder to her of the poem – and fits it so well. Thanks Joan!!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 27, 2020:

• Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16  
• Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 and Psalm 25:1-9 
• Philippians 2:1-13 
• Matthew 21:23-32

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

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

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

Rick Hamlin’s Guideposts article (HERE) highlights three prayer tips he attributes to Mister Rogers:

• Give Up All Judgments
• Honor Silence
• Your Own Pain Can Be Your Strength

ACTION: sometime today, go to a quiet place and pray. Consider praying for someone you may be judging.

PRAYER: God in us, move through me today to brighten the lives of others the way Mister Rogers so regularly did – – by judging less, honoring silence and allowing for vulnerability. We pray for strength and for mindfulness of such practices. Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 27, 2020:

• Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16  
• Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 and Psalm 25:1-9 
• Philippians 2:1-13 
• Matthew 21:23-32

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

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

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

“And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm”

The lines above from the song I Will Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns are especially meaningful for Christians in the United States. We are in the midst of passing storms as we endure another Presidential election season while continuing issues of economic inequality, racial injustice, climate challenges and COVID-19 persist.

Prayers from others, music and inspirational stories can help when passing through stormy times.  God never leaves our sides (while carrying us during the most challenging moments, as the Footprints story and song reminds us.)

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• listen to the lyrics and melody of I Will Praise You in This Storm on YouTube HERE (the video includes scrolling lyrics.) Write a sentence or two in response to the lyrics
• think about a friend going through one of life’s storms right now. Pray for that friend and consider a way(s) you can envelope them in love and peace right now…

PRAYERS: God, thanks for holding our tears in your hand, walking aside us and carrying us. Strengthen us when life gets so difficult that it becomes hard to feel your presence. Help us to be your ambassadors to others around us in word and deed. Amen

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 27, 2020:

• Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16  
• Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 and Psalm 25:1-9 
• Philippians 2:1-13 
• Matthew 21:23-32

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

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

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

Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. ~ Proverbs 22:1–21

HERE is  “Go and see: a better peace for our children,“  a devotional from the PCUSA Missions team. Embedded within the article are action items and a prayer.

Here’s hoping you enjoy the article. Can you find something in the actions and prayer that will move you and other children of God to a more peaceful day?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 20, 2020:

• Exodus 16:2-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 
• Jonah 3:10-4:11 and Psalm 145:1-8 
• Philippians 1:21-30 
• Matthew 20:1-16

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

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

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

Pandemic times bring loneliness in new and strange ways. This Overcoming Loneliness article by Dr. Ursula Whiteside shares 10 ways to address loneliness.

Sending caring messages is one connection that helps us and others. Ursula makes these suggestions:

• Make it personal
• Make it nonjudgmental
• Make it quick

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: Include prayers of strength and support for those enduring loneliness. Say them by name. Maybe it’s time for quick contact with one or more of them via text, email, phone, video chat, note card, in-person contact …

PRAYER: God, stir in us, that we might overcome some of our own loneliness and be a friendliness factor for those in our lives, known and unknown. Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 20, 2020:

• Exodus 16:2-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 
• Jonah 3:10-4:11 and Psalm 145:1-8 
• Philippians 1:21-30 
• Matthew 20:1-16

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

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

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

Have you ever considered writing your spiritual autobiography? That may sound a little too ambitious, but perhaps jotting down a few notes on key events in life might be fruitful, especially with a focus on how our faith helps us in certain mountaintop or valley of darkness times?

The Upper Room article HERE by Richard L. Morgan describes one approach to writing such a document. The author encourages

“Focus on ‘grace moments’—moments when God was present in your life story.”

This date was a valley of darkness date 19 years ago for many of us. Faith and our communities were important on that day and in the days that followed. We worshiped, wept, listened, wept, prayed, consoled, sang and more. Our pastor gave a “Christians, What Now?” sermon that was inspiring – prompting the writing of this song of the same title (audio HERE.)

What “grace moment” dates come immediately to your mind? Take a moment to thank God for being there, on the mountaintop experiences and in the valleys.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: Consider selecting an event in your life and jot a few notes using the spiritual autobiography prompts in the Upper Room article. It doesn’t have to become a book! 🙂

PRAYER: Dear Creator God, help us to make time for you. Thank you for being there in all of our days, especially during “grace moments” in our lifetimes. You bless us in so many ways and we ask for the strength, support and wisdom to find outlets for sharing of Christian love to our neighbors – no exceptions! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 13, 2020:

• Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21  
• Genesis 50:15-21 and Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13  
• Romans 14:1-12  
• Matthew 18:21-35

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

A favorite periodical is Guideposts – it’s been a gift to me from my mom for many years and a gift I’ve given to others since.

This nice article written by Jim Gash on A Spiritual Adventure comes from Guideposts. Just after his article, Jim also shares these suggestions. I really like the one:

“Take a leap of faith. … What are you doing right now that requires faith?” 

ACTION: Read the quote above – does it and/or the examples Jim provides trigger a response? If so, what’s holding you back?

PRAYER: God, empower me to act with a mindset of Jesus and renewable energy of the Spirit.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 13, 2020:

• Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21  
• Genesis 50:15-21 and Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13  
• Romans 14:1-12  
• Matthew 18:21-35

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

Today is one of those bittersweet ones for our family. We remember with incredible joy and appreciation that 63 years ago our parents were married. And we’re sad that they won’t be celebrating together on earth today since our dad died many years ago.

Songs can provide comfort during times of loss. One favorite is “I Will See You Again” and it’s listed as prospective music for families to use for memorial services and celebrations of life. Here it’s performed professionally by Rhonda Vincent and The Rage. It includes the line “and as his bride of 60 years came forward.” Our mom is still our dad’s bride…and she will see him again. What incredible blessings shared – praise God!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 13, 2020:

• Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21  
• Genesis 50:15-21 and Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13  
• Romans 14:1-12  
• Matthew 18:21-35

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