In this Guideposts devotional, Bob Hostetler discusses 6 ways to allow more silence, offering opportunities for even better prayer time. Maybe this upcoming weekend – or today? – will offer an opportunity to try one of these ideas?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 27, 2021:

• 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130 
• Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15, 2:23-24 or Lamentations 3:22-33 and Psalm 30 
• 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 
• Mark 5:21-43
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Among many, there are two men who have been particularly regular parts of my upbringing. One is my dad and one my mom’s younger brother.

Both of these men have shared in word and deed the importance of honesty, character, humor, family love, family connections, working hard for desired goals, being charitable, active church involvement and much, much more. Both have been in dedicated marriages for over 40 years and shown love and devotion to their partners.

What a blessing.

One fathered children. One did not.

Yet, whether men fathered children or not, we can celebrate/remember them on this “Father’s Day,” AKA “MaRoMo Day.”  Happy MaRoMo Day!

On this day, as you come into contact with men making a positive difference, perhaps you’ll get a moment to share a “thank you” prayer with God or a word of appreciation directly with the Positive MaRoMo.**

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

** While preparing this commentary, an early thought was to search for the word Maromo to see if our special day is now recognized. 🙂 What should surface but this Spanish to English translation. IT FITS!!! 🙂

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 20, 2021:

• 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 and Psalm 9:9-20 or
• 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16 and Psalm 133  
• Job 38:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 
• 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 
• Mark 4:35-41
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Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest ~ Matthew 11:28

On this day where those in the United States remember Juneteenth with a holiday, the Matthew passage above certainly resonates. Many people still carry incredible burdens, something that the recognition of Juneteenth helps to spotlight. Seeing those challenges is important and yet can sometimes make Christ-followers weary themselves, trying to find ways to resolve those challenges and help all people to an ever-improving quality of life.

When confronting any burdensome problem, is it possible that the best answer is sometimes REST?

Richard Foster, in his book Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, spends an entire chapter on The Prayer of Rest. He discusses this simple Sabbath Prayer – “Be still…Rest…Shalom” This prayer arrived to him in a wonderful way described beautifully in the book.

In the context of “Be still…Rest…Shalom,” Foster later continues with commentary on these three classic practices of the Prayer of Rest:

1. Solitude – “voluntarily abstain from our normal patterns of activity”
2. “Silencio, or the stilling of what the old writers called ‘creaturely activity’ “
3. “Recollection: “It means tranquility of mind, heart and spirit”

Can you find time today for Prayer of Rest behaviors – solitude, silencio and/or recollection? May it be so, while also finding time for Juneteenth reflection…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 20, 2021:

• 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 and Psalm 9:9-20 or
• 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16 and Psalm 133  
• Job 38:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 
• 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 
• Mark 4:35-41
•  

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A longtime friend has been known to say “I’ve heard of coincidences but I’ve never seen one.” So maybe I shouldn’t be surprised that another friend sent some of us a note recently including this commentary:

I ran across this song by accident today and then went online, listened to Alan Jackson sing it then retrieved the lyrics. I thought it was pretty neat. Just thought I would share although you may have already heard it.

The song Jane sent was Alan Jackson’s “The Older I Get.” You can listen to a rendition HERE, with the lyrics on the screen including this chorus:

And if they found a fountain of youth
I wouldn’t drink a drop and that’s the truth
Funny how it feels I’m just getting to my best years yet

POSSIBLE ACTION FOR TODAY: we can all relate to some aspects of Jackson’s song, whether 108, 88, 68, 48, 28 or somewhere in between.

• Take time to savor the words and all the experiences you’ve had thus far
  
• Say a “thank you” prayer to God for the blessings

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 13, 2021:

• 1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13 and Psalm 20 
• Ezekiel 17:22-24 and Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 
• 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17 
• Mark 4:26-34
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“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19b NIV).

Still have the earworm of Simon & Garfunkle’s “groovy song” with you?

“Slow down, you move too fast”

Slowing down is especially important when anger emerges. In a daily devotions post, Rick Warren shares the message: “When You’re Angry, Slow Down and THINK”

If you have a quick-lighting fuse, Rick shares some questions to consider before speaking when you’re angry. In particular, this one resonates: “If it’s not necessary, why do I need to say it?”

POSSIBLE ACTION FOR TODAY: in addition to doing CP efforts (devotional, prayer, study, love, music), take time today to slow down, watch the flowers growin’ and delight more in the day…  [a fringe benefit? Such activities can lower stress levels and make anger-inducing situations less likely to “blow up”]

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 13, 2021:

• 1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13 and Psalm 20 
• Ezekiel 17:22-24 and Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 
• 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17 
• Mark 4:26-34
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“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19b NIV).

Simon & Garfunkle’s “groovy song” (as our boys used to call it) fits James’ commentary pretty effectively:

“Slow down, you move too fast”

Why is it that we Christians frequently let the hectic-ness of life to take over our focus? One objective of the Christian Playbook to make time for each playbook element, allowing for a slowing of our days so there can be more intentional behavior consistent with our Christ-follower beliefs.

POSSIBLE ACTION FOR TODAY: in addition to doing the CP efforts (devotional, prayer, study, love, music), take time today to slow down, watch the flowers growin’, stifle hurtful anger and delight more in the day…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 6, 2021:

• 1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) and Psalm 138 
• Genesis 3:8-15 and Psalm 130 
• 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 
• Mark 3:20-35
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