Riding the Rapids is the title of the Our Daily Bread devotional HERE. Many of us have a kayaking style of going for the rapids, but only with proper preparation and a dose of caution. Maybe that’s why the article resonates so much, with description of preparations for weight distribution, detailed directions, etc..

Which detailed directions would we describe as being helpful while riding the lifetime of rapids as Christians?

• Finding your community of Christian friends?
• Developing a daily prayer time?
• Continuing education and growing your faith?
• Seeking experiences that allow for incremental strength of character and Christian witness?

May we develop and enhance those detailed directions in our lives this day and in the days ahead…

POSSIBLE ACTION: Ask a friend(s) which “detailed directions” they have found most helpful in strengthening their faith? Which activities would you like to take on or enhance in the days ahead as you continue thinking about “What would Jesus have me do?”

Enjoy the ride, filled with the Spirit…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 5, 2021:

• Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 and Psalm 125 
• Isaiah 35:4-7a and Psalm 146 
• James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17 
• Mark 7:24-37

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Perhaps this weekend will offer a reminder of the loveliness of your dwelling place in one or more of the following fashions?

• Listen to the song How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place HERE
• Spend a few minutes outdoors, listening for the sounds of nature, looking at the growth occurring around you
• Pray for all children of God, that they might see God’s loveliness and brightness even in the midst of darker times
• Perhaps you’ll want to say aloud the following “Jones benediction,”

“Friends, life is short, and there is precious little time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So make haste to be kind and be quick to love, for in every act of love and kindness, the God who first formed us, transforms and reforms us, now and forever. And for these blessings, the people of God say … Amen.”

May you have such a joy-filled time(s) this weekend, filled with the Spirit…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 29, 2021:

• Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 
• Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 and Psalm 15 
• James 1:17-27 
• Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

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Looking for ways to connect with those around you? Guideposts has a great list to get you started HERE.  They’re calling it the Connect Challenge.

Not only are there 20 ideas for connecting, there are articles and details within an idea. For instance, the sub-article for Connection Idea #4 (Icebreaker) is about overcoming social anxiety, especially after so many months of having isolation as a focus!

POSSIBLE ACTION: Try one or more of these challenge ideas over the next week or so. You’ll feel more connected to another person and also likely get some good spiritual food as well…

PRAYER:  Dear God, prepare us to be “the touch of Jesus” in other’s lives today. May your touch and presence find us “just where we are,” that we might extend those same characteristics and efforts to those we are naturally with, and those we seek out! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 29, 2021:

• Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9  • 
• Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 and Psalm 15  • 
• James 1:17-27  • 
• Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

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Did you have a similar reaction when reading the last several CP posts?

Most of the thoughts and visiting principles of spreading Jesus’ touch to those experiencing dementia also readily applies to ALL connections we make, regardless of brain health status!

That listing of 101 items brought to mind things to do with some friends currently living in senior communities. Which was a reminder of the Carebag.

What is a Carebag, you may ask. Here’s a description:

Construction workers have toolboxes, doctors have medical bags, so why shouldn’t Christian visitors/connectors carry a ‘go bag’ of their own . . . “CareBags?”

This CP webpage on CareBags shares a prospective list of items for visitors. Based on our recent postings, it now has an augment for those specifically visiting those experiencing dementia.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: 

• Assemble a CareBag of your own for the next time you’re doing some visiting.
• Given your experiences and study, what item(s) would you suggest as additions to the CP CareBag listing? Please send those to salong_now@yahoo.com

PRAYER:  Dear God, prepare us to be “the touch of Jesus” in other’s lives today just as those in New Testament stories felt it. May your touch and presence find us “just where we are,” that we might extend those same characteristics and efforts to those we are naturally with, and those we seek out! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 22, 2021:

• 1 Kings 8:(1,6,10-11), 22-30, 41-43 and Psalm 84 
• Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 and Psalm 34:15-22 
• Ephesians 6:10-20 
• John 6:56-69

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We can spread Jesus’ touch in many ways, including sharing the joy, love and caring of Christ with family, friends and neighbors who are experiencing dementia. HERE is a Top-10 list of activities, and a link to another 91 ideas! You’ll undoubtedly be able to find a few of these that you’re equipped to do. 🙂

Now, think about your community. Does a certain someone come to mind who is experiencing dementia or showing some signs that make you wonder? Why not contact that person and find an opportunity for a walk? Or maybe it’s a visit to their home and discussion of items on their walls? Or another idea or two of the other 100 items!

Don’t know anyone at the moment, but willing to reach out to someone experiencing dementia? Ask a pastor or a treasured friend if they know of a special someone. Or check in with the local senior center to see how you might connect and help. 

PRAYER:  Dear God, prepare us to be “the touch of Jesus” in other’s lives today just as those in New Testament stories felt it. May your touch and presence find us “just where we are,” that we might extend those same characteristics and efforts to those we are naturally with, and those we seek out! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 22, 2021:

• 1 Kings 8:(1,6,10-11), 22-30, 41-43 and Psalm 84 
• Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 and Psalm 34:15-22 
• Ephesians 6:10-20 
• John 6:56-69

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Jesus said: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.”  ~ John 6:56-57

We heard about Jesus’ touch in the last posting via the song “He Touched Me” (HERE). We have the opportunity to extend this same touch to those around us, many of whom we don’t know by name. We need not look far…

Dementia is affecting an ever-growing swath of society. Those experiencing dementia can miss community touch; many of us simply don’t know what to do or say. We may tend to make less contact as a result.

The life of Tony Bennett, including his dementia, is chronicled in the 2021 AARP article (HERE.) It’s filled with wonderful family/friends perspectives, links to helpful webpages and this commentary about the stigma:

Like cancer and mental illness, Alzheimer’s carries a stigma, since people feel a special terror of an incurable disease that ruthlessly detaches its sufferers from the places, events and people that anchored them in life. Many treat it as an immediate death sentence and retreat from the world, encouraged to do so by family members who fear the disease and its unpredictable, and sometimes socially embarrassing, course.

Jesus says to love one another, no exceptions. In upcoming CP posts we’ll explore some aspects of connecting with those experiencing dementia. We can spread Jesus’ touch in many ways, sharing the joy, love and caring of Christ with our family, friends and neighbors who are experiencing dementia.

PRAYER:  Dear God, prepare us to be “the touch of Jesus” in other’s lives today just as those in New Testament stories felt it. May your touch and presence find us “just where we are,” that we might extend those same characteristics and efforts to those we are naturally with, and those we seek out! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 15, 2021:

• 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 and Psalm 111 
• Proverbs 9:1-6 and Psalm 34:9-14 
• Ephesians 5:15-20 
• John 6:51-58

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How has the touch of Jesus changed you?

The song “He Touched Me” (HERE) by the Gaither Family has some nice messages about us meeting our blessed Savior including:

“he touched me and made me whole”

“now I am no longer the same”

“oh, the joy that floods my soul”

“I’ll never cease to praise him”

Knowing that touch of Jesus is available to all of us is so satisfying. The results? The joy flooding our souls. Opportunities to never cease in praising God. No longer being the same.

PRAYER:  Dear God, prepare us to feel the touch of Jesus in our lives today just as those in New Testament stories did. May that touch find us “just where we are!” Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 8, 2021:

• 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 and Psalm 130 
• 1 Kings 19:4-8 and Psalm 34:1-8 
• Ephesians 4:25-5:2 
• John 6:35, 41-51

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. ~ Hebrews 12:1-2a (New International Version)

What is on your Christian packing list? Yesterday’s post in Our Daily Bread (audio version HERE) was a nice reminder that we should “lighten the load.”

In concluding her post, Karen Pimpo says:

Just as there are packing lists for the John Muir Trail, God has provided directions for following Jesus in the Bible. We can know what habits, dreams, and desires are worth bringing along by examining them in light of the Scriptures. When we travel light, we’re able to finish well.

PRAYER:  Dear God, help us focus on traveling lighter so that our words and actions might also help lighten the load for those around us… Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit…

P.S. Of all things, this video (HERE) just “popped up” from The Upper Room on Hebrews 12:1-2. Check it out if the Spirit moves you…  🙂

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 8, 2021:

• 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 and Psalm 130 
• 1 Kings 19:4-8 and Psalm 34:1-8 
• Ephesians 4:25-5:2 
• John 6:35, 41-51

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