Memorial Day reminders … “At the End”


It’s a Christian Playbook tradition to point folks to the Guideposts article A Devotion for Memorial Day by Fred Bauer. This provides some historical perspective on the holiday and Fred’s holiday practice with his mother. Definitely worth the 3-5 minute read!

This article and holiday offers time for reflection and various activities along the lines of…

  • Thinking of those who’ve passed
  • Decorating graves
  • Reminding loved ones of what will happen with us (maybe you did this with your Binder of a Lifetime?)
  • Honoring memories as we see fit

POSSIBLE ACTION: If you feel the urge, consider taking a 5-15 minute stroll through a cemetery you pass along your way today. Pray for those buried there, their sacrifices, their families and the love that they shared. Maybe some flowers come along with you? Then, maybe it’s time for a phone call to someone whose memory you’d like to celebrate while they are still alive?

PRAYER (from the Guideposts article)

Teach us, Lord, the best way to pay an unpayable debt is to show with our lives that we didn’t forget.

May this Memorial Day be filled with memories, actions and the Spirit!




Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 5, 2022:



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Staying in Formation…


The Forward Movement posting HERE by Rex Peterson is a wonderful reminder of the lingering positive effects of certain trainings. May we – through our upbringing as Christ followers – move instinctively as a community to be more Christ-like, just as the soldiers instinctively moved into their formation…

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.   ~ Ephesians 6:12

POSSIBLE ACTIVITY –  adopting the above post’s MOVING FORWARD action: “Read Ephesians 6:11-17 and consider how putting on the full armor of God prepares you to make spiritual instead of emotional decisions.”

May you find supportive movements against the powers of this dark world, stirred by the Spirit




Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 29, 2022:



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We Have No Words…


Thanks to Beth Richardson for her posting HERE of We Have No Words – it’s well worth the read. In the midst of so many shootings, war, violence…

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

May we all feel the power of “O Love that Wilt not let me go”

May you find joy, filled with the Spirit, even while gripping lament is also resident…




Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 29, 2022:



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Children of God…


A focus on Spirit is coming – Pentecost and Trinity Sunday are “just around the corner!”

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ–if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” ~ Romans 8:12-17

Super Wednesday*** used the phrase “We are all children of God” reference very effectively to share the idea of treating each other with respect and caring. The scripture above brings a smile to faces when reading/hearing those words and remembering the experiences of grace, love and joy in those days with dozens of children of God.

“O Love that Wilt not let me go” by The Westminster Chorus HERE is a wonderful reminder of the above messages. One can feel the Spirit moving through these men as the song resonates. After watching the video once, consider closing your eyes while listening a second time. Beautiful!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit, as you continue the refinement process, treating others as children of God…


*** Super Wednesday was a mid-week children’s program at Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church (Cincinnati, OH) for many years



Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 29, 2022:



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Showing Up…


For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ~ Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

The previous CP posting about Healing the Corner Where We Live gets nice reinforcement in the form of “Showing Up” from this Richard Rohr posting (HERE). Rohr says:

“I have built upon the very helpful and clarifying language of Ken Wilber in describing the evolution of moral and spiritual development. He offers four major stages: Cleaning Up, Growing Up, Waking Up, and Showing Up. …  Showing up is the full and final result of the prior three stages—God’s fully transformed “work of art” “

Using such thinking, as we Heal the Corner Where We Live, we continually become more refined “works of art.”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit, as you continue the refinement process…




Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 22, 2022:



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Healing the Corner Where You Live…


Inspiration comes from all around and Guideposts is particularly good at sharing such stories.

“After a series of losses, Sather Gowdy withdrew from the world, but the law student, and founder of Heal Spokane, got back on a positive path by helping others.”

The Guideposts article HERE shares the story – you’ll likely be glad you spent the couple of minutes it takes to read. That article concludes…

Says Sather, “Start small. You’ll be amazed at the size of your impact.”

POTENTIAL ACTIONS: maybe this webpage – “7 Simple Acts of Kindness” (HERE) – will be just the list you need to allow the Spirit to stir effectively?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit

P.S. isn’t it powerful when songs, scripture of other experience capture you “just at the moment you needed?” So it was with Do Not Be Afraid, Saturday’s CP post. Can’t say that was a complete accident, but what a lift that song can provide! One CP reader says: “Truly beautiful and inspiring” In case you want another listen, it’s HERE. Do Not Be Afraid! 🙂




Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 22, 2022:



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Do Not Be Afraid…


The song HERE is inspiring. Do Not Be Afraid.

The lyrical images of God being with us are powerful. You Are Mine. I Love You.

Listen and allow the music to soothe you on this day. Do Not Be Afraid…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit




Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 15, 2022:



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A Psalm for Insomnia…


Is insomnia an issue for you or someone you know? Maybe the idea in this Daily Guideposts article is worth a try?

Many have found that approaches like reciting Bible verses and praying are effective sleep-inducers. As a good friend and parent, would God mind that we’re nodding off while in conversation? [sort of like nighttime conversations with friends/family while in bed – one is talking and then suddenly there is no sound as sleep overtakes the group… ]

POSSIBLE ACTION: Do you have friends and/or family members dealing with challenges sleeping? Share prayers of strength and support for those people. Then, if appropriate, forward this email – or compose your own email – to them along with the Daily Guideposts article.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit




Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 15, 2022:



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Happy FeRoMo Day!


Happy FeRoMo** Day to all the wonderful female role models worldwide!

Many of you have read about FeRoMo** from previous years of the Christian Playbook. Should you have interest in an updated version, there’s more about FeRoMo** HERE. Included in that commentary is this question and POTENTIAL ACTION opportunity:

Which women come to your mind when thinking of folks who have helped shape your life? Is today ripe with opportunities to brighten their days by

    • arranging a visit?
    • sending a text message, email or card?
    • placing a phone call or videochat?
    • forwarding of this message with your personalized comments?
    • forwarding of the Helen Steiner Rice poem HERE which captures nice thoughts about women who care for us in special ways?
    • other special actions?

May we find ways to make these days refreshing and special for all women who are positive role models in our world…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit


** FeRoMo (Female Role Model)



Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 8, 2022:



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A Hand Up…


A Hand Up (click HERE to read/listen) is definitely worth the 2-3 minutes of reading or listening. Sometimes even with our best intentions we and/or others can’t make it a Best Day as Ralph Waldo Emerson encouraged.

With that in mind, here are some potential ACTIVITIES OF THE DAY (based on the ODB article quotes italicized below:)

  • If you find yourself “flattened on the cold ice of life’s hardships, is there a helping hand nearby? If so, it might be from God.” Maybe ask for God’s help with that hardship in prayer right now?
  • “Or when someone else needs a friend, could we be God’s answer to lift them up?” Who in your circle needs a friendly deed or word? What can you do today to help?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit



Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 8, 2022:



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