One of the blessings of the “COVID winter” is the existence in larger numbers of recorded worship services. Some of these are still going (see listing below) and we get a chance to experience worship for the first time, revisit an excellent message and/or hear wonderful music again.

A couple Sundays back we heard a wonderful scripture reading and accompanying message HERE from dear Pastor Lisa. She reminded us of the various healings in our world and the fact that the answer to prayer isn’t always “yes” in quite the fashion we hope. POWERFUL? Yes.

And then worship became even more energized with the song Give Me Jesus (HERE.)  Excellent job by Ryan, the talented tenor, including this concluding line sung with incredible feeling…

“You may have all this world, give me Jesus!”

May we spur ourselves to all sorts of healings, filled with Jesus-like love and good works, fueled by the Spirit… 

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 4, 2022:

• Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 
• Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Psalm 1 
• Philemon 1:1-21 
• Luke 14:25-33

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“weeping may stay for the night but joy comes in the morning”  ~ Psalm 30:5 

Thinking about holy shadows – and the resulting joy – brings to mind the song Joy in the Morning, sung HERE by a virtual choir. It’s worth a listen if you get a chance.

It’s fun to imagine the ways that this song’s author might have provided a holy shadow during her lifetime (a little background about Natalie Sleeth HERE.) The contribution of this song in 1977 brought much joy then and her holy shadow continues to bring joy with the sharing of this tune (including with this rendition containing the sheet music HERE.)

In addition to this song, Sleeth also wrote Hymn of Promise – “in a bulb there is a flower, …”  Talk about casting a long shadow!

While we won’t all necessarily get an opportunity to cast such long, popular shadows as Natalie did, comparison is not important, is it? 🙂 

May we cast holy shadows this and every day, fueled by the Spirit and shared with JOY!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 28, 2022:

• Jeremiah 2:4-13 and Psalm 81:1, 10-16 
• Sirach 10:12-18 or Proverbs 25:6-7 and Psalm 112 
• Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 
• Luke 14:1, 7-14

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Our good friend, Joan, has put us on to another effective blogger – Terry Hershey. The posting HERE is inspiring – providing Sufi story, wonderful perspective and the fact that we all can make a difference as stated here:

But here’s the deal: I believe that every one of us casts a holy shadow.
And in a world where there is fear, we need holy shadows, as they repair and heal.

May we cast holy shadows this day, fueled by the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 28, 2022:

• Jeremiah 2:4-13 and Psalm 81:1, 10-16 
• Sirach 10:12-18 or Proverbs 25:6-7 and Psalm 112 
• Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 
• Luke 14:1, 7-14

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Ready to consider being courageous? If so, “buckle your safety belt” and take a read of the CAC post HERE about Courageous Listening. The author includes some good tips including

When listening gets hard, I focus on taking the next breath. I pay attention to sensations in my body: heat, clenching, and constriction. I feel the ground beneath my feet. Am I safe? If so, I stay and slow my breath again, quiet my mind, and release the pressure that pushes me to defend my position. I try to wonder about this person’s story and the possible wound in them. I think of an earnest question and try to stay curious long enough to be changed by what I hear.   ~ Valarie Kaur (HERE)

WOW! The idea of doing this deep listening sounds hard, especially with those whom we disagree.

The cool thing? Not only does this deep listening work well with those whom we disagree, it works with other populations too. Shannon, a friend and expert in the dementia world who pointed us to this Courageous Listening article (thanks Shannon!), says

“Courageous listening fits right in with the “embracing and” concept! They seem to align on the spectrum of surrendering and being open.”

So, when listening gets hard – whether with someone experiencing dementia, someone we disagree with, someone a little too chatty or ??? – perhaps we can surrender and be open while in “Yes And” and/or Courageous Listening mode!

Enjoy the day, fueled by the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 21, 2022:

• Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 71:1-6 
• Isaiah 58:9b-14 and Psalm 103:1-8 
• Hebrews 12:18-29 
• Luke 13:10-17

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As mentioned in the last CP post, the power of the word “And” is substantial (as supported in the CAC post HERE)

Did you identify with several of the phrases from the “And” exercise in that CAC post? Perhaps these?

• “And” teaches us to be patient and long suffering
• “And” helps us to live in the always imperfect now
• “And” teaches us to say yes

Why pick out those “And” statements, especially the last one? Because the line

” ‘And’ teaches us to say yes”

perfectly fits the 3-minute video HERE. The most important tip they say is “Yes and” – – code language that is useful grounding for caregivers and others communicating with those experiencing dementia.

The power of “And” brought to practical use! 🙂  With over 10% of those 65+ dealing with dementia, it’s likely you’ll be in contact with someone soon who will appreciate your use of the “Yes and” approaches…

POSSIBLE ACTIVITY (again or for the first time?): as you do the “And” exercise (HERE), combining some mindfulness breathing and the embracing “and” exercise can be a great start to the hours ahead

• take a deep breath – to the count of 4 – as you move to the beginning of each phrase
• say the “And” phrase aloud while you begin the exhale
• continue exhaling all breath while contemplating this phrase
• REPEAT

Let’s go out there, using “Yes And” along with “And” to brighten the days of those we meet.

Enjoy the day, fueled by the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 14, 2022:

• Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 
• Jeremiah 23:23-29 and Psalm 82 
• Hebrews 11:29-12:2 
• Luke 12:49-56

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In our world today, the power of the word “and” can be substantial. In the CAC post HERE (thanks for sharing this Joan!), we encourage you to scroll down to the section entitled The Shining Word “And” where it says:

Father Richard offers a contemplative practice of embracing “and.” We encourage you to read these words slowly, allowing for a “both-and” space to emerge within:

POSSIBLE ACTIVITY: as you do the “And” exercise (HERE), combining some mindfulness breathing and the embracing “and” exercise can be a great start to the hours ahead

• take a deep breath – to the count of 4 – as you move to the beginning of each phrase
• say the “And” phrase aloud while you begin the exhale
• continue exhaling all breath while contemplating this phrase
• REPEAT

As the concluding line in the exercise says

“And” allows us to be both distinct and yet united “And” is the very Mystery of Trinity

Enjoy the day, fueled by the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 14, 2022:

• Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 
• Jeremiah 23:23-29 and Psalm 82 
• Hebrews 11:29-12:2 
• Luke 12:49-56

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A final (for now) reference on stewardship came “out of nowhere” (thanks be to God!?!) 🙂

We have referenced Matthew Fox previously. His devotionals of 8/5 (Some Poems to the Mother) and 8/6 (Humanity’s Capacity For Rendering Nothingness) were so fitting with our previous posts that share we must. From 8/6:

Thomas Berry used to say that the nuclear bomb has already gone off—that is to say the chemicals that humans have been pouring into Mother Earth without proper testing and that have so much to do with rising rates of cancer and other diseases. 

Climate Change is another of the apocalyptic vials of wrath humans drop on their fellow creatures.

When will we ever learn?

And some prose offered in the 8/5 devotional that offers a “battle cry” for us as stewards:

“The mother’s battle for her child—with sickness, with poverty, with war, with all the forces of exploitation and callousness that cheapen human life—need to become a common human battle, waged in love and in the passion for survival.”  ~ Adrienne Rich

In this day and those that follow, may we heed these messages with a mind toward becoming better and better stewards of our relationships and this planet!

AUDIOVISUAL OPPORTUNITY: “She Who Hears the Cries of the World” HERE by Jennifer Berezan, with Olympia Dukakis and Starhawk – – combines powerful visuals with words and music

PRAYER OPPORTUNITY (taken from the Our Daily Bread stewardship devotional HERE from this recent CP Post)

Loving Creator and Sustainer of all, please show me tangible ways I can fulfill my responsibility as a steward of Your creation and inspire others to care for the world You’ve entrusted to us.

Enjoy the day, filled with the power to become a change-maker, fueled by the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 14, 2022:

• Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 
• Jeremiah 23:23-29 and Psalm 82 
• Hebrews 11:29-12:2 
• Luke 12:49-56

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Following our neighbor theme of the last few posts, the Our Daily Bread posting entitled The Privilege of Stewardship seems “just right” (listen HERE to Xochitl Dixon’s passionate reading of her devotional or you can read it HERE)  She tells a story about being good neighbors to sea turtles and then shares this commentary:

When God created the world, He provided a habitat in which each creature could live and thrive (Genesis 1:20–25). When He created His image-bearers, God intended for us to “rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground” (v. 26). He helps us serve Him as responsible stewards who use our God-given authority to care for His vast creation.

May we each use our God-given authority to care for God’s vast creation as good neighbors!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 7, 2022:

• Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 
• Genesis 15:1-6 and Psalm 33:12-22 
• Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 
• Luke 12:32-40

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Talking about missionaries near and far might bring one to consider where the church is ministering for situations like the flash floods in southeastern Kentucky. Well, here is such a person making efforts, David Ehlert

As a Young Adult Volunteer, David mentions in the article HERE:

I found my passion for serving God’s world in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, as well as on the coast of Florida, where I served as an environmental educator for Reef Environmental Education Foundation. I see God in the world around me, as well as in the faces of those around me.

Earth stewardship is a mighty important topic, especially in the hollers of Appalachia where mountaintop removal for coal is contributing to the flash flood conditions. We need the word of God arriving in varying forms during these challenging days. Thanks be to God for folks like David and Mister Rogers, willingly making part of their lives a focus of God’s ministry to others and to Mother Earth!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 7, 2022:

• Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 
• Genesis 15:1-6 and Psalm 33:12-22 
• Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 
• Luke 12:32-40

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Missionaries come in a variety of shapes, sizes, ages and genders. Some think of them as travelers to a foreign land sharing the word of God, sometimes with people seeking/needing foundational knowledge.

Yet many missionaries are right near us, especially valuable given our need for learning and reminders. One such missionary who might not immediately come to mind is a television personality, Mister Rogers. Few have had more impact over a lifetime…

PCUSA has Mister Rogers in the spotlight in the Mission Yearbook of Prayer. At the close of the Mission Yearbook article above comes this statement: “The filmmakers end with Rogers telling his listeners that when the world seems so bad, they should ‘think of someone who has helped you.’ ”

Who is a special someone who has helped you? Spend a few minutes thinking about this – in fact, several folks may come to mind.

ACTION: Can you think of someone needing a little encouragement today? Consider how your special someone might have helped in this situation. Perhaps today offers an opportunity to emulate your special someone in some way?  🙂

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

P.S. And in case you’d like to hear him sing the song, HERE is one rendition of Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 7, 2022:

• Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 
• Genesis 15:1-6 and Psalm 33:12-22 
• Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 
• Luke 12:32-40

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