Monthly Archives: October 2022

Grief and Praise Walking Together…

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Most/all CP readers have likely experienced grief and/or praise in recent days. In his August post HERE, Matthew Fox comments about enhancing such times. One quote he shares:

“humanity will not be saved by more information but by more appreciation” ~ Rabbi Heschel

What are the ways you express appreciation to others and to God?

Yesterday’s sunrise was captured by this picture while saying a little “thank you” to our Creator

Some effective prose and viewing relating to praise is HERE if you’re seeking such opportunities! The link is to “Falling in Love with the Earth”***.

Regarding grief, Fox questions whether we’re good at getting our grief out. Does that describe you?

For those seeking ways to get grief out, one suggestion is a ceremony involving drumming. Taking 15 minutes to bang on a drum** while allowing sounds “out from the gut” may be cathartic for those so inclined.

May this day find you filled with praise and effective ways of expressing grief…

POSSIBLE ACTIONS

  • Listen to “Falling in Love with the Earth” HERE
  • Try a little drumming as described above or using a link from this webpage HERE

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

** alternatively, with hands/wooden spoon/??? on a table top, box, pot/pan, etc.

*** In 2014, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) approached Thich Nhat Hanh as an international faith leader, to request a brief statement about climate change and our relationship to one another and to the Earth

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 30, 2022:

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Experiencing the Good Samaritan story in wonderful ways…

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These technological times bring wonderful ways to experience God’s word and then share it with others.
 
Such is the case with the Good Samaritan story experiences of the past week for the MWPC community. Here are some of the wonderful ways…
  • Youth from MWPC shared this musical skit in worship (HERE)  You’ll be glad you watched this – Lainey did a great job singing and the story is effectively done by all the youth!
  • Two additional “younger church folks” shared their views and encouraging messages (HERE) based on the story. What wonderful perspective they provide, don’t you think?
  • In the days leading up to worship, the congregation was invited to consider watching the effective, animated version of the story HERE that the younger church watched previously

All this viewing to encourage more Good Samaritan moments in our daily lives. Thanks be to God for such wonderful sharing in various ways…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 23, 2022:

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Revival’s in the Air…

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Soon after completing the “I Will Sing a New Song” (HERE) – but prior to its publishing – what should arrive but a note from brother Thad about a powerful song. Little did he know how nicely that tune – “Revival’s In the Air” by Bethel Music & Melissa Helser – would fit with Howard Thurman’s commentary about singing a new song (and the dry bones references too.) Thanks God! 🙂 
 
The YouTube of the song is HERE for your listening pleasure.
 
Thad shares these comments (many thanks Thad!):
 

It’s not often Christian music has me saying, “Crank it up!”, but that’s the power of the song for me. From its quiet opening, the tempo change and instrumental intensity grow into a crescendo, evoking an image of Riverdance performers, and I just want to dance with joy. We’re asked to “sing a new song”, praising our God of love and giving Him all the glory. 

As usual, the tune drew me in, while the lyrics sealed the deal:

Oh, I can feel redemption on the wind
Forgiveness like the tide rollin’ in
Taking up the space where shame has lived
Receiving all that You died to give

And all God’s people sang, Amen!

May all God’s children enjoy the finding and singing of new revival songs, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 23, 2022:

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The Grace of Wonder…

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What would CP be without active conversation partners? “Non-existent” is the likely answer.
 
Treasured friend Joan shares the Terry Hershey post HERE. Have you had “blowfish moments” like the one described?
 
Reality is, most of us likely carry a “regimen of preordained expectations”. If only we could more regularly dwell and consider as Rachel and Emily suggest…
 
 “Those who dwell among the beauties and the mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” ~ Rachel Carson
 
“’Consider the lilies’ is the only commandment I ever obeyed.” ~ Emily Dickinson (in a letter late in her life)
 
Possible Quick Activity
So, do you have time for a quick project? 
  • Take a deep breath, look away from this screen and spend 10 seconds scrutinizing something that captures your gaze
  • Do that again, seeking a new item/scene to view
  • Do this again and again and again, for a total of 5 times

Dwelling and considering can happen most anywhere…  🙂

Prayer Possibility (from the Terry Hershey post:)
“Dear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Surprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of your universe. Each day enrapture me with your marvelous things without number. I do not ask to see the reason for it all; I ask only to share the wonder of it all.” ~ Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

P.S. Thanks to friends Harold and Judy for mentioning the image of the aspens and allowing CP to share it here…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 16, 2022:

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I Will Sing a New Song…

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The practice “I Will Sing a New Song” was part of a recent Richard Rohr CAC weekly summary HERE.

Richard invites “readers to join theologian and mystic Howard Thurman (1900–1981) as he prays for the courage and ability to stay renewed over the course of his life:” The full text is towards the bottom of the webpage HERE and is powerful, definitely worth joining Thurman, as Richard suggests.

Selections of the full text results are HERE from a UU website, expressed in a seemingly more poetic style for those who like that. Of particular note from both sources are these key phrases:

“The old song of my spirit has wearied itself out.”…
“I must prepare for new melodies that have never been mine before,
that all that is within me may lift my voice unto God.”
“Therefore, I shall rejoice with each new day and delight my spirit in each fresh unfolding. I will sing, this day, a new song unto the Lord.” 

~ Howard Thurman

Coming down for the next cup of coffee after reading Thurman’s prose, a glimpse out the window revealed this wonderful “new song” image

Grabbing the camera to get a better picture, what should be on the other side of the bush? Was it a nearly perfect visual of Thurman’s prose? (Thanks God, for the wink!)

What are your WOW moments today?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 16, 2022:

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Happy Thanksgiving!

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The title likely surprised many of our readers. Yet, treasured family up in Canada are enjoying their Thanksgiving today by gathering together. As the Canadian website (HERE) says:

“Although it’s agricultural origin, the theme of the Thanksgiving holiday has changed over the years. It is a day of reflection and to be thankful for an important event.”

Lectionary for this day is filled with joyful praise and thanksgiving, including:

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.” ~ Psalm 100:1

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  ~ Philippians 4:6-7

The fact is…every day can be a Happy Thanksgiving day, right? Anne Lamott’s book Help, Thanks, Wow is a nice reminder and reinforcement. 🙂 

What are your WOW moments today?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 16, 2022:

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