It’s been a pleasure to begin understanding the Jewish faith more completely while reading the book Here All Along with a friend. The author, Sarah Hurwitz, writes really well and makes the material more accessible to the layperson.

In talking about Rosh Hashanah (which starts this Wednesday, by the way,) Sarah addresses worry

I instead tend to think that I can prevent misfortune by worrying a lot about it in advance.

Do you fit this approach?

Many of us have found life success by attempting to be well-prepared for surprises. That we might do this for others as well can become all-consuming if we’re not careful. That’s where today’s “headline” comes in… perhaps it’s time to “Resign as general manager of the universe…” **

Yet, perhaps these “worries expressed” can also be an approach for prayer? Some worriers we know share their concerns with God and then take action in the form of writing a card/text, extending social invitations, scheming with others on positive next steps, placing a phone call, etc..

May we all do our part to make this global community better, without feeling the need to become general manager…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

** Sarah attributes this quote to Methodist pastor Larry Eisenberg

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 6, 2024:

• Job 1:1, 2:1-10 and Psalm 26
• Genesis 2:18-24 and Psalm 8
• Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
• Mark 10:2-16

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, please forward this message to them and let them know they can sign up HERE

POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: These times will likely find large numbers of families looking for nutritious food, presenting opportunities to

• share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
• check with your faith community about opportunities to feed community members
• volunteer to assist with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
• find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items
• TAKE ACTION using an item from this Season of Peace devotional posting

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE

DISCIPLE PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO DISCIPLE PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

The CAC posting HERE provides some wonderful stirring in the midst of our chaotic worlds. While each travels this world uniquely, Mirabai Starr writes about mysticism we can experience in the “monasteries” of our everyday lives:

When you say yes to cultivating a mystical gaze, the ordinary world becomes more luminous, imbued with flashes of beauty and moments of meaning. The universe responds to your willingness to behold the holy by revealing almost everything as holy. A plate of rice and beans, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, your new baby, the latest political scoundrel, the scary diagnosis, the restless nights.

Hmmm… how can we receive these flashes of beauty and moments of meaning?

POSSIBLE ACTIONS… (as Mirabai Starr mentions HERE:)

• “Set your intention to uncover the jewels buried in the heart of what already is. Choose to see the face of God in the face of the bus driver and the moody teenager, in peeling a tangerine or feeding the cat….
• Open your heart, and then do everything you can to keep it open. Light every candle in the room….”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

P.S. Any “Peace Day” AHAs you care to share? ( salong_now @ yahoo.com )

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 29, 2024:

• Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 and Psalm 124
• Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 and Psalm 19:7-14
• James 5:13-20
• Mark 9:38-50

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, please forward this message to them and let them know they can sign up HERE

POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: These times will likely find large numbers of families looking for nutritious food, presenting opportunities to

• share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
• check with your faith community about opportunities to feed community members
• volunteer to assist with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
• find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items
• TAKE ACTION using an item from this Season of Peace devotional posting

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE

DISCIPLE PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO DISCIPLE PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE

Today is the U.N. International Day of Peace. May world leaders feel the power of our prayers for peace in the midst of these troubling times…

Such a day is a reminder of the song Let There Be Peace on Earth and its hopeful and empowering message (details on the song HERE). Want to hear it performed by the International Children’s Choir? It is HERE for free listening.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: Have time to engage intentionally in one or more supportive peace act?

• Perhaps set your alarm for noon today and observe a minute of silence along with many others around the world
• Include in your prayers our world leaders, that they might find the strength and feel the support for peaceful actions with a goal: “may peace prevail on earth!”
• Listen to the BeThePeace Guided Visualization towards the bottom of THIS PAGE
• Many more ideas and/or activities are listed HERE

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit !

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 22, 2024:

• Proverbs 31:10-31 and Psalm 1
• Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 and Psalm 54
• James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
• Mark 9:30-37

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, please forward this message to them and let them know they can sign up HERE

POTENTIAL ACTIONS – FOOD INSECURITY: These times will likely find large numbers of families looking for nutritious food, presenting opportunities to

• share financial and/or food offerings with a local food pantry
• check with your faith community about opportunities to feed community members
• volunteer to assist with a local mobile food pantry or community dinner
• find a Little Pantry in your area and help stock it with shelf-stable food items
• accept a Call to Action item from Season of Peace devotional posting

NOTE: for those in the Cinci region, some food organizations are listed HERE

DISCIPLE PLAYBOOK HUMOR – click HERE for MORE humor, updated periodically. 

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Cincinnati, Bowling Green and more!

CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO DISCIPLE PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE