On Veteran’s Day, it’s a CP tradition to review pictures of family veterans in uniform…

Does one look a little “out of place?”

My brother Andy was stationed in the country of Togo, West Africa in the Peace Corps in the mid/late 1980s. When he went off to do his service I was not sure what he was up to and the value of the experience. Over thirty years later, I GET IT! He and so many other veterans have shared the love of the American people worldwide by “working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation” ~ (taken from the Peace Corps mission statement)

Isaiah 2:4 mentions “beating our swords into plowshares.” In Togo, they did that quite literally by instructing the people to plow with oxen (in addition to teaching them math, English and engaging in many other worthwhile activities!) Whatever the role, it is tough work for the Peace Corps volunteer and the people in-country they work with daily. The result? Even 20+ years later, these Peace Corps volunteers are recognized and welcomed with open arms (I had the pleasure of experiencing these greetings first-hand in 2009 – – many Togolese thought I was my brother! )

We are blessed to have people willing to serve in such ways in the Peace Corps!

Could I say a lot about the blessing of what our military personnel have done for us, including my Uncles Fred and Jack (pictured above?) Absolutely, but I’m betting you’ll read a lot more about military folks like them in the popular press today so I’ll leave it here.

ACTION: Let’s honor and remember our veterans today in one or more ways such as

• trip to a park or cemetery where a veteran’s memorial exists
• attending area events honoring veterans – men, women and more (animals in K9 corps and others)
• watching a show in a war setting
• watching videos of Peace Corps volunteers sharing experiences HERE

PRAYER: God, we are blessed to have military veterans and currently-serving personnel who hopefully ultimately have made and are making our world a more peaceful place. We are equally blessed to have Peace Corps veterans and volunteers working for a more peaceful world. We remember and honor their efforts and sacrifices for such peaceful long-term priorities. Strengthen and support all of them – and us – in our roles of becoming better peace-makers worldwide! Amen.

Enjoy the day filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 13, 2022:

• Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12 
• Malachi 4:1-2a and Psalm 98 
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 
• Luke 21:5-19

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Did you enjoy the last CP posting?** What a pleasure to think about our own safe harbors and who we might be an island for in the days ahead!

Sticking with that nautical theme, the song It Is Well With My Soul comes to mind, a comforting tune for many. The background of the song and its author is effectively told in this 5 minute video. The lyrics make it quite clear that Horatio Spafford considers Christ Jesus one of his islands.

Want to hear an innovative musical contribution of It Is Well With My Soul? Check out the “trombone quartet” version (HERE), by Kirk Kolenbrander.

GOING FORWARD: Enjoy the day filled with the Spirit, enjoying the islands even while in the midst of the turbulent seas…

** here’s the link to Forward Day By Day’s 11/2 devotional entry (HERE) from the last posting…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 13, 2022:

• Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12 
• Malachi 4:1-2a and Psalm 98 
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 
• Luke 21:5-19

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By his plan he stilled the deep and planted islands in it. Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers, and we marvel at what we hear. In it are strange and marvelous creatures, all kinds of living things, and huge sea-monsters. Because of him each of his messengers succeeds, and by his word all things hold together.  ~ Ecclesiasticus 43:23-26

Forward Day By Day’s 11/2 devotional entry (HERE) is wonderful.That the sea is a metaphor for the unknown in ancient literature seems logical. It still resonates for many of us, including these lines:

“Amidst our journey’s tumult, God has planted islands, places of safety and refuge. These safe harbors appear in the form of people. They’re family, friends, the church, the body of Christ.”

Many of you readers are already important islands in these uncertain seas for me (and I hope I can be the same for you…) Thanks for being there!

Who are the islands in your life?

And to whom do you provide a safe harbor?

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• Spend a few minutes thinking of your safe harbors. Maybe you have a little time today to call, email, text, send a card or ??? to one or more of these folks?
• Who might need your help as an “emerging island” in the days ahead? Is there an action plan you can devise to start emerging in the week ahead?

GOING FORWARD: Enjoy the day filled with the Spirit, enjoying the islands even while in the midst of the turbulent seas…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 6, 2022:

• Haggai 1:15b-2:9 and Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98 
• Job 19:23-27a and Psalm 17:1-9 
• 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 
• Luke 20:27-38

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Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. ~ Luke 6:31

The saints in our lives are numerous: those who have passed, those still with us and those we never knew except through writings, word of mouth and …

Here is the Shepherds-focused prayer from the Daily Prayer Audio webpage** . Part of the focus for this 6 minute audio is to remember people in your early Christian development. Who were your important saints growing up? What lessons did they teach/show you that you still use and will be using on days to follow?

PRAYER: Creator God, on this All Saints Day, we celebrate the saints who have gone before us and celebrate the saints in our lives today. May those saints continue to inspire, strengthen and support us for more surprising, energetic and effective positive efforts for all creatures in this wonderful world.

GOING FORWARD: Enjoy the day filled with the Spirit, with remembrances of saints in your past plus recognition of saints in your life these days…

**  email salong_now @ yahoo.com if you want the password 🙂

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 6, 2022:

• Haggai 1:15b-2:9 and Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98 
• Job 19:23-27a and Psalm 17:1-9 
• 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 
• Luke 20:27-38

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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:

• Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144 
• Isaiah 1:10-18 and Psalm 32:1-7 
• 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 
• Luke 19:1-10

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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:

• Joel 2:23-32 and Psalm 65 
• Sirach 35:12-17 or Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 and Psalm 84:1-7 
• 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 
• Luke 18:9-14

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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:

• Joel 2:23-32 and Psalm 65 
• Sirach 35:12-17 or Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 and Psalm 84:1-7 
• 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 
• Luke 18:9-14

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• 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…  🙂

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:

• Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Psalm 119:97-104 
• Genesis 32:22-31 and Psalm 121 
• 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 
• Luke 18:1-8

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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:

• Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Psalm 119:97-104 
• Genesis 32:22-31 and Psalm 121 
• 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 
• Luke 18:1-8

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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:

• Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Psalm 119:97-104 
• Genesis 32:22-31 and Psalm 121 
• 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 
• Luke 18:1-8

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