The Christian Playbook Daily Prayer Audio theme for Fridays is Friends & Family. This is particularly appropriate since the Cline Family Reunion starts tomorrow, with many family members already “on the road.”

Give a listen today HERE to the Friends & Family Prayer Audio (5-6 minutes in length.)

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 22, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 7:1-14a and Psalm 89:20-37
• Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Psalm 23
• Ephesians 2:11-22
• Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

“And so, for me, being quiet and slow is being myself, and that is my gift.” ~ Fred Rogers

Monday devotionals in July will continue to highlight our “missionary of the month” Fred Rogers, and his words here resonate:

“It seems to me, though, that our world needs more time to wonder and to reflect about what is inside, and if we take time we can often go much deeper as far as our spiritual life is concerned than we can if there’s constant distraction. And often television gives such constant distraction – noise and fast-paced things – which doesn’t allow us to take time to explore the deeper levels of who we are – and who we can become.” ~ Fred Rogers, as quoted in the book The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers by Amy Hollingsworth, p. 3-4

Mister Rogers talks about the distraction of television at that time. In our 21st Century world, not only are we dealing with television, but also Facebook, Instant Messaging, SnapChat, Instagram and many other technological distractions.

If we’re not careful we can become “human doings” instead of human beings. Mister Rogers encourages us to go much deeper in our spiritual life.

The Christian Playbook also encourages that “slow down” approach. With that slower pace and a focus on devotionals, prayer, song, study and love, maybe we can become more Christ-like in our daily actions?

ACTION: When in your day can you take “time to wonder and to reflect about what is inside?”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 22, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 7:1-14a and Psalm 89:20-37
• Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Psalm 23
• Ephesians 2:11-22
• Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

The Christian Playbook Daily Prayer Audio theme for Thursdays is Thanksgiving.

Give a listen today HERE if you have a minute (okay, really 6-7 minutes.)

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 15, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Psalm 24
• Amos 7:7-15 and Psalm 85:8-13
• Ephesians 1:3-14
• Mark 6:14-29

Monday devotionals in July will continue to highlight “missionary of the month,” Fred Rogers.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a visual and auditory example of love for children of all ages and is preserved in numerous ways including:

• Neighborhood Archive is a treasure trove of indexed episodes, describing Fred Rogers talking about love in so many situations. Check it out! 🙂
• HERE is a video Top 10 summary of Mister Rogers (12 minutes of wonderful memories of this television missionary.) His commentary on complicated subjects was important: on death (forward to 6:50 on the video); on racial tensions (forward to 7:42 on the video) and many more…

While his direct missionary efforts ended with his death, his messages are still with many people who experienced this man in person and on the television screen. Reminds us just a little bit of another loving person who had this kind of influence, even without the benefit of television? Thank you, Mister Rogers, for showing us how to be a little more Christ-like in all we do!

ACTION: When in a difficult situation this week, perhaps think to yourself WWMRD: “What Would Mister Rogers Do?”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 15, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Psalm 24
• Amos 7:7-15 and Psalm 85:8-13
• Ephesians 1:3-14
• Mark 6:14-29

After the famous “Turn, Turn, Turn” wording that starts off Ecclesiastes 3 are some appropriate verses being used today during a celebration of life:

I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Along the lines of Ecclesiastes 3:13, a family motto has become carpe diem – “seize the day.”

According to wikipedia.com, “… a more literal translation of carpe diem would thus be ‘pluck the day [as it is ripe]’—that is, enjoy the moment.”

I like that reference – – – “as it is ripe.”

The lives of two women dear to our family will be celebrated today. We remember them as women willing to be joyful and doing lots of good for their family, friends and even for strangers. In fact, they worked hard to “fully ripen” situations so that others could enjoy them.

So perhaps, in thinking of Christian actions for today:  may we honor the memories of Yvonne, Sue and so many other “ripeners” in our world by being ripeners ourselves!

PRAYER:

Dear God,

this we do pray,

that on this day,

carpe diem we say,

and ‘ripen lives’ along the way…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 8, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 and Psalm 48
• Ezekiel 2:1-5 and Psalm 123
• 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
• Mark 6:1-13

We turn to Guideposts for this Fourth of July perspective HERE.

May we treasure this country and the ability to practice whatever faith we choose. Praise God!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 8, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 and Psalm 48
• Ezekiel 2:1-5 and Psalm 123
• 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
• Mark 6:1-13

Missionaries come in a variety of shapes, sizes, ages and genders. We generally think of them as traveling to a foreign land with people possibly needing a lot of convincing.

With this perception in mind, one of the least likely missionaries might be a television personality. Yet, who has had more impact over his lifetime than one Fred Rogers?

PCUSA has Mister Rogers in the spotlight in the July 2, 2018 Mission Yearbook of Prayer. There are so many wonderful stories that we’ll devote multiple posts to aspects of his ministry.

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.’ ”

ACTION: Think of someone who has helped YOU.  Go, and do likewise…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 8, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 and Psalm 48
• Ezekiel 2:1-5 and Psalm 123
• 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
• Mark 6:1-13

Sharing generously is the theme of yesterday’s d365.com post HERE including these familiar lines:

“Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness. I think: The Lord is my portion! Therefore, I’ll wait for him.” ~ Lamentations 3:22-24

This is good news for us in this age of focusing on sustainable resources: God’s faithful love is renewable – again and again and again!

In that context, the author then provides perspective on our responsibility to share in the midst of this sustainable love:

“When I’m mad or sad, God’s love and kindness hold me. And because these gifts never run out, there is enough for me to share them with others. … There is enough of God’s faithful goodness for all of us. Thanks be to God!” ~ Meredith Forssman

If you have an extra few minutes, check out the full post HERE for additional material.

PRAYER:

Dear God, as we go about our days,

help us to do it with praise.

When problems arise help us dare,

to unselfishly, boundlessly share. Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 1, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130
• Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15, 2:23-24 or Lamentations 3:22-33 and Psalm 30
• 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
• Mark 5:21-43

In these very tumultuous times, Diana Butler Bass provides “A Word of Hope” HERE. Relating to the current immigration practices and other U.S. challenges, she points out: “… Well, we’re not thankful for any of this. Instead, we can be thankful through it…”

Diana goes on to share some commentary about what we can do in the midst of challenging times, including strengthening our inner selves and sharing of our outer selves. She also provides some links to recent conversations on the topic.

Some Lectionary verses for this week seem appropriate:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. … For the Lord will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.”  ~ Lamentations 3:22-23; 3: 31-33

Great is God’s faithfulness. Just typing the words brings back memories of the song and a little inner stirring…

Be grateful for the day, filled with the Spirit!

“A Prayer: I want to change. I want the world to change. Fear and division exhausts me. Exhausts us. We cannot live this way. Make me an instrument of gratefulness. Guide me to the way of mercy and love that leads to peace; That I may guide others to abundant life. For the sake of healing my own heart and healing the world.” ~ Diana Butler Bass

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 1, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130
• Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15, 2:23-24 or Lamentations 3:22-33 and Psalm 30
• 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
• Mark 5:21-43

The Our Daily Bread*** devotional, A Friend’s Comfort, really hits home. Deciding to sit down in a mud puddle to join a person who has fallen in there is a wonderful image. 🙂 Following that up with Job’s friends fits so well. In that passage, they sit with Job but don’t open their mouths.

Sometimes it’s our actions of “just being” that can help those who are hurting. No words ever need be spoken.

ACTIONS: Think of someone you will likely see today who needs comfort. Decide how you can “just be” with that person – arranging time to sit together, a hug, a consoling touch on the shoulder or ???

PRAYER: Dear God, We are so quick to speak. Help us to squelch that urge this day, and instead offer our presence to others, without necessarily saying a word. Amen

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

*** Our Daily Bread just hit my personal threshold for a worthiness of a charitable cash donation. Since starting on their email list I’ve been consistently pleased with the devotions, especially listening to the audio version (you can subscribe for free HERE.)

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 1, 2018:

• 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130
• Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15, 2:23-24 or Lamentations 3:22-33 and Psalm 30
• 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
• Mark 5:21-43