Moving while praying can frequently enhance the experience for me. Tailored from the practices of “the whirling dervish” approach, here’s a new one for me – and maybe for you? (http://bit.ly/CPPolishTheHeart)

Don’t get too dizzy with the effort! 🙂

*** Time for a “thanks be to God” moment! Discussion and reading with the Monday Morning Book Group at MWPC has been providing great insight for me. I’m so appreciative of their friendliness, knowledge, spirit, sharing, perspectives, humor and grace. Why mention that now? We read the book Spiritual Gems of Islam and the “Polish the Heart” action above is taken from Gem 12!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 19, 2017:

• Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
• Psalm 119:33-40
• 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
• Matthew 5:38-48

Love is one of the Christian Playbook actions and is symbolized by the mobius band image [far right at the bottom of this page.]

On this Valentine’s Day, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking this day is only for lovers of a certain type (and maybe that’s what the retailers want us to believe?) The diverse Greek system of loves can provide consolation as it relates to love. A nice article on this is highlighted on the CP Love tab, and included as a link HERE.

So… let’s think of this day as celebrating all types of love. By mapping out – and then performing – some loving actions, we can be an example to all around us of what the world can be.

After all, as the song says – and this YouTube helps describe – “what the world needs now, is love sweet love!”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 19, 2017:

During a visit with some friends in their home this week, we discussed the influence of physical movements while praying and how those are employed in the Audio Daily Prayer. Hugging oneself as those song lyrics “in his arms he’ll take and shield thee” are sung/said provides just that much more comfort.

When you have 5-10 minutes today, why not CLICK HERE and listen (and move!) to the prayer audio for the day?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 12, 2017:

Today’s devotional from the Center for Action and Contemplation is a really good one! In it, Fr. Richard Rohr uses a well-known stream analogy with a nice twist. He talks about the stream of our lives and boats containing challenges that pass along. What I like the most “…you must not attack, hate, or condemn any idea or thought…”

When you have time, please take a read of the devotional. Maybe you can add a to-do item to spend some time in silence imagining the boats in your life and how you can address each in a more God-like, caring manner so that even when you temporarily board the boat you can disembark quickly. [In fact, with that type of approach, we’ll likely be using this meditation during Sunday’s jail ministry worship, helping them understand the opportunity to “kiss those boats good-bye.”]

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 12, 2017:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Maybe someone you know is carrying a heavy burden. If so, perhaps today is the day to send him/her a note of encouragement (and also send prayers of strength/support?)

This Amy Grant song is a great one on the topic. Let the words and music fill your heart as you allow the burdens to lift a little from your own life and see God lifting those burdens from your loved ones too.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 12, 2017:

Ready to enact some new “all in” behaviors for God?

As we begin the weekend, maybe Resting in God (RiG) can be one of those ideas? Here’s a RiG summary, heavily leaning on Richard Foster’s book Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home.

Maybe the weekend will afford Resting in God via a long walk, walking a labyrinth, light stretching, prayer with a candle lit or ???

Enjoy the weekend, resting in God and filled with the Spirit!

P.S. If you’re looking into buying a new book for your Christian practices library, Foster’s book is a good one if you don’t have it already.

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 5, 2017:

A friend recently asked how we identify subjects for Christian Playbook posts. The fact is, the Spirit frequently moves in mysterious ways…  🙂

Today is such an example. While on the journey to another prayer, this one #58 “For Muslims” from the Book of Common Worship (HERE) jumped from the page. It seems mighty appropriate given what’s going on with U.S. immigration at the moment:

# 58

For Muslims

Eternal God,

you are the one God to be worshiped by all,

the one called Allah by your Muslim children,

descendants of Abraham as we are.

Give us grace to hear your truth

in the teachings of Mohammed, the prophet,

and to show your love as disciples of Jesus Christ,

that Christians and Muslims together

may serve you in faith and friendship.

Amen.

What are the ways that you can show friendship and love to those of a different faith today?

If you’re looking for a resource showing lots of parallels between Islam and Christianity, consider checking out Spiritual Gems of Islam.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 5, 2017:

In this excerpt from Positive Living Day by Day, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale shares faith-filled steps to revolutionize your life.

“I believe that faithful following of these five rules will revolutionize the life of any person.

1. Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid.
   The person who is afraid cuts himself off from the flow of power, but when you venture boldly, there comes a flow of power in response.
2. Deny adverse conditions.
   Don’t go around saying or thinking: “Conditions are against me.” Face facts, but realize that it often happens that a person is defeated not so much by the facts of a situation as by his negative interpretation of the facts. In every problem there is an inherent good. Believe that.
3. Picture good outcomes.
   By envisioning good things, you actually bring good influences into play, both within yourself and in the world around you.
4. Pray for every person you meet with by name. 
   Pray that he or she may benefit from the dealings you have with him or her.
5. Practice Christian love toward everybody.”

May we take the time to be revolutionized by these efforts and so many others in our Christian lives.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 29, 2017:

• Micah 6:1-8
• Psalm 15
• 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
• Matthew 5:1-12

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

When seeking to walk humbly with our God, the Book of Common Worship is a wonderful resource. You can see it online HERE, though we highly recommend the hard copy if you use this regularly

Several years back, the prayer for those Middle-Aged (#110 on p. 833 in the online version) caught me ‘just right,’ including these lines

“… Show men and women your purpose for them, so that, when youth is spent, they may not find life empty or labor stale, but may devote themselves to dear loves and worthy tasks, …”

If you have a few minutes during lunch today or in the days ahead, take a look at the online version – you’ll likely be very glad you did.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 29, 2017:

• Micah 6:1-8
• Psalm 15
• 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
• Matthew 5:1-12

Movin’ and prayin’ can be a wonderful way to experience God and one nice example is this Quaker Prayer:

{Put your PALMS UP – arms stretched out in front of you}

God, you have given my life into my hands. I give it back to you. My time, my property, my life itself…knowing it is only an instant compared to my life with you in eternity.

{Move to PALMS DOWN – arms stretched out in front of you}

Parent God, to you I release the cares and concerns of this world, knowing you loved us enough to send your child who shared loving words and actions. I’m a sinner in need of a God-inspired example and, once again, I accept what you have done for me as sufficient.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Did the movements enhance your prayer? If so, maybe you’ll want to try another of these “movin’ and prayin’ ” prayers in the days ahead?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 22, 2017: