Perhaps today’s Silver Linings song would have sprung up anyway, whether in COVID-19 times or not? We’ll never know for sure, though probably it wouldn’t be shared with the CP except for the time and circumstances these days are allowing.

Thanks to reader, Thad, for sharing words and the link to Modern Doxology, a song by Ed Metzger of the Bowling Green, Ohio First United Methodist church. Not only does Ed share the music (song HERE) he also provides a behind-the-scenes explanation of the thinking and voices in the song (explanation HERE)

Work like this is a wonderful augment to the Doxology that we so appreciate. Incorporating different voices for the Trinity, the word selection and their blending, the unison elements, the visual of leaves falling down, etc. Thanks to Ed for sharing his gifts with the local church (and with the larger internet community, including CP readers!)

Enjoy the day filled with the Spirit and recognition of the Silver Linings in your day!

NOTE: Ed’s work and other musical offerings are in the Christian Playbook site at Silver Linings Amidst the Dark Clouds. As you see other potential Silver Linings material, please do share it along!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 25, 2020:

• • Deuteronomy 34:1-12 and Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17  
  • Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 and Psalm 1  
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 
  • Matthew 22:34-46
•  

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SILVER LININGS IN THE MIDST OF DARK CLOUDS

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BRIGHT moments are substantial even during this incredibly dark season of COVID-19!

To highlight our gratitude, Christian Playbook (CP) has a new page – Silver Linings Amidst the Dark Clouds.  This page will share positives from our world.

CP posts in the weeks ahead will periodically highlight Silver Linings. Ideally, these will include reader-supplied materials – pictures, stories, humour and more. Don’t worry about them being in “final form.” CP will edit entries as necessary and share your own examples. You can supply those in any number of ways, including:

• via email (SALong_now @ yahoo.com) 
• commenting below (don’t worry – this requires moderator approval before just anything shows up)  🙂
• via FaceBook (https://www.facebook.com/ChristianPlaybook/)

As you see these Silver Linings features in the days ahead, may they increase your gratitude, joy and loving moments…

Enjoy the day filled with the Spirit and recognition of the Silver Linings in your day!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 25, 2020:

• • Deuteronomy 34:1-12 and Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17  
  • Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 and Psalm 1  
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 
  • Matthew 22:34-46
•  

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SILVER LININGS IN THE MIDST OF DARK CLOUDS

CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK HUMOR – NEW UPDATES on 10/4

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Thanks to Steven B. for sharing this prayer from Rev. Dr. Richard Bott, Moderator of the United Church of Canada…

Enjoy the day  [covered with face mask when in public 🙂  ]  filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 25, 2020:

• • Deuteronomy 34:1-12 and Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17  
  • Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 and Psalm 1  
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 
  • Matthew 22:34-46
•  

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Who’d think of a WebMD link making its way to the Christian Playbook (CP)? This is a first – –  How to Prepare Yourself for a Tough Season article has lots of good advice, much of it consistent with CP principles.

In particular, these sections/comments resonate:

• 4: Stay Close to Your Experience. Includes this: “Set a daily practice of reconnection — a few minutes of quiet reflection first thing in the morning, reading sacred scriptures or an inspirational book for a few minutes a day, prayer, or meditation.”
• 6: Decide Who You’ll Be, especially “How can we love others, no matter what?”
• 7: Look for Love

May the example that Jesus has set help us through the tough season to come as we continue to battle the confluence of pandemics: COVID-19, racial injustice, economic inequality and climate destabilization… 

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 25, 2020:

• • Deuteronomy 34:1-12 and Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17  
  • Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 and Psalm 1  
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 
  • Matthew 22:34-46
•  

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HUMOR

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Beth Richardson provides lots of thought-provoking materials. This post on surviving exile is a fine example.

Substantial challenges exist during our exile times (exiled by various issues including COVID-19 along with the confluence of additional pandemics like racial injustice, economic inequality and climate destabilization.) Perhaps it’s time to consider one of the possible actions below…

POSSIBLE ACTIONS – Consider Beth’s commentary. In this midst of these isolation times, think about when to

• “Take action.
• Stay in the present moment.
• Go outside.
• Take a media break.
• Remember the long view.”

SONG OPPORTUNITY: Beth’s prose and use of Psalm 137 is a good reminder of the song On the Willows. Click HERE to hear the song from the show Godspell.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 18, 2020:

• Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99 
• Isaiah 45:1-7 and Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13) 
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 
• Matthew 22:15-22
•  

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Pray As You Go (PAYG) shares a combination of music, leading thoughts, scripture coupled with plenty of time allowed for prayer. Read – or listen – to PAYG directly at their website and if you like it enough, consider using their app for “smart devices.” Details are HERE for both options. Today (or in the week ahead), when you have 10-15 minutes available maybe it’ll be worth a listen?

The 15th of October is the feast day of St Teresa of Avila so the highlight quote is:

“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience wins all things. They lack nothing who possess God. God alone is enough.”   ~ St Teresa of Avila

Ephesians 1:3-10 is the PAYG reading for this day, including the message that God loves all things. Because we count on God’s love for us, as the St. Teresa saying above suggests, we therefore lack nothing. May we remember that fact when it’s tempting to let worries frighten us instead.

PRAYER: Creator God, strengthen us in the days ahead so we will allow ourselves to proudly pursue sharing your incredible love with all of creation! Amen

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• Bookmark this website or download the app
• Do you have a favorite website for prayer that you haven’t seen mentioned in the Christian Playbook? If so, please send us an email at salong_now @ yahoo.com

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 18, 2020:

• Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99 
• Isaiah 45:1-7 and Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13) 
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 
• Matthew 22:15-22
•  

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This CAC St. Francis: A Message for Our Times summary shares wonderful perspective. Consider reading one or more of the past week’s devotionals by clicking on it in the webpage.

Wednesday’s description is particularly intriguing:

Francis and Clare were not so much prophets by what they said as in the radical, system-critiquing way that they lived their lives.

Do you have someone in your own sphere living in a radical, system-critiquing way? In what way(s) does that look the same and different from your own life?

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: Consider one of the practices towards the bottom of the CAC summary

• Be Present with an Animal
• Get to Know Another Species

May we, like Francis, view everything as a mirror…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 18, 2020:

• Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99 
• Isaiah 45:1-7 and Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13) 
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 
• Matthew 22:15-22
•  

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In this “Searchlights and Penlights” UCC devotional, Martin Copenhaver quotes Sister Helen Prejean:

“I’m always asking God for a searchlight.  But, instead, God gives me a penlight.”

Copenhaver goes on to say that he’s learning to walk by penlight. Many of us can likely relate to that thinking.

How do we allow more illumination in our lives? Maybe one answer is included in the song  “Christ as a Light” (Prayer of St. Patrick,) performed in this link by John Michael Talbot. Hearing or singing this song provides peace, especially considering omnipresence…

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: Find time to “brighten/focus the penlight,” especially since brightening the path helps during light and dark times

• Spend time in silence, allowing yourself to bask in the light.
• Consider using Copenhaver’s prayer as a breath prayer today: “God, if I can’t have the searchlight, show me how to walk by penlight.”

May we allow ourselves to be surrounded by the light of God, illuminated and illuminating…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 11, 2020:

• • Exodus 32:1-14 and Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 
  • Isaiah 25:1-9 and Psalm 23 
  • Philippians 4:1-9 
  • Matthew 22:1-14

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{NOTE: A few years back my mom and I spent glorious time traveling in South Africa. One bonus of the trip are devotionals – like the one below – with more global perspective…}

Surveying the South African landscape, one can’t help but be pleased by God’s creation. In particular, the creatures here are beautiful and incredible.

Yet amidst this beauty the “circle of life” looms. Watching impala cautiously seeking safe paths, it’s easy to understand the frightening African environment for animals.

Sadly, many humans experience similar instability. The good news is that we humans have the opportunity to support one another plus enjoy a faith-filled life before, during and after these challenging moments. With our faith-based community at the ready, we can more easily lean into life regardless of what comes our way!

ACTION: can you identify someone in your circle of influence who may need a little extra support? Make contact with him/her today and consider ways you can provide a little safer and/or more enjoyable path for that person…

May you enjoy this day with the power of an elephant, the attention of an impala and filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 11, 2020:

• • Exodus 32:1-14 and Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 
  • Isaiah 25:1-9 and Psalm 23 
  • Philippians 4:1-9 
  • Matthew 22:1-14

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In his book A Spirituality of Homecoming, Henri J. M. Nouwen says “Following Jesus means that we have to keep walking on the ground, keep struggling.” [if you have time, take a few minutes now and read the rest of the paragraph and following commentary  HERE***]

How can each of us do some small effort to help stem the issues in our communities? Among these in our area this year are COVID-19, racial injustice, economic inequality, climate change, tempering the vitriol surrounding our politics, health care, etc.

One step at a time! ACTIONS may include: wearing a mask WHENEVER in public during pandemic times, having civil conversations even when disagreeing with another’s political views, volunteering to feed those less fortunate, conserving water and more.

Kris Kristoferson co-developed the song “One Day At A Time” in the 1970s and it’s still popular today. A lyrical phrase in that song rings true here: “help me to be all I can be, and all that I am.”

Each of us has a part to play in this world, so let’s go out and help make this a better place to live! May the Spirit move you to walk in new and exciting ways in the upcoming days…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 11, 2020:

• • Exodus 32:1-14 and Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 
  • Isaiah 25:1-9 and Psalm 23 
  • Philippians 4:1-9 
  • Matthew 22:1-14

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