Krista Tippett discusses “How can we stay present to what’s happening in the world without giving in to despair and hopelessness?” in this 9 minute segment (HERE). She mentions a regular practice of partaking of the news and at the same time limiting her exposure so the 24 hour news cycle doesn’t occupy her full-time. She also discusses embodying joy-filled and hope-filled practices as a way to balance the sobering news.

So taking a pause is important. Maybe we Christians could go so far as to say that the Spirit automatically equips us with joyful opportunities if only we’ll engage it? Those moments of silent contemplation can go a long way to helping…

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• Spend some moments of silent contemplation, allowing the Spirit to stir within you all the more
• Listen to Paul Thorn singing Don’t Let Nobody Rob You of Your Joy. One line is “let the light of love shine in.” [Great lyrics, Paul, and a wonderful message!!!]

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 23, 2020

• Exodus 1:8-2:10 and Psalm 124 
• Isaiah 51:1-6 and Psalm 138 
• Romans 12:1-8 
• Matthew 16:13-20

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Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, “because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” ~ Exodus 2:9-10

The full reading of Exodus reminds us of the transition from Joseph and his dream leadership to Moses and a very different political environment. One thing I’d never noticed before – or forgot! – is that Pharaoh’s daughter really kept Moses out of her father’s sight until after Moses was grown.

Here’s a humorous little reminder about Moses from the show “Singin’ in the Rain” including a great dance routine by Donald O’Connor and Gene Kelly.

And on this glorious weekend, if you’re looking for a little more “holy humor,” check out the Christian Playbook humor section HERE and/or some quick-hitting stories HERE (the last one is about Moses golfing with Jesus)

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit (and maybe a chuckle or two?)

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 16, 2020

• Genesis 45:1-15 and Psalm 133 
• Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 and Psalm 67 
• Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 
• Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28

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Rick Hamlin shares nice wisdom HERE about overcoming worry. How many of us can relate to these comments:

“I have a way of keeping anxiety as a close companion, not willing to let it go. I invite it in for just a moment and then give it the run of the house.”

When that undesired “companion” stays too long, perhaps we can adopt Rick’s statement…

“Here, God,” I can say, “take this worry. I’ve had enough of it.”

Then, with the previous CP post in mind, let’s Brighten the Corner Where We Are!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 16, 2020

• Genesis 45:1-15 and Psalm 133 
• Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 and Psalm 67 
• Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 
• Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28

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The title “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” gives a nice hint of where Ina Mae Duley Ogdon wants Christians to make a difference – right where you are! Charles Hutchinson Gabriel provides a pleasant, speedy melody to highlight the brightening aspect.

Take a listen HERE.

A mighty fine example of a person who takes this song to heart is our mom. She is heavily informed of what’s going on in our world and yet still has plenty of joy to share where she lives. We praise God, that we have this wonderful example continuing to brighten the corner where she lives.

ACTION: Consider 1-3 actions that might brighten this day for you and others in your path. Among the possibilities: 1) smile and/or wave to someone as you walk past; 2) write a prayer of praise and share it with a friend; 3) do a random act of kindness; 4) when paying for fast food takeout, ask to cover a few dollars of the bill (or the whole thing if you’re feeling mighty generous!) for the person behind you…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 16, 2020

• Genesis 45:1-15 and Psalm 133 
• Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 and Psalm 67 
• Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 
• Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28

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For many valued years, a group of MWPC men got together every Friday at 6:03 AM for fellowship, prayer and action. The FATHERS Team materials gave us opportunities to practice being better fathers, husbands and Christian citizens.

The nice thing is, most of these FATHERS Team materials easily fit a “gender neutral” team as well. Here’s one of the FATHERS Team “daily signals” that works for all Christians

“As for me and my fellow Christians we will consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, but encouraging one another, and all the more as we see the Day drawing near”

~ FATHERS Team signal taken from Hebrews 10:24-25, with Christian Playbook change of  “Christians” in place of “Fathers”

ACTIONS:

• Try saying aloud the “signal” above on a daily basis for this upcoming week
• If you, your church or small group is looking for study materials or retreat possibilities that “upbuild men, women, and children in practical expressions of their Christian faith” check out Ron Rand’s website

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 9, 2020

• Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 and Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b 
• 1 Kings 19:9-18 and Psalm 85:8-13 
• Romans 10:5-15 
• Matthew 14:22-33

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{This one from previous years is well worth repeating …}

Do you remember the “NesTea Plunge” commercials like this one?

Richard J. Foster talks about this commercial as an example of how a fellow did a Prayer of Relinquishment one time…

“Strange as it may seem, he prayed a commercial. He described a popular advertisement of the day for NesTea in which different people, sweltering from the summer sun, would fall into a swimming pool with a thirst-quenching sense of ‘ahhh!’ on their faces. He then invited this man to fall into the arms of Jesus in the same way.” ~ Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, page 48

Foster later describes the fact that this prayer will come through lived experience. He then goes through 5 prayers to help get there. Foster concludes the chapter by describing the beauty of getting to these Prayer of Relinquishment moments:

“From every human viewpoint at times it looks like we have fallen over the precipice to our death. But we know better. We know that we are only falling into the arms of Jesus fully satisfied, fully at rest.” ~ Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, page 56

ACTION: Perhaps today is your day for a “Prayer of Relinquishment plunge,” falling into the arms of Jesus?

May we feel comfortable enough with our Christian lives that at certain times of life – and increasing with frequency as we journey through life – we are fully willing to take the plunge…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 2, 2020

• Genesis 32:22-31 and Psalm 17:1-7, 15 
• Isaiah 55:1-5 and Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 
• Romans 9:1-5 
• Matthew 14:13-21

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“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

The idea of beloved community is so desirable and yet challenging to attain. The Center for Action and Contemplation shared a weekly set of meditations HERE that includes quotes from several noteworthy figures. They make clear that we are frequently left wanting more action than we’re necessarily ready to take.

Consider checking out the summary and clicking on a particular day(s) to read more. Tuesday’s is particularly good, including this commentary:

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw clearly in the last years of his life, we face a real choice between chaos and community—we need a moral revolution. If that was true fifty years ago, then we must be clear today: America needs a moral revival to bring about beloved community.  ~ William J. Barber II

ACTIONS:

• Check out one or more of the daily topics of interest from the CAC summary HERE
• Praying the Community into Being is a practice listed HERE (towards the bottom of the webpage). Consider trying it out, listening to the music and maybe drumming along?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 2, 2020

• Genesis 32:22-31 and Psalm 17:1-7, 15 
• Isaiah 55:1-5 and Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 
• Romans 9:1-5 
• Matthew 14:13-21

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Sharing generously is the theme of THIS d365.com post, including some familiar words:

“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!

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 26, 2020

• Genesis 29:15-28 and Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128 
• 1 Kings 3:5-12 and Psalm 119:129-136 
• Romans 8:26-39 
• Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

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Does the title of this post just seem wrong? After all, prayer frequently conjures up images of kneeling and inaction, NOT exercising!

Bob Hostetler talks about praying while exercising in this “6 Ways to Pray While You Exercise” Guideposts article.

One of Bob’s ideas – incorporating podcasts or recordings – resonates for many. Or, if you’re a visual person, consider posting a prayer list or photos right in front of you on your exercise machine or where you do stretching – they can help channel your thoughts to particular prayer situations

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to rejoice in the opportunities to pray, while at rest and while exercising too… Amen

Enjoy the day and the plethora of opportunities to exercise your body, mind and soul while filled with the Spirit!

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 26, 2020

• Genesis 29:15-28 and Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128 
• 1 Kings 3:5-12 and Psalm 119:129-136 
• Romans 8:26-39 
• Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

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

This past week CAC did a nice series on Contemplative Activists. Fannie Lou Hamer was the focus on one day, including this commentary (FULL POST HERE):

[Fannie Lou Hamer is] a contemplative exemplar because of her spiritual focus and resolve. Her practices spoke to the depth of her contemplative spirit. In the face of catastrophic suffering, Hamer worked, loved, sang, and resisted the powers that be. She was jailed, beaten, and hunted by the enforcers of the social order after registering to vote.

This description of “rest” from the CAC post, in the context of Fannie Lou’s life, is compelling:

According to her friend Virginia Gray Adams, “her back hurt and her spirit waged war without proper food or medicine. So when the movement came, there was rest”—not the rest that pervades the lives of most contemplatives [or what many imagine of monks and mystics], but rest nonetheless. Rest as you tell Congress to let your people go. Rest as you testify and lead a delegation off the floor of the Democratic Convention.

In the U.S. today there will be a number of Strike for Black Lives events. May all feel rested when in the state of activity, whatever non-violent efforts those strikes may involve (opportunities HERE)

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

P.S. In case you’re interested, this commentary from Pastor Roger Green’s sermon seems a perfect complement to our focus on Fannie Lou Hamer

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
• Celtic Daily Prayer
• CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, July 26, 2020

• Genesis 29:15-28 and Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128 
• 1 Kings 3:5-12 and Psalm 119:129-136 
• Romans 8:26-39 
• Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

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