“Be still, and know that I am God!”    ~ Psalm 46:10a

A favorite devotional site from Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago IL is written by different members of their staff, providing a nice variety of perspectives. This message based on Psalm 46 shares a significant family story along with several POSSIBLE ACTIONS including:

• “What if this day we each walked outside and saw the beauty in the simple and “still” of our surroundings? ‘The Lord God Almighty is with us,’ let us rejoice and be glad!”
• “For this day upon us, what if each of us appreciated the beauty of a storm? The beauty of things falling apart?”

May you find an opportunity to “be still,” feeling God’s presence, then allowing the Spirit to move in and through you as you proceed to do God’s will.

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 26, 2019:

• Acts 16:9-15
• Psalm 67
• Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
• John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9

Magdalena I. Garcia has written a beautiful poem with scriptural background. With her permission, that is included on the Christian Playbook site (link HERE)

QUESTIONS:

• Do you you feel God urging you to pursue certain actions akin to “sailing boldly” and “crossing confidently?”
• What actions might you put on your “to do” list this upcoming week to begin acting on those urges?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit and empowered for travel!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 19, 2019:

• Acts 11:1-18
• Psalm 148
• Revelation 21:1-6
• John 13:31-35

Ever feel like you need a companion when dealing with a problem harder than granite? Most of us can…

This Our Daily Bread story shares a “doubles” approach. For me, it was a nice reminder of a friend who was a double-teamer during a medical challenge. We even had a chance the other day to share a moment of celebration and appreciation of that double-teaming effort!

We always have our spiritual “doubles” partner, a nice reminder of which is described in the Footprints poem and song.  Better yet?  Having God PLUS a friend/neighbor/family member as a physical “doubler!”

POSSIBLE ACTIONS:

• consider a recent “doubler” in your past and share a meal/coffee, send a note or place a phone call expressing your gratitude
• see someone struggling with an issue? Consider offering to be one of the “doublers” on that person’s team. While they won’t always welcome the opportunity, it’ll help them recognize that the support is available…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 19, 2019:

• Acts 11:1-18
• Psalm 148
• Revelation 21:1-6
• John 13:31-35

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 12, 2019:

• Acts 9:36-43
• Psalm 23
• Revelation 7:9-17
• John 10:22-30

The Iona community is inspiring. Here is their creed (link HERE.)

Is this powerful, or what?

“…We commit ourselves to work for change
and put ourselves on the line;
to bear responsibility, take risks,
live powerfully
and face humiliation;
to stand with those on the edge;
to choose life and be used by the Spirit
for God’s new community of hope. Amen”

~ Iona Creed

May our commitment in some small way be energized by this creed…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 12, 2019:

• Acts 9:36-43
• Psalm 23
• Revelation 7:9-17
• John 10:22-30

In this posting, Rick Warren talks about valleys in Israel and in our lives.

Three Things to Remember About the Valleys

At the end of the article Rick asks three questions you may want to ponder today:

• “Where are you on your journey right now: in a valley, climbing out of a valley, somewhere in between a valley and a mountaintop, or on a mountaintop?
• How can you prepare yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually for the valleys of your life?
• Why do you think God allows you to go through valleys and not just mountaintops?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 5, 2019:

• Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
• Psalm 30
• Revelation 5:11-14
• John 21:1-19

Lynne Babb’s post on Creative Prayer While Walking (link HERE) is music to the ears of those who like the CP’s “Movin’ and Prayin’ ” page (link HERE). Movement so frequently enhances prayer.

Perhaps today will offer an opportunity to try some “thinking in the presence of God” as Lynne describes it?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 5, 2019:

• Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
• Psalm 30
• Revelation 5:11-14
• John 21:1-19

Our world has endured a lot of human death at the hands of humans.

This episode (LINK HERE) on CBS’ Sunday Morning captures attention. It’s a story that hopefully – as the film producer says – “gives a touch of hope even in the wake of tragedy.”

POSSIBLE ACTIONS:

• Find 6 minutes now or in the next 24 hours to watch the video
• Consider sharing it with a friend

May the peace and love that passeth all understanding be with you, those you love and with all of humanity…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 5, 2019:

• • Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
  • Psalm 30
  • Revelation 5:11-14
  • John 21:1-19

Wake up, sleeper,
Rise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.
~ Ephesians 5:13-14 (Jerusalem Bible)

WOW – the image of “beams of light extending in all directions” from Christ’s grave is powerful. Thanks to Center for Action and Contemplation for that and other commentary in this posting (Link HERE).

How can Christ’s “shining on you” show itself in your actions today? Reflect on that, wake up, and then make it happen!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, April 28, 2019:

• Acts 5:27-32
• Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150
• Revelation 1:4-8
• John 20:19-31

With weather warming in most areas, maybe it’s a good time for some Spiritual Practices in Nature? This site has many good ideas: find something in nature…take a hike…labyrinth efforts…  These thoughts will undoubtedly prompt many more customized to you.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit (and a little bit of “Mother Nature?!”)

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, April 28, 2019:

• Acts 5:27-32
• Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150
• Revelation 1:4-8
• John 20:19-31