“Love [people] even in [their] sin, for that is the semblance of Divine Love and is the highest love on earth. Love all God’s creation, the whole and every grain of sand in it. Love every leaf, every ray of God’s light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything.”  ~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

WOW! Dostoyevsky describes a mighty tall order.

In THIS “Seeing with God’s Eyes”  devotional, Richard Rohr shares some really nice commentary. Take a little time to savor this article if possible.

St. Timothy’s Episcopal church in Anderson Township (Cincinnati) has an electronic sign. On it they periodically show visuals of all varieties of people with a “No Exceptions” message about God’s love. What a great reminder to us in our daily actions to be sharing God’s love with no exceptions! Who will be the recipient(s) of your loving gestures today in ways you wouldn’t ordinarily think to show that love?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 18, 2018:

• 1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10
• Daniel 12:1-3 and Psalm 16
• Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25
• Mark 13:1-8

On Veteran’s Day, it’s our CP tradition to review pictures of family veterans in uniform

Does one look a little “out of place?”

My brother Andy was stationed in the country of Togo, West Africa in the Peace Corps in the mid/late 1980s. When he went off to do his service I was not sure what he was up to and the value of the experience. Over thirty years later, I GET IT! He and so many other veterans have shared the love of the American people worldwide by “working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation” ~ (taken from the Peace Corps mission statement)

Isaiah 2:4 mentions “beating our swords into plowshares.” In Togo, they did that quite literally by instructing the people to plow with oxen (in addition to teaching them math, English and engaging in many other worthwhile activities!) Whatever the role, it is tough work for the Peace Corps volunteer and the people in-country they work with daily. The result? Even 20 years later, these Peace Corps volunteers are recognized and welcomed with open arms (I had the pleasure of experiencing these greetings first-hand in 2009 – – many Togolese thought I was my brother! 🙂 )

We are blessed to have people willing to serve in such ways in the Peace Corps.

Could I say a lot about the blessing of what our military personnel have done for us, including my Uncles Fred and Jack (pictured above?) Absolutely, but I’m betting you’ll read a lot more about military folks like them in the popular press today so I’ll leave it here.

ACTION: Let’s honor and remember our veterans today in one or more ways such as

• trip to a park or cemetery where a veteran’s memorial exists
• attending area events honoring veterans – men, women and more (animals in K9 corps and others)
• watching a show in a war setting
• watching videos of Peace Corps volunteers sharing experiences HERE

PRAYER: God, we are blessed to have military veterans and currently-serving personnel who hopefully ultimately have made and are making our world a more peaceful place. We are equally blessed to have Peace Corps veterans and volunteers working for a more peaceful world. We remember and honor their efforts and sacrifices for such peaceful long-term priorities. Strengthen and support all of them – and us – in our roles of becoming better peace-makers worldwide! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 11, 2018:

• Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 and Psalm 127
• 1 Kings 17:8-16 and Psalm 146
• Hebrews 9:24-28
• Mark 12:38-44

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

** Should you want to hear even more, she tells about praying without ceasing in this 22 minute video.

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 11, 2018:

• Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 and Psalm 127
• 1 Kings 17:8-16 and Psalm 146
• Hebrews 9:24-28
• Mark 12:38-44

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

** if you do submit a story, please include your email so we can correspond…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 11, 2018:

• Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 and Psalm 127
• 1 Kings 17:8-16 and Psalm 146
• Hebrews 9:24-28
• Mark 12:38-44

It’s All Saints Day and we’ll let these two songs provide the message:

• For All the Saints
• I Sing a Song of the Saints of God

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for All Saints Day, 2018:

• Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 or Isaiah 25:6-9 and Psalm 24
• Revelation 21:1-6a
• John 11:32-44

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 4, 2018:

• Ruth 1:1-18 and Psalm 146
• Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Psalm 119:1-8
• Hebrews 9:11-14
• Mark 12:28-34

Even those we don’t know can make us “feel like a king” as we’re reminded in the Guideposts devotional HERE. As you read the devotional, can you see the grin on the face of the woman who owns the house?

We all have this opportunity to help another feel like royalty. Where will you find that opportunity today on this Halloween?  🙂

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, November 4, 2018:

• Ruth 1:1-18 and Psalm 146
• Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Psalm 119:1-8
• Hebrews 9:11-14
• Mark 12:28-34

Music is a Christian Playbook focus topic. Today’s selection, Hymn of Promise (listen HERE), has a wonderful message for any season. Many find that it is especially meaningful and want it used in end of life gatherings.

As you listen to the music, find a word or phrase that resonates with you. Focus on that word/phrase during your day ahead, enjoying the message with the music!

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• Make a comment below, sending along favorite Christian songs that inspire you
• Think of songs you might want played at your celebration of a lifetime. Have you shared such wishes with loved ones so they know your desires?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 28, 2018:

• Job 42:1-6, 10-17 and Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22)
• Jeremiah 31:7-9 and Psalm 126
• Hebrews 7:23-28
• Mark 10:46-52

“encourage one another and build each other up” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Who has been an encouraging presence in your journey of faith? Frequently the answer is minister, relative or friend, but in some cases the presence certainly comes from more serendipitous encounters with “strangers.”

This Our Daily Bread devotional (HERE) share some historical examples of encouragers. It’s wonderful perspective as we then read commentary about spurring ourselves on to be encouraging to others.

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• Who will you see today who might use a word or act of encouragement?
• Feel like praying with some guided audio prompts and a focus on shepherds and encouraging? The online audio HERE may be something you’ll want to do?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 28, 2018:

• Job 42:1-6, 10-17 and Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22)
• Jeremiah 31:7-9 and Psalm 126
• Hebrews 7:23-28
• Mark 10:46-52

These verses were originally intended as a submission for the Technology edition of the Alive Now devotional:

Prayer tools online,

devotionals too.

Privacy unbound,

are “quiet times” through?

 

God, help us use technology

in ways that are good.

Not idolistic life-support but supporting life;

as most Christian efforts should.

 

May technology make relationships strong,

Holy Spirit ever powerful.

With love like Christ taught;

and child-like energy, hearts full.

 

Help us make effective use

of what technology avails.

Social media, phone and pics;

sharing love, which never fails.

 

May this day find you in the midst of great love, with or without the assistance of technology.  Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 21, 2018:

• Job 38:1-7, (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
• Isaiah 53:4-12 and Psalm 91:9-16
• Hebrews 5:1-10
• Mark 10:35-45

“On that day, you will know that you are in me and I am in you.”  ~ John 14:20

THIS CAC DEVOTIONAL mentions: “The Perennial Tradition states that there is a capacity, a similarity, and a desire for divine reality inside all humans.” Would you agree?

What do you think of Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s metaphor for the greater unity?

May we each find time to experience that light, the oneness and the fullness of the colors!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, October 21, 2018:

• Job 38:1-7, (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
• Isaiah 53:4-12 and Psalm 91:9-16
• Hebrews 5:1-10
• Mark 10:35-45