Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her. One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate. To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding, and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care, because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought. ~ Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16

Wow, a second reading of the passage is attention-grabbing. Rise early. Seek freely. Be vigilant. Remain available.

Do you ever remember reading this passage? For many of us, the book Wisdom of Solomon will be foreign – it’s from the Apocrypha, which since the 19th century does not usually show up in Protestant Bibles. I like what this online OLLI document says:

“Like the “begats” in the Bible, some of the hidden books would put almost anyone to sleep. Others will keep you on the edge of your seat.” ~ James L. Crenshaw

As you see Apocrypha books show up in the Lectionary listings in the weeks ahead, maybe this will prompt a reading of a few lines? If so, maybe you’ll end up with edge-of-your-seat experience … or a solution for insomnia? 🙂

ACTION: In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, may we rise early; seek freely; be vigilant; remain available.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, November 12, 2017:

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 and Psalm 78:1-7
• Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 or Amos 5:18-24 and Wisdom of Solomon 6:17-20 or Psalm 70
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Alive Now shared many wonderful practices and one of these is Welcoming Prayer. This approach can be helpful when needing to center our thoughts and abandon our needs for control.

Many of the Welcoming lines resonate, among them “I accept what is, trusting that God will be with me no matter what happens.” This reminds me of the Footprints story (and song) and the comfort this visual and music provides me. If you haven’t seen this story or song before, or reviewed it in a while, maybe today is the day?

ACTION: When encountering “lower light” places in life, maybe revisiting the Welcoming Prayer can be part of our adaptations along with the visual of Footprints in the Sand as God walks with us?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. …  she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought. (Wisdom of Solomon 6:12, 16)

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, November 12, 2017:

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 and Psalm 78:1-7
• Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 or Amos 5:18-24 and Wisdom of Solomon 6:17-20 or Psalm 70
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Today’s highlight is from the Saint John’s Bible project with subtle and vivid visuals to help conjure up new insights. Here’s an example at the start of the book of Matthew. Spend a few minutes with the pictures first – what catches your eye? Then, perhaps you’ll want to read a little bit of the description for the picture that is directly below the pictures?

POSSIBLE ACTIONS:

• How does this visual approach help (or not help) your appreciation of the scriptures. Spend a minute doodling about a portion of this week’s Lectionary reading…

O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. ~ Psalm 43:3-4

• Consider listening to today’s Daily Prayer Audio with a focus on thanksgiving

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, November 5, 2017:

• Joshua 3:7-17 and Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
• Micah 3:5-12 and Psalm 43
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
• Matthew 23:1-12

The saints in our lives are numerous: those who have passed, those still with us and those we never knew except through writings, word of mouth and …

Here is the Shepherds-focused prayer from the Daily Prayer Audio webpage. Part of the focus for this 6 minute audio is to remember people in your early Christian development. Who were your important saints growing up?

ACTION: On this All Saints Day, pray for those saints in your life today, that they might feel strengthened and supported for efforts with you and so many others that their lives touch.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, November 5, 2017:

• Joshua 3:7-17 and Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
• Micah 3:5-12 and Psalm 43
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
• Matthew 23:1-12

Praying for Creation is the title of Richard Rohr’s 10/27 meditation. In it, he uses a joint statement by Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to highlight key points about our need for concerted efforts to save our earth and society. It’s worth the read and the prayer if you have time.

This reminds me of the song Fairest Lord Jesus and the beautiful creation lyrics about the sunshine, moonlight, meadows, etc… Interestingly, there is very little in that song about human actions to help creation, though there is the line about Jesus: “Who makes the woeful heart to sing.” Maybe this relates a little to what Pope Francis is encouraging?

ACTION: Are there ways this week that you can “hear the cry of the earth, … attend to the needs of the marginalized, … heal … our wounded creation?”

Enjoy the day and all of creation, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, October 29, 2017:

• 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

God, we dwell with you, generations before and generations to come. We flourish, rejoicing with you, seeking your favor. Then like the flowers once in full bloom, we fade, turning back to dust. Make us glad for all our days, sharing your love and joy with all we meet! [Christian Playbook adaptation of Psalm 90 selections]

This Psalm (90) shares thoughts about life and death – our days pass like a watch in the night, grass renewed, swept away, dust… The Psalmist sure has a way of providing imagery to both empower us and help us recognize the smallness of our seemingly massive troubles in God’s context.

ACTION: Click HERE to go to the Audio Daily Prayer link and listen to Tuesday’s prayer. Think of someone in your circle of witnesses whose loved one has recently passed from this mortal world and share a prayer of peace and support for them…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, October 29, 2017:

• 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

It seems a long ways off, yet Advent 2017 begins just 6 weeks from this Sunday. No, I’m not trying to hurry along to that season – the retail stores will do that for us soon enough! 🙂

So why mention it now?

In preparing for Advent 2017,the Christian Playbook will be periodically implementing some ideas from Pamela C. Hawkins’ book Behold! Cultivating Attentiveness in the Season of Advent. Preliminary review of this little guide is very favorable, especially seeing practices including “reflection, silence, prayer, reading scripture, reading or singing of hymn texts, and Christian service and action” (Behold! Cultivating Attentiveness in the Season of Advent p.13) Sounds a lot like the Christian Playbook plays, doesn’t it?

No need to purchase this little book to be part of the Christian Playbook experience with the related postings. However, it seemed worth mentioning in case you are interested in spending extra time with her book.*** My guess is that reading her materials will allow us to experience an even more intensive, joy-filled journey (Michael Card reference here…)

ACTION: This weekend, consider spending a little time with the word “Joy.” Go to a quiet place and reflect on this word, letting it sift through your thoughts and over your experiences to contemplate what meaning it has in your life with God and your life with others [NOTE: this activity is mentioned in the book Behold! Cultivating Attentiveness in the Season of Advent p.12]

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, October 22, 2017:

• 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

*** I invite you to join me in reading Pamela’s words if you are so inclined (it’s available used for about $6 and new for about twice that.) There is no need to purchase the book though…

Beth Richardson provides lots of thought-provoking materials and this post on surviving exile is a fine example. Her prose reminds me of the song On the Willows from the show Godspell (click here to hear the song)

ACTION – Consider Beth’s commentary: “Let us know when to
Take action.
Stay in the present moment.
Go outside.
Take a media break.
Remember the long view.”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, October 22, 2017:

• 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

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. My guess is that a lot of us can 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 conceiving of the omnipresence…

ACTION: Finding time to brighten/focus the penlight and allow the possibility for more searchlight opportunities is valuable, especially since brightening the path helps during light and dark times.

• Spend a few minutes 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…

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, October 15, 2017:

• 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

{NOTE: Recently I’ve spent glorious time with my mom traveling in South Africa. Focusing attention there has led to fewer Christian Playbook posts, despite my best intentions. Perhaps one bonus of the trip is that upcoming devotionals – like the one below – may have an even 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.

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

Sadly, many people have similar experiences of 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 this Sunday, October 8, 2017:

• Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Psalm 19
• Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:7-15
• Philippians 3:4b-14
• Matthew 21:33-46