Jimmy Carter started leading Bible study classes when he was at the Naval Academy and has continued ever since. On the drive towards New York City my mom and I had the chance to listen to one of those. Here is a link with you in case you want to hear our former president talk about his faith: Jimmy Carter bible study
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
Today is one of those bittersweet ones. Our family remembers with incredible joy and appreciation that 60 years ago our parents were married. And we’re sad that they won’t be celebrating together on earth today since our dad died 15 years ago.
There are many songs that can provide comfort during times of loss. One favorite is “I Will See You Again” and it’s listed as prospective music for families to use for memorial services and celebrations of life. Here it’s performed professionally by Rhonda Vincent and The Rage. It includes the line “and as his bride of 60 years came forward.” Our mom is still our dad’s bride…and she will see him again. What incredible blessings shared – praise God!
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, September 10, 2017:
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Psalm 27:1 has a wonderful message for those who worry. And who doesn’t worry, at least from time-to-time?
The quick-hitting Guideposts daily devotional shared that Psalm 27:1 message yesterday. It’s especially fitting after our CP post on Friday about being Overwhelmed:
This Guideposts daily ordinarily comes to my e-mailbox early in the morning so it starts my day off with scripture, a quote, “action” and a little prayer. It’s easy-to-read and usually puts me in a little better place for continuing with Christian Playbook activities. Whether you use an online version or hard copy (I used Alive Now, These Days and others for many years), devotionals are great. Plenty of devotional suggestions are on the Christian Playbook HERE
ACTION: Consider signing up for one or more of the Guideposts online newsletters HERE
As the Guideposts devotional above suggests, may we release our worry and rest in God (and we’ll add: “while still doing our part…”)
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, September 3, 2017:
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In his picture and text in this Sight Psalms post, David Kepley does a nice job of expressing the Overwhelmed feeling. Many of us have experienced times when we felt there was more than we could handle in our lives.
This brings hurricane Harvey to mind. Our thoughts and prayers have been with those in the Houston area and other regions affected by this massive storm. Our hearts hurt for all the difficulties we see, hear and know are part of this.
Looking at Kepley’s picture and words, it strikes me that there have likely been some Augusts when Houston was praying for August rains. Then the floods appear as we’ve seen this August in the Houston area – and see amidst these three trees in David’s picture.
It’s similar in our lives – at times we want more of something and then when it arrives it sometimes comes in buckets-full. Reminds me of the old saying “be careful what you ask for, you just might get it!”
ACTION: Let’s hold up the people affected by Hurricane Harvey in our prayers of strength and support. May they, in the midst of feeling Overwhelmed, also find the peace that passeth all understanding…
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, September 3, 2017:
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When people on the street ask for a handout it feels lousy to say “no.” Yet many homeless agencies and food pantries encourage that response.
Many years ago, when our older son and I were walking towards a theater downtown, a woman told us she was hungry and asked for some money for a meal. We took her to the pizza place a block away and paid for her order of a personal pan pizza and salad. Her gratitude was substantial. That experience made a nice impression on our teenager and opened the doors to a nice conversation on many fronts.
For those of us who want to help out but NOT give cash to that person requesting cash, here are some possibilities…
ACTION: Maybe put a few soft granola or breakfast bars in your backpack, purse or briefcase to give to folks who ask for cash. The gesture of a snack will not always be met with appreciation, but it’s the thought that counts, right?!?
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, September 3, 2017:
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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
This Sunday’s Lectionary reading from 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?)
Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 27, 2017:
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What a blessing to have creative folks in our world, helping us to experience moments of WOW.
Today’s focus is on The Poem of Your Life music video featuring music by Michael Card. The lyrics and music are captivating. Then someone adds the visual images there and it definitely adds to the “worship God” moments.
ACTION: This day, maybe it’s an opportunity to hear the “music” around you and take a few minutes to enjoy the music video of your own poem of life…
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 27, 2017:
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As we prepare for the upcoming church “program year”, it’s a good time to mention one of the best Christian development programs in my life…
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 CP change of “Christians” in place of “Fathers”
ACTIONS:
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
P.S. This post written with thanksgiving to Ron Rand and MWPC FATHERS Team participants who helped to shape so many positive aspects of my Christian life!
Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 20, 2017:
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{This one from previous years is well worth repeating …}
Do you remember the old “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 and then goes through 5 prayers to help get there. Lots of good material in this book!
Foster then 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 least on certain days – and increasing the frequency all the time – we are fully willing to take the plunge…
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 20, 2017:
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“Summer Has Come and Past” is a lyric from Green Day in their beautiful song Wake Me Up When September Ends… The song’s author would like to sleep away all of September.
Our mom has been known to say “don’t wish your life away.” Most of us do not really want to sleep through a particular month or season, but at times it might be convenient to sleep through some troublesome times… Hopefully your summer is continuing to go well and you’re not wishing for the next season just yet.
As summer has come – and not yet passed fully – we have the opportunity to enjoy some summer prayers, courtesy of Bob Hostetler and this Guideposts post.There are several written prayers and also this 99 second video prayer with music, pictures and words.
May this summer Monday find you enjoying conversation with God using one of these prayers and/or any of your effective communication approaches…
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 20, 2017:
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