Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” ~ Matthew 14:28-33

This post on the UCC devotional site is too good NOT to share.

ACTION: May each of us feel empowered to make a suitable number of mistakes in the pursuit of “so many ways to get care right.”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 13, 2017:

• 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

Yesterday, a note from my good friend Bill brought a nice smile and reminder for us all.

“Today’s message {from d365.org} really helped me recenter and reminded me to face challenges with faith instead of fear.”

God’s word will be with us at just the right time in any number of ways.

Of all things, one way you may find valuable to receive God’s word is via email. Signing up for daily emails from d365.org and/or other websites can provide nice reminders to spend a few minutes focused on faith.

Here’s the d365.org post that Bill references. I really like this quote that starts off the devotional and relates in several ways with Heidi’s d365 message…

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”  ~ John Muir in Our National Parks (1901)

That imagery is fabulous – peace flowing like sunshine, cares dropping like leaves. What a nice contrast to the Lectionary verses – in the link below – from Matthew 14! 🙂

ACTION: consider adding a new devotional to your mix by subscribing to a daily email from one of the sources HERE

May your stormy seas become smooth as a carefully-ironed cotton shirt… Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 13, 2017:

• 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

This past weekend we were talking about how musicals have informed us about our faith. Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar continue to shape perspectives of audiences to this day.

This week’s Lectionary readings from Genesis 37 and Psalm 105 are reminders of another musical…

“he {God} had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD kept testing him. The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions, to instruct his officials at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom. Praise the LORD! ~ Psalm 105: 17-22, 45b

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!

On stage and screen, we get a chance to see human redrafting of Biblical times through these musicals. While we know it’s not all true, these more modern looks at Jesus, Joseph, Judas and many other characters provide a modern-day take on stories that are lived out over many generations under different names and places.

Think about it. Have you met a “Joseph” over your lifetime; someone who didn’t seem to have a chance in life and yet ended up in a great position, helping so many others including those who helped him down (rather than up?) A Judas? A Mary?

ACTIONS:

• Think back to “Bible musicals” you’ve enjoyed. Are there positive characters in your own life that remind you of these portrayals? If positive ones, consider a note or call to affirm those characteristics in that person, possibly even referencing the musical.
• Maybe it’s time to watch one of your favorite “Bible musicals” over the next week or so? Or maybe one that you’ve never gotten the time to watch?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 13, 2017:

• 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

Every morning I spend fifteen minutes filling my mind full of God; and so there’s no room left for worry thoughts. –Howard Chandler Christy, artist

While not knowing Howard Chandler Christy, he and I certainly see eye-to-eye relating to this idea of filling one’s head full with God. In fact, that’s the genesis of the Christian Playbook!

It seems that when I spend this Christian Playbook time first thing in the morning, my day goes so much better. And when I don’t, well… I feel guilty if nothing else! 🙂

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 6, 2017:

• 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

Speaking Truth in Love Means Taking a Risk was the topic of Rick Warren’s daily post recently. He mentions not letting important issues get “swept under the carpet” only to surface MUCH more dramatically later. Isn’t that a critical message whether with important family members and/or friends?

Such activity can be done very effectively in the context of The Four Things That Matter Most. Risky behavior in a loving, thankful, forgiving environment usually seems far less threatening.

When we recognize such issues that should be addressed, may we feel empowered to take risks in expressing these four things while speaking truth…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, August 6, 2017:

• 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

For lovers of music and/or pictures, it’s worth spending 3 minutes and 45 seconds watching this Youtube with the music of For the Beauty of the Earth accompanied by some fabulous pictures of our wonderful world.

As you go along your day, may you notice all of the little beauties of this earth right in the neighborhood where you are…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, July 30, 2017:

• 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

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” ~ Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Angels on Wheels is what Edward Grinnan describes in this Guideposts article ; folks who brought his mom meals while she was dealing with Alzheimer’s issues at home. His mom wouldn’t eat, he says and “When we told the volunteers this, they were wonderfully wise and pretty soon they got Mom to eat.”

Our family has been blessed by my mom’s example in empowering others to be angels on wheels. She helped orchestrate the Bowling Green “Meals on Wheels” initial program over 40 years ago – – she still drives meals around today. What a wonderful example of the Matthew 13 mustard seed of an idea that is now a tree, continuing to thrive!

As we seek to do God’s work in this world today, may we help seed ways to “help bring others nourishment” – whether of a physical, spiritual or other nature!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, July 30, 2017:

• 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

By the title alone, many of you likely know who the focus of today’s posting will be…

Fred Rogers was awarded the Emmy Lifetime Achievement award in 1997. In this Lifetime Achievement award speech, Mr. Rogers encouraged everyone to spend 10 seconds thinking of others who loved us into being who we are. The video is less than 4 minutes in length – if you watch it, close your eyes and think of those who loved you into your current role. The approach Mr. Rogers took with almost all topics was action-oriented, love-focused and genuine. What a gift.***

A nod to Pastor Peter for prompting today’s post in the aftermath of his 7/23/17 sermon mentioning the Emmy speech. Along with that sermon, the Vacation Bible School (VBS) kids really added energy to MWPC’s Sanctuary with their singing and discussions about the week. They shared this 2017 VBS motto:

• do good
• seek peace
• go after it

May we follow this motto today and in the days ahead (with a nod to Mister Rogers…)

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, July 30, 2017:

• 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

*** Amazingly, the book The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers, was just put back in the “keep” pile in the past few weeks… One quote that jumps out today from that book:

“One woman even remarked to her husband upon meeting Fred for the first time, ‘I think I just had a religious experience.’ He had the unique, transforming presence: Mother Teresa in a cardigan.” ~ The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers, p. 20

In this Guideposts devotional, Bob Hostetler discusses 6 ways to allow more silence, offering opportunities for even better prayer time. Maybe this weekend will offer an opportunity to try one of these six ideas?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, July 16, 2017:

• Genesis 25:19-34 and Psalm 119:105-112
• Isaiah 55:10-13 and Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13
• Romans 8:1-11
• Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

– Isaiah 55:10-12

Rain has been abundant lately in SW Ohio, including flood watches/warnings. The scripture above describes water accomplishing larger efforts. I particularly like the image of hills bursting in song and trees clapping, especially when rain results in softball postponements due to sopping fields or missed kayaking due to dangerous water levels.

This visual from Sight Psalms captures a certain sense of purpose when dealing with water bursting forth… Sometimes we just have to be unconventional, getting out our air mattresses and rakes while seeking new purpose?

ACTION: If you’re looking for an additional devotional, try Sight Psalms by signing up HERE

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, July 16, 2017:

• Genesis 25:19-34 and Psalm 119:105-112
• Isaiah 55:10-13 and Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13
• Romans 8:1-11
• Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23