In this Pentecost-focused posting, Talitha Arnold imagines what “Jesus followers” might have been experiencing prior to Pentecost

Perhaps they kept sharing the handful of encounters with the Risen Christ some had in the beginning. … Perhaps even before the Spirit came, they remembered they were blessed. Even in their need, they would know the realm of God.

Perhaps we can remember that, too, this Pentecost Eve.

May you enjoy this Pentecost day, filled with the Spirit and fully conscious of your many blessings as a child of God!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, June 4, 2017:

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them “Receive the Holy Spirit…” – John 20:21-22

Have your red blouse, shirt, scarf or hat ready? Pentecost Sunday is traditionally the start of the new church year where we remember and empower the Holy Spirit in our own lives. Many churches encourage the wearing of red clothing to church as a reminder of the ever-present Spirit. On this special Sunday (and all year long!,) may we feel the Spirit moving in wonderful and new ways, allowing us to share God’s love with the entire community.

ACTION: Wind and flames are frequent physical descriptors of the Holy Spirit. Watch the wind over the next few days. Isn’t it amazing how it impacts so many things? Can you identify a “wind-like effort” you can make that might meaningfully impact one or more in your midst?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• HERE is a mid-12th century visual of Pentecost from Venice’s Basilica of Saint Mark (zoom in on the picture by pressing “Ctrl” and “+” keys at the same time)
• Song: Veni, Creator Spiritus
• Song: Come Holy Spirit, Creator Blest

Lectionary Texts for Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2017:

A Devotion for Memorial Day by Fred Bauer provides some historical perspective on the holiday as well as his own personal practice with his mother. Definitely worth the 3-5 minute read!

ACTION: If you feel the urge, consider taking a 5-15 minute stroll through a cemetery you pass along your way today. Pray for those buried there, their sacrifices, their families and the love that they shared. Then, maybe it’s time for a phone call to someone whose memory you’d like to celebrate while he/she is still alive?

Enjoy the day, filled with memories and the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, June 4, 2017:

Three Ways to Strengthen Your Prayer Life by Elizabeth Peale Allen (on Guideposts.org) suggests these approaches

• Change your prayer posture
• Offer your day to God
• Pray a balanced prayer

Elizabeth shares details on reserving a time in your day and components of prayer, among several others. Her full article is worth the read, for sure.

ACTION: Do you have a “daily prayer” on your “to do list?” This can be an official list or some other methodical approach for coming to God in prayer? Praying shows up on my electronic reminders daily, including elements of this prayer from Elizabeth’s article:

Almighty God, Today I offer myself completely to you: all my thoughts, all my words, all I do. Make my every movement a living prayer; help me unite myself to your son Jesus Christ in heart, mind and soul. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, May 28, 2017:

A good quote can motivate, make you think and even bring a smile. Here are a few favorites…

• “If God is your co-pilot, SWITCH SEATS!”
• “Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” –Margaret Shepard, author
• “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that he didn’t trust me so much.” – Mother Teresa   🙂
• Be ye fishers of men. You catch ’em – He’ll clean ’em

Some additional humorous lines are HERE and HERE

ACTION: Do you have some humorous religious quotes or stories to share? Tell a friend [and share with the Christian Playbook if you’re willing (salong.now@gmail.com). THANKS! ]

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, May 28, 2017:

Last week I took a customized version of this to a church member while visiting – it was a nice approach to discuss our faith in a very relaxed way.

ACTION: Are there people in your life who could use their own personal God’s Survival Kit? If so, consider stopping by with a kit (we’ve created a customizable Word document version of our half-page sheet HERE for your use, in case that’s helpful)

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit, aware of the survival kit God has for each of us!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, May 21, 2017:

Yesterday during jail ministry worship, we talked with 7 guys about “how can you best find out the will of God in your life?” Among the answers were: “pray” and “be still and know” (quoting this Psalm 46 verse)

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 so you get some nice variety of perspectives. This message offers an opportunity for ACTION: “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!”

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 this Sunday, May 21, 2017:

Magdalena I. Garcia has written a beautiful poem with scriptural background. With her permission, that is included on the Christian Playbook site 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 this Sunday, May 14, 2017:

Is insomnia an issue for you or someone you know? Maybe the idea in this Daily Guideposts article is worth a try?

Practicing approaches like this in the past, I can attest to their effectiveness. In some ways it reminds me of nighttime conversations when sleeping over at a friend’s house – one of us would be talking and suddenly there was no sound as we both nodded off… [As a good friend, I’m certain God doesn’t mind that we’re nodding off while in conversation with our heavenly parent! 🙂]

ACTION: Think of a friend or family member who deals with challenges sleeping. Share prayers of strength and support for that person. Then, if appropriate, maybe it’s worth sending this email or one of your own construction off to them along with the Daily Guideposts article?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, May 14, 2017:

Fourth Week of Easter focus is “Good Shepherd” and this Sunday’s lectionary – listed below – includes Psalm 23 and John 10:1-10

The 23rd Psalm brings meaning and emotion for many people (for instance, my buddy Lee said it before/during each of his 52 WW II missions with the Air Corps.)  Being a shepherd was tough work – examining the historical specifics provides good insight and imagery (HERE is a historical perspective summary of Psalm 23 from the book God’s Psychiatry by Charles Allen. I particularly like this quote: “The sheep followed the shepherd with complete trust.”)

Bible commentary about the John 10 verses includes these notes:

• Sheep were gathered in a sheepfold that was ordinarily a cave, shed or walls made of branches or stones. There was a doorway for entry and exit
• The “gate” was frequently the shepherd himself, stretched across the doorway

The shepherd of those days provided so much care and love for his sheep, including stretching out as the doorway gate to protect them. The good news is that have the Great Shepherd doing those very things for us this day and every day!

ACTION: For whom can you be more of a shepherd? Spend a few minutes devising an action plan for how you can better share the word, the love, the care and the protection.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit and acting more like a shepherd!

P.S. For a bit of humor about hearing the shepherd’s voice, click HERE

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, May 7, 2017: