On January 4, 2022 in this post HERE, Diana Butler Bass says

“This post is a plea to see clearly where we are and what we need to do in the weeks ahead.” 

She lays out the fact that on January 4th there were over 1,000,000 new cases of COVID in that single day in the United States! Is that possible? Diana goes on to share many helpful perspectives including this challenge:

But this is our challenge, our time to do what is right, to love our neighbors, to put hard words into the world even to those who don’t believe those words. Isn’t that what it always means to be a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a decent moral human? To heal even when people don’t “believe in” the disease? To offer mercy to those who act unmercifully? To care for those in despair?

Let’s take that challenge, allowing the Spirit to move through us in loving, healing, merciful, caring ways over these coming days…

PRAYER: Creator God, expand my willingness and energy to offer love, healing, mercy and caring to all neighbors in my sphere of influence… Amen!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 16, 2022:

• Isaiah 62:1-5 
• Psalm 36:5-10 
• 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 
• John 2:1-11

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William and Ardythe Petersen, in their book, The Complete Book of Hymns share this about the song I Don’t Know About Tomorrow and its author, Ira Stanphill:

Though he wrote about 400 gospel songs during his lifetime, he had gone through a long period where he produced nothing at all. But this song became a testimony to God’s faithfulness, and marked a new start for him.

You can read more about the song I Don’t Know About Tomorrow and what the Petersens have to say about it in a biblical context HERE.

We struggle when hearing of troubling medical news for dear friends, pandemic effects, hunger challenges and so many other difficulties. This statement of trust near the end of the article shares good perspective (though not always easy to see in the midst of the terrible storms in life)

Rather than counting on material things, as we look to the Lord, we can trust Him to take the “all things” of life–whether of pains or pleasures–and weave them together into something that is ultimately good and beautiful, using them to make us more like the Lord Jesus.

The song I Don’t Know About Tomorrow has been performed by various artists. The rendition HERE by the musical group The Petersens is touching (same name as the book authors – maybe distant relatives?)  Definitely worth a listen.

May this day provide evident fruits of the Spirit in “all things” for you and those you love … for we know who holds our hand…

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 9, 2022:

• Isaiah 43:1-7 
• Psalm 29 
• Acts 8:14-17 
• Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

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This explanation of Epiphany (link HERE) provides good context for our Christmastide and beyond, including these compelling sentences:

“But the joy of Christmas isn’t over yet because we can choose to recognize the mercy of God in the everyday stuff. With open hearts and expectant outlooks, believers can have epiphany moments any day.”

On this 2022 Epiphany and future days,

may we find “aha” moments to energize our ways!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 9, 2022:

• Isaiah 43:1-7 
• Psalm 29 
• Acts 8:14-17 
• Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

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Some of this may look familiar – it is yesterday’s post with valuable additions prompted by two CP contributors (in red font below)

The Merton Prayer shows up HERE on the Yale Divinity School webpage under “Seize the Day: Vocation, Calling, Work.” It’s wonderful commentary, including these important sections

… and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so…

…But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you…

May we all find trust and minimal/no fear in the midst of our exploration, filled with confidence that we are pleasing God by our Spirit-led, prayerful explorations. Carpe diem! 

Where will your explorations take you in 2022? HERE is fitting prose from L.R. Knost, with advice on how to proceed along life’s path, including a perspective of life as “breathtakingly beautiful”…

Enjoy the day, filled with the exploratory Spirit

P.S.  And on a lighter note, kudos to Calvin & Hobbes (Bill Watterson) for the exploratory perspective HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 9, 2022:

• Isaiah 43:1-7 
• Psalm 29 
• Acts 8:14-17 
• Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

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The Merton Prayer shows up HERE on the Yale Divinity School webpage under “Seize the Day: Vocation, Calling, Work.” It’s wonderful commentary, including this important section

… and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so…

May we all find trust and minimal/no fear in the midst of our exploration. Carpe diem! 

Where will your explorations take you in 2022?

Enjoy the day, filled with the exploratory Spirit

P.S.  And on a lighter note, kudos to Calvin & Hobbes (Bill Watterson) for the exploratory perspective HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 9, 2022:

• Isaiah 43:1-7 
• Psalm 29 
• Acts 8:14-17 
• Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

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The song Little Drummer Boy shares a message about the gift to share with Jesus the Christ. HERE is a version of the song from Pentatonix to enjoy.

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

• What gifts can you give to yourself in 2022?
  • Maybe allowing more time for celebrating, studying and living your faith? If so, lots of possibilities are HERE on the full Christian Playbook website with a focus on devotionals, or another of the CP Tab topics
  • Perhaps you’ll consider more time for contemplation? Lots of contemplative/centering prayer ideas HERE from CAC
• What sharing can you do with others in our world in 2022? Can a specific action go on your calendar?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 2, 2022:

•  
• Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12 
• Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21 
• Ephesians 1:3-14 
• John 1:(1-9), 10-18

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Don’t we all want a little more peace during this Christmas-tide and all year long? In THIS WEBPOST, Bob Hostetler uses effective “Movin’ and Prayin’ ” efforts we’ve seen in the Quaker Prayer and others – palms up, palms down, etc.. – to help us towards a more peaceful season.

SUGGESTED ACTIONS:

• Read Bob’s webpost
• Try out the approaches of identifying concerns, sharing those with God and emptying yourself of those so you can continue life in newness

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 2, 2022:

•  
• Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12 
• Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21 
• Ephesians 1:3-14 
• John 1:(1-9), 10-18

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Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.

~ Isaiah 52:9

• “Where would any of us be without any of God’s little magnifying glasses all around – those who have shined with the power of faith in spite of the odds, those who have borne Christ to us and enabled us to read how much God loves us?”   AND
• “even ‘little you’ can proclaim God’s new day has begun”

POSSIBLE ACTIONS:

• Reflect: who are those people who have shined with the power of faith in your life?
• Consider: where are your proclamation opportunities in the days ahead? How can you make those happen effectively?

PRAYER: Spirit God, stir in us the ability and inclination to proclaim during this season, in worship, conversation, singing and more. May we make these Advent and Christmas-tide seasons the very best possible! Amen!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 24/25, 2021:

• Isaiah 52:7-10 
• Psalm 98 
• Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12) 
• John 1:1-14

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Do not be afraid . . . a Savior has been born to you.

~ Luke 2:10–11

Our Daily Bread “nailed it” with this posting (HERE). Focus on A Charlie Brown Christmas during this time of year is perfect! 🙂

As many times as some of us have watched this show, one wonders: how many have noticed Linus’ blanket dropping while talking about fear not? It’s a great catch by Anne Cetas (that video segment is HERE)

Most can identify with Linus, even if it’s not an actual security blanket we cling to regularly. Charles Schulz helps us understand that Linus doesn’t NEED the blanket as much as it’s a helpful part of life. He can use it as a costume, support for a pathetic little Christmas tree and much, much more. And he can lose touch with it while telling the Christmas Story.

So, perhaps having a little security blanket isn’t so bad. One might even begin to think about the Christmas Story being a security blanket; knowing that it’s there in the Bible and as a symbol of our faith can be especially wonderful as we marvel at nativity scenes. We can remember that a life born during this season has changed our world forever!

POSSIBLE ACTION: Take a drive in the evening, admiring the lights and specifically enjoying nativity scenes and other Christian symbols of the season

PRAYER: Spirit God, stir in us the ability and inclination to enjoy this season, including those security blankets that can be helpful (and sometimes dropped) during the Advent and Christmas-tide seasons… Amen!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 24/25, 2021:

• Isaiah 52:7-10 
• Psalm 98 
• Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12) 
• John 1:1-14

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“… Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

~ Psalm 46:10 NIV

Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Be Still and Know” song title contains a wonderful message, especially during a season that almost demands we not be still, and that consumerism should be exalted.  Here’s a rendition of the song with some wonderful accompanying pictures

POSSIBLE ACTION: Perhaps today or tomorrow you can include some “quiet time with God,” possibly starting with listening to Chapman’s song?

PRAYER: Spirit God, stir in us the ability and inclination to “be still and know” this day and throughout these blessed Advent and Christmas seasons… Amen!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 19, 2021:

• Micah 5:2-5a 
• Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 80:1-7 
• Hebrews 10:5-10 
• Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

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