The song I Saw the Light has inspired people for generations. Yet, one of the most prolific songwriters could likely have kept this beautiful song and light “covered by a basket!”

“If gospel composer Albert E. Brumley had been a litigious man, he would surely have sued over ‘I Saw the Light.’ Not only was the melody identical to his hymn… but the lyrics bore a passing resemblance too.” ~ Biographer Colin Escott in “Hank Williams: The Biography”

You can be the judge by listening to these renditions:

• He Set Me Free by Albert E. Brumley HERE

• I Saw the Light by Hank Williams HERE

For those of us who got to know this song and inspiring lyrics via Williams, we are thankful to Albert Brumley for not suing! 🙂  More details about the song I Saw the Light HERE.

PRAYER: God, we are thankful for those who create beautiful music we can enjoy while worshiping you. Help us to use our gifts to your glory with less of a focus on whether we get creative credit… Amen

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 30, 2021:

• • Isaiah 6:1-8 and Psalm 29 
  • Romans 8:12-17 
  • John 3:1-17

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Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

~ Psalm 23:5-6a

WOW!  This Pentecost morning requires an unanticipated Christian Playbook post…

Just when it seems our series on At the End is done for now, a missive from a dear friend arrives, highlighting a CAC posting summary. In that summary is this post with life-altering perspective using the story and words of Etty Hillesum

https://cac.org/coming-to-terms-with-life-and-love-2021-05-18/?utm_source=cm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dm&utm_content=summary

Amidst the incredible feast of ideas from Etty Hillesum is this:

PRAYER:  “Oh, Lord, let me feel at one with myself. Let me perform a thousand daily tasks with love, but let every one spring from a greater central core of devotion and love.” ~ Etty Hillesum

May you reclaim large areas of peace in yourself, more and more peace, and reflect it toward others, filled with the Spirit!  (thanks be to God for Etty’s wisdom contained within this blessing)

PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITY: with Etty’s words in mind, spend time with the last two pages of the At the End document (HERE). What activities can bring you and others the most love and peace on your Best Last Day? Which of these activities can you do today? Why not have that enjoyment again and again, prior to that last day?

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 23, 2021:

• • Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14 
  • Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
  • Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21
  • John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

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Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

~ Psalm 23:5-6a

Pastor Lisa Bernheisel’s video link in last week’s Christian Playbook post (HERE) was a valuable description of her cancer journey. “Running from death” begins transforming to “dancing with death.” And doesn’t that fit nicely with the imagery of the 5th and 6th verses of the 23rd Psalm?

Lisa’s commentary has resulted in two additional pages of the At the End section (HERE) in the Binder of a Lifetime. When describing “Your Best, Last Day” with those prompts, it provides a joyful reminder of the gratitude we can experience while dancing with life (and death.)

PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITY: spend time with the last two pages of the At the End document (HERE). This allows you to describe people you would want accompanying you on that Best Last Day and some of the activities. Then consider: which of these activities could you do today? Why not have that enjoyment again and again, prior to that last day?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 23, 2021:

• • Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14 
  • Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
  • Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21
  • John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

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I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  

~ Psalm 23:4

We know that family members frequently appreciate having a road map for how to celebrate a loved one’s life. What better way than by providing it to all the family in an easy to find, easy to read fashion?

Such an organized approach is found in the FREE materials in the Binder of a Lifetime (BoaL.) There’s an entire section – At the End (HERE) – providing loads of questions to help guide our loved ones.

While filling this document out with several cherished friends, it has been extremely satisfying to hear their Christian witness. When they first sang the hymn. Who first told them the bible story. Who else is memorialized in that cemetery. Why they want the ashes to be spread there. 

While working with the BoaL we accomplish the sharing of important aspects of Christian life plus helping to alleviate worries. And this is valuable whether the person is 19 or 99 (or anywhere in between.)

PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITY: armed with your favorite scripture readings and songs from previous Christian Playbook efforts, spend time with the first five pages of this document (HERE). Begin describing aspects of interest, including the scripture and song. You don’t need to answer it all now, but having it started can be very liberating.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 23, 2021:

• • Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14 
  • Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
  • Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21
  • John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  

~ Psalm 23:4

How does walking through the valley of the shadow of death alter life?

In her Remember That You Are Dust series interview (HERE), Associate Pastor Lisa Bernheisel shares of her cancer journey in a very powerful way.

• The transition from “running from death” to “dancing with death”
• Concerns about being alone. Of being forgotten
• Then there’s the commentary about savoring each moment (HERE)
• And the commentary on creating a Death Plan (HERE)

These and many more ideas are provided by another of our “Good shepherds-in-training.” Many thanks to Lisa for sharing her story and perspectives on dancing in the midst of the valley!

May we enjoy this day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 16, 2021:

• • Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 
  • Psalm 1 
  • 1 John 5:9-13 
  • John 17:6-19

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I’ll fly away, oh Glory I’ll fly away

when I die Hallelujah by and by,  I’ll fly away

According to the Godtube.com posting HERE,

“I’ll Fly Away” is a hymn written in 1929 by Albert E. Brumley and published in 1932…. It has been called the most recorded gospel song… It appears in many hymnals where it is listed under the topics of eternal life, heaven and acceptance. …

Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch do a wonderful job musically and this rendition HERE of I’ll Fly Away is no exception. The words, melody, harmony and instrumentals tell a great story of challenges and hope.

This song is frequently the closer for the Joyful Noise Boys as we fly away to our next activities. It usually elicits some grins from our “musical victims,” whether due to song familiarity, smiles on our faces, modulating on the last verse, flapping of the arms or some other reason. And isn’t that just what we need sometimes, even when in the midst of the shadows, weary times and ashes moments?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 9, 2021:

• • Acts 10:44-48 
  • Psalm 98 
  • 1 John 5:1-6 
  • John 15:9-17

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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  

~ Psalm 23:4

Many of us marvel at the resilience that pastors, chaplains, counselors and other professionals have while helping others through the deep valleys of the human experience. Our prayers of strength and support are with these good folks. We hope that the gratitude from recipients and others arrives in varying forms – a note, a tearful attempt at a smile, a hug, a phone call, …  Interviews like this one (HERE) with Rector Roger Greene in the Remember That You Are Dust series provide insight into such situations.

We can rely on the Biblical image of the Good Shepherd plus many Shepherds-in-Training figures in our lives. These pastors, friends and important others can so frequently be wonderful Christ-like examples, helping us to new aspirations in our own journeys as lay ministers. We are grateful for their shepherding efforts!

PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITY Set your phone timer, oven timer or other such timer for 10 minutes. Now, think of a friend(s) possibly dealing with near-valley experiences now. Make plans to send a note, place a call or find another way to express support to them. Perhaps even include one of your favorite Bible verses or song refrains as part of the experience? Don’t forget to include a spiritual leader as a possible recipient…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

P.S. The hog caller humor HERE fits today’s commentary  🙂

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 9, 2021:

• • Acts 10:44-48 
  • Psalm 98 
  • 1 John 5:1-6 
  • John 15:9-17

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My best friend growing up was Ben. Our families went to the same church which made the friendship all the more joyous. Plus, it made it a little less onerous to get me to attend church events since a great friend was there. And don’t we all sometimes need that little extra incentive to engage?

Why mention Ben today? Well, in addition to the fact that he enjoys singing, it just so happens that today is his birthday. Plus, an early favorite church song – Fairest Lord Jesus – was likely learned singing right beside Ben.

Which church/spiritual/religious songs come to your mind as favorites? Maybe one you remember as a child? One that’s from a treasured sermon you heard? Perhaps one that relates to a scripture – the title or the focus of the lyrics? One about a favorite character?

Consider spending a few minutes writing a few of those special song titles on a sheet of paper or typing them into an electronic document. We’ll be coming back to those soon in an upcoming Christian Playbook exercise…

PROSPECTIVE ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY: consider taking time out to flip through a hymnal, your records/CDs, various online/electronic resources (maybe our CP YouTube site?) and/or other ways you can be reminded of music favorites.  Which songs come to your attention as particularly meaningful in describing your life? Consider adding those tunes to the ones on your sheet from above… We’ll be coming back to those soon enough

Enjoy the day, filled with song and the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 2, 2021:

• • Acts 8:26-40 
  • Psalm 22:25-31 
  • 1 John 4:7-21 
  • John 15:1-8

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SILVER LININGS AMIDST DARK CLOUDS

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The previous CP post** included wording from the 23rd Psalm. For many, this is a cherished Bible passage.

Which Bible passages come to your mind as favorites? Maybe one you remember as a child? One that’s from a treasured sermon you heard? Perhaps one that relates to a song – the title or the focus of the lyrics? One about a favorite character?

Consider spending a few minutes writing a few of those special Bible verses on a sheet of paper or typing them into an electronic document. We’ll be coming back to those soon in an upcoming Christian Playbook exercise…

PROSPECTIVE ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY: consider taking time out to flip through your Bible, especially if you have one you’ve “marked up” over a lifetime. Which passages come to your attention as particularly meaningful in describing your life based on this effort? Consider adding those passages to the ones on your sheet from above…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

** P.S. Show of hands – – how many have the “ear worm” of the refrain ‘Shepherd Me, Oh God…” persisting?  🙂

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 2, 2021:

• • Acts 8:26-40 
  • Psalm 22:25-31 
  • 1 John 4:7-21 
  • John 15:1-8

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Shepherd me, Oh God, Beyond my wants

Beyond my fears, from death into  life

How often we sheep want to escape. Escape to our wants. Escape to places that ultimately  put us in fearful situations.

Many of us enjoy the knowledge that we have a shepherd. With Jesus as an example, God as an omnipresent presence coupled with the Spirit moving through us, we truly can fear no evil. We can have the strength and confidence to refocus from worries about death into living an exciting journey to its completion, filled with loving one another.

In many churches, yesterday was Good Shepherd Sunday. In her YouTube sermon yesterday (HERE), Rev. Lisa Bernheisel makes effective use of Marty Haugen’s chorus of Shepherd Me, Oh God. As in Haugen’s song, in Lisa’s sermon the chorus becomes an interlude between ideas about the Good Shepherd and our lives. You’ll be glad you took a listen to the song and/or the sermon, if you have the inclination! 🙂

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, May 2, 2021:

• • Acts 8:26-40 
  • Psalm 22:25-31 
  • 1 John 4:7-21 
  • John 15:1-8

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, forward this message to them and they can sign up HERE

SILVER LININGS AMIDST DARK CLOUDS

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CLICK ON ICONS BELOW FOR LINKS TO CHRISTIAN PLAYBOOK PAGES ON DEVOTIONALS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, STUDY AND LOVE