Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. ~ Proverbs 22:1–21

HERE is  “Go and see: a better peace for our children,“  a devotional from the PCUSA Missions team. Embedded within the article are action items and a prayer.

Here’s hoping you enjoy the article. Can you find something in the actions and prayer that will move you and other children of God to a more peaceful day?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 20, 2020:

• Exodus 16:2-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 
• Jonah 3:10-4:11 and Psalm 145:1-8 
• Philippians 1:21-30 
• Matthew 20:1-16

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HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

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

Pandemic times bring loneliness in new and strange ways. This Overcoming Loneliness article by Dr. Ursula Whiteside shares 10 ways to address loneliness.

Sending caring messages is one connection that helps us and others. Ursula makes these suggestions:

• Make it personal
• Make it nonjudgmental
• Make it quick

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: Include prayers of strength and support for those enduring loneliness. Say them by name. Maybe it’s time for quick contact with one or more of them via text, email, phone, video chat, note card, in-person contact …

PRAYER: God, stir in us, that we might overcome some of our own loneliness and be a friendliness factor for those in our lives, known and unknown. Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 20, 2020:

• Exodus 16:2-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 
• Jonah 3:10-4:11 and Psalm 145:1-8 
• Philippians 1:21-30 
• Matthew 20:1-16

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

HUMOR

• Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 7/17

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

Have you ever considered writing your spiritual autobiography? That may sound a little too ambitious, but perhaps jotting down a few notes on key events in life might be fruitful, especially with a focus on how our faith helps us in certain mountaintop or valley of darkness times?

The Upper Room article HERE by Richard L. Morgan describes one approach to writing such a document. The author encourages

“Focus on ‘grace moments’—moments when God was present in your life story.”

This date was a valley of darkness date 19 years ago for many of us. Faith and our communities were important on that day and in the days that followed. We worshiped, wept, listened, wept, prayed, consoled, sang and more. Our pastor gave a “Christians, What Now?” sermon that was inspiring – prompting the writing of this song of the same title (audio HERE.)

What “grace moment” dates come immediately to your mind? Take a moment to thank God for being there, on the mountaintop experiences and in the valleys.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: Consider selecting an event in your life and jot a few notes using the spiritual autobiography prompts in the Upper Room article. It doesn’t have to become a book! 🙂

PRAYER: Dear Creator God, help us to make time for you. Thank you for being there in all of our days, especially during “grace moments” in our lifetimes. You bless us in so many ways and we ask for the strength, support and wisdom to find outlets for sharing of Christian love to our neighbors – no exceptions! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 13, 2020:

• Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21  
• Genesis 50:15-21 and Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13  
• Romans 14:1-12  
• Matthew 18:21-35

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A favorite periodical is Guideposts – it’s been a gift to me from my mom for many years and a gift I’ve given to others since.

This nice article written by Jim Gash on A Spiritual Adventure comes from Guideposts. Just after his article, Jim also shares these suggestions. I really like the one:

“Take a leap of faith. … What are you doing right now that requires faith?” 

ACTION: Read the quote above – does it and/or the examples Jim provides trigger a response? If so, what’s holding you back?

PRAYER: God, empower me to act with a mindset of Jesus and renewable energy of the Spirit.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 13, 2020:

• Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21  
• Genesis 50:15-21 and Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13  
• Romans 14:1-12  
• Matthew 18:21-35

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Today is one of those bittersweet ones for our family. We remember with incredible joy and appreciation that 63 years ago our parents were married. And we’re sad that they won’t be celebrating together on earth today since our dad died many years ago.

Songs 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 Sunday, September 13, 2020:

• Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21  
• Genesis 50:15-21 and Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13  
• Romans 14:1-12  
• Matthew 18:21-35

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The Presbyterian Church creates some mighty fine materials and CP’s good friend Toni shared another example – HERE is the start of a daily series called Season of Peace.  In today’s devotional contains these nuggets in case you don’t get a chance to read the whole thing:

“This week, let us think about the tools we need to unpack the parts of ourselves that are most in need of Jesus’ grace, forgiveness and repair.”

“Practice for Peacemakers: Identify an area of peacemaking in which you feel disengaged or uninformed, and sit down for some self-education.”

POSSIBLE PRACTICE: consider using day-specific items from the Season of Peace series as your devotional for a day or two or more…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 6, 2020:

• Exodus 12:1-14 and Psalm 149 
• Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Psalm 119:33-40 
• Romans 13:8-14 
• Matthew 18:15-20

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Have 4 minutes for a good listen? HERE is the Our Daily Bread devotional called “Finding the Way Home” in audio form (or HERE in text.) Randy Kilgore mentions an important message his wife shared:

“I think God wants us not to forget in the light what we’re learning in this darkness.”

In a somewhat similar messaging, the song Blessings shares this message: “What if trials of this life, are your mercies in disguise.”

Our faith can become stronger after experiences in dark times. May our challenges make us better instruments of Christ’s love here on earth too!

ACTION: Reflect on a recent darker period of life. What are some positives that arose?

PRAYER: Creator God – strengthen me. Christ – guide me. Spirit – MOVE ME! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 6, 2020:

• Exodus 12:1-14 and Psalm 149 
• Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Psalm 119:33-40 
• Romans 13:8-14 
• Matthew 18:15-20

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Song lyrics and tunes can invade our lives when we least expect them. Marchaé Grair in the UCC devotional “Whisper a Prayer,” is reminded of this tune and lyrics (a second rendition here.) A nice reminder about prayer morning, noon and evening!

There are many impactful sentences in Marchaé’s devotional, but these closing ones are particularly good:

“Setting aside time for the renewal of the mind through prayer is a revolutionary act. It gives us the spiritual capacity to seek revolutionary change in the world by first healing and transforming ourselves.”

A nice reminder to be revolutionary in a very different way… 

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 6, 2020:

• Exodus 12:1-14 and Psalm 149 
• Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Psalm 119:33-40 
• Romans 13:8-14 
• Matthew 18:15-20

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The song “Say a Little Prayer for You” shares a message about the number of opportunities to say prayers for others, putting “pray without ceasing” in the context of typical day activities. A beautiful rendition of this song is HERE, performed by Aretha Franklin.

ACTION: Who in your life is particularly needing your prayers today? Think of an activity you’ll do several times during your day and each time you do that activity, “say a little prayer” for that person.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 6, 2020:

• Exodus 12:1-14 and Psalm 149 
• Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Psalm 119:33-40 
• Romans 13:8-14 
• Matthew 18:15-20

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Remember our “Run to God! Run from evil!” post the other day? The original content was a little edgier and was “watered down” for final distribution.

This “Naming Evil” devotional (HERE) shares more eloquently some important thoughts. Take a read when you have 2 minutes.

As efforts persist to root out evil, let’s continue naming it. And amidst those thoughts and actions may we heed Proverbs 3:5-7:

• we should pray for wisdom
• we shouldn’t try to have all the answers
• as we proceed in conversation and action, we can listen for God’s voice
• we should remain confident that God will be with us
• we should pray for strength and support as we endure the angst and actions of the political season

PRAYER: Creator God, help us follow Proverb teachings, continuing to run to you while seeking wisdom, conversation, support, action and more. Move in us that we might continually work to help all people run away from the evils you deplore. Amen!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, August 30, 2020:

• Exodus 3:1-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b 
• Jeremiah 15:15-21 and Psalm 26:1-8 
• Romans 12:9-21 
• Matthew 16:21-28

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