Author Archives: karbly

Silent Grace
Katie Harmon-McLaughlin, Spiritual Formation Ministries

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. -Matthew 5:9

Early in the morning, I pour a cup of coffee and walk out to the front porch. It is dawn. Songbirds are calling through the trees, but the world around me is still and sleepy. Daylight is barely beginning to stretch across the horizon.

Though I bring a journal and a book, I set them aside and don’t reach for them again. The heaviness in me as I consider the world’s sufferings is drawing me into deeper silence. I breathe. I close my eyes. I rest into an inner communion where all that is spoken is “sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). Sometimes there are no words for the truest prayers in our hearts, and God still hears them. Sometimes silence is enough. Sometimes it is all we have.

Without expectation, I suddenly feel the familiar, though elusive, embrace of Spirit-presence. It is gentle and faint, real and fleeting. I savor the feeling of God for as long as it lasts and give thanks. Yet, I know the reality of God with me persists even as the distinct feeling of God fades. God is in the silence, the wordless heaviness, the songbirds, the hints of daylight and the darkness of dawn. God is in the sufferings of creation, and our longings for wholeness. It is all the unceasing grace of God’s presence in whatever condition we find ourselves as we offer our prayers for the world.

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

Check Your Settings
Larry McGuire, president of seventy

“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? -Micah 6:6-8

We recently switched cell phone providers and upgraded phones. I made sure all our devices were “backed up” to the cloud so that when we connected, our apps and settings would come right down from the “cloud” and our new phones would work. That was the theory!

After two days of downloading, I still had problems with texting and music. Some of my email messages were being sent or received. Some applications would not function because I couldn’t get the password to work. The most vexing problem: visual voicemail. I reset settings, I googled for solutions, but nothing worked. I had to actually listen to voicemails!

After several failed attempts with providers, I was connected with Don at Verizon. After a quick greeting, he asked me to update him on my situation. We went through all the same steps I had done previously-still no success.

He then said, “Visual voicemail works from Siri so make sure Siri is enabled.” It was. And then it hit me: Siri! I said, “Don, I lived in the U.K. for a couple years and enjoy having Siri speak ‘proper’ English.” He said, “That’s it! Visual voicemail with Siri only works with U.S. and Canadian English.” Ding, Ding, Ding!! Decision time: either switch Siri to U.S. English to have visual voicemail or keep her set on U.K. English.

As I thought about this innocent adjustment I had made, I wondered about our faith movement. We have people around the globe using one setting for understanding their faith and Community of Christ while others have other settings, and they don’t always talk to one another. It happens in congregations, in families, between friends. We believe we are using words or practices that have universal meaning when, in fact, we must constantly check our settings and take time to understand how one adjustment that seems innocent can cause confusion in another setting.

It’s not that we shouldn’t make adjustments, but we need to take time to listen to what is being said by others. Take time to check the settings. We don’t have to be on the same setting, but we must take time to listen to others’ insights. Listen, pay attention, check your settings.

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

No Ladder Needed
Claudia Schooler of Carlisle, IA, USA

It is imperative to understand that when you are truly baptized into Christ you become part of a new creation. By taking on the life and mind of Christ, you increasingly view yourselves and others from a changed perspective. Former ways of defining people by economic status, social class, sex, gender, or ethnicity no longer are primary. Through the gospel of Christ a new community of tolerance, reconciliation, unity in diversity, and love is being born as a visible sign of the coming reign of God. -Doctrine and Covenants 164:5

We have a little apple tree in our yard. I should say we have the remnant of what was once a bigger apple tree. A few summers ago, under the weight of a bountiful crop of Jonathan apples, the main fork of the trunk cracked and toppled over. There were sighs and even tears. I love that tree. It was a busy time so we didn’t attend to trimming out the fallen wood right away. A couple of weeks later I noticed that the leaves on the broken part of the tree were not withering. I looked closer at the trunk. The wood was broken and badly splintered but not all the way through. There was enough life-giving sap flowing through to keep the leaves alive. I wondered if maybe, just maybe the fruit could also stay alive and ripen for harvest. We left the toppled tree in the yard, and in late September joyfully picked buckets full of ripe, red apples, no ladder needed.

This has been a rough year. Many of our traditional ways of worshiping and “disciple-ing” have toppled over. But if we pause, we notice that not all has been lost. The life-giving sap of the gospel flows in new and different ways. Who knows what is ahead? We DO know we can abide in Christ, being and ever becoming more fruitful disciples.

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

You Are of More Value Than Many Sparrows
Vera Wetteroff of Barnhart, MO, USA

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” -John 2: 6b-11

It is 2020 as I write and, like most of you, I have been home “social distancing” for many months. Before all this began, I purchased a camera. (I thought I needed more than my iPhone 5 for our planned trip to Europe which eventually got canceled.) This spring, Dave and I also hung up a bird feeder outside of our family room window.

This camera and bird feeder have become my entertainment and inspiration for those months as I watched the birds come and go. There were European starlings that tried to dominate the bird feeder. But our red-bellied woodpecker held his own and chased them off. It was fun to learn the names and personalities of the birds that came and went. Over the months, our bird population has continued to grow: bluebirds, woodpeckers, starlings, brown-headed cowbirds, blue jays, cardinals, American goldfinch, house finch, Carolina chickadee, and more.

As the Coronavirus moved into the UK and then the USA, I became physically ill because of the stress as we canceled our trip and decided to stay at home. In spite of the turmoil in my heart caused by the pandemic, I found myself thinking of how God is in charge as I watched the birds. Words of old hymn favorites like “This Is My Father’s World” and “Look for the Beautiful” sang in my heart. Reflecting on scriptures such as Psalm 23 brought peace.

As we continue to move forward in these times of social distancing and unrest, I pray that you can look for the beautiful and find peace in God’s wondrous world around you. “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

Reward with a Friendship
Marvin Foss of West Des Moines, IA, USA

Yet even now, says the LORD,
  return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
  rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God,
  for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
  and relents from punishing.   -Joel 2:12-13

Sam lives across the hall from us. My wife, the extrovert of the two of us, had met many of the other residents in the retirement village to which we recently moved. She had met Sam and knew he was lonely and wanted company. She said that I, the introvert, should spend time with Sam.

Note: Sam was 100 years old and legally blind. What would I have in common with Sam? My initial reaction was rather negative. I imagined sitting with a disabled person making small talk. But I soon decided it was my “Christian duty” to go visit him. So, with this somewhat negative attitude, I knocked on his door.

What I found over the next hour, and in many hours since, was a very different experience. Sam is a WWII veteran, a graduate of Columbia University, a former teacher, and a man eager to talk about black holes, string theory, Alexander the Great, palindromes, turmeric, sports, and many more subjects. I have learned to always bring my laptop when I visit because he asks me so many things I have to look up. Sam is now 102 and still asking questions, especially about how the computer works. And every time I visit, I learn things, too.

I confess I was initially reluctant to accept this opportunity to “end suffering” though I was, in fact, rewarded with a friendship. I wish I could say I am not usually reluctant when such opportunities confront me, but Sam might have helped me embrace the next one.

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

Be Fully Awake
Richard Betts of Independence, MO, USA

O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me….
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning….
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever. -Psalm 30:2, 4-5, 11-12

Our Mission Prayer includes a line I want to focus on-be fully awake.

Where will your spirit lead me today?
Help me be fully awake and ready to respond.
Grant me the courage to risk something new
and become a blessing of your love and peace. Amen.

Too often we live life on autopilot. Have you ever driven home and had no memory of how you got there? I know I have.

A university research project placed obstacles along a campus walking path to test how observant people were. A signboard announcing the research project was placed on the path in such a way that people had to move to avoid it. When asked a few moments later if they had passed any obstacles, most were not aware they had avoided a signboard. Their minds were someplace else while they walked.

A follow-up study took place. This time $5 bills were placed on tree branches that extended over a narrow pathway at head height. Everyone avoided the branches, but few noticed the money that was hanging there. This experiment was inspired by a YouTube video where a hundred $1 bills were hung on a tree to watch how people would respond. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsN8FUV9nS4)

How many gifts do we miss every day because we aren’t paying attention? Let go of your thoughts. Surrender to the moment and be vulnerable to receiving what’s being giving to you: the kindness of friends and family; the bounty of your senses; the natural world, the sound of rain, the sweep of the stars; or the smile of a stranger.

We don’t earn these things. We can’t. They are just simply given. The best we can do is receive them. Let them fill your cup and draw you into a deeper sense of connection with life, others, and God. Be fully awake and let it sink in that receiving generosity is good.

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

Fulfill God’s Purposes
Kees Compier of Independence, MO, USA

…all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. …And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him. -2 Samuel 5:3, 10

The story of David becoming king over Israel involves divine calling and human response. The people recognized how David had led them, and they testified of his giftedness. God recognized the gifts David had as a shepherd and ruler and called him into leadership.

At one time, I had the privilege of leading “Discovering Our Gifts” workshops in several congregations. One exercise asked people to list their gifts. Those could be practical gifts, such as carpentry or crafts. The gifts also could be more spiritual in nature, such as preaching, offering prayers, or leading meditation. Most participants had no problem listing their gifts and were eager later to share with the group. But some could list only a few gifts or not even one. They were reluctant to share.

When that happened, I would ask the other participants to help by sharing what gifts they had observed in this person. It was always an amazing experience when gift after gift was mentioned. The persons who had struggled recognizing their own gifts were touched by this experience. Some were in tears when they heard this confirmation of their giftedness. It confirmed for all of us that all of God’s people are gifted.

Sometimes we can discover a gift through trying something new. Personally, I never saw myself being a translator. My grades for the three foreign languages I had to take in school in the Netherlands were not great. But after the church employed me as a minister, I saw the enormous need for translated priesthood courses. I decided to try, and to my surprise I had a gift in this area and was able over the years to translate many books and tracts.

All of us are gifted by God, and I believe there always are new gifts for us to discover.

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

A Lift in the Journey of Life
Julie Conway Sword of Gainesville, FL, USA

And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth. -Mosiah 11:207

“God, where will your spirit lead today?”

That morning my friend’s offer to take me to the dentist was canceled. So I scheduled a ride with Lyft, the first time in the pandemic year. The masked driver was kind and of few words. He had recently moved from Spanish-speaking Venezuela where his sister remained. As I listened, I sensed that he was probably forwarding his earnings back home.

“Help me to be fully awake and ready to respond.”

On my return trip, the driver, a talkative, bubbly lady, joyfully related that she’d recently been “saved.” “How different my life is now,” she said. “Yes, the Lord is my personal Savior, one in whom I can confide and seek guidance.”

“Grant me courage to risk something new and become a blessing of your love and peace.”

As we rode, we each shared recent praise-the-Lord experiences. When she asked about my adult children, two of whom have returned home to heaven, she then inquired, “Oh, how did they pass?” I told her of my son’s losing battle with a glia blastoma brain tumor, and, later, of my daughter’s sudden passing from a heart condition. Feeling led, I continued, “Following the realization of her death as the elders anointed and prayed for me, immediately in my mind’s eye I could clearly see my daughter’s face-her rosy, healthy cheeks, her big blue eyes, yellow curls, and a wondrous smile that spoke of her deep ‘Home again’ joy. At that blessed moment I determined, ‘If she’s happy, then I can be happy!'”

On arriving at my house, I thanked the driver for the ride. She replied, “No, your conversation with me made a difference in my life today!”

The Spirit of Christ can lead us to know Jesus better and to serve Him!

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

The Life-Light Blazed
Shandra Newcom of Rocklin, CA, USA

The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. Everything was created through him; nothing – not one thing! – came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn\’t put it out. -John 1:1-5 (MSG)

I’m drawn, over and over again, to this name for Christ: Life-Light. If Jesus is Life-Light, then there is no more darkness that covers, no more shadow that hides. If Jesus is Life-Light then there is no more death, no more separation, no more decay of heart or mind or spirit. If Jesus is Life-Light, there is no more that keeps your heart from mine and my heart from yours. If Jesus is Life-Light, we cannot pretend we are alone or that we do not have a responsibility to care for even the most vulnerable among us.

All of that is for the darkness. And the Life-Light blazed out of such a darkness-and couldn\’t be extinguished. The Life-Light blazed.

Where have you seen light this past week? Where have you experienced the life of Christ this past week? Where have you experienced community? And love? Where has love shown itself to you this past week?

If your week has been like mine, it may be difficult to answer these questions. We are getting more and more tired every day-tired of being alone and lonely and being kept from our regular routine.

But consider this: What if our regular routine has drifted into our past and has become our story of “before”?

And what if out of this time, this “emerging now,” you begin to imagine what new life might look like? What if you begin to discern God’s dream for your life, and what if you look around to see where God is at work in the world? And then, what if you do something radical and wild and life-giving and move out into what will be next with an openness to try something new? To respond to what God shows you-what is right in front of you? And what if you discover a new way of being that brings peace and love to the world in ways you could have never imagined?

The Life is Light to live by.

It is yours to do that living.

May it be so.

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

Be a Blessing
Karen Anne Smith of Ludington, MI, USA

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

It has been a few years since I was first challenged to “post a scripture for seven days” on Facebook. It’s been quite an adventure! Practicing this spiritual discipline has transformed my life. I am surprised by my responses to the needs of others, and to life’s challenges. God often supplies words that are wiser than this foolish, old woman will ever offer. When abused and falsely accused by an e-mail “friend,” I didn’t take it personally because I fully understood that it was all about his own struggle with mental illness. That is not like me at all. I\’ve always been highly sensitive to criticism. A negative word would be enough to send me into hiding and self-recrimination. I’m free of that now. Consistent prayer has brought me into closer relationship with the Divine. I can feel God’s love and sense God’s guidance more clearly now.

Stress had been a way of life for me when anticipating new experiences. Not anymore. I prayed often about guidance regarding my medical path. I felt reassurance that I was not alone in sorting it all out. This timid, afraid-to-talk-to-people woman was able to talk with doctors and the insurance company with confidence and calm. I prayed about the insulin that I would need and felt only warmth and assurance. It is a blessing. I prayed again before trying to inject myself for the first time and was again given calm and confidence. It was easy! I feel great.

I share this not to boast, but to illustrate the huge difference consistent daily prayer can make. Prayer is key to spiritual advancement. Seek your Heavenly Parent, put your faith and trust in God, and you will find peace and happiness. Joy will always be yours when you seek to share that love and peace with others. I know this is true from my own experience.

Be blessed. Be a blessing.

Prayer Phrase

“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)

Spiritual Practice

The Prayer of the Heart

Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.