July 12th Countdown for Hannah & Derick

I was reminded of this sweet song I played for our kids when they were little called "Rejoice." It features Sally Lloyd Jones (author of  The Jesus Storybook Bible)  reading Philippians 4.   Below are three translations of this passage (NIV, The Message, and First Nations) and following that is a blessing for you for this TWO WEEK COUNTDOWN (what in the world?!)  based on this passage. NIV: 4  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  5  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if ...

  A Wedding Prayer Inspired by "What a Wonderful World" Gracious and Loving God, We pause in gratitude for Hannah and Derick  whose hearts have chosen each other in the midst of this wide and wonderful world. We thank You for green trees and red roses— for the vibrant beauty that surrounds us, just as the beauty of their love blooms and flourishes before our eyes. May their marriage be like the skies of blue and clouds of white— clear in purpose, gentle in spirit, and full of hope even when storms roll in. As they walk hand in hand, may they always notice the small wonders: the colors of a rainbow, the laughter of children, and the quiet kindness of strangers. Remind them to say “I love you” every day, to look one another in the eye and see the depth of each other’s soul— to really  see , and be seen. In moments of joy, let them dance like sunlight on leaves. In moments of sorrow, may they find comfort in each other’s arms, remembering that love endures, and love heals. L...

  I heard this old favorite song of mine again yesterday, and it goes so well with the other songs I've shared with you in this wedding countdown. But I just don't think we can have enough reminders to pay attention to the miracles right in front of us. So, my prayer for you this week is that you would have eyes to see the miracle of one another (how amazing is it that you get to be married four weeks from today!?) and that you would be on the lookout to see God in your midst this week with wedding planning, with the people you encounter, with family and friends, and with strangers you meet along the way.  HOLY NOW by  Peter Mayer When I was a boy each week Sunday we would go to church Pay attention to the priest And he would read the holy word Consecrate the holy bread Everyone would kneel and bow Today the only difference is Everything is holy now Everything, everything, everything is holy now When I was in Sunday school We would learn about the time Moses split the sea...

  HAPPY GRADUATION DAY!!!!  For this special day marking your graduation, I wanted to share with you the prayers that I wrote and shared at the graduate hooding ceremony yesterday.  Opening Prayer Gracious God, As we get to the end of another school year and celebrate this milestone. we pause—exhausted, relieved, grateful. We’ve carried so much: PLNs, IPC, DAs, (and all the alphabet soup of the SPU SOE) lesson plans and countless emails, early mornings and late nights, student stories that stayed with us long after the day was done. We’ve coached, encouraged, adapted, held the line and held the hearts. We stretched ourselves in ways unseen, and gave more than we thought we had. Now, as the final days drift near, we’re holding the tension— between pride in what’s been accomplished, and the ache of all that remains unfinished. The progress. The perseverance. The sacred, unseen work of forming minds and spirits. God, help us to honor it all— not just the visible outcomes,...