Scripps Sundays

  Acts 2: 1-21 New International Version The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost 2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [ a ] as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [ b ] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Liby...

“Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears,” writes Frederick Buechner, “it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them of the mystery of where you have come from and is summoning you to where, if your soul is to be saved, you should go next.”

Remember the scene in The Life of Chuck where we heard the beeping of the hospital sounds? Well, yesterday I was walking down the hall of the hospital and heard all the beeping from monitors in different patient rooms. That then reminded me of the part where Chuck thinks back to his grandmother dancing in the kitchen and also the wonderful dance scene in the town square :  And it made me think about what moments might stand out to me at the end of my life one day. And I thought of the ridiculous blue wig and locking eyes with you in the car on the way back to Mary Price's house as you, Janie and I were singing along to my Boston playlist... pure magic.  So, I just had to send you this to say I am so grateful for you and all the moments that are such wonderful core memories with YOU.

This morning the sun warmed my back and made a shadow for my little boy to run in. The trees marveled at their new leaves and breathed out great sighs of life into the air. Forgive me. I’ve done nothing to earn the bounty of this breath. Sometimes I'm afraid it’s so full of beauty that it would break me wide open just to turn around and receive it. -James Pearson

 This is another gem!!!  This week’s Practice: A Litany for the Only Body You’ve Got An inventory of parts that are challenging and beloved, all at once. Remember that even the most traditional litanies make space for really challenging emotions. Your fill-in-the-blanks do not need to be all positive and sunshine-y. The point of litanies is to explore - through repetition and nuance - the many ways we are limited and the many opportunities we have to invite Love into those limits. You can skip any part, change any language, or stop at any time. 1. Get settled Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. If you’re with a child, you can fill out the printable together OR just sit facing one another and practice together. 2. Sink in Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this 2–3 times, letting your body begin to soften.  (If you’re practicing with kids, you can have them imagine they’re smelling delicious brownies and then blowing to co...