Here I am, on a bright, sunny morning, sitting on the backyard deck overlooking a treed grassy park. During the night, someone has cut one of the support ropes on my hammock and left it fallen on the ground. I think, who cut that rope? Why did they cut it? No answers, no reasons; it's done, a part of life. Acceptance? Irritation? Resignation? What can be done about it? It's just a little irritation. It can be repaired.

Then I think: What if that hammock were the representation of a person's life — my life? One of the support ropes is my relationship with God and the other support rope is my relationship with the world. When anything happens to break either of those relationships, then my life falls down. And then, the relationships need to be repaired.

God repairs broken relationships by showing me the choices that I need to make in order to mend whatever is broken or missing in my life. God does this by strengthening my faith, by entering my consciousness through the power of the Spirit, and by showing me examples of good spiritual relations through other people's actions. When we put into action what God shows us to do, then we are able to assist in building positive relationships in the world.

Prayer: Great and good God, we thank You that You can repair all relationships. Amen.

Here I am, on a bright sunny July morning, sitting on the backyard deck overlooking a treed grassy park. During the night someone has cut one of the support ropes on my hammock and left it fallen on the ground. I think … who cut that rope? Why did they cut it? No answers, no reasons, it's done, a part of life. Acceptance? Irritation? Resignation? What can be done about it? It's just a little irritation. It can be repaired.

Then I think, what if that hammock were the representation of a person's life (my life)? One of the support ropes is my relationship with God and the other support rope is my relationship with the world. When anything happens to break either of those relationships, then my life falls down. And then the relationships need to be repaired.

God repairs broken relationships by showing me the choices I need to make in order to mend whatever is broken or missing in my life. God does this by strengthening my faith, by entering my consciousness through the power of the Spirit, and by showing me examples of good spiritual relations through other people's actions. When I put into action what God shows me to do, then I am able to assist in building positive relationships in the world.

Prayer: Oh, great and good God, we thank You that You repair all relationships. Amen.

How do we put our religious beliefs into everyday living? How do we practice what we preach?

Part of an answer may be found in two paraphrases from the book, How, Then, Shall We Live?, by Wayne Muller.

The heart of most spiritual practice is simply this: Remember. Remember who you are. Remember what you love. Remember what is sacred. Remember what is true. Remember that you will die, and that this day is a gift. Remember how you wish to live.

Many Native American languages have no word for religion at all. For them, the path of being alive is so inextricably infused with spirit that to imagine anything that was not religion would be folly. All of our words, thoughts, and actions are our prayers. All our moments in the company of others are our church. All our time alone is our meditation. We are at this very moment engaged in the most exquisite of spiritual practices: the art of being fully, passionately alive!

It appears that possibly we put our beliefs and practice into everyday living, by just being. That being so, it is probably a good thing to take time now and then to think about it. And do some living on purpose.

Prayer: Great and good God, thank you for always being with us. Help us to remember that it is you that gives us life. Help us to live in ways that are pleasing to you, on purpose. Amen.

In her book, Look Better, Feel Better, Bess M. Mensendieck, M.D., tells how, in ten minutes a day, to achieve a youthful body and increased vitality – without tiring exercises! To most people their own body is a stranger to them. Before starting her method of 43 body movements they need to take an inventory (an examination) of their body, standing without clothes, between two full-sized mirrors. Most of them see their full back view for the first time. Twenty examination questions are aimed at getting information not only on the shape of your body, but also on how you use it. After the examination, a program of daily movements and discipline of posture is recommended.

If we are so unaware of our own physical bodies, and ignoring daily methods and programs to properly care for them, how much more do we fail to examine our faith daily?

Prayer: God in heaven, please help me to examine myself daily, to live and enjoy life more abundantly. Amen.

Sometimes we are asked questions and we know that there is no adequate reply to be made because the questioner already has all the required information to intuitively have the answer.

My wife asks me, "Do you love me?" My children ask, "Will you always be there for us when we need you?" My grandchildren ask, "Why are you always resting, Paw?" And acquaintances ask, "Can we trust you? Do you keep your word?" I think to myself, "All these people know the answers to those questions?"

In Max Lucado's book, "In The Grip of Grace", he gives an explanation on how Paul in Romans responds to God's grace, through five questions, not to bring answers, but to bring amazement. The first question is about protection. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) The second question is about provision. "He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) Then two questions about guilt and grace. "Who can accuse the people God has chosen? … Who can say God's people are guilty?" (Romans 8:33-34) The last question is about endurance. "Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us?" (Romans 8:35) Max includes Paul's answers to the questions from Romans. We know the answers; we just like being reassured by hearing them again! and again!

Prayer: Thank you God for always being there for me and continually showing me your love. Amen.

When I feel low because of life situations, or the coffee cup is empty, or the grandchildren are such children, and the pension cheque doesn't stretch to meet all my wants… and when my memory recalls words like, Blessed are you … Well! What Blessings? I found a list in a book written by Max Lucado, "In The Grip of Grace" and if you ever feel low, maybe you will be able to recall some of this list of blessings that I wish to share with you now.

You are beyond condemnation (Romans 8:1).
You are delivered from the law (Romans 7:6).
You are delivered from the power of evil (Colossians 1:13).
You are a member of his kingdom (Colossians 1:13).
You are justified (Romans 5:1).
You are perfect (Hebrews 10:14).
You have been adopted (Romans 8:15).
You have access to God at any moment (Ephesians 2:18).
You are a part of his priesthood (1 Peter 2:15).
You will never be abandoned (Hebrews 13:5).
You have an imperishable heritage (1 Peter 1:4).
You are a partner with Christ in life (Colossians 3:4)

privilege (Ephesians 2:6),
suffering (2 Timothy 2:12),
and service (1 Corinthians 1:19).

You are a member of his body (1 Corinthians 12:13).
You are a dwelling place of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
You are given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world (Ephesians 1:3).

And I have to think, What blessings?
What blessings indeed!

Prayer: Great and wonderful God, thank you for all your blessings. Grant that I may be a blessing to others. Amen.

I awoke this morning, saw that it was light, rolled over and enjoyed the warmth of the bed. I didn't need to get up, retired you know. When I was ready, went to the washroom and toned myself down… I'm so beautiful that the rest of the world couldn't stand to see my full beauty. My oldest daughter has the same problem. Anyway, then went down for a magnificent breakfast of melons, kiwi, banana and coffee. Checked the devotions on PCCWeb. I vacuumed the living room, cleaned the washrooms and now I am writing this note to you on my computer. I saw God when I saw the daylight… a new day… Thank you God! I saw God in my reflection in the mirror… made in His image… Thank you God! I saw God in my breakfast… God provides… Thank you God! I saw God in PCCWeb devotions… fellowship of believers… Thank you God! I saw God in housecleaning… God's strength everywhere… Thank you God!

Prayer: Great and wonderful God, I thank you that it is by your grace that you reveal yourself to me in the everyday things of living. I ask that, if it is possible, others may see you through my life. Thank you Jesus. Amen.