Tag Archives: WEEK 22

Day 89: Empathy

Daily Sheet: Day 89: Empathy

Family Book: “The Long March: The Chocktaw’s Gift to Irish Famine Relief”

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Travel: Oklahoma; Texas

Song: “Why It Matters” – Sara Groves (with lyrics)

Sit with me and tell me once again of the story that’s been told us, of the power that will hold us, of the beauty, of the beauty, Why it matters.

Speak to me until I understand why our thinking and creating, why our efforts of narrating about the beauty, of the beauty, And why it matters.

Like the statue in the park of this war torn town, and its protest of the darkness and the chaos all around, with its beauty, how it matters, How it matters.

Show me the love that never fails, the compassion and attention midst confusion and dissension, like small ramparts for the soul, How it matters.

Like a single cup of water, How it matters.

Questions:

  • Compare “empathy” to “sympathy.”  Which is more meaningful?  Why?
  • Why do you think the story of Jesus raising the widow’s son was chosen for “Empathy” rather than for “Compassion?”
  • Think about the story of “The Long March” while you re-read the bolded lines at the end of Sara Groves’ song, “Why It Matters.”  How do you think the Chocktaw’s act of kindness, inspired by empathy, might have built “small ramparts for the soul”?  And what is the “single cup of water” reference?
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Day 88: Vision

Daily Sheet: Day 88: Vision

Family Book: “On the Oregon Trail”

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Travel: Idaho; Oregon; Washington

Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision” – Chelsea Moon

Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart.  Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.  Thou my best thought by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word.  I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.  Thou my great Father, I Thy true son, Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise.  Thou my inheritance, now and always.  Thou and Thou only, first in my heart.  High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won.  May I reach heaven’s joys, oh, bright heaven’s sun.  Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, oh Ruler of all.

Video: “Be Thou My Vision” – Fernando Ortega (set against images from the Hubble telescope)

Consider the following three translations of Proverbs 29:18:

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.  (New American Standard Bible – NASB)

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; But blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.  (New International Version – NIV)

Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  (King James Version – KJV)

Questions:

  • Is vision important?  Why or why not?
  • What does Proverbs 29:18 teach us about vision?  Use the above three translations to explain.
  • How are vision and restraint linked?  How can you apply this in your own life?
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Day 87: Leadership

Daily Sheet: Day 87: Leadership

Family Book: “The Lewis and Clark Trail”

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Travel: Missouri; Iowa

Map: The Lewis and Clark Trail

Questions:

  • What are the marks of a good leader?
  • What are the marks of good leadership?
  • How are we to respond to bad leaders and/or bad leadership?
  • Consider the following lyrics: “People of God, rise up and shine God’s love.  We are the light of the world.”  …How do these words relate to leadership?

Song: “People of God” – Gungor

We could have tongues of angels; We could move mountains with our faith; We could give everything away, but if we don’t have love we’re left with nothing.

We could see blind eyes opened, know all the mysteries of our faith.  We could sing all the highest praise but if we don’t have love, we’re left with nothing.

People of God, Rise up.  Rise up and shine God’s love.  We are the light of the world.

Love is what holds it all together.  Love never fails, it never dies.  There is no deeper truth.  We know that God is love, our God is love.  Tear down the walls that divide us; Let love rebuild and unite us.  All we need is love.

 

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Day 86: Obedience

Daily Sheet: Day 86: Obedience

Family Book: “The Other Side”

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Travel: Ohio; Indiana; Illinois

Song: “When Will I Ever Learn” – Phil Keaggy

…You brought it to my attention that everything was made in God.  Down through centuries of great writings and paintings, everything was in God.  Seen through architecture of great cathedrals down through the history of time, is and was in the beginning and evermore shall ever be.

When will I ever learn to live in God?  When will I ever learn?  He gives me everything I need and more.  When will I ever learn?

…And up on the hillside it’s quiet where the shepherd is tending his sheep, and over the mountains and the valleys and the countryside is so green.  Standing on the highest hill with a sense of wonder, you can see everything is made in God.  Head back to the roadside and give thanks for it all…

 

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Day 85: Community

Daily Sheet: Day 85: Community

Family Book: “A Place Called Freedom”

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Travel: French Guiana; Suriname; Guyana

Video: “Peace” – Rich Mullins (Faces of 2010)

Though we’re strangers, still I love you.  I love you more than your mask.  And you know you have to trust this to be true, and I know that’s much to ask.  But lay down your fears, come and join this feast.  He has called us here, you and me.

And may peace rain down from Heaven like little pieces of the sky, Little keepers of the promise falling on these souls this drought has dried.  In His Blood and in His Body, in the Bread and in this Wine,

Peace to you.  Peace of Christ to you.

And though I love you, still we’re strangers, prisoners in these lonely hearts.  And though our blindness separates us, still His light shines in the dark.

And His outstretched arms are still strong enough behind these prison bars to set us free.

So may peace rain down from Heaven like little pieces of the sky, Little keepers of the promise falling on these souls this drought has dried.  In his Blood and in His Body, in the Bread and in this Wine,

Peace to you.  Peace of Christ to you.

Video: “Call It Dreaming” – Iron & Wine

…Where we break when our hearts are strong enough, We can bow ’cause our music’s warmer than blood.

Where we see enough to follow, We can hear when we are hollow.

Where we keep the light we’re given, We can lose and call it living…

Questions:

  • Discuss community as it relates to two similar words: communion, and unity
  • What do you think is meant by the following line?

Where we keep the light we’re given, we can lose and call it living.

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