Author: Cindy Lee

For weeks now I’ve been preoccupied with commitment, both in thought and in deed. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to serve. Although I understand the use of “command” (we are followers of God and not the other way around), I wish the concept of “command” was not used in scripture when discussing service.  When commanded to do something, we tend to see it as a “must do” instead of “want to.”  Service should be a “want to.”  This was Paul’s thought conveyed to the Philippians.    For Paul, Jesus’ entire ministry was seen as a journey of descent. God, in Jesus, came down to be human among us. Phil. 2:5-11, an ode to this descent, meant to remind the early Church that following Jesus was not a way to rise above troubles and life’s difficulties, but rather a way to enter into difficulties in a life-altering, healing, redeeming way.  It wasn’t something that must be done as much as wanted to be done.   Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.   5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:   6 Who, being in very nature God,     did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing     by taking the very nature of a servant,     being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,     he humbled himself     by becoming obedient to death—         even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place     and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,     in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,     to the glory of God the Father.   When we desire to serve and then accompany that longing with deed, God exalts.  This week, follow Jesus’ descent into service—not because you “have to” but because it is the path of God.   This Week’s Readings: -Monday – Hebrews 7 -Tuesday – Hebrews 8 -Wednesday – Hebrews 9 -Thursday – Hebrews 10 -Friday – Hebrews 11 Things to Pray About: -The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world. -Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

I’m always amazed at how Jesus was fully present with his disciples.  Frankly, he was fully present with each person he encountered; not distracted, not looking for the next person down the road, but fully alive in each moment with each person.  So, what does “presence” mean?  A dictionary definition says presence is the fact or condition of being present.  It is showing up.  But presence is more than simply showing up.  To be present is to show up fully and to give your attention to something where you are as fully as possible.   I think everyone has been in settings when we were not fully present.  Our bodies may have been there, but our minds were somewhere else, our attention was on something else, and we were not focused or engaged.  Likewise, we have been with others in conversation or sharing a meal where we have been alone because another’s attention was wandering.  Perhaps, they were preoccupied with email, a game, or social media, and were listening with only “one ear.”  If lucky, they would ask for you to repeat what you just said.   Presence is showing up and attendance is a major part of being present, but also giving attention and being where you are as fully as possible.  When you commit to be present, you are saying that you will show up. But really, you are saying much more. You are committing to be engaged, to give the best of your attention, to participate, and to offer all of yourself body, mind, heart, strength, and soul.   What would being fully present look like in the different areas of life where you can apply this sense of showing up:                 to be present in a marriage                 to be present in a friendship                 to be present in your work                 to be present in your leisure                 to be present in a community of faith                 to be present in your relationship with God.   Commit to giving your full presence to your faith and to following God.  The more we are present with God, the more we will be present with others.    This Week’s Readings: -Monday – Hebrews 2 -Tuesday – Hebrews 3 -Wednesday – Hebrews 4 -Thursday – Hebrews 5 -Friday – Hebrews 6 Things to Pray About: -The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world. -Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

I’m always amazed at how Jesus was fully present with his disciples.  Frankly, he was fully present with each person he encountered; not distracted, not looking for the next person down the road, but fully alive in each moment with each person.  So, what does “presence” mean?  A dictionary definition says presence is the fact or condition of being present.  It is showing up.  But presence is more than simply showing up.  To be present is to show up fully and to give your attention to something where you are as fully as possible.   I think everyone has been in settings when we were not fully present.  Our bodies may have been there, but our minds were somewhere else, our attention was on something else, and we were not focused or engaged.  Likewise, we have been with others in conversation or sharing a meal where we have been alone because another’s attention was wandering.  Perhaps, they were preoccupied with email, a game, or social media, and were listening with only “one ear.”  If lucky, they would ask for you to repeat what you just said.   Presence is showing up and attendance is a major part of being present, but also giving attention and being where you are as fully as possible.  When you commit to be present, you are saying that you will show up. But really, you are saying much more. You are committing to be engaged, to give the best of your attention, to participate, and to offer all of yourself body, mind, heart, strength, and soul.   What would being fully present look like in the different areas of life where you can apply this sense of showing up:                 to be present in a marriage                 to be present in a friendship                 to be present in your work                 to be present in your leisure                 to be present in a community of faith                 to be present in your relationship with God.   Commit to giving your full presence to your faith and to following God.  The more we are present with God, the more we will be present with others.    This Week’s Readings: -Monday – Titus 2 -Tuesday – Titus 3 -Wednesday – Jude 1-25 -Thursday – Philemon 1-25 -Friday – Hebrews 1-13 Things to Pray About: -The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world. -Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

Matthew 6:5-14 (The Message) 5 “And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? 6 “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. 7-13 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in Heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best—     as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty!     Yes. Yes. Yes. 14-15 “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part. Jesus offers this primarily as a check on the person who wants to engage in religious practices to increase his or her standing in the world.  Perhaps there’s a wish to project an image for others to see, by the way one gives alms, prays, and fasts.  Living as a disciple of Jesus means that we become less and less concerned with what others think of us and our religious practice.  In the end, our religious practice is not about impressing or pleasing others.  Instead, we engage in spiritual practices quietly, privately, and unobtrusively. Spiritual practices (including prayer) open us inwardly to be shaped by God’s Spirit.  Those spiritual practices are means to an end, yielding an intimate relationship with the Living God. The goal is the connection with God, and in that connection, an inner shaping and transforming as God’s life comes alive within us. Ultimately, as God shapes us inwardly, that transformation is manifested in the way we live in the world.  There is a spiritual principle in place:  Transformed people transform the world.   But in this section on prayer, offered to God and not for the benefit of reputation or image, Jesus makes a couple of statements about the actual shape of prayer itself.   First, he says that prayer is only secondarily something one does in public – and then, only with great care and mindfulness.  Prayer is rather something one does within “the inner room” or “in one’s closet.” Ancient houses–except for palaces and homes of the wealthy–did not have rooms. Thus, to “go into your room and close the door” is an image of the interior room within the heart. It is an image that suggests quiet, privacy, and secret communion with God that is not on display for the benefit of others to see.  If you ever read the works of St. Theresa of Avila, you will recognize this concept, for this was her practice of prayer.   Jesus gave the image of retreat where one departs to the inner sanctuary within you, to the place where you are most deeply and intimately connected with God. We must learn to be with God in that place.   Second, Jesus does (in fact) give a pattern for prayer. What we call The Lord’s Prayer (and what Catholics call the Pater Noster or The Our Father) was probably not intended to be recited word for word as a prayer of repetition, but likely was intended to be a pattern for our praying.   The lines suggest some of the various “ingredients” that might be included in prayer by acknowledging who God is, submitting to the coming of God’s kingdom within our own lives, seeking God’s purpose for our lives and our world, asking for daily provisions, seeking forgiveness, etc.  Unfortunately, as many pray The Lord’s Prayer now, it is mostly recited with little meaning and with mindless repetition.   But it doesn’t have to be.  When you pray The Lord’s Prayer or any prayer for that matter, envision yourself traveling into your heart. Sense God’s closeness.  Wait a few moments in silence, welcome God’s presence, and then pray.  Be committed to prayer.  We learn to pray by praying.    This Week’s Readings: *Monday – 2 Timothy 1 *Tuesday – 2 Timothy 2 *Wednesday – 2 Timothy 3 *Thursday – 2 Timothy 4 *Friday – Titus 1 Things to Pray About: -The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world. -Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

From time to time, I will officiate a couple’s renewal of their wedding vows. There is no single reason as to why a couple will renew their vows.  Sometimes it is to mark a major anniversary (20 years, 25 years, 30 years, 40 years, etc.). Other times, couples sense a drifting apart or that things feel stale or stagnant. Therefore, a renewal of vows can be a reminder of past promises made. Whatever the case, they are no longer living out of the energy of the original vows. Those original vows have lost their vigor or lost a sense of their weight and importance.  In a renewal ceremony, the aim is not to return to the past or to be the people they once were when they originally entered into that commitment. That is impossible. People are never stationary but growing, and evolving, and it is impossible to become again the person they were at a previous stage of life.  Rather, when people renew their vows, they are allowing the commitments to continue shaping the persons they are becoming. In effect, the vow or commitment remains constant, as a kind of glue that holds them as they evolve and change. The renewed vows become guardrails that guide the growth. One question I ask is, “How do we evolve/grow continually throughout our lives, while still holding a commitment made in the past when we were in a different place?”  Maybe the answer is we renew that original commitment as it continues to guide and direct.  Each new year, I renew my vows to God and ministry.  I pledge myself to God’s Kingdom and the work he has privileged His children to be a part of and placed before them.  What about you?  Will you renew your vow to God and allow it to direct you this year? This Week’s Readings: *Monday – 1 Timothy 2 *Tuesday – 1 Timothy 3 *Wednesday – 1 Timothy 4 *Thursday – 1 Timothy 5 *Friday – 1 Timothy 6 Things to Pray About: -The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world. -Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

In a small, cozy house, there lived a six-year-old boy named Lucas. Lucas had a loving family, a room full of toys, and a heart full of imagination. But every night, as the sun set and the stars twinkled, a wave of fear washed over him. It wasn’t the darkness that scared him; it was the solitude, the absence of his parents’ comforting presence in his room. ‌ His mother, sensing his fear, installed a gentle nightlight that bathed the room in a warm, soothing glow. His father, in an attempt to ease his son’s anxiety, would leave the closet light on, the door slightly ajar, casting a reassuring beam across the soft carpet. But these efforts, though well-intentioned, didn’t completely calm Lucas’s fears. The nightlight and the closet light weren’t replacements for the comforting presence of his mom or dad. During these anxious nights, Lucas’s parents would take turns sitting by his bed, their presence a quiet fortress against his fears. As he drifted into dreams, their presence was his lullaby, a soft melody of safety and love. This routine worked for a while, but Lucas’s parents knew this wasn’t a lasting solution. Their beloved boy needed to learn to brave the night on his own, to find comfort in their closeness, even when not physically present. ‌ One evening, they came up with an idea. They took Lucas’s favorite toy, a Lite-Brite, and crafted a special message on its glowing pegboard. As bedtime approached, Lucas’s eyes were wide with the familiar tinge of fear. His parents, with a reassuring smile, plugged in the Lite-Brite, kissed his forehead, and wrapped him in a warm hug. “You have nothing to worry about, son,” they whispered, tucking him in. “We’ll be right in the next room, just on the other side of this wall. And if you start to feel scared, just look at your Lite-Brite. Read the message shining in the darkness.” ‌ With a final goodnight, they stepped out, gently closing the door behind them. Lucas lay in his bed, the shadows of the night dancing around him. His heart began to race, the silence of the room pressing down on him. He remembered his parents’ words and turned his gaze to the Lite-Brite on the other side of the room. In the soft, colorful light, the words “We will see you in the morning” glowed reassuringly. Lucas read them again and again, each word a whisper of his parents’ love and promise. The message was simple, but to Lucas, it was a beacon of hope, a reminder that though he couldn’t see his parents, they were always there, just a wall away. ‌ The glowing words became his nightly lighthouse, guiding him through the sea of darkness. Night after night, the message on the Lite-Brite reassured him, and slowly, the fear that had once seemed so overwhelming began to fade. In its place grew a sense of courage, a gentle understanding that even when alone, he was never truly by himself. As the days passed, Lucas learned to embrace the night, his fear replaced with quiet confidence. And every morning, as the sun peeked through his window, casting a warm, golden light across his room, he would wake up with a smile, knowing his parents’ promise was kept, just as the message on the Lite-Brite had said. (A Story by Rev. John Fugh). John shared this story with me a few days before Christmas. Some heard it first from the pulpit in a recent sermon. I think it is a great message as we launch into this new year. So much can happen from one year to the next for it will be filled with moments of love and fun as well as fear and pain. We need the security of God’s presence, comfort, and strength. The prophets of old never knew of a Lite-Brite but they did know of God’s message of “fear not for I am with you.” It is still that same message that he whispers to you today This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Colossians 1 *Tuesday – Colossians 2 *Wednesday – Colossians 3 *Thursday – Colossians 4 *Friday – 1 Timothy 1 Things to Pray About: -The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world. -Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6