Author: Cindy Lee

Posted on

First Steps – August 24, 2020

I’m a sucker for “On this day” trivia.  I’m sure you’ve heard many, “On this day in so-so year, this person did this” or “On this day in so-so year, this was invented or that took place.”  I don’t know why I’ve always favored this form of trivia; I just do.

Did you know that on this day, August 24, in 1759, William Wilberforce was born?  Do you recognize the name?  Maybe after a few minutes, something might be triggered in the back portion of your memory bank and you recall his work.

He graduated from Cambridge University in 1780 and entered Parliament.  It was about that time that he met John and Charles Wesley who convinced him that he should use his office and influence to work for the moral uplift of society.  A deeply devoted Christian, and because of his faith convictions, Wilberforce set his face towards the ending of the British Slave Trade.  For him, there was no greater moral blight on the English conscience; therefore, he would not rest until his country recognized the injustice and horrendous cruelty forced upon another group of people.

His position was not well received, and many thought his position was unattainable because of the financial profiteering of the slave trade; however, Wilberforce wouldn’t relent. Finally, after more than twenty years of effort, a bill was passed in Parliament outlawing slave-trading in 1807. It took another twenty-six years for the complete emancipation for all slaves in the British Empire.

He was convinced that slavery was a moral evil and it was his duty to right the wrong.  Behind that conviction was his faith in Jesus Christ. I would hazard to guess his efforts would not have been successful if he wasn’t driven by his conviction derived from faith.  So, here are my questions for you: What drives you to not quit in the face of opposition and regardless of how high the mountain before you sits, you know you must climb it?  Where do you see a moral evil that plagues society, one that must be eradicated?  If we pray for God’s Kingdom to come, surely, we have to be willing to work toward that same Kingdom we so desperately desire.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Luke 16
  • Tuesday – Luke 17
  • Wednesday – Luke 18
  • Thursday – Luke 19
  • Friday – Luke 20
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19 Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

“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

Posted on

First Steps – August 17, 2020

Lately I’ve been thinking about Benedictions, dismissals with blessings. One that caught my eye can be used anytime but mainly at the conclusion of a wedding ceremony:

(Minister to Couple) God the Eternal keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may abide in your home.  Go to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do.

(Minister to Congregation) Bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that those to whom love is a stranger will find in you generous friends. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.  Amen.

Though very appropriate for a wedding, it is also good words to live by each day.  Give it a try.
This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Luke 11
  • Tuesday – Luke 12
  • Wednesday – Luke 13
  • Thursday – Luke 14
  • Friday – Luke 15
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
Posted on

First Steps – August 10, 2020

Often, I get asked, “What do I need to pray?”  Normally, this question is asked when a person desires a more intimate prayer life. Unfortunately, many people approach praying from a right/wrong dichotomy. One thinks there is a right way and a wrong way to pray. Therefore, one overly focuses on what the words need to be.

If I’m describing you, I offer you St. Jeanne de Chatal, Co-Foundress of the Order of the Visitation (early 17th Century).  She spent the majority of her life as a spiritual guide for so many. She said, “Sometimes put yourself very simply before God, certain of his presence everywhere, and without any effort, whisper very softly to his sacred heart whatever your own heart prompts you to say.”  

Do this continually and you will not have to worry about if it is right or wrong. Do this continually and you will have a very meaningful intimate prayer life.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Luke 6
  • Tuesday – Luke 7
  • Wednesday – Luke 8
  • Thursday – Luke 9
  • Friday – Luke 10
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
Posted on

First Steps – May 11, 2020

rising sun

Acts 15 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.  If you are not familiar with this chapter, I hope you will stop now and read it.  In this chapter, representatives from different faith communities gathered for the First Church Council and reaffirmed sola fide, only faith as the requirement for salvation.  This had, and has today, lasting consequences for believers.  Because of this theological bedrock, those who believe in Jesus are given salvation, freedom in Christ.

However, this always brings up an interesting question, “If I only need faith for salvation, then what about my actions?”  Isn’t there an ethical code of Christianity?  The short answer is “yes” your actions matter, but they are not a requirement for salvation.  We have freedom in Christ, but how we use our freedom is dependent upon the people whom are around us.  We use our freedom for their benefit in hopes that our use of freedom leads to the spread of the gospel.  We are responsible to others, just not responsible for them.  We want to be instruments to help another person believe.  It is our desire, not just a prerequisite for salvation.  

I highlight this chapter because I hope you will reclaim your freedom in Christ.  Because of God’s grace, you have been given the gift of salvation.  You grasp that gift via faith.  This is all that is needed.  At the same time, reclaim your freedom in Christ and use it for the benefit of others because you are part of a larger mission of The Gospel.  

 

 

This week’s readings:

  • Monday – Acts 1
  • Tuesday – Acts 2
  • Wednesday – Acts 3
  • Thursday – Acts 4
  • Friday  – Acts 5

Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.    

Posted on

First Steps – May 4, 2020

rising sun

One of the things I normally do about an hour before I go to bed is scroll through a few news sources just to see if there is something important I need to know before I hit the hay.  The evening of Easter Sunday, I saw this title for an article:

There’s no church, but it’s still Easter and Christians are celebrating.

It made me think about the First Century Church in Corinth.  Paul, the author and founder of the church, reminded his congregation that their hope was tied to something different:  A person.  Not just any person, but one who died and was resurrected.  Because of his death and resurrection, those who follow him are linked to him and the One who resurrected him.  Paul wrote:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
 
It seems crazy, even foolish, for people to celebrate even when the church is closed.  But then again, the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Remember, you are an Easter person, in an Easter community, linked to an Easter Lord.  Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate.
 


 


This week’s readings:

  • Monday – 1 Peter 1
  • Tuesday – 1 Peter 2
  • Wednesday – 1 Peter 3
  • Thursday – 1 Peter 4
  • Friday  – 1 Peter 5



Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.    

 

Posted on

First Steps – April 27, 2020

rising sun

I read a recent article that described the psychological effects of laughter. Basically, laughter establishes a positive emotional climate, connects people, and increases blood flow. I’m sure you have heard the cliché, Laughter is the Best Medicine, perhaps now there are studies that prove it. Though written centuries ago, the Psalmist knew the power of laughter. In Psalm 126, laughter is linked to restoration, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.”

Don’t be afraid to laugh! In times of difficulty and distancing, it is easy to focus on what is wrong, broken, and fearful. Yet, there are things around us that are joyful and need to be celebrated. Some of those things can fill our souls with laughter. As you begin this week, fix your eyes on what is joyful. They are still there, maybe harder to see than normal, but they still exist. Pursue laughter and allow that to restore your heart with hope. It will be like a burden released.

This week’s readings:
Monday – James 1
Tuesday – James 2
Wednesday – James 3
Thursday – James 4
Friday – James 5

Please Pray for:
Our ministers and their families.
Those who are unwillingly absent.
The United Methodist Church family.
Our nation and our leaders.
The World.
The Lost.
The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.

Proudly powered by WordPress