Author: Cindy Lee

On a recent trip to France, my larger family and I visited several different towns. All the towns had a church in the town center. One such church had the baptismal font in the back of the church. As one entered into the sanctuary, one saw the baptismal font first, then the pews, and finally the altar. A family member asked me, “Why is the baptismal font located in the back of the sanctuary in some churches while in others it is in the front by the altar?” Anecdotally, I’m the only minister in my family, so I receive all the theology questions. I guess that comes with the job.

Nonetheless, I answered, “Because in some churches, they focus on baptism as something you receive, not earned, and it is the symbol of entrance into the family of God. Therefore, as people enter into the sanctuary for worship, they pass by it as a reminder to everyone that even before they sit down in the pew, they have been marked by God and belong to Jesus by grace alone. God’s gift of grace is a gift given and believers are simply receivers of that wonderful gift.” About the time I said that, someone (I’m assuming a church member) walked by the font, dipped her finger into the water, made the sign of the cross on her forehead, sat down in the pew for prayers. I looked over to my family member and said, “she is remembering her baptism, something she received. She is welcomed by God not because she earned it, but because God gives it.”

As I think of that experience, I’m reminded that we are receivers. Grace is a gift from God. This week as you live your life, I hope you will do so with the thought of how much you have received from God. Paul had this in mind when he penned, Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Tish Warren, a contemporary Christian writer, said, “We are marked from our first waking moment by an identity that is given to us by grace: an identity that is deeper and more real than any other identity we will don that day.”

• Monday – Colossians 1
• Tuesday –Colossians 2
• Wednesday – Colossians 3
• Thursday – Colossians 4
• Friday – 1 Timothy 1

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.

On a recent college visit with my daughter, we arrived, signed in, were gathered and ushered into a holding room, and sat down to wait for her audition.” As I took my seat, I looked around the room and saw the same thing: People were on their phones. As soon as new people entered the room and sat down, they immediately reached for their phones. Sadly, I have to admit, I did the same thing. Today’s culture has imprinted technology on our brains as something that we have to have to survive. It is the air we breathe. After a few minutes, I thought, “We have been conditioned to fear boredom.” I quickly turned to my daughter to test my theory, and she said, “Yes, it is true. It is like a security blanket.”

Lent began five days ago. Lent is the season of preparation before Easter. It is a time of inward reflection where one embraces a more simplistic lifestyle. It is a time of increased spiritual disciplines so that one focuses more on their relationship with God. Annie Dillard famously wrote, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” I wonder how our days are shaped, regardless if we know it, by our practices, different daily rituals, that make us who we are. Some of those rituals stem from our faith, others from the culture around us.

Therefore, with the remaining days of Lent, would you be willing to push against the culture that imprints the fear of boredom by grabbing your phone? Granted, it might be impossible to go off the grid for 40 days. But, I bet we could limit our access so that we can focus on something more basic, something foundation forming to our identity—who we are in Christ. Give it a try.

This week’s reading:
Monday – Ephesians 6
Tuesday – Philippians 1
Wednesday – Philippians 2
Thursday –Philippians 3
Friday – Philippians 4

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.

I can’t remember when I heard this, but I remember that when I heard it, a light bulb went off because I haven’t forgotten it.  Though Brother Lawrence lived about 400 years ago, he thought the same because he considered faith and daily life to be intricately woven together and inseparable.  He wrote, “That we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed. That we should not wonder if, in the beginning, we often failed in our endeavors, but that at last we should gain a habit, which will naturally produce its acts in us, without our care, and to our exceeding great delight.”

Often, we live with the thought that our faith must be grand.  Yet, Jesus referred to a mustard seed faith as effective enough to move mountains. However, we resist his words because there is something in us that values bigger is better.  We are drawn to the exotic, that piece that separates us from others.  It is no wonder we struggle with Jesus’ simple call for humility, service, and selflessness.  I’m convinced that until we find contentment in the basics, joy in living a simple life with God, and fulfillment in the faithfulness of the everyday life, we will always be chasing something that is fleeting and temporary.  

Mountain top ecstasies, even spiritual ones, are not the norm and aren’t meant to be.  The real issue for us is can the everyday event—your day-in-and-day-out-life—be the mountain top?  The New Testament describes a life in the Spirit with an everyday lens.  Christ is Lord of the mundane as much as he is Lord of the ecstasy.   Find the joy in living the everyday life.  

A few months ago, someone asked me about cultivating a more meaningful prayer life.  We talked about what that meant, what steps to take, and what to expect during the process. Reflecting on that conversation made me think of this quote from an anonymous Russian Orthodox writer from the 19th Century:      “Silently descend into the depths of you heart. Call on the name of the Jesus Christ frequency. This is the way to experience interior illumination. Many things will become clear to you, even the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. You will discover a depth of mystery, a brightness, when you learn to descend [inwardly].      The truth is:  we are aliens to ourselves. We have little desire to know ourselves. We run after many things in this world, and by doing so run away from ourselves. We exchange truth for trinkets. We kid ourselves [by thinking] I would like to have time for prayer and the spiritual life, but the cares and demands of life take all my time and energy.      Which is more important?  Which is temporary?  Which is eternal?  Making this decision will lead you to wisdom or keep you in ignorance.      Prayer is the heart of the Christian life.  It is essential.  Prayer is both the first step and the fulfillment of the devout life. We are directed to pray always.  Particular times may be set for other acts of devotion, but for prayer there is no special time.  We are to pray constantly.        Sit alone in a quiet place.  Take your mind away from every earthly and vain thing.  Bow your head to your chest and be attentive, not to your head, but to your heart.  Observe your breathing.  Let your mind find the place of your heart.  At first you will be uncomfortable.  If you continue without interruption it will become a joy.      The most wonderful result of this kind of mental silence is that sinful thought which comes knocking at the door of the mind are turned away.  Pray and think what you will.  Pray and do what you want.  Your thoughts and activity will be purified by prayer.”  I like the underlined portion. Sit alone in a quiet place, reflect on God’s love for you. Consider how He sustains all things. Invite the Holy Spirit to move you to a place of peace and joy.    This week’s reading: Monday –  Romans 7 Tuesday – Romans 8 Wednesday – Romans 9 Thursday – Romans 10 Friday – Romans 11 Please Pray for:. The St. Paul UMC family. Those who are unwillingly absent. Those who are grieving and depressed. The United Methodist Church. Our nation and our leaders. The World. The Lost.

For nearly thirty-three years Jesus, the Good Shepherd, looked for lost sheep in difficult terrain. Is it possible for such a devoted shepherd to ignore a returning stray sheep? Would it matter where the sheep had been, the faithfulness of the sheep, or how long the sheep had been gone? Absolutely not. The Good Shepherd would look with pity, listen to its cries, evaluate the health of the sheep, place it on his shoulders and carry it back to the safety of the flock.  

I love the way the Book of Jude ends with a benediction:  “Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

This week, I invite you to consider The Good Shepherd who seeks and saves. Consider the depth, height, and length he travels so that anyone would know of his love and mercy. It doesn’t matter where you are today, how broken you might think you are, or how fragmented your relationships are; nothing is beyond the care of the Good Shepherd.  

This week’s reading:
Monday –  Romans 2
Tuesday – Romans 3
Wednesday – Romans 4
Thursday – Romans 5
Friday – Romans 6

Please Pray for:.
The St. Paul UMC family.
Those who are unwillingly absent.
Those who are grieving and depressed.
The United Methodist Church.
Our nation and our leaders.
The World.
The Lost.