Author: Cindy Lee

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First Steps – January 7, 2019

Words to live by according to Francis De Sales from his book, The Devout Life:

“If you are caught in a fault you must certainly humble yourself and admit your responsibility. If you are the target of an unjust accusation, politely deny your guilt. You owe it to both truth and your neighbor. If you continue to be accused after you have made a true and legitimate explanation, don’t let that bother you. There is no need to try to force anyone to agree with your explanation. After you discharge your duty to truth, then discharge your duty to humility. Try not to complain.”

I think De Sales is correct in his encouragement to humble oneself and admit one’s responsibility when there is fault. Learn to not blame shift or make excuses. However, if another continues to accuse unjustly, there might not be anything else one can do but move on after you discharge your duty to truth.  Behind his teaching is authenticity.  Be real—Don’t fake it.

This week’s reading:

  • Monday – John 16
  • Tuesday – John 17
  • Wednesday – John 18
  • Thursday – John 19
  • ​Friday – John 20

Please Pray for:

  • The New Year 2019 and all those who will grow in Christ this year
  • St Paul’s upcoming Marriage Retreat
  • Our Nation and Leaders
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First Steps – December 31, 2018

The Scottish phrase “for auld lang syne” is loosely translated as “for old times’ sake.”  The speaker in this poem is hoping to preserve the oldest, most important relationships in his/her life.  In our day, we sing this reflective poem normally as one year is ending and another is beginning.  As time moves forward, we want to value the things in our life that bring the most joy and fulfillment.

As one year folds into another, what are those things that bring you the most joy?  My guess is that it isn’t things but people.  Maybe the better question is who are those people that bring you the most joy? At the same time, when is the last time you expressed your appreciation to them?  When is the last time you told them that you loved them?

Don’t let another year pass without expressing the joy you receive from them.  It doesn’t take much to share those thoughts; and yet, it can have a profound impact on their life and your relationship.

 

This week’s reading:

  • Monday – John 11
  • Tuesday – John 12
  • Wednesday – John 13
  • Thursday – John 14
  • ​Friday – John 15

 

Please Pray for:
Ukraine Mission Team as they travel – They return home the week of January 4, 2019.
You might know I serve at a church that has a long-standing ministry in Ukraine. I’m delighted my church serves in this capacity. Some of you constantly ask what one can do to help this ministry. First, please pray for Ukraine, their citizenry—especially their orphans. Second, if you would like to financially aid this ministry, below is a link that lists some of the needs for the orphans we support.

St. Paul Ukraine Mission Ministry

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First Steps – December 24, 2018

Someone once asked me, “How do you sum up Christmas?” I answered by borrowing a few lines from Henri Nouwen:

“God is not in the distant heavens or in the hidden depths of the future, but here and now. God has pitched a tent among us. Even more than that, God has made a home in us so that we can make God’s home our home.”

On this Christmas Eve, I invite you to ponder the wonder of God dwelling among us. Envision the birth of the Lamb of God. On one level, his birth was so basic, mundane, and low. Yet, on the other hand, his birth was majestic and captivating to behold. Hold it all. Allow the Spirit of God to enlighten you as you ponder Jesus Christ, Lord of All.

 

This week’s reading:

  • Monday – John 6
  • Tuesday – John 7
  • Wednesday – John 8
  • Thursday – John 9
  • ​Friday – John 10

 

Please Pray for:
Upcoming Ukraine Mission Team as they travel to Krivoy Rog.
You might know I serve at a church that has a long-standing ministry in Ukraine. I’m delighted my church serves in this capacity. Some of you constantly ask what one can do to help this ministry. First, please pray for Ukraine, their citizenry—especially their orphans. Second, if you would like to financially aid this ministry, below is a link that lists some of the needs for the orphans we support.

St. Paul Ukraine Mission Ministry

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First Steps – December 17, 2018

With just a few days before Christmas, I invite you to pray this prayer with me:

“Almighty and Merciful God, you have told me to rejoice always, do good to others, and to be at peace.  Therefore, I need your assistance.  Help me to rely on your strength and to trust your faithfulness.  The same way I breathe in oxygen to live, Lord, I want to breathe in your Spirit.  I want it to calm my anxious heart.   Allow it to give me the right state of mind to praise you throughout this day.  Help me to see the effects of your Son’s work in the world.  Amen.”

Now, look for the traces of God’s work in your life.  Embrace the God-Moments.  Give thanks for His rich blessings in your life.

 

This week’s reading:

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

 

Please Pray for:

Upcoming Ukraine Mission Trip.  You might know I serve at a church that has a long-standing ministry in Ukraine.  I’m delighted my church serves in this capacity.  Some of you constantly ask what one can do to help this ministry.  First, please pray for Ukraine, their citizenry—especially their orphans.  Second, if you would like to financially aid this ministry, below is a link that lists some of the needs for the orphans we support.

http://spumccolumbus.com/ukraine-2018/

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First Steps – December 10, 2018

Linda Douty, the author of Praying in the Messiness of Life, wrote something worth considering:

“The term creatures of habit isn’t just a catchy phrase.  Its truth is gaining credence in the world of science as well as in our everyday world of observation.  As noted, each time we engage a thought, a particular neural pattern deepens.  The more frequently a behavior or feeling is repeated, the more likely it is to be repeated again.  No wonder Christians through the centuries have employed chant, prayer beads, and other forms of repetitive prayer…We are the gatekeepers of our own minds, monitoring what enters and what exits.  Though much enters our minds whether we want it or not, we still have a choice about how to deal with that “content.”  Even in the case of traumatic events, once we give proper attention to feelings and wounds, participating in the healing work of God, we can choose to move on.  To oversimplify, our minds are like blank chalkboards, and we hold both the chalk and the eraser.”

What gathers my interest is what can be created by repetitive patterns.  The question before each of us is what pattern(s) do I want to reinforce?  What pattern(s) do I want to erase?  The ones we want to create, we reinforce.  We feed it—over and over.  Therefore, focus on those patterns that give life, energy, and joy.  Give attention to those and see what God does over time.

 

This week’s reading:

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

 

Please Pray for:

Upcoming Ukraine Mission Trip.  You might know I serve at a church that has a long-standing ministry in Ukraine.  I’m delighted my church serves in this capacity.  Some of you constantly ask what one can do to help this ministry.  First, please pray for Ukraine, their citizenry—especially their orphans.  Second, if you would like to financially aid this ministry, CLICK HERE for a link that lists some of the needs for the orphans we support.

 

 

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First Steps – December 3, 2018

Can we surrender the mantle of trying to be, as someone has described us in our drivenness, “General Manager of the Universe?” Many of us are so accustomed to trying to be good – doing what is right, covering everything on our to-do list – that we live our lives, even our spiritual lives, at a frantic pace. We cram every minute of every day with activity and achievement, measuring our worth by what we earn or what good deeds we have done. But this beatitude [“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3)] says that approach is all wrong. When we offer to God what we cannot be or do – our weaknesses – then the kingdom is ours. God says in this beatitude, “When you give up your illusions of control and power and acknowledge your absolute need for me, all that I have opens to you.” – (Mary Lou Redding).

This week, consider the single thought of giving the illusion of control and power to God. Pray with me, “Lord, everything that makes me me, I give to you. Help me to understand that is all that is asked and all that is needed. Grant me the assurance of a grace-filled life that comes from ‘being with you’ and not ‘doing for you.’ Amen.”

 

This week’s reading:

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

 

Please Pray for:

  • Our nation and our leaders
  • Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
  • Those that are suffering and grieving.
  • Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Construction completion of the New Youth Building and rear parking.
  • The United Methodist Church.
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