Author: Theresa Holzknecht

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“First Steps” by Rev. Dr. Shane Green

This summer, Dr. Green wanted to share some of his favorite First Steps from previous years.

June 24, 2024

Lately, I’ve been thinking about words—what someone says. In our society, there is a slight chance for physical danger and violence; but for most of us, real danger comes in spoken form. We say and hear things that destroy and tear down. I’m often reminded of three of my favorite quotes about words:

"A word is dead when it is said, some say. I say it just begins to live that day."—Emily Dickinson.
"A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword."—Robert Burton
"A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows sharper with constant use."—Washington Irving.

The Book of James (Chapter 3) weighs in as well by placing an enormous value on the tongue and words that are spoken. On one side, the tongue can be like a fire that burns the whole building down.  Unfortunately, we are all guilty of arson when it comes to our tongue. On the other hand, moral perfection is linked to someone who can control his/her tongue. There lies our goal—control of the tongue.

Would you be willing to focus on your words this week? Ask God to reveal the places where we’ve started fires with our tongues. Mastery of the tongue begins with awareness. Focus this week on your words, where you tear down, and where you build up.

“Dear Lord, show me the places where I tear down and hurt with my words. Teach me a new vocabulary. Change my heart so that my words are different. Where I have hurt others, help me to speak words that heal and build up. Amen.”

This Week's Readings:

We are reading the Bible in just a little over a year!  Also, our sermon series, "Genesis: All in the Family" is ongoing, which coincides with the first book of the Bible.  Please join us as we continue growing our faith together.

Things to Pray About:

  • Pray for words of kindness.
  • Pray for guidance, protection, healing, 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.
  • Finding peace in our city, state, country, and the world.  Especially pray for those in conflict at this time.

 

“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

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“First Steps” by Rev. Dr. Shane Green – June 17, 2024

This summer, Dr. Green wanted to share some of his favorite First Steps from previous years.

June 17, 2024

David Muskens, in his book Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God, says, “As I am fully present to God, I become the kind of person who is wholly present to others. I can give no greater gift. When I am present I am considerate, giving undivided attention to the person’s words and feelings at the moment. People deeply need this gift of being appreciated and attended to, especially in times of distress. The first task of ministry is to be present to people in their need.” To be loving and present to another, first means I need to be present to God.

When I’m present to God, I find myself in the right frame of mind and disposition of the heart to want to be present to another. What we do vertically (with God) influences what we do horizontally (with others). Therefore, cultivate the vertical so that you can help the horizontal. This week, look for ways to be fully present to God and watch what happens to the people around you.

This Week's Readings:

Monday - Genesis 26
Tuesday - Genesis 27
Wednesday - Genesis 28
Thursday - Genesis 29
Friday - Genesis 30

We are reading the Bible in just a little over a year!  Also, our sermon series, "Genesis: All in the Family" is ongoing, which coincides with the first book of the Bible.  Please join us as we continue growing our faith together.

Things to Pray About:

Experiencing Christ in the Pentecost Season, as the disciples did.
Pray for guidance, protection, healing, 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.
Finding peace in our city, state, country, and the world.  Especially pray for those in conflict at this time.

“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

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Missions Moment

SafeHouse Ministries is having a lunch for the homeless on July 2 at 2101 Hamilton Road at 11:30 a.m. We want to make this a special time for those in hardship. We need your help! You may volunteer to set up and help serve the meal. The St. Paul kitchen prepares this meal and transports it to their dining area. Also, we need some bakers to make desserts for the luncheon! Cookies and cakes would be a great addition! Email Dr. Joe Morrow at

[email protected]
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“First Steps”, by Rev. Dr. Shane Green – June 10, 2024

This summer, Dr. Green wanted to share some of his favorite First Steps from previous years. 

June 10, 2024

Bob Mulholland was one of my favorite professors while I attended Asbury Theological Seminary. He was a gentle giant on campus. While at school, I attended Lexington First Methodist where he taught Sunday school. I remember him teaching Revelation with only a small Greek text. He simply went word by word, translating it into English. I was amazed.  One of the things I learned from Bob’s lessons is what I call the slow walk of obedience. Being a Christian is a way of life that is minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, and day-by-day. It is not a flash-in-the-pan event to later be set on a shelf. In memory of Bob, I want to share his idea of spiritual formation from a portion of his book, Shaped by the Word. 

Spiritual formation is not an instantaneous process, although there may be instantaneous experiences at certain points along the journey. Spiritual formation is a lifelong process of growth into the image of Christ. This gradual aspect of spiritual formation moves against the grain of our instant gratification culture, as we now have been conditioned to expect almost immediate returns on our investments of time, energy, or resources.  For this reason, you may find it difficult at points to accept the necessity of undergoing a lengthy period of spiritual discipline before experiencing any substantive change in your life. Spiritual formation is not an option. Spiritual formation is not a discipline just for “dedicated disciples.”  It is not a pursuit only for the pious. Spiritual formation is not an activity for the committed alone.  Every event of life is an experience of spiritual formation. Every action taken, every response made, every dynamic of relationships, every thought held, every emotion allowed: these are the minuscule arenas where, bit by bit, infinitesimal piece by infinitesimal piece, we are shaped into some kind of being. We are being shaped either toward the wholeness of the image of Christ or toward a horribly destructive caricature of that image. This is why Paul urges Christians, “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17). The Christian’s spiritual journey is a life lived in, through, and for God.

This Week’s Readings:

Things to Pray About:

  • Experiencing Christ in the Pentecost Season, as the disciples did.
  • Pray for guidance, protection, healing, 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.
  • Finding peace in our city, state, country, and the world.

“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

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“First Steps”, by Rev. Dr. Shane Green – June 3, 2024

This summer, Dr. Green wanted to share some of his favorite First Steps from previous years.  The writings of Dietrich Bonheoffer are often chosen for theological studies and inspiration.



June 3, 2024

Dietrich Bonheoffer once said, “Only the believing obey, only the obedient believe.”  Often, we think of faith and obedience as dichotomies.  In fact, they are twins, for they are linked together with a closeness that should be seamless.  Faith and obedience are one and the same where the follower of Christ has faith and naturally walks in obedience.  It should be natural.


All of this is a work of grace where God penetrates the heart of the person empowering him or her to walk the way Christ walked.  I love Bonheoffer’s quote.  This week as you go about your days, focus on the close connection between faith and obedience.


This Week’s Readings:

Monday – Genesis 16
Tuesday – Genesis 17
Wednesday – Genesis 18
Thursday – Genesis 19
Friday – Genesis 20

We have begun to read the Bible in about a year!  Also, our sermon series, “Genesis: All in the Family” is ongoing, which coincides with the first book of the Bible.  Please join us as we continue growing our faith together.

Things to Pray About:

  • Experiencing Christ in the Pentecost Season, as the disciples did.
  • Pray for guidance, protection, healing, 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.
  • Finding peace in our city, state, country, and the world.

“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

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“First Steps”, by Rev. Dr. Shane Green – May 27, 2024

First Steps 2022

As we approach Memorial Day, a time set aside to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we are reminded of the profound act of selflessness demonstrated by Jesus Christ and echoed in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.  Memorial Day calls us to remember and honor those who have given their lives in service to their country. Their sacrifice embodies the essence of love as Jesus described it: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13). Through their sacrifice, we are reminded of the cost of freedom and the depth of love.

Likewise, Pentecost invites us to remember another sacrifice — the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Just as the soldiers who gave their lives for their companions, Jesus laid down his life for the sake of humanity, demonstrating the ultimate act of love. On Pentecost, we celebrate the fulfillment of Christ's promise to send the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live lives of courage, faith, and love.

The connection between Pentecost and Memorial Day is profound. Both remind us of the power of sacrifice and the importance of remembering those who have gone before us. Just as we honor the memory of fallen soldiers, we also honor the memory of the disciples who boldly proclaimed the Gospel, often at great personal cost.

As we reflect on Pentecost and Memorial Day, let us remember the spirit of sacrifice that runs through both. Let us honor the memory of those who have given their lives for our freedom and let us live lives worthy of their sacrifice. Let us be filled anew with the Holy Spirit, empowering us to love boldly, serve faithfully, and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to a world in need.

Reflection Questions:

  1. How does the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross inspire you to live a life of sacrificial love?
  2. In what ways can you honor the memory of those who have made sacrifices for your freedom?
  3. How can you allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to live boldly for Christ?

 

This Week's Readings:

We have begun to read the Bible in about a year!  Also, our sermon series, "Genesis: All in the Family" is ongoing, which coincides with the first book of the Bible.  Please join us as we continue growing our faith together.

Things to Pray About:

  • Experiencing Christ in the Pentecost Season, as the disciples did.
  • Pray for guidance, protection, healing, 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.
  • Finding peace in our city, state, country, and the world.

 

“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

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