Category: First Steps

April 15, 2024

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.  And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

During the third week of Eastertide, our focus is on the witness of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection.  Amid fear and disbelief, Jesus offered them peace and assurance.  Then, he commissioned them to proclaim forgiveness and repentance.  

The resurrection of Jesus is not only a triumph over death but a testament to the power of forgiveness.  Through his death and resurrection, Jesus offered reconciliation and restoration to all who repent and believe.  Notice that the disciples first received and then sent out to preach what they received.  As we live each day as if it is Easter, we celebrate his victory and the power of forgiveness in our lives.  Likewise, we extend that same love and forgiveness to others.  We are Easter people, and we live in the shadow of the Resurrection.  Go Easter the world!!

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time of reflection, prayer, and preparation leading up to Easter Sunday. It commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds hailed Him as the Messiah, laying palm branches before Him as He rode on a donkey. This event is rich with symbolism, revealing profound truths about Jesus’ character and mission. Despite the exuberant crowds and their shouts of praise, Jesus enters Jerusalem not as a conquering king on a warhorse but as a humble servant on a donkey. This act of humility speaks volumes about the nature of His kingdom and His mission on earth. In a world that often values power, prestige, and self-promotion, Jesus’ choice of a donkey as His mode of transportation is a powerful reminder of the upside-down nature of His kingdom. It stands in stark contrast to the kingdoms of this world, which often rely on force and coercion to maintain their authority. Jesus’ kingdom is built on love, service, and humility. As we reflect on Palm Sunday, let us consider the example of Jesus and strive to emulate His humility in our own lives. Like Jesus, may we be willing to set aside our pride and self-interest, choosing instead to serve others with love and compassion. Let us remember that true greatness is found not in exalting ourselves but in lifting others up. As we journey through Holy Week, let us follow in the footsteps of Jesus, walking the path of humility, service, and sacrificial love. May we allow His example to shape our lives and transform our hearts, so that we too may participate in the building of His kingdom here on earth. This Week’s Readings: – Monday – John 16 – Tuesday – John 17 – Wednesday – John 18 – Thursday – John 19 – Friday – John 20 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

2 And the earth was tohuvavohu (without form, and void), and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Ruach Elohim was hovering upon the face of the waters. There is a word in the above verse of Genesis 1:2 that is underlined:  Tohuvavohu (TOH-hoo vah-VOH-hoo).  It is difficult to translate because it is a play on words.  It is a Hebrew way of describing the absence of things without using the negative form.  In the verse, it is the absence of form (formless and void).  It describes a condition of something like an empty desert without water.  At the same time, the Ruach (breath or spirit) of Elohim (God) was hovering over the face of the waters.  In the next verse, that same breath of God calls forth light. What God did in creation, God still does today in our lives.  God desires something more than tohuvavohu in you.  In the New Testament, we are reformed by the nature of Christ. It is Christ in us that is the hope of glory.  This work of God is not tohuvavohu.  God doesn’t desire the formless and wants to fill the voids with His presence.  His spirit continually hovers over those places that need to be filled.  He continually calls forth light.   The book of Genesis asserts the reality of God, God’s ongoing work of creation, God’s dominion of order that tames the chaos.  This work of God didn’t stop in Genesis.  It continues today.  Frankly, I’m humbled by and grateful for this work.  This is hope—hope for those inward places that still need light.  Hope for places around the world that are still filled with darkness.  There is something so reassuring to know the Breath of God still hovers over the tohuvavohu, wherever it is, and wants to bring order, beauty, and light. This Week’s Readings: -Monday – John 11 -Tuesday – John 12 -Wednesday – John 13 -Thursday – John 14 -Friday – John 15 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

“May your love envelop me like a warm embrace, permeating every corner of my heart and soul.  As I marinate in your love, help me to truly grasp how wide, how long, and how deep your love is for me.    Grant me the grace to accept this love not just as a concept, but as a profound reality that shapes my every thought, word, and deed.  May your love transform me, healing any wounds of doubt or fear, and empowering me to reflect your love to others.  In moments of uncertainty or when I feel unworthy, remind me that because of your steadfast and unchanging love, Jesus died and shed his blood so I can be forgiven.  Teach me to see myself through your eyes, as a beloved child, cherished and held in your eternal arms.”  (Excerpt from John Fugh’s Prayer—Deconstructing John 3:16, Tasting Hope, Embracing Promise).     I’m always looking for good, well-thought-out, balanced prayers that I can reflect on in the early mornings of the day.  I like this one.  Give this a try in a quiet place.  Before you pray it, slow your breathing down.  Try to relax and calm your mind.  Remove any distractions.    As you pray this (over and over), notice the images that flood your mind.  Linger as long as needed as you listen to the voice of God’s love.  This Week’s Readings: -Monday – John 6 -Tuesday – John 7 -Wednesday – John 8 -Thursday – John 9 -Friday – John 10 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

Our world is saturated with grace, and the lurking presence of God is revealed not only in spirit but in matter—a deer leaping across a meadow, in the flight of an eagle, in fire and water, in a rainbow after a summer storm, in a gentle doe streaking through a forest, in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, in a child licking a chocolate ice cream cone, in a woman with windblown hair. [I would add in the conversation, laughter, and joy shared across a table as friends and family share a meal] (The Ragamuffin Gospel, 91).   The key is to look for God’s grace everywhere.  It flows from heaven into the depths of creation.  I am convinced that the more I look for it, the more I see it.  What about you?  Can you stop today to notice, look, and search for God’s grace?  It is waiting for you to see all the beauty of God’s presence everywhere. This Week’s Readings: -Monday – James 4 -Tuesday – James 5 -Wednesday – 1 Peter 1 -Thursday – 1 Peter 2 -Friday – 1 Peter 3 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

Our world is saturated with grace, and the lurking presence of God is revealed not only in spirit but in matter—a deer leaping across a meadow, in the flight of an eagle, in fire and water, in a rainbow after a summer storm, in a gentle doe streaking through a forest, in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, in a child licking a chocolate ice cream cone, in a woman with windblown hair. [I would add in the conversation, laughter, and joy shared across a table as friends and family share a meal] (The Ragamuffin Gospel, 91).   The key is to look for God’s grace everywhere.  It flows from heaven into the depths of creation.  I am convinced that the more I look for it, the more I see it.  What about you?  Can you stop today to notice, look, and search for God’s grace?  It is waiting for you to see all the beauty of God’s presence everywhere. This Week’s Readings: -Monday – James 4 -Tuesday – James 5 -Wednesday – 1 Peter 1 -Thursday – 1 Peter 2 -Friday – 1 Peter 3 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