Category: First Steps

While walking on the beach, I couldn’t help but notice the millions of broken shells.  At some point in their history, they were tossed about over and over; bumping into the sand, rocks, or other shells; eventually, they were fractured. Perhaps a little piece here then a little piece there. Sometime later, the result was something of a small portion of their original look or shape.

There is a part of me that knows this happens to people. Various struggles, problems, circumstances can be like waves that are relentless. A little break here, a little break there can be managed, but when that happens time and time again, the results can be something similar to what I witnessed on the beach—Brokenness.  Over time, people become a fraction of what they once were.

Thankfully, the work of God leads to restoration.  Just as brokenness can happen bit by bit, God’s Spirit restores in the same manner.  2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”  It is that last phrase (italics) that is our hopeful promise of restoration. 

I hope this week your thoughts will rest on the promise of God for transformation.  We all experience brokenness in one degree or another, but the work of God’s Spirit won’t stop in the work of wholeness. Know that at this very moment, God is at work in you.  His desire is restoration.

• All upcoming ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul.
• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

There is a story I recall about the legendary golfer, Gary Player.  One afternoon he was practicing sand shots from a bunker.  Some of his practice shots ended up in the hole.  A little boy stood watching these shots and upon the hole-outs said, “Wow, those were lucky shots!”  Gary Player responded, “The more I practice, the luckier I get.”  

I don’t know if the story is true, but I do know that the more I practice something, the better I become at doing it. The same is true with faith; the more it is put into practice, the stronger it becomes.  Spiritual Disciplines are the means by which we practice our faith.  There is nothing fancy or sexy about them.  They are routine, basic, practice shot-after-shot, but they perfect something on the inside that is needed for daily living.

Embrace disciplines!  In the beginning, it will be difficult. It may even seem like a waste of time because it is hard to see the effect; however, it is honing something on the inside (within you) that when the time comes to be revealed will be pure and holy.  

• All upcoming ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul.
• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

Very early on Sunday mornings, one can find me on the sanctuary balcony.  Often, I will retreat there before services when the sanctuary is empty.  I like it when the church is quiet and still.  It is peaceful.  Normally, I think of the people who will enter the sanctuary, sit in the pews, and worship.  I pray for the encounter that all will have as they worship.  

On a recent trip to the balcony, I noticed some little nameplates on the outer end of each pew.  I’m sure this was part of a building or renovation project from the past.  There were gifts given to meet a need and the plaques honor those gifts.  However, they are part of a larger story, a legacy of faith with a connection to a particular community.  Larger still, they are part of a meta-narrative of a universal Church that rests under the feet of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes people forget the connection they have with Christ and each other.  That connection transcends a particular time or a particular place. It is eternal.  Our individual story is part of a larger narrative, a collective story of faith.  I’m certain there will be a day when my name will only be a name listed in a journal or maybe on a plaque—granted, I want that to be a long time from now, but I’m sure that day will come.  I’m comforted by the knowledge that I’m part of a larger story, a narrative that is unending and sits in the palm of God’s hand. 

I hope you know you are part of that story as well.  This week, I hope you will reflect on the vastness of The Gospel of Jesus.  See with the eyes of faith your part in the narrative.  You are not alone.  God has invited you to be a part of the story of faith.  

• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

By definition, a Milestone is a stone set up beside a road to mark the distance in miles to a particular place. It can also be an action or event marking a significant change or stage (occurring) in development. In Genesis 12:7, Abraham built an altar alongside the great tree of Moreh at Shechem because God appeared to him with a promise. Abraham would build another altar alongside the trees of Mamre (Genesis 15-18). These altars were not only Milestones but Faithstones. They marked a change in his life that he would later visit for encouragement. It was a reminder of God’s presence in his life.

Everyone needs milestones and faithstones in their lives. They are the visual reminders of change and development. Like Abraham, they can also be a place of safety and comfort when tossed about due to the storms of life or missteps. Do you have any known faithstones? How do you mark those pivotal faith developments in your own life? Find a way to mark where God has shown up in your life. It doesn’t have to be a huge altar, just a personal visual reminder. They will serve you well in the days to come.

• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

I’m American. I love living in the United States where freedom is welcomed and celebrated. I’m humbled by the road of freedom that has been paved for me. Yesterday, the U.S. celebrated the Fourth of July—one of my favorite holidays. As I reflected upon the many freedoms I’ve inherited, I also thought about the freedoms one has with God.

Here are a few:

1. Freedom from Guilt (Romans 8:1)
2. Freedom from Shame (Romans 10:11)
3. Freedom from Fear (2 Timothy 1:10)
4. Freedom from Bondage of Sin (Romans 6:14)
5. Freedom to Approach God (Hebrews 10:19)
6. Freedom to Pray (Philippians 4:6)
7. Freedom of Salvation over Death (John 14:2,3)

I’m sure you can think of some additional freedoms. What did I miss? As you make your list, I hope you will reflect on God’s goodness and cry out in gratitude.

• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

You have a choice. You can be evil or good. Both are possible for you. If you decide to curse God, brew poison, and kill another person, you can do it. If you want to live for God, control your emotions, and be a valuable member of the community, that can be yours as well. The capacity for either extreme is in you.

Young men and women work as servants in a great mansion. They are surrounded by valuable things made of gold and silver. The natural desire of these poorer servants is to have such things for themselves. Sometimes they steal, but ordinarily, they keep themselves in check. Because of fear of the consequences, they resist strong impulses to do the wrong thing.

An awareness of God is an even greater help in making better choices. It is entirely possible to keep God’s commandments. They are not beyond you. Other animals have little choice. Their behavior is fixed. Snakes bite. The wolf is ordinarily a hunter. All wolves are like this. Lambs and doves are harmless and do not engage in deception. It is different with people. One individual might be like a wolf—a predator. Another, lamblike, and victimized. Both belong to the same race of humans.

You will hear of a [person] who is unfaithful to [his/her] spouse. You will hear of another who is devoted. One person steals. Another person, touched by the love of God, gives generously to help others. Our human nature is pulled in two directions with more or less equal force. Whether it is for evil or good, our actions are made with our consent. Neither choice is forced on us. (4th Century Monk—Unknown).

An awareness of God is an even greater help in making better choices; therefore, cultivate an awareness of God in all things. Look for the ways God is working in you and in the world. Pray each morning for a sensitivity to God’s Spirit for the day. I like what the prophet Jeremiah said about God, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12, 13).

• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world.