Category: First Steps

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First Steps – August 31, 2020

While running errands a few days ago, I dropped by a friend’s office and saw a poem displayed on a desk.  It turns out the author of the poem was Mother Teresa.

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway. 

We live for an audience of one – God.  If we can remember this, our relationships will take care of themselves.  Give it a try.  You will not be disappointed.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Luke 21
  • Tuesday – Luke 22
  • Wednesday – Luke 23
  • Thursday – Luke 24
  • Friday – Acts 1
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19 Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

“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 – August 24, 2020

I’m a sucker for “On this day” trivia.  I’m sure you’ve heard many, “On this day in so-so year, this person did this” or “On this day in so-so year, this was invented or that took place.”  I don’t know why I’ve always favored this form of trivia; I just do.

Did you know that on this day, August 24, in 1759, William Wilberforce was born?  Do you recognize the name?  Maybe after a few minutes, something might be triggered in the back portion of your memory bank and you recall his work.

He graduated from Cambridge University in 1780 and entered Parliament.  It was about that time that he met John and Charles Wesley who convinced him that he should use his office and influence to work for the moral uplift of society.  A deeply devoted Christian, and because of his faith convictions, Wilberforce set his face towards the ending of the British Slave Trade.  For him, there was no greater moral blight on the English conscience; therefore, he would not rest until his country recognized the injustice and horrendous cruelty forced upon another group of people.

His position was not well received, and many thought his position was unattainable because of the financial profiteering of the slave trade; however, Wilberforce wouldn’t relent. Finally, after more than twenty years of effort, a bill was passed in Parliament outlawing slave-trading in 1807. It took another twenty-six years for the complete emancipation for all slaves in the British Empire.

He was convinced that slavery was a moral evil and it was his duty to right the wrong.  Behind that conviction was his faith in Jesus Christ. I would hazard to guess his efforts would not have been successful if he wasn’t driven by his conviction derived from faith.  So, here are my questions for you: What drives you to not quit in the face of opposition and regardless of how high the mountain before you sits, you know you must climb it?  Where do you see a moral evil that plagues society, one that must be eradicated?  If we pray for God’s Kingdom to come, surely, we have to be willing to work toward that same Kingdom we so desperately desire.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Luke 16
  • Tuesday – Luke 17
  • Wednesday – Luke 18
  • Thursday – Luke 19
  • Friday – Luke 20
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19 Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

“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 – August 17, 2020

Lately I’ve been thinking about Benedictions, dismissals with blessings. One that caught my eye can be used anytime but mainly at the conclusion of a wedding ceremony:

(Minister to Couple) God the Eternal keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may abide in your home.  Go to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do.

(Minister to Congregation) Bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that those to whom love is a stranger will find in you generous friends. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.  Amen.

Though very appropriate for a wedding, it is also good words to live by each day.  Give it a try.
This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Luke 11
  • Tuesday – Luke 12
  • Wednesday – Luke 13
  • Thursday – Luke 14
  • Friday – Luke 15
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
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First Steps – August 10, 2020

Often, I get asked, “What do I need to pray?”  Normally, this question is asked when a person desires a more intimate prayer life. Unfortunately, many people approach praying from a right/wrong dichotomy. One thinks there is a right way and a wrong way to pray. Therefore, one overly focuses on what the words need to be.

If I’m describing you, I offer you St. Jeanne de Chatal, Co-Foundress of the Order of the Visitation (early 17th Century).  She spent the majority of her life as a spiritual guide for so many. She said, “Sometimes put yourself very simply before God, certain of his presence everywhere, and without any effort, whisper very softly to his sacred heart whatever your own heart prompts you to say.”  

Do this continually and you will not have to worry about if it is right or wrong. Do this continually and you will have a very meaningful intimate prayer life.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Luke 6
  • Tuesday – Luke 7
  • Wednesday – Luke 8
  • Thursday – Luke 9
  • Friday – Luke 10
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
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First Steps – August 3, 2020

“There are three kinds of flatterers:

The first kind praises and encourages someone’s good behavior. But they overdo it. They make a person feel better than they really are. Lavish praise is the first type of flattery.

The second kind takes an openly soiled reputation that is beyond denial and makes light of it. ‘You are not the first person to do this. Many other do things that are worse.’

The third kind of flatterer is the worst of all. They praise an evil person’s conduct. To a knight who has robbed the poor they will say, ‘That’s not a bad thing to do. Prune a willow and it will sprout even better.’ Such misguided flatterers actually blind the ones who listen to them. They cloak a foul odor with perfume. This is too bad. If they smelled it, it would make them sick. They would hurry to confession and avoid it in the future.”

The author is anonymous and judging by the wording one could attribute this to the Middle Ages. What I find fascinating is that it is still true today. Perhaps it is better to simply tell the truth.

This Week’s Readings:

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

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.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
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First Steps – July 6, 2020

Sometimes the best devotional is not something that one reads but what one does.  Therefore, for today, I hope that you will spend some time in reflection of the many freedoms that have been provided for you.  At the same time, I hope that you will spend time in prayer, giving thanks for what others have provided, secured, and continually give so that others can be free.

On a cosmic level, that is what Jesus did for every soul and circumstance.  John’s Gospel reminds us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36).
Give thanks for freedom and liberty in whatever forms they are presented to you.

This Week’s Readings:

  • Monday – Revelation 2
  • Tuesday – Revelation 3
  • Wednesday – Revelation 4
  • Thursday – Revelation 5
  • Friday – Revelation 6

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.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
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