Category: First Steps

While digging through an old file looking for survey results on courage (which I did not find), I found something else interesting.  It was a quote from Mark Batterson:   Lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.   Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.  Set God-sized goals.  Pursue God-ordained passions.  Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.  Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution.  Stop criticizing and start creating.  Stop playing it safe and start taking risks.  Expand your horizons.  Consider the lilacs.  Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.  Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what is right with God.  Burn sinful bridges.  Laugh at yourself.  Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks.  Don’t try to be who you’re not.  Be yourself.  Quit holding out.  Quit holding back.  Quit running away.  If God is for us, who can be against us.  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – 1 Thessalonians 5 *Tuesday – 2 Thessalonians 1 *Wednesday – 2 Thessalonians 2 *Thursday – 2 Thessalonians 3 *Friday – Romans 1 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

What do people regret more, a bad decision made (action) or a missed opportunity (inaction)? There have been numerous studies on this question stating most people regret opportunities missed rather than mistakes made.  In addition, “time” plays a factor in what we regret. In the short term, a bad decision (action) is regretted more than a missed opportunity (inaction); however, over longer periods of time, say years, people regret more the missed opportunities.   Abraham had his share of bad decisions, but he didn’t miss opportunities. When God called him to follow, he followed. He acted in faith, and it was counted as righteousness. It was not Abraham’s perfect actions that denoted righteousness. It was his faith to follow when given an opportunity.   Many consider holiness the absence of sin. If I don’t do bad actions, then I will be holy. There is some evidence of this in scripture. But at the same time, there are people who are considered holy and yet they sin. Perhaps holiness has more to do with us walking in faith and not missing the opportunities to follow.   God wants us to follow, to trust, in Him in all things.  Does this mean we will get it right every single time—I hope so—but most likely not.  The key is to not miss the opportunities that God places in front of us beckoning us to follow.  This is what we don’t want to miss; therefore, look for those God-given opportunities to follow.   This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Matthew 28 *Tuesday – 1Thessalonians 1 *Wednesday – 1Thessalonians 2 *Thursday – 1Thessalonians 3 *Friday – 1Thessalonians 4 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

I’m the worst on vehicles, especially tires.  For some reason, I am a magnet for nails or anything that can produce a puncture. On a previous car that I drove for 10 years, I put 4 sets of tires over the duration of ownership—that is 16 tires or 1 tire about every 9 months.   Recently, I bought a new car and within 5 weeks, I’ve already slashed a tire resulting in the purchase of a new one.  In this latest episode, as I ran over what I assumed was a nail, I instantly knew I was in trouble. I didn’t need the dreaded “low tire pressure” signal on my dashboard, I immediately felt it in the wheel.    I have to admit there were a multitude of thoughts that ran through my mind. Thoughts of anger, shock, and disbelief.  As I exited the interstate to find a safe place to investigate how severe the problem was, there was another idea. I realized not even one of my thoughts could change my reality. The tire was still slashed, and anger or disbelief wasn’t going to change it.   For many, there is always a lurking temptation fueled by anger. Instead of slowing things down in order to process the experience, many jump to decisions based on anger which often leads to regret because of words spoken or actions committed.  Genesis 4 is a reminder of this temptation:  Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry?”  Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?  But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Vrs 6,7).   When faced with anger, slow things down, take a moment and say a prayer to see past the immediate.  A wider view or a momentary pause is often what is needed to introduce a better path.  It is not by chance that God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  We should seek the same. This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Matthew 13 *Tuesday – Matthew 14 *Wednesday – Matthew 15 *Thursday – Matthew 16 *Friday – Matthew 17 Things to Pray About: -The devastation and finding peace in Israel, and in the world. -Pray for guidance, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. -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

Often, I am asked about patience which is the product of one’s outlook and perseverance. Patience is a willing acceptance of things that are bitter. The one who is patient does not complain about adversity but can praise God in the midst of a struggle.   For the patient, all things are endured because one doesn’t walk alone. When we believe that we are isolated and alone, we tend to focus only on our circumstances; however, when we know we are with God, in God, and surrounded by God’s people, this becomes the fuel. Circumstances are borne by the whole.   It is easier to be patient when I know I’m not alone but surrounded by many.  This week know that you are not alone; therefore, be patient, don’t complain, and even accept the bitterness.     This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Matthew 8 *Tuesday – Matthew 9 *Wednesday – Matthew 10 *Thursday – Matthew 11 *Friday – Matthew 12 Things to Pray About: -The devastation and finding peace in Israel; and in the world. -Pray for guidance, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. -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

People work because they want to achieve something.  They labor to make money.  A farmer tills the soil and plants some seeds so that a harvest will be reaped.  People will sacrifice to turn a profit.    It is the same way in the Kingdom of God.  One turns away from the world to engage in disciplines because there is a desire for the things of God.  Thankfully, in God’s Kingdom, the Spirit aids one’s efforts.  Disciplines create the environment for God to interact with the person.  The net effect is a changed nature, a Jesus’ nature.    Once one has experienced the goodness of God, light replaces darkness, and transformation begins.  It is filled with joy.  Fulfillment stemming from God’s grace is a peace beyond measure.  This peace is independent of outside circumstances for it flows from the very nature of God.  Embrace the peace God wants to give.  Open yourself to God’s grace and allow God’s Spirit to pour over you like water.  This week, pray for God’s joy to fill your soul.      This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Matthew 3 *Tuesday – Matthew 4 *Wednesday – Matthew 5 *Thursday – Matthew 6 *Friday – Matthew 7 Prayer Requests: -Pray for guidance, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. -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

There once was a woman who wanted to go to Jerusalem.  She had no idea how to get there.  She asked an expert who was an authority on Jerusalem.  The expert said, “You can’t get there without a lot of hard work.  It is a dangerous trip.  There are many roads you can take, but people are getting robbed and killed on those roads. Most seldom make it because there is only one safe way to travel to Jerusalem.” The female traveler was excited.  She thought, “I don’t care what troubles come my way or what I suffer.”  She begged the expert to tell her the right road stressing that she would faithfully follow the instructions. The expert responded, “Here is the right road.  Be sure to follow my instructions.  Don’t let anything hinder or distract you.  Allow no distractions, pleasurable or not.  Keep moving with your face towards your destination.  This will be the only way you make it to Jerusalem.  Expect the setbacks.  Expect to be scorned, despised, and put down.  Bear the pain, the scorn, and the struggle.  Always keep your mind on Jerusalem and accept nothing less.  If you do this, you will reach your goal.” Jerusalem stands for Jesus.  If you are on the road to Jesus, carry nothing but humility and love.  Keep his face before you and trust in the Spirit’s care of you as you follow.  Don’t give up and embrace the journey.      This Week’s Readings: *Monday – 2 Corinthians 11 *Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 12 *Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 13 *Thursday – Matthew 1 *Friday – Matthew 2 Prayer Requests: -Pray for guidance, protection, strength, courage, and faith. -Our unwillingly absent members. -Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. -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