Category: First Steps

“Once upon a time there was a woman, and she was wicked as wicked could be, and she died. And not one good deed was left behind her. The devil took her and threw her into the lake of fire. And her guardian angel stood thinking: what good deed of hers can I remember to tell God? Then he remembered and said to God, ‘Once, she pulled up an onion and gave it to a beggar woman.’ And God answered, ‘Take now that same onion, hold it out to her in the lake, let her take hold of it and pull, and if you pull her out of the lake, she can go to paradise.’ The angel ran to the woman and held out the onion to her, saying, ‘Here, woman he said, take hold of it and I’ll pull.’ And he began pulling carefully, and had almost pulled her all the way out, when other sinners in the lake saw her being pulled out and all began holding on to her so as to be pulled out with her. But the woman was wicked as wicked could be, and she began to kick them with her feet. She yelled, ‘It’s me who’s getting pulled out, not you; it’s my onion, not yours.’ No sooner did she say it than the onion broke. And the woman fell back into the lake and is burning there to this day. And the angel wept and went away.” – (From The Brothers Karamazov).

We are all receivers of grace and mercy. Therefore, be merciful. Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.

      This Week’s Reading:

• Monday – Revelation 3
• Tuesday – Revelation 4
• Wednesday – Revelation 5
• Thursday – Revelation 6
• Friday – Revelation 7

  Please Pray for:

• The United Methodist Church
• Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
• ​Our nation and our leaders.
• Those suffering due to catastrophic natural disasters.
• ​Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Completion of New Youth Building and rear parking.

Final words of advice from Francis De Sales, The Devout Life:

“The truly patient person neither whines nor seeks pity. If that person must speak of [his/her] sufferings [he/she] will use a normal tone of voice and not exaggerate. If that person is extended pity for something [he/she] does not suffer, [he/she] will not accept it. This way [he/she] keeps peace between truth and patience.”

The first line fascinates me: The truly patient person neither whines nor seeks pity. Try something this week—each day, recite that phrase. Meditate upon it. Pray to be a patient person. If you find yourself whining or seeking pity, meditate on it again. Allow God to use your reflection for inward change.

This week’s reading:

• Monday – 1 John 5

• Tuesday – 2 John

• Wednesday – 3 John

• Thursday – Revelation 1

• Friday – Revelation 2

  Please Pray for:

• The United Methodist Church

• Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.

• ​Our nation and our leaders.

• Those suffering due to catastrophic natural disasters.

• ​Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Completion of New Youth Building and rear parking.

This week’s reading:

• Monday – John 21
• Tuesday – 1 John 1
• Wednesday – 1 John 2
• Thursday – 1 John 3
• Friday – ​1 John 4

• The New Year 2019 and all those who will grow in Christ this year
• St Paul’s upcoming Marriage Retreat
• Our Nation and Leaders

Words to live by according to Francis De Sales from his book, The Devout Life:

“If you are caught in a fault you must certainly humble yourself and admit your responsibility. If you are the target of an unjust accusation, politely deny your guilt. You owe it to both truth and your neighbor. If you continue to be accused after you have made a true and legitimate explanation, don’t let that bother you. There is no need to try to force anyone to agree with your explanation. After you discharge your duty to truth, then discharge your duty to humility. Try not to complain.”

I think De Sales is correct in his encouragement to humble oneself and admit one’s responsibility when there is fault. Learn to not blame shift or make excuses. However, if another continues to accuse unjustly, there might not be anything else one can do but move on after you discharge your duty to truth.  Behind his teaching is authenticity.  Be real—Don’t fake it.

This week’s reading:

• Monday – John 16
• Tuesday – John 17
• Wednesday – John 18
• Thursday – John 19
• ​Friday – John 20

Please Pray for:

• The New Year 2019 and all those who will grow in Christ this year
• St Paul’s upcoming Marriage Retreat
• Our Nation and Leaders

The Scottish phrase “for auld lang syne” is loosely translated as “for old times’ sake.”  The speaker in this poem is hoping to preserve the oldest, most important relationships in his/her life.  In our day, we sing this reflective poem normally as one year is ending and another is beginning.  As time moves forward, we want to value the things in our life that bring the most joy and fulfillment.

As one year folds into another, what are those things that bring you the most joy?  My guess is that it isn’t things but people.  Maybe the better question is who are those people that bring you the most joy? At the same time, when is the last time you expressed your appreciation to them?  When is the last time you told them that you loved them?

Don’t let another year pass without expressing the joy you receive from them.  It doesn’t take much to share those thoughts; and yet, it can have a profound impact on their life and your relationship.

This week’s reading:

• Monday – John 11
• Tuesday – John 12
• Wednesday – John 13
• Thursday – John 14
• ​Friday – John 15

Please Pray for:
Ukraine Mission Team as they travel – They return home the week of January 4, 2019.
You might know I serve at a church that has a long-standing ministry in Ukraine. I’m delighted my church serves in this capacity. Some of you constantly ask what one can do to help this ministry. First, please pray for Ukraine, their citizenry—especially their orphans. Second, if you would like to financially aid this ministry, below is a link that lists some of the needs for the orphans we support.

St. Paul Ukraine Mission Ministry