Category: First Steps

Jesus not only firmly maintained his own freedom of choice, but also respected the free choice of others. When the rich young ruler turned sorrowfully away from the invitation to be Jesus’ disciple, Jesus grieved because he had loved this man. But Jesus did not run after him pleading and pushing. Later, Jesus rebuked the disciples when they wanted to call down vengeful fire from heaven on the towns that did not welcome them. Likewise, when Martha asked Jesus to make her sister, Mary, come back into the kitchen and cook, Jesus defended Mary’s decision to stay with him and talk. It is significant that though he preferred Mary’s choice, he did not compel Martha to make the same decision.

God is not a violator of one’s will. Real love involves freedom that allows another to choose what they will be and do. Granted God will go farther than anyone can imagine to influence a relationship of faith; however, He will never coerce.

It is hard to imagine being loved that much, so today give thanks for God’s rich agape love!

This week’s reading:

• Monday – Acts 22
• Tuesday – Acts 23
• Wednesday – Acts 24
• Thursday – Acts 25
• Friday – Acts 26

Please Pray for:

• Those grieving the loss of loved ones
• Those that are Unwillingly absent
• High School & College Seniors preparing for graduation
• The St. Paul Church family and ministries
• Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Construction of New Youth Building and rear parking
• Our Nation and Our Leaders

Elizabeth Canham in her book, Heart Whispers: Benedictine Wisdom for Today, wrote, “Being in the present moment is no easy task, especially when we are interrupted by someone who needs our attention at a crucial time in some project. But attentiveness is what stability asks of us; this is how we express hospitality as we let go of what we are doing and pay attention to the person who needs our love. Hospitable stability says yes to the present moment whether it brings discomfort or joy, boredom or excitement, because it always offers us the opportunity to welcome Christ into consciousness and to refuse an easy escape into the fantasy world of self-fulfillment. We can only be fully ourselves when we know who we are as members of the community of faith, serving one another in partnership with God.”

Years ago, a trusted mentor told me that ministry often happens in our interruptions. When a crisis arises or the status quo is altered, it creates an opportunity to grow and mature if we can stay in the present moment. Anxiety and fear want to steer one down a road of “what ifs,” which occupies time and energy. Often, they lead to paralysis. Therefore, when the crisis arises or status quo is altered, first pray for the ability to stay in that moment. Then ask God for the strength, patience, and fortitude to be attentive and faithful. He will guide you.

This week’s reading:

• Monday – Acts 12
• Tuesday – Acts 13
• Wednesday – Acts 14
• Thursday – Acts 15
• Friday – Acts 16

Please Pray for:

• Families grieving the loss of loved ones
• The Unwillingly absent members
• High School & College Seniors preparing for graduation
• The St. Paul Ministers and Staff family
• Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Construction of
• New Youth Building and rear parking
• Our Nation and Our Leaders

About two weeks ago, I heard someone say, “I dabble at it from time to time.  I’m really a novice at heart.”  What she meant was her hobby was somewhat important but not enough for her to devote any real time to it.  How many times have you said, “I’ll give it a go” but knowing full well you will not take it seriously?  If you look at my life, I would be “guilty as charged.”  I have started a number of hobbies only to find them fall by the wayside.

Our society today is filled with religious dabble.  Faith-life sounds good on the surface and when it is convenient.  People want a little religion on the top but not a lot.  Once when living in a different city than today, I had someone tell me, I don’t want to read the bible daily because I don’t want to be a Jesus-fanatic.  Said differently, I will dabble with Jesus but don’t want to be serious with my faith.

In Luke 23, King Herod was a dabbler.  “When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him.  From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort” (Chapter 23:8-9).

Disciples are not dabblers.  To follow Jesus means to adopt a lifestyle, to buy in, to do more than dabble. Discipleship is more than surface level spirituality and religiosity. Discipleship takes place below the surface.  When Jesus was asked about discipleship (thus explaining the difference between discipleship and dabble) he said, “take up my cross and follow me.”

It is easy to dabble – but it never leads to discipleship.  Jesus desires disciples not dabblers.

This week’s reading:

• Monday – Acts 7
• Tuesday – Acts 8
• Wednesday – Acts 9
• Thursday – Acts 10
• Friday – Acts 11

Please Pray for:

• Our Nation and Our Leaders
• The St. Paul Ministers and Staff family
• High School & College Seniors preparing for graduation
• The Unwillingly absent members
• Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Construction of New Youth Building and rear parking

Many of you know my fondness for ancient prayers.  A fan of church history, I delight in studying those who have gone before us in hope of drawing strength from their lives.  Many of the saints overcame dire situations.  They modeled faith-in-action.  Francois de Fenelon, a French priest, prayed this prayer:

“Lord, you began to perfect your apostles by taking away from them the very thing they didn’t think they could do without the actual presence of Jesus.  You destroy in order to build.  You take away everything in order to restore it many times over.  This is the way you work.  You do it differently than we would do it.

Once Christ was gone, you sent the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes lacking is more powerful than having.  Blessed are those who are deprived of everything.  Blessed are those from whom Jesus is removed.  The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, will come to them.  He will comfort their sorrows and wipe away their tears.

But Lord, why isn’t my life filled with this Spirit?  It ought to be the soul of my soul, but isn’t.  I feel nothing. I see nothing.  I am both physically and spiritually lazy.  My feeble will is torn between you and a thousand meaningless pleasures.  Where is your Spirit?  Will it ever arrive and create in me a pure heart?  

Now I understand!  Your Holy Spirit desires to live in an impoverished soul.  Therefore, come Holy Spirit!  There is no place emptier than my heart.  Come and bring peace.”

The honesty in this prayer is refreshing.  Often when we acknowledge the great need of our soul, the constant struggle in seeking fulfillment with any-and-all-things only to be disappointed, we are reduced.  We are humbled.  It is then that we find ourselves ready to receive God’s Spirit. “Come Holy Spirit!  Come and bring peace!”

 

This week’s reading:

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

Please Pray for:

• Our Nation and Our Leaders
• The St. Paul Ministers and Staff family
• High School & College Seniors preparing for graduation
• The Unwillingly absent members
• Phase 3 (Construction of New Youth Building)

Thomas a’ Kempis, a 15th Century Priest, wrote The Imitation of Christ. In it, he said:

“If you are at peace yourself, you will be able to help others become peaceable.  A [person not at rest] distorts things, and easily believes the worst.  A [person at rest] can turn even bad circumstances into good ones.

If you are at peace, you will not be suspicious of others.  If you are agitated and discontented, you will not trust anyone.  You will not be able to remain quiet yourself, and you will not let anyone else rest either…Love and humility do not know how to be angry or indignant.  It is easy to live with good and gentle people.  It takes a special gift to get along with obstinate, disorderly, and contrary people.

The person who knows how to suffer will enjoy the most peace.  Such a person has conquered him/herself and has become a friend of Christ.”  

I invite you to do something with me:

1. Read the quote again—out loud.
2. What word or phrase stands/stood out to you?
3. Think often on that word or phrase throughout the day.
4. Before you go to bed, ask God, “What do I need to know or learn about myself in light of that word or phrase?”

This week’s reading:
Monday – Luke 21
Tuesday – Luke 22
Wednesday – Luke 23
Thursday – Luke 24
Friday – Acts 1
Please Pray for:Our Nation and Our Leaders
Children and teachers’ spring break week
Holy Week and worship activities
Phase 3 (Construction of New Youth Building)