Category: First Steps

Romans 8 is my favorite chapter in the Bible. In different seasons of my life, this chapter has been personally meaningful. I marvel at God’s love for humanity and the constancy of Jesus’ intercession on our behalf. He, Jesus, is our High Priest. When I think my prayers are inchoate mutterings, how comforting it is to know that one can take my struggling gibberish and present it to the God of the universe.

Scottish theologian Alan Torrance wrote about Christ as our High Priest and the comfort he received at a dark time in his life.  In his book, Reclaiming the Continuing Priesthood of Christ, he wrote:

“In January 2008, my wife, Jane, died of cancer. She was the most wonderful Christian woman, wife, and mother. Watching her die in pain as the cancer spread throughout her body was hard, and seeing our children witness her gradual disintegration not only physically but mentally as the cancer spread through her brain was extremely hard. There were times when, in my grief, I really struggled to find the wherewithal to pray and, indeed, to know how to pray and what to pray for. In sum, I did not know how to pray as I ought.  In the depth of that valley the continuing priesthood of Christ became more relevant than I can begin to articulate—the fact that as I held Jane in my arms, the risen, ascended Priest of our confession was present by the Spirit interceding on our behalf meant that we could repose in his presence and know that communion that is the beginning and telos [end] of everything.”

What powerful words! In the end of it all, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  Thanks be to God.

This week’s reading:
Monday – 2 Peter 1-3; John 1
Tuesday – John 2-4
Wednesday – John 5, 6
Thursday – John 7, 8
Friday – John 9-11
 

Please Pray for:
Our Nation and Our Leaders
Phase 2 (Renovation of Current Facilities)
Phase 3 (Construction of New Youth Building)
For all those affected by the flu epidemic

On a recent retreat someone asked, “How does one stop bickering and complaining?”  Though the question was asked in the context of marriages, it really is a question about outlook or worldview.  For many, their vision is skewed or over-weighted towards what one doesn’t like in a person or in the world.  Unfortunately, over time, this develops into a pattern.  Anything done repetitively over a long period of time becomes one’s behavior.

To change that particular behavior, I have found it helpful to consider these steps:

1. Acknowledge the bickering or complaining. Don’t sugarcoat it. Own it. Realize that it is there.  If unsure if it is an issue, simply ask a close friend or spouse. They will know for they can see things about us that we often miss or dismiss.
2. Each day look for 10 things that are good and right, either in a spouse or in the world. This step seeks to stop the existing (negative) behavior while introducing an alternative (positive) behavior.
3. Whisper a prayer of thanksgiving for each of the things you see that are good and right. This step reinforces Step 2 and ties your faith to the new practice.
4. Finally, ask God to change your heart. Here, one trusts the work of God’s Spirit to create a heart to naturally look for the things that are good and right.

I don’t know if you struggle with complaining; but if you do, give these steps a try.

This week’s reading:
Monday – Hebrews 5-8
Tuesday – Hebrews 9-11
Wednesday – Hebrews 12, 13; Jude
Thursday – James 1-5
Friday – 1 Peter 1-5
 

Please Pray for:
Our Nation and Our Leaders
Phase 2 (Renovation of Current Facilities)
Phase 3 (Construction of New Youth Building)
For all those affected by the flu epidemic

 “It is only right with all the powers of our heart and mind, to praise you, Father, and your only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Dear Father, by your wondrous loving-kindness toward us, your servants, you gave up your Son.  Dear Jesus, you paid the debt of Adam for us to the Eternal Father by your blood poured forth in loving-kindness. You cleared away the darkness of sin by your magnificent and radiant resurrection. You broke the bonds of death and rose form the grave as a conqueror. You reconciled Heaven and earth. Our life had no hope of eternal happiness before you redeemed us. Your resurrection has washed away our sins, restored our innocence and brought us joy.  How inestimable is the tenderness of your love!

“We pray you, Lord, to preserve our servants in the peaceful enjoyment of this Easter happiness. We ask this thorough Jesus Christ Our Lord, who lives and reigns with God, The Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.  Amen”

Overcome with gratitude for sins forgiven, St. Gregory pinned this prayer.  How wonderful it is.

 

This week’s reading:
Monday – Colossians 1-4
Tuesday – 1 Timothy 1-4
Wednesday – 1 Timothy 5,6; Titus 1-3
Thursday – 2 Timothy 1-4
Friday – Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

Please Pray for:
For 2018 and all those who will grow in Christ this year
Our Nation and Leaders
Phase 2 (Renovation of Current Facilities)
Phase 3 (Construction of New Youth Building)

One of my desires is to have wisdom—to know what to do and when to do it.  Granted, some decisions we make are relativity insignificant because the answer is right in front of us. However, it is here – in those moments that major decisions, answers to multifaceted questions that will have lasting consequences – that I need wisdom the most.

St. Teresa of Avila was a Spanish nun who struggled with major decisions. Born into a dysfunctional family, early in her life she was very rebellious.  Eventually, she sought a life of discipline that lead her to a convent.  After a stroke which left her paralyzed for over 3 years, she came to the conclusion that prayer wasn’t just the words said but an act of love.  In loving others, she loved God.  In loving others, she served God. She constantly prayed for wisdom so that God would guide her decisions.

Pray for wisdom in all things.

One of her prayers was:
“Govern everything by your wisdom, O Lord, so that my soul may always be serving you in the way you will and not as I choose.  Let me die to myself so that I may serve you; let me live to you who is life itself. Amen”

This week’s reading:

Monday – Romans 9-12
Tuesday – Romans 13-16
Wednesday – Ephesians 1-4
Thursday – Ephesians 5, 6; Psalm 119:1-80
Friday – Philippians 1-4
Please Pray for:

For 2018 and all those who will grow in Christ this year
St Paul’s upcoming Marriage Retreat
Our Nation and Leaders
Safe travels for all on the Youth Ski Trip

Earlier this week, I had an opportunity to eat dinner with a friend. We ended up talking about his prayer life.  Desiring something more with God but not knowing what to do, I suggested that he start with some of the prayers of The Saints.  They, like us, were normal people who sought God in all things.  As you begin this year, begin it in prayer.

Perhaps on this first day of the year, we could begin with St. Anselm, an 11th Century Archbishop of Canterbury.  He prayed:

“O Lord my God, teach my heart this day where and how to see you, where and how to find you.  You have made me and remade me, and you have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, and still I do not know you.  I have not yet done that for which I was made.

Teach me to seek you, for I cannot seek you unless you teach me, or find you unless you show yourself to me.  Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire you in my seeking.  Let me find you by loving you, let me love you when I find you.” 

May God bless you as you seek after God,

 

 

 

This week’s reading:
Monday – Matthew 11-13
Tuesday – Matthew 14-16
Wednesday – Matthew 17-19
Thursday – Matthew 20-22
Friday – Mathew 23-25

 

Please Pray for:
Ukraine Children—St. Paul’s Winter Mission Trip
Safe travels for all who are traveling this holiday season
For 2018 and all those who will grow in Christ this year
St Paul’s upcoming Marriage Retreat