Category: Media

Posted on

First Steps – May 8, 2023


Do you like to work in a garden?  Keep a yard? If you do, try this the next time:

Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

While you work, ask yourself these questions:
1.  Where are you currently planting seeds in ministry?
2.  When is the last time you felt a time of harvest?
3.  How can you provide an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to water seeds of faith in the lives of the people who attend your church?

Pray:  O God, thank you for the opportunity to plant seeds of faith in the hearts and lives of others.  Help me to see the fruit ripe for harvest.  Help me to trust your Holy Spirit.  Send what is needed for growth in the lives of those around me.  Use me, O Lord. I yield myself to you.  Amen.
  

 
 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Revelation 1-4
*Tuesday – Revelation 5-9
*Wednesday – Revelation 10-14
*Thursday – Revelation 15-18
*Friday – Revelation 19-22

Prayer Requests:
-Our graduating high school seniors.
-Family restoration through forgiveness.
-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. 
-Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
-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


Posted on

First Steps – May 1, 2023

Either by a window looking outside, on your next walk or run, or the next time you are outside, use that time as an occasion for prayer and reflection:
 
Hebrews 11:3—By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
 
Colossians 1:16—For in him all things were created:  things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
 
Genesis 1:1-2—In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 
 
Revelation 4:11—You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
 
Psalm 8:1—Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory in the heavens. 
 
What does each of these scripture passages tell you about God?  What does each one tell you about creation?

  

 
 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – John 12, John 13, John 14
*Tuesday – John 15, John 16, John 17, John 18
*Wednesday – John 19, John 20, John 21
*Thursday – 1 John 1, 1 John 2, 1 John 3, 1 John 4, 1 John 5
*Friday – 2 John 1-13, 3 John 1-15

Prayer Requests:
-Family restoration through forgiveness.
-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. 
-Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
-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


Posted on

First Steps – April 10, 2023

Easter Sunday is over. Frankly, I always have mixed emotions on Easter Monday. On one level, there is a collective sigh of relief, because all the events are completed. Energy levels can be replenished and restored. For a pastor, Lent/Easter and Advent/Christmas are incredibly busy, so with the passing of those days, there comes that time for renewal. Every pastor enjoys Easter Monday, normally with a slow start to the morning, an extra cup of coffee, a late arrival to the office, or an extra day off.
 
However, there is a longing for Easter to linger for just a bit longer. With each season of preparation (Lent and Advent), we live differently—like we should live year around. It is for this reason I grieve Easter’s passing. After all, we are Easter people, and our job is to “Easter” the world. We do this with our witness. In both our words and deeds, people are drawn to Christ by what they “witness” in another person.  They are drawn to Christ by what they see in us!
 
Therefore, this Easter Monday, let the day linger for a bit longer. Continue to live the Lenten life of witness that draws another to the Resurrected Lord. 
  

 
 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Colossians 1, Colossians 2, Colossians 3, Colossians 4
*Tuesday – 1 Timothy 1, 1 Timothy 2, 1 Timothy 3,
*Wednesday – 1 Timothy 4, 1 Timothy 5, 1 Timothy 6
*Thursday – Titus 1, Titus 2, Titus 3
*Friday – 2 Timothy 1, 2 Timothy 2, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 4

Prayer Requests:
-Family restoration through forgiveness.
-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. 
-Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
-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


Posted on

First Steps – April 3, 2023

There is a very subtle seductive voice that whispers to every one of us.  In our ears, we hear a word, “if.”  Even Jesus wasn’t spared this voice for he heard it at least three times:  If you are the Son of God…If you are the Son of God…If you will bow down to me.  This powerful temptation often wreaks havoc because many fall prey to its seduction.  

When we hear that simple word, “if”, we become trapped in the conditional desires of another person. In essence, someone else then controls our identity and subsequently our behavior. I’m sure you’ve heard it:  If I have this job…If I go to this place…if I obtain this level…if, if, if.  A person thinks if, then I will be something different than I am today.  Again, that difference is linked to what someone else thinks about you.  When this happens, they become your chief influence. They determine what you do.  

Perhaps there is a better way, one where we derive our identity from what we already are. These are the New Testament’s dominant messages. We are (already)…
– Loved by God, 
– One of scared worth,
– A Child of God.

These are things God freely gives without a conditional “if” for out of his nature flows his grace. Our role is to allow it to be our ground of being, our bedrock, our identity. This is where we start. It is out of who we are that we act; therefore, our actions don’t determine our identity. Our identity determines our actions. We begin in the center of God’s love, a place of wholeness, strength, and stability. It is only then that we can live without an “if.”   
  

 
 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Romans 9, Romans 10, Romans 11, Romans 12
*Tuesday – Romans 13, Romans 14, Romans 15, Romans 16
*Wednesday – Ephesians 1, Ephesians 2, Ephesians 3, Ephesians 4
*Thursday – Ephesians 5, Ephesians 6
*Friday – Philippians 1, Philippians 2, Philippians 3, Philippians 4

Prayer Requests:
-Family restoration through forgiveness.
-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. 
-Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
*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


Posted on

“How Great Thou Art!” – A Special Worship in Song and Readings for Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023

Traditional Worship Service
Mark 11:1-19 – “The Holy City” by S. Adams
John 14:15-21, 28-31 – “I Will Not Leave You Comfortless” by C. Young
Matthew 26:26-30, 36-45 – “Remember Me” by D. Govenor
John 18-1-24 – “My Jesus, I Love Thee” by P. Sjolund
John 19:1-16 – “Ave Vernum” by W.A. Mozart
Luke 23:32-46 – “The Gate of Heaven” by C. Courtney
Luke 23:47-56 – “How Great Thou Art” by D. Forrest

Posted on

First Steps – March 27, 2023

One afternoon while sitting next to the shoreline, I was attentive to every sound around me. I heard a dog barking, music playing, and people talking as they walked by me; however, there was another sound, and it was stronger than the others. It was rhythmic. It was the waves. As I sat there, I realized the sound of the waves was dominant. Each other sound broke into that rhythm but was out of place, trespassing on what was already there. The other sounds were violations, distractions to the background rhythms of the waves.
 
As I listened to all the sounds of that afternoon by the beach, I kept wondering how many times I am distracted by interruptive sounds. When I overly focus on those disruptive sounds and concentrate on the noise, I miss the beautiful rhythm already established and present. 
 
I do the same thing with God. Instead of listening for his voice, which is a constant rhythm in my life, I focus on the one, two, or three distractions that contend for one’s ear. When I focus on the surrounding noise, I miss what is most important. How easy it is to miss the everyday rhythm of God’s work of changing lives, bringing peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
 
How about you? What sounds capture your attention? Listen today, but not to the disruptions. Listen for that one voice, speaking in the background that wants to remind you of his love and grace. 

  

 
 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Matthew 26, Matthew 27, Matthew 28
*Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 1,  1 Thessalonians 2, 1 Thessalonians 3
*Wednesday – 2 Thessalonians 1, 2 Thessalonians 2, 2 Thessalonians 3
*Thursday – Romans 1, Romans 2, Romans 3, Romans 4
*Friday – Romans 5, Romans 6, Romans 7, Romans 8


Prayer Requests:
-Safe travels for those coming and going during Spring Break week
-Family restoration through forgiveness.
-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. 
-Guidance for those seeking to find their way.
*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


Proudly powered by WordPress