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First Steps – September 4, 2023

Don’t discount the impact of your witness.  Sometimes we do.  I write this thinking about the impact of Mary’s witness on Jesus.  Granted, it is easy to assume Jesus blew through life with no worries, struggles, or hardships.  After all, Jesus was God incarnate.  Many times, I forget or downplay his humanity, because I overly focus on his divinity.  Frankly, I like the superhero Jesus coming in the clouds with power and force, able to brush off anything that confronts him but in doing so, I miss so much.

His mother was a model of submission to God.  When she is introduced in Luke’s Gospel, one sees her humble spirit:  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said.” Years later when Jesus was in the garden, he prayed something similar:  “Not my will but your will be done.”  Where did he learn this type of submission?  I guess one could place this ability in the superhero Jesus category, but  I’m not sure that would give the full picture. I think it was modeled for him his entire life.  Mary’s witness mattered to Jesus.  

Likewise, your witness matters. If you are a parent, grandparent, coach, teacher, or in a place where someone observes you, remember your witness matters.  Followers of Christ are grown as much as made. Often, the growth process involves modeling one to another.  



 

 This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – 1 Corinthians 7
*Tuesday – 1 Corinthians 8
*Wednesday – 1 Corinthians 9
*Thursday – 1 Corinthians 10
*Friday – 1 Corinthians 11

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


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First Steps – August 28, 2023

I have long been a fan of the work of St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  Having friends who have benefited from their care of children, I’ve seen the efficacy of their work up close.  Brooke and I were first introduced to their impact while serving in Macon, Georgia. It was incredible to watch the total care of not only the child, but the entire family.  

One of the major fundraisers that benefit St. Jude is a PGA golf tournament held in Memphis, Tennessee each year.  During this year’s final round on the 18th hole, there were special marshals who greeted each golfer when they completed their round of golf.  The marshals were some of the children under the care of St. Jude.  I was moved as each golfer stopped their play to acknowledge the special marshals when their names were announced.  Each golfer then walked off the 18th green and personally acknowledged each child.  The faces of both the golfer and the marshal lit up with joy as they greeted each other.

As I watched this, I thought it doesn’t take much to notice the people around you.  Do you notice the people around you?  What about the person at the grocery counter?  What about the attendant who greets you as you enter a business?  What about the person who serves you at lunch?  What about the person who stands in need at the corner of the intersection?  

As I write this, I wonder how many people I don’t see because I’m not looking.  Yet, as I read the Gospels, I noticed that Jesus saw and acknowledged so many that others overlooked.  This week, join me in prayer for open eyes—to see what Jesus sees.  It doesn’t take much to notice the people around you.  



 

 This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – 1 Corinthians 2
*Tuesday – 1 Corinthians 3
*Wednesday – 1 Corinthians 4
*Thursday – 1 Corinthians 5
*Friday – 1 Corinthians 6

Prayer Requests:
-Teachers, students, and parents as they adjust to the new school year.
-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. 
-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


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First Steps – August 21, 2023

Every preacher likes object lessons.  Like parables, they help convey a deeper theological message.  While reading 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, I thought of a garden hose.  

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

A garden hose doesn’t work properly unless water flows in and out of it.  It must have both.  The same is true for the Christians.  God’s Spirit flows in so that it can flow out.  It must have both.  In the above passage, God comforts one person (flows in) so that person can comfort someone else (flows out).  

When we fail to allow God to flow in our lives or we fail to use what we have received, we stop the flow of things.  We miss out on how God is comforting us and how God would comfort someone else.  In and out—that is how it works.  This week, don’t stop the flow of God’s work.



 

 This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Galatians 3
*Tuesday – Galatians 4
*Wednesday – Galatians 5
*Thursday – Galatians 6
*Friday – 1 Corinthians 1

Prayer Requests:
-Teachers, students, and parents as they adjust to the new school year.
-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. 
-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


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Dr. Ivan Rusyn Gives Tammy Reynolds, Head of Council on Ministries, an Update on Ukraine – Part 2 of an Interview on July 2, 2023

Tammy Reynolds interviews Dr. Ivan Rusyn about the state of Christian Ministry during the war in Ukraine.  Tammy has long been the head of our Ukraine Missions, which serves children in orphanages.  Dr. Rusyn is President and Professor of Missions at Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary. This interview was recorded on July 2, 2023.

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First Steps – August 7, 2023

One of the major struggles I see with spiritual growth is the false conviction of “I have to…”.  I have to do this, I have to be here, my child has to (fill in the blank).  When we are held hostage to “I have to”, we surrender our calendar to the demands of another person or another group.  Then we fret and wish if only I didn’t have so many responsibilities, then I could focus more on my relationship with God.  Yet, Jesus was constantly pulled in one direction after another.  Many times, he couldn’t enter a town without bombardment from people. 
 
What separated Jesus from others was his choice to withdraw.  He didn’t buy into the slogan of “I have to.”  In Mark’s Gospel (Chapter 1), people flocked to him bringing those who were sick and hurting.  In fact, the whole city was gathered together at the door of the house (verses 32-34).  He healed many, but the next day he sought out a solitary place to pray and retreat so that he could recharge.
 
I’m sure people stressed the importance of seeing more people, preaching more sermons, teaching more parables, of healing more sick, and they might have used the words, “Jesus, you have to…”. However, he chose to balance his schedule with times of retreat.  We should do the same.  You don’t have to do all the things that are placed before you.  Your children and grandchildren don’t have to do all thing set before them.  Do some but balance the scales with times for spiritual growth, retreat, and rest. 



 

 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Mark 9
*Tuesday – Mark 10
*Wednesday – Mark 11
*Thursday – Mark 12
*Friday – Mark 13

Prayer Requests:
-Teachers, students, and parents as another school year begins.
-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. 
-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


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First Steps – July 31, 2023

Outside of The Masters golf tournament, my favorite golf tournament is The Open Championship.  I like links-style golf courses and have been drawn to watching tournaments played on those courses since I was a teenager.  I think they have a natural beauty.  The winner of The Open Championship is called, The Champion Golfer of the Year.  This year it was Georgia native, Brian Harman.  He is a scrappy golfer who loves a challenge and never backs down. He is also very consistent with his play.

In one of his post-round interviews, he talked about his team who helps him become the best golfer he can be. He talked about the hours of practice and how each team member plays a unique part in his life.  Though he didn’t use the words Discipline and Accountability, he alluded to them.  

As followers of Christ, we need both discipline and accountability. Our faith doesn’t grow without them. Discipline is the proactive effort one gives to grow. Accountability provides the check and balance to our effort. Both keep us focused and moving forward with God.  

This week I ask you to take a candid inventory of your life.  Where do you need to be more discipline?  Where do you need accountability? God desires for us to grow and become more like his son, Jesus Christ. Commit time and effort to become like Christ. Invite people to hold you accountable.  
 


 
 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Mark 4
*Tuesday – Mark 5
*Wednesday – Mark 6
*Thursday – Mark 7
*Friday – Mark 8


Prayer Requests:
-Children, Leaders, and Counselors at Camp.
-Families traveling throughout the summer.
-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. 
-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


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