First Steps – June 3, 2019

Catherine Parr, the 6th and only surviving wife of Henry VIII, published her prayers. This one is my favorite:

“Lord Jesus, help me to want what is most pleasant to you. You know what is best for me. Give what you will, when the right time comes, and in the quantity you prefer. Do with me as you please. Put me where you will. I am in your hands. I am your servant. I am ready to do whatever you command. You are the true peace of my heart and the perfect rest of my soul.

If you want me to be in light, I will praise you. If you want me to be in darkness, I will also praise you. If you comfort me, I will bless you. If you allow me to be troubled, I will bless you.

O Lord, make possible by your grace that which is impossible by my nature. Sometimes I think I am going to hold together, but when a little trouble comes it tears me apart. Good Lord, you know my weakness, my frailness. Have mercy on me. Amen.”


Try this:
1. Pray this prayer out loud.
2. What words stand out to you?
3. In silent refection, focus on those words.
4. Spend a few minutes with your eyes closed, take deep breaths, and listen to what is going on around you.


This week’s reading:

  • Monday – Matthew 26, Matthew 27
  • Tuesday – Matthew 28, 1 Thes 1, 1 Thes 2, 1 Thes 3
  • Wednesday – 1 Thes 4, 1 Thes 5, 2 Thes 1, 2 Thes 2, 2 Thes 3
  • Thursday – Rom 1, Rom 2, Rom 3, Rom 4
  • Friday – Rom 5, Rom 6, Rom 7, Rom 8


    Please Pray for:
    • Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications.
    • Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
    • Those who are unwillingly absent.
    • Those who are grieving and depressed.
    • The United Methodist Church.
    • Our nation and our leaders.

Colossians: Summer Brown Bag Study


What we think about Jesus matters. Our perception of Him shapes us—what we say, how we treat others, even what we think. If we paint Jesus as any less than who He is as supreme over all creation and savior of the world, not only does our theology slip, but the working out of our faith also suffers.

Join us for this summer study as Louie Giglio takes us through the book of Colossians to help us form a complete picture of Jesus. What we believe about Him influences everything from our corporate worship to our relationships to our attitude toward sin. Now alive in Christ, we can live a life worthy of God instead of falling back into the ways of the world.

Bring your lunch and join us for a study through the book of Colossians June 19-August 7 each Wednesday from Noon – 1PM in Room M232.

First Steps – May 27, 2019

I hate moving! I can think of 1,000 things I would rather do than pack boxes for relocation. Where I serve, we are moving our administrative offices so they can be renovated.  Though I will be delighted when the project is completed, the process is not my favorite.  Actually, it is far from it. 

However, there is one exception, the move provides an opportunity for a “clear out.”  In order to move, I had to go through every drawer, cabinet, and folder.  Things I haven’t touched in years, things I have acquired, and things that I have collected only to forget I had them resurfaced. Preparing for the move provided me the perfect opportunity to get rid of things that are not useful.  Not only will it provide me more space when I move back in, it also made me prioritize what is important to me.

Strange as it may sound, life is like my office.  Over time, we collect things; acquire things, pick-up things both good and bad. Without a stimulus, most people will let it lie only to take up space.  We collect or form habits and have a tendency to hold on to them.  The key is to keep the good and let go of the bad which requires effort; often, the effort of moving. Every so often our souls need a “clear out” where we get rid of the things that hold us down and prioritize what is important.

On second thought, maybe I need to reevaluate my thoughts on moving. How about you?


      



This week’s reading:

  • Monday – Matthew 11, Matthew 12, Matthew 13
  • Tuesday – Matthew 14, Matthew 15, Matthew 16
  • Wednesday – Matthew 17, Matthew 18, Matthew 19
  • Thursday – Matthew 20, Matthew 21, Matthew 22
  • Friday – Matthew 23, Matthew 24, Matthew 25


Please Pray for:

  • Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications.
  • Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • Those who are grieving and depressed.
    The United Methodist Church.
  • Our nation and our leaders.