First Steps – November 20, 2023


While digging through an old file looking for survey results on courage (which I did not find), I found something else interesting.  It was a quote from Mark Batterson:
 
Lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.
 
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.  Set God-sized goals.  Pursue God-ordained passions.  Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.  Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution.  Stop criticizing and start creating.  Stop playing it safe and start taking risks.  Expand your horizons.  Consider the lilacs.  Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.  Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what is right with God.  Burn sinful bridges.  Laugh at yourself.  Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks.  Don’t try to be who you’re not.  Be yourself.  Quit holding out.  Quit holding back.  Quit running away.  If God is for us, who can be against us






This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – 1 Thessalonians 5
*Tuesday – 2 Thessalonians 1
*Wednesday – 2 Thessalonians 2
*Thursday – 2 Thessalonians 3
*Friday – Romans 1


Things to Pray About:
-The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world.
-Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith.
-Our unwillingly absent members.
-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


First Steps – November 13, 2023

What do people regret more, a bad decision made (action) or a missed opportunity (inaction)? There have been numerous studies on this question stating most people regret opportunities missed rather than mistakes made.  In addition, “time” plays a factor in what we regret. In the short term, a bad decision (action) is regretted more than a missed opportunity (inaction); however, over longer periods of time, say years, people regret more the missed opportunities.  

Abraham had his share of bad decisions, but he didn’t miss opportunities. When God called him to follow, he followed. He acted in faith, and it was counted as righteousness. It was not Abraham’s perfect actions that denoted righteousness. It was his faith to follow when given an opportunity.  

Many consider holiness the absence of sin. If I don’t do bad actions, then I will be holy. There is some evidence of this in scripture. But at the same time, there are people who are considered holy and yet they sin. Perhaps holiness has more to do with us walking in faith and not missing the opportunities to follow.  

God wants us to follow, to trust, in Him in all things.  Does this mean we will get it right every single time—I hope so—but most likely not.  The key is to not miss the opportunities that God places in front of us beckoning us to follow.  This is what we don’t want to miss; therefore, look for those God-given opportunities to follow.  





This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Matthew 28
*Tuesday – 1Thessalonians 1
*Wednesday – 1Thessalonians 2
*Thursday – 1Thessalonians 3
*Friday – 1Thessalonians 4


Things to Pray About:
-The violence and finding peace in our city, state, country, and in the world.
-Pray for guidance, healing, protection, strength, courage, and faith.
-Our unwillingly absent members.
-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


Blessing of the Animals, October 22, 2023

On Sunday, October 22, 2023, we met on the Hewitt Quad for our Annual Blessing of the Animals. This is always a favorite day, as furries gather for a special blessing from Shane. Thank you to everyone who brought their pets! We’d also like to show our appreciation to Jennifer Daniel for organizing this fun event.

First Steps – October 23, 2023

I’m the worst on vehicles, especially tires.  For some reason, I am a magnet for nails or anything that can produce a puncture. On a previous car that I drove for 10 years, I put 4 sets of tires over the duration of ownership—that is 16 tires or 1 tire about every 9 months.  

Recently, I bought a new car and within 5 weeks, I’ve already slashed a tire resulting in the purchase of a new one.  In this latest episode, as I ran over what I assumed was a nail, I instantly knew I was in trouble. I didn’t need the dreaded “low tire pressure” signal on my dashboard, I immediately felt it in the wheel.   

I have to admit there were a multitude of thoughts that ran through my mind. Thoughts of anger, shock, and disbelief.  As I exited the interstate to find a safe place to investigate how severe the problem was, there was another idea. I realized not even one of my thoughts could change my reality. The tire was still slashed, and anger or disbelief wasn’t going to change it.  

For many, there is always a lurking temptation fueled by anger. Instead of slowing things down in order to process the experience, many jump to decisions based on anger which often leads to regret because of words spoken or actions committed.  Genesis 4 is a reminder of this temptation:  Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry?”  Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?  But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Vrs 6,7).  

When faced with anger, slow things down, take a moment and say a prayer to see past the immediate.  A wider view or a momentary pause is often what is needed to introduce a better path.  It is not by chance that God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  We should seek the same.





This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Matthew 13
*Tuesday – Matthew 14
*Wednesday – Matthew 15
*Thursday – Matthew 16
*Friday – Matthew 17

Things to Pray About:
-The devastation and finding peace in Israel, and in the world.
-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


First Steps – October 16, 2023

Often, I am asked about patience which is the product of one’s outlook and perseverance. Patience is a willing acceptance of things that are bitter. The one who is patient does not complain about adversity but can praise God in the midst of a struggle.  

For the patient, all things are endured because one doesn’t walk alone. When we believe that we are isolated and alone, we tend to focus only on our circumstances; however, when we know we are with God, in God, and surrounded by God’s people, this becomes the fuel. Circumstances are borne by the whole.  

It is easier to be patient when I know I’m not alone but surrounded by many.  This week know that you are not alone; therefore, be patient, don’t complain, and even accept the bitterness.  
 



This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Matthew 8
*Tuesday – Matthew 9
*Wednesday – Matthew 10
*Thursday – Matthew 11
*Friday – Matthew 12

Things to Pray About:
-The devastation and finding peace in Israel; and in the world.
-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


August 27, 2023 – “Because You’re Worth It: Recognizing Your Sacred Worth” – Rev. John Fugh, Jr.

Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
August 27, 2023 - "Because You're Worth It: Recognizing Your Sacred Worth" - Rev. John Fugh, Jr.
Loading
/

Traditional Worship Service/Psalm 139:13-14