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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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First Steps – July 24, 2023

Over the last few months, I have been praying this prayer: Lord, Grant me a clear mind, a calm heart, a resolved heart, and a graceful eye. 

Over this past week, I’ve added another aspect:  A Kind Tongue. 
 
Now, about 10 to 20 times a day, I will pray this prayer:
Lord, Grant me a clear mind, a calm heart, a resolved heart, a graceful eye, and a kind tongue. 
 
John Wesley was aware of the power of the tongue.  He said (as it relates to the power of the tongue), “It is good to renew ourselves from time to time by closely examining the state of our souls, as if we had never done it before. For nothing tends more to the full assurance of faith than to keep ourselves by this means in humility and the exercise of all good works.”
 
To examine your soul is to reflect upon:
How do you speak?
What actions/words need to change? 
What are the intentions behind your words and your actions?
 
In the end, the hope is that all three answers are infused and bathed in Christ.  If for some reason we have a little bit more to do, invite the Holy Spirit to change your heart so that all things belong to him.


 
 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Acts 27
*Tuesday – Acts 28
*Wednesday – Mark 1
*Thursday – Mark 2
*Friday – Mark 3


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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June 25, 2023 – “The Wonder of God’s Grace” – Rev. Dr. Shane Green

Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
Worship (SPUMCColumbus)
June 25, 2023 - "The Wonder of God's Grace" - Rev. Dr. Shane Green
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Traditional Worship Service/Acts 10:34-38 and 1 Timothy 1:12-17

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First Steps – July 17, 2023

Over the July 4th weekend, I was introduced to the concept of “Faith Block.” The author of the blog post described his struggle with writer’s block. Part of his profession is the creation of content and he admitted there were times when it is a struggle to create or generate new content especially when he must do it all the time. As I read his blog, I had great empathy for him because many preachers suffer from the same struggle. In jest, I will often joke that when one lives 2000 years after Jesus, where there have been millions of sermons already preached, coming up with new ways to convey the gospel can be a bit of a task.  

But he asked a question:  Do we suffer from Faith Block?  He didn’t answer the question, for he left it for his readers to answer. I think that is a great question! Faith is designed to be active, fluid, and lived out. It is not designed to be something we think, as if to say, “I believe in God” with no corresponding action(s). Faith is a verb—to have action. It is a way of life where one follows Jesus. Sure, someone will have faith (believe) in Jesus, but that belief must be lived out.

So, I ask you the same question today:  Do you have Faith Block?



 

 
This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – Acts 22
*Tuesday – Acts 23
*Wednesday – Acts 24
*Thursday – Acts 25
*Friday – Acts 26


Prayer Requests:
– Children, Leaders, and Counselors at Summer 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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