Author: Cindy Lee

Posted on

First Steps – January 27, 2020

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting Normandy, France.  It had long been a bucket list item for me.  I have always been a World War II buff and marveled at the heroism of the Allied Invasion of Normandy and the entire war for that matter.  However, walking on Utah and Omaha Beaches, seeing the topography, having an educated guide point out the historical steps and events was not just emotional but enlightening.

How humbling it was to see and then envision the efforts made to secure freedom in the face of tyranny.  While I was there, I thought about Romans 6:17-19:

So, since we’re out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want? Since we’re free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it’s your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you’ve let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you’ve started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!   I’m using this freedom language because it’s easy to picture. You can readily recall, can’t you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing—not caring about others, not caring about God—the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God’s freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?

Because we have freedom, in fullness of the word, we are to not take it for granted but to use it to love God and others.  We are not free to simply do what feels good but to make a difference in the lives of others.  We do this most effectively when we love others as ourselves.  Jesus sacrificed for us so that we could live for him.

This week’s reading:

  • Monday –  1 Thessalonians 5
  • Tuesday – 2 Thessalonians 1
  • Wednesday – 2 Thessalonians 2
  • Thursday â€“ 2 Thessalonians 3
  • Friday – Romans 1

Please Pray for:.

  • The St. Paul UMC family.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • Those who are grieving and depressed.
  • The United Methodist Church.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.

Posted on

First Steps – January 13, 2020

In times of anxiety, peace is worth its weight in gold.  After a very contentious meeting, a friend of mine prayed this prayer:

Lord of the 23rd Psalm,
I have known death,
and you have refreshed my soul.
I have known fear, 
and you have comforted me.
I have known hunger, 
and you have set a feast before me.
In the darkest valley
no calamity of humankind or nature has separated us.

Teach me to walk as you walk
besides those in mourning
so that they will know joy,
besides those in fear
that they will know comfort,
besides those in hunger
that they will feast until their cup overflows.

As your goodness and love follow me,
may mine follow my neighbor
that the threat of the worst terrors
may turn to the knowledge of the comforts of
the house of the Lord,
where you have invited us to dwell forever.

And so let me strive to help build on earth
what you have promised us in heaven.
In the face of all calamity, present and yet to come,
let me lead my neighbor beside quiet waters,
the quiet waters of the Good Shepherd.  Amen.

As you begin this week, maybe a week filled with anxiety, pray this prayer.  If not, pray it nonetheless.  

This week’s reading:
Monday –  Matthew 28
Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 1
Wednesday – 1 Thessalonians 2
Thursday â€“ 1 Thessalonians 3
Friday – 1 Thessalonians 4

Please Pray for:.
The St. Paul UMC family.
Those who are unwillingly absent.
Those who are grieving and depressed.
The United Methodist Church.
Our nation and our leaders.
The World.
The Lost.

Please Pray for:.

  • The Ministers and St. Paul UMC family.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • Those who are grieving and depressed.
  • The United Methodist Church.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.

Posted on

First Steps – January 13, 2020

I am often asked, “Why should I love God?”  There are multiple reasons why, but Bernard of Clairvaux gave these reasons.  He said one is to love because there is no one more worthy of your love.  Two, no one can return more in response to the love he or she has received.
 
He wrote, “God deserves our love because he first loved us.  His love for us was genuine because he sought nothing for himself.  See the object of his love:  enemies.  ‘For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him though the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!’ (Romans 5:10).  God’s love was unconditional…How much did he love?  The answer is in John’s Gospel: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave this one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16).  The Son, speaking of himself said, ‘The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.’ (John 15:13).  We, the wicked, then should love the Righteous One in return.”
 
Ponder the deep love of God for you.  Allow it to drench your soul.  Respond in awe at the vastness of His love. 


This week’s reading:

  • Monday –  Matthew 23
  • Tuesday – Matthew 24
  • Wednesday – Matthew 25
  • Thursday – Matthew 26
  • Friday – Matthew 27


Please Pray for:.

  • The Ministers and St. Paul UMC family.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • Those who are grieving and depressed.
  • The United Methodist Church.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.

Posted on

First Steps – January 6, 2020

As you begin this new year, focus on the words of Brother Lawrence.  In his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence stated:

“There is nothing in the world as delightful as a continual walk with God.  Only those who have experienced it can comprehend it.  And yet I do not recommend that you seek it solely because it is what God wants.  Do it because of love, and because it is what God wants…Please get started now.  [It doesn’t matter how old you are] It is better late than never… For my part, I spend as much time as possible alone with him at the very center of my soul.  As long as I am with him, I am afraid of nothing, but the least turning away from him is unbearable…Don’t be discourage if you find this hard to do.  If you just try it a little, you will consider it wasted time.  Stick to it!  Resolve to persevere…”

Make this a goal for 2020.  Devote this year to growing in faith, seeking God in all that you do.  God will not let you down.  You will be strengthened and find greater fulfillment in all that you do.  

This week’s reading:
Monday –  Matthew 18
Tuesday – Matthew 19
Wednesday – Matthew 20
Thursday – Matthew 21
Friday – Matthew 22

Please Pray for:
The Ministers and St. Paul UMC family.
Those who are unwillingly absent.
Those who are grieving and depressed.
The United Methodist Church.
Our nation and our leaders.
The World.

Posted on

First Steps – December 30, 2019

I like the story of a man who heard that his friend, Sam, quit his job.  The man then called the manager of the company to apply for Sam’s vacancy.  The manager responded, “Sam didn’t leave a vacancy.”
 
We could interpret this story in strictly “work” terms.  However, I think there is a broader interpretation, one more meaningful, if we see it in “life” terms.  Our life should be lived at a level that when our time is complete, there is a vacancy.  I think this type of life is not tied to production or bottom lines but in terms of people. 
 
Jesus was more concerned with people than anything else.  That is the currency of the Kingdom of God.  Your task this week is to invest in the people around you.  Pray for them, encourage them, love them, and be kind to them.  Live a life worthy of the gospel.  That is how we leave a vacancy. 

 


 


This week’s reading:


Please Pray for:

  • Ukraine Missions Team as they travel abroad.
  • Traveling mercies for all.
  • The Ministers and St. Paul UMC family.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • Those who are grieving and depressed.
  • The United Methodist Church.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.

Posted on

First Steps – December 23, 2019

How do you think most people spend Christmas Day?  Perhaps surrounded by friends and family, opening gifts, eating a scrumptious meal, and relaxing afterwards would be our best guess.  Unfortunately, that isn’t the case for so many.  For many people, the holidays are something dreaded because they are alone.
 
Before the days of streaming TV, the movie theatre was the “happening” place on Christmas Day.  The parking lot was filled with people.  One can watch a movie as a respite from the painful reminder of what isn’t.  ‘Tis the season to be jolly, and at the same time, ‘tis the season to be lonely. 
 
This year why not think of someone who may be alone and reach out to them.  If you don’t know whom that might be, consider those in nursing homes, divorcees, single folks, people who have children who live in different cities, immigrants, or the new neighbor who just moved next to you.  We are created as relational beings—part of the way God made us.  When we are not in relationships, we hurt.  All that is needed is someone who will reach out, walk across the room, or send an invitation. 

 

This week’s reading:

  • Monday –  Matthew 8
  • Tuesday – Matthew 9
  • Wednesday – Matthew 10
  • Thursday – Matthew 11
  • Friday – Matthew 12
 
Please pray for:
 
  • Traveling mercies over the holiday season.
  • The St. Paul Church family. 
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • Those who are grieving and depressed.
  • The United Methodist Church.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.

Proudly powered by WordPress