Category: First Steps

Cooking shows are a favorite of mine to watch. Over the past 2 ½ years, this has become a hobby because they give me ideas that feed my passion for cooking.  However, there is one part of the meal that I’ve yet to undertake…baking bread.  My daughter is considerably better at baking than me, so I stay out of the kitchen when she is baking.  However, we do share a common interest in one certain baking show, The Great British Baking Show.    On the show, if you’ve never seen it, several contestants bake different items in hopes of making it to the next week.  Each week, the contestant with the lowest marks is voted off by the two expert judges.  One week that many of the contestants dread is Bread Week.  Inevitability, during that week, one of the contestants will give the formula for most bread:  water + flour + time = leavened bread.  However, one of the challenges will be an unleavened type of bread which is more difficult for them.   For an Old Testament fan, unleavened bread should tickle the ear for Israel-baked unleavened bread for the Passover.  The classic formula of water + flour + time was disrupted because of the hastily exit out of Egypt.  For centuries, many Jews rid their homes of all possible leavened flour in preparation for Passover.  Any leaven already present in old flour would ruin the significance of the weekly remembrance.    In the New Testament, Jesus warned his audience to beware of the yeast of the religious leaders.  Jesus’ words focused not on an outside contaminant but the same leaven that was in the leaders was already in his audience.  The real problem wasn’t the outside enemy but what was already present in the person.  The judgmental and prideful nature of the religious leaders existed in the lives of the people waiting to rise to the top.    When we hate what another person does only to find that we do the same thing towards that person, we are guilty of the same yeast.  When we judge others by the same measure that we criticize another judger, we are guilty of the same yeast.  Just as one might spring clean the house to rid the house of anything that might ruin the whole lot, a follower of Christ must search the heart so that what is left after the spiritual purge is something pure.  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Romans 12 *Tuesday – Romans 13 *Wednesday- Romans 14 *Thursday -Romans 15 *Friday- Romans 16 Prayer Requests: *Children’s safety as they participate in summer activities.  *An immediate end to the crisis in Ukraine. *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

My older brother loves figs. Me, not so much; however, I have grown to appreciate them though I’m not sure I will ever grow to his level of affection or be a fig aficionado. I think it has to do with the texture of figs that hold me back. Regardless, in the ancient world, figs were a delicacy.    Then and now, figs are the fruit of a giant tree. In John’s Gospel, Nathanael enjoyed the shade of the fig tree when he learned of Jesus. In Luke’s Gospel, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus. Among religious Jews, sitting under a fig tree symbolizes the study of scripture. For just as the fig slowly ripens on the tree, the scriptures ripen with enlightenment to those who study.    What I have learned about figs is that a tree will have more than one harvest each year. Sometimes a tree can have three different harvests because the figs ripen not all at once like an apple tree. With figs, the ones closest to the trunk ripen first. Then the ones in the middle of the branch and finally the ones on the tip of the branch.  Because there isn’t a blossoming flower associated with the fruit, one can easily miss when a fig is ripe and ready to harvest.    Thinking of figs, I’m mindful of two important life lessons: 1. Not everyone ripens at the same time. When dealing with people it is important to remember that our timeline might not be their timeline. Though we might long for something to happen sooner than later, we can’t control another’s development. Therefore, trust in God is crucial. We trust that God is continually working to bring about a harvest. God is the final change agent. 2. If one is not looking for the fruit, they will miss it. God is working in the world. We want to patiently participate. As led by him, directed by him, and prompted by him, we work with his Holy Spirit to bring about transformation. Just as it is crucial to trust God’s work, it is crucial to be in a continual state of discernment so that we can see what God sees. With his sight, we can see the fruit ripen and act accordingly.  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Romans 7 *Tuesday – Romans 8 *Wednesday- Romans 9 *Thursday -Romans 10 *Friday- Romans 11 Prayer Requests: *Children’s safety as they participate in summer activities.  *An immediate end to the crisis in Ukraine. *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

Today is Independence Day—Happy Fourth of July!  As you celebrate this day with fireworks, cookouts, outside activities around a pool, a lake, or a beach, I hope you will spend some time in reflection.  I hope you will pause or break from the day’s activities to take it all in and ponder.   Ponder these things: 1.      Freedom is a gift.  It is easy to forget the sacrifice given for what we assume or take for granted. 2.     How I use my freedom is important.  Though we might have freedom, it is best used to benefit others. 3.     Expressed gratitude multiplies.  When we express our gratitude, it builds people up.  It empowers and creates an environment full of joy and unity.      I hope you have a wonderful day filled with family, friends, and fun.  At the same time, ponder what you have been given.  Contemplate the wonders of God and his gift of grace to you and others.  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Romans 2 *Tuesday – Romans 3 *Wednesday- Romans 4 *Thursday -Romans 5 *Friday- Romans 6 Prayer Requests: *Children’s safety as they participate in summer activities.  *An immediate end to the crisis in Ukraine. *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

A political season awaits!  In a few months, there will be a bombardment of mailings, commercials, and who knows what else.  Though I hope every person will be informed and participate in the elections by voting, the political seasons normally bring out the worst in people. For this reason, consider this advice from Francis de Sales:        In the addition to a mental solitude to which you can retreat even in the middle of a crowd, learn to love actual physical solitude.  There is no need to go out into the desert.  Simply spend some quiet time alone in your room, or in a garden, or some other place.  There you can think holy thoughts or do a little spiritual reading.  One of the great bishops said, ‘I walk alone on the beach at sunset.  I use such recreation to refresh myself and shake off a little of my ordinary troubles.’        Our Lord received a glowing report from the apostles about how they had preached and what a great ministry they had done.  Then he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’ (Mark 6:31).   When advertisements and communication turn dark, find a place of retreat, a place of solitude. There, you can shake off a little of your ordinary troubles. This Week’s Readings: *Monday – 1 Thessalonians 5 *Tuesday – 2 Thessalonians 1 *Wednesday- 2 Thessalonians 2 *Thursday -2 Thessalonians 3 *Friday- Romans 1 Prayer Requests: *Children’s safety as they participate in summer activities.  *An immediate end to the crisis in Ukraine. *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

I realize social media and the perceived reality created by it are relativity new, just a few decades old.  Though social media has many assets, it has one horrible byproduct, because it creates an environment that has the potential to prey upon one’s insecurities which normally leads to bad actions that hurt others.  Social media definitely wasn’t around in the 16th or 17th Century.  However, it doesn’t mean there aren’t similarities where we can learn from our ancient brothers and sisters.  Francis de Sales wrote this in his work, The Devout Life:      If you are not under an obligation to mingle socially or entertain others in your home, remain within yourself.  Entertain yourself.  If visitors arrive or you are called out to someone for a good reason, go as one who is sent by God.  Visit your neighbor with a loving heart and a good intention.      There is great risk in visiting mean and vicious people.  It is something like exposure to rabies.  As for ordinary social gatherings, we need to be neither too careful to participate in them nor impolite in condemning them.  We can modestly do our duty.      A vine planted among olive trees produces oily grapes with tainted taste.  In the same way, a soul that is often a companion with virtuous people will absorb their good qualities.       In all of your mixing with others, be natural, sincere, and modest.  Some people annoy others with their affectations.  Some don’t speak:  they sing instead.  Some take steps and must count everyone out loud to you!  This becomes irritating.  Artificiality in social life is very disagreeable.    Here are some takeaways that are helpful for our day: 1. One doesn’t have to participate, but when one does engage others, do it as one sent from God.  Remember your witness. 2. Don’t engage mean and vicious people.  There is power in the “delete” key.  Just because someone sends a message, a text, or a video doesn’t mean anything other than they sent it.  One doesn’t have to respond. 3. Engage people that you want to be like.  We do acquire the traits of others.  Therefore, acquire the traits you really want, especially those that make you a better person. 4. Learn to be yourself.  Maturity has more to do with loving your own skin and being sincere, which means one doesn’t have to fake it. This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Matthew 28 *Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 1 *Wednesday- 1 Thessalonians 2 *Thursday – 1 Thessalonians 3 *Friday- 1 Thessalonians 4 Prayer Requests: *Children’s safety as they participate in summer activities.  *An immediate end to the crisis in Ukraine. *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

A few weeks ago, I attended the annual meeting of the conference that I belong to as a Methodist minister.  In four days, our conference conducted business, reviewed ministries, ordained new ministers, celebrated those retiring, and worshipped together.  What made this annual conference special was that this was the first time our conference had been able to hold all of it in a live format due to Covid.  This year was especially meaningful for me.  Emotionally, it was more than I expected.  I’ve been to countless worship services, business sessions, and gatherings – so many that I don’t think I could count them (all); but, after a three-year hiatus, each event has been simply more meaningful.   The most meaningful event was the memorial service where our conference remembered those who have died from one conference year to the next. Previously, due to my age, I seldom had a connection with those remembered that had gone before us. The ministers being remembered had retired long before I entered the ministry, so I never knew them; however, that is not the case anymore.  As I sat in the pew, I could recall faces, stories, and shared events of friends and colleagues that are now no longer with us.  It was sobering and emotional.   It has been my experience that in times like this, the liturgy of the church can be a foundation.  The written prayers that have sustained the test of time, spoken by the faithful throughout the years, were more than just words we prayed during the service.  They were a connection to those now celebrated.  Though I hope it is years from now, those after me will pray those same prayers when my path is finished.  I’m grateful for the great cloud of witnesses that completed their journeys and now rest from their labors.  I’m grateful that we are still connected in the mystical union that exists for all those who are in Christ.  I’m comforted by this connection.    I hope you are as well.  You don’t have to be in a memorial service to acknowledge this connection.  We are connected through the bonds of Christ.  However, worship does help, as does the liturgy:   “As we gather in this holy place, we feel God’s flowing Spirit raising our eyes towards heaven.  We feel the eternal light of the Holy One lifting the shadow of death.  We feel the fellowship of the living echoing the friendship of those gone from this world.  We come to the Author of Life, the lover of our souls, secure in our Lord’s great faithfulness and the hope that rings triumphant over the silence of the tomb.        O God of both the living and the dead, we praise your holy name for all your servants who have faithfully lived and died.  We thank you for the sacred ties that bind us to each other and to those who now encompass us in the great cloud of witnesses.  We pray that encouraged by their example, and strengthened by their fellowship, we may be diligent followers sustained in prayer, worship, witness, and service by your great faithfulness. Amen.”   This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Matthew 23 *Tuesday – Matthew 24 *Wednesday- Matthew 25 *Thursday – Matthew 26 *Friday- Matthew 27 Prayer Requests: *Children’s safety as they participate in summer activities.  *An immediate end to the crisis in Ukraine. *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