Category: First Steps

There is a part in the great spiritual classic, Pilgrim’s Progress, where the main character, Pilgrim meets the gatekeeper, Porter.  Upon meeting, Porter asked the Pilgrim his name.

Porter:  What is your name?
Pilgrim:  My name is now Christian, but my name at first was Graceless.

I’ve often thought of those lines and how true they are for so many.  Every follower of Christ is given the same name, Christian.  Likewise, every follower’s previous name was Graceless. The moment someone believes, God gives that person a new name.  They are named after Christ, the One they follow.

This week I hope you will think of your new name; one given by God.  Reflect on the grace you have received and give thanks that once you were named Graceless, but now, Christian. 

• The world as we are still dealing with Covid-19.
• Parents, teachers, and students as the 2021-2022 school term gets underway.
• All upcoming ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul.
• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church family.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world.

“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 

Dominic Guzman, a Spaniard, was born in 1170 AD. In 1203, as a priest, he accompanied a bishop on a diplomatic mission through the region of southern France. At that time, the religion of that area was a version of Gnosticism (First Century heresy) called Catharism. Many of the region’s ruling elite were heavily influenced by this form of heresy. Though many preachers sought to evangelize the region with the gospel, they were ineffective.

• Parents, teachers, and students as the 2021-2022 school term gets under way.
• All upcoming ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul.
• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

In a recent Bible study, the leader said something very insightful, “Most people like what God says until we are called to action.” Similarly, most like the grace of God until it requires a changed life. One desires the forgiveness of God as long as it doesn’t mean one has to forgive others.

• Parents, teachers, and students as the 2021 – 2022 school year begins.
• All upcoming ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul.
• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

While walking on the beach, I couldn’t help but notice the millions of broken shells.  At some point in their history, they were tossed about over and over; bumping into the sand, rocks, or other shells; eventually, they were fractured. Perhaps a little piece here then a little piece there. Sometime later, the result was something of a small portion of their original look or shape.

There is a part of me that knows this happens to people. Various struggles, problems, circumstances can be like waves that are relentless. A little break here, a little break there can be managed, but when that happens time and time again, the results can be something similar to what I witnessed on the beach—Brokenness.  Over time, people become a fraction of what they once were.

Thankfully, the work of God leads to restoration.  Just as brokenness can happen bit by bit, God’s Spirit restores in the same manner.  2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”  It is that last phrase (italics) that is our hopeful promise of restoration. 

I hope this week your thoughts will rest on the promise of God for transformation.  We all experience brokenness in one degree or another, but the work of God’s Spirit won’t stop in the work of wholeness. Know that at this very moment, God is at work in you.  His desire is restoration.

• All upcoming ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul.
• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

There is a story I recall about the legendary golfer, Gary Player.  One afternoon he was practicing sand shots from a bunker.  Some of his practice shots ended up in the hole.  A little boy stood watching these shots and upon the hole-outs said, “Wow, those were lucky shots!”  Gary Player responded, “The more I practice, the luckier I get.”  

I don’t know if the story is true, but I do know that the more I practice something, the better I become at doing it. The same is true with faith; the more it is put into practice, the stronger it becomes.  Spiritual Disciplines are the means by which we practice our faith.  There is nothing fancy or sexy about them.  They are routine, basic, practice shot-after-shot, but they perfect something on the inside that is needed for daily living.

Embrace disciplines!  In the beginning, it will be difficult. It may even seem like a waste of time because it is hard to see the effect; however, it is honing something on the inside (within you) that when the time comes to be revealed will be pure and holy.  

• All upcoming ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul.
• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world. 

Very early on Sunday mornings, one can find me on the sanctuary balcony.  Often, I will retreat there before services when the sanctuary is empty.  I like it when the church is quiet and still.  It is peaceful.  Normally, I think of the people who will enter the sanctuary, sit in the pews, and worship.  I pray for the encounter that all will have as they worship.  

On a recent trip to the balcony, I noticed some little nameplates on the outer end of each pew.  I’m sure this was part of a building or renovation project from the past.  There were gifts given to meet a need and the plaques honor those gifts.  However, they are part of a larger story, a legacy of faith with a connection to a particular community.  Larger still, they are part of a meta-narrative of a universal Church that rests under the feet of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes people forget the connection they have with Christ and each other.  That connection transcends a particular time or a particular place. It is eternal.  Our individual story is part of a larger narrative, a collective story of faith.  I’m certain there will be a day when my name will only be a name listed in a journal or maybe on a plaque—granted, I want that to be a long time from now, but I’m sure that day will come.  I’m comforted by the knowledge that I’m part of a larger story, a narrative that is unending and sits in the palm of God’s hand. 

I hope you know you are part of that story as well.  This week, I hope you will reflect on the vastness of The Gospel of Jesus.  See with the eyes of faith your part in the narrative.  You are not alone.  God has invited you to be a part of the story of faith.  

• Families in crisis.
• Loved ones battling illness.
• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our leaders, our country, and our world.