Category: First Steps

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First Steps – June 8, 2020

Recently I read an article in Wall Street Journal (May 12) titled: The Science of Prayer. Being a pastor, naturally I was curious what the article was going to say. Ā Here are a few quotes to consider:

ā€œSince [the] pandemic, the practice of prayer has increased. Amy Wachholtz, Associate Professor and Clinical Health Psychology Director at University of Coloradoā€”’It [Prayer] lets you put down your burden and mentally rest for a bit.ā€™ Ā Different studies have revealed that it can calm your nervous system, shutting down your fight or flight responses. Ā It can make you less reactive to negative emotions and less angry.ā€

ā€œFocusing on a higher power (articleā€™s term) is better than just meditation. Imagine carrying a backpack for hours and then when it becomes too heavy, you give it to someone elseā€”this is what prayer can do. Ā But not all prayer is created equal, experts say. Ā A 2004 study on religious coping methods in the Journal of Health Psychology found that people who approach God as a partner, or collaborator, in their life had better mental and physical health outcomes, and people who are angry at Godā€”who feel punished or abandonedā€”or who relinquish responsibility and defer to God for solutions had worse outcomes.ā€

ā€œFlorida State University research has found that people who pray for their spouse when they feel a negative emotion have more satisfaction in their marriage. ā€œ

If you are not a praying person, consider becoming one. Ā If you are, continue the discipline and trust God to carry your burdens.

Remember Jesusā€™ words: ā€œCome to me,Ā all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,Ā for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.Ā 30Ā For my yoke is easy and my burden is lightā€ Matthew 11:28-30.



This Week’s Readings:

  • Monday –Ā  James 3
  • Tuesday –Ā  James 4
  • Wednesday –Ā  James 5
  • Thursday – 1 Peter 1
  • Friday Ā – 1 Peter 2

Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
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First Steps – June 1, 2020

Lately Iā€™ve been binge watching a show called Alone. This is a reality show that follows 10 survivor specialists who have been dropped off in Western Vancouver.

They are completely isolated from each other. They have no contact with another human and must survive in the wilderness with its harsh conditions. The only way they can be rescued is by ā€œtapping outā€ (quitting) or by outlasting all the other survivors. The last survivor receives a prize of $500,000.00

Iā€™m drawn to this show because of each personsā€™ survivor skills and how they solve different problems. They are ingenious. What Iā€™ve realized is that many of contestants quit not because they donā€™t know what to do or how to do it. They are resourceful in finding food, building a shelter, and protecting themselves from the elements and predators.

They quit not for physical reasons, but for mental reasons. The grind of isolation and separation from love ones becomes unbearable.

We are all created to be in relationships. When we are not connected, our inner fault lines are revealed. Granted a momentary separation from others can help us refocus but prolonged separation can be destructive.

In this time of pandemic, fear and separation can be extremely difficult mentally. It is helpful to know that when we feel out-of-sorts, depressed, and fearful, it is because we are forced to live in separation where we feel alone.

The good news is we are not! Take courage that you are not alone. Remember that we are connected to God and to each other through the bond of Jesus.

This Week’s Readings:

  • Monday – Hebrews 11
  • Tuesday – Hebrews 12
  • Wednesday – Hebrews 13
  • Thursday – James 1
  • Friday – James 2

Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
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First Steps – May 25, 2020

Saint Gregory walked along the beach and noticed the shells and weeds which the waves had deposited on the sand.  Another wave would come along and take some of them back into the sea.

However, the big rocks of the coastline stood firm and immovable even though the waves beat upon them violently.  He thought how some people were tossed about by afflictions and other courageous souls stood firm and unmoved.

It brought to his mind the Psalm: ā€œSave me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.  I sink in the miry depths, where there is no footholdā€ Psalm 69:1.

We donā€™t have to be tossed here and there by our circumstances.  We are followers of Christ.  Because He has already overcome the world, those who are His followers are overcomers too. Be reminded of this today!

Ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

This Week’s Readings:

  • Monday – Hebrews 6
  • Tuesday – Hebrews 7
  • Wednesday – Hebrews 8
  • Thursday – Hebrews 9
  • Friday  – Hebrews 10

Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
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First Steps – May 11, 2020

rising sun

Acts 15 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. Ā If you are not familiar with this chapter, I hope you will stop now and read it. Ā In this chapter, representatives from different faith communities gathered for the First Church Council and reaffirmed sola fide, only faith as the requirement for salvation. Ā This had, and has today, lasting consequences for believers. Ā Because of this theological bedrock, those who believe in Jesus are given salvation, freedom in Christ.

However, this always brings up an interesting question, ā€œIf I only need faith for salvation, then what about my actions?ā€ Ā Isnā€™t there an ethical code of Christianity? Ā The short answer is ā€œyesā€ your actions matter, but they are not a requirement for salvation. Ā We have freedom in Christ, but how we use our freedom is dependent upon the people whom are around us. Ā We use our freedom for their benefit in hopes that our use of freedom leads to the spread of the gospel. Ā We are responsible to others, just not responsible for them. Ā We want to be instruments to help another person believe. Ā It is our desire, not just a prerequisite for salvation. Ā 

I highlight this chapter because I hope you will reclaim your freedom in Christ. Ā Because of Godā€™s grace, you have been given the gift of salvation. Ā You grasp that gift via faith. Ā This is all that is needed. Ā At the same time, reclaim your freedom in Christ and use it for the benefit of others because you are part of a larger mission of The Gospel. Ā 

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This week’s readings:

  • Monday ā€“ Acts 1
  • Tuesday ā€“ Acts 2
  • Wednesday – Acts 3
  • Thursday – Acts 4
  • Friday Ā – Acts 5

Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus. Ā  Ā 

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First Steps – May 4, 2020

rising sun

One of the things I normally do about an hour before I go to bed is scroll through a few news sources just to see if there is something important I need to know before I hit the hay. Ā The evening of Easter Sunday, I saw this title for an article:

Thereā€™s no church, but itā€™s still Easter and Christians are celebrating.

It made me think about the First Century Church in Corinth. Ā Paul, the author and founder of the church, reminded his congregation that their hope was tied to something different: Ā A person. Ā Not just any person, but one who died and was resurrected. Ā Because of his death and resurrection, those who follow him are linked to him and the One who resurrected him. Ā Paul wrote:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of Godā€¦ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? Ā For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Ā Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, Ā but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, Ā but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Ā For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
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It seems crazy, even foolish, for people to celebrate even when the church is closed. Ā But then again, the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Remember, you are an Easter person, in an Easter community, linked to an Easter Lord. Ā Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate.
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This week’s readings:

  • Monday ā€“Ā 1 Peter 1
  • Tuesday ā€“Ā 1 Peter 2
  • Wednesday –Ā 1Ā Peter 3
  • Thursday –Ā 1 Peter 4
  • Friday Ā –Ā 1 Peter 5



Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus. Ā  Ā 

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First Steps – April 27, 2020

rising sun

I read a recent article that described the psychological effects of laughter. Basically, laughter establishes a positive emotional climate, connects people, and increases blood flow. Iā€™m sure you have heard the clichĆ©, Laughter is the Best Medicine, perhaps now there are studies that prove it. Though written centuries ago, the Psalmist knew the power of laughter. In Psalm 126, laughter is linked to restoration, ā€œWhen the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.ā€

Donā€™t be afraid to laugh! In times of difficulty and distancing, it is easy to focus on what is wrong, broken, and fearful. Yet, there are things around us that are joyful and need to be celebrated. Some of those things can fill our souls with laughter. As you begin this week, fix your eyes on what is joyful. They are still there, maybe harder to see than normal, but they still exist. Pursue laughter and allow that to restore your heart with hope. It will be like a burden released.

This week’s readings:
Monday ā€“ James 1
Tuesday ā€“ James 2
Wednesday – James 3
Thursday – James 4
Friday – James 5

Please Pray for:
Our ministers and their families.
Those who are unwillingly absent.
The United Methodist Church family.
Our nation and our leaders.
The World.
The Lost.
The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.

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