Category: Media

“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” (John Wesley).

To examine your soul is to reflect upon:

1. How do you speak?  Do they need to change?
2. What actions need to change?
3. 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 reading:

Prayer Request:
St. Paul Community and the families who have lost loved ones over the last few weeks.

God Bless,

Steve Harper, former President of Asbury Seminary (Orlando), said that “mysteries do not yield to quick fixes and simple formulas, and sometimes they never yield at all. Prayer is no different. You can have a prayer life and choose to avoid the mysteries. Or you can include the mysteries in your praying, knowing that even when you do, some will remain.” Often we need the complexity of mystery when life doesn’t make sense.

We long for certainty that is why we crave control.  Therefore, when we can’t control our life, we struggle.  Learning to hover in the midst of mystery can lead to acceptance of things we can’t change or control.  It is here that prayer can be our biggest friend.

This week, allow God to envelop you.  Center yourself—and the things you can’t control nor understand—in the presence of the one who can.  You don’t have to understand it all to believe.  You don’t have be in control to be at peace.

This week’s reading:

Prayer Requests:
Those affected by wildfires in California
Upcoming All Saints Sunday Service, November 5, 2017

God Bless,

One of the questions I get asked often is “Is there a right or wrong way to pray?”  The short answer is “No.”  Though words are important for they convey meaning, give expression, and provide communication, when it comes to prayer, they are only part of the story.  For instance, we pray more unspoken prayers than we realize.  There are also times our words don’t match our heart’s desire.  In those cases, what is more important:  the words or our heart’s desire?  The Apostle Paul even said when words fail us, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27).

Countless times when I have received horrible news about a friend, a church member, or an acquaintance, and my first thought was, “God, how can I help this person?”  Not knowing what to pray, my thoughts were only for their strength to endure.  As quick as I said, “Lord, I don’t know where to begin,” I perceived God to say, “I already know.”

Words are important but don’t get hung up on them. Eventually the words will come. Focus on your own heart—just express it to God and that will be enough.

This week’s reading:

Prayer Requests:
All those affected by the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Hurricane relief efforts to continue
Our Country and Our Leaders
Phase I of our Building Campaign