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First Steps – September 12, 2022

At least once a month I am asked what is more useful, an active life of service for God or a contemplative life in reflective study of God. Though one may phrase the question with different words, the root inquiry is which style of life is better. My answer is always the same, but it normally creates a puzzled look on the face of the inquirer because my answer is “yes.”

Both are useful and needed. Both are united in forming the same yield, a mature follower of Jesus. The more one studies, the more the Holy Spirit will call them to action. The more one acts, the more the Holy Spirit impresses upon them to study. The two are connected the same way that the seasons of the year are connected. One leads to the other only to circle back to the previous.

It is not that Martha was more important than Mary (see Luke 10:38-42) nor Mary more important than Martha. Sitting at the feet of Jesus (Mary) has its place just as creating a hospitable house (Martha). Both are needed to be a disciple of Christ. Therefore, we are people of action just as much as people of reflection. Value each one equally and know that there will be seasons of action and seasons of reflection. Embrace them both.




 

This Week’s Readings:
Monday – Hebrews 7
Tuesday – Hebrews 8
Wednesday – Hebrews 9
Thursday – Hebrews 10
Friday – Hebrews 11


Prayer Requests:
*Teachers, students, and parents coping with anxiety.
*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


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First Steps – September 5, 2022

 I had lunch with a family member the other day and this person said they are reading the Bible, from cover to cover, for the first time. This is the first attempt in reading the entire Bible. After our lunch, I thought of St. Augustine’s love for the scriptures. He wrote:

     To be a student of the Bible you need to read it. Even if you can’t understand all of it, you will do well to read all of it. Get to know these books. Memorize a few passages. Become familiar with Holy Scripture.
     Once you know what is between the covers of the Bible, you can begin to study it more intelligently. Important teachings regarding faith and living are clear first lessons. This light will eventually help illuminate the more difficult parts. The things you are sure about will help you with the things that seem uncertain…comparing various translations can make a difficult verse easier to understand. One may be explained by the other. Both may contain something valuable to a careful reader.
    Faith is the most important ingredient in Bible study. Someone said, “If you don’t believe, you won’t understand.” (On Christian Doctrine).

The North African Bishop is correct. To understand it, we must read it.  There is no equivalent substitute. The more we become familiar with the scriptures, the greater our understanding. Be a student of the Bible.


 

This Week’s Readings:
Monday – Hebrews 2
Tuesday – Hebrews 3
Wednesday – Hebrews 4
Thursday – Hebrews 5
Friday – Hebrews 6


Prayer Requests:
*Teachers, students, and parents coping with anxiety.
*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


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First Steps – August 29, 2022


      A sick person is not necessarily sick all over. Certain organs may be perfectly healthy.  Someone may be desperately ill and still have good eyesight.  While some bodily members may be weak, others are very strong.
     It is the same way in the spiritual life. One may be healthy in this and that area, but not in another. There is always some imperfection. 
     For this reason, Christians are instructed by their Lord not to be judgmental of others. Regardless of who or what they are, the rule applies. They could be outcasts of society, bad people.  But we are to consider everyone the same way.  Never judge, despise, and classify another person. Regard everyone as flawless.  If someone is crippled, see that person as not crippled.  It is an indicator of purity of heart when you can look at a sinner and have mercy, notice a weak person, and feel compassion.
     Christians will have an attitude that is simply different from secular people.  Their minds work another way.  They belong to another world.  We belong to Christ.  

This is a small piece of a larger homily whose author is lost to history; however, I think it is good advice, particularly in relationships and marriages. The preacher’s advice of “never classify another person, regard everyone as flawless, [know that you] belong to Christ” are assets in any relationship.  

Put these to practice!  See where it leads you…I would guess to greener pastures.   
 


 

This Week’s Readings:
Monday – Titus 2
Tuesday – Titus 3
Wednesday – Jude1-25
Thursday – Philemon 1-25
Friday – Hebrews 1


Prayer Requests:
*Teachers, students, and parents as the school year continues.
*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


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Third Graders Receive Their Very Own Bibles!

On Promotion Sunday, Children’s Sunday School groups begin a new journey of faith in a classroom that correlates to their school grades. Third Grade is a time of new awareness and exponential growth. Life grows richer for the children, so it is an honor to be part of their lives through St. Paul ministries. On Promotion Sunday the Third Grade class received The Bible through the generosity of The Susie Hatcher Boykin Bible Fund.

Third Grade Class
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First Steps – August 22, 2022

Miles Coverdale was a Bishop in the 16th Century to Exeter (Province of Canterbury). His claim to fame was a translation of the Bible into English during the tumultuous times of The Reformation. He wrote in his Prologue to the Bible, “Christian love will assume the best without any harsh judgment.” 
 
What a profound statement! For Coverdale, he was convinced that no single person could see everything or have complete knowledge. There are others who see more clearly, others who have more understanding or information. The temptation for all is that when one who can do better than others should, instead of denigration, remember that all that has been received is from God’s hand.
 
I wonder how easier life would be if we assumed the best about others. It would change our relationships or how we approached them. Unfortunately, many assume the worst and seldom give an opportunity for another person to change. If we believe that God is in the life-changing business, then perhaps God is working in the life of others and waiting for us to come alongside the Holy Spirit. 
 
If this is a struggle for you, ask God to teach you to assume the best about another person. Pray to see that person the same way God sees them—which will be the same way that God sees you.


 

This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – 2 Timothy 1
*Tuesday – 2 Timothy 2
*Wednesday- 2 Timothy 3
*Thursday – 2 Timothy 4
*Friday- Titus 1


Prayer Requests:
*Teachers, students, and parents as the school year continues.
*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


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