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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, ā€œChristian love will assume the best without any harsh judgment.ā€ 
 
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 Godā€™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.

ā€œDonā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.ā€ – Philippians 4:6


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Boy Scout Pack 1 and Troop 1 Meetings begin August 28th

Will Burgin invites children and parents to come see what Scouting has to offer!

On August 28, St. Paul will host Pack 1 and Troop 1 in our Fellowship Hall. Pack 1 involves children from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade and includes boys and girls. If you are interested, please join us for this meeting at 2:00 P.M.

That same afternoon of August 28, there will also be an informational meeting for those interested in Troop 1. This group includes boys from Sixth Grade to Eighteen Years Old. This event is at 3:30 P.M. in the St. Paul Fellowship Hall.

If you have any questions, please contact Will Burgin at [email protected]

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First Steps – August 15, 2022

Ā 
Throttle Back! Words that we seldom utter, especially concerning a lifestyle. Well, we might utter them when we hit a wall or when our personal life spins out of control. Ā Unfortunately, it is often too late when things come crashing down. Having said that, what if throttle back was not an afterthought but a proactive goal?

A few weeks ago, I was asked to talk to a Sunday school class about money and tithing. Ā As I answered questions from the class, we discussed the larger issue of priorities which are manifested in how we spend our money and use our time. Ā Those two commodities reveal our priorities. Ā In North America, most people are over-extended consumers. Ā Perhaps it is the fear of missing out (FOMO) or the desire to keep up with our neighbors, but most people live with a lack of margin concerning their time and their money. Driven, by comparison, we overextend. Normally, this is the reality until we hit the wall only to be plummeted into a new painful realityā€”not by choice. However, what if we adopted a Throttle Back Mentality as a way of life? Doing so would safeguard our time and money so that we donā€™t live stretched each month. Ā 

Perhaps you have hit the wall or are fearful that you are close to it, what should you do to throttle back?

Consider these steps:
1. What is a realistic, honest, assessment of my situation? Look at where you spend your time. Look at how you spend your money. Put it down on paper or a spreadsheet. To make a change there must be an honest assessment of oneā€™s reality. We have to know where to begin.

2. What or where do you want to be in one year? Ā Describe it, paint the picture, and list your priorities concerning time and money. Ā Be specific as possible. Ā This is the goal.

3. Now that you see the distance between where you are and where you want to be, what one or two things can you do differently with your time and money? Making these changes doesnā€™t mean you will reach the goal in a year, but it does point you in the right direction. Bite-size steps are more achievable. Ā 

4. Repeat the steps each year. Eventually, you will reach your goal!



Ā 

This Week’s Readings:
*Monday – 1 Timothy 2
*Tuesday – 1 Timothy 3
*Wednesday- 1 Timothy 4
*Thursday – 1 Timothy 5
*Friday- 1 Timothy 6


Prayer Requests:
*Children’s safety and anxiety as the new school year starts up.
*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.

ā€œDonā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.ā€ – Philippians 4:6


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First Steps – August 8, 2022

Ā Lately, Iā€™ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on the aging process. Getting older can be those Golden Years where people relish the fruits of their labor, especially with those they love. Though Iā€™m not there personally, I look forward to that aspect of life. However, there is a different side of the aging process that is less than golden, for it can be dark. With the loss of control and autonomy, things can be challenging mentally and physically. Ā I realize ā€œcontrolā€ is somewhat of an illusion, but the aging process crashes our perceptions in sudden ways that force one to confront realities that were kept at armā€™s length for so long. Ā 

Either through a firsthand experience or watching from the first row, the aging process can be daunting. For those that watch another journey down this path, there is a real sense of helplessness. It is painful to see people that were stalwarts, captains, and anchors for many years, now recess from center stage to the background. They still can be seen by the audience because of their respective wakes, for they have earned the respect of others for years, but as they move to the background, it becomes apparent that change has occurred. Now, the frailty of life becomes the focus of those watching. Ā Ā 

As I watch many go through this process, I find myself oscillating between grief and gratitude. The realization that oneā€™s course has permanently changed and now faces a distant horizon that is not as far as it was before, leaves the pain and sadness of grief. This is my first thought. Thankfully, the next is one of gratitude. Just as I think of what is coming, I also think of all that has happened which fills my heart with gratitude. Ā 

The Bible speaks of one that finishes his or her course in faith and now rests from their labors. On one level, grief. I know the course is coming to an end. With the next breath, gratitude in what lies aheadā€”rest. Ā In all of this, Iā€™m humbled by Godā€™s provisions, and his care for all that has been and for what will be. Ā 



Ā 


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


Prayer Requests:
*Children’s safety and anxiety as the new school year starts up.
*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.

ā€œDonā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.ā€ – Philippians 4:6


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