John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, emphasized God’s means of grace that enable us to grow as Christian disciples. The Lord designed these spiritual disciplines as reliable ways to experience divine mercy, love, and power.

Wesley divided God’s means of grace into two broad categories: works of mercy and works of piety.

Works of piety encompass devotional habits that draw us closer to God. According to Wesley’s teachings, they include: prayer, Bible study, Holy Communion, fasting, and Christian community.

Works of mercy lead us to reach out to others in the name of Christ. Faithful disciples joyfully embrace doing good, visiting the sick and imprisoned, feeding and clothing the needy, practicing financial stewardship, and seeking justice.

Works of piety help us to grow in personal devotion. Works of mercy challenge us to reach out to others.

To do one is to do the other. To neglect the one is to neglect the other. Either without the other is not enough. This is not a choice of either/or but both/and.

Paul said works without faith is dead. James said that faith without works is dead. Both were right.

Works of piety and works of mercy are equally important; and they inspire one another. Christian discipleship is both an inward and outward reality. Our personal devotion leads to service of others. Our service to others leads to personal devotion. This becomes a self-reinforcing cycle of faith.

And don’t be misled by the word “works.” It calls to mind human diligence and labor; and certainly we play our part in responding to God’s call upon our lives. However, we also recognize that all of these activities are means of God’s GRACE.

Grace is the first and last word of the gospel. Grace is a gift freely given to us even when we don’t deserve it. Ultimately, we grow in faith because of God’s grace in our lives. Whatever attempts we make to exercise the means of grace are enabled and enhanced by the Spirit’s presence.

You cannot go back in time and start these disciplines five years ago. But which ones will you wish you had started five years from the present? Today is the day, now is the time—start here, start now.

15 years ago today.

March 08, 2001. The Atlantic coast of Florida.

I stood shivering in the cool darkness of the predawn morning. The alarm clock had rudely roused me from a brief sleep at 2:00 a.m. Then we boarded a bus for the thirty minute ride from Cocoa Beach to Cape Canaveral. We waited restlessly with a crowd of thousands for the famous countdown clock to resume.

My cousin was a rocket scientist. Actually, Robert joined NASA in the 1960s. He offered me two VIP passes for a space shuttle launch. So on March 6, my old college roommate and I drove south to Florida.

NASA officially designated the mission STS-102. The orbiter for the 102^nd flight of the space shuttle was named Discovery. The shuttle would transport parts and crew to the international space station.

We stayed at the motel where the original seven Mercury astronauts lived. At 3:00 a.m. on the morning of the launch, we boarded a bus at the Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn. After a briefing at the Kennedy Space Center, we rode out to the launch site.

The scene took my breath away. Discovery stood spotlighted in the darkness on pad 39B. The shuttle streamed pale plumes of vapor into the cool night. Shortly after we arrived, the international space station orbited across the heavens like a shooting star.

The natural settings complemented the high tech scene. A bull alligator bellowed in the swamps. A full moon set slowly in the west. Minutes before the launch, a glorious sunrise painted the eastern sky.

The digital clock slowly counted down to zero. Sight preceded sound. The white hot flames of the main engine and two boosters exploded into life. A pressure wave traced its way across the lagoon. Moments later the deep thunder swept over us in a tidal wave of noise.

The shuttle appeared to move reluctantly into the sky, bound by gravity’s chains; but the spacecraft had already exceeded 100 miles per hour when it cleared the gantry. The long train of smoke trailing the shuttle cast a sharp shadow across the brightening dawn.

Attending the launch was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. The union of natural beauty and human technology joined together in an unexpected spiritual experience. The Psalmist declared:

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all your shining stars. Praise, him you highest heavens!” (Psalm 148: 1-4)

Some see a conflict between religion and science. However, Thomas Aquinas taught that reason is the first floor of a two-story structure. The second floor consists of faith. Reason and faith share in a mutually supportive relationship. Humanity’s advances in knowledge and technology pose no threat to religious belief. They instead provide another witness to the intricate wonders of God’s creation.

Discovery represented the zenith of human technological achievement. God’s voice was heard in the thunder of technological accomplishment. However, the launch took place within the context of the Maker’s awesome creation. The heavens did indeed proclaim the glory of the Lord!

The world is transparent with God’s presence. Let those with eyes to see, see. Let those with ears to hear, hear. We are all called to a discovery of faith.

60 seconds per minute. 60 minutes per hour. 24 hours per day. 365 days per year. Each of us gets no more and no less.

Except this year.

The Gregorian calendar operates under the agreed upon fiction that the earth orbits the sun every 365 days. However, the annual trip actually lasts 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 16 seconds. So once every four years February 29^th graces our calendars as a “leap day” to even out the calendar.

In school, students learn that leap years can be divided by 4. So 2016 ÷ 4 = 504. Since the year is divisible by 4, it’s a leap year.

Except when it’s not. Since the earth’s orbit takes slightly less than 365 days and 6 hours, 3 days have to be subtracted over the course of 400 years. So a year divisible by 100 is NOT a leap year unless the year is also divisible by 400.

Seriously, I couldn’t make this stuff up . . . regardless, this year we receive a gift of one extra day for 2016. What will you do with the dividend of 86,400 seconds?

Time is one of God’s most precious gifts. Once a moment passes it can never be regained. All the wealth in the world cannot purchase an extra second.

Suppose this was the last day of your life. What would you do? Who would you call . . . visit . . . forgive . . . hug? How would you spend the precious gift of a single day?

Leap day gives each of us the gift of 24 hours. Let us spend each moment like the priceless treasure it truly is.

60 seconds per minute. 60 minutes per hour. 24 hours per day. 365 days per year. Each of us gets no more and no less.

Except for this year.

In 1454, Johannes Gutenberg published a Catholic Bible printed in Latin. The Gutenberg Bible represented the first mass-produced major book using movable type. Gutenberg inspired a revolution in printing that eventually led to the widespread availability of the Bible for the masses.

Today we take for granted easy access to the printed Word. Most Christian households possess multiple copies of the Holy Scriptures. I quickly counted 20 different Bibles in my church office.

Christians can also read digital versions of the Bible. The 21^st century is experiencing a Gutenberg-type revolution in electronic media. Old fashioned bound books with print and pages may one day become relics of the past. Scripture can be viewed online or downloaded to smart phones and tablets.

I often recommend that Christians consider using youversion.com. The website provides a free Bible app with more versions than will ever be used. The application also offers reading plans, study guides, and more. One of my favorite features is the audio version for many popular versions of the Bible.

And did I mention the app is FREE?!? AND ad-free!

The Bible app can be traced back to a United Methodist pastor named Craig Groeschel. In 1991, he joined the staff at the First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City. He eventually left the denomination and founded a new congregation in 1996 called Life Covenant Church.

Today Life Church is part of the larger Evangelical Covenant Church. The church boasts multiple locations and is considered to be one of the largest congregations in the United States.

In 2008, Life Church introduced youversion.com. Financial support for the Bible app comes from the church along with outside donors. The site employs 20 fulltime staff members along with hundreds of volunteers.

According to the website, youversion.com now offers 1,228 versions with 895 languages supported. The numbers change constantly, but the site has exceeded 210 MILLION downloads!

Youversion.com makes the Bible readily accessible on computers, smart phones, and tablets. We can literally carry God’s Word with us everywhere. The app will even read audio versions for listeners while driving, working, or resting.

I encourage you to download the app today.

Oh, and USE IT!

Spiritual disciplines do not come easily to me. This might qualify as an awkward confession for a full-time pastor; however, God hard-wires each of us differently. Some saints possess a mystical bent that makes communion with the Holy Spirit as instinctive as breathing. For other, more left-brained, OCD types like me, spiritual disciplines require, well, DISCIPLINE.

During the past months and years, I have cultivated two devotional practices that have become increasingly important to my spiritual journey. For those who wrestle with making the supernatural feel natural, I recommend trying meditation and memorization.

Meditation is closely related to prayer. Disciples set aside time to meditate about the goodness of God. We create a space and place where our spirit can commune with the Holy Spirit.

A number of devotional books teach this practice. In a hectic and frantic world, the practice of meditation promotes peace in a harried, hectic world.

Psalm 1:2 describes the Godly person as one who meditates on God’s Word day and night. What are our first thoughts at the beginning of a new day? What are our last thoughts going to sleep at night? And for those of us at a certain age, what thoughts fill our minds when we awake in the middle of the night?

Meditation can be fruitfully combined with Scriptural memorization. This is a spiritual discipline often ignored in the modern church.

We have more access to the Bible now than ever. Although most use printed versions, we can also access multiple translations on the Internet or download it to electronic devices. This enables us to carry the Bible with us wherever we go.

However, memorizing Bible verses inscribes God’s Word upon our hearts and minds. Memorized Scripture becomes truly our own in a personal, intimate way. The spiritual discipline also enables us to emulate the Psalmist’s example of meditating on God’s Word day and night.

Consider this concrete example of combining meditation with memorization in a devotional exercise. Create a time/place to quite your mind/soul. Concentrate on your breathing—remember in both Hebrew (ruah) and Greek (pneuma), the same word means breath, wind, and spirit. Inspiration literally means to breathe in.

On each inhalation and exhalation repeat a memorized Scripture verse. For example: Be still and know that I am God. Or a memorized prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Another method is sometimes called Square Breathing. Breathe in. Hold the breath. Breathe out. Hold the breath. During each of the four phases, repeat a Scripture verse or prayer.

In the coming month, consider combining the practices of meditation and memorization as a part of your devotional life. I would love to hear about your experience. The two spiritual disciplines will bless your life.

People keep time by a variety of calendars. The calendar year runs from January to December. Businesses operate on a fiscal year. Families with children follow the school calendar. Kindergarten students learn about the four seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter.

ESPN fans divide the year into sports’ seasons. Hunters anticipate dove, deer, or turkey season. Meteorologists warn about hurricane and tornado seasons. Merchants depend upon the holiday season.

The church marches to the beat of its own time. The Christian calendar begins with Advent—the four Sunday season prior to Christmas. The “twelve days of Christmas” celebrate Christ’s coming into the world. Epiphany begins with Jesus’ baptism and recounts Christ’s early ministry.

During the 40 days of Lent, believers prepare their hearts for the events of Holy Week. Easter proclaims that Jesus Christ is risen indeed! Fifty days later the festival of Pentecost recalls God’s gift of the Holy Spirit.

The annual cycle rehearses the story of Christ and the church. The seasons recall Jesus’ birth, life, teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension. The Christian calendar baptizes ordinary time with sacred meaning.

This year Lent begins on Wednesday, February 10. The 40 day season (excluding Sundays) concludes the Saturday before Easter. The somber, reflective time calls Christians to prepare their hearts to hear once again the story of Jesus’ suffering and death.

During Lent, many believers “give up” something as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice. Others “take up” a spiritual discipline or charitable cause in imitation of God’s love.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. During the service, the minister marks believers’ foreheads in the sign of the cross. Traditionally, ashes from the previous year’s Palm Sunday fronds are used. Since Old Testament times, God’s people have observed penitential times with sackcloth and ashes.

During the imposition of the cross with ashes, the minister typically says:

• Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.
• Repent and believe in the gospel.

The ashes and words serve as reminders of humanity’s mortality and sinfulness. However, the sign of the cross recognizes God’s gifts of eternal life and forgiveness.

The churches of my youth did not observe Ash Wednesday. I learned about the service along with the Lenten season during seminary. Now I find Ash Wednesday to be one of the most meaningful worship services of the Christian year.

The Christian calendar reminds us that each day is “God-breathed.” The seasons of the church year rehearse God’s salvation story. On Ash Wednesday, we begin the journey to the cross and empty tomb. During this 40 day journey, we are invited to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

Each year the United States and Canada observe Groundhog Day on February 2. The rather bizarre holiday stars its own namesake: the lowly groundhog.

According to legend, the large ground squirrel possesses mysterious, prognosticating abilities. If the rodent sees his shadow, then he will retreat into his burrow in fear. Another six weeks of winter will follow. If cloudy weather prevents the furred forecaster from seeing his shadow, then he will leave his lair, signifying the advent of spring.

Historians debate the origin of the holiday. Groundhog Day may have roots in ancient, pagan festivals of Europe; however, it originated as a Pennsylvania German custom in North America. In southeastern Pennsylvania (where there is apparently not a whole lot to do), people widely and wildly celebrate February 2.

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania hosts the most renowned Groundhog observance in America. The resident rodent known as “Punxsutawney Phil” presides over the affair.  Over 40,000 pilgrims gather for the annual festivities.

An elite group of city leaders known as “The Inner Circle” appear in tuxedos and top hats. At the appointed hour, they lift the groundhog high in the air. With high drama, the leader listens carefully to Phil’s observations. Then he announces the results to the cheering crowds. (This confirms the earlier, editorial comment that there’s not a whole lot to do in southeastern Pennsylvania.)

Not to be outdone, Atlanta boasts its own version of Punxsutawney Phil. General Beauregard Lee resides at the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn, Georgia. The learned, distant-cousin-of-a rat has received two—count them, TWO—honorary doctoral degrees from local institutions. The University of Georgia awarded him a “DWP: Doctor of Weather Prognostication.” Not to be outdone, Georgia State University honored the General with a “Doctor of Southern Groundology.”

Authorities in such matters disagree about the accuracy of Groundhog Day’s prognostications. Rodent supporters claim that groundhogs claim a 75% to 90% accuracy degree—far exceeding the success rate of their television weather-forecasting colleagues. The folk at the Yellow River Game Ranch assert that General Lee boasts an astonishing 94% success rate.

The National Climatic Data Center, however, reports a more down-to-earth average of 39% accuracy for groundhogs nationwide. One prosaic scientist laconically observed that regardless of a groundhog’s prediction, Spring ALWAYS officially arrives on March 20 or 21—about six weeks after Groundhog’s Day.

Bill Murray starred in a 1993 movie entitled Groundhog Day. He played an egocentric weather reporter named Phil Connors. His producer assigned the weatherman to cover the dreaded Groundhog Day’s doings in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Inexplicably, Connors finds himself repeating the same day over and over again. After a series of misdeeds and misadventures, Phil recognizes that fate has granted him the opportunity to change his life. The movie ends when he . . . well, you need to watch it for yourself!

Traditionally, January 1^st  inspires people to make New Year’s resolutions. However, many of us need a second chance at a second chance. If 01-01 didn’t work for you, then try 02-02. Regardless of sunshine or shadows, it’s never too early or too late to claim God’s power to start anew.

Let’s do some financial planning together. Some might object: “I don’t have any finances left to plan!” It is certainly a challenging time. We live in a material world, and all of us could use a little more material to work with. Oftentimes, we seem to have more month than money. Paychecks have been stretched to the breaking point, and something has got to give.

So let’s play Make Believe for a moment. How much MORE money do you need? I’m not talking about winning the MegaMillions’ jackpot. Just how much MORE money would you need to feel secure, content, and happy?

When asked this question, millionaire John D. Rockefeller’s famous reply was: “Just a little bit more!”

Isn’t that the truth? Regardless of our income, we could always use more money. Our wants and needs tend to expand to meet and exceed our income. According to bankrate.com, about 40% of all U. S. families spend MORE than their annual income each year.

Americans have underwritten lifestyle choices with easy credit and delayed payments, spending more than we make. We’ve danced, and now the fiddler wants to be paid. We are facing some of the cold, hard facts about cold, hard cash.

The saddest part is that our pursuit of happiness through materialism does not work. A number of studies have proven that there is no relationship between money and happiness. One economist who has done extensive research on the subject summarized the longitudinal studies by saying: “If you follow a single person over time as they move from lower income to higher income, you will find no increase in their happiness.” (Richard Easterlin, University of Southern California)

The old saying is true: Money can’t buy happiness. If we expect more money to make us feel happy, joyful, content, fulfilled, or valuable, then we will be sadly disappointed. It was never designed by God to do any of these things.

Money is a gift given to us by God to care for ourselves and others. It is a means to an end, a tool to accomplish a job. A carpenter doesn’t get misty-eyed over his hammer. An accountant isn’t overly attached to her calculator. An IT professional doesn’t kiss his computer good night. An insurance agent doesn’t dream of a new actuarial table that will finally make her life complete. A teacher doesn’t expect a new curriculum to make his career worthwhile. Why would we expect money to fill us with purpose and meaning?

Our material resources are good gifts given to us by a loving Creator. However, it is our human sinful nature to constantly get the created confused with the Creator. Time and again we find ourselves worshipping the made rather than the Maker. It is not a question of whether we have a little money but whether a little money has us.

Money makes a wonderful servant but a terrible master!

There are moments when we all fall into the trap of making a living rather than making a life. However, God calls us to a lifestyle of faithful stewardship. Stewards care for someone else’s property like it was their own. Christians realize that all of life—including our financial resources—is a gift from God. We are called to use these gifts for the kingdom of God’s sake but never to grow overly attached to what was not ours to begin with. Someday we will be called to return with interest what we have received.

So store up your treasure in heaven—otherwise, you are buying stock in a world that is going bankrupt.

We moved to Gwinnett County in June 2013. I’ve been driving in the metro area since earning my Learner’s License in the mid-1970s. I thought I knew all about Atlanta traffic; however, Gwinnett County occupies a hellish place of its own.

We quickly learned to gauge time rather than distance for commutes. In previous places, a 10 mile trip translated into 10-15 minutes’ drive-time. The distance-time law does not apply in this alternate universe. If the ten mile trip involves Highway 316 or 78 during rush hour, then pack emergency supplies. Don’t even get me started on Buford Highway or Sugarloaf Parkway.

Gwinnett County ranks as the Godzilla of traffic monsters in Georgia. Various factors contribute to the congestion. Quantity produces its own bad quality. Too many people living in too small an area trying to travel the same roads at the same time provides a recipe for disaster.

Our county also serves as a melting pot for many different cultures and nationalities. The rules of the road vary greatly in different parts of the world. For some, traffic lights and stop signs apparently serve more as a suggestion than a rule.

Human sinfulness plays its part. Egotistical people naturally assume their own self-importance. In a hurry, they tailgate, swerve, switch lanes, blow horns, gesture, and cut in line.

In the pulpit, I have confessed to the congregation that Gwinnett County traffic tests my Christian faith. I would like to say the ordeal has tempered my faith to produce patience and kindness . . . yes, that is what I would LIKE to say! Even when I successfully resist Road Rage, however, Street Stress still takes its toll.

So I’ve devised a few strategies to survive Gwinnett traffic. I hope you find them helpful.

Breathe. Breathe in and breathe out. Feel the breath in your stomach, solar plexus, lungs, throat, and nose. In Hebrew (ruah) and Greek (pneuma), the words for “breath” also mean “wind” and “spirit.” Think about the dual meanings of the word “inspiration.” Focusing on breathing calms the body and soul.

Traffic lights abound on our highways and byways. During rush hour, commuters often get to see the same light change multiple times. When you stop, stop to pray. Use the red light as a reminder to say a quick prayer. Or recite a memorized verse of Scripture.

Use imaginative thinking and give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the person who stops and starts and stops again just moved to town and doesn’t know his way. The older woman driving 35 in the 55 mph zone could be your grandmother. The person tailgating your bumper might have a sick child in the backseat. The moron who just cut you off attends your church!

My last resort technique sounds a bit bizarre but it works for me. When I get into the car, I visualize three “Idiot Cards” sitting on my dashboard. During the commute, I amuse myself by awarding the cards to deserving drivers! For some reason, this helps keep me calm.

Gwinnett Country continues to grow, and the traffic will only get worse. When circumstances remain the same, it’s the person who needs to change. Don’t let driving drive you crazy—let my tips help!

In his 1922 collection of poems entitled The Waste Land, T. S. Eliot described April as the cruelest month. Maybe things are different in England, but I would match a Georgia January against a British April any time. The New Year’s first month in our native state feels dreadfully dreary and dull.

The post-holiday blues pose part of the problem. Ordinary time seems so ORDINARY compared to the extraordinary events of Christmas and New Year’s. Although we welcome returning to our normal routines, the “same old, same old” appears bland and boring. Our ruts feel like graves with two ends knocked out of them.

In January, all the gifts we gladly charged during December visit us like Ghosts of Christmas Past. The stores that eagerly offered easy credit now expect cold cash. Depression settles like a shroud as many face the prospect of having more month than money.

Then there’s the climate. The unpredictable winter weather is no wonderland in north Georgia. The temperature and humidity yo-yo up and down. One afternoon feels like a short-sleeve spring day. A few days later snow blankets the ground.

The shorter days play their part as well. Actually, the days are not really shorter—they all last 24 hours each! However, the daylight hours are sparse. Scientists have discovered a lack of exposure to sunshine can cause depression. At the very least, one can catch a good case of the winter blahs.

Winter also features the cold and flu season. A public crowd sounds like a tuberculosis ward. Sniffs, sneezes, coughs, and wheezes fill the air. The sick cling to Kleenex and crunch cough drops. A long wait in the doctor’s office becomes a part of our normal routine.

Winter in Georgia is indeed a bleak season. Spirits plunge along with the temperatures. By the middle of the first month, everyone longs for the jonquils and daffodils of spring. January could replace Eliot’s April as the cruelest month.

However, the first month of the calendar might also qualify as the kindest month. The brand New Year offers opportunities for fresh starts and new beginnings. With a little work and determination, New Year’s resolutions can come true. Today can be different from yesterday and tomorrow can be better than today.

The bleak landscape boasts a beauty all its own. The skeletal outline of an oak against the winter sky is breathtaking. The intricate etchings of frost rival the grandest artwork. Seeds nurtured deep in the Mother Earth’s womb prepare for new life in the spring.

Southern comfort can be found beside a warm fireplace with a mug of cocoa. Simmering vegetable soup served with piping hot cornbread nourishes the soul. When snow threatens, everyone knows that lining up at the grocery store for milk and bread can make the season merry and bright.

Winter also serves as a harbinger of spring. The cold, gray nights of winter help us appreciate the warm, blue days of spring. Every season has a beauty of its own that is enhanced in comparison and contrast with the other three seasons. Winter, spring, summer and fall along with every season of life possess both cruelty and kindness. We determine which element we will focus upon. Then our perspective shapes our lives.

January? There’s no finer time to live in Georgia!