Andy's Blog: A Personal Word

March 2007 Archive

March 28, 2007

Mar. 28, 2007

Back before we had children, Dawn and I made a trip to England for a couple of weeks. We had arranged through a British pastor friend to stay in a hostel run by the church in central London.  It was near the “tube” stops, close to Kings Cross station, which meant it was easy to get to all parts of the city from that location. Besides, the price was right.  Instead of hundreds of dollars a night for a London hotel, the price for a private room at the hostel was something like $25.
When we arrived at the airport, we took a cab into the city. When the cab driver asked where we were headed we gave him the address of the hostel. He looked at us kind of strangely, and asked if we were sure that’s where we were going. We assured him it was. We could tell he was still hesitant, “That’s not a good section of the city.  Are you sure this is where you want to go?” We told him it was a hostel run by the church and we were fine with it. He took us there, but as we were getting out, once again he cautioned us, “You need to be careful in this neighborhood. Watch yourselves.”
In every city there are neighborhoods you avoid, places you don’t want to go near.  They are dangerous. Bad stuff happens there. You go out of your way to avoid them.  Better safe than sorry.
On Palm Sunday, when Jesus came to Jerusalem for the final time, it was the last place he needed to be. It was dangerous for him to be there. He had made powerful enemies among the authorities. Jerusalem was a long way away from the peaceful countryside of Galilee and its adoring crowds. In Jerusalem, bad things could happen.  He even predicted that they would. And of course they did. On Palm Sunday, he crosses the line, going where he was not welcome. He was nailed for going to a place he should have stayed away from.
Which is the point. Christ crosses the line because that’s where we are – on the other side. By entering Jerusalem, Jesus makes it clear that there is no place he won’t go, God won’t go, to save us from our sin and folly. This is no TV preacher messiah living in a gated community – this is a messiah who goes into the worse neighborhoods, into all the dark recesses of human life, where it is not safe. He could have played it safe, but then there was no way he could save us. When confronted with the choice of being safe or saved – he chose the latter. We call Jesus “Savior” because he refused to play it safe. For our sake he exposes himself to all the darkness and dangers of life. He comes to clean up the neighborhood that runs right through our hearts. 
“He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death - even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:7-8)

March 14, 2007

Mar. 14, 2007

Sunday was one of those “WOW” days at Trinity.  We worshiped together as one congregation with all the variety of who we are – choirs, orchestras, bands. So many of you have told me what a meaningful and powerful service it was. And the luncheon following continued the WOW experience. It is the largest crowd we have ever fed at one time! There are so many people to thank for their hard work that led to this day. More than 400 people were involved in the Beyond Ourselves program at some level. More than 500 people participated in the prayer Vigil. With all that work and prayer – how could we not succeed?

There is still follow-up work to be done. A letter went out this week to those unable to attend on Sunday and phone calls will be made encouraging a response. We will announce the total on April 1. Suffice it to say, we are on the way to reaching our goal with almost 400 commitments recorded. At this point, every commitment becomes important to achieving success. No gift is insignificant. Behind each and every commitment there is a story. There are stories of renewed faith as people have given themselves to God is new ways. There are stories of sacrifices being made that are heartwarming. It is so apparent that God is at work in our church. The level of commitment to God, and the love for this church is incredible.

As has happened time and time again in our long history, once again Trinity folks are stepping up to meet the challenge.
Thanks,
Andy

Andy’s Personal Word

Mar. 2, 2007

A Personal Word is the title of Andy’s weekly column in Tidings. Now you will be able to read Andy’s reflections from this weblog and even subscribe with an RSS newsfeed!

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