Andy's Blog: A Personal Word
January 2010 Archive
January 19, 2010
Jan. 19, 2010We have all been moved by the pictures of the recent disaster in Haiti, already the poorest country in our hemisphere. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake which struck that nation last week left tens of thousands dead, and hundreds of thousands homeless. Among the fatalities were United Methodist missionaries Rev. Clinton Robb, who organized missions volunteers for the church, and Rev. Sam Dixon, head of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. They were in Haiti to attend meetings about ongoing mission work to that nation. Both lost their lives when the hotel in which they were meeting collapsed. Jean Arnwine was a member of a 12 person Medical Mission Team from the Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. That church has been sending teams to Haiti since 1976. Arnwine, on her first trip to Haiti, died from injuries sustained during the quake. We mourn the loss of these and the many thousands who died.
We also remember that Jesus told us that even as we have done it unto the least of these…we have done to Him. The United Methodist Church is already sending supplies. We will be present in Haiti for many years to come to help with rebuilding. Right now, we are asking these things:
• Health Kit Assembly - Health Kits are being sent now. You can assemble these kits or bring items needed for them to the church (There are collection bins around the building). See page 4 for details and a full list of items needed.
• Money - We will be working through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in the short term and long term. I am asking and praying that Trinity give at least $30,000 to a special offering for this purpose. You can mark your checks Haiti and mail them or drop them in the offering plate.
• Pray - It is hard to even imagine the magnitude of suffering we are witnessing. Let us pray for healing and hope for God’s children in Haiti.
Let us be a part of what God is doing to bring that healing and hope in the midst of disaster.
January 5, 2010
Jan. 5, 2010One of the movies we went to see over the holidays was the new Sherlock Holmes movie starring Robert Downey. It offered a new twist on an old story of villains and heroes. It was full of action and special effects and it was lots of fun, if you like this kind of film.
As the movie reached its climax and resolution, with Sherlock getting his man, not all the loose ends were tied up. There was a sub plot, involving yet another bad guy, which was not resolved. As the credits were rolling, I thought to myself – “sequel.” The producer intentionally left part of the story unresolved because he was setting us up for a sequel...another film to take up where the action left off. I am willing to bet that sequel and perhaps more like it are already being written.
2009 has come to an end. No doubt for most of us there were successes and failures, good times and bad times. Hopefully at year’s end, we left much resolved. But, I am also willing to bet that most of us entered the new year with some loose ends that still have to be tied up. There are ongoing issues – things still to be settled. In that sense, 2010 will be a sequel – a continuation of the story and a new chapter.
The Gospel is inherently future oriented. The good news of Jesus is that he offers forgiveness and grace as a way to heal the past and open the door to a new and different future. We Methodists talk about “sanctification” – the ongoing work of God in our lives by which we are conformed to Christ. This is a process. It doesn’t happen all at once. The point is that the story of our lives is still being written by God. There is always a sequel, even at the end!
It’s called resurrection.
As we enter this new year, I invite you to ask what chapter God is trying to write in your life this year.
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