New Year Rituals

Do you have any? I do. This is the beginning of an evaluation time. I spend the 1st month of the year thinking about last year. Praying through the year and evaluating my/our direction. Search me o God......

With the news of the tragedy in SE Asia, I feel like what I do is so trivial at times. The things I focus on, worry about, get frustrated with. Yet, I still have to live my life. Hopefully, recent events will once again remind me to focus on what is important and be grateful for God's blessing.

Please pray for SE Asia. For grace and mercy. For comfort and peace. For safety and health for those who are picking up the pieces, and those who have lost.

Life is short, so play hard. Seek God and squeeze every ounce out of every day. No regrets.

Peace,

K

Christmas in SE Asia

It is hard to believe the devastation that SE Asia is experiencing, due to the Tsunami this week. This morning the death toll was up to 68,000. It is heart breaking to see the loss of loved ones and the grief that those people are enduring, while trying to stay alive themselves. I feel so helpless. I have no point of reference for what these people are going through. I can only pray, and give some cash to the relief effort.

We have spent a ton of money on Christmas, buying things we don't really need, in the true sense of the word "need". Now we are faced with people in real need. They have nowhere to live, nothing to eat and are faced with disease due to the death toll. It is easy to think that my $20 is nothing, but if enough of us give sacrificially, it will have an impact. These people who are suffering are part of God's Kingdom. It is our duty to help.

Whatever church you are associated with, bug them to contribute to this effort. This is an opportunity for us to be the church in a "hands on" relevant way. Pray for the people of SE Asia. They are hurting beyond anything I can imagine.

For me, this kind of situation really brings home how blessed I am, even when I think I have it hard. What do I know?

Peace,

K

If you read the Gospels....

We are back from Cuba. It was an amazing time, made better by the reports of snow and freezing rain going on here. I was checking my voluminous email today and found this article . Check it out. I thought it was an amazing analysis from outside the family.

Peace,

K

I'm going to Cuba...

and you're not! Syl and I will be in Cuba for a week. We will try not to enjoy ourselves too much.
I am looking forward to this little break. Have a great week.

Peace,

K

UCC ad campaign

The United Church of Canada has released an ad campaign stating that - like Jesus - the United Church of Christ seeks to welcome all people, regardless of ability, age, race, economic circumstance or sexual orientation. The UCC takes this further than I believe scripture does, however I admire their willingness to clearly reach out to the marginalized in the world.

I find it interesting that the CBS and NBC networks have banned these ads for being too controversial. They have no problem airing comedies that dipict the gay lifestyle, but refuse ads saying Jesus would accept them. God loves all people. He created everyone with the hope of having a relationship with them.

How do we, the church navigate loving the sinner and hating the sin. We are pretty good at the latter. Jesus came for the hurting, not the well. I would hope that the church's mission would be the same as Jesus. What do you think?

Peace,

K