Redemption Song :: Hope for Haiti

My heart continues to be pulled to Haiti, especially to all the new orphans this crisis has created. I went to Haiti when I was in high school on a mission's trip. It was there I fell in love with those who are poor - not just statistics, people with names and faces and stories. Perhaps it was there that God implanted in my heart a love for Africa [95% of Haitians are from African descent].

I heard Rihanna sing the redemption song [Bob Marley's], and wanted to post as a prayer for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. As Rihanna said, please don't think the problem will solve itself. Give in whatever way you can...we have much to share with those in need.

Pain-Free Baby Dedications!

As the NxtGn Pastor at Newsong, one of my pastoral responsibilities is quarterly baby dedications. In theory, this should be a great experience for me as I celebrate new and growing families. In reality, the past 4 I've done have all been marked with varying levels of sadness and grief. In fact, after the first dedication I lead I felt pretty sick. It was awful.

This past Sunday was another baby dedication but it was a VICTORY! While there were tears, they were because I had the privilege of being of part of a couple dear friends' baby dedications [yeah Ta's & Roach's!!!!]. It was a pain-free baby dedication. Sigh.

Afterward, I received this from a friend who was leading worship:

Your ability to show strength with tenderness is inspiring. And it's not anything specific that you do, it's just who you are.

Some day soon it will be you up there dedicating your own babies to a life with our loving God. Looking forward to celebrating that day with you.

Wow. Tears. I could read those words and feel nothing but excitement and anticipation for OUR day. Indeed, something good is growing inside of me. More healing. Thanks, Jesus, for an incredible day.

Joy

I received this quote from a friend I've never met named Andrea. We share infertility stories...

Joy is something that confronts my circumstances and occurs in spite of sadness, difficulty, or loss. It is an attitude I adopt in spite of how things go. Joy is a posture, a position; it’s the deep assurance I have, that the God who loves me is in control. Joy doesn’t happen to me one day and avoid me the next. Joy is the result of a choice, a choice I have to make every day. It’s a choice based on the knowledge that I belong to God, who is my Refuge. And nothing, not even death, can take God away from me.

Fil Anderson

Thoughts? Reflections?