Monthly Newsletter - January 2010

"Tragedy" doesn't feel like a big enough word for the earthquake in Haiti. I just watched a video of the situation in a Haitian hospital that is literaly beyond words. It is heart breaking to see such a poor country, which has suffered through so much, trying to sort their way through yet another enormous tragedy. The pain stretches across the world into our own neighborhoods as thousands of Haitians in the US are anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones.

One of the ways we "share life together" as Christians is by sharing in suffering (1 Corin 12:26). Here's a few of the ways we can do this...

Crying: Sometimes nothing can substitute for tears. (John 11:35)
Praying: Best way to have an immediate, powerful impact on the situation. (Eph 6:18)
Sitting: Is there someone who is suffering through this situation who you can just "be with"?
Giving: Two trustworthy charities... Compassion and Mission of Hope Haiti (2 Corin 8-9)
Going: Once the dust settles, thousands of volunteers will be needed. Will you go?

Below are some additional resources which may help in your efforts to share in suffering with those in Haiti as well as those around you everyday. - Alvin Sanders

News: Latest news about the Haiti earthquake

You probably have your own favorite news sources. You also may want to check out... Mission of Hope Haiti's blog and the Google's news thread where you can find the latest news posts by thousands of news outlets around the world.

Searching for God in the Rubble of an Earthquake

Dr. Robert Kellemen has updated this article which was originally written for the 12/26/04 tsunami and allowed us to post it on our site. "Satan desires that we focus only on the smaller story and conclude that “Life Is Bad, and So Is God.” God urges us to focus upon the larger story and realize that “Life Is Bad, but God Is Good.” One of the keys to our spiritual life, especially during times of personal suffering or national tragedy, is to move people from Satan’s view of life toward God’s perspective on this life and the next." more »

Book: Beyond the Suffering by Kellemen and Edwards

“Beyond the Suffering tells the story of people who faced the challenges of pain, loss, relational trauma and despair of epic proportions—without professional therapists, mega­church ministries, or antidepressants. The authors use the actual testimonies of these individuals to describe how they found courage and comfort in God and in each other. Their ability to develop a healing community, against all odds, is greatly informative to our efforts today. This is a unique must­read, not just on the elements of multicultural ministry, but on the very core elements of ministry to all people in pain.” —Michael R. Lyles more »

Book: The Doors of the Sea by David Bentley Hart

This fascinating small book (109 pages) was required reading for a theology course I took recently through Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. It offers "another perspective" for those who may teach that all acts of nature should be seen as coming directly from the hand of God. Even if you don’t agree with all of his theology, I think you may find Professor Hart’s perspective very helpful as you seek to care for those who are going through enormous suffering. more »

Book: The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis

"If the universe is so bad, or even half so bad, how on earth did human beings ever come to attribute it to the activity of a wise and good Creator? Men are fools, perhaps; but hardly so foolish as that. The direct inference from black to white, from evil flower to virtuous root, from senseless work to a workman infinitely wise, staggers belief." more »

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Reconciliation 101: A Handbook for Ministry Leaders
Significant assumptions underlie attempts at reconciliation in the Christian world today. Ultimately these assumptions hinder rather than help reconciliation efforts, and unless we reshape the way we think and act, we will not take significant steps forward in a globalized world. Reconciliation was written for those who are trying to lead their ministry with reconciliation in mind. It offers practical principles to handle real-life problems. In this handbook I outline an original model for managing the dynamics of difference within your Christian organization. Order a copy

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