Dear Friends,
It’s been a couple of months since we’ve written. Last time we wrote we were in the season of Advent—anticipating the incarnation as we moved in the calendar to Christmas Day. In the rhythm of the Church’s memory we postured ourselves to be aware of Christ’s incarnate presence among us today. Now we are in the second week of Lent—the season to focus on Christ’s Paschal Mystery—His passion, death and resurrection. Jesus has come to be with us (Advent) and He shows us the way to live (Lent). In what ways are you entering Christ’s mystery? Are you experiencing suffering and death? In what ways do you anticipate the resurrection of Christ in you?
Sharing in the life of Christ offers such meaning for the ebbs and flows that I experience. In this season of Lent I am mindful of the suffering I experience because of broken relationships and betrayals. I remember my own brokenness and vulnerability; I sometimes hurt the ones I love and I’m subject to the infliction others cause in my life because of their own brokenness. And following Christ, I’m invited to die in an act of non-violent love, so that new life can be resurrected in me and around me. I pray this season of Lent offers you meaning as you grow in your spiritual life and bear witness to the Love of God.
2010 has been a good and full year so far! In January, Chris and I accompanied our new Director of Administration, Liz Ivkovich, in a visit to Romania and Moldova. The WMF Romania community has initiated a new work in Chisinau—the capital of Moldova. You could just feel the energy and vision of this young team launching out in response to the systemic poverty of this former Soviet bloc country.
In between attention to the day-to-day ministry of WMF, we have found time to write and bear witness to the work of God among a broader community of people.
Chris was recently published in two very important online publications. Being asked to write for both of these forums is such an honor.
Duke Divinity School’s “Faith and Leadership” Forum
They design and deliver local, regional, national and international educational offerings that develop three interrelated capacities:Traditioned innovation, Transformative leadership, Vibrant institutions. You can view the article at:
Q Blog
Q educates church and cultural leaders on their role and opportunity to embody the Gospel in public life. They believe that exposure to old and new ideas is the best way to stimulate imagination for ways the Gospel can be expressed within our cultural context. Q reaches thousands of church leaders and influential culture makers. You can view this article at:
http://www.qideas.org/blog/friendship-evangelism-a-betrayal-of-riendship.aspx
In addition, Chris’ second book, Friendship at the Margins was published by IVP Academic March 5. The book is a part of Duke Divinity School’s Center for Reconciliation “Resources for Reconciliation.” This is a huge honor to be asked to write this book in collaboration with ethicist, Christine Pohl. You can order it, read more about it, and check out the glowing endorsements at: http://tinyurl.com/order-FATM or
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3454
And next month, it will be our joy to share with you about my book that will be published by IVP in June!
Be well. Breathe deep.
