http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/ Andy's Blog: A Personal Word en hsmith@trinity-umc.org Copyright 2012 2012-01-10T15:31:59-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/january_10_2012/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/january_10_2012/#When:14:31:59Z Bishop Reuben Job begins his book Three Simple Questions by writing, “Our identity is found and formed by the God we worship and serve. Our life together as Christians is discovered, held together, and lived out based on our understanding of the God we have come to know and see to follow.” J.B. Phillips, in another era, wrote a book with the title Your God is Too Small. Like Bishop Job, he was concerned that we are formed and shaped by the God we worship and if our conception of God is too small or too limited, then it limits us and distorts the true nature of our faith. Much of the divisions and hatred we see propagated in the world in the name of God, is the result of an inadequate understanding of who God is and, as a result, who we are. Over the next three weeks, following Bishop Job’s title, I would like us to focus on three simple questions that are at the center of who we are meant to be: • Who Is God? • Who Are We? • Who Are We Together? The answers to these three simple questions have profound consequences on how we live our lives and shape the world. 2012-01-10T14:31:59-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/december_6_2011/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/december_6_2011/#When:07:34:41Z I am a shaker. Always have been. Seeing all those presents just sitting under a tree, and having to wait to open to see what’s inside just causes too much anxiety. Since I was a small boy, I would pick up the boxes under the tree and shake them to see if I could figure out what was inside. Why do they call them presents, when you have to wait to get them? They ought to be called something else! More presents are given in this season than any other time of the year. Giving gifts is one of the ways we express our gratitude and love for one another. But there is another kind of present which is even more important...one we can overlook in our rush to buy and wrap. Dr. John Killinger tells about visiting a little girl at Vanderbilt Hospital during the Christmas season. She had been very ill and the nurses were worried about her. She came from a well-to-do family. Her room looked like a branch of Toys-R-Us. But she was a very lonely, unhappy little girl. Her father was a successful businessman. Her mother was a prominent community leader. As a result, they had spent little time with their daughter. As Killinger approached the little girl’s room, he saw the mother standing beside the bed with yet another gift. This little girl, with tears in her eyes, said “I don’t want a present, I want you.” More important than Christmas presents, is Christmas presence. The greatest gift we have to give one another is being present. Many of the gifts we receive are unwrapped and then quickly forgotten. They were something perhaps we didn’t need, maybe we didn’t even want. But people never return the gift of being there...it is always needed.  This is the real meaning of Christmas. Emmanuel means “God with us.” In Christ, God makes Godself present in the world. He wraps himself in a baby, and comes to live among us. By the power of the Spirit he is still present in our world and is a living presence.  You can’t swap presents for presence. 2011-12-06T07:34:41-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/october_11_2011/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/october_11_2011/#When:17:02:37Z On Monday morning, I had two handmade cards on my desk from children in our Sunday School. Both of them had a big THANK YOU hand lettered on the cover. During the month of October, we are focusing on gratitude as the basic disposition of the Christian life. All that we are and have is a gift of God, offered freely. Your parents were right when they taught you that the appropriate response to a gift is to say “Thank You.” A life lived in response to grace is a life of gratitude. This week, I am thankful for our youth ministry at Trinity.  Under the direction of David Thompson, our student ministry has become a model for youth ministry across our area and even nationwide. Each month we minister to over 400 students in a variety of settings. Our students are exposed weekly to Bible Study in small groups; to prayer through a weekly prayer breakfast and opportunities for service and outreach. Over the summer, we had 120 plus youth involved in mission projects – locally, regionally and internationally. Our Discovery Weekend reaches 200 plus mid-highs each year. Twice a week, the Element Café opens our doors to mid-high students in the afternoon. I have had so many parents from the community stop me to say thanks for allowing their students to be a part of our student ministry, even though they are not members.  Your giving makes this possible. Here are some ways you are enabling our youth ministry: • Discovery Weekend for middle high students: $65 per student underwritten by TUMC • SOS mission trip for senior high students: $235 per student • Alabama Rural Mission for middle high students: $190 per student • Element Student Café: $67 per week • Element Sunday Night Ministry: $150 per week The total budget for Student Ministry at Trinity is $220,000 a year. Thanks be to God for the opportunity to nurture a new generation of Christian disciples.  2011-10-11T17:02:37-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/september_27_2010/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/september_27_2010/#When:15:10:48Z Astronaut Rusty Schweikert flew on the Apollo 9 mission. His experience in space forever changed him. In a short film called One People, One Planet, he describes that experience: After you get settled in, you notice you are going around the entire earth every hour and a half and you pull out your map to see what you are passing over – you look out and there is the Mediterranean. You realize that what you are looking at was once the whole history of man – the cradle of civilization and you think about all that history. You go over India and then pass over the Pacific, that vast body of water. Finally, you come up over the coast of California. And looking south there is Florida and right away you are crossing the Atlantic again until you are over Africa. You do this again and again and again – round and round. You are indentifying with Los Angeles and then Houston, but you are also identifying with North Africa and India, and then Australia – when you go around it in an hour and a half you begin to realize that your identity is with the whole thing… and that is a new feeling. There are no limits, no boundaries – as you stare down at that beautiful earth below, you start thinking about what you are seeing – you start remembering your house, your family and your identity keeps expanding – your friends, your nation, your earth. Then something hits you. All of a sudden you realize you are a part of a total life. You see the surface of that globe and you know all those people down there are like you, they are you. And then it really comes to you, the giant step humanity has taken – we can no longer see ourselves as we saw before, for now we have seen our earth as it truly is – bright, blue, beautiful – floating in eternal silence with all of us as riders on the earth together. Brothers and sisters who know now that they are truly brothers and sisters.  This Sunday is World Communion Sunday for many churches. It is a day for us to step back and take a wider view of who we are and to recall that “God so loved the world…” all of it, all of us, everyone. We are riders on this planet together, brothers and sisters. Christ calls all of us to His table, to share the same loaf. We, though we are many, are one, for it is of the same loaf that we partake. 2011-09-27T15:10:48-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/july_12_2011/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/july_12_2011/#When:17:32:31Z The first time I ever used a labyrinth as a form of prayer was at Chartres Cathedral in France. The Chartres labyrinth dates back to 1200, and has been used by pilgrims for centuries. It continues to draw pilgrims from around the world who have discovered it as a means of drawing closer to God. There are many guides to walking the labyrinth. One is to use it as a form of confession and repentance, laying aside sin as you move towards the center of God’s forgiveness, grace and love. It can also be used as a way of lying yourself aside, and coming to center one’s life in God.  When I walked/prayed the labyrinth at Chartres, I did not use either of these but rather simply opened myself to that moment and the Holy Spirit. The first inner impression was that I was walking where thousands had walked before. I was not alone in my journey. I was a part of the communion of saints, those who have sought God and been sought by God though countless ages. This was holy ground. The second impression I got was an awareness of God’s presence in my own journey – at those twists and turnings of my life. When I arrived at the center, I was filled with a sense of gratitude to God for walking with me and being with me in my journey. As I retraced my steps back out into “the world” I did so with a renewed sense that I have never walked alone.  I invite you to take some time this week to visit the labyrinth that is set up in the gym. 2011-07-12T17:32:31-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/june_28_2011/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/june_28_2011/#When:17:02:47Z People who know me know that patience is not necessarily one of my virtues. I’m working on it! So when I was facing my recent surgery, friends were worried what kind of patient I would be. Well, I surprised even myself. I think I was a fairly patient patient. Of course patience has to do with control or lack of it. Like most men, I like being in charge – I think of myself that way. But every now and then, life has a way of reminding me that I’m not ultimately in charge – God is. And so that’s what I have learned again through the past two weeks. I simply surrendered myself to God and to the care of those he had gifted with healing. There have been moments of anxiety, but beyond that, a sense of peace and security knowing that whatever happens, nothing separates us from the love of God. Actually, with that act of surrendering comes a great freedom. Being in control is not all it is stacked up to be sometimes! Paul is right, patience is a spiritual matter, of knowing that our lives are graced. God is good all the time. Now the test! Will this lesson in patience carry over? You can hold me account- able – check me on it! So, I am easing back into work – even more thankful for this church, it’s people, and it’s ministry. Thank you for your cards, notes, emails, food – and most of all for your prayers. I have felt them. 2011-06-28T17:02:47-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/june_6_2011/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/june_6_2011/#When:18:03:24Z In one of his novels, Louis L’Amour tells about the days of settling the West when one of the major modes of transportation was the stagecoach. Stagecoaches had three kinds of tickets: first-class, second-class, third-class. A first class ticket meant that you could sit down no matter what happened and re- main seated. If the stagecoach got stuck in the mud or had trouble going up a hill, you remained seated because you had a first-class ticket. A second-class ticket meant that you could sit down until there was a problem, and then you had to get off until the problem was solved. You got off, stepped aside, and watched as someone fixed the problem. When it was solved, you got back on and took your seat. A third-class ticket meant that you could sit down until there was a problem, and then you had to get off and push! You had to put your shoulder to it and help to solve the problem. Retired Methodist Pastor James Moore writes that is the way many people relate to the church. Some think they have a first-class ticket. They sit and expect to be catered to and waited on. Others think they have a second-class ticket. They are along for the ride until there is a problem and then they become detached spectators. They stand to the side and watch others fix it. And then there are those who think that they have a third-class ticket. They ride along until something goes wrong or something needs to be done, and then they get up and push. They address the problems creatively trying to find solutions. They roll up their sleeves and go to work. Seems like I remember Jesus saying something about the first being last and the last first. I am grateful for the fact that we have a lot of third-class Christians at Trinity! 2011-06-05T18:03:24-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/march_8_2011/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/march_8_2011/#When:19:17:39Z I look forward to Lent each year. I know that sounds strange, since Lent focuses on things like repentance and sacrifice. Not much fun there! Our culture is all about guilt free indulgence. Live with all the gusto you can! Eat, drink and be merry. The problem with all that, is that we can chase that rabbit and find ourselves asking, “Am I having fun yet?” Lent invites us to live with a different kind of gusto. It invites us to live deeper – to be fully alive. In all of life’s possibilities, we need those times and places where we slow down, cut back and reflect. Someone has said that Lent give us the chance to make up some of the ground we lose in the rush of our lives. By simplifying our lives, we actually enrich our lives. This Lent, I will focus on the theme “Road Trip – A Journey With Jesus.” Willie Nelson sings “On the Road Again...” Tom Cochrane says, “Life is a Highway.” Bob Dylan croons, “How many roads must a man walk down, before you can call him a man?” The notion that life is a journey with its twists and turns, its ups and downs, resonates with us. Life is not just about where we have been, but where we are going. The road to new adventures lies open before. For the Gospel of Luke the journey theme is central. Beginning in chapter 9, there is a long section which has been called “Luke’s Travel Narrative.” Over and over again, Luke presses the theme of Jesus “going to Jerusalem.” This was a geographical journey, beginning in Galilee, but more importantly, it was/is a spiritual journey. Discipleship is a central theme of the Gospel. For Luke, discipleship means “following Jesus.” Our Christian life is a journey with Jesus, a living with Him and, in the process, finding our way in His way. This Lent, you are invited to take a Road Trip with Jesus; to learn from Him how to live with gusto. 2011-03-08T19:17:39-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/february_22_2011/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/february_22_2011/#When:15:34:37Z Connect – to join together; link, unite. Last week you received in the mail a copy of CONNECT: 2011 Guide to Ministry.  This magazine has two purposes. The first is to help you to find ways to connect to a loving church family and grow in your faith. Dozens of areas of ministry are listed with descriptions of each. Second, Connect is to help you find places in which you can serve Christ within in our church and our community. One of our core values at Trinity is that we believe every person is gifted by God and called by God to use their gifts in ministry.  The New Testament word for a Christian is the word disciple. It is not simply a descriptive term, it is proscriptive. It doesn’t just describe who we are, it proscribes what we are to be and do. A disciple is one who follows. As followers of Jesus we are called to an active life of witness, service, compassion and healing. We have different gifts and abilities, which will direct us to different areas of service and witness. But ALL of us are called to be disciples; to be in ministry; to connect our gifts with ministry, so that in turn we connect the world to Christ.  Our hope, dare we say, expectation, is that EVERY member complete and return a Time and Talent Commitment card that is found in the center of Connect magazine. Jesus prayed to the Father, “As you have sent me, so I send them.” That’s us he is talking about! Christ is counting on us to be a part of his mission to redeem and restore creation.  Where does Christ want, need or expect you to serve this year?!  2011-02-22T15:34:37-06:00 http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/february_14_2011/ http://www.trinitybirmingham.com/news/andys_blog/february_14_2011/#When:18:56:31Z Titles – how we refer and think about ourselves – are important in our society. Sometimes people introduce me as their Senior Pastor. When I am out in the community, and we run into children, I am Dawn’s husband. To my children’s friends, I am Matthew’s and Meredith’s dad. All describe particular roles, relationships and understandings. So what title do we go by as Christians? In the book of Romans, Paul introduced himself simply as a servant of Jesus Christ. The Epistle of James starts out, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter begins the same way, “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ…” The most common title given to followers of Jesus in the New Testament was “servant.” The word is used 136 in the New Testament. It was the way these first Christians thought of and presented themselves.  Sometimes when we talk about church, we say something like, “I am a member of Trinity.” Member is a good word. It says “I belong.” But, sometimes the word member can have a rather passive, even demanding tone to it, as in “membership has its privileges.” We become members expecting to get something. Don’t get me wrong, the church is a place where we do receive so many gifts of community and support. I think we need to rediscover the New Testament understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to be a part of his Body –the church. To do this, we have to rediscover the word “servant” with all that it implies. To be a follower of Jesus is to be a servant – to put ourselves at His disposal and to serve as a part of His mission to redeem the world. Jesus himself said it clearly, “Whoever would be great must be servant...even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” I was at a Conference at another church involving several thousand people from around the country.  Hundreds of members of that church served as volunteers to do all those things that it takes to pull off that kind of event. Some even took vacation time to be there. But what I liked was the way they were introduced, the way they referred to themselves. The speaker would say something like, “we would like to thank our servants for helping us today...” One of our core values at Trinity states that we believe all members are gifted by God and are called by God to use their gifts in ministry. This week in the mail you will receive a magazine called CONNECT. In it are hundreds of ways you can serve in ministry. Inside there is a Time and Talent card for you to check some ways you would like to serve. Please complete it and return it to the church. I hope and expect EVERY one of us servants/members to check at least one area and return this form. On Sunday, February 27, you will have the opportunity to return your Time and Talent card during worship. You are going to be hearing a lot of the term “servant” from here on. In fact, I am trying to take the word volunteer out of my vocabulary when it comes to church. That’s not our title.  I am “Andy, a servant of Jesus Christ...” 2011-02-14T18:56:31-06:00