THURSDAY, January 14

Hebrews 3:1-11. Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling...

Those few words are so laden with meaning.

Brothers and sisters: In a land filled with hatred and death and destruction, calling someone who is not from your tribe, is not the same color as you, does not speak the same language as you, a "brother" or "sister" breaks barriers that have been in place for millennia.

Calling someone a holy partner, thus lifting that person and his or her work out of the earth-bound mundaneness of daily life, gives new meaning to what we are doing together, for partners do not work separately. We are yoked by and through God in a partnership with God.

Having a heavenly calling leads us in new directions, directions chosen by and given to us by the Lord. Nothing political here; nothing tribal; nothing cultural. This calling comes from God on high and is for God on high.

Taken together, these ten words elevate life and ministry out of the muck of our lives and into God's holy realm, where all is done for the glory of God and God's holy creation.

Brothers and sisters ... holy partners ... heavenly calling ... these words are life-changing and life-giving.

PRAY for the Diocese of Alabama (Province IV, USA)

Ps 18:1-20 * 18:21-50; Genesis 4:17-26; John 1:43-51

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Author of January meditation

Jan 14, 2010 at 6:08 am

Written by Lucy Wieland,

I note that the author of the current meditation is currently a missionary to Hati. In light of the earthquake is he/she safe?

...

Jan 14, 2010 at 6:40 am

Written by Andrea,

Amen, and thank you. These words speak to me today as my fellow warden and I prepare to meet with the wardens of the church we are yoked (administratively linked) with. Too often we let all-too-human concerns get in the way of what should be our focus on holy partnership and our heavenly calling together. (Lucy, FYI, see yesterday's comments for information about the writer of these meditations.)

...

Jan 14, 2010 at 7:25 am

Written by Robert Lebby,

'Brothers and sisters, we are holy partners in a heavenly calling' to do what we can for our brothers and sisters in Haiti who are in such dire need for the basic necessities of life, beginning with prayer and support in any form. It had only been a little over 12 hours since the earthquake when I wrote my comments in yesterday's meditation...I was not aware of the magnitude, and now I am almost overwhelmed with reality of what I wrote. I can't finish this now like I feel the need to do, but my thoughts of yesterday call for action today...from myself especially, but from all of the brothers and sisters to the people of Haiti.

...

Jan 14, 2010 at 8:12 am

Written by Mary Ellen Williams,

I am thankful that the United States government is swiftly answering the call for help in Haiti. I am thankful for the awareness the earthquake is bringing to the history of suffering of our brothers and sisters to the southeast. Let's not forget them; let's not forget to continually lift them up in prayer, in financial support, in any support that improves their quality of life. Let's not forget to reach out to immigrant Haitians who suffer not knowing the status of their loved ones in Haiti.

...

Jan 14, 2010 at 8:26 am

Written by Richard H. Schmidt, Editor, Forward Day by Day,

Thanks to all of you for your concern for out January author, who is now serving as a missionary in Haiti. She is well and was not actually in Haiti when the quake occured. Click to the left on yesterday's meditation (January 13) and read what she posted there. Also read there how to send donations for her to use to relieve the suffering in Haiti. I understand that she will continue to post messages on this page.

New page for Haiti Updates

Jan 14, 2010 at 9:14 am

Written by Brad Turner - Webmaster,

We have created a new page on the website for updates on Haiti and from our author. Updates will still appear here in the comments, but to see everything in one place, go to New page for Haiti Updates: http://forwardmovement.org/jan...pdate.html . You can also reach this page by selecting the Forward Day by Day tab at the top of the page.

Update on the Author!

Jan 14, 2010 at 10:37 am

Written by Brad Turner - Webmaster,

We have just received another update from the author on the status of her connections to Haiti. Go to http://forwardmovement.org/jan...pdate.html to see this and future updates.

...

Jan 14, 2010 at 6:30 pm

Written by Lauren Stanley,

The latest news is good. We are finding more and more of our people, and finding out that some of the places are not as badly damaged as previously thought. We are working hard to help as many people as possible, and are telling folks that indeed, our first priority is to get financial aid to the organizations that are first-responders. Please keep the prayers coming, and the money as well. The faith is strong, the work is much, the need is great.

Blessings and peace,

Lauren Stanley
January author, Episcopal Missionary in Haiti

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