This past weekend, I (Angie) had the honor of preaching about legacy. When one talks about legacy, it inherently means the subject matter is morbid. Death is not an easy topic to discuss and I am sorry to those who thought I was preaching about an “imminent” legacy. I have not been diagnosed with a terminal illness, but appreciate all the concern for my well-being.
This sermon series highlights Dr. Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture,” and the realities of his story mean we delve into dying and what we leave behind. Dr. Pausch was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and was asked to give a “last lecture” at his beloved Carnegie Mellon University. He was conscious of the fact he would not be around to teach his children all the lessons he wanted to teach him, so he used the last lecture to capture some of those insights for his kids. None of us know how long we have on this earth, and out of gratitude for God’s gift of everlasting life in Jesus Christ we are called to live life like we appreciate it. We do not have to be presented with a diagnosis of just a few weeks or months left to live to make sure our priorities are in line with God’s hope for our lives. My challenge to all of you is to reflect upon what you will leave behind from your time on earth, and I am not talking about a monetary inheritance for your family.
I want to share again some of the insights I gained from my own reflection on legacy. IF I was not here to raise my boys, here is what I hope for them. As a mother of two precious little children, I hope they know I love them, know God loves them, and know my hope for them to be part of something bigger than themselves. This means my greatest hope for them is to live life as a part of the body of Christ. As they grow up, I hope they accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of their life, so they will experience real and everlasting life.
I am depending on all of you and the Holy Spirit to show Christ to them. Being a part of the body of Christ will mean they know God's love. They will never walk alone and will always have the support of the family of Christ's body. It will also mean they will be taught what true treasure is and not what culture will want to sell them. They will learn treasure is from Christ's gift of salvation to them and they will know gratitude. They will be empowered to not only be concerned with the well-being of themselves and their immediate family. They will want to work to alleviate the suffering of the world. They will be taught to think of others before themselves so that others may experience real life in Christ. They will be conscious of the gloriousness of creation and be good stewards of this blessing.
I hope my life always points toward Christ and my legacy is one of love. We are not called to focus on our own mortality. We are called to appreciate the moments, care for others more than ourselves, and share God’s gift of real, eternal life with others. This is a legacy worth leaving!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What's for Dinner?
If you are like us at the Olsen household this is a very, very, very common question. Right now if you allow Drew his opinion it is always the same, “TACOS.” Since we cannot have tacos every night, we consistently have this conversation. Curtis and I say we do not care what we have (but we really do) and no one has an idea (except Drew). The thing that constantly amazes me is how we always have something in the cabinets or we can go to the nearby grocery store. We do not go hungry though the conversation drags on and on. Yet, some do not have the luxury of this silly conversation.
Last Saturday, 14 Platte Woods United Methodist Church folks went out to a green bean field near Lexington, Missouri. We went there because of a call God has placed on our lives to serve those in need: To love our neighbor as our self. The Society of Saint Andrew (www.endhunger.org) has developed relationships with farmers in our area to harvest the crops left over once their machines have finished. Last year Society of St. Andrews volunteers helped bring 24 million tons of food to people in need. This was food that would otherwise rot in the ground.
It was a powerful experience knowing what we picked would go to someone in need. This nourishing bounty of the earth would calm some true hunger pains. The hard part was leaving knowing there was so much left. When we came home and that evening were tempted to ask that same question — “What’s for dinner?” — we paused in thanks for our options!
Watch for upcoming opportunities to go pick crops for our hungry neighbors!!!
In Christ’s love,
The Olsens
Last Saturday, 14 Platte Woods United Methodist Church folks went out to a green bean field near Lexington, Missouri. We went there because of a call God has placed on our lives to serve those in need: To love our neighbor as our self. The Society of Saint Andrew (www.endhunger.org) has developed relationships with farmers in our area to harvest the crops left over once their machines have finished. Last year Society of St. Andrews volunteers helped bring 24 million tons of food to people in need. This was food that would otherwise rot in the ground.
It was a powerful experience knowing what we picked would go to someone in need. This nourishing bounty of the earth would calm some true hunger pains. The hard part was leaving knowing there was so much left. When we came home and that evening were tempted to ask that same question — “What’s for dinner?” — we paused in thanks for our options!
Watch for upcoming opportunities to go pick crops for our hungry neighbors!!!
In Christ’s love,
The Olsens
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Drew Meets a Bishop
Annual Conference this year was one of the best we have ever attended. The speakers were inspiring and there were wonderful learning moments. The focus on reaching out to the community for the sake of the kingdom of God was a needed reminder, and we could go on about this for a long time. But one moment really stands out for us: Drew met a bishop.
The first woman bishop of Mozambique was there speaking at a workshop I (Angie) attended. After her talk, I went up to visit with her about our team of missionaries currently in her country. While we talked, Curtis and the boys arrived to take me to lunch. Drew burst through the back of the room, ran with the exuberance only a 2- (almost 3) year-old can have to me. He ran smiling and yelling, "Mommy." He does not hesitate and says to the bishop, "I Drew, and I a big boy." Then he proceeded to introduce her to Zachy, daddy, and his mommy. Then he says, "You name." By this point the bishop is down on his level smiling and you instantly see her love for children. Drew did not know most people are impressed by bishops and wait their turn. He just wanted to meet her. There was just pure joy in meeting a new person.
I am so excited to have had this opportunity to meet Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala. In conversation with her she instantly knew Chris Sams and her love for his work at the Carolyn Belsche Orphanage was obvious. She happily told me she was part of starting this orphanage and was happy to report children who have grown up in the orphanage are now pastors, doctors and teachers in the community.
If you have ever wondered if the money you gave to the orphans in Mozambique make a difference: it does. Right now Chris and Becky Sams, Colleen and Alaina Barclay, and Mary and Christopher Barth are representing us to Mozambique. Be in prayer for them. I know they are being a blessing. Right now they are meeting someone out there who is now going to know their brothers and sisters in Christ in Missouri love them, because Christ loves them. Happily, I believe they are meeting these new people with just as much joy as our Drew.
The first woman bishop of Mozambique was there speaking at a workshop I (Angie) attended. After her talk, I went up to visit with her about our team of missionaries currently in her country. While we talked, Curtis and the boys arrived to take me to lunch. Drew burst through the back of the room, ran with the exuberance only a 2- (almost 3) year-old can have to me. He ran smiling and yelling, "Mommy." He does not hesitate and says to the bishop, "I Drew, and I a big boy." Then he proceeded to introduce her to Zachy, daddy, and his mommy. Then he says, "You name." By this point the bishop is down on his level smiling and you instantly see her love for children. Drew did not know most people are impressed by bishops and wait their turn. He just wanted to meet her. There was just pure joy in meeting a new person.
I am so excited to have had this opportunity to meet Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala. In conversation with her she instantly knew Chris Sams and her love for his work at the Carolyn Belsche Orphanage was obvious. She happily told me she was part of starting this orphanage and was happy to report children who have grown up in the orphanage are now pastors, doctors and teachers in the community.
If you have ever wondered if the money you gave to the orphans in Mozambique make a difference: it does. Right now Chris and Becky Sams, Colleen and Alaina Barclay, and Mary and Christopher Barth are representing us to Mozambique. Be in prayer for them. I know they are being a blessing. Right now they are meeting someone out there who is now going to know their brothers and sisters in Christ in Missouri love them, because Christ loves them. Happily, I believe they are meeting these new people with just as much joy as our Drew.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
God’s World in Our Hands
In Junior High, my science teacher showed us the TV special “Poisoning of America.” It was one of those moments when my innocent understanding of the world was turned upside down. As a parent, I would love to protect Drew and Zach from every moment like this, but they are so important as you grow into an adult. This show vividly portrayed the reality of how much trash we produce and how we are running out of space to put all our waste. Images of trash barges with no place to be go and marine life strangled by plastics will always stick in my mind. This made me sad for the world and then made me want to do something to help.
In college to become an environmental engineer, I learned the problem went beyond the U.S. My understanding of how interconnected we are on this earth becomes clearer through the years. Yet, it was not until seminary I realized the most important lesson about the environment. God cares how we treat the earth. God created the earth and everything in it for us to take care of and enjoy. God’s world is in our hands.
I wonder though: is God happy with the job we are doing? Every day more news reports tell of increased cases of respiratory issues in children, drought and famine, dangerous flooding and waterborne diseases, and animals on the verge of extinction. An increase in global temperature and pollution are linked to all of these devastating problems facing our world. God’s creation is hurting due to our choices. God’s greatest command to us is to love God and our neighbor. Our neighbors are struggling and choices we make can either help or harm them. People of faith are called to put their love of God and neighbor into action by caring for God’s world.
In college to become an environmental engineer, I learned the problem went beyond the U.S. My understanding of how interconnected we are on this earth becomes clearer through the years. Yet, it was not until seminary I realized the most important lesson about the environment. God cares how we treat the earth. God created the earth and everything in it for us to take care of and enjoy. God’s world is in our hands.
I wonder though: is God happy with the job we are doing? Every day more news reports tell of increased cases of respiratory issues in children, drought and famine, dangerous flooding and waterborne diseases, and animals on the verge of extinction. An increase in global temperature and pollution are linked to all of these devastating problems facing our world. God’s creation is hurting due to our choices. God’s greatest command to us is to love God and our neighbor. Our neighbors are struggling and choices we make can either help or harm them. People of faith are called to put their love of God and neighbor into action by caring for God’s world.
On May 2nd, we are having an exciting event at Platte Woods United Methodist Church. From noon to 5 p.m., we are hosting an environmental festival with practical info and fun. There will be informational and hands-on displays about Earth-friendly choices. There is so much we do every day in every way to show God we care about all He created and shares with us. Come learn about ways to love God and the environment:
- in our homes, in our yards and as we travel
- with what we eat, buy and throw away
- as active, informed voices for care of God’s world
Eco Elvis will be in the house, performing the hottest "green" tunes. We will give away reusable shopping bags, plus free trees for the first 100 to arrive. There will be an amazing Green Car Show plus activities and snacks for children of all ages. For the convenience of families with young children, free childcare will be available for children 5 and under.
Some people say the problems facing the earth are too big, but I have hope. If people of faith start praying for God’s healing for the earth and start loving God with their actions amazing things can happen. Is anybody with me???
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Spiritual Teething
1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (focus on 1-3a), “And so, brothers and sisters,* I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, 3for you are still of the flesh."
As parents of a 4½ month old, this scriptural image used by Paul is really in our face. Zach is currently in the process of getting his first tooth. It is not easy. He is generally a very content baby who rarely cries, yet now he squirms and cries out in distress. At first we did not recognize the signs, but now we see the constant chewing, drooling, and cries of pain as one of life’s moments of growth. Though we know getting teeth is a good thing, because it will mean he will move from milk to solid foods, the process is hard. It is hard both for us parents and for him.
In this Lenten season, it makes us think of how sometimes growth and transformation can be good, but very difficult. The same is true when we examine our spiritual journey with God. The scripture we reference talks about Paul’s call to the people of Corinth to quit quarreling and focusing on themselves. He wants them to focus on the ways God is calling them to grow in the Spirit and out of the selfish focuses of the flesh. God calls us to labor and allow God to work in and through our lives (1 Cor. 3:8). “For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:9).
This Lent each of us is called to self-reflection on the ways we are living out the greatest commandment to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves. In those ways, we are called to increase through God’s power. We are also called to do the hard work of giving up milk, the infantile focuses on only our needs, and replace them with the solid food of loving worship, prayer, service, and giving. Being truthful about who we are and where we are on this path may cause us pain to recognize our failures. However, just like teething, growth for God is a transformational pain that will be a lifelong blessing.
As parents of a 4½ month old, this scriptural image used by Paul is really in our face. Zach is currently in the process of getting his first tooth. It is not easy. He is generally a very content baby who rarely cries, yet now he squirms and cries out in distress. At first we did not recognize the signs, but now we see the constant chewing, drooling, and cries of pain as one of life’s moments of growth. Though we know getting teeth is a good thing, because it will mean he will move from milk to solid foods, the process is hard. It is hard both for us parents and for him.
In this Lenten season, it makes us think of how sometimes growth and transformation can be good, but very difficult. The same is true when we examine our spiritual journey with God. The scripture we reference talks about Paul’s call to the people of Corinth to quit quarreling and focusing on themselves. He wants them to focus on the ways God is calling them to grow in the Spirit and out of the selfish focuses of the flesh. God calls us to labor and allow God to work in and through our lives (1 Cor. 3:8). “For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:9).
This Lent each of us is called to self-reflection on the ways we are living out the greatest commandment to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves. In those ways, we are called to increase through God’s power. We are also called to do the hard work of giving up milk, the infantile focuses on only our needs, and replace them with the solid food of loving worship, prayer, service, and giving. Being truthful about who we are and where we are on this path may cause us pain to recognize our failures. However, just like teething, growth for God is a transformational pain that will be a lifelong blessing.
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