Weekly e-news March 13, 2020
Hey, everyone!
I sure hope your day and heart are full of hope! And peace! And joy! Even today!
Here’s a verse I LOVE!
“You will keep in perfect peace the ones whose mind is resting on (or “leaning on”) You because they trust in You!”
The phrase “perfect peace” is really written in Hebrew, “peace peace”!
“You will keep in peace peace…”
Or, “double peace”!
You know, I was reading an article by a guy who loves Jesus who worked for the World Health Organization in Beijing during the SARS epidemic and he writes that communities can be classified as green, yellow or red. Green means there are no confirmed cases in your community and meeting together is not risky. For now, this is us. So, we can worship like normal(-ish)…
We may have to find creative ways to praise in days ahead…
I mean, if this were the yellow fever (where you had to get bit by a mosquito to get the virus instead of the way this virus spreads, where a person’s breath can give it another), I’d step out in faith and risk a mosquito bite to praise Jesus any day!
But this is a thing that anyone who isn’t even feeling sick could give to someone who might pass it with their breath to someone who is vulnerable (like an older person or someone on chemo)…
And even in praise and worship, I’m responsible to care for the health of others and not just myself!
It’s a matter of faith…
but it’s also a matter of showing love, concern and care for my brother and sister in Jesus (especially the old and health-challenged ones!
And I believe love will lead us to know what to do!
It’s the love of Jesus…
His love for everyone…
especially the weakest!…
that will lead!
And caring for each other, is an act of worship too!
Anyway…
personally for me as I try to decide how I personally am going to respond to all this situation after looking at the news…
I’ve decide what I myself am going to do…
Ready?
1) I’m gonna wash my hands real good!
2) I’m gonna sneeze into my elbow!
3) And I’m not going out if I’m sick!
But, hey! That’s stuff I shoulda been doing everyday anyway!
You shouldn’t ever go to work sick!
And when a guy walks outta the bathroom when you’re in there and he skips the soap and sink, I don’t wanna judge but…seriously!?
I’ve fantasized about getting a little round adhesive sticker printed up that says, “I don’t wash my hands after I P!” and secretly applying it with a friendly pat on the back!
Like I was saying…Especially now but…
these are things I should do…everyday, anyway!!
And in the light of this “different time”, here’s what else I’m gonna do!
(These are for my spiritual health in these confusing days!)
1) I’m gonna fill my heart early in the morning with Scriptures that encourage me to trust, love, and praise my King!!
Here’s one I found this morning…
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news…
who proclaim peace…
who bring good tidings…
who say to Zion…
“YOUR GOD REIGNS!!!”
With all the other news, that was the BEST news!
2) And I’m gonna sing! I’m gonna sing praises along with someone on my playlist songs of praise to Jesus! With all I’ve got! If you hear something like that coming down the road, it may be me! (and Cece Winans and Kirk Franklin!)
Nothing chases the “scary” away better that praise!
3) And I’m NOT gonna watch the cable news for hours! I’m not sure if they do it on purpose but it makes my heart race. Some say they use fear to make you a loyal listener but I can’t afford to be afraid!
I think you should only watch for the same amount of time that you spend in the Scriptures, filling your heart with promises!!
4) And I’m gonna find somebody to help! And ask my Shepherd to use me (even more!) in troubled days! I want to take full advantage of these unsettling times to love and help those who may be looking for His love and help!
5) And I’m gonna think about today ONLY! Jesus said, “Give no thought for tomorrow!” and I ain’t gonna! He gives me strength and grace for today, one day at a time and when I get outta that, that’s when my heart pitter pats more than indicated!
6) And I’m gonna turn every anxious thought into a prayer for God’s intervention into our world…
And try to do it within 20 seconds of having it fly into brain!
So…
“In light of the present distress”…
I’m gonna…
1) Fill my heart with Scripture…
2) Fill my car with praise…
3) Stay away from too much news…
4) Find someone to help…
5) Stay in “today”…
6) Turn cares to prayers!
But, hey! That’s stuff I should do everyday, anyway!
These days might not be so different after all!
Everyday, anyway!