April 24, 2020

Life 2: The Sequel

I think we are all anticipating the loosening of sociological restrictions and the lifting of civil / political restraints as we try to get our life back to "normal."  I know one thing for sure --- I need a haircut! 

Normal includes teaching in front of live people at my Friday Morning Bible Study and Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class, and going back to live, non-virtual church. Normal means getting back to the gym. Normal means seeing some friends and swapping stories. Normal means seeing my kids up-close and personal.

Thankfully, I was never infected with the "Virus" but I have been affected by it. I have realized my vulnerability, susceptibility and ultimately my fragility concerning life. Just one "bug," just one virus can cause such disorientation, devastation, destruction, and so many deaths.

But I have also realized that this type of crisis is what many people live with daily. It is safe to say that daily, billions of people navigate and negotiate life through these types of natural disasters. We who live in America enjoy what Thomas Jefferson feared we would too soon forget; "How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy."  

In my "Life 2: The Sequel," as I live in 'Post Coronaville,' I want to pray more for my governmental leaders for wisdom, courage and integrity (Romans 13:1; I Tim. 2 1-2; I Peter 2:17).  I want to pray more for the people who live in Communist China, who do not know Christ and live under deplorable conditions - some physical, some psychological, and some spiritual.  I want to pray more for my brothers and sisters in Christ who live in China under various forms of persecution, that the Lord Jesus would provide to them courage, conviction and comfort as they live out the music of the gospel and present the message of the gospel.  

Life may never be fully restored to "normal."  I hope my new normal is a more appreciative one.  

Serving Him with you

Until He comes for us,

Fred

April 17, 2020

                            Warped Arguments Wrapped in Authority

 

As Victor Davis Hansen reminds us, "On occasion, yesterday's certainty is today's skepticism and tomorrow's ridiculousness." This is an example of Warped Arguments Wrapped in Authority, and it occurs both in sociology and theology.

 

We have been watching this played out sociologically in our understanding of virology and economics. The experts are often wrong. The authoritative arguments driven by faulty models or potential personal profitability can lead to bad endings.

In our theology we also can be taken captive by voices of authority articulating warped arguments. This is made more pronounced in times of fear when we are looking for a word of safety and a word of comfort.

 

What we are looking for and what we need is a divine word. And that is the answer! We do not need the plethora of words offered by professionals, helpful and enjoyable as they might be. We need the personal intake of the very word of God and an encounter with the God of His word. We need close, direct contact. This is not a time to practice social distancing. We must be close enough to catch the real disease.

In the midst of your new quarantined life and perhaps even after, might I suggest you make a new standard for living concerning your reading of the Bible - the authoritative word of God.

 

I think you might find some interesting answers for both viral outbreaks and economic downturns and how the Lord desires us to respond to each.

         

Serving Him with you

Until He comes for us,

Fred

April 10, 2020

Easter Will Not Be Cancelled

 

According to Judge Andrew Napolitano, "In New York City, where Mayor Bill de Blasio has declared music stores essential to society but churches, synagogues and mosques to be nonessential, we have seen the boldest threat yet. He offered to close permanently - permanently! - any house of worship that presently holds religious services. This barbarity directly violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment that keeps government out of religion."

 

Well, let me remind the good mayor, and I have it on good authority, that Easter will not be cancelled!  Because of a sin dominated world, filled with and dominated by sorrow and suffering, our glorious God brought through the resurrection of Jesus and His ascension; righteousness, and renewal as well as a reason to rejoice.

         

Serving Him with you

Until He comes for us,

Fred

April 3, 2020

"Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances

that we know to be desperate."  

G. K. Chesterton 

 

We are living in what could be described as Desperate Times. The projection of 100,000-200,000 potential deaths from the "Virus" over the next few weeks is a devastating projection, a potentially debilitating prognostication. This does not sound hopeful.

I hope I and my family and friends do not get the virus.

I hope they discover and create a treatment and vaccine soon.

I hope many who are infected will fully recover.

I hope the stock market and the economy will recover.

I hope that we can get back to normal.

The Apostle Paul reminds us about where and in who our Hope is to be placed.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for this hope."(Romans 8:18-25)

Some things are hard to believe that they are actually happening; but they are!

Living today, we understand that some things are expected, and some are predicted, and yet we still seem surprised when they happen. In fact, in our surprise we often seem to experience a sense of collective despair.
Today we are living with fear. However, in the midst of the fear we can find freedom as we, who are part of this fallen creation, wait patiently and hopefully in the future plans of God.

Today we need hope. Today we need confidence and courage.
Courage is fear that has said its prayers!

          

Serving Him with you

Until He comes for us,

Fred