This week we talked about Caleb and the promise to him that God fulfilled in Joshua 14 & 15.
Weekend Wanderings
Another week has gone by. I would imagine that for some, the days and weeks have begun to blend together. States are beginning to relax some of the stay at home orders. It remains to be seen what the result of this will be. In sports news (really), NASCAR will begin racing this month, without fans. I’m sure it will be a different experience for the drivers and their crews.
On to the good stuff:
A collection from Chaplain Mike.
Scot McKnight on Christianity’s biggest challenge.
Martin Luther tells us to not flirt.
Good post from Alex Early.
Zack Hunt asks a good question.
Wesley Hill on looking for new life.
So evidently singing can be dangerous?
Just in case you were wondering what’s next.
One view on the quarantine relaxation.
Interesting article from The Atlantic.
How to get out of a Zoom call.
What happens when AI gets hold of memes.
Good post from Juliette Alvey.
Self care helps from Karl Vaters.
Stay safe and have a blessed week!
Some Encouragement
It’s May. It may be hard for some of us to tell. Jan and I were talking the other day about the markers not being present this year. April Fool’s Day went by without all the usual antics. We celebrated Easter, but the usual feasting and fellowship was missing. Spring break was non-existent for many students because they were already at home. End of the year testing, spring sports, and graduation are other things that will not happen this year.
For many, the days fade into each other without the markers of commuting to work, going out on a weekend, or traveling to gather for worship. It’s hard. While it looks like there is light at the end of this tunnel, we really don’t know what will happen as businesses slowly reopen and folks start to go about their day-to-day outside of their homes. We are facing an uncertainty that most of us have never had to deal with. Listening to those who seem to have some expertise doesn’t always bring confidence and hope.
We are told in Matthew 6, to pray for God’s Kingdom to be known and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We who follow the King know that he has already defeated death. We know that our King does reign. He has promised us that everything that happens is worked for our good and his glory, and that our present sufferings will pale in comparison to the glory that will be revealed in us. Because we are in Christ, there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from our Father’s love.
Be encouraged. It is hard. The future is cloudy. But our Abba has got this.
Weekend Wanderings
Things are changing a bit here. Some of the states are starting to loosen up the quarantine restrictions, while others are keeping them in place. We’ll see how it all plays out. It’s starting to warm up here in the sunny South. Other than that, there’s not a whole lot going on.
On to the good stuff:
Mike Bell has come up with some interesting articles about the future of the church.
It’s one or the other.
Problems at Oxford.
Donavon Riley says we should slow down.
Good post from Ben Witherington.
I agree with Karl Vaters.
I guess this is a thing.
I’m looking forward to it.
Scot McKnight on the salvation/kingship kerfuffle.
Adapting to social distancing.
Fred Smith on small things.
Giles Fraser asks a question.
Still in Babylon.
Jeff Clark has a question.
Judy Bratten on bread.
Chaplain Mike weighs in on the gospel.
Taylor S. Brown on myths.
Stay safe and have a blessed week!
Looking Ahead
We are now roughly two months into the Covid-19 pandemic here in the United States. To say that this is a life changing thing would vastly underestimate the effect it has had on our lives. We don’t know what the future holds, whether immediate or long term. You can find a different prognosis and prediction for each day of the week. I don’t believe anyone has the complete picture. Regardless, the future will look a great deal different than what we have been used to.
There are some things I hope will be true in our lives in the days to come. I hope that we will be kinder people, more patient and understanding. That seems to be true right now, and I hope i t continues. I hope that we continue to care about others, even sacrificing out own interests to help someone. I hope that we actively look for ways to do good to our neighbors. I hope that we will cherish our families and the time we have with them.
I hope that we can put differences aside, whether political, philosophical, or social, and work to recognize and do what is good for all, rather than what benefits one group over another. I hope that we as a culture can be truly pro life, from the womb to the nursing home. I hope that we can welcome those who come here looking for a better life without blaming them for our ills. I hope that we can recognize the value of everyone in our society and pay wages that allow them to take care of themselves and their families. I hope that we can realize that it really doesn’t profit anyone to gain the whole world only to lose their soul.
I hope those of us who follow Jesus will realize that the church is not the building or the institution, but is the people. I hope that we will cherish our brothers and sisters in Christ, and seek to love them as Jesus loved us. I hope that we will be known more for what we are for than for what we are against. I hope that we show the truth, goodness, and beauty of Jesus to our neighbors and demonstrate the hope of people who know that this world will be renewed.
I hope that all of us will have a better idea of what really matters. I hope that the next crisis that comes along will find us better prepared to handle it in a way that benefits us all.
Pipe dream? Maybe, but I will not give up hope.
Weekend Wanderings
The health crisis continues. Depending on who you listen to: It’s all a hoax, it’s the worst thing to ever hit mankind, we need to let people get back to their normal lives, we need to keep the country locked down, we’ll get through this, or we’re all going to die. Sometimes it looks like everyone is just throwing ideas against the wall to see which ones stick. We need prayer, because there is only One who really knows what is going on.
On to the good stuff:
Good words from Wendell Barry.
When things are disrupted.
The rights of Christians.
Chaplain Mike asks a good question.
Looking at the bigger picture.
Five guidelines for humor right now.
That’s just weird.
Jason Isbell on John Prine.
Kelly Edmiston on fear.
Good article on Easter.
Good article from Mike Glenn.
Good post from Sammy Rhodes.
A modest proposal from Fred Smith.
Classic post from Michael Spencer.
Stay safe and have a blessed week!
Thoughts on Easter 2020
The Easter season was a bit different this year. Instead of gathering in person with our brothers and sisters to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we gathered around our computer for a livestream service via Zoom. In stead of greeting dear friends with a hug, we waved to the images on the screen. Instead of getting together with friends or family for a feast, we had an Easter dinner for two in our dining room. It was a very good day, and I am grateful for what we were able to do, but it was different, in a strange way.
The coronavirus pandemic, which has devastated much of the world, has changed the way we do just about everything. Many people have been at home for a number of weeks, as “shelter in place” becomes the norm. The great majority of churches have closed their doors, either meeting on line, watching services on television, or not meeting at all. Businesses have been forced to close, and social distancing has forced upon us a new way of relating with each other.
Jan and I found some positive things coming out of an Easter weekend during time of quarantine. We gathered on line with friends Thursday for an altered Seder, followed by an online Maundy Thursday service. Friday evening we watched a Tenebrae service online, and Saturday found us experiencing an Anglican Easter vigil on line. Even though we didn’t do the things we normally do this time of year, we were able to experience a little of the breadth of the the Christian tradition’s celebration of the resurrection.
As the pandemic continues, many of the things we have taken for granted will have to be abandoned or revamped. The ways we work, shop, relate to others, and do church may look totally different in the days ahead. I think that will turn out to be a good thing. There are things that we need to change as individuals, families, churches, nations. As we come to grips with what is really important in our lives, we can become more understanding people, who treat each other as persons made in the image of God. As we learn to work together, we can become more unified. Maybe we can conduct our public lives with an eye toward what is best for all, rather than for our side of the aisle. As churches are forced out of the routine, maybe we can rediscover that the church is not the four walls, but is the family of God who are called to love and serve our neighbors.
Easter is all about hope. The hope that all will be made right, and we will be resurrected. In the midst of tragedy and hopelessness, we can know that Jesus defeated death. Because he walked out of that tomb, nothing will stand in the way of our Father’s plans to restore his creation. Nothing can change that. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Weekend Wanderings
It has been an interesting week. The coronavirus continues to plague, and the worst may be yet to come. Some parts of the country are in danger of being overwhelmed. Our world certainly has been turned upside down. While there are reports of folks taking advantage of others, there are many stories of people stepping up to help those in need. This will probably be a defining moment for us, and it will be interesting to see who we become.
In case, you’re sitting around with nothing to do, here are some links to check out:
Wise words from Karl Vaters.
Good advice for parents working from home
Are you a pain?
Encouraging words from Donavon Riley.
I’m sure the folks worshiping at home appreciate this.
Something to keep you busy if you’re stuck at home.
Good working at home tips.
Good things coming out of the pandemic.
So, it seems the show is over.
Mike Glenn on simple church.
Jared Wilson on a severe mercy.
Thought provoking post by Jim Coppoc.
Here’s a term I hadn’t heard before: Evangocentrism.
Taylor Lorenz urges us to stop being productive.
Evidently it’s okay to be a little bit crazy.
Funny post from The New Yorker.
Good post from Fred Smith.
Chaplain Mike on Holy Saturday.
Stay safe. Have a blessed week!
Weekend Wanderings: Quarantine Edition
It’s been a while, I know. I was kind of otherwise occupied last weekend, but since I have a little bit of time on my hands, I can get a weekend post in even if it takes until Monday. The Covid-19 virus continues to spread around the world, although it seems that China and South Korea have turned the corner. Time will tell if they indeed have a handle on it. There is a great deal of misinformation out there, so please be careful of your sources. One of the best things we can do is be careful without panicking.
On to the links from this week:
Freedom can be scary.
Kathy Morales on peace.
Good article from Tara Isabella Burton.
Here’s some comic relief.
A study of Christians and fear.
This is something to be wary of.
This is why we should be careful what we believe.
At least she thought hard about it.
May we all grasp this before it’s our time to go.
Carmen Imes on what we can do.
Good article from Fred Smith.
Carl McColman on Celtic spirituality.
We’ll end on a funny from McSweeney’s.
Have a blessed week! Stay safe and healthy.
Seeking God’s Wisdom: Joshua 9
This Sunday, our congregation had our first virtual service. We’re working on improving things so they flow more smoothly, but here it is: