Folks in our community have explained to us that this past winter has been the worst they’ve seen in a very long time. We were iced in for 2 1/2 months, unable to escape in any direction. We couldn’t walk outside because the ice was thick and snow was piled high. It has only been recently that we were able to safely drive out of town. And then we were asked to shelter in place.
So yesterday, the first day we have felt like it in six weeks, Mel and I escaped town. And do you know where we went?
Yeah, does that make any sense to you?
I’m calling this irony, but I know there’s got to be a better word for it. Would a wordsmith out there please suggest a better one? No, not idiocy. Not insanity. We had actually driven south toward the mountains for a nice hike in the desert, but since we were there, we couldn’t resist playing in the snow. Actually, we hadn’t been able to do that all winter because of the horrific wind and cold.
We had a good hike. Another irony? My allergies acted up because, despite the deep snow, there is pollen blowing around out there. The temp was in the 50s.
I grew up in Southern California and Southern Missouri.
This looks nothing like those places. If you live north of us, you’re laughing at me. But seriously, is irony the right word?
My husband and I are so different. He gets up before the sun, has his coffee, something to eat, and is ready to go. I do not get up before the sun unless there is an earth-shattering reason for me to do so—like catching an early flight. J I sleep in until six-thirty or seven in the morning. Then I take some meds, take a walk, and have coffee, breakfast, and Bible reading when I return.
Neither of these ways of getting up in the morning are the right or wrong way. This is the way we are both wired and how we choose to start our days.
Whether I start the day by jumping out of bed raring to go, or I drag my exhausted carcass to the kitchen for the first cup of coffee before anyone dare speak to me, the most important choice I make for my day is expressed in the following Psalm.
O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)
There are four points that stand out to me in this one verse. I’m sure you can see them too.
O God, You are my God—Every day I must make a decision on Who or what will be my God/god. Self is a big contender as I want to please my selfish desires. If I choose to please myself, even saying I’m doing an action for God, without consulting Him first, then He is not my God. I must choose to put Him first. Right away. Every day.
Early will I seek You—I try to pray first thing, before I open my eyes and even consider getting out of bed. Does that always happen? No. Life happens and sometimes I have to jump out of bed and rush off to handle some minor crisis or another. I remind myself it is okay because as soon as possible, I can seek God’s counsel. Also, I do not set my alarm so I get up first to seek God. This isn’t a case of the early bird gets the worm. God’s grace doesn’t run low as the day goes by. Early is in reference to an individual’s sleeping pattern, because some people don’t have the option to rise early in the day.
My soul thirsts for You—There have been few times I’ve been without water long enough to be truly thirsty. There is an element of suffering in the Hebrew word for thirsty. I don’t know if I’ve ever suffered from thirst. But I can imagine and read accounts of others. My soul thirsts.
But does it? Is God just a passing thought or prayer to me? Do I pray something like, “Morning, God. Help me with my day,” and then go on about my business without another thought about Him? Sometimes, it’s true. But, that isn’t a soul suffering thirst. I want to feel the thirst for God and to do that I have to drink of His word every day to the point that I can’t start my day without Him.
My flesh longs for You—Not only my soul should be longing for God, but my flesh too. It’s like every cell in my physical form should be tuned in to God and longing for His filling and His presence. Not just my heart. Or my brain. Not my hands or my feet. But every particle of me should be His and be longing for Him.
Even though I have time when I don’t follow the above truths, I still strive for these values. To make my day start right, I need God at the opening, throughout the day, and at the closing.
Then whether I’m up early, early like my husband or sleep in until noon, my day would be pretty perfect.
Sabbath is something which God has been speaking to my husband and me about this year. We kept hearing this theme come up long before social distancing, quarantines, and staying at home became the norm. Now all across the globe, things are shut down, and people are being forced to slow down. This is the perfect time to start implementing some new habits in our lives. But after this is all over, we should hang onto the new habits we created. And I hope that honoring the Sabbath, and slowing down in general, are things all of us will continue.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. – Exodus 20:8-11
In the Ten Commandments, one of the instructions God gave us was to observe the Sabbath. According to biblestudytools.com, “The origin of the Hebrew sabbat is uncertain, but it seems to have derived from the verb sabat, meaning to stop, to cease, or to keep.”
On the day of Sabbath, God is telling us to stop and rest. God made the heavens and the earth in six days, and rested on the seventh day. So He commanded us to also rest on the seventh day. This can be difficult to do in our normally fast-paced world. Prior to the pandemic, many of us were often running from one thing to the next.
When I was around ten years old, I remember going camping with my family. My parents, grandmother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, and even my grandmother’s dog were all there. It was a nice opportunity for us to spend quality time together. One thing I especially remember about this trip is the story my mother relays about it at times. She had a difficult time just sitting and doing nothing. This is how many of us are these days. It seems to have gotten worse in recent times with all the devices we have now.
But resting is essential for our well-being, our spiritual life, our emotional state, and our physical bodies as well. It is not good on us to always be going and going. Eventually something has to give. We will burn out if we do not seek rest.
Ironically, as we are currently forced to stay home, I have heard a lot of complaints of boredom. Personally, I have not been bored for a single moment since I have been in isolation. Perhaps this is because I am a homebody. And I am working remotely, so my weekdays are still consumed with work. But after my working hours, I have been enjoying the slower pace. I am not making light of this situation. My heart breaks to think about how many people are suffering in different ways right now. Of course I do pray that the pandemic ends soon. However, in the meantime, I believe the Lord is trying to teach us all some things during this season.
This is the perfect time for all of us to learn to slow down and savor our time. Spend quality time with those in our household. Play a board game. Read a good book. Watch a movie. And most importantly, spend time with the Lord.
Resting in God’s presence truly refreshes us. Different versions of Psalm 23:3 say: “He refreshes my soul” (NIV), “He renews my strength” (NLT), “He restores my soul” (ESV). This is so true. Recently one Friday afternoon I was exhausted after a long week. For about twenty minutes I closed my eyes and just talked to the Lord. Afterwards, I felt rejuvenated.
In my opinion, resting also plays into hearing from God. If we are always busy and filling our head with different things, we do not have room to hear from the Lord. But when we take time to quiet our minds and focus on Jesus, we can truly see miracles in our spiritual lives.
Something I have been trying to do in preparation for the Sabbath is to get ahead by doing as many chores as possible the day(s) beforehand. I also try to stay off devices on the Sabbath, which helps me to quiet my mind and focus on the Lord. Devices can be a big distraction which takes our attention away from God and from our families. I believe staying off of devices one day a week can help refresh our minds and souls, especially if you have come to rely heavily on your devices. I also am intentional about being present. This helps me to have more quality time with those around me. When I do these things it helps me to have a peaceful day and gives me a renewed strength.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
Please share: Is there anything specific that you like to do (or don’t do) on the Sabbath? And have you been working on any new habits related to slowing down these past few weeks?
During this season where we’re home and so much is unknown, my newslettersubscribers asked that I share weekly content that encourages. This message has helped me through a lot of personal valleys, and once again served as a reminder. I shared this in my most recent newsletter. I pray it encourages you.
Lazarus lives because Jesus was four days late. Pixabay image. Click on image for video.
I’m not going to lie, celebrating Easter is surreal this year. For our family, I designated myself as the only shopper weeks ago and last week my husband encouraged me to get enough to last for two weeks. That meant I had to get the Easter dinner fixings, along with ingredients for our traditional chocolate peanut butter eggs and basket items with other grocery items. Weird, right?
Beyond that, the shelves were mostly cleared out and I was growing frustrated with the lack of compassion from other shoppers to the clerks. Social distancing was not being adhered to at one store. I know overall our personal situation is full of blessings. We are safe, healthy, my husband is working, and we have food. Yet, on the drive home from that excursion I lamented to God, “When is this going to end?”
I got my answer days later.
Years ago my husband used to sing special music back at our home church in Upstate NY. One song that continues to impact me long after he finished singing it was “Four Days Late,” a southern gospel song by Karen Peck and New River. It’s the story of Mary and her sister Martha, regarding the death of their brother, Lazarus. Jesus was great friends with the three of them, so when word reached Him, you’d think He’d run to get to him.
Not so.
To our eyes, and to Mary and Martha, Jesus took His sweet time.
When He finally arrives on the scene, Lazarus is dead, wrapped in linens, and buried. The grief Mary and Martha were experiencing, well, I can’t even imagine. What I can picture is the sisters asking Jesus what took so long? Don’t you care?
If you know this story from John 11, Jesus was overcome by their grief, and His own. Lazarus was his friend. He asked Martha to take Him to Lazarus and Martha’s like, “You don’t understand. You’re late. He’s gone. He died four days ago. He’s buried.” To be specific, he was rotting and smelly. Dead, dead, dead.
Jesus wept, and ordered the grave stone moved. And with a command, He ordered Lazarus to come forth.
And Lazarus did.
Here’s what I love about the song. When the sisters ask where were You, don’t You care, they realize in the resurrection of Lazarus that had Jesus showed up when word reached Him, where would the miracle have been? A group of people saw Lazarus leave his own tomb very much alive. Can you imagine the commotion? People running home to tell everyone, EVERYONE the miracle they just saw. Thanks to Jesus.
As the song goes,”He was four days late but right on time.”
We are a month into isolation. The stats we see on the news are scary, devastating, and hard to process. The texts I receive from my friends in healthcare, I don’t understand. That is so much for a human to see. Doesn’t Jesus get it? Doesn’t He care?
I know the answer. So do you.
There are purposes to His timing. In this isolation I’ve seen reconciliations. Churches rise up in safe ways to encourage the world. People speaking out and lending a hand in ways that lets be honest, wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
To us, Jesus is late. But He is right on time.
I believe with everything in me that this Easter and Passover timeframe is monumental in heaven and that we will see things on earth shifting. In a good way. I am praying that not only is the virus destroyed with no option to mutate/come back, but that restrictions will lift maybe not immediately, but sooner than the experts are telling us.
Because Jesus is right on time. Always.
I know it’s odd to share an Easter message about a resurrection and it not be Christ’s. Yet, without the miracles of Jesus during His ministry, we would never comprehend the power of His own resurrection and all that means for us.
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When my children were young, we attended a church within walking distance. We walked to church at least three times a week in daylight or in the dark. No matter the weather, we walked, because it seemed so silly to drive such a short distance, maybe the length of a football field.
We lived in the country, a very rural area with few to no outdoor lights at the time. There weren’t street lights, so on moonless nights the stars were amazing and our feet found the path because we walked it so often.
One night, one of the men at the church wanted to walk over to the house with us to see my husband, who had stayed home. He had a question for him. He’d visited our home several times, but he’d never walked there before. The overcast night shut out even the light of the stars and you could barely see your hand in front of your face.
We were just starting down our long, curved driveway, when our friend stopped. “I can’t see where I’m going. I think I’ll go back and get my car.”
My girls and I all stopped too. I hated to see him go all the way back. We were halfway home by then. To us the path was easy to navigate.
“Here, put your hand on my arm.” I held out my arm and he took hold. One of my daughters came up on his other side. Between us, we guided him the rest of the way to the house where he talked with my husband and then used a flashlight to return to his car.
I’ve often thought of that night and how important it is to familiarize myself with the path I need to walk. As an analogy of walking in faith on the path God wants me on, there are times the path is dark and no matter how much I’ve planned and prepared, I still need to take someone’s hand and have them guide me. Of course, the hand I must reach for is that of the Lord, Who is always there to help me.
In this time of upheaval in our world, I find the need to reach for His steadying hand much more often. He keeps me on the course I need to take. He even shows me a new path that is important for the times right now.
The book of Ephesians has much to say about walking. These verses guide me and give light to my path during dark days.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 (NKJV)
I must walk in the good works God has given me to accomplish. These works may have changed in the past weeks from what I normally do, but I must be flexible and willing to walk where God guides me. When I do what He’s prepared for me, I find so much comfort. I’m no longer concerned about myself or what I can’t do, but am looking toward others and how I can help them.
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph.4:1-3 (NKJV)
This verse is especially important right now. Not only must I walk worthy of my calling, or the invitation God extended to me, but I must walk with humility and patience for others. Why? To keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Peace is something that seems to be missing right now and as a Christian, I have a peace some don’t have access to. By walking in this manner, I can be an example to those who are fearful and struggling. I can bring a measure of comfort and point them to the one Who brings true peace.
“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Eph. 5:2 (NKJV)
Whoa! Walk in love as Christ loved. As I stay home day after day, this becomes a little difficult at times. I know those who have children and spouses home and aren’t used to the added chaos and disruption to schedules are stretched more than I am. Yet, I must remember to walk in love. To bite back that harsh word. To do an act of kindness that I may not feel like doing. To be humble and patient. To become as a sweet-smelling aroma to God. With His help, I can walk in love.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Eph. 5:8 (NKJV)
I need to remember where I came from. I once walked in fear and darkness. Now that I walk in His light, I have to remember how scary and uncertain those times were. This will help me be understanding to those around me who don’t have the comfort and peace that I have. Instead of spreading rumor and uncertainty, I am tasked with walking in light and sharing Jesus peace and comfort to a world in desperate need. What a beautiful calling.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise…” Eph. 5:15 (NKJV)
I must be diligent in my walk. I can’t act one way and then become different the next day. That is confusing. I have to continue to be steadfast in my faith, even when the world around me is going crazy. God is the same always. I can rest in that and find comfort that He is there. Walking diligently and displaying my faith in the same manner all the time is walking in wisdom, not as a foolish person.
I can only walk like this when my hand is firmly planted in the Lord’s hand. With Him to guide me, I can walk through dark times with peace and confidence. I hope and pray that you will take His hand and walk with Him. Who knows, maybe someone will need to place their hand on our arm to navigate the path until they reach Him.
This weekend we will celebrate Easter, honoring the death and resurrection of Jesus. If you are a Christian, then you know what Easter is all about. We were all born sinners. We all fall short. Not one of us is perfect or blameless. God is perfect and we are not, so our sin separates us from Him. We each deserve death and hell. But God loved us too much to allow that. He made a perfect plan to save us.
In the times of the Old Testament, the Jews had to sacrifice a perfect animal for their sins. This was a temporary atonement for their waywardness. Fast forward to the times of the New Testament where we read about Jesus. He was the Holy Son of God. He was perfect. The only man to walk the earth that knew no sin. He came to this earth in order to save us all. He was put to death on a cross. He was our sacrifice. That is why He is called the Lamb of God. He paid for our sins once and for all. But that’s not all. Three days later, He was resurrected. He rose from the dead. This defeated death. This proved He was the Son of God, the Messiah.
Through Jesus, we can be forgiven of our sins. We can walk in a relationship with Him every day. And we can have the gift of Heaven to look forward to when we leave this earth.
But we have to accept Jesus first. We have to acknowledge that He is the Son of God. Jesus said in Matthew 10:32, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” And in Romans 10:9, Paul said, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Many people pray a prayer to get into Heaven. And while that is part of the deal, that is not the only thing that matters when we pray to accept Jesus into our lives. We are accepting a relationship with Him. We are handing our lives over to Him. And we are saying we will walk with Him every day for the rest of our earthly lives. Your life might not be perfect, but with Jesus by your side, you will have a peace and a joy that cannot be matched.
If you have never accepted Jesus as Savior, I invite you to do so today. (If you want to know how, you can say the prayer found here. And if you need information on next steps after that, contact me here.) This will be the best decision you ever make. This will bring true contentment into your life. And this will bring you hope. In these uncertain times, we all could use hope. And the only way to find true hope is through Jesus.
Once you accept Jesus into your life, it makes you a child of God, adopted into His family. What a glorious feeling to know that the King of kings and Lord of lords loves you and is there for you anytime you need Him. And He will guide your steps every day, if you allow Him to.
I hope you have a happy and blessed Easter Sunday!
Christians have much to ponder on the day before and the day after. The Bible records many events on both days.
Good Friday is the day on which Jesus was crucified. It is a day to mourn for sin, lament the evil that human beings do to each other, and ponder the brokenness of the world. It is a day to remember that it was all of this evil and brokenness that drove Jesus to the cross, to remember that Jesus chose to take all of this evil and brokenness on Himself. It was a terrible price to pay.
Easter Sunday, two days later, is the day on which Jesus rose from the dead. It is a day to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, new life, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal blessings.
But, for the Saturday in between, there is very little to be said. The only Bible verse about this day is the second half of Luke 23:56. There it says that the women who followed Jesus “rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment” (NIV). It is the time when we recognize our sinfulness and brokenness and our inability to do anything about it, the time when we must endure the silence of God, waiting for Him to say or do something. In the meantime, the only thing we can do is do what God has told us to do (obey the commandments, even though they are old and God is giving us nothing new), rest in the assurance that God will do something (even though we cannot discern what could possibly be done to correct a hopeless situation), and wait for God to act.
Silent Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but it is also something we experience at various other times and in various ways.
Oh, there is one other passage in the Bible about Silent Saturday. Matthew 27:62-66 tells of the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders, who violated the Sabbath in order to try to prevent the resurrection, but that is of no concern to Christians. Such efforts have no power to prevent the resurrection, which came anyway and will come anyway.
Today I thought readers might enjoy encouraging information from the medical side of the Hannah Alexander duo. Mel has been collecting information from his medical sites about the pandemic–such as some of the earliest projections for April 4. There were projected to be at least 1.5 million confirmed cases of COVID19 by this time in the United States, and at least 150,000 of those were to be in the hospital. Every one of the apx. 55,000 ICU beds in the nation would be filled with COVID19 patients. That is not the case. Some states have been hit tragically hard, but nationwide, instead of 1.5 million, we have about 210,000 cases reported. Now, that could be because test kits have been quite rare, and because enough people have observed the social isolation request to successfully flatten the curve. But the bottom line is, if there really were 1.5 million cases, it was believed that between 10-20% of the cases were expected to be hospitalized. That has not happened.
All of the states that have been hit hardest, with the highest populations, are now reporting decreased numbers of new cases.
But it isn’t over yet. So to that end, Apple is making a million new face shields for medical personnel a week–the shields are used along with N95 face masks to protect both patient and medical personnel from the spread of the virus.
Another company has FDA approval for a portable unit that can sterilize used N95 masks by the tens of thousands in 2.5 hours.
Spain and Italy are reporting declining infections and death rates.
The hydroxychloroquinine-zpack combo has been FDA approved for experimental treatment.
Medical friends in fly-over states are still braced for COVID19 to reach them next, and so this means we need to continue to wear our masks, observe social distancing, and protect those around us who are more susceptible to a bad outcome.
Oh, and if you like to hike? Kristin Billerbeck told me yesterday that hiking trails around her have been shut down because hikers without masks crowded the trails without observation of social distancing. This virus is just as contagious outside as it is inside. It’s a worldwide pandemic, not an indoor pandemic.
Integrity is how you behave when no one is looking. I have asked myself many times over this past month with COVID19 whether my behavior could possibly be infecting someone else, even though it wouldn’t be obvious to anyone else. You might be young and healthy and strong–just as we have recovered and are no longer in danger–but what about a local nursing home where other young, strong, healthy people work? Will the virus be spread to that home as a result of your frustration with restrictions to your lifestyle now?
Many heroes have emerged during this difficult time to bless us in many ways. We can be heroes, too. All we have to do is be aware.
While it will probably feel like a long month due to everyone staying home, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the outdoors. I’ve been taking regular walks through my neighborhood since I can’t go the gym. The temperatures are pleasant right now and the sun has been shining most every day. I’ve talked my daughter into joining me, so she puts a leash on her dog and off we go. I’ve cherished this time to be with her, since normally she’s so busy. She works in a hospital and with everything going right now, she needs to de-stress, and I’m happy to make sure she gets some much needed exercise. It’s a small thing, but we all can do our part to help others during this anxious time.
I’ve compiled some pictures of spring in my neck of the woods to share with you. I hope you enjoy this cheerful snapshot of the season.
To everyone out there, stay safe and continue to follow the health guidelines. We are in this together, and we will all come out on the other side together as well. Take time out of the day to focus on the positive, lend a helping hand in any way you can, and if possible, get lost in a good book. And remember above all else, God is in control!
~Tara
ALWAYS THE ONE AVAILABLE NOW!
Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com.Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.
I recently read a wonderful book that I wanted to tell you about – Just Like Us: 7 Ways Biblical Women Were Just Like Us (And Why It Matters) by Jennifer Hayes Yates. This book is directed towards women specifically, especially since the focus is on women from the Bible. This book is very special and unique. It touches on different topics that we all deal with – contentment, value, purpose, faith, truth, courage, and hope. When digging deeper into each of these topics, the author presents several Biblical examples that we can learn from, as it unfolds ways we can grow today in present-day circumstances. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learning more about various people and stories in the Bible.
This book would also make a great Bible study tool, if you want to dig deeper into Biblical stories that are part of your daily Bible reading. For example, one of my favorite stories in the Bible deals with Queen Esther. When reading that book of the Bible, reviewing the chapter on Esther in the book Just Like Us would help bring deeper insight into Esther’s story. This book makes a great supplement to your regular Bible reading.
And on the other hand, when reading through this book, it will help spark a new passion for the Bible. Each chapter offers much insight, which will entice the reader to open the Bible for themselves. For example, when reading in Just Like Us about Ruth, you will want to open up the Bible and read that story for yourself in order to obtain a fuller understanding of the story.
For me personally, this book, Just Like Us, really helped me to appreciate various stories of the Bible from a deeper level. There are some stories in the Bible that I have read before, but the author’s perspective has opened my eyes to new twists that I had not noticed when reading them in the past.
This book also opens our eyes to the love of God. In many of the Bible stories, the women have felt rejected, overlooked, or misunderstood by other people. But God loved them, accepted them, saw them, and understood them. No matter what we are going through, God is there to see us through it, if we turn to Him. He sees our hearts and understands the things we are going through. He will guide us down the right road, if we allow Him to.
Reading this book has been an amazing journey for me. I think it will be for you as well. No matter where you are in your Christian walk, I believe you will get some value out of it. Here is the link to find the book on Amazon.
Last week I turned 50. It was certainly surreal as usually I like being home and staying behind the scenes, but this year, I had plans to actually celebrate in public. I still plan to do that, because once it is safe to do so, there will be so much more to celebrate than a birthday. I’ve learned a lot in this season. How about you?
One of the things I had planned was I asked people who have crossed paths with me that if I had any kind of positive impact, would they let me know? My thinking was I’ve learned through nearly losing our baby years ago, and losing my dad and in-laws that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. I’d rather encourage people now while I can, and while those people can hear it. I felt the same about receiving letters from others.
For me, words of affirmation is my love language and the author life is lonely. With nearly grown kids and a husband who is often in meetings, there are days it’s me and the dog staring at each other. As a woman who prays behind the scenes, there are many times I receive communications from women in a hard place asking for my time and prayer. But in that, my circle where I share my hurts and requests is small. There are times it’s hard. I hoped that by receiving notes from others I would have a record of impact that would see me through those tough times.
I was blown away. The document where I copied and pasted everything is seven pages long and nearly 4,000 words. I thought perhaps most would come from family and they would focus on writing.
I was wrong.
It was from friends both in that small circle and those I have prayed for over the years. Although my writing was mentioned, by far I realized the biggest way others thought of me was through my faith and ability to believe God and pray.
My passion is to encourage others to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and—maybe one day—the chocolate.
My husband, normally not one to write, shared ways his life was transformed that I never knew. After 23 years it’s easy to fall into a routine where you talk about work, dinner, church, kids. Superficial and rote. To discover these things and discuss them has taken us to a new place in marriage. To know the depth of his love, I don’t have words. I told him I could have only received his response and it would have been enough. Yet to have him, the kids, and so many others chime in, it truly has blessed me.
I’ve seen on Facebook since we’ve been home as a nation a challenge that asks people to share what that person means to them. I think it’s a challenge worth participating in. Go ahead and lift others up. Encourage others to share a way you’ve made a positive difference in their lives. You’ll learn a lot about yourself and the way God has used you, and I believe it will even direct your steps for this season and beyond.
Julie Arduini
Honestly, I didn’t think I’d need to read those words for awhile. But hearing that this stay-in-place mandate, which is wisdom, is going to last another month, it’s a hit to my mental health. Today’s a day the walls are closing in a little. Overall we are so, so blessed, but I struggle like anyone. I’m glad I have words of affirmation on top of Bible studies and prayer to carry me through.
I’d love to hear what you learn about yourself. You have so much going for you!
This morning, I read this Bible verse about Jesus sending out the 72 disciples before Him:
Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse or bag or sandals. Do not greet anyone along the road. Luke 10:3-4
The rules for living today are so complex. Wash your hands, wear gloves, wear masks. Do not greet each other or gather. Wipe off your groceries and packages, etc. These are trying times. The loneliness and inability to check on family members. Many people are unable to visit sick relatives because the hospital can’t have the contamination.
These times are unprecedented. But I take comfort in the fact that God knew this would happen. God allowed this to happen. So how can we grow in this time spiritually? How can we keep from contributing to the fear and the devastation around us? For God did not give us a spirit of fear Imagine the 72 going out into unknown realms to preach the Gospel of Jesus! If they’d given way to fear, they never would have gone.
Fear inhibits who we are. It makes us less-than and it doesn’t help a soul. Be cautious. Follow the guidelines, but check on loved ones. Call friends who live alone. Ask if you can shop for elderly neighbors. Do what you can to be of Christ in this situation and not fear. God knew this virus would happen. Read the Psalms when you get nervous and give way to fear and for goodness sake, turn off the never-ending news cycle that wants us to live in constant turmoil!
God will send His rainbow soon.
(My daughter Elle is here and she planted this cactus for me and it bloomed within a few days. A nice reminder God is still in control and the world still turns.) Look to the Light.
If you are like me you are so tired of talk about the virus and pandemic. I want this to be over and done with, but that won’t happen for a while. Instead, I have the opportunity to learn patience, trust in God, and depend on His timing.
The one aspect that bothers me most about the world situation is the fear I see in people. I want to say I am not afraid. I am not hoarding in case the virus gets bad. I don’t want to give in to that sort of fear and dependency on worldly things. Instead, I want to be wise, but I also want to depend fully on God. With that in mind I’d like to share some scriptures with you that I find comforting, and also a gift from me to you.
“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1-3a (NKJV)
I love this passage in Isaiah. I am reminded that no matter what happens, no matter how terrifying life gets, God is there. He is with me. He will walk me through. I have no reason to fear as long as I am His.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” Psalm 91:1-6 (NKJV)
When I abide in the Lord, when I shelter under His wings and in His presence, I need not fear what is happening around me. I don’t even need to fear the “perilous pestilence.” That is good to know right now.
Does this mean I won’t get the virus? Not at all. But, even if I do get the virus I have no need to fear. I try to always remember that God holds my life in His hands. If it is not my time to die, nothing on this earth can kill me. On the other hand, if it is my time to die, nothing here can keep me alive. Only God knows that time.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
I love the idea of having a sound mind. Not thought processes driven by fear that is rampant in the world today, but a mind that trusts wholly in God. There is great power and rest in having that kind of love and a sound mind. I pray each of you strives for a relationship that will yield power, love, and a sound mind, and reject fear.
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The prayer list for those impacted by Corona Virus grows. Yesterday, a young man asked for prayers for his grandfather, who had just been put on a vent. His wife is expecting, and they’re afraid for themselves and for the child.
A different young woman responded that her young, healthy aunt had tested positive earlier and now had hours to live. Her devastated family couldn’t say goodbye.
Hours later, the first young couple were notified that his grandfather had passed–and I received a note that one of our authors here is possibly infected.
So, bearing all this in mind, why is it so difficult for you to honor the “15 Days to Stop the Spread?”
Adjust. Be flexible. Be advised that these things do NOT always happen to someone else.
Be prayerful, be hopeful, be intellectually and emotionally honest. Exercise your common sense and do your part, praying hard that others do their part. For all our sakes. And remember:
My husband brought one of our dogs to the vet on Monday. They called it “curbside service.” One of the ladies came out to the car to retrieve our dog and bring him inside. But my husband had to stay outside. This is just one of many changes we have seen over the past few weeks. There is no doubt that we are all in new territory. We all have had to completely change our lives. And we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But as Christians, we do know Who holds tomorrow. And that makes a world of difference. Here are a few things I learned to do during all of this:
1 – Limits. I have to limit how much time I listen to the news and how much time I talk about this with others. Too much time causes me to have more fear. But as children of God, our faith should be greater than our fear.
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. – Psalm 16:5
2 – Focus. It is vital to keep our focus on God. When we are facing a storm, He can calm the storm. When we are facing a mountain, He can move the mountain. Yes, this pandemic is serious business. But our God is bigger than anything and everything.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. – Psalm 16:8
3 – Praise. When I have felt anxious or worried, I praised God. This always helps turn my feelings around. It is a reminder of just how magnificent our God is. He is bigger than what we are facing.
I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. – Psalm 16:7
4 – Psalms. This falls in line with Praise. I have been reading through the book of Psalms. This is bringing me peace and comfort in the midst of storm.
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. – Psalm 16:1
5 – Pray. Praying to God about what’s weighing on our hearts is important. He hears all of our prayers. And more than that, He wants to hear from us. Prayer helps bring peace in the battle.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” – Psalm 16:2
6 – Gratitude. I have been grateful for so many things in the midst of this. The things we are grateful for might vary with each of us. Thank God if you still have your job, if you have not had to do without food, if you have loved ones to spend time with, if you have neighbors who look out for you, etc. There are many things we can find to be grateful for in all of this.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure. – Psalm 16:9
7 – God is still God. One evening in the midst of all this, my husband and I were walking around our yard, as we talked about some of the latest developments. Meanwhile, my friend Lorraine also texted me about some things she heard. All of the news was weighing heavy on my heart. But then God showed up and opened my eyes. The sun was setting and I noticed how beautiful it was. It felt like the world was falling apart… but in the midst of chaos, the sunset was still a beautiful sight. I felt God reminding me that “God is still God.” No matter what we are facing, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Which means we can rely on Him in the good times and in the worst of times. My worry was replaced with peace, as I felt the Lord remind me that He was still there. (The picture below is of this particular sunset I am talking about.)
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. – Psalm 16:11
Ultimately, this should be a time when we cling to the Lord and grow closer to Him. He is there for us at all times. He will help us get through anything, when we run into His arms.
is uncertain, but it seems to have derived from the verb sabat, meaning to stop, to cease, or to keep.”
Christians Read 