In a world with so many options which one is the right one? Which door do you pick? This week we have had yet another round of recommendations and requirements given by the government on how to handle the virus situation. In our lives we cling to opinions we respect like they’re life preservers. But which of these opinions are the right ones? Where do we turn? Everything seems so unknown!
There seems to be a lot of confusion today over who we are. So let me remind you by explaining who I am. This country was built around certain ideals, values and core beliefs. We were not founded to be a two party system that couldn’t see past their differences to the lives they were affecting. Our nation was founded for the benefit of the people whom it was established to serve. Not as an organization offering handouts. Not as a micromanaging boss. Not as a hovering helicopter parent. This nation was established to allow freedom from tyranny and oppressive rule over the people. It was established to provide a system whereby all those who work hard and support one another can truly succeed in life. Let me be completely clear. I am not a republican. I am not a democrat. I am an American!
We’ve all made some massive adjustments the last few days and weeks. And if we’re being honest no one has a clue how long this will last! As I sit in my office and work through some details for upcoming services and ministry plans we are implementing to meet the needs of our community, I scrolled quickly through Facebook. It got me thinking…
Well it’s only a matter of time before we all are consumed by the onslaught of the dreaded Coronavirus that’s sweeping the world. But the greatest danger of the virus isn’t the illness it brings, it’s not the feeling of sickness or the cough or even the potential for death. The greatest danger of this virus, from what I’m reading is that is forcing us to react instead of respond.
Eighteen years ago the world was forever changed. It was a day that our modern generations will remember forever. You’ll know where you were when you first heard the news. You’ll remember the way our nation become truly one nation as intended. You’ll feel the overwhelming sense of patriotism course through your veins. You’ll pause and thank a service man or woman, even if only quietly in your head. Today was a day when good & evil collided. While it looked at first like evil won, we still woke up the next morning.
The journey started on Tuesday with a 5:45am departure from Dublin, Ohio. Then a very long 13 hours later and we’re arriving at our final destination – Minneapolis, Minnesota. The ride was long but uneventful. A couple of car sickness issues and a headaches were had by the group but all in all it was a safe and relatively easy trip.
I find some of the stories in the Bible to be truly peculiar. Some of the stories fit perfectly with what we would expect, while others seem to be a little challenging understand. This might be one of those stories that seems a little odd. I mean Jesus healing is good and all that and really not out of the ordinary at all. But some of the detail seems a little strange to be added into the account. Let’s look a little closer to see what exactly we can learn and why it’s important.
What is your hope for tomorrow? What about your assurance for today? By now we’re a few months into a new year and things are starting to fire on all cylinders. We’re probably busier than ever with spring sports right around the corner. This post is intended to provide a brief pause in the busyness of life. We pause not because there’s not enough to do but because there are so many things vying for our attention. We pause in order to prepare for all of life that’s happening around us. Continue reading
Yesterday we had the chance to gather as a family of believers to say our final earthly good-byes to a man that some called father, others called grandfather, many called pastor and I called mentor. We took a few minutes to pause and share stories of remembrance. We thanked God for who he was and the evidence of God’s love we saw in his life and in his death.
Have you ever had one of those people who just left an imprint on your life and all you can do is say thank you? A person so big to you that they’re like a hero? A person so strong that it seems they can do anything? A person whose faith is so rock solid that you can’t help but believe? If you have this kind of person in your life, then tell them thank you! Tell them today! Never put this off until tomorrow, because what I’ve learned the hard way is tomorrow all too often never comes.