God With Us

Be encouraged...
In these days of physical and economic darkness, we search for meaning, a way to make sense of the turmoil. It is not as easy to mouth platitudes or to find comfort in anything other than genuine faith.
I have said before the theology of suffering is as much a part of the Christian experience as is prosperity.  In fact, a backwards look into history would reveal suffering occupying a more prominent place. Just as certain is the evidence of God's presence. He is with us in the good times as well as the bad; when we understand and when we don't. Be reminded Friends, GOD IS IN OUR DARKNESS: "We should not assume that if darkness surrounds us the presence of God has somehow left us." ~ Lauren Myers (In the Presence of Grace). Moses was willing to go into the thick darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21). Neither darkness nor light can hinder God. In our worst circumstance, if we look long enough, we will find Him. Jonah, in complete darkness in the belly of the great fish at the bottom of the ocean, cried out and God heard him. DO NOT RUN from the darkness. Run to the One to whom darkness and light both shine as clearest day.
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, help us to remember you are everywhere and to find you even in the dark circumstances surrounding us today. We pray for the dying and those who care for them; for the hearts that are broken and those burdened with a sense of hopelessness. We ask you to  be provider, sustainer, and the I Am, in every situation. Amen.

Health Matters

      As we are inundated with information on COVID-19 and its effects on the world its easy to be so awash in externals we miss our own internal responses. Speaking as a health educator, there are several signs we miss, all indicators our “cope is empty.” Here are a few:

a.        Changes in sleep pattern – this may be sleeping more (an escape) or sleeping less, which could be a response to struggling to make sense of all the bad news

b.       Irritability – a sure sign of being over anxious, a way the mind and body says, “I can’t handle one more thing”

c.       Changes in eating pattern – eating more (a distraction or simply boredom), or eating less because of being worried

d.       Hives – an unexplained rash may also be an outward sign of severe inner unrest

e.       Stomach upsets – to include indigestion, nausea, or diarrhea

What should one do?

First, limit the time spent listening or watching the news. This is not proof one is insensitive or in denial. Rather, it says we are all finite beings and there are limits to how much the human mind can handle without having a very personal, physical response. Limiting daily caffeine intake, especially from early afternoon onwards, may also tend toward relaxation and rest.

Second, practice emotional intelligence. Know where you are in time. How am I responding to others? Is my frustration or feelings of helplessness coming through in my speech? Am I seeing this person as one more problem or am I hearing what they are saying? Once those answers are determined, it’s easier to temper our speech to a more appropriate response.

Third, I’ll tell you up front: its easy to eat more than normal because it’s a pleasurable activity with which to occupy time. Portion, type, and nutritional balance are key, just as they are at any other time. If appetite is small or failing, then try small nutritious snacks at intervals throughout the day. Focus on more protein, less sugars, fats, and processed foods, and drink lots of water. I am aware processed foods may be what is available now. In that case, do the best you can to follow healthy guidelines.

Fourth, if hives is not a result of medicine or food and purely a stress reaction, then controlling the stress MAY control the symptoms. How do we control stress? Prayer, meditation, and exercise are all helpful. As anxiety decreases so MAY the symptoms of stomach upsets. I did not mention blood pressure spikes but I want to add that here if you are hypertensive, take your medication.

Last, recognize none of this dilemma is within any one person’s control to solve. When we have done all exhausted our abilities, or reach the place where there is nothing we can do, remember God is still fully capable. Our unbelief does not hurt his power but it certainly impacts how well we survive and thrive in adversity. As bleak as today may seem, it is temporary. It came and it will also pass.

To Your Health!

Anyone else feels like they are going to be in the dietary doghouse when this quarantine is over. We are officially in a comfort food lollapalooza. With time to burn we turn to Grandma’s favs and try our hand at creating our own culinary masterpieces. Naturally, we can’t share our creations with the gang at work, and no one could do something as horrific as throwing out food in a time like this. The only sensible option then is to eat it. As one humorist quips, “We need to wear masks indoors not so much to prevent COVID-19 as it is to stop eating.” Jokes aside, how do we propose to come through this time without the added burden of significant weight gain?

I will give you my best guess and say, the first thing to do is remember, that food, is going somewhere —stomach, hips, thighs, arteries — you get the idea. Mindless eating is not an option.

Second, with less exercise, our bodies' demand for calories should be less. Practically speaking, even if we are eating the right things and the portions are friendly to generous, we may still have calories to spare or to deposit in the fat bank.

I love starches. Don’t you? Everyone has a favorite staple but enjoy sparingly. Balance with plenty of vegetables (fortunately this is moving slower off the shelves), moderate amounts of fruits (since that kicks back to sugar), and lots of water. Meat may be limited which is not terribly bad because our bodies do not need the whopping great portions of meat we tend to ingest at each meal.

Try to exercise. Walking is excellent and can be done safely as an already socially distancing activity. If you have stairs at home, walk them a couple times a day and get the additional steps in. I hate squats (my knees hate them even more) and crunches are only good when covered with chocolate. Still, you know what I mean. Be intentional about burning a portion of what you eat. Don’t just hang out in the kitchen. Get your food and go. Study, read, work, or game somewhere else.

Last, this ordeal has spiritual as well as physical components. Don’t forget to pray, meditate, grieve, read, or worship — whatever it takes to make you whole. This too will pass.

Follow the Signs

Weekly Word from the Wisdom Walk 

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us,  when what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray (Matthew 24:1-4)

In these times of distress, when your devotion and obedience are put to the greatest test, you must let Scripture guide and comfort you. Never let the faithlessness of others determine what you do. Turn to the Scriptures and allow them to reorient you to God and His activity (taken from Experiencing God Everyday by Richard Blackaby).

It is of the utmost importance Christians learn to read news headlines through the lens of Scripture and stop looking for signs. The signs are already with us and all that is left, is for us to be ready for the coming of the Lord. Yes, we still go to work, educate ourselves and our children and strive to occupy our time well, while we wait. But, it should be with a consciousness of eternity looming larger on the horizon every day. 

I don't know when or exactly how time will transition to eternity but,  the Bible tells us what the signs are. Let us watch, pray, and be ready.

This Means Me

Sometimes we have difficulty appropriating Scriptures in the Bible as our own because they are addressed to Israel. Even the promise we hear so often from 2 Chronicles 7: 14, If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray ..." was originally God's response to King Solomon at the dedication of the Temple. So how can we claim this as a promise extending to all people?

Let's think beyond our adoption and engrafting into spiritual Israel through Jesus for a moment. Look at 2 Chronicles 6: 32-33 

“In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands when they hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple, 

 then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do." That's us!

So you see, we can pray from a place of complete confidence knowing God has promised to hear us. Now, make sure you read all of 2 Chronicles 7 and then, let's put the Word to the test.

He's Coming!

Weekly Word from the Wisdom Walk

Fear swirls about us clouding judgement and threatening to destroy inner peace. As a healthcare professional I know only too well the theat of COVID-19 gaining a foothold should not be underestimated.  But, fear is a choice and so is faith.

What are the spiritual take aways from the past few months? The Bible is being fulfilled right before our very eyes. God does not have to do a spectacular miracle to create a situation so we can say, " aha, there's the hand of God." No, it's in the mundane and often unexpected that we see the prophecies of Matthew 24 and onwards coming to pass. 

Famines, floods, incessant wars, pestilence (Coronavirus, locusts, and the like) and the resulting "mens/people's heart failing because of fear" are as Biblical as it gets.

We don't know if it will be a nuclear explosion that will cause the sun to turn into blood, and if it will be that fallout which will result in people gnawing their tongues in pain. But, everything is lined up and all is leading to the second coming of Christ. Let's not rationalize or overthink the events of our time. 

Read the Bible, all of Matthew then Revelation. Line up what you read with global news headlines, and then see how comfortable you can be calling everything one grand coincidence. 

Christ says that when we see all these things we should look up for our redemption is at hand (closer now than when we first believed).

Maranatha!

It's Okay to be Nice

Weekly Word from the Wisdom Walk
How do we respond to strangers, religious people, when they knock on our door?
Are we rude, condescending, judgemental,  or just cold and unfriendly?
If we are right and the person knocking is wrong, aren't they just as in need of being shown the right way? Saying I'm a Christian and slamming the door does nothing to advance the cause of Christ. It sounds trite,  but if we are to be different, we must learn how to disagree in a godly manner so we don't become known for being just plain disagreeable.
If we are believers, we should be the first to be kind, offer a smile, and share the love of Christ. For all we know, the person knocking may desperately need to know the work of redemption is already done,  and that Jesus is the one and only Savior of the the world.