New Paradigms

Because we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, we are now considered to be part of
His body, and we are the expression of the presence of the living God in the earth today. 1st Corinthians 12 states:
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

God is inviting people to come into a relationship with Christ and become part of the glorious Church, the earthly representation of our Savior.  How we proclaim His message and demonstrate His love are powerful factors that can draw people into that relationship.  We can show the world that even in trial, in unstable times, that Christ is a firm foundation, that He loves us, and that we can totally trust Him with our lives.

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There is a section of Scripture in Ephesians 4 that deals with the equipping of the body of Christ, and
what follows is an outline of some of God's purposes for His people. We can read that His desire for us is that we...
(15) ...speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

We are called to encourage one another in the body of Christ, and the functionality of the body has certainly been altered over the past few weeks.  The Barna Group has a rolling survey, of sorts, called the State of the Church, and recently it has been doing sort of a "spiritual temperature check" on the condition of the Church.  The most recent survey published covered a period from March 20-April 20.

A recent article on the Barna website highlighted three areas relative to the pandemic: serving the community, online attendance, and giving.

Current statistics show that about a third of church leaders say they are "helping distribute food and supplies or reaching out to elderly, isolated and at-risk community members."  About a third say they have partnered with another organization to reach out in their local communities and 25% say they have partnered with another church.

As of April 21, 60% of pastors were reporting that online attendance had increased, up about 10 percent from the previous week.  And, fewer pastors were reporting that their online attendance was less than typical, in-person Sunday services - in the most recent survey, only about 20% of pastors said their online attendance was less than the in-person services. The summary also said, "Fifty-six percent of pastors say their church will 'definitely' continue to provide digital worship services once social distancing is over."

Plus, giving seems to be on the rise, according to this Barna weekly survey, released last week.  Now, 43% of pastors report giving to be down; that is versus 50% the previous week.  The percentage of pastors saying that giving was increasing was also going up - approaching the 25% mark.

In the article, Kenny Jahng of Big Click Syndicate is quoted; he says that rather than just looking at stats regarding digital engagement, "I think we need to shift and say, ‘Are we doing things successfully to convert [views] into actual connections or actual relationships?’ This then forces you to say that this is not a one-day thing that we’re looking at. It’s a seven-day dimensional thing that we need to look at. How are you moving the content consumption into something beyond that, such as contribution to community involvement?”

Certainly, we don't want to get so caught up in numbers to the extent that we fail to see those numbers as representing actual people with real needs.  But, as the Church, called to "go into all the world," we can certainly implement strategies that will boost response to the gospel.  So, we can make our message available and make sure that we are living out that message every day so that people who see us see the presence of Christ.  We can boast in the Lord, effectively proclaiming His truth.

But, as Jahng points out, we have to be sure that we are acting to build community.  Interpersonal relationships can be challenging in a time of isolation, and even when we're not in a pandemic, we have seen the virtual world flourish; there is concern that online friendships supersede personal interaction.  The body of Christ is a community that has Jesus at the head, and He calls us into fellowship with Himself and with one another.

Stay at Home...More?

In a time of isolation and response to the COVID-19 virus, we can still recognize that the Church
continues to function and can even flourish during these adversities. Colossians 3 states:
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Church, while physically separated, is spiritually bonded together, and the Church is being the Church in so many tangible ways, in providing hope, in praying for and even ministering to the sick, affirming those who work on the front lines, distributing needed supplies, and more.  Those who are with and without employment during this time have the opportunity to work for the Lord - in His name, seeking out what He would have us to do, so that His name may be lifted high.

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One of the Scripture references found in an article to which I will refer today is found in Colossians
3, which speaks powerfully to the nature of and attitude toward our work. We can read:
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Across America, our leaders are taking steps to, as it's been called "reopen" the country.  There is a set of Federal guidelines issued by the White House that are centered around meeting certain data points or "gates" regarding the reduction of COVID-19 cases.  And, governors are rethinking their stay-at-home orders, issuing new guidelines, resulting in people who have not been at their jobs because businesses are closed going back to their workplaces.  Just yesterday, Alabama's governor, Kay Ivey, announced that all retailers in the state would be allowed to open, which is welcome news for a number of small businesses and their employees who have been out of work for the past few weeks.  And, of course, we are all subject to necessary safety guidelines regarding public health.

However, one member of Congress, who seems to always be making headlines because of the outrageous things that she says is suggesting that people not go back to work when they are allowed to.  That would be Alexadria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who is quoted by the Faithwire website.
The article refers to a piece released by the Vice media outlet, in which AOC said:

“We talk about this idea of ‘re-opening society’ you know, only in America, when the President tweets about ‘liberation’ he means going back to work,” Ocasio-Cortez says with a wry smile on her face. “I think a lot of people should just say no, we’re not going back to that. We’re not going back to working 70 hour weeks just so we can put food on the table and not even feel any sort of semblance of security in our lives,” she concluded.

So, is this some sort of nationwide strike she's talking about?  Perhaps it is an expression of the entitlement culture that is so prevalent among many younger people today.  The article quotes a pastor named Jeff Durbin, who said that the Congresswoman "mocks the idea of being set-free to work and be productive." He stated: "The discerning person should pay attention to the underlying presuppositions that are driving her (and her cohorts) political moves at this time. The virus is an opportunity to gain ground with a new ideology. It’s an ideology that praises idleness, poverty, despotism, and theft. Make no mistake: There’s more happening here than fear of a virus.”

Dan Andros, Managing Editor of Faithwire, who wrote the piece, offered a Biblical perspective on work.  He says that, "Even in the garden of Eden, the very first human created and put on earth was given a charge to work," and includes the Scripture reference of Genesis 2:15.

He also outlines these principles:

• God explicitly commands us to work! (Exodus 34:21)
• We must be willing to work: (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12)
• We will be rewarded — not on earth — for our work! (Colossians 3:23-24).

Andros points out that:

We are to serve Him in all we do, no matter what our job title. Furthermore, the concept that we have no security outside of the government providing for us also runs counter-intuitive to placing our faith and trust in God to provide for us. He promises we are more valuable than the birds, who get fed, and the flowers, who don’t make their own clothes — how much more valuable are we? 

The satire site, The Babylon Bee, said: "The majority of the nation is 'totally in favor' of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez boycotting her job permanently.  The piece quoted fictitious worker Pete Vik: "Please, never go back to work, AOC, for the good of the nation..." The quote continued: "...we taxpayers would totally pony up a couple hundred grand a year to pay you to stay home."

Judging from the behavior of some lawmakers during this pandemic, I would say there are quite a few that don't need to keep working in Congress. By the way, to my knowledge, members of Congress continued to draw a paycheck, even though they were not doing a whole lot during this crisis, with House members sitting at home while the small business assistance program ran out of money.  But, how much money can the government afford to give out to struggling Americans? It seems that Senator McConnell has begun to float that question.

For those who have lost income during this crisis, it has been a brutal and challenging time, and there is certainly a long way to go. And, it's important to empathize with those who have lost jobs or faced a change in the way they do their jobs.  For some, it may be a time of testing and reorientation.  Some companies may never operate the same again, and the workforce may be looking at different methods or practices in order to be more efficient.  God will use adversity in order to make necessary changes inside of us, as well as to adjust the patterns of our lives.

We can also be careful to make sure that we have a healthy attitude toward our work.  Isolation should never be an excuse for idleness. We are experiencing a "pause," but that doesn't mean that it's permanent. There may be financial assistance that is warranted, but I believe ultimately that the Lord wants us to look to Him as our provider and desires to empower us to work in order to see that provision manifested.  Even in a time when many are experiencing joblessness, nevertheless God is calling His people to trust in Him.

Right(s) Training

Ephesians 6 speaks to the proper, Biblical model of the relationship between parent and child.  In the
first four verses of the chapter, the Word of God says:
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:
3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

I would submit that in order for children to be obedient "in the Lord," that they have to know what God's principles actually are - and parents have been given the responsibility by the Lord to teach those principles and to provide a godly example.  Fathers are exhorted in verse 4 to not be provocative, but proactive, raising their children "in the training and admonition of the Lord." Children are regarded as gifts from God, and parents who love them and love God will take the responsibility to train them very seriously.

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I believe that the responsibility to teach children, according to the Bible, is placed on the parents.
Deuteronomy chapter 6 supports that:
6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Throughout the country, students have had to adjust their learning environments, transitioning from the school classroom to essentially the home classroom, often assisted by parents who are staying at home either because they are working there or, unfortunately, not working due to the Coronavirus. So, families have practically overnight become part of the practice of homeschooling.

And...there are some who see that as some sort of threat.  Take, for instance, the elites at Harvard Magazine, who published a scathing article in which one particular professor, Elizabeth Bartholet, is calling for, yes, a "presumptive national ban on homeschooling."  That's according to John Stonestreet, who on a recent Breakpoint commentary, said that:

The article summarized the arguments from a recent Arizona Law Review paper in which Bartholet argues that homeschooling not only violates children’s rights to a ‘meaningful education’ and their right to be protected from potential child abuse, but may keep them from contributing positively to a democratic society.”

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council wrote that...

...Bartholet and company are trying to throw shade at anyone considering it by writing an out-of-touch diatribe about how "dangerous" it is for parents to have "control" over their children. And frankly, that should offend every mom and dad -- whether they homeschool or not. It arrogantly implies that the state knows how to raise their kids better than they do. But the problem is, children don't belong to the state. They belong to parents. And it's their right and responsibility to rear them as they see fit.

Both Stonestreet and Perkins refer to a response from Harvard alum Melba Pearson, who was homeschooled prior to attending the university.  Perkins wrote that she...

...was disgusted that her alma mater would suggest that the government, "already so inefficient and inadequate in so many areas... has more of a right to educate, care for, and control your children than you, their parents, do." It's an attack, she insists, "on the fundamental rights and freedoms that make our country (and until recently, institutions such as Harvard) what they are."

 She also addressed academic performance:

They "consistently," Melba points out, "test approximately 30 percent higher than the national public-school average in all subjects tested. [And they] consistently demonstrate higher high school GPAs, higher SAT/ACT scores, and higher first year college GPAs." How do government schools counter? With "higher levels of abuse, bullying, suicide, and drop-out rates in children and young adults..."

And, could Professor Bartholet harbor a religious bias?  Stonestreet certainly thinks so, stating:

The reasons behind Bartholet’s highly selective criticism are laid bare when she admits what she thinks to be the real bogeyman of many homeschool families: “a majority of are driven by conservative Christian beliefs, and seek to remove their children from mainstream culture.” Well, there you have it.

Our response to such “extreme religious ideologues,” she suggests, should mirror Germany, where homeschooling is illegal. And, apparently unable to hear herself talk, Bartholet concludes “I think it’s always dangerous to put powerful people in charge of the powerless, and to give the powerful ones total authority.”

In his Breakpoint commentary, Stonestreet refers to comments from Manhattan Declaration co-founder Robert George, who is a professor at Princeton. He states: "As Princeton professor Robert George pointed out, this article isn’t so much an argument against homeschooling as it for the compulsory secularization of America’s children. This kind of power grab, for which Bartholet advocates and against which George warns, is only made easier when parents surrender their God-given authority and responsibilities to the state. Outsource is one thing. Surrender is another."

The takeaways from this article and responses to it are crystal clear.  There is a misunderstanding of where rights come from.  Christians believe, as did the Founders of our country that "inalienable rights" come from God; they are not granted by government.  Stonestreet characterizes the debate: "Those who think the State grants rights seek a legal monopoly on the minds of the next generation. Those who think the State’s job is to recognize rights and protect them look elsewhere for the source of those rights." Perkins said, "...children don't belong to the state. They belong to parents. And it's their right and responsibility to rear them as they see fit." I would add that the Bible gives the primary responsibility to train children, spiritually and academically, to the parents - we can choose to subcontract elements to the church or various forms of education, but ultimately it's on us.

And, even those the evidence of homeschooling success was dismissed by that Harvard professor, nevertheless that facts are on the side of homeschool success.  Stonestreet referred to the research of Brian Ray, who surveyed "standardized test results from more than 11,000 homeschooled students over 25 years from all 50 states,: about which he surmised that “Homeschoolers are still achieving well beyond their public school counterparts—no matter what their family background, socioeconomic level, or style of homeschooling.” John points out, though, that "Bartholet dismisses Ray’s research as 'advocacy dressed up by science.'"

Finally, the pandemic, I believe, provides an opportunity to evaluate how we are operating in various areas and to perhaps revise our approach.  There may be some methods and practices that have been applied during this time that could be helpful in the future.  Perkins referred to a conversation he had with Mike Donnelly, who said: "You've got people on the Left [and] the Right who homeschool for many reasons," adding," They have children with special needs. They want their children to be able to pursue their own interests. They're not happy with the state of the public schools [or its] content..." Tony adds:

This whole crisis is opening up a whole new world to others who never considered it. And, as Mike said, "I think a lot of people, a year from now, are going to look back on this pandemic, and they're going to point [it] as a time when they realized that homeschooling is [a good option]. We like having our kids at home. We like this relationship. We [like the] flexibility..."

Survivors

Christ is our sufficiency - He has rescued us from the power of sin and death, and we can turn to Him in the challenges of our lives, recognizing that He is with us and He offers us His strength.  Paul
wrote in 2nd Corinthians 12:
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul was a survivor - he had faced numerous struggles in his life, and even here, he recounted how God had reminded him of his grace in the midst of dealing with Paul's "thorn in the flesh."  Whether our challenges are physical or emotional, when we feel that the weight of the world is upon us, we can continue to trust in God's mighty hand.  We can look to Him and call on Him, praying for ourselves and for one another, that He express His grace to and through us.

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The Bible is full of stories of people who survived difficult challenges in their lives.  In fact, the apostle Paul detailed what he had faced in his life and ministry in 2nd Corinthians 11:
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

Paul was a survivor, and just verses later, he spoke of His "thorn in the flesh" and the sufficiency of Christ.

It's helpful to connect with survivor stories, including those who have been affected by COVID-19 and survived.  It was great to hear that Charles Billingsley was back in a Thomas Road Baptist Church service streamed online this weekend.  He had quite a bout with the Coronavirus and you will hear him relate his experiences next Monday on The Meeting House.

Charles is a survivor.  So is Nic Brown from Ohio.  A CBN story relates that Brown...

...went to the doctor last month for flu-like symptoms. When his condition started to get worse, he was admitted to the intensive care unit at Cleveland Clinic, WJBF-TV reports.

The 38-year-old was eventually put on a ventilator and life support.

"There was a time during this process where the hospital reached out to my wife and had to have the discussion about end of life options," Brown said.

He tested positive for the Coronavirus and put on "full life support."  But then things began to get better.  The medical staff began to write goals for each day on the window to the hospital room. Brown says, according to a quote in the CBN article from the Times-Reporter: "I don't know that I've ever seen such selfless people in my life," adding, "I really saw the love of God through these people. I truly believe faith made the difference and the power of prayer and the people behind me just pouring over me the prayers that they were giving me."

He was in the hospital for two weeks in March, and before he left, he dictated a message for a nurse to write on that window.  It included these words:

"Today I leave this ICU a changed person, hopefully for the better, not only because of your medical healing and God's direction and guidance but with the fact of knowing that there are such wonderful people dedicated to the care and concern of others. God bless each of you."

The Times-Reporter quotes Brown as saying: “Prayer was the difference. I truly believe I am a walking miracle. Even talking to the doctors after this whole ordeal, they still don’t know what turned me around..."

The Christian Post had a piece a couple of weeks ago that included the faith stories of five different Coronavirus survivors, including pastor Kenny Baldwin from Virginia, who I spotlighted several weeks ago.  There was also Geneva Wood, who is 90 years old and was at the Life Care Center in Washington, the nursing home that was the site of some of the first deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. last month.  The article states:

Local news station KIRO reported that Wood was on the brink of death and doctors advised her family to say their goodbyes.

Wood was mostly kept in isolation while fighting the virus but maintained that God was there with her.

"I could feel God's presence. His hands were on my body and I could feel His presence, and I'd wake up and I could feel these hands and I'd go back to sleep. Through the night, 'cause I'd wake up, I couldn't see His face, but I could feel His hands and I knew He was with me and I made it through the night," Wood recalled.

Wood also mentioned the impact of a doctor who quoted Scriptures to her.

Barbara Killiebrew is from South Georgia; she is 60 years old and was close to death as well from COVID-19.  The article relates:

“First and foremost, I thank God for Jesus, for Him saving my life and giving me another chance, because two or three times where I have given up,” Killiebrew told WALB.

“God said no," she continued.

She is quoted as saying, “I realize there are so many people around the nation fighting for their life but God and His good almighty helped me. He kept this young lady here to come home and tell about corona, COVID-19..."

We recognize that faith comes from the Word of God; and hearing, reading, or seeing stories about how the Word has worked can certainly encourage us.  There are several components that are interjected into these survival stories.

Prayer obviously is a huge factor.  As Nic Brown mentioned, prayer was the "difference" for him.  Plus, he gave credit to the health care workers - he saw them at work all around him and they were so supportive of him.  Geneva Wood also called attention to the doctor who quoted Scripture to her daily.

These instances that I cited all had elements of the presence of God - manifested directly, as Ms. Wood related, or through the health professionals, as Nic talked about.  Or, even through the consistent encouragement to not give up, as Barbara Killiebrew inferred.   As Paul related his struggles, he wrapped up that portion of Scripture by saying how he boasted in the Lord.  We survive because of God's plan and presence - He is the One who sustains us, and we can be strengthened as we reflect on how He has shown up in the lives of people.  We recognize that not all make it, and rely on the knowledge of God's ultimate will, but for those who do, we can rejoice and draw strength and comfort for our own struggles. 

Responsible

The apostle Paul lays out for us in Romans 5 a sense of cause and effect - a pattern for the development of godly character, which is directly related to the trials we face.  We can see these
verses:
(3) we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

That direct line from trial to triumph is also found in James chapter 1 and 2nd Peter chapter 1.  We are not to disparage our trials; rather, we are called to rejoice in the circumstances that we perceive as negative and recognize that God is at work even in our tribulations.  Our challenges in life - our tests - come to measure the degree to which we are allowing Christ to live through us and to prepare us for the next test.  If we pass, we can rejoice and continue to move forward.  If we fail, we can still rejoice, learn from our mistakes, and allow God to teach us and empower us to do His will.

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The book of 2nd Peter speaks of developing godly character, and God uses the challenges of our lives in order to grow us in Him.  After reminding the readers that we have become "partakers of the divine nature," having been given incredible promises, Peter writes:
(5) giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The live sports offerings that can be viewed on television, cable, or phone these days are certainly few and far between in the age of Coronavirus.  The simulated NASCAR events have garnered a lot of attention, because of the fresh concept, but basically, sports fans have been relegated to watching repeats of previously held events and perhaps ESPN documentaries, such as the one that has been running about the final championship season of the Chicago Bulls.

So, I would imagine that the beginning of the NFL Draft last night resulted in a huge sigh of relief.  Even though it was not held in a large auditorium or even the streets of a city, the end result was preserved - the best of the best learning of their next stop after their college football careers.

And, there were few surprises: Joe Burrow was selected #1 by the Cincinnati Bengals, and Tua Tagovailoa was taken at 5 by the Miami Dolphins.  The fact that Montgomery's Henry Ruggs was drafted a few slots higher than his Alabama teammate Jerry Jeudy might have been a bit of a surprise, but the teams know what they are looking for and who fits best.

The Los Angeles Chargers knew that they needed a quarterback, with the departure of north Alabama native Phillip Rivers, so they took Oregon's Justin Herbert in the first round.  They also had the #23 pick, which they obtained from the Patriots.

With it, they took a young man named Murray from Oklahoma.  Not Kyler, last year's #1 pick by Arizona, but a linebacker named Kenneth.

The Cowboys, who selected Kenneth's teammate Cee Dee Lamb at #17, had posted a video interview with Kenneth, according to Sports Spectrum.  This year, since teams did not have the ability to talk in-person to prospects, utilized video chats.  In fact, the whole draft program was centered around team leaders and players connecting via their homes.

The article on Murray relates the content of a video with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who asked him about a setback or challenge he had experienced.  Here is what the young man said:

“I wouldn’t say it’s more so a setback, I’d say it’s more so a blessing,” Murray said. “If you look at it the way I have and my family has, it is a blessing. For me, I learned how to be selfless at an extremely young age. I learned what true gratitude is at an extremely young age because of what I went through. When I was growing up, my mom and my dad did some things that were true acts of selflessness. Around the age of 11, my parents adopted three special-needs kids.”

The article goes on to say:

According to NFL.com, it was 2009 when Murray’s parents, Kenneth Sr. and Dianne, learned of a family being investigated by Child Protective Services. As the pastor of a Baptist church in Missouri City, Texas, Kenneth Sr. had a heart to help those in his church, so he and Dianne agreed to take care of the children while the biological parents tried to get approval from CPS.

So, since the parents were never "deemed fit" to take care of their eight-year-old daughter, as well as her two brothers - one three years old, the other an infant, the Murrays stepped in to adopt the trio.

Now-older adoptive brother Kenneth related in that interview with Jones: “That’s a time that my parents were leaning on me a lot given that I was the oldest,” adding, “It really forced me to be what you guys see on the field now, which is the product of a kid that’s a go-getter. … It’s definitely a situation that molded me and made me who I am today.”

When Murray announced that he would enter the draft, he had said that he wanted to appropriate some of the money for long-term care for his adopted siblings.  The article notes that he had said he would take care of them when his parents were no longer able to.

Kenneth Murray is certainly dedicated to his faith in Christ. The article notes that he was "an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as he served on the leadership team at OU and was a speaker at several FCA events." The story says:

Raised by a pastor and a police officer, Murray witnessed and learned Christian values such as serving and protecting others.

In announcing his intention to enter the NFL Draft, Murray released a video on social media in which he first gave all glory to God. Along with the video, he referenced 1 Thessalonians 5:24, which says, “The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” In his social media profiles, Murray lists himself as a “Follower of Jesus Christ.”

The question posed to Kenneth Murray can be instructive for us, as we consider how we have responded to setbacks or challenges in our lives.  We do have choices: we can allow those instances to help us develop in the Lord or to derail us.  Young Kenneth, who was 11 at the time of the adoption, decided that he would be more than just a positive influence, that he would pour his life in to his new siblings.  He allowed those circumstances to make him a better person.

Kenneth apparently grew up in a home where discipline was key - his father was a preacher and a policeman - there was certainly a faith element, and he has seized it, desiring to be faithful to His Savior.  God can develop in us a sense of responsibility: to be obedient to His principles and to willingly and joyously seek to please our Savior.

Stressed Out or Stressed While In

Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 6 that the cure for anxiety is a
recognition of his care for us. He reminds us:
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

There is no shortage of factors that can contribute to stress and anxiety in our lives - compound those with fears related to the Coronavirus, and you have a toxic mix that can negatively impact us.  No wonder Paul wrote that instead of a spirit of fear, with have power, love, and...a sound mind!  Isaiah tells us that the Lord will keep the person whose mind is fixed on Him in perfect peace - that is a great description of the peace that only God can give.  We can seek out the truth of God's Word, which can help us triumph over negative emotions.

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We can respond to our fear with faith, with reliance on the Word of God, and recognize that His
presence and the power of His truth are there to sustain us when we face stress and anxiety. 1st Peter 5 states:
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

No doubt, we live in an unstable world, and people are facing stress about a variety of components of this overall crisis.

According to a study out of the U.K., reported on by Newsweek last week:

Researchers from University College London (UCL) reported on Tuesday that a study they are conducting suggests overall stress levels have decreased since COVID-19 lockdown measures began, while depression has increased slightly. Worries over money and food have fallen over the last two weeks, leaving fears over catching the virus the biggest concern expressed by people enrolled in the study.

"Since the lockdown measures were brought in two weeks ago, we have seen a change in what most people are worrying about," the study's lead author Dr. Daisy Fancourt said in a statement. "The current highest stress factor appears to be worries about either catching COVID-19 or becoming seriously ill from it."

There was also a report released last week by the U.K.'s Office of National Statistics that "showed that four out of five adults in the country were very or somewhat worried about COVID-19, with a majority saying it was affecting their well-being, while almost half said they were experiencing high levels of anxiety."

There is a little hope, though, according to the UCL survey: those worries about getting COVID-19 have declined over the last three weeks.  The UCL study did indicate that people between the ages of 30 and 59 were the most concerned about catching the virus.

And, there is financial stress - a survey conducted by the Harris organization for the National Endowment for Financial Education, according to CNBC, showed that almost 9-in-10 Americans were feeling anxious about money, and that "Concerns about having enough money saved came out on top, with 41% saying they were worried about emergency savings and 23% citing retirement."

Almost half of those surveyed were concerned about paying their bills, and 4 out of 10 cited their job security as a "top concern," according to the article.  

But, Americans are making financial decisions to perhaps address their concerns - CNBC reports;

Of those polled, 75% said they have taken steps to adjust their personal finances during the outbreak. Over 2 in 5, or 42%, said they’ve cut monthly expenses, and 26% are delaying major financial decisions.

During the Coronavirus crisis, people have certainly had to make adjustments - from shifted work schedules to no work at all.  People are hurting, and not just from the virus which has affected hundreds of thousands in our nation, with the death toll approaching 50,000.  In our inconvenience and our pain, we have to continue to remember the admonition of the Scriptures to cast our cares on Him. This can also apply to those fears referenced in the Newsweek article about contracting the disease.  We can rely on soundmindedness, powered by the Scriptures to guide us through the fears we encounter.

These numbers indicate a season of high anxiety for many people - and Jesus spoke clearly in Matthew chapter 6 to the topic of anxiety.  The presence of His Spirit is a reminder that He walks with us, and as we seek first His kingdom, He will provide for us.  He has sent His Spirit to us as our comforter and we can seek His peace, that passes human understanding.

Lament and Laugh

Perhaps you are experiencing irritability in isolation, a bit of apathy setting in while alone, maybe not.  But there may be a tendency to express emotions and even actions that are not consistent with God's desire for us.  Jesus knew He would be deserted by His disciples, but He gave them some wise
words in John 16:
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

He said "I am not alone."  We can say that, too - we know that God is with us. And we have the capacity to walk in His peace, as well as His joy.  We can radiate hope because He has made it possible to live an overcoming life - in His Word, the Lord has said that we are more than conquerors in Him.  In our discouragement, we can seek out His joy - perhaps we can decide to smile, or even to laugh, so that our hearts are lifted.  

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Proverbs 17 offers some verses that can help to determine our demeanor in our times of difficulty. One of those is verse 22:
22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

A few verses later, we read this verse:
27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

All right, so we are about a month in to the Coronavirus crisis.  How are you doing? Are you stir crazy yet - maybe a bit of cabin fever?  Life will come back to normal, generally, I believe, but for many there is a "new normal" on the horizon.  And, we can continue to maintain our witness - and even our wit.

Jim Denison of the Denison Forum had a piece on The Christian Post website recently.  In it, Denison writes:

I’m reading Edward Achorn’s Every Drop of Blood, which masterfully sets Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address in its historical context. I have long been a student of Civil War history, but I did not realize the depth of personal rejection and suffering our sixteenth president endured as he tried to lead the nation through her most perilous days.

And yet, Lincoln was famous during the war for his quips and down-home humor. He would often respond to criticism and anger with a story that changed the entire tone of the moment. He once explained his strategy: “With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.”

Jim Denison related some "quarantine jokes" that had been sent to him. I thought I would pass them along to you:

• “Quarantine has turned us into dogs. We roam the house all day looking for food. We are told ‘no’ if we get too close to strangers. And we get really excited about car rides.”
• “The world has turned upside down. Old folks are sneaking out of the house, and their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors.”
• “2019: Stay away from negative people. 2020: Stay away from positive people.”
• “Tomorrow is the National Homeschool Tornado Drill. Lock your kids in the basement until you give the all clear. You’re welcome!”
• “Day seven at home and the dog is looking at me like, ‘See? This is why I chew the furniture!'”

Jim Sanders, who serves as Executive Vice President of Ambassador Advertising Agency, which works with a number of programmers that you hear on Faith Radio included some humor in a piece that appeared on the Haven Today website; he points out that, "Most websites list the same basic recommendations but don’t include the real way to think about it..."  Some examples:

• Wash your hands frequently in hot water for at least 20 seconds. As you heard on Haven Today, you can estimate 20 seconds by singing the “Doxology.” And by the way, this frequent hand-washing is great news for our Obsessive-Compulsive friends who are now not alone. The rest of us now know what it’s like to live with the need for frequent hand-washing.
• Cover your mouth when you cough and when you cough do so into the bend of your elbow. Some of us have a bit of trouble doing that. The CDC says you may use the bend of your friend’s elbow if you can’t reach yours.
• Stay at least three feet away from other people. My question is why three feet? How about 50 feet? Actually, I have a list of people I’d like to keep at a distance of a quarter of a mile. And don’t forget the most important benefit of this instruction: It’s a gift to those of us who dread the Sunday morning “greet everyone” part of the service. Handshakes and hugs have been replaced by fist bumps and waves.
• The latest CDC recommendation: Stay at home as much as possible. For a homebody like me, that’s music to my ears. BTW – Could you give my boss a call? And did I understand the WHO also recommended playing golf to stay away from people? I thought I read that somewhere.

Sanders also notes:

Then don’t forget what might be the best benefit to this latest round of hysteria: You’ll never find a better deal from a cruise line. You pay for one week, but get two extra weeks on the ship for free. The fact that you’re isolated to a 10’ x 12’ room and sitting in the middle of the ocean is inconsequential.

Jim Denison, in the article published at The Christian Post, points out the physical benefits of laughing, according to the Mayo Clinic...

...laughter benefits us physically in a variety of ways. Laughing can increase our oxygen intake, which in turn stimulates our heart, lungs, and muscles. Laughing also releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals our bodies produce that make us feel happy and can relieve stress and pain.

The act of increasing and then decreasing our heart rate through laughter is calming and tension-relieving. Laughing can even release stress- and illness-reducing neuropeptides, boosting our immune system.

Denison refers to the "signals of transcendence," that were identified by a sociologist named Peter Borger.  Denison writes that these are...

...dimensions of our lives that point to realities that transcend us. Among them is humor, which Berger defines as the discrepancy between what “is” and what “ought to be.”

Jim goes on to say that...

...we should respond to crisis by looking for something transcendent in it. If God is timelessly sovereign (cf. Isaiah 46:10; Malachi 3:6), ever present in our lives and world (cf. Matthew 28:20), we can find “signals of transcendence” even in these days of crisis.

Jim Sanders writes at the end of his piece about a plague that took the lives of thousands in ancient Rome.  He says that there was great fear and that "Many died alone since no one was willing to take the risk of infection."

However, there were the Christians . . . the one people group who did better than others. Larry Hackman observed: “Christians responded differently. Trusting in God’s promises of eternal life, they turned to care for the sickest. The ironic result is that the mortality rate of Christians was significantly lower because their care for one another gave a chance for the measles sufferer to recuperate, whereas those who isolated would inevitably perish from neglect even if they survived the ravages of the disease. Because they did not fear death, the Christians lived.”

Very simply put, we have the chance to communicate a message of hope - that is something that we can be reminded of every day.  And, a tool that can be helpful to us as we maintain a hopeful stance is laughter.  The Bible tells us about the healing capacity of a "merry heart."  We can certainly be discouraged in our isolation, but we can be encouraged in His presence.

The Christian has the opportunity to respond differently than the world.  Rather than posture ourselves as angry and disgruntled in this time of crisis, we can smile and, as Jesus said, "be of good cheer."  We will have tribulation in this life - that is a promise - but we can know and experience His abiding presence and allow Him to determine our viewpoint.

Didn't He?

We serve a God who is faithful and who is near to us.  We have access to Him to call upon Him and to give Him praise even before we see the answers to our prayers, confident that He is working. And,
when we see the answer, we can give Him the proper attention. Psalm 72 states:
18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things!
19 And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.

The challenges we face become opportunities for God to act - and we can act, too, in accordance with His direction.  There is a human component in the execution of the plan of God: He calls us to be faithful and devoted to Him, but always knowing who is in control. We are called to walk in His strength and not depend on human wisdom.  He gives us access to His wisdom, and empowers us to do what He has called us to do.  We give Him praise because He is not inactive, but very involved in the unfolding of our lives.

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The 29th Psalm offers us the encouragement to give credit to the Lord for when we have seen Him at
work, recognizing His power, and calling attention to the expression of His might.  We can read:
1b Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

Across our nation, and I would dare say around the world, Christian believers are uniting their hearts in prayer against the Coronavirus and its harmful effects, praying for an end to this crisis while asking God to work through it for His purposes.  There are prayers for healing and prayers for protection, and when there are good reports, I believe that we can attribute that to answered prayer.

But, the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, apparently does not want to attribute the leveling off of the number of Coronavirus cases in his state to the hand of the Almighty.  The Christian Post reports that:

As governor of the state that has been by far the most affected by the pandemic, Cuomo stressed that the number of new cases is down “because we brought the number down.”

“God did not do that. Faith did not do that. Destiny did not do that,” he stressed. “A lot of pain and suffering did that.”

And, in an interview on CNN the next day, Cuomo doubled down, saying, “Our behavior has stopped the spread of the virus,” adding, ”God did not stop the spread of the virus. And what we do, how we act, will dictate how that virus spreads.”

This, by the way, is the same governor who has stated that every life matters during this crisis, yet has signed legislation that would allow the lives of unborn children to be taken during the entirety of pregnancy.   In a statement last November, he echoed the humanistic mantra, "We know thoughts and prayers aren't enough," with regard to a school shooting.

While Cuomo's actions during the current crisis have received mixed reviews, it seems as if his public resistance to Biblical principles has been quite straightforward.  For that, Franklin Graham says...be careful - the article goes on to say:

Evangelist Franklin Graham, who leads the evangelical Samaritan’s Purse humanitarian charity that since April 1 has operated a field hospital in New York City’s Central Park, wrote on Facebook that “we always must be careful what we take credit for.”

“Yes, we must be cautious and combat the spread, but make no mistake — God can help us,” Graham, the son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, stated. “His power is as infinite as His love.”

The article says that Graham noted the "millions of people" who have been praying for New York, as well as an end to the crisis. He stated, "We continue to see answered prayer in our field hospital,” adding, “Gov. Cuomo, I urge you — don’t dismiss the power of prayer and the ability of God to work in this crisis and in the ones we will face in the future. He is our hope, and we continue to pray for His mercy on our nation.”

I think that it's important to adopt Graham's perspective.  Certainly, millions of Americans have followed the practical steps of our governmental officials in limiting the sizes of gatherings and exercising social distancing.  The fight against Coronavirus is by no means over.  But, Americans across the country, including those who participated in the Reopen Alabama rally in Montgomery today, having been conditioned to take necessary precautions, are now saying that it's time to go back to work - and back to church.  God has shown us the power and potential of online ministry, and I would think that would be a significant tool to reach people that will continue to be utilized in the days to come.  But, there is a consensus that it's time.

But, when we look back at what has occurred for the past month, I believe we can and should give glory to God; in fact, our perspective should be that when we see answered prayers - and we have - that we should give Him glory.  I believe that God is continuing to work in our isolation, and that He is working to heal.  His nature is restoration, so I believe we can confidently say that He is absolutely doing that.  Yes, there has been and continues to be, as the governor notes, pain and suffering, but that does not mean that God has not been in the recovery.

Lightening the Load

When we face a common crisis, we can have a greater realization of the common call that we have to help one another. Later, I will share about one organization that delivers Christian content that has decided it wants to do more during this current crisis, based on the Scripture verse - Galatians 6:2, which says: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Paul goes on to say:

3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Humility is such a key in being an effective witness for Christ and an enthusiastic servant of His.  We are called to place the needs of others above our own, just as our Lord humbled Himself so that He could obtain salvation. He told His disciples that He did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.  He calls us to take up our cross daily, to humbly bow our hearts and lives before Him, and surrender to His leadership.

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Early in His adult ministry, Jesus was asked a simple question in Luke 3, "What shall we do then?"
He answered by applying the answers to certain sectors of society:
11 He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise."
12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"
13 And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you."
14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."

The Bible teaches us to be generous, and the presence of the Holy Spirit enables us to live that out.  Across the landscape of the body of Christ, we are seeing efforts to reach out to those who have been financially disadvantaged by the Coronavirus crisis.

One unlikely source is a publication that is known for its use of satire and humor that is getting involved in helping out its readers.  The Federalist reported on a new effort by none other than The Babylon Bee - the article states:

The Babylon Bee, a satirical news publication, announced a $100,000 relief fund designated to help supporters and subscribers struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. The relief fund, unlike their content, is not satirical.

“If you’re a Babylon Bee supporter or subscriber and you or a loved one is suffering financially right now, I want to offer some help. I have set aside $100,000 in a relief fund,” tweeted Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon.

Dillon is quoted as saying, "...people are really struggling right now, so I wanted to return the favor and give back to those who’ve helped us get to where we are,” adding, “Galatians 6:2 reminds us to carry each other’s burdens. That’s what this is really about.”

The Bee has been under scrutiny for the presumably "fact-checking" Snopes, as the article points out: "Snopes claimed their satirical articles, which obviously poke fun at political events, are fictionalized versions of the real story." Snopes had stated, “The Babylon Bee has tried to fool readers with its brand of satire in the past..."

This is a seminal moment for the body of Christ, not only to reach out to those who don't know Him with the proclamation of the gospel, but to take care of our own, and we have seen a variety of efforts. As National Religious Broadcasters CEO Troy Miller stated, "NRB and its members were made for this moment,” adding, “Broadcasters in radio and television, podcasters, filmmakers, churches, and Christian communicators are offering free services, getting out vital information on social distancing, feeding displaced students and families, and foremost communicating the hope of the Gospel."  

A recent article at the NRB website mentioned a number of specific ministries, including Samaritan's Purse and its hospital in New York City, the organization Somebody Cares International, which I have featured on The Meeting House, which was involved in provide N95 masks for a host of people on the front lines of fighting the virus, and an organization called Buckner International; Amy Curtis of that organization said:

“Everyone is so unsure about what it will look like in 30 days, 60 days, six months," she noted in a report. “It’s encouraging we have this video conferencing platform where we can continue to meet the needs of our clients.”

Meanwhile, NRB members such as Trinet Internet Solutions and Cooke Media Group have been offering free webinars to help churches and ministries to adapt in the new environment in which they have found themselves, presenting online strategies to reach congregations and strategies for effective digital fundraising. NRB affiliate Christian Media & Arts Australia, furthermore, hosted a webinar with tech tips for broadcasters trying to stay on-air while socially distant.

“This is not the time to hunker down and pull back,” commented Phil Cooke, Co-Founder & President of Cooke Media Group, in a recent blog post.

Faith Radio is a member of NRB, and we have been involved as a source of information and encouragement through our on-air presentations and our Coronavirus Response page, accessible through our website and app.

A very simple principle that we can apply is universal to the body of Christ: find a need and meet it; we can trust God for His provision, and His partners in joining together.  Throughout our communities, there are opportunities to help those who are struggling, including our fellow laborers in the Lord, such as churches, ministry organizations, and Christian businesses.  We can reach out to try to help encourage one another in the name of the Lord.

If we have been blessed during this time, we can be challenged to seek the face of the Lord about how He would intend to use what He has provided for His glory and perhaps be a blessing to other people.  

Statesmanship

There is plenty of material that is out there about leadership.  And, the concept is important.  The truth is, pretty much all of us are called to lead somebody else.  Jesus shared a core concept of being a good leader in Mark chapter 10:
43b ...whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

We can consider what type of example that we are setting for others - especially in this time of crisis, we can seek to exemplify who Jesus is and who He desires to be in us.  We can be strong in our convictions and solid in our compassion.  We can, like Jesus is, motivated by our love for our Heavenly Father and love for our neighbor.  In a time where so many need to know and see the comfort of the Lord, we can seek to walk in peace and to spread it.

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Timothy was a protege of the apostle Paul who was called to an extraordinary position of leadership,
to set an example for the early Church. Paul wrote to him in the book of 1st Timothy chapter 4:
10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

The political gamesmanship that has characterized Washington throughout the years continues to be on full display: in order to get money appropriated for helping Americans during the Coronavirus crisis by sending them direct payments and to help small businesses continue to pay their employees, lawmakers were forced to agree to fund causes that had nothing to do with helping everyday Americans.  Now certain lawmakers are blocking efforts to extend relief for small businesses - the program has been so popular, the initial appropriation has been exhausted; more is needed...soon.

The idea of a political leader as a statesman or a stateswoman is seemingly becoming more of a foreign concept.  Tom Minnery, formerly of Focus on the Family, many years ago formed a Statesman Academy to help train leaders to operate in an evenhanded, compassionate, and just manner, rooted in Christian principles of good governance.

Tim Scott exemplifies that role of a Christian statesman.  He is the junior senator from South Carolina and the first African-American from his home state to serve in the U.S. Senate, according to a recent article at the Faithwire website, which states:

“From the foundation of this nation, to this pandemic,” Scott told Faithwire, “the one place we’ve always turned when the chips were down, when everything was going to be counted, we turned to the Lord, the author and the finisher of our faith.”

The 54-year-old lawmaker believes the timing of the release of his latest book, “Opportunity Knocks,” is more than a coincidence, as it chronicles his personal faith journey through numerous adversities not unlike the calamity we’re facing today.

He offered his faith perspective relative to Easter occurring during this pandemic:

“This is a time where the church might be empty, but the tomb is empty, too,” Scott said. “This is a time when our ministry no longer resides in a specific location but, like the Great Commission, our ministry goes throughout the community, and frankly, throughout the world.”

Scott was one of the lawmakers who championed the inclusion of churches and faith-based organizations in the $2 trillion CARES Act, ensuring they have access to loans and grants, should they need it during the pandemic.

The article also relates that Scott is concerned about the disproportionate affect of COVID-19 cases that are present in the African-American community, and was preparing at the time of the article to meet with Black leaders and the White House about ways to get information into the African-American community about the susceptibility to the Coronavirus in those communities.

Scott is also asking for prayer for affected residents of South Carolina in the wake of deadly tornadoes earlier in the week.  The Grabien website has a transcript of Sen. Scott's interview with Fox News: "So, there are several counties that have been negatively impacted. Just imagine, on top of the COVID-19, to have tornadoes come in and a devastating factor. Seneca, near Lindsey Graham’s home, one person died...So we certainly need your prayers. I’m thankful that our governor has been all hands on deck and we are targeting the relief in the necessary way. At the same time, we are balancing the COVID-19 virus and the outbreak."

Senator Scott can remind us that there is a Biblical model for leadership, comprised of a number of factors.  For the follower of Christ, we can strive to be guided by Biblical wisdom and motivated by compassion.  The Holy Spirit will fortify us in order to reflect the presence of Christ in us.

Regarding those in public office, they should be guided by the desire to do what is right and to seek to do what's best for their constituency.  That gets clouded, it seems, all too often.  In this next phase of reopening the country, our leaders need our prayers so that they would balance public health with trying to get life back to normal, always keeping in mind what is best for the people they serve, not attempting to win political games.  Because, unfortunately, politics can override good policy.  Political strategy can sometimes get in the way of governing efficiency.

Different Sort of Easter

In a sense, our everyday lives may have been put on "pause," but the work of Christ and His Church
has been in the "play" position, or even "fast forward," observing Hebrews 10:
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

I think we can all agree that it was a different kind of Easter.  Yet, even in crisis, because so many were exposed to the gospel, we can be confident that the presence of Christ was at work and people worldwide heard His message and responded by accepting Christ as their Savior.  And, perhaps there were many who would not necessarily attend a church service physically on Easter participated in a service online.

And, the message of our risen Christ is certainly a story of hope that was needed during these desperate times.

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In all things, we are called to submit to the Head of the body of Christ; the Lord calls us to seek Him daily and make time with Him a priority - and many of us certainly have that opportunity.  Colossians 1 states:
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

As we place Jesus in the first place in our lives, we can experience His direction in setting our priorities from that point.  When He is truly Lord of our live and in that primary position, He will establish the way we are to walk and we can rely on Him to show us what is important.  We can allow Him to conform our personal desires to His desires for us, so that our actions reflect His presence within us.  As He preached in the Sermon on the Mount, we can seek Him first.

And, we can continue be devoted to living out and proclaiming with our mouths and actions the glory of the risen Christ!

The Christian Post published the findings of a relatively small survey done by WalletHub about people's projected Easter practices.  One of the dominant questions was very simply, “If churches were open this Easter, would you go?” The article says that 56 percent of respondents said that they would.  The Post adds that:

In 2019, only 27 percent of the respondents said they attended church to celebrate Easter. A majority, 59 percent, said they celebrated with family and friends, while another 25 percent said they stayed home.

Regarding some of the economics, the article states:

Nearly 70 percent of respondents also revealed in the survey that their spending this Easter will be affected by the coronavirus. Forty-six percent said they won’t be spending any money on Easter food or clothes, 42 percent will cut back on candy, 38 percent won’t spend any money on Easter baskets, and 29 percent said they will not spend any money on family portraits.

One of the interesting findings, according to The Christian Post: "only 11 percent plan to observe the holy day at church this weekend."  That is certainly more than you might have expected. 27 percent of respondents said that they planned to watch church on TV.

The survey asked people what they were most thankful for during this current health crisis.  The results were:

• Family, at 40 percent
• Health - 29 percent
• Freedom - 14 percent, and
• Their job, at 12 percent.

And, here is some mixed news regarding giving to churches:

When it comes to giving to their church, 27 percent of respondents said they planned to give less than usual to their church. Seven percent said they would give more than usual while 66 percent said they will be giving their normal amount.

In response to this study, there are some considerations.  First of all, in the midst of alterations, we can think about what is truly important.  We can remember to be thankful for who God is and the relationship that He has called us to through Christ.  We can give Him praise for the blessings in our lives - in this survey, 4-in-10 were thankful for their families, another third for their health.  We can take advantage of this time to think and to thank, emphasizing what's important.

We can also remember to seek out ways to be connected to the church.  This can be done to many different degrees, including participation in online worship and other study and even online fellowship opportunities.  Perhaps it could involve reaching out through simple phone calls or other forms of communication.

And, we remember to be wise in economic considerations.  With many people having lost jobs outright or being furloughed, and with the economy still at an unstable point, we can be challenged to remember to be good stewards of what we do have.  Even though, the stimulus check is essentially an advanced tax refund and you may have already tithed on that money, technically, still it could be a seed that God has provided in order to sow into churches and ministries that really need it - and, as I understand it, there's a charitable deduction involved, as well.

Free Expression vs. Public Health

The 4th chapter of Luke contains the proclamation of Jesus when He taught in the synagogue, the essence of His message, a message that we can enthusiastically embrace and proclaim ourselves. We
see these words:
17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

He then said in verse 21: "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

We know that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies written about Him and that in His death and through His resurrection, He brought the promised redemption to the entire world, reconciling humanity that had been separated from Himself.  Even in the Psalms, we find the words that He was to speak on the cross.  His story has unfolded throughout the ages, and now He is writing His story through us.  We have a responsibility to show the world who Jesus is and to radiate His truth and love.

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In Isaiah 52, we find a wonderful picture of faithful proclamation of truth even among those who
have shown that they do not accept or respect the people of God. We can read:
5 Now therefore, what have I here," says the Lord, "That My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them Make them wail," says the Lord, "And My name is blasphemed continually every day.
6 Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: 'Behold, it is I.' "
7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

For the past few weeks, as state leaders have carefully crafted and issued stay-at-home orders in their states to curb the spread of COVID-19, there has emerged quite a tapestry of views regarding churches and religious organizations.  The argument boils down to whether or not churches are considered to be essential or non-essential and what implications that may have regarding religious freedom of churches in the state.

ReligionNews.com actually has a breakdown on state laws and how they are regarding religion during this critical juncture.  In the preface to the listing of these regulations, the article states this:

Most states have issued stay-at-home orders that include bans on gatherings larger than 10 people and encourage social distancing of 6 feet but do not clearly indicate how those regulations apply to worship communities.

Some states have taken the step to prohibit faith groups from worshipping in person, pointing to several instances in the U.S. and abroad of the virus spreading during religious services. Others have carved out exemptions that allow religious groups to gather under certain circumstances, and still others permit religious assemblies without any formal restrictions whatsoever.

According to this study, only seven states have what the article terms as "Statewide orders with religious exemptions."  These are: Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia.  In most of the cases, governors have encouraged people not to gather for religious services.  And, across the country, it has been reported that the overwhelming majority of churches have gone to some sort of online outreach to serve their congregations; ChristianHeadlines.com reported on a LifeWay Research study from late March that showed only 7 percent of Protestant pastors said their congregations were meeting.

Florida is among those states listed by Religion News as having "religious exemptions," and the article states:

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ statewide order explicitly exempts religious gatherings, listing them as “essential activities.” When asked about religious services, DeSantis told reporters, “There’s no reason why you can’t do a church service with people six feet apart.”

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey's stay-at-home order is listed among the "Statewide orders with religious exemptions, but with restrictions" camp. The article says:

Gov. Kay Ivey’s statewide order lists religious services as “essential activities” that are exempt from its broader restrictions. However, religious worship services, weddings or funerals must involve “fewer than 10 people and the people maintain a consistent six foot distance from one another” or be a “drive-in” worship service in which participants remain in their vehicles – shared only with residents of the same household — for the entirety of the service.

According to the article, Alabama joins four other states in that category: Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, in classifying churches as "essential."  Georgia is among those offering exemptions with restrictions.  The article says:

A representative from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office said the state’s order does allow faith groups to continue to operate in a limited capacity: “In short, churches can continue to operate if they abide by social distancing and implement the expanded social distancing and sanitation protocols on Attachment B of the order.”

Then you have the "Statewide orders that do not exempt religious groups;" in which churches are treated no differently than other organizations and businesses, although some have issued statements urging churches to "meet" in creative ways.  Kansas was originally mentioned in a separate category - there the governor's order to keep religious gatherings at 10 or under was overturned by Republican leaders, but since the article was published, over the weekend, the governor's order was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.  It has now been added to the "non-exemption" group.

So, where does this leave us as the Church?  I think it is important to highlight violations of religious liberty during this time, but we recognize that we still have individual responsibility - follow the civil authorities and the guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19; namely to practice social distancing, stay at home wherever possible, and to take common sense measures.  Where there is latitude, and I think drive-in church services certainly fall in that category, those who exercise that option should not be punished.

Religious freedom must be upheld under the Constitution.  And, a key component, as it was pointed out by attorneys on The Meeting House program is that churches should not be treated any differently than similar gatherings or operations under public health orders. The Bible speaks negatively about applying differing weights, highlighting inconsistencies that can be harmful.

Ultimately it is important that the proper respect is shown for religious faith.  This nation was built on a foundation of Judeo-Christian principles, and especially in times of crisis, people should be free, within reason and in the interest of public health, to continue to freely express their faith.

Finally, there is the question of the Church being essential or non-essential.  Even though some states seem to have not received the memo, I believe that authorities and culture at large should regard the role of the church and ministries as "essential."  Churches offer spiritual hope and in some cases, are involved in doing public ministry to those who have physical needs.  The proclamation of God's Word is sorely needed in these times, and I am thankful for the faithful and creative teaching of His truth that we see disseminated through technological means.

Masks of Protection

In our current circumstances, we can pray for God to be glorified and recognize His power at work in our lives. 2nd Thessalonians 3 says:
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,
2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

Think about that image of the word of the Lord, living and active, as we read in Hebrews chapter 4, running "swiftly," and being glorified.  There is great power contained within the words of the Lord and protection as well.  That is a theme of this passage.  We can rest on the promises of God, rely on His faithfulness, and trust Him for protection.  Because of the spiritual resources He has provided, we can stand strong against the works of the enemy, intended to destroy: His Word shows us the way to life.

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In the 6th chapter of Ephesians, the Bible outlines for us what we know as the armor of God,
recognizing that God has given us resources for our spiritual protection:
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...

Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, there have been some unusual "hotspots," where there has been an high number of cases that have been reported.  One of those is Albany, Georgia, which is located in southwestern Georgia, the home of Sherwood Baptist Church and Alex and Stephen Kendrick, known for their compelling Christian movies, such as War Room, Fireproof, and their latest, Overcomer.  In fact, by watching several of those movies, you see quite a few sites in Albany, including the local hospital, which is now in the midst of treating an unusually high number of Coronavirus patients.

Sherwood Baptist Senior Pastor Michael Catt tweeted out not long ago:  "...@SherwoodChurch has a can do spirit, bathed in prayer. We aren’t afraid to swallow the big frog 1st. Our people have a 'what’s next Lord?' Spirit - even when surviving 3 natural disasters & this virus in less than 3 years."

Albany and Dougherty County issued an early Shelter-in-Place order and has been among the counties in Georgia with the most deaths.  In fact, according to AJC.com:

Of the 86 counties to report at least one death from COVID-19, Dougherty remained the hardest hit with 78, followed by Fulton with 52 and Cobb with 36. Gwinnett, Richmond and Paulding recorded two deaths since noon Monday, tying for the most in the update.

Dougherty ranks 27th in population in the state, yet it and the county where Atlanta is - Fulton, are the top two Coronavirus counties in Georgia.

So how does this happen? Again, we go to the AJC website.  Jamie Dupree wrote in mid-March:

It was not immediately clear how the virus had been brought to Albany, but officials had floated the idea that funerals for two people who died earlier this week may have further spread the Coronavirus.

Into this danger zone, Mark Green decided to make a 180-mile trip from Atlanta to Albany to deliver hope, according to television station, WALB, to deliver masks to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital there. The article says that:

Mark Green wants medical professionals at Phoebe to know that they aren’t alone in this fight against COVID-19.

Medical professionals said they intend to use these new inspirational masks to continue to fight the virus.

The article quotes Green as saying, “It was placed on my heart. God placed these on my heart not only to assist in constructing these masks but at the same time making sure these masks get in the right hands as soon as possible..."

These masks were made by people from several areas of the state, including the choir from Charles Stanley's church, First Baptist of Atlanta.  The article states: "They created over 200 inspirational masks in just six days to protect hospital staff and patients."  Hospital communications director Ben Roberts said, “These masks are awesome. We can use them in a couple of ways. Everybody in the hospital now is always wearing a mask. So, these homemade masks will be good for that...” 

Green said, “The important thing about this mask is that it has inspirational messages and uplifting Bible scriptures that ease and hopefully give the patients comfort and reinsurance..." and indicated that masks will be used in other facilities in the state.

An earlier story from WALB had provided this quote from Green:

"After this virus is over with and it will be over with, we pray that it will be over with, this mask can still be used throughout the year. And it’s beneficial for example for those individuals who are having surgery or having some type of medical procedure. It’s comforting to know that when they look up at the doctor’s eyes that they now not only see the doctor but they also see what’s in front of the doctor, which is a Bible scripture which will give him or her peace and comfort,” said Green.

That certainly is a fabulous image, and can communicate about a beneficial sort of mask that we can wear.  No, not the type of mask that is talked about in terms of personality and covering up our real selves. I want to share about the notion of God's protection.

These Albany health care professionals are wearing masks that apparently have Scripture references on them.  When we face the spiritual virus of sin and attacks of the enemy, we can follow the example Jesus set in Matthew 4, using the word of God - as He said, "It is written."  The power and truth of God's Word enable us to overcome the evil one.

We can also make sure that we are protected by the armor of God.  There are six pieces mentioned in Ephesians 6, and as it's been pointed out, one of them - the sword of the Spirit: God's Word - is the only offensive one.  So, while abiding in God's protection, we can skillfully and diligently study, apply, and speak the Word of God.

There are also the angels of God - supernatural beings who are appointed to protect the children of God.  I would dare say very few have actually seen an angel visibly, but we can perhaps see where they have been in our lives, protecting us from danger, perhaps diverting us from a situation that could have caused physical harm or taken our lives.  We can be thankful that God is our protector.

Recovered

We are held steady by the unchanging hand of God, who will sustain us in suffering and calm our
fears. Isaiah 43 provides this reminder:
1 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.
2 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.

When we feel weak or overwhelmed, we can press in to the Lord's strength.  He is drawing us to Himself and wants us to remember that He is with us and that He is near to those who believe on Him and who call upon His name.  We can be confident that He is walking with us through our trials and that tribulation is no stranger to Him - He knows us and calls us to follow Him as He leads us according to the truth of His Word and the direction and power of His Holy Spirit.

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In our hours of despair, pain, and suffering, we can turn to the Lord, who loves us and shows Himself to be absolutely faithful to those who call on His name. Psalm 37 states:
39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.

When you peruse the statistics concerning the Coronavirus, one number is very important, but it's not one that seems to be reported very much.  I came across a website called Worldometers.info that gave all the statistics that you're used to seeing - number of cases worldwide and in various countries, as well as the number of deaths.  Yes, the death count has exceeded 22,000 across the United States and over 115,000 around the world.  But, look at the "recovered" statistic, if you will, and there is an encouraging story: over 433,000 recovered worldwide and over 32,000 recovered in America.  While we mourn the deaths of those who have been lost, we can rejoice in those who have recovered.

There are wonderful stories of God's faithfulness in recovery that have been reported.  There was a play-by-play that had emerged from Northern Ireland back in March, according to the Faithwire website, which reported:

Mark McClurg, the pastor of Newtownards Elim Church, took to Twitter on March 24 to announce he had contracted COVID-19 and calling on people to pray for the healthcare staff.

He was in the ICU at the time.  He concluded the tweet by saying, "Jesus is Lord and Saviour." The article also says that "the 40-year-old pastor posted a series of video requesting that people heed the government advice and stay home. 'This coronavirus is deadly,' he said, drawing short, labored breaths. 'Coronavirus wants to kill you, it wants to take all the life out of your lungs.'"

A few days later, as the story says: "McClurg revealed that he was finally leaving the Ulster Hospital, having recovered from the disease."

“I want to thank everyone for their prayers,” he tweeted. “I want to thank the staff at the Ulster Hospital for saving my life. I looking forward to enjoying life. Overcome #Coronavirus. Be kind. Jesus is my healer.”

At the time of the article, he was hosting nightly online prayer meetings for doctors and nurses.

The Christian Post reported on a pastor from Virginia, Kenny Baldwin, who became sick with fever, chills, and aches while traveling doing ministry.   The story relates that he was hospitalized and he stated, based on an ABC13News report:

“The doctor basically said with this disease you're going to get worse fast or you're going to hold on and eventually get better, and we don't know which one it will be,” he was quoted as saying. “I was begging, God, please just give me a chance. Please get me through this.”

He said all he had was the Lord. “I saw God and experienced Him in a way like never before and He reminded me that His promises are true and that His word stands and that He never leaves or forsakes us.”

He was given hydroxychloroquine, which aided in his recovery. The Post story relates that "Baldwin said he supports the call for everyone to stay at home and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The church is not the building, he said, 'it’s the people so we are still the church no matter what.'"

You can certainly find stories of people who have trusted God in the midst of their pain resulting from Coronavirus.  One story, out of Louisiana, focuses on a mother out of Louisiana, Shenetra McKnight, who tested positive for COVID-19 and was unable to see her baby daughter for nine days.  According to WAFB Television:

McKnight says she is thankful her case of COVID-19 was not as severe as others she has heard about.

She is sharing her message of hope to remind folks that not all cases end in tragedy and serve as an inspiration for anyone trying to overcome this evil virus.

“I would say pray, trust God. Because God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind. And with that alone, that has got me through this,” said Mcknight.

These and so many other survivor stories can remind us of the faithfulness of a God who sustains us in our troubles.  We can draw close to Him and know that He walks with us in our difficulty and we can certainly pray for Him to make Himself known and to heal those who have been afflicted.

Like Shenetra, we can also place a priority on faith over fear.  Fear corrupts our minds and warps our thinking - faith can sustain us because it is rooted in the certainty of the Word of God.

While the death toll from COVID-19 is important and should not be minimized, neither should the recovery count, because in the recovery is hope.  I think of how Jesus has been described as our rescuer, and how we have just celebrated the ultimate act of rescue, as Jesus has enabled us to go from death to life.  Those of us who have been rescued know that is it the presence of Christ and realization of what He has done for us in bringing salvation that can cause us to have a hopeful outlook, based on our confidence in Him.