“A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears,” once observed the 16th century French statesman and author Michel de Montaigne.
Actually this would apply, not just to suffering but anything we fear.
I once read that Louis Pasteur had such an irrational fear of dirt and infection he refused to shake hands. Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19, Word of the Week
Yesterday The Today show featured a segment on the problem of pressure during the Coronavirus pandemic. It released the results of research by Mental Health America (MHA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) on the mental health of Americans during this crisis.
Filed under COVID-19
Today, I’m worshiping with and preaching for the brethren in Cosby, Tennessee. We were here back in March when COVID-19 ramped up and they had to suspend their services, like so many other churches around the country.
So much has happened in the past 7 months that it seems almost surreal.
-Almost 8 million Americans have contracted COVID-19 and more than 39 million worldwide.
-Over 216,000 have died in the US, and more than 1.1 million people worldwide. Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19, Sunday Seed Thoughts
Rick Warren is fond of saying, “You are not just called to believe, but to belong.”
While I disagree with some of Warren’s theology, he was right when he wrote in The Purpose Driven Life ,“We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship and formed for a family.”
However, during these COVID-19 days, our community is disconnected. Our fellowship is somewhat fractured. And our families, both physical and spiritual, have become detached, disjointed, and disassociated. Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19
America is beginning to reopen from the shutdown caused by COVID-19. Little by little. State by state. City by city. There is obviously a great desire to get back to normal.
“I want my life back,” is a familiar refrain. But do we? Do we really need to get back to normal? Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19
Today, I am blessed for the second consecutive Sunday to be worshiping with and preaching for the brethren in Cosby, Tennessee.
The situation up here in the mountains is unique. There have been only 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cocke county where the church is located. And no deaths. In neighboring Sevier county only 65 cases with 2 deaths. Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19, Sunday Seed Thoughts
During our current crisis in dealing with COVID-19, President Trump has often characterized himself as a wartime President in fighting this vicious virus.
He often compliments doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals who are on the front lines combating this “unseen enemy” as “warriors.” The other day in the Oval Office, he described American citizens as “warriors” in fighting this deadly pandemic. Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living, COVID-19
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented prayer! This year’s ‘virtual’ National Day of Prayer observance may have more prayer – and more ‘pray-ers’ than ever before!,” wrote Kathy Branzell, President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.
I suspect we’ve had unprecedented prayer during the past two months of the COVID-19 crisis. In fact on March 14th, President Trump issued a proclamation for a special day of prayer when he declared a national emergency. Continue reading
Although COVID-19 restrictions are gradually being lifted in many states and cities, citizens in some places are protesting that their Governors are moving too slow.
Some folks are commenting to media outlets that their Governors or Mayors are being oppressive in their edicts, dictatorial in their demands and unreasonable in their restrictions. Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19, Word of the Week
Restless. Frustrated. Agitated. Anxious. Unsettled. Uneasy. Upset.
These words describe the feelings of many today who’re eager to return to some sense normalcy after “sheltering in place” for so long. Of course, they also may describe the apprehension of others who feel our government is reopening up too soon. Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19, Sunday Seed Thoughts
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