I Miss You

I Miss You!

Even in Sterile Surroundings Life Has Beauty

We’re still socially distanced, thanks to COVID-19. Not only that, we’ve become masked! Am I the only one who never realized how smiles (or lack of them) clarify our communication?

I like the phrase “Bloom Where You’re Planted.” Artist Mary Engelbreit (ME) illustrates this slogan with a pot of colorful flowers.

I think a lot of people are currently blooming right where they’re planted. With quarantines and stay-at-home orders, they are becoming “creative in place.”

Wish You Were Here 

Consider these examples: I’ve seen people, challenged by technology, push forward on the learning curve. Others have found it satisfying to talk on the phone rather than endless texting.

It’s been wonderful to hear about the creative ways people are bearing each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

I’ve had inquiries from caring neighbors, and enjoyed plenty of humorous emails. Laughter is such good medicine.

It’s also hard to miss reports of people’s renewed interest in prayer and Bible teaching.

One of These Days We'll Be Together Again

But---I miss you! It will be great to see you again in person, even if we have to wear masks and keep our distance.

   

Improve Your Life With Evergreen Content

IMPROVE YOUR LIFE 

WITH EVERGREEN CONTENT

Are you familiar with evergreens? Deciduous trees and plants shed leaves and/or flowers in certain seasons, but evergreen beauty can be enjoyed year around.

What is Evergreen Content?

But today I'm not thinking of boxwood hedges or flowering rhododendrons. 

It's something much more important: Evergreen Content.

This was a new concept I learned from Jessica Thiefels in an informative article on blogging.

According to Jessica, Evergreen Content is information valuable all year long or for many years to come.

You may be more familiar with evergreen content than you think. I’ll give you four examples:

       (1) Have you ever been to a memorial service and received a leaflet imprinted with The Twenty-Third Psalm (Psalm 23)?

         (2) Have you ever prayed The Lord's Prayer? It was a model given by Jesus in Luke 11:1-4.

        (3) You've probably heard The Christmas Story about Jesus born in a stable and laid in a manger. The most familiar reading comes from Luke 2. 

        (4) After a rain, perhaps you've marveled at a rainbow. You may have even heard it was a sign of promise after The Great Flood (Genesis 9:11-15).

Just four little examples show why God's Word is Evergreen: Valuable all year long or for many years to come. 

Why stop there? Try reading a chapter of Proverbs or Psalms every day. Pay attention to things which speak to your heart.

God's Word is Evergreen Content

If you don't own a Bible, check out the YouVersion app for your cell phone.

Psalm 119:89-90 says, “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations.”

Forever? That's Evergreen Content for sure!

The Learning Curve---COVID 19: Part Three

THE LEARNING CURVE---COVID-19: Part Three

A World-Wide Pandemic

The Corona Virus is still in control. Social distancing, hand washing, face masks and stay-at-home orders are still the norm.

These guidelines have changed my life. How about you?

It’s easy to forget the advice in Proverbs (27:1) which says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

*John Glenn, an astronaut chosen to orbit in space, illustrates this well. After years of training, his mission was rescheduled eleven times.

That means ten times he was ready to go, but someone with higher authority and more knowledge said, “Not today. Mission aborted.”

His flight finally took place on February 20, 1962. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything.” From the description of his orbital flight, I think John would agree it was worth the wait.

Under virus protocol it’s easy to feel like our life is a “mission aborted.”

When we are finally “released for take-off” how will we react? That may depend on our current daily attitude.

Some people will come out of this challenge with new interests and happy memories. Others will have nothing but negative reports and plenty of complaints.

My fifth learning curve: Value Life and Enjoy It One Day at a Time.

Hemmed in by the Blues

I recently woke up in what I call “a blue funk.” I couldn’t find a reason. I was muddling through the morning when a friend called. She said some ladies were joining in prayer, each in their home, at a certain time.

I agreed to join, but when the time came, I still didn’t feel like praying. As a point of faith, I picked up my Bible and started reading. Then I started talking to God about the caller’s prayer request.

As I was praying for that person, I began to feel peaceful. In fact, when my prayer time was over, I actually found myself singing.

That change of attitude was a marvelous experience.

Here’s the secret: I did not pray because I felt like it. I decided to pray by faith. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) says without faith we cannot please God, but it says nothing about feelings.

That verse further explains that faith means we come to God because we believe He exists, and that He will reward those who sincerely seek Him.

That’s not hard to understand and I can tell you, “It’s true.”

Psalm 62:8 tells us to trust in God at all times and pour out our hearts to Him. All times? Yes. Because faith is based on trust in God’s Word, not feelings.

My sixth learning curve: There’s Never a Wrong Time to Pray.  

*John Glenn: A Memoir, John Glenn with Nick Taylor, Bantam Books, NY, ©1999, Chapter 18, p. 256, Chapter 19, p. 275.

The Learning Curve---COVID-19: Part Two

THE LEARNING CURVE---COVID-19: Part Two

The Corona Virus is still with us. Have you been practicing social distancing? Carefully washing your hands? Using hand sanitizer? Wearing a mask? Using gloves?

Jesus mentioned the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:25-37). Consider this: Your personal effort to avoid spreading the virus is an act of love toward your neighbor. That would be anyone within your social space.

Personal Quiet Time is Important

There is one area, however, where we are on our own: Our Thoughts---whether positive or negative.

I totally agree with the wisdom of Proverbs 17:22: A cheerful heart is good medicine. In fact, I’m always on the lookout for good humor. From my emails lately, I’d say I’m not alone.

Considering how stores had a run on toilet paper, this item struck me funny: I used to spin that toilet paper like I was on Wheel of Fortune. Now I turn it like I’m cracking a safe.

This one hit close to home: I need to practice social distancing from my refrigerator.

Someone sent colorful cartoons of Bible stories with a modern slant. Picture this: Jesus is holding up a fish and loaf of bread. 

Someone shouts, “I can’t eat that. I’m vegan.” Someone else shouts, “Was that fish tested for mercury?” And, of course, someone has to ask, “Is that gluten free?”

But thank God for animals. I had some laugh-out-loud times watching pictures or videos of animals in action.

My third learning curve: Enjoy Good Humor and Share It Whenever You Can.

Now here’s another important issue. Would people close to you describe you as contented, or contentious?

Are You Content or Contentious?

From what I’ve seen, contented people are positively and creatively engaged with daily challenges.

For example, some people are trying new recipes. A couple of friends said they’re really into Spring cleaning. Others are into outdoor walks, reading, puzzles, or projects.

Contentious people, on the other hand, seem to be hostile and cross. They lack flexibility in a world turned upside down. In their negative self-centeredness, they think others have a responsibility to make them happy. But pity the person who tries.

A worthy goal is to be able to say, as did the Apostle Paul, “I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am” (Philippians 4:11, AMP).  

My fourth learning curve: Work on Developing the Character Trait of Contentment.

(Next Week, End of Series: The Learning Curve---COVID-19: Part Three)