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)

The Learning Curve---COVID 19: Part One

THE LEARNING CURVE---COVID 19: Part One

Around the Curve is the Unknown

Curves bring challenges because they differ so greatly from a straight line. Your life's highway may have been straight for months, or even years. 

Perhaps you even had life mapped out, but COVID-19 really threw you a curve.

Someone mentioned that high school seniors are disappointed in cancelled plans for senior prom and graduation. College students may graduate, but not walk down the aisle or toss their caps in the air to celebrate.

Consider the heavier burdens of heads of households who have lost their jobs. Even temporary loss will bring financial hardships.

And what about workers who lost childcare and have younger children home from school?

Not everyone lives near family willing to help out in hard times. But friends and neighbors can also be a blessing. Consider Proverbs 17:17 in The Message Bible: Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

My family is very supportive, but we do not live in the same town. I enjoy their phone calls and texts, and our personal visits are always fun. But I'm grateful for friends and neighbors near by in times of need.

For example, my car was out of commission for a few days. COVID-19 had just hit and I had not been to the store. While giving me a ride to church, my neighbor mentioned she had bought an extra pack of toilet paper to give away.

I said, "I didn't think about that. I'll see what I have and give you a call." That afternoon I walked over to her house and gratefully returned with a 9-roll pack of TP.

My first learning curve: Be Alert, Plan Further Ahead, and Be Willing to Share.

Teddy Bears are Fun Toys

My life has been brightened by phone calls. A Texas friend said her town created a Teddy Bear Hunt. Citizens were asked to set a bear in a window. "My window was too dark," she said, "so my bear sat on the porch flag pole."

Families kept proper social distancing as they drove down the streets, but I smiled thinking of young children hunting for bears.

Cell phone communications have also been boosters. A friend in San Diego sent photos of nearly empty freeways. Having been in California gridlock many times, I had to see it to believe it. But best of all, she was sharing her life with me.

My second learning curve: Stay connected . . . Reach Out Via a Phone Call, Text of Favorite Social Media. 

(Next Week: The Learning Curve---COVID-19: Part Two)

Pandemic Panic or Peace

PANDEMIC PANIC or PEACE

A Worldwide Challenge

The Corona Virus . . . who in the world is not familiar with it? It's a contagious disease with no antidote. Governments are responding with quarantines and restricted travel, plus closure of restaurants, bars and schools. The economic impact is horrendous.

As a friend and I shopped five stores looking eggs, I saw with my own eyes the results of panic. All five stores were completely out of these items: paper goods, cleaners, canned goods, staples, dairy products and eggs.

Hoarding has become a byword. Think of it as a supply stored up and kept hidden or in reserve. Hoarders are not known for generosity.

As of Now, Required Respite

Personal activity is hindered since government officials have requested no unnecessary travel. There is constant reference to social distancing. 
People are not to meet in groups of more than ten. Churches are closed, and for me it means no Bible study or Grief Share group till further notice.

I often remain at home two or three days at a time. The difference is knowing I'm free to go out. The pandemic is requiring forced isolation for an unspecified amount of time.

If there was ever a time to be flexible and count my blessings, it's now. Life is always improved with a positive attitude.

A friend called and said she was praying Psalm 91 over me.

The Bible is an Option for Personal Peace

The Psalm is very familiar. I knew a man who lived to a ripe old age who would get up in church and say, "I'm going to share my insurance policy." He would then quote all sixteen verses perfectly! You can look it up for yourself . . . I did.

If you don't have a Bible, use an internet device to download a Bible app, such as the YouVersion in modern English.

Meditation on Psalm 91 brought four questions to mind. The answering verses are beside them:

           1.  What Should I Do?  (Verses 1, 2, 9, 10)

           2.  What Will Be the Answers to My Prayers?  (Verses 5, 6, 7, 8, 13)

           3.  Why Would God Hear My Prayers?  (Verses 14, 15, 16)

           4.  What Will God Do?  (Verses 3, 4, 11, 12, 14, 16)

Be Wise. Take all the healthy precautions to stay well. Then check out Psalm 91 for promises of personal peace. 

The Importance of Me and You

THE IMPORTANCE of ME and YOU

Positive Communication Is NOT All Me!

These two little words . . . me and you . . . are filled with potential for stress. It used to amuse me when people would say, “It must be so nice to work in a church!” Here’s the truth: Communication skills and a desire for teamwork are important no matter where you work.

In today’s high-tech world, employers are still looking for these “soft skills.”

Put people together and it seems challenges remain the same. Note this fifteenth century comment by *Thomas A Kempis: It is no easy matter to live in a monastery or in any form of community life, to pass your days without bickerings, and to persevere faithfully until death.

What stood out to me was the phrase “any form of community life.” Isn’t that what our lives are? Community? From birth to death? Simply put, community means living with others.

Put Positive Ideas To Work For You

Practical suggestions for community life in Bible times sound like this in today’s English: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand (Philippians 2:2-4, The Message Bible).

Most people desire to create a win-win situation for themselves and others. But sometimes aggressive people bog down the process. To them ME always outranks YOU.

Let’s be positive. Consider the scope of my poem, and draw your own conclusions:

WORDS of LIFE

Darlis Sailors

Words have length and words have power

Say “I” and it marks my place

The world is big, and I am in it

Say “you” and life gets larger

I admit that there are others

I have a place, but so do you

You and I can join as one

Show strength as “we,” a force for change

We, as a team, produce good or evil

Alone I am one, my choice

With you, I must learn to give

Our spaces touch and new vision emerges

How will we live, part you---part me

Our plan is formed with give and take

Small words of life with power

(copyright, 2016)

*The Imitation of Christ: The Inspirational Teachings of Thomas A Kempis, Book 1, Chapter XVII, On The Monastic Life, p. 42, Translated by Stephen MacKenna, 2006, Sacred Wisdom by Watkins Publishing, London.