Janet Thompson's Blog, page 19

The Paradox: When I Am Weak Then I Am Strong

The images we’re watching of rioting, looting, stealing, destruction, and anarchy sweeping across our nation makes me wonder if Satan is actually protesting the reopening of churches and the gathering together of God’s people. Just as states were attempting to open up after a horrific plaque devastated our country, a new wave of terror takes over.

All weekend, I seldom heard any COVID-19 discussion as the country watched with horror the violent attacks on innocent people’s property and businesses that they hoped to open soon. Historic structures burned down or marred. People assaulted. Policemen pelted with rocks and curses.

Rioters acting like vile savages and displaying the worst side of humanity flooded the streets of our nation’s Capitols and large cites in an alarming display of evil.

Only Satan instills in people’s spirit a desire to destroy, vandalize, rob, and spew vileness.

The rioting has nothing to do with the original frustration over an injustice. Doing wrong to justify another wrong still makes your wrong, wrong!

Yet, it’s considered too risky to safely open churches where parishioners strive to encourage each other to be good moral law-abiding citizens and representatives of Jesus Christ.

The Bible reminds us that in this world, we will come face to face with evil but God has provided us a way to endure and pray against Satan.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his
mighty power.  11 Put on the full armor of God, so
that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh
and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in
the heavenly realms. 

And pray in the Spirit on all
occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in
mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Eph. 6:10-12, 18

While the rioting and looting was occurring in Minneapolis, the governor there passed out masks but didn’t demand the rioters stay six feet apart or cease rioting, while he warned that opening churches would be a “public health disaster.”

As states begin to slowly open up, there continues to be unreasonable dissension over opening churches. Governor Newsom in California finally relented that churches could open but put out a 12-page list of restrictions. Churches could only allow 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever was less. No singing. No reciting liturgy. Everyone 2 years and older in a mask and on and on it went.

In a liberal won 5-4 ruling, divided on party lines, the Supreme Court refused a request from a California pastor to override Newsom’s harsh restrictions on churches. There’s no question that the Supreme Court has become politicized. I was sure that when this case came in front of them they would have to side unequivocally and unanimously with freedom of religion, but they did not!

Why is there such a disparity and reluctance to let churches safely reopen while other venues are opening and now even riots and protests draw masses of people?

I wonder how many of those opposing churches opening
have been to church. When was the last time they stepped inside a church? Do
they not have a visual of how churches, especially large churches, have plenty
of room to social distance?

Just as Ephesians 6:10-18 expresses, it’s a spiritual battle where Satan is blinding them because he knows the power that comes from people of God uniting. What else could explain the resistance to Church and Christians?

There’s only one force in this world that is against God’s people and that’s Satan. I’m not saying the people opposing churches are Satanists, but he is using them to try to quiet God’s people and just like Moses and Pharaoh, there needs to be a consorted voice persistently and forcefully saying, “Let my people go!”

If you’ve read my past blogs, you know my concern
about this issue and I’ve been persistently vocal about it.

How
Can We Best Display Our Faith in the Face of Persecution?

As the discussion of opening churches plays out on social media, I’ve watched the antagonistic comments of those who don’t attend church or consider attending church as unnecessary. But one condescending comment caught my attention. This person was against churches and Christians and claimed that only weak people needed church.

I ruminated on what type of person would say something like that not caring if he hurt or offended anyone, but then I appreciated a responding comment that probably baffled the attacker: “You’re right, without Christ I am weak, but it is Christ that makes me strong.”

Instead of defending our position or denying that being a Christian is weak, this person turned the conversation around and left no retort. There was nothing left to say. Maybe the person denouncing Christians felt confirmed that we’re all just weak people looking for “a crutch,” or maybe he was wondering how Christ made us strong.

The Apostle Paul explained how his physical weakness made him spiritually strong because he had to rely on the Lord. And despite protests and government officials ruling against his ministry, even in his “weakness” it’s amazing all the things that Paul was able to accomplish for the Lord! Paul admits that if it weren’t for his physical weakness, he might become overconfident and conceited and take the glory for himself instead of where it belonged with the Lord.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming
conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to
torment me. 8 Three
times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all
the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I
delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:7-10

I sure feel weak sometimes, don’t you? Especially, during the hardships and inconveniences we’ve all endured the last few months. It’s not always easy to remember that our strength comes from the Lord, especially when we think we can handle everything ourselves or we feel defeated and distressed.

In our weakness, with the Lord’s strength, we can do this!

“That’s the paradox of depending on God: The more you’re weak, the more you depend on him. And the more you depend on God, the stronger you are.” Pastor Rick Warren

Whatever it is God has called you to during this pandemic crisis or the next crisis or just in everyday life, put aside your own agenda and doubts and follow God’s lead and lean into him.

You may look or feel weak, but you can wink and smile because you know that in God’s eyes you’re stronger than you’ve ever been before.

“For I can do
everything through Christ, who gives
me strength.” Phil 4:13

The Rant, a Rave, and a Primal Scream

The
Rant

If you regularly receive my Monday Morning Blogs,
you know I tackle relevant issues with a biblical perspective and routinely
challenge the body of Christ to bravely take a stand for our faith and beliefs.

Recently, I was expounding on why I think it’s
important for churches to open safely and denounce the label of “nonessential.”
Some considered it a rant!

I
have to admit, at first I felt offended until I came home and looked up the
definition of rant: to talk in a noisy,
excited, impassioned, or declamatory manner.

That’s definitely me. I write and speak about topics with excited passion. While I was writing this current blog, I saw a dear friend wrote on a Facebook post where I was “ranting,” “Yes you care about important things . . . that’s who you are!!”

It greatly troubles me that big box stores, Home Depot, Walmart, liquor stores are considered safe enough for masses of people to frequent with strangers but churches following strict safety guidelines are not allowed to open with people who know each other!

And even more troubling is that many Christians are continuing to accept the explanation that churches aren’t safe but it’s perfectly fine to risk your life at Costco because your family needs toilet paper.

Then there is the argument that you could pray and watch a sermon online at home. Well, of course we can pray at home. Hopefully, most of us pray all day everyday wherever we are.

But “church” includes more than praying or listening to a sermon; it’s worshipping with the family of God.

Church is the body of Christ serving and encouraging each other and the community. Comforting those who are anxious or troubled. Carrying each other’s burdens. Experiencing the Holy Spirit and singing together. Fellowshipping.

Church is truly more than the building as Jesus gathered at the river many times, but the key word there is that they gathered. Essential for every church as warned in Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (NLT)

If church wasn’t essential for Christians, than why would we ever bother to go when we could just sit home and turn on the computer or TV?! Granted the positive side of experiencing church at home online is that churches found creative ways to also reach many who might not have attended church otherwise. Let’s pray that those online opportunities will continue. But it can never replace attending church services in person.

Another concern is that the majority of churches and Christians initially accepted the designation of church and religious assemblies as nonessential. To me the subtle and not so subtle underlying infringement on our religious freedoms and the ensuing significance is that when we need the church most, it’s deemed irrelevant.

Believe me this will set a precedent if we allow it to continue.

Lest I “rant” and repeat myself, here are blogs I’ve
written on these issues.

Conquering
the Unseen EnemyFamily
Faith and ScienceWho
Is Your Neighbor? Anyone Who Needs Your HelpPray: Don’t Panic!Headlines
Are Designed to Generate Fear: God Says, “Fear Not!”Bridging
the Great Divide in Politics and Faith#Alone TogetherAmerica
Works Together Keeping the FaithWhat
Would You Sacrifice for Your Beliefs?How
is Home Depot More Essential Than God’s Home?5
Powerful Prayers for Peace Amidst Pandemic Fear



The
Rave

Last Thursday during my quiet time, I was “ranting” to the Lord about my concern that churches were classified as nonessential. I concluded, “Lord, it’s going to take President Trump to change this. Please let him declare that churches are essential and need to open.”

Later that morning, I was listening to the president talk to reporters on the White House lawn when suddenly he said, “I want to get the churches open. They are not being treated with respect by a lot of the Democrat governors. We’re going to take a strong position on that very soon. Churches are essential!”

Wow!!!!

I was stunned.

I started praising God and I haven’t stopped. Just this morning in church, I shared with the congregation this amazingly quick answer to my prayer. Exactly what I had asked for!

Was the timing of my prayer a coincidence? I don’t think so. The Holy Spirit prompted me to pray for President Trump and maybe he needed intercessory prayer at that moment as he prepared to publically announce his support of churches opening around the nation.

And the Lord wanted to affirm to me that He hears my prayers. God was encouraging me to keep on ranting about the issues He puts on my heart and to give Him all the praise and glory for the progress we’re seeing as the country opens up and churches return to services.

Then the next day, Friday, President Trump formally announced at a White House press conference: “Houses of worship are essential offering essential services. The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now–for this weekend,” Trump said. “If they don’t do it, I will override the governors.”

“In America, we need more prayer not less,” Trump added.

Wow! Victory in Christ. Thank you Lord! Hallelujah!!

So
yes, I will keep right on ranting and raving as the Lord leads me and I pray
you will also.

But wait, there’s more.

The
Primal Scream

Pete Hegseth is a co-host on Fox and Friends and he
has a new book out American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free.
I haven’t had a chance to read it but here’s a synopsis.

In American Crusade, Pete Hegseth explores whether the election of President Donald J. Trump was sign of a national rebirth, or instead the final act of a nation that has surrendered to Leftists who demand socialism, globalism, secularism, and politically-correct elitism. Can real America still win? And how?

Hegseth is an old-school patriot who is on a mission to do his part to save our Republic. This book celebrates all that America stands for, while motivating and mustering fellow patriots to stand ready to defend — and save — our great country. As he travels around the country talking to American citizens from all walks of life, Hegseth reveals the common wisdom of average Americans — and how ready they are to join the cultural battlefield. Now is that time, and Hegseth has written the playbook.

In addition to Fox
and Friends, Hegseth is a Fox News Political analyst and served in the U.S. Army for twelve years–doing
tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay; and earning two Bronze Stars
and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. 

Friday’s press conference where the President deemed churches essential took place during Dana Perino’s regularly scheduled FOX program The Daily Briefing. When her program resumed, Dana remarked that, “Hegseth was her timely guest.”

When Dana commented on Pete’s book, he
described it as his “primal scream.” Again, I looked up the definition: A
release of intense basic frustration, anger, and aggression. An outpouring of
raw emotion.”

I identify with Hegseth’s primal scream.

His heart is for Americans not to lose the civic and personal freedoms he fought for while serving the country he loves so dearly.

My heart is for Christians not to forfeit the religious freedoms and liberties our biblical and American forefathers fought to preserve for us. The right to share the Savior we love so dearly with a world under the bondage of sin and Satan.

So
yes, I’ll continue passionately ranting, raving, and when necessary, letting
out a primal scream for the God and country I love and cherish. How about you?

PS If police officers are in your family, or you know someone who would like to pray for them, here is a blog I wrote for Crosswalk, 4 Prayers to Honor Police Officers.

Opening picture is a sticker by Redbubble.

What Would You Sacrifice for Your Beliefs?

You’ve probably read or heard about Shelly Luther, the Dallas hair salon owner arrested for opening her business before the state of Texas approved the opening of salons. The judge gave her the choice of apologizing for being “selfish” or going to jail. She refused to render an apology saying it wasn’t selfish to want to feed her family. She went to jail, not for opening her salon, but for contempt of court because the judge didn’t like her answer.

I’m not defending her opening the salon early, but
what struck me in that story was her courage to not deny what she felt was
right just to avoid a penalty. She was bravely willing to go to jail rather
than bow down to this judge’s demands for her to go against her convictions.

As I heard this story unfold, I wondered how many Christians would take that kind of a sacrificial stand for their faith? Their beliefs? If a judge said deny Christ or go to jail, would there be any hesitation on our part?

We might think that would never happen in America,
but I’m sure Shelly never thought she would face that crossroads either just
for opening the doors of her business. A business that supported her family,
paid the bills, and provided a livelihood to other stylists in her salon. They
had waited as long as they could; it was time to get back to work. Yet, there
she was standing before a judge telling her to gravel or the gavel goes down.
And down it went.

Other business owners have had local governments suspend their business license for opening their doors. I’m not advocating breaking the law, but there really is no law, simply executive orders at the whim of what a local government official deems is their right to inflict on constituents. No one is governing these officials and they have no experience or expertise with this pandemic to back up their demands.

Last week, I wrote about how fast this shutdown of our rights has happened in our country in the name of “public health” based on “facts and science” that change every day and none of the governors or majors actually ever provide specific data for their restrictions. Everything can be manipulated to serve anyone’s purpose or power grab.

Honestly, some restrictions are outrageous like the major
of Los Angeles saying when people “have earned the right” to go back to the
beach they must stay on wet sand, not dry sand! He has now said they can leave
their home but must wear a mask at all times. They can’t gather in their
backyard or go to someone else’s house. Where is any of this in the public
health handbook for coronavirus?

But I digress. The real thought I want us to chew on
is could this be a preview of what could happen to people of faith? Wait, it is
happening! In some states, pastors are fined, and even jailed, for opening
their churches safely!

What we’re learning during this unseen enemy is that in today’s culture, it takes sacrifice and courage to stand up for our faith and our rights, but this is nothing new. The message the Apostle Paul gave to the church at Corinth is still a source of encouragement for Christians to be brave today: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13).

And Paul
should know. He was routinely arrested, sent to prison, flogged, ridiculed, and
eventually killed for his faith, but he never backed down from sharing the
truth of the gospel. I don’t know if Shelly Luther is a believer, but like her,
Paul would not bow down to any magistrate who wanted him to denounce his
convictions and he would not deny his faith to avoid prison, or worse.

Women of Faith in the Bible Give Us Courage

A group of what the Bible calls
“prominent women” or “leading women” who were God-fearing
Greeks in Thessalonica and Berea heard Paul’s message about Jesus, became
believers, and joined his ministry. In both cities, the Jews listening to Paul
became jealous that he was drawing a crowd, and they formed a mob to go after
him and his ministry companion Silas. Knowing violent agitators and bullies
were following Paul everywhere he went, what must these courageous women have
feared might happen to them?

We’re
not sure if prominent refers to their
status as the wife of well-known important men, or if they indeed were leaders
of influence themselves, or simply wealthy women—or all of the above. Publicly
believing the gospel and joining Paul’s evangelistic ministry could easily
jeopardize their marriages, their standing in society, and their businesses. No
matter what the personal cost to worldly fame, fortune, and security, they were
all in for Christ.

They were brave believers and played an important role in helping Paul start the early church and share the gospel. Imagine the trials, struggles, and sacrifices of these women as they watched Paul endure persecution while they served beside him amid hostility and danger. They knew that the authorities in the government and temple didn’t readily receive the message of Jesus.

Conspicuous
believers were risking their lives. After all, they crucified their Messiah.
What would happen to them? It seems they didn’t care. As believers, they were
willing to take that risk.

Jesus had brave women willing to risk their lives for him too! Many courageous women disciples like Joanna, Susanna, Mary Magdalene, and others, also went against the cultural norm to loyally support Jesus’s ministry, even as it became more and more controversial and his life was in eminent danger.

We can learn from these strong women of faith following Paul and Jesus to see how to carry on their courageous legacy in a culture today that often isn’t receptive to the gospel of Christ. We can look to these women as prime examples of faith and devotion to Christ and emulate them in our own lives as believing disciples, regardless of daunting circumstances and possible sacrifices.

When I wrote Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As A Woman of Faith, where I explore these biblical women who supported Paul and Jesus along with fifty other brave women, I had no idea how soon after its release last September that we would all be putting our brave on for our families, ourselves, and our faith. The premise of Everyday Brave is that the women of the Bible have a message about bravery for the women of today.

When the coronavirus is over, and it will be someday, we will each have our own brave story. Maybe it was tackling homeschooling or figuring how best to protect our families. For all of us, it’s how to provide financially and provisionally when it seems like the world shut down. But God never shut down or abandoned us and He knows exactly what we need to make it through this difficult season emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally.

We just need to stay strong in our convictions, our beliefs, and our faith that in all things God will work this out for good for those who love him. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT).

God knows the number of our days. We don’t live foolishly or recklessly, but we do live out our faith with a peace that passes understanding.

For the Lord your
God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you
with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over
you with joyful songs. Zephaniah
3:17 NLT

In our current culture, it’s no longer cushy and easy being a Jesus-follower or loyally defending Jesus. Standing firm in our faith takes grit, determination, and fierce loyalty. When society tries to dissuade and discourage us from remaining true to Jesus, we must stand firm with bravery and courage, even if it means standing “alone”—God is always with us cheering us on.

I don’t think believers will go to jail in our country for our beliefs today, but there is coming a time during the tribulation when even worse will happen to those who profess Christ as their Savior. My personal belief is that God will rapture all Christians before the tribulation, but everyone left behind will suffer greatly if they don’t deny Christ.

Let this plague, which is minor in light of the tribulation, be a wake up call to share the gospel with everyone you love because Jesus is coming and it could be soon!

 “I know all the things you do, and I have
opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you
obeyed my word and did not deny me.” Revelation 3:8
NLT

PS For more on endtime prophesy, I highly recommend
Dr. David Jeremiah’s book The Signs.
Our small group has been studying this book since last fall and what a timely
study it has been for such a time as this.

If you missed last week’s blog How Is Home Depot More “Essential” Than God’s Home?

Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As A Woman of Faith is available signed at my website or on Amazon. I pray it encourages you that we all are braver than we know!

How Is Home Depot More “Essential” Than God’s Home?!

Across the top of the Liberty Bell is the inscription, “PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF LEV. XXV X.” [Leviticus 25:10.]

When I walked into our church May 3, I felt a rush
of the Holy Spirit. I hadn’t expected it. I didn’t realize how much I had
missed the meeting together of my church family.

Like many of you, my husband and I had watched church online for six weeks. Not just our own pastor, but two or three others each Sunday. We couldn’t get our fill, but what we were seeking couldn’t come off the TV or computer screen. We longed to greet fellow attenders, find out how they were doing, hear their prayer requests, look into caring eyes, hear the smiling greetings, and feel the love of our church family.

At first, it was nice, even convenient, having couch church in our PJ’s and streaming the services when we chose. We were able to virtually visit our past home churches and experience others we’d always wanted to visit. We even sang along during worship. But when we turned off the TV and computer, there was an uneasy emptiness.

I compare it to looking at pictures and videos of your family, but not seeing or conversing with them face-to-face. How long could we go without our heart aching to be with them?

Most of us are fortunate to have video chatting,
ZOOM, or SKYPE to keep in touch with friends and family, and at least see their
faces and hear their voices. We’ve had to rely on these capabilities during
this pandemic, but they could never replace being in the presence of our
family.

And so it was with me missing the fellowship and camaraderie of our church family.

My friend Carol put it like this, “I miss the face-to-face fellowship with believers. We are
seeing them on Zoom and getting teaching. But there’s nothing like hugging your
friends.”

My husband and I are fortunate to live in a state and county where Phase 1 of reopening Idaho included churches! Sadly, around the USA there are state and local governments putting undue restrictions on churches to prohibit them from safely reopening.

That
should scare us!

We should be alarmed at how fast government took away our religious freedoms and, in many cases, how far their overreach in denying or penalizing pastors and church attenders.

Did you ever think we would live in a country where people are fined, even imprisoned, for going to church?! That only happens in other countries not America. Not any longer. Religious persecution has crossed borders and oceans as some American governors and mayors enforce the same totalitarian measures we see in Communist countries.

How
fast it happened and how fast we’ve let it happen.

The argument and talking points many liberals, atheists, partisans, and sadly some Christians have used: “Churches are nonessential. They don’t provide life-saving food or necessities.”

We rolled over with little to no outcry and let them decree that Costco, Home Depot, Liquor and Marijuana stores are essential, but churches are not essential. Even on Easter Sunday!

Don’t get me wrong, I love Costco, that’s not the
point.

Costco is not our only source of food! While shopping at any big store, you’re shoulder-to-shoulder mingling with hundreds of strangers, albeit wearing a mask! But that’s OK we’re told. It’s worth it to risk your life there to fight over the last roll of toilet paper.

But churches that feed our spiritual souls and employ strict social distancing measures, where we know the people we’re around, are deemed nonessential. Not worth the risk.

Who made that determination? That discrimination?

Who
is willing to stand before God and tell Him that His home is not essential but
Home Depot or Costco is essential?

Why
didn’t more pastors push back in the very beginning of these shutdowns?

Why
didn’t they stand up for religious freedoms?

Why did they allow their church to be relegated to “nonessential” in a world that essentially needs Jesus more than ever now?

We quote the Scriptures that man cannot live by bread alone and Jesus is the bread of life, but do we believe it? Do we live it?

I know many will argue that more people were able to
experience church online than ever before and thousands made a commitment to
Christ. And Christ is in our hearts, not in a building. Absolutely agree, but there’s a reason the Scriptures warn us for
exactly the times we’re in right now . . .

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

Many
have said, and I agree, that we are feeling the birth pangs proceeding the last
days, however far off. People are scared and lonely and believers need to be
together with our church families to encourage, support, and love on each other
just as those verses in Hebrews 10:24-25 say. They are in the Bible for such a time as this!

God knew this pandemic was going to happen.

Yes, it’s hard to make changes in the way we do church to accommodate safety, but that’s no reason not to do it.

I have to laugh when I hear someone worried about getting sick at church, but they think nothing of piling their carts full in Walmart, Home Depot, and Costco with people they don’t know and could never trace a “community spread.”

Yes, we need food. But let’s put this all in perspective. Don’t swallow lies. Don’t let government extend overreaching unwarranted, sometimes illegal, control and power.

The Virus Came From China But Let’s Not Become Like China!

When the coronavirus first started in China, we saw family members being pulled out of their homes. Soon Americans were being pulled off buses and subways and out of stores for not wearing a mask.

When I
first saw pictures of everyone wearing a mask in China, I thought that could
never happen here. Now you can’t get into many places, including Costco,
without a mask and some states will fine or arrest you! Making and selling
masks has become a lucrative business.

When we heard of families being locked into their homes in China, we were aghast. Now we refer to our stay-at-home or shelter in place as lockdown.

I could go on…in some states, beaches and parks are closed. Drones fly over neighborhoods to see if too many people are in their own backyard. Anyone remember the phrase, “Big brother is watching you.” You can’t plant a garden, mow your lawn, or fish from your boat in other states. Pulled over if you’re not wearing a mask alone in your own car. Encouraged to “snitch” on your neighbor. Required to sign in with address and telephone number to attend church so “they” can track you.

Does this sound like America to you? Home of the
free?

I’m glad to see brave people using their legal right to protest the loss of our freedoms and rights. We need to resist tyranny or the freedom we hold so dear will be lost forever.

Whatever weapon used against us, we can use our weapon of faith. Remember our battle isn’t against human flesh.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph. 10:10-12

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10:4-5

I’ve said for so long that Christians need to stand up and speak out for our religious and civil rights. We need to repent of our silence and let the world know that not only is the church essential, a relationship with Christ is the only thing that will save you from eternal death. Could anything be more essential?!

Many evil forces have been waiting to shut down
the church. They see their opportunity now
to use this virus to create new rules and regulations for how we can operate .
. . forever. Don’t let it happen.

In Everyday
Brave: Living Courageously As A Woman of Faith, I point out that fear
is paralyzing. That’s why the liberal media is trying to immobilize us with
fear tactics so that we will acquis and do whatever we’re told without
questioning.

Don’t Put Your Trust in the Media

On
March 2, before the virus really took hold in America, I wrote a blog: Headlines
Are Designed to Generate Fear: God says “Fear Not!”

We need to do our homework. Do not believe what you hear from the media. Their goal is to keep you afraid and misinformed. Yes, this is a contagious virus and not one to take lightly, but we know those who are most susceptible to it and we need to protect them. If you’re over sixty, have underlying health issues, or not feeling well, take precautions and stay home for a few more weeks.

But the rest of you, help your church open soon
and when it does, go to church. Never let the world believe that God’s church
is not essential. Don’t make the church go underground. This is America land of
the free, home of the brave. In God we trust.

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG

PS As I’m writing and posting this blog, I just read an article about pastors in California who are taking action to open their churches on Pentecost May 31. They are expressing and confirming what I wrote in this blog.
“Our churches are part of the answer, not part of the problem,” said Danny Carroll, senior pastor at Water of Life Community Church. “We’re an essential part of this whole journey and we’ve been bypassed … kicked to the curb and deemed nonessential.”
I’m proud of these pastors and praying for their success and a blessing on their congregations.

I also just received a text offering free guidelines for making your church covid-safe. I’m not endorsing these, but again, could the timing of this text be just a coincidence when this blog hasn’t even posted yet? I don’t think so, do you?!

5 Ways to Survive the Storms of Marriage by Carol Kent

I’m thrilled to have Carol Kent as a guest today on the Monday Morning Blog and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. If you’re married, you’ve been spending a great deal of time together, more than usual, during the Coronavirus stay-at-home season. There’s probably stress about finances, kids out of school, fear about catching this virus, restrictions imposed on us by local government, maybe loss of a job or trying to work from home and we just want our lives back.

Carol and her husband Gene, along with Cindy and David Lambert, have a new book out that every couple will appreciate not only during these difficult times, but in the inevitable storms we will face together in our marriages.

Carol is offering a free copy of Staying Power so be sure to leave a comment to enter the drawing. Now grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy Carol’s words of wisdom.

5 Ways to Survive the Storms of Marriage by Carol Kent

I had
been happily married to Gene for more than 25 years when a middle of the night
phone call turned my world upside-down. The news was unthinkable.  Our son, a graduate of the U.S. Naval
Academy, had been arrested for the murder of his wife’s first husband. Amid
multiple accusations of abuse involving the biological father of Jason’s
three-year-old and six-year-old stepdaughters, our son unraveled—mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually—and now he faced a trial for murder. Following
seven postponements of the trial, he was convicted of the crime and sentenced
to life without parole. 

This
caused unspeakable pain (for us and for the victim’s family), emotional
tension, financial stress, frayed nerves, public humiliation, and often
triggered pressures in our marriage we hadn’t faced before.

Our situation might seem more drastic than what your marriage is going through, but there are times for most of us when due to no fault of our own, outside challenges hit our lives and decisions need to be made. In your case it might be a struggle with infertility, or the addiction of your child, a financial crisis, an accident that changes everything about your future, caring for the needs of an aging parent, a child with a disability, parenting a grandchild, the incarceration of a loved one—and so much more.

How
can our marriages become stronger when we face the storms of marriage—those
things that come out of the blue, without warning, that threaten to destroy our
relationships? Here are five action
steps you can take.

1. Decide to be “in this together.” Gene and I, along with our co-authors, David and Cindy Lambert, have discovered through God’s faithfulness during our own trials, that as distressing as many of the challenges our marriages face are, they’re also a rich opportunity to grow together in strength and in wisdom. We have an opportunity to make our marriages stronger and more resilient than before the crisis hit.

John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

2. Make the next right choice. Author Clare DeGraaf helped me understand the importance of pre-decisions. I call them our “non-negotiables”—a series of pre-determined choices we made to each other. Some of those are:

I will request, honor, and respect the advice of my spouse. I will serve my spouse sacrificially. I will control my tongue. That means no matter how difficult our situation is, Gene and I are committed to treating each other with kindness.

Clare
DeGraaf writes about the 10-Second Rule: “Just do the next thing you’re
reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do. (And commit to it immediately—in the
next ten seconds—before you change your mind!).”

We discovered that when we regularly spent time with the Lord, Scripture passages we were reading helped to confirm important decisions. We didn’t require another two weeks of uncertainty. We discussed the options, shared what we believed God was nudging us to do, and then made the next important choice.

3. Practice automatic forgiveness. Because Gene and I live in a challenging situation that will probably not end in our lifetime, we’ve had to learn that forgiveness usually isn’t a one-time thing. We’re still human. Tempers flare.

We communicate poorly when we’re
exhausted. We’re learning to instantly recognize that this negativity and
unforgiveness can escalate.
So we STOP and remind ourselves that . . .

We
want resolution. We
need the support of each other, or our marriage won’t survive. Our
love is deeper than this crisis. We’re committed to forgiving each other for
negative behaviors and outbursts quickly and often.

Proverbs 17:9 NLT says: “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven.”

Our goal is to be unoffendable.

4. Say “yes” to guilt-free time-outs. As a Type-A first-born, I like to solve problems and move on to the next thing. But having an incarcerated son isn’t something that’s a task to be completed on a “to-do” list. I often found myself worn out—trying to keep all of the balls of speaking, writing, being a wife, and caring for my son’s needs in the air—and I hit a wall! 

All couples who face long-term challenges need to develop a daily habit that takes them away from the immediate stress of their ongoing situation for a short while. When our family members are in pain, we often feel uncomfortable experiencing pleasure.

Make a plan to rediscover your joy.

5. Serve while suffering. Find someone who needs help worse than you do. Then do a tangible act of kindness for that person together. Serving others shifts our focus off our own challenges and onto someone else. It makes us Jesus-focused and our own challenges become less overwhelming.

Serving others produces blessing.

“Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Luke 6:38 MSG

Never give up on defending your marriage
and your family against the challenges life throws at you. You can build
lasting staying power into your marriage with God’s help.

Drawing for a Free Copy of Staying Power

Which of the five suggested ways to make your marriage stronger in the middle of challenging circumstances is one you’d like to try? Leave a comment and a winner will be selected on Friday, May 8.

Adapted from Staying Power: Building a Stronger Marriage When Life Sends Its Worst, by Carol and Gene Kent and Cindy and David Lambert, Revell, 2020.

Get to Know Carol: 

Carol Kent is a bestselling author and international speaker. She’s the
executive director of the Speak Up
Conference, a ministry committed to helping Christians develop their speaking
and writing skills. She and her husband, Gene, have founded the nonprofit
organization, Speak Up for
Hope, which benefits inmates and their families. Carol has trained Christian speakers for over twenty-five
years and she has been a featured speaker at Women of Faith, Extraordinary
Women, and Women of Joy arena events. 
She is the author of over twenty-five books, including the bestselling When I Lay My Isaac Down
and Becoming a Woman of Influence.
Her two newest titles are a 365 page-per-day devotional titled, He Holds My Hand, and Staying Power,
co-authored with her husband Gene, and Dave & Cindy Lambert. Connect with Carol on FB, Twitter, or Instagram.

Bridging The Great Divide in Politics and Faith

       

When I was a young girl, my mom counseled me to never discuss politics or faith, even with family. Especially, not with family!

That was hard for me to understand as a new believer at eleven-years old. Jesus was the most important person in my life and resided in my heart, which meant I wanted to talk about Him ALL the time. How could I, or why would I, monitor what I said about my faith around other people?

My faith was at the center of my life! And anyway, why couldn’t others just ignore what I said if they didn’t want to hear it? But I wanted them to hear it so they could be saved too and ask Jesus into their heart. Why wouldn’t they want to go to heaven and have eternal life? Who could turn that down?

Politics was not that important to me, so that
wouldn’t be hard not to talk about; although I watched many uncomfortable
political conversations take place around me. It seemed like people had
definite opinions and it made them mad if you didn’t agree with them.

Maturity
Changes Everything

Then I grew up.

I learned that people often held on tighter to their political beliefs than to their spiritual beliefs. They defend their political party more than they defend Jesus.

The cultural lines, once definitive, began to merge between the two beliefs. Politics started determining what was moral and laws developed that promoted sin, even though the Bible clearly said such actions are immoral. If you defended the Bible’s definition of sin, you were immoral, even hateful.

The civil law no longer cared about God’s laws. It was now acceptable for everyone to do what was right in his or her own eyes and woe to you if you objected. In fact, you were a legalistic religious fanatic and bigot.

Fast forward to today, where politicians try to make laws to forbid and even prosecute those who follow the teachings of the Bible, Christians. The difference between today’s two political parties in many cases is differences over freedom of speech and freedom of religious rights given to us by our political faith-filled founding fathers.

But
we need to remember that human rulers often feel threatened by the higher
loyalty of those who are committed to God. That’s why they try to silence us,
but they can’t silence Jesus in us unless we let them!

Many people profess to be Christians, yet still side
with a political party that hates Israel, supports and condones murdering of
babies at all stages of birth, legalizes gay marriage, imposes homosexual
values on society, tries to deny scientific genders, promotes sexual
promiscuity and deviancy, bans God from the public square, tears down crosses
and the 10 Commandments, and bases its agenda on liberalism, socialism, and
suppressing freedom of religion.

How can a Christian defend this liberal platform?

How did this happen?

I propose because people continued to avoid talking about politics and faith. Christians stayed silent as they watched the world try to silence Jesus, the same Jesus who resides in every believer’s heart. And I ask the same question, I asked as a little girl, “If Jesus is the most important person in your life, how can you stay silent?”

I know it’s not always comfortable, in fact it can
be downright unpleasant, to engage someone who has a differing point of view
than you do. Somehow, we’ve lost our backbone, our courage, our grit and have
taken the easy way out—avoidance and compliance.

We
Must Find Our Platform and Use It

Because
the lines have blurred between politics and faith, we cannot be silent. We let
it happen, now let’s do something about it.

It’s such a blessing to see so many Christian conservatives run for political office to make sure our voice is heard in government decision making and overturning inappropriate laws.

You may be one of those people God has called to take your faith into the political arena. Do not be silenced. Represent us with dignity and honor to God and His glory.

Running for office may not be your calling, but you can support those who do run. Maybe it will be financially or serving on committees or campaigns and voting.

Give
believers a voice wherever you have a voice.

You
don’t have to run for office or be a minister to make a difference in politics and
in faith. Every believer is in full-time service to the Lord. Every believer is
a minister. In God’s eyes, there is no great divide between secular and sacred
work.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Col. 4:5 NLT

Social media has become a popular platform to take a public and a faith stand. It can be difficult. I don’t recommend getting into arguments or trying to convince people who are belligerent and unkind. But you can post about God-honoring people and policies you believe are good for our country.

I find the best way to deal with people who want to
antagonize or harass you is to either ignore them or ask them questions. That’s
what Jesus did. Here are just a few of His questions?

“Who do people say I am?” Mark 8:27“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Mark 8:29“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Matt 12:10And if you greet your brethren only, what is unusual about that? Do not the unbelievers do the same? Matt 5:47Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan? Matt 6:27



Why are you anxious about clothes? Matt 6:28Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye yet fail to perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? Matt 7:2Why did you doubt? Matt 14:31And why do you break the commandments of God for the sake of your tradition? Matt 15:3

Some
questions that help me in a faith or political discussion:

That’s interesting; tell me why you feel/think that way?What do you believe about _________? (Lets you know where they’re coming from spiritually and/or politically)What do you agree with in your party’s platform? (Instead of trying to convince them that yours is better).Why do you like your candidate? (I find they usually just want to tear down yours, but can’t really tell you why the one they like is better)You’re entitled to your opinions, but I choose to follow the Bible’s teaching. Will you agree to that?

The
goal isn’t to try to prove that you’re right, but to get them thinking about
why they think the way they do.

Try not to argue and always let Jesus shine through
your conversation. You never know when they’ll consider your comment or
position. Maybe not now but later.

I’ve become Facebook friends with another author who often has different views than I do and many of her friends are in-your-face liberal. I want to avoid her posts, and yet, I’m drawn to them and to her. She and I have come to a good understanding, and I feel that gradually she’s listening to me and considering what I say.

What has been fun to watch is some of her
conservative friends seem to feel like they can comment or agree with me or “like”
my comment. Almost, like they have permission to talk and not just be quiet
because so many are harshly vocal.

I don’t know if I’m making a difference or not, but
every time I overcome the desire to just ignore her posts, I pray about it and
feel led to engage.

And
that’s the key factor. Pray before you engage in conversation or on social
media. It’s so easy for our want-to-be-right ego to take over instead of
letting Jesus shine through us.

Who knows, maybe this coronavirus that we’re all
experiencing together will help us bridge the great divide in politics and
faith that has become a chasm in our society.

In Forsaken God? Remembering the Goodness of
God Our Culture Has Forgotten, I wrote:

“Often we see the most growth in our spiritual lives during hard times, when God is growing us spiritually and emotionally. We may think he has forgotten us, but God is good and God is great. He never forgets his promises to his people even though his people often forget their promises to him.”

Chris Tiegreen writes in The One Year Salt & Light Devotional: “Many modern cultures have grown soft with comforts and conveniences so common to us, and most people think something has gone terribly wrong when life gets difficult. But we know better. In the Kingdom of God, at least for now, we can be certain of difficulties. We will need to persevere. The rewards are immensely worthwhile, but the costs are real. Wherever you are facing them in your life today, let your higher calling and the name of Jesus make you ‘heartily’ willing to go on.”

“Every activity offers a platform to love, serve, trust, encourage, comfort, pray, and do the works of God.”

The benefits of serving and speaking up for God
are well worth the costs and inconvenience!

This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me. Col. 1:27-28 The Message

#AloneTogether

The one thing everyone has in common today with most people around the world is that we’re all at home. Unless you’re in the healthcare community, work at an “essential” business or one that has figured out how to do curbside pickup, you’re experiencing alone time.

Those who have children or family members at home might
be laughing that you wish you had some alone time.

In recent years, there’s been infrequent unity
across political and spiritual differences, but COVID-19 has leveled the
playing field. Well, maybe not political divides—sadly, many are trying to make
this crisis political.

The last significant unifying occurrence in America would probably be 911. While we all mourned together the horrific attack on our country, New York suffered the brunt of pain and loss.

COVID-19 is indiscriminate. It’s a pandemic. The entire world is experiencing pain and loss. We’re all in this together. Even though states and countries may be handling this crisis differently, the streets of most towns and cities are empty.

We’re #alonetogether!

Physical
Distancing but Not Social Distancing

The first time I heard the term “social distancing,” it grated on me like fingernails on a chalkboard. I didn’t like it. People are saying it will be our new normal. That would be a tragic fallout of this experience.

We will probably need to stay at a physical distance from each other, maybe not hug or handshake for a while. Some say forever.

But socially isolating ourselves from each other permanently is dangerous and unsustainable. Social distancing can never become social disengagement!

We need each other. We need physical touch. We need to stay in touch!

Since the beginning of Creation, The Lord God
said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. Genesis 2:18

God created us as social beings to interact and communicate with each other, not distance ourselves emotionally, spiritually, physically, socially, or mentally.

The ultimate punishment for someone in prison is
solitary confinement, alone.

Even if you’re not typically a social person, social isolation leads to loneliness, which leads to poor physical and mental health.

How can I say that?

Well here are some statistics from a psychologist for those who suffer from loneliness:

29% are more likely to have coronary artery disease

32% are more likely to have a stroke or die

40% are more likely to have dementia, if they’re in
that age group.

When
we stop using our cognitive skills to interact, our brain starts deteriorating.When
we stop using our relational instincts to interact, our emotions start deteriorating.When
we stop using our physical impulses to interact, our body starts deteriorating.

In an article by Axel F. Sigurdsson, MD, PhD, Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Poor Health, He pointed out

“Studies show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased risk of early mortality. Being socially connected increases not only psychological and emotional well-being but also has a positive influence on physical health.”

“Although loneliness is usually associated with social isolation, it is important to discriminate between the two. Social isolation refers to a lack of contact with other people, while loneliness indicates a state of mind.”

Despite these different definitions, there is significant overlap between social isolation and loneliness. Hence, the terms are often used interchangeably.”

You might be actually living alone in isolation right now or you might be feeling isolated even though you’re not physically alone.

We’re out of our routines. Maybe you went to work
every day and now you’re out of work or working from home.

How many times did we complain about having to
grocery shop, but now it’s considered an “essential” reason to leave home. It’s
a luxury even though we have to mask up and wear gloves and deal with empty
shelves, at least we’re out of the house and among other people.

We’re #alonetogether!

We
Can, and Must, Stay Socially Connected Even While Quarantined

Social media probably creates more virtual friends, than face-to-face friends. Yet aren’t those of us on social media glad we have these “friends” to communicate and commiserate with because we’re all going through something similar. It gives us a sense of social connectedness.

As our fresh food supply at home started dwindling,
I looked in the refrigerator vegetable drawer and there was a big package of
organic Romaine hearts and a bundle of avocadoes. That was all. So I put a post
on Facebook, “I have Romaine lettuce but only avocadoes to make a salad. What
else do you put in your salads? #nothingfresh #stayinghome.”

I started getting immediate responses and within
hours, I had 100 comments and many new ideas for my salads. I heard from people
I haven’t “talked to” on Facebook or in person for years from all walks of my
life. We couldn’t share a meal together, but they were eager to help me plan
mine.

My cousin read the post and commented, “These all
sound so good!”

It almost felt like I had a group of friends helping
me make dinner, while they probably were working on their dinner too.

If you’re not a social media fan, you can use SKYPE, ZOOM, or video chatting and messaging to talk while seeing each other. I mentioned in last week’s blog, #America Works Together Keeping the Faith, how my grandkids gave me a virtual birthday party.

We can use the tools we have to stay connected with each other. Churches who have video transmitting capability are reporting more online viewers and commitments to faith than they would ever have at church on Sunday. God is using the “screen” to reach people for Christ.

God uses inconvenient, unpleasant circumstances for good and so can we. It’s not the same as being together, that’s for sure, but it’s what we have right now.

We’re #alonetogether!

A note on social media. Stay away from negative
input or people that bring you down emotionally. Avoid getting into political
discussions or any that cause you anxiety.

“Call Your Mama!”

In one news report, the Surgeon General was discussing why older people were more susceptible to the coronavirus. He also addressed the loneliness that especially occurs if they’re living alone or unable to drive, be active physically, or get out of the house. Now they can’t even visit with their grandchildren and friends.

He closed his talk with “Call your mama!”

I would say my daughter and I have talked more since the pandemic started than we did before. It wasn’t like we didn’t talk a lot, we just talk more now—not texting or on Facebook, but on the phone. Hearing each other’s voice, laughs, and sometimes tears!

The story of the Rosetans may help to understand the importance of family relations and social surroundings for the risk of heart disease and other physical and mental illnesses.

In 1964 a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined a population of recent Italian immigrants in Roseto, a small town in the state of Pennsylvania. The study was instigated because the town doctor was completely baffled by the Rosetans’ near immunity to heart disease. He reported his observation and an extensive statistical population study funded by the American State and Federal governments was conducted.

The study compared health statistics of Rosetans to neighbouring towns and the initial results were astonishing. During the seven year period of study from 1955-1961:

No-one in Roseto under the age of 47 died of a heart attack; there was a complete absence of heart disease in men under the age of 55

The rate of heart attacks in men over 65 was half the national average

The death rates from all causes was 35% lower than anywhere else

The study confirmed the town doctor’s findings and went on to examine the factors that gave the Rosetans such improved health. It became known as the ‘The Roseto Effect’.

While living in the town to conduct the study however, the researchers observed several major differences as to how the Rosetans related to others in their community. They noticed a remarkably close-knit social pattern that was cohesive and mutually supportive with strong family and community ties, where the elderly in particular were not marginalized, but revered. Put simply, the Rosetans lived in brotherhood with one another.

The Roseto
effect is a term used to describe the phenomenon by which a
close-knit community experiences a reduced rate of heart disease.

So call your Mama, Dad, Grandparents, or extended family! Your life and their life could depend on it right now.

#AloneTogether!

The
Loneliness Epidemic

I’ve mentioned in previous blogs that God has been nudging me to write a book on loneliness. He planted the seed in my mind last fall as my latest book Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as A Woman of Faith was releasing. I kept putting God off. We spent six weeks after the release of this book in Southern California. Then we returned home to the holidays, and before we knew it, we were experiencing a pandemic where people are isolated! Alone! Lonely!

I said, “Lord, forgive me for not taking You
seriously when You put the theme of loneliness on my heart.” I had been asking
people to pray for me to start writing, but I often said I was afraid the Lord
would ask me to personally experience loneliness before I could write about it.

Well here we are. I’m in the high-risk category for
COVID-19. I’m isolated! I’m writing.

I know many of you are experiencing some type of
loneliness now or you have in the past.
Would you be willing to share your story
to help someone else? I need to hear from you!

When
have you experienced loneliness?How
are you dealing with staying home now?How
did it present itself to you?How
did you overcome it, or maybe you haven’t yet?How
did God help you through it or what helped you the most?

You don’t have to answer in the comments here if
that’s uncomfortable, but I would so appreciate receiving your
story. I’ve noticed more people want to share their stories these days to
help others and to help themselves heal.

Remember we’re all #Alonetogether!

I wanted to remind you that Everyday
Brave: Living Courageously As A Woman of Faith
is at a reduced price on my website for the month of April. I’ll sign and
personalize it for you. It might make a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift for
someone or for you. We’re certainly living in times requiring us to Get Our
Brave On.

#America Works Together Keeping the Faith!

You’ve probably listened intently, as I have, to the
daily Coronavirus Task Force briefings. In the beginning, we heard about the
astronomical number of ventilators, ICU beds, and protective equipment that
would be required when this virus hit America full force.

Scientists explained staggering graphs predicting horrific numbers of deaths. We became accustomed to hearing terms like “mitigation” “granular” “peaks” “flattening out the curve” “models.”

We were told, sometimes commanded, to practice “social distancing” “sheltering in place” quarantining, repeatedly washing our hands, not touching our faces, thoroughly sanitizing our homes. Don’t wear masks unless you’re sick morphed to everyone wear masks when you leave home. And don’t forget your disposable gloves.

We went from not gathering in groups of more than
50, than 30, than 10, and now only with those in your household.

The economy came to a complete halt as businesses closed their doors, workers laid off, schools, parks, restaurants, and beaches closed. Only what the local governments considered “essential” stayed open. Liquor stores are deemed essential but churches are “nonessential.” If a pastor thinks differently, he can be arrested or fined.

We followed “Presidential Guidelines for 15 Days” now extended to 30 days, as we anxiously await to hear what happens on May 1.

But alas the enormous number of ventilators thought to be required weren’t needed and we may now give our excess to other countries. Those contracting the disease and succumbing from it didn’t come close to the predicted dire statistics.

What Happened? We Kept the Faith!

The scientists explain the discrepancy in their predictions with what actually materialized was because they underestimated that the American people would follow the “mitigation” guidelines so closely. Grandparents would stop seeing their grandchildren. Everyone would stay 6 feet apart. Stop hugging. Stop shaking hands. Stop leaving home.

They also didn’t factor into their graphs and statistics, or even give credit to, the power of prayer.

Facts without faith are just numbers on a chart. With God, all things are possible. I wrote about this last month in my blog Family, Faith, and Science.

Yesterday, on Easter, we celebrated the fact that Jesus arose from the dead on the third day. Jesus was a real person who walked on this earth, was crucified on a cross, and was resurrected to walk on the earth again for 40 days before ascending to heaven to await those of us who believe in Him.

Facts substantiate our Christian faith.

Even though we couldn’t go to church, we could, and would, still pray from our homes for God to heal our land, comfort the sick, grieve with the grieving, give strength and protection to all the first-responders and hospital workers.

We plead with God to infuse our President with wisdom as he is forced to make decisions he could have never imagined would materialize on his watch.

As head of the task force, Vice President Pence, a devout Christian, often calls on the American people to pray and thanks them for their prayers “to heal our land.”

On Good Friday, our President addressed the American people from the Oval Office and thanked everyone praying for him and his family, “those prayers are felt” he said. Later that day at the press conference, as he discussed the importance of Easter which we would be celebrating from our homes, he publically said to the press and everyone watching, “I’m a Christian and Easter is important to me!”

#AmericaWorksTogether

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NLT

Yes, what the scientists and statisticians didn’t calculate into their models was the fortitude and predisposition of the American people to pray and love their neighbor more than themselves.

I think they were blown away with the ingenuity, compassion, creativity, and selflessness of the majority of people to pitch in and help each other during a crisis. Especially, caring for those we repeatedly hear are the most vulnerable. Every time someone says, “those most at risk,” I get a lump in my throat and fight back tears because I’m in that group.

I’ve been on the receiving end of kindness, generosity, and love. Here are just a few ways I’ve experienced someone loving their neighbor more than themselves during this pandemic.

1. Our daughter didn’t want us going into grocery
stores. She took our grocery lists and went shopping for us at two different
stores. Yes, she went to Trader Joe’s for me!!

2. We had been hibernating at home since the end of February and live over an hour away from shopping, so by the time things got serious, protective and sanitizing supplies weren’t available online. A dear friend gave me disinfecting wipes, which are truly like gold. Then the Holy Spirit woke her up at 6:00 am the next morning telling her she needed to protect me more and she gave us two masks and reusable gloves.

3. A Facebook friend saw my picture on FB using a bandanna as a face mask and messaged me that a woman at her church was making face masks. What was my address and she would send us two. They arrived yesterday!

4. A neighbor had extra berries from a local vendor
and called to see if we would like some.

5. Another friend and her husband picked up items for us at COSTCO when they went shopping. They took their pickup and also shopped for others in our rural community.

6. My birthday was last week and my hubby called the local restaurant a few days early to order takeout for a special meal. He asked if they could make my favorite entree, which wasn’t on their menu, and they said sorry not this time. But when the owner chef heard it was my birthday, his wife called to say he would order what he needed to make my request. I cried.

When hubby went to pick up our dinner, he saw other friends. They said they takeout once a week to support this restaurant.

7. We’re restricted from being around our
grandchildren, so my 11-year-old granddaughter made my favorite chocolate cake
and then the grandkids video messaged me to sing Happy Birthday and virtually
give me a piece of cake while they enjoyed eating it.

I feel like I’m always on the receiving end of kindness, but then I receive emails and messages from readers telling me that a blog or Facebook post I wrote encouraged them or helped reduce their anxiety.

Then I’m reminded that God gave each of us gifts and when we surrender those gifts back to Him, He can use them where they’re needed most.

The blog that has recently generated the greatest response is Five Powerful Prayers for Peace Amidst Pandemic Fear. Maybe it will bless you too.

I
know it would be encouraging to all of us, and especially me, if you shared what
you’re doing, or what someone has done for you, during this pandemic.

We’re truly better when #Americaworkstogetherkeepingthefaith!

36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40

Opening picture is at a Samaritan’s Purse Coronavirus Hospital.

Preparing Our Hearts for Easter

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, which ushers in Holy or Passion Week. Yet, the White House Coronavirus Task Force is warning us that this could be a grim and difficult week as we see a “peak” in Americans contracting and succumbing to Covid-19!

It was also a difficult and grim week for Jesus 2020 years ago when He would die a horrific death on a cross out of love for each of us.

But three days later, He arose! Hallelujah!

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God
sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world
through him. John
3:16-17 NLT

I
passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to
me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on
the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Cor. 15:3-4

A New Kind of Easter Celebration

Easter is going to be different this year, but I wonder if the meaning of Easter might be more real to us during the stay-at-home restrictions of this Covid-19 crisis. In the past, we might’ve been more concerned with what we were going to do after church rather than what we would do at church.

Typically, family’s discuss who is going to host
Easter brunch or dinner or is the family going to fight the crowds trying to
get a reservation to eat out. What do the kids want in their Easter baskets and
what’s everyone going to wear. Sunrise service or spend the morning hunting
Easter eggs and go to church later?

We attend a worship service hearing the traditional Easter message and then out the door on to the activities planned for the rest of the day. We felt spiritual and reverent while we were in church, but now let the fun begin!

Believe me I enjoy having fellowship and fun with
our family and I will greatly miss them this year, but I also think quarantined
at home, I’ll spend more of the day truly reflecting on the actual meaning and
significance of Easter.

President Trump has said he would’ve loved for the pandemic self-distancing to be over and churches filled on Easter Sunday. “What a beautiful thing that would be,” he said. It would for sure since it would’ve taken a miracle for that to happen.

But could it be that God has a bigger miracle in mind for us?! We’ve been forcibly removed from outside distractions and given the opportunity to renew and refresh our faith and commitment to the Lord—individually, as a family, as a church, and as a nation.

Church is a building, but the risen Savior lives in every believer’s heart every moment of every day no matter where we are—in church or in our homes.

Easter commemorates
the foundation of our Christian faith. The Gospel! The Good News! Without
Easter, there would be no hope.

Easter is the reason we can repent and ask forgiveness for our sins. The assurance of eternal life. People need to hear that message and know salvation is available to everyone. They don’t need to live in fear of the Coronavirus or of death, because for all who believe in Him, Jesus conquered death when He went to the Cross.

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,[a] this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.[b]
55 O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting? 1 Cor. 15:54-55 NLT

It’s our job as Christians to help others experience the love of Jesus for them. That could be the real miracle of this crisis.

Samaritan’s Purse has setup a temporary hospital in Italy and in New York’s Central Park to treat coronavirus patients. They openly say the volunteer doctors and nurses are there to save lives in the name of Jesus. The Mayor of New York City and others were skeptical and critical that not everyone would receive equal treatment! They needed to hear and understand that Jesus loved us enough to go to the cross while we were still sinners. Their concern underscores the misconception the world has of Jesus and believers.

As
the Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians, we need to share with the world:

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.—1 Corinthians 15:1-4

9 But if we confess our
sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are
calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:9-10 NLT

Jesus
lives within the heart of every Christian and He wants us to live as if we
believe it, no matter what the circumstances!

So don’t let anyone tell you that Easter is cancelled this year. Easter, the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to offer every sinner forgiveness and eternal life, is NOT cancelled. Jesus cancelled our debt but no one can cancel Him. He is the same today, tomorrow, and yesterday.

What
is happening in our world doesn’t affect Jesus. He only cares about what is
happening in our heart!

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in
you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.—Ezekiel 36:26

What
should we do this Holy Week to prepare our hearts for an Easter celebration
like none we’ve ever had before?!

1.
Fill your mind with words from the Lord and not from the media.

Let’s take a break from the media that wants to scare and alarm us and focus our minds on the reason our Lord and Savior went to the cross—to offer us eternal life regardless of what happens in this life. No one wants to die, but if Jesus is in our heart, we have the assurance that we will be alive with Jesus for eternity. That should calm our hearts.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but
be transformed by the renewing
of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his
good, pleasing and perfect will.—Romans 12:2

I heard Pastor Greg Laurie say in his Palm Sunday message, “There are five gospels . . . you’re the 5th! You are the temple of God.” Read the four Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. Get to know Jesus up close and personal. Walk with Him in His shoes; listen to His words and stories.

What
was He trying to get people to understand? What
does He want you to understand? Look
for His personal message to you in your generation. What
would He be doing during this pandemic? What
does He want you to do during this crisis?

If you were giving the sermon this Easter, what
would you include?

2.
Tell people what Jesus means to you. Why you love Him. That even while you were
a sinner, He still loved you enough to die for you!

Our church has a Cowboy Breakfast for the community on Easter Sunday, which we’ll all sorely miss this year. It was my privilege to share the gospel message one year, with my granddaughter reciting John 3:16. Other years, members of our church shared their testimony with their friends and neighbors who attend the breakfast. My husband also shared his testimony.

When
is the last time you told someone your testimony of surrendering your life to
Christ? It’s hands down the most important and meaningful
day in your life. Yes, it’s greater than the day you married, gave birth,
bought your dream house, or signed that important contract. Your rebirth in
Christ should top them all!

And yet, we eagerly tell the story of these less
significant events in our life, but often are reticent to tell the story of
Jesus coming into our life.

We know He is with us every day, but do we give Him
the credit and the glory for the things we know He has done and is doing in our
life?

This
week ask yourself why you don’t talk more about Jesus!

Then
share your story with someone! Reflect back on the day the death and
resurrection of Jesus really meant
something to you. Tell people why it still does.

There
is no greater witness to God’s goodness than sharing what he has done in your
life. No one can question your testimony because it’s your personal experience.

Your story becomes your testimony when the focus is on God, not on you.

Your
testimony simply shares your life before Jesus. How he changed your heart and spiritually,
maybe literally, saved your life.

God has given you
a story to share, so seize every opportunity to tell it.

Sometimes God
redeems your testimony by surrounding you with people who need to hear your
past so it doesn’t become their future.

Who needs to
hear this Easter what Christ has done for you and could do for them?

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.—Titus 3:3-7

And this is the
testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does
not have the Son of God does not have life.—1 John 5:11-12

“Let’s use this time to
reflect on our own relationship to God. And Pray. Pray for the medical workers,
they’re really warriors. Pray for the families who have lost loved ones and ask
God to comfort them in their grief.” President Donald J Trump

“Pray for God to
protect us and release us from this plague. Pray for the patients. There is sin
in the world. Ask for God’s forgiveness not to condemn but to save a fallen
world.” Franklin Graham

I look forward to
hearing how this Easter was your best Easter ever!

You might also enjoy an
article I wrote for Crosswalk, 5
Refreshing Ways to Welcome Renewal Beyond Easter.

Have a blessed Easter
the way the Lord leads you to celebrate this glorious day!

Conquering the Unseen Enemy

I think President Trump was the first to start calling the Coronavirus “the unseen enemy” and now many have coined the term.

We can’t see this enemy, yet it could attack us or
we could unknowingly pass it onto others. This enemy is treacherous and its
sole intent is to do harm and leave carnage in its path.

When I heard “unseen enemy” used to describe coronavirus, I immediately thought what a perfect analogy to the unseen enemy Satan!

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his
mighty power. 11 Put
on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all
strategies of the devil. 12 For
we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but
against evil rulers and authorities of
the unseen
world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in
the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT

Like COVID-19, Satan also creates chaos, carnage, death, heartache, despair, the list is endless, and yet our world and culture considers much of Satan’s evil as normal.

Physical illness brings the world to a
standstill, while worldly spiritual illness is acceptable, tolerated, even
encouraged.

As
Christians, you’ve heard many times that we’re in a spiritual battle for our
very souls, but did you ever take it as seriously as you now take the
coronavirus?

We take desperate measures to ensure our loved
ones or friends don’t get sick. But do we feel the same sense of concern and
urgency when their soul is sick? Lost for eternity?

I read an article by Giancarlo Sopo in The Blaze titled, “New York Times op-ed blames Evangelical Christians for paving the road to ‘coronavirus hell.’” What Katherine Stewart, author of the op-ed that Sopo is refering to, The Religious Right’s Hostility to Science Is Crippling Our Coronavirus Response, doesn’t realize, or obviously believe, is that when you don’t believe in Jesus as your Savior, you’re paving the way to eternal hell.

The author went on to
claim, what many unbelievers think—that Christians have a “denial of science
and critical thinking.”

We’re the ones who believe that X and Y
chromosomes determine your gender—boy or girl. That’s science.A heartbeat signifies life—even in a mother’s
womb. That’s science.

As for critical thinking—

We believe the unseen enemy Coronavirus is real.We believe the unseen enemy Satan is real.We believe heaven and hell are real.We believe the unseen Savior Jesus is alive in
every believer’s heart.We believe there are two choices in life—to follow
Satan the destroyer or Jesus the Savior of the world!



How Do We Fight the War Against the Unseen Enemy?

The enemy Coronavirus—We
physically protect ourselves daily by
following the guidelines from the government and doctors. Stay home, wash our
hands, don’t touch our face.

The enemy Satan—We spiritually protect ourselves daily by following the guidelines from God. Put on the Armor of God.

My husband, Dave, and I have prayed Ephesians 6:10-18, the Armor of God, nearly every morning of our 27 years of marriage. I often say that I might not be alive today if we didn’t. I take it that seriously; I hope you will too.

We share this spiritual discipline of praying the Armor of God with everyone we know. I’ve mentioned it in previous blogs and in many of my books. But I always wonder how many actually understand that these are our marching orders as Christians in the ongoing spiritual battle we’re in everyday! Sometimes, like now, the battle is more visible universally. Other times, we experience it individually, but it’s always there. Satan will never tire or give up until the final battle.

God always has a plan for His people, but
His people don’t always follow His plan.

I
opened this blog with Ephesians
6:10-12. The remainder of this passage instructs us in how to protect
against the spiritual unseen enemy.

13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Amen Ephesians 6:13-18 NLT

Notice the call to pray, stand firm in your faith, and take up the “sword of the Spirit,” your Bible, the only offensive weapon.

If we’re not in our Bibles, we’re leaving ourselves wide open to attack from the enemy Satan. It has been said that if we don’t read our Bibles a minimum of four times a week, we don’t act much different than the world! Now this unseen enemy, COVID-19, has given us time to take up our sword and fight the unseen enemy of our souls.

Download a copy of Dr. Charles Stanley’s “Preparing for War” Armor of God prayer that my husband and I personalize and pray each morning.

Dear ones, the battle rages on but praise God we know Who wins the war.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

 But you belong to
God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people,
because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the
world. 1 John 4:4 NLT

Special Announcement

I receive many messages
and emails from women telling me that Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As A
Woman of Faith is helping them stay strong during these unprecedented times.
So I’m having an Easter Be Brave special of this book for $10.00 on my website through
the month of April. I’ll personalize and sign each book for you.

13 Be on
your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13