Good Morning!
Daughter Heather spent a
few minutes helping the old man become a little more technologically adept
yesterday morning. I needed it because our
Bible Study at Helen First Baptist will be a virtual class. I went to my first ZOOM meeting yesterday and
was impressed with the option. What a
great tool not only for this current health crisis but for use for those of our
members who are homebound or away from class for other reasons. My hope is that the church will continue the
subscription after the crisis has passed.
My golf trip that was
scheduled for next week has been cancelled.
Too many of our golf group are in what would be considered higher
risks. While I am not the youngest, I am
among the youngest at age 70. My health
is good – praise God from Whom all blessings flow. I saw my cardiologist Friday and, with the
exception of my tonnage, he was quite happy with my heart health. Unfortunately, I have stopped going to the gym
for a few weeks until the virus issue passes.
One cannot be assured of the health of other folks … so I am being
diligent here. But, I will return after
the crisis passes.
I am impressed by today’s
verse of the day on Biblegateway …
May
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the
power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
In these days of a health crisis, it is
important for us to hope. We have been encouraged
to self-isolate … which is not much fun since most of us are gregarious. A number are “stuck” at home, entertaining
ourselves by watching TV. If we spend
our day watching the news channels, we might actually become paranoid … and
lose hope. Listen, God is still God … and
our hope is found in Him.
The health crisis presents each of us with
some great opportunities …
·
We can use our down time to contact
folks. A phone call or a short email or
text to a loved one will brighten the day for all. My mom is well known for sending notes to people
she loves. As a matter of fact, it was
her failing to do so that alerted us to a health need last summer. She wasn’t getting enough oxygen to her brain. The doctors put her on oxygen and she is back
to her note-writing best.
·
We can volunteer to help the less
fortunate. One of the facets of school
being suspended is the children who normally depend on breakfast and lunch aren’t
getting those critical meals. Some school
districts are attempting to meet this need by delivering the meals to the
kids. As you might imagine, the need for
people to help in delivery is critical. Meals can be delivered without contact.
·
We can continue some activities that
are critical for our neighbors. At Helen
First, one of our monthly ministries is providing foodstuffs to people in need
in White County. We are continuing that
program this Saturday … making some adjustments to limit personal contact. We
are anticipating a significant increase for this coming Saturday as the need in
our county will increase.
These are just a few of the activities you and
I can do during this time of self-isolation.
And the neat thing is that we can do these activities in the Name of
Jesus … taking just a few seconds to tell each person how much God loves them …
and offering an encouraging word.
The trials we face in life can have positive
results. Listen to James, the brother of
Christ, as he tells us …
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you
meet trials of various kinds, 3 for
you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may
be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:2-4
May God keep you safe during this crisis … and
may you have opportunity to declare His great goodness to all.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Prayer: Father, we place our trust in You. Teach us to
depend upon You in ALL things. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.
Scripture for today: Romans
15:13; James 1:2-4
No comments:
Post a Comment