Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Jesus and Covid-19 Conversations
Social distancing. No groups larger than 10. Church online. Or in very small family groups.
If you believe the mission of the church is to make disciples, how do you do that in a time like this?
I am convinced this is a great time to move people toward faith in Jesus. It is a great time to grow faith in believers.
Because everyone is watching and listening. Many on-line sermons are being listened to by three times as many people as you have in your congregations.
Even casual conversations across the yard and the street are often heard by other neighbors.
Standing 6 feet apart and having a conversation means lots of other people hear what you say.
Lots of time to read Facebook posts. So more people than usual see what you post.
And you know what everyone is talking about... Covid-19. What are you doing? What do you think? What is going to happen?
And here is what I think. People smell fear. And people smell faith.
So here are a couple of quick ideas for you conversations.
With any conversation about the future I admit I know nothing about how this will play out or what the future will look like. But I tell everyone I am certain who controls the future. And it will be OK. I even sometimes talk about the God who has delivered our family from cancer, Kawasaki, and diseases we never did have identified. I talk about the God who provided financially when we did not know where the money would come from the next month, occasionally week, and sometimes even day. Car wrecks walked away from. And I tell them that is the same God who is watching over us today.
And I tell the Daniel story of the fiery furnace. God is able to deliver us. But even if he does not, I will serve no other God. Ever. Because I sometimes tell of the times when people I love were not delivered the way I asked. But they were delivered home. No other gods.
I tell stories of what church is doing. Real church. You know, Christians. Not denominations. Or congregations. Or programs. But what my brothers and sisters are doing. Food left on porches. Prayers prayed out loud from the front yard (OK -- that was me, but still). Communion supplies delivered. Meals delivered.
But always be honest. I don't act like Christians are not nervous. Even scared. But I tell people we are choosing faith. Even in the face of death or illness, we know our future. Sure we worry. So I quote Philippians 4:6. Joshua 1:9.
And I still ask if anyone wants to talk about Jesus. And if they say yes, we do.
But in small groups. One on one. By Facetime. Or Marco Polo. Or Zoom.
But what if the one on one is someone sick and doesn't know it yet? Well, faith over fear. This world is not my world.
But I also believe in faith over foolishness. Courageous for the gospel. Not stupid.
So have those conversations where everyone is listening. Post an invitation to talk about Jesus. Help a neighbor in the name of Jesus.
More real work of the church may be going on now that has in a long time.
Pretty exciting.
Go God.
If you believe the mission of the church is to make disciples, how do you do that in a time like this?
I am convinced this is a great time to move people toward faith in Jesus. It is a great time to grow faith in believers.
Because everyone is watching and listening. Many on-line sermons are being listened to by three times as many people as you have in your congregations.
Even casual conversations across the yard and the street are often heard by other neighbors.
Standing 6 feet apart and having a conversation means lots of other people hear what you say.
Lots of time to read Facebook posts. So more people than usual see what you post.
And you know what everyone is talking about... Covid-19. What are you doing? What do you think? What is going to happen?
And here is what I think. People smell fear. And people smell faith.
So here are a couple of quick ideas for you conversations.
With any conversation about the future I admit I know nothing about how this will play out or what the future will look like. But I tell everyone I am certain who controls the future. And it will be OK. I even sometimes talk about the God who has delivered our family from cancer, Kawasaki, and diseases we never did have identified. I talk about the God who provided financially when we did not know where the money would come from the next month, occasionally week, and sometimes even day. Car wrecks walked away from. And I tell them that is the same God who is watching over us today.
And I tell the Daniel story of the fiery furnace. God is able to deliver us. But even if he does not, I will serve no other God. Ever. Because I sometimes tell of the times when people I love were not delivered the way I asked. But they were delivered home. No other gods.
I tell stories of what church is doing. Real church. You know, Christians. Not denominations. Or congregations. Or programs. But what my brothers and sisters are doing. Food left on porches. Prayers prayed out loud from the front yard (OK -- that was me, but still). Communion supplies delivered. Meals delivered.
But always be honest. I don't act like Christians are not nervous. Even scared. But I tell people we are choosing faith. Even in the face of death or illness, we know our future. Sure we worry. So I quote Philippians 4:6. Joshua 1:9.
And I still ask if anyone wants to talk about Jesus. And if they say yes, we do.
But in small groups. One on one. By Facetime. Or Marco Polo. Or Zoom.
But what if the one on one is someone sick and doesn't know it yet? Well, faith over fear. This world is not my world.
But I also believe in faith over foolishness. Courageous for the gospel. Not stupid.
So have those conversations where everyone is listening. Post an invitation to talk about Jesus. Help a neighbor in the name of Jesus.
More real work of the church may be going on now that has in a long time.
Pretty exciting.
Go God.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
A Chance to Do Radical Church in a Different Way
I want to say that I appreciate all the effort so many preachers and full-time staff are putting into doing online church. But it really is awkward. And the smaller the church and resource pool, the more difficult it is. And I know many tune in to larger churches on-line services.
And I love the whole "church not the building, we are the church" idea. though I suspect your preacher expects you all back at the building when this is over.
But here is a chance to do church in different way. A more radical way. Skip the on-line church and do family church. I don't care if it is just 2 of you. Better if you have kids. Great if they are teens.
Pick the songs and sing them yourselves. You don't even have to do parts. Or play an instrument. Pick songs and give it a shot.
Detail your prayer time. Everyone can talk about who and what they want to pray about. And why.
Communion. Everyone can talk about what Jesus means to them. Why he is important. You can even take it as part of your family meal.
Bible. If no one wants to give an exhortation, just read. Philippians 4. Or Sermon on the Mount. Get in the text.
Dads especially, this is a great time to lead your family.
Everyone can participate. Our family church has everyone d either a song, prayer, Scripture, or thought. Best church service I ever go to.
Talk about how to live your faith the next week. Marsha and I call old/needy/lonely/compromised people every Sunday. Pray, ask what they need, tell them they are loved, let them know when we will deliver their requests. So far the most popular items are toilet paper, paper towels, Rxs, and dog food.
Write cards to people you love. Facetime. Marco Polo. My grands are teaching me that last one.
Church will be more real, more authentic, and result in more real connection.
Active church. Not just watch church. And you may realize you have been watching church for a long time.
Or do on-line church. Some of those are pretty good too.
But maybe try something different. It may be the wave of the future.
Family church. House church. Neighborhood church.
Maybe church really will leave the building.
And I love the whole "church not the building, we are the church" idea. though I suspect your preacher expects you all back at the building when this is over.
But here is a chance to do church in different way. A more radical way. Skip the on-line church and do family church. I don't care if it is just 2 of you. Better if you have kids. Great if they are teens.
Pick the songs and sing them yourselves. You don't even have to do parts. Or play an instrument. Pick songs and give it a shot.
Detail your prayer time. Everyone can talk about who and what they want to pray about. And why.
Communion. Everyone can talk about what Jesus means to them. Why he is important. You can even take it as part of your family meal.
Bible. If no one wants to give an exhortation, just read. Philippians 4. Or Sermon on the Mount. Get in the text.
Dads especially, this is a great time to lead your family.
Everyone can participate. Our family church has everyone d either a song, prayer, Scripture, or thought. Best church service I ever go to.
Talk about how to live your faith the next week. Marsha and I call old/needy/lonely/compromised people every Sunday. Pray, ask what they need, tell them they are loved, let them know when we will deliver their requests. So far the most popular items are toilet paper, paper towels, Rxs, and dog food.
Write cards to people you love. Facetime. Marco Polo. My grands are teaching me that last one.
Church will be more real, more authentic, and result in more real connection.
Active church. Not just watch church. And you may realize you have been watching church for a long time.
Or do on-line church. Some of those are pretty good too.
But maybe try something different. It may be the wave of the future.
Family church. House church. Neighborhood church.
Maybe church really will leave the building.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Visiting a lot of churches during the pandemic
One of the great blessings of this pandemic is that many churches are doing online worship and uploading content.
I know that many have been doing that all along and I do not think this is the new normal for worship. But for now it is pretty cool to listen to many other preachers doing their thing.
Just over the past few days I have listened to Tommy LeFan, Bill Hooten, Rick Atchley, Chris McCurley, Jason Noble, Troy LaRue, Matthew Dowling, and Batsell Barrett Baxter. Over the next weekend I'll catch another five or six.
Not suggesting that you do not do online worship with your community of faith, but I am saying this is a good opportunity to visit and hear some solid preaching.
In your sweats and/or pajamas.
But I still don't think coffee and Apple Fritters count for communion.
Working on an idea or two for this weekend myself.
So take advantage of a unique opportunity to hear some other preachers. Listen to different praise music. Bake some communion bread.
Keep your focus.
I know that many have been doing that all along and I do not think this is the new normal for worship. But for now it is pretty cool to listen to many other preachers doing their thing.
Just over the past few days I have listened to Tommy LeFan, Bill Hooten, Rick Atchley, Chris McCurley, Jason Noble, Troy LaRue, Matthew Dowling, and Batsell Barrett Baxter. Over the next weekend I'll catch another five or six.
Not suggesting that you do not do online worship with your community of faith, but I am saying this is a good opportunity to visit and hear some solid preaching.
In your sweats and/or pajamas.
But I still don't think coffee and Apple Fritters count for communion.
Working on an idea or two for this weekend myself.
So take advantage of a unique opportunity to hear some other preachers. Listen to different praise music. Bake some communion bread.
Keep your focus.
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Faith, Fear, Death, and Dying
It is the subject no one really wants to talk about. Christians know what we should say, but...
The truth is that most people are afraid of dying. And to understand why we Christians keep using phrases like faith over fear then you have to understand what we believe about death and dying.
This pandemic is frightening. Chances are you know someone that has it. It may well be that someone you know will die from it. And it might be you.
Faith over fear is not to try and convince yourself that God and Jesus will protect you from getting sick. I absolutely believe Jesus will protect me. Protect me from the evil one. But I do not define protection. God knows way better than me what I need. How I need to be protected. And from what.
I do pray that God protects me from getting sick. And my loved ones. But faith means trusting God to know what is best. He has the power to prevent me from getting sick. But He may not. He knows best.
But here is the secret to believing that God knows best. No matter what happens, I will be fine in the end. Better than fine.
Not even death can defeat us. The final enemy has been defeated.
It is the core conviction of Christianity that God raised Jesus from the dead. Our baptism unites us with Jesus in his death and assures us that we will united with him in resurrection. Read Romans 6.
It is scary now. Will my Mom get sick? She is 89 and in a retirement center. Will I get to see her again? My daughter goes to work in a hospital? Will she get it? I am in the vulnerable group because of my age. What if I get sick?
But faith over fear. Because the worst that can happen is that I die. Or that my loved ones die. And if we do ... we live forever. We are going to be raised from the dead to live in the presence of God forever.
Nervous? Anxious? Even scared? Sometimes.
Choosing faith over that fear because not even death can defeat us. This world is not my home. My kingdom is not of this world.
So I am trying to live courageously. Serving others. Reasonable precautions. But talking, serving, and leading others to Jesus. And talking about dying.
And if I this evil overtakes me, the joke is on Satan.
I still win.
I live forever.
It is times like these when we Christians have to live our faith. Not just talk it.
Faith over fear.
Forever.
The truth is that most people are afraid of dying. And to understand why we Christians keep using phrases like faith over fear then you have to understand what we believe about death and dying.
This pandemic is frightening. Chances are you know someone that has it. It may well be that someone you know will die from it. And it might be you.
Faith over fear is not to try and convince yourself that God and Jesus will protect you from getting sick. I absolutely believe Jesus will protect me. Protect me from the evil one. But I do not define protection. God knows way better than me what I need. How I need to be protected. And from what.
I do pray that God protects me from getting sick. And my loved ones. But faith means trusting God to know what is best. He has the power to prevent me from getting sick. But He may not. He knows best.
But here is the secret to believing that God knows best. No matter what happens, I will be fine in the end. Better than fine.
Not even death can defeat us. The final enemy has been defeated.
It is the core conviction of Christianity that God raised Jesus from the dead. Our baptism unites us with Jesus in his death and assures us that we will united with him in resurrection. Read Romans 6.
It is scary now. Will my Mom get sick? She is 89 and in a retirement center. Will I get to see her again? My daughter goes to work in a hospital? Will she get it? I am in the vulnerable group because of my age. What if I get sick?
But faith over fear. Because the worst that can happen is that I die. Or that my loved ones die. And if we do ... we live forever. We are going to be raised from the dead to live in the presence of God forever.
Nervous? Anxious? Even scared? Sometimes.
Choosing faith over that fear because not even death can defeat us. This world is not my home. My kingdom is not of this world.
So I am trying to live courageously. Serving others. Reasonable precautions. But talking, serving, and leading others to Jesus. And talking about dying.
And if I this evil overtakes me, the joke is on Satan.
I still win.
I live forever.
It is times like these when we Christians have to live our faith. Not just talk it.
Faith over fear.
Forever.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
My five special prayers during this crisis
I always want to be someone that prays. I want to thank God, praise God, ask God. I don't want to be a believer that only prays in crisis. But there are five groups of people I am praying especially hard for right now. Generically yes. But also people in these groups that I know and pray for by name.
So here are the five special prayers I am praying during this crisis.
Prayer for front line responders. I have great admiration for Doctors during this time. Nurses. Lab techs. Maintenance staff at hospitals. They are putting themselves at risk to heal and take care of us. Many of the ones I know are believers. They pray over their patients. They worry about getting sick, they worry about their families, they know more than most of us what they face. And they show up. Every day. Heroes. And yes I pray extra hard for my family of nurses. We have a lot of them in our family. I am in awe of them. And I admire the police, fire fighters, and those called in to emergency situations where the danger is real. Not just like it always is... but with the threat of this virus.
I pray for those in need. This is hard on the elderly in retirement centers and nursing homes. Most of them are quarantined. It is lonely and frustrating. This is hard for those on the margins of our society. When you can barely make ends meet, societal disruption is scary. Small business owners. When nobody wants to get out, how do you stay in business? What about your employees? Doing what is best for your community may not be best for your finances.
I pray for the spiritual first responders. Elders, preachers, parents, spiritual leaders. These are hard times. And I don't mean deciding what to do about worship services. Or how to stream online resources. I mean those who are trying to shepherd their flock. They wrestle with their own fears and doubts. And they have to show the way for their flock that watches them. Faith over fear is easy to say. Harder to model. And the questions. Why? Why me? What does the future hold? Real talks about the possibility of death. And many of your flock and family have needs. Not just errands and money. But sometimes they need physical help. Who goes in to help? And of course, marriages still explode, sin addictions seem to ramp up. Spiritual leadership needed. And some of you will show up. Because that is what you do. And it is scary. And hard. And some of you will get sick. I pray for those that choose to lead and serve in real -- and dangerous -- ways.
I pray for all my Christian brothers and sisters. Our world is watching. Do we really live our faith? Do we really believe what we say in the good times? I don't mind our world seeing our fear and our doubt. As long as they see that our love for and our neighbors still compels us. As long as they see that our faith overcomes our worry. I pray for my Christian family that is struggling with their faith. And for those that are/will be in crisis over this pandemic. That faith will triumph. Even over death.
And finally, I pray for the non-believers in this world. I am praying this pandemic opens the door to hundreds of conversations about who Jesus is and what it means to be his follower. Already I am hearing of baptisms and conversations about Jesus.
So those are the people I pray for. In groups and by name.
Because I believe God hears. And He will answer in what is absolutely the best way for His Kingdom.
I believe.
So here are the five special prayers I am praying during this crisis.
Prayer for front line responders. I have great admiration for Doctors during this time. Nurses. Lab techs. Maintenance staff at hospitals. They are putting themselves at risk to heal and take care of us. Many of the ones I know are believers. They pray over their patients. They worry about getting sick, they worry about their families, they know more than most of us what they face. And they show up. Every day. Heroes. And yes I pray extra hard for my family of nurses. We have a lot of them in our family. I am in awe of them. And I admire the police, fire fighters, and those called in to emergency situations where the danger is real. Not just like it always is... but with the threat of this virus.
I pray for those in need. This is hard on the elderly in retirement centers and nursing homes. Most of them are quarantined. It is lonely and frustrating. This is hard for those on the margins of our society. When you can barely make ends meet, societal disruption is scary. Small business owners. When nobody wants to get out, how do you stay in business? What about your employees? Doing what is best for your community may not be best for your finances.
I pray for the spiritual first responders. Elders, preachers, parents, spiritual leaders. These are hard times. And I don't mean deciding what to do about worship services. Or how to stream online resources. I mean those who are trying to shepherd their flock. They wrestle with their own fears and doubts. And they have to show the way for their flock that watches them. Faith over fear is easy to say. Harder to model. And the questions. Why? Why me? What does the future hold? Real talks about the possibility of death. And many of your flock and family have needs. Not just errands and money. But sometimes they need physical help. Who goes in to help? And of course, marriages still explode, sin addictions seem to ramp up. Spiritual leadership needed. And some of you will show up. Because that is what you do. And it is scary. And hard. And some of you will get sick. I pray for those that choose to lead and serve in real -- and dangerous -- ways.
I pray for all my Christian brothers and sisters. Our world is watching. Do we really live our faith? Do we really believe what we say in the good times? I don't mind our world seeing our fear and our doubt. As long as they see that our love for and our neighbors still compels us. As long as they see that our faith overcomes our worry. I pray for my Christian family that is struggling with their faith. And for those that are/will be in crisis over this pandemic. That faith will triumph. Even over death.
And finally, I pray for the non-believers in this world. I am praying this pandemic opens the door to hundreds of conversations about who Jesus is and what it means to be his follower. Already I am hearing of baptisms and conversations about Jesus.
So those are the people I pray for. In groups and by name.
Because I believe God hears. And He will answer in what is absolutely the best way for His Kingdom.
I believe.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
What Does Faith over Fear Really Mean
Faith over fear.
You hear this statement from Christians during times of crisis. So with everything going on with Corona virus, this is the time for Christians to make some decisions about how they live in this world.
Full disclosure: I have flown the last two weekends and I am flying this weekend. All church events. All talking about how to share your faith. Timely. Important.
Faith over fear does not mean carelessness. I do not think God expects us to be foolish. So I don't think normal precautions are to be ignored. I wash my hands, carry hand sanitizer, and Marsha has attached a packet of wet wipes to my pack. I don't lick handrails or drink after strangers.
Faith over fear does not mean we are not aware of risk. I am very aware that I am at a higher risk of exposure. I am old and I fly. And my Mom is 89 and lives in a Retirement Center. My girls are both nurses and one works in a hospital. As do several other relatives. Faith is not some simplistic hope that God is going to spare us all from any sickness. I do ask for his protection and do expect it.
But faith means that what ever happens, God is in control. He has commanded his people to not be afraid. And so we choose faith.
If I get sick, God is in control.
If I die, God is in control.
If my loved ones get sick, God is in control.
If my loved ones die, God is in control.
If we do not get sick, God is in control.
And even choosing faith does not mean that we are never afraid. For ourselves and others. Even of death.
It does mean that we choose to practice faith instead of give in to fear.
My wife Marsha is nervous about me flying. And is packing my suitcase as we speak. Faith over fear.
My daughter is a single Mom. Makes things more scary. She is working at her hospital today. Faith over fear.
If they start cancelling church services, we will have church in our living room and invite the whole neighborhood. Faith over fear.
So if I get sick and die... I go to heaven and wait for everyone else to join me.
Faith over fear.
Choose faith.
You hear this statement from Christians during times of crisis. So with everything going on with Corona virus, this is the time for Christians to make some decisions about how they live in this world.
Full disclosure: I have flown the last two weekends and I am flying this weekend. All church events. All talking about how to share your faith. Timely. Important.
Faith over fear does not mean carelessness. I do not think God expects us to be foolish. So I don't think normal precautions are to be ignored. I wash my hands, carry hand sanitizer, and Marsha has attached a packet of wet wipes to my pack. I don't lick handrails or drink after strangers.
Faith over fear does not mean we are not aware of risk. I am very aware that I am at a higher risk of exposure. I am old and I fly. And my Mom is 89 and lives in a Retirement Center. My girls are both nurses and one works in a hospital. As do several other relatives. Faith is not some simplistic hope that God is going to spare us all from any sickness. I do ask for his protection and do expect it.
But faith means that what ever happens, God is in control. He has commanded his people to not be afraid. And so we choose faith.
If I get sick, God is in control.
If I die, God is in control.
If my loved ones get sick, God is in control.
If my loved ones die, God is in control.
If we do not get sick, God is in control.
And even choosing faith does not mean that we are never afraid. For ourselves and others. Even of death.
It does mean that we choose to practice faith instead of give in to fear.
My wife Marsha is nervous about me flying. And is packing my suitcase as we speak. Faith over fear.
My daughter is a single Mom. Makes things more scary. She is working at her hospital today. Faith over fear.
If they start cancelling church services, we will have church in our living room and invite the whole neighborhood. Faith over fear.
So if I get sick and die... I go to heaven and wait for everyone else to join me.
Faith over fear.
Choose faith.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Thinking about Jesus between Christmas and Easter
For unto us a Savior is born. Great news. Much of the world is aware of this Christian conviction at Christmas. Many churches even do Advent, pageants, or at least preach about baby Jesus.
Easter is almost here. Again, much of the world will be aware of our conviction that Jesus rose from the dead. Resurrection Sunday. Churches will talk about the Resurrection, many people will make that their one Sunday to go to church. Flowers and Lent and processionals.
The two most celebrated days on the Christian calendar: Christmas and Easter.
So I have been thinking quite a bit about what happened between Christmas and Easter. Jesus was born and he was raised.
Two things. Jesus lived and Jesus died.
He grew up after Christmas. He is the model for how we believers want to live our lives. I see how he treated people. Gracious and open to those outside the Kingdom. Inviting them into life with him. Living in community with his followers. Hard on the religious people who were not following him.
I want to be like Jesus. I want to help those in our world that are hungry, or lonely, or sick. Those that are in pain. Those that feel pain and guilt and shame. Jesus went around healing people and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom.
That is what I want to do. I don't want church programs or budgets to make it easy for me. I want to be in my world making a difference with the people God puts in my orbit.
And Jesus grew up to die. Died to be resurrected.
Our world needs to know the resurrection message. But resurrection matters because he died.
Jesus came to die for our sins so we could live forever with the holy and perfect God.
I have no right to be in heaven forever. I am not good enough. Neither are you. We have done things we know we should not have done. We have all failed to do things we know we should have done.
But God loves us so much he sent Jesus to pay for our sins. He died so we could be faultless before the throne of God. Worthy to live with God forever. Not because of what we have done, but because of what He has done for us.
So I celebrate the birth of Jesus. The day of good news.
And I celebrate the resurrection. Because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead will raise me.
But I celebrate the life of Jesus. He didn't just tell me how live. He showed me.
And I celebrate his death. What great and amazing love that the Son of God would die for me.
So when you really think about life as a Christian... it really is a celebrate of life. Every day.
Forever.
Wednesday, March 04, 2020
Jesus, Coronavirus, Faith, and Fear
There is a lot of conversation going on about the Coronavirus. So I thought I would share a few thoughts to encourage my Christian friends and to share with my non -- or not yet -- Christian friends what I believe.
It is scary. People die from the Coronavirus. It is contagious. I would imagine at some point we will all know someone who either gets sick or has a connection to someone who gets the virus. Some of us may very well get this illness at some point. Dying is a possibility. And I fly. A lot. I already see a number of masks in the airports. Airplanes are incubators for contagious diseases. I get all of that.
Coronavirus is not the first, nor will it be the last, frightening epidemic. Ebola. Asia bird flu. Polio. Black Death. Aids. Or how about rabies. Or smallpox. Or ... well, you get the idea.
Those of you that know me know that I can be pretty oblivious. I just go thru life assuming I am not sick, it is not my heart, the plane will not crash, etc. But there is some basis for that approach.
As a believer, I refuse to give in to fear. Here is why.
Jesus tells me not to be afraid. The Bible is full of admonitions to not give in to fear. It is a scary world. It has been since Adam and Eve left the Garden. Sickness and evil are rampant in our world. Death is ever present. And Jesus consistently tells me not to be afraid.
What is the worst that happens? I get sick and die sooner than I thought. And go home to live with God forever. I am not flippant here. I really believe the certainty of heaven is central to not living this life in fear.
Fear will keep me from doing what God wants me to do. God did not save me to huddle in fear inside the four walls of my house. Or my church. We engage the world to share the good news of Jesus. Resurrection confidence defeats fear. I have, you have, people to see and talk to about Jesus.
My witness matters. If we Christians are so afraid of death that we are no different from the rest of this world, why would they want to hear our testimony about Jesus. Tho if we are just like everyone else, I am not sure there is much testimony to share.
Besides, I have already died. When I became a Christian, I died to myself. I deny myself. My baptism was a death and a new birth. So I really am a dead man walking.
This world is not my home. I love my life. I have a great family. Wonderful friends. Love talking about Jesus. But I really am not at home here.
But I am reasonable. Sort of. Wash hands. Don't take a bath in sewage. You know, reasonable precautions.
And I actually get that sometimes things are scary and we are afraid. Maybe that is why Jesus tells us so many times to not give in to fear but to trust him.
So if you get Coronavirus, I will pray for your healing. I will be at your anointing.
As you will do for me. But should I someday have to choose between my fear and my faith, I will choose faith every time. And should that someday result in what some would see as an untimely death, then know that I am happy and at peace. I lived life not of my terms, but on God's terms.
And I will see you in heaven if you too believe. We will have the last laugh over Coronavirus. It cannot defeat us. We will win in Jesus.
And if you are not yet a believer, or not sure about all of this. Contact me. Let's talk. I have some really good news to share.
It is scary. People die from the Coronavirus. It is contagious. I would imagine at some point we will all know someone who either gets sick or has a connection to someone who gets the virus. Some of us may very well get this illness at some point. Dying is a possibility. And I fly. A lot. I already see a number of masks in the airports. Airplanes are incubators for contagious diseases. I get all of that.
Coronavirus is not the first, nor will it be the last, frightening epidemic. Ebola. Asia bird flu. Polio. Black Death. Aids. Or how about rabies. Or smallpox. Or ... well, you get the idea.
Those of you that know me know that I can be pretty oblivious. I just go thru life assuming I am not sick, it is not my heart, the plane will not crash, etc. But there is some basis for that approach.
As a believer, I refuse to give in to fear. Here is why.
Jesus tells me not to be afraid. The Bible is full of admonitions to not give in to fear. It is a scary world. It has been since Adam and Eve left the Garden. Sickness and evil are rampant in our world. Death is ever present. And Jesus consistently tells me not to be afraid.
What is the worst that happens? I get sick and die sooner than I thought. And go home to live with God forever. I am not flippant here. I really believe the certainty of heaven is central to not living this life in fear.
Fear will keep me from doing what God wants me to do. God did not save me to huddle in fear inside the four walls of my house. Or my church. We engage the world to share the good news of Jesus. Resurrection confidence defeats fear. I have, you have, people to see and talk to about Jesus.
My witness matters. If we Christians are so afraid of death that we are no different from the rest of this world, why would they want to hear our testimony about Jesus. Tho if we are just like everyone else, I am not sure there is much testimony to share.
Besides, I have already died. When I became a Christian, I died to myself. I deny myself. My baptism was a death and a new birth. So I really am a dead man walking.
This world is not my home. I love my life. I have a great family. Wonderful friends. Love talking about Jesus. But I really am not at home here.
But I am reasonable. Sort of. Wash hands. Don't take a bath in sewage. You know, reasonable precautions.
And I actually get that sometimes things are scary and we are afraid. Maybe that is why Jesus tells us so many times to not give in to fear but to trust him.
So if you get Coronavirus, I will pray for your healing. I will be at your anointing.
As you will do for me. But should I someday have to choose between my fear and my faith, I will choose faith every time. And should that someday result in what some would see as an untimely death, then know that I am happy and at peace. I lived life not of my terms, but on God's terms.
And I will see you in heaven if you too believe. We will have the last laugh over Coronavirus. It cannot defeat us. We will win in Jesus.
And if you are not yet a believer, or not sure about all of this. Contact me. Let's talk. I have some really good news to share.
