Lately, pastors tell me, “I’m tired!” “I am working harder now than I ever did before.” “I’ll be glad when we can get church back to normal.” But even as I have heard pastors say these things, I have also been encouraged by and proud of the pastors that I am acquainted with, as they have sought and tried to connect to their congregations in compelling and significant ways. Let me pose this for you to consider, “Maybe, God doesn’t want us to go back to normal.” Maybe we had this pause to do things that aren’t normal to show us what God may be wanting us to continue or learn from for our “next normal” as we come out of this coronavirus trial. To this end I am reminded of Jesus after his resurr
My neighbors have always been able to talk with one another. We met together in our Neighborhood Watch Program for about 2 years. Early last summer we hosted a neighborhood picnic with around 30 people in attendance. Soon after, we cease meeting because of lack of attendance. We have been mostly out of touch since. So, this past week I made it a point to connect with the families around me. One neighbor was experiencing a “new normal.” The company this individual works for was recently purchased and this new company immediately laid off 70% of the workforce. This neighbor is doing 12 jobs which have been rolled in one and is thankful. Another neighbor has been without a job for 1 1/2 years,
John 20:24-29 Do you have to see something to believe it? If you see a person walking across the street, do you believe it is happening? Do you have to be an eye witness, or are you able to believe a person who was an eye witness? Courts usually believe the eye witnesses. The Bible Gospel accounts are “eye witness” reports. If you saw something that seemed impossible, would you believe? Or would you think that your vision was playing a trick on you, even though you believe you saw it? If someone else told you they saw it also, would that help? In John 20:25 Thomas had been told by the other disciples that Jesus was alive because he had come to them and had shown himself to them. Thoma
On this Maundy Thursday, Luke 22:39-46 sheds light on how to cope with things as they change in drastic ways these days. 39 – Jesus’ custom was to have regular and consistent prayer. The scriptures tell us also that He consistently practiced nightly prayer in places of solitude to be with His Father. The Mount of Olives was one of favorite spots. 40 – It is interesting that Jesus tells His disciples, “Pray that you do not enter into temptation.” What temptation? Maybe, Jesus was saying, “Things are changing.” “How are you going to face this change?” “Don’t compromise your faith in the process.” 41-42 – Jesus was honest with His Father. The weakness of His humanness now shows forth. “Ca
Corona Virus Response Message To Pastors During This Time of Isolation Be Encouraged, Pastor! As you live in this ever-changing new situation, Be Encouraged! As you are navigating these new waters of uncertainty, you have been challenged as to how to be the shepherd to your “flock,” as well as, how are you going to make it, yourself. This is not a time for business as usual. I would like to encourage you, pastor, to use this time God has given you productively in four ways. 1. Stay focused on Jesus – What is happening is not outside of God’s view. God is walking it with you, so you can be calm in this world of panic and uncertainty. Now you can demonstrate this calm to others. Remember – J
