Corona Devotionals

God is holy.  And He has a plan and purpose in everything He does.   From the creation of the world--He had a plan and a purpose for each thing, and it was good.  Here's just one example--   And God said,  “Let there be light,” and there was light.   4  God saw that the light was good... ~Genesis 1:3-4 God's holiness and His plans still resonate in each new day that we experience.  The embarrassing truth (for me), is that in my day to day, I have forgotten (brushed over/pushed past) His holiness. Sure, I love the Lord.  I think of God here and there, and I pray, and I read His word, but if I am honest, the reality of His holiness and His plan for me, for you, for Corona, for tomorrow --has been muted.   It's like getting a new bike (when you are young) or a new car--when you first receive it, you can't get over it.  But as time passes, the newness wears off, and so does your appreciation of it.   ...

Well, we've been under Corona lock-down for a while now.  The rose-colored glasses are coming off (if you ever even had a pair on during this Corona season), and we are feeling and living with the full reality of who we are.  Who our kids/spouses  are.  Who our neighbors  are.  And...I have to come back to it, because Jesus keeps making me  come back to it: Who we are . Apparently, there will be no escaping ourselves or the people surrounding us for quite a while longer, so the press says.  So, I believe the Lord is waiting patiently for us to make some spiritual/internal changes in relation to how we deal with our relations around us. It's hard. Why? Because for some reason, my people (those that live with me, or live around me, or those I love and know) often see life differently than me!  They have their own opinions and (gasp!) they often favor their own opinions and ways over mine. This means that compromise (in thought and deed...

On Sunday morning a streak of blue caught my eye as I glanced out our back window.  A blue jay had swooped up to the crook of a tree and deposited a long, thin branch to his blue-feathered mate, and then he took flight once again.   She hopped and maneuvered with the long stick, working with it and figuring its' place in the nest that the two were building.    I was entranced to realize that these two birds, this couple, proceeded to work together ALL DAY, until the sun set that evening.  For over 8 hours these birds labored together, building their nest.   May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; e stablish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.  ~Psalm 90:17 I was so impressed with their work ethic, and it reminded me (and encouraged me) during these days and weeks of Corona sameness, to keep working .  Even if our job locations (or classes) have shifted from office to home, or, if our "job" ...

When in Rome, do as the Romans do... You've heard that saying.   I had the "relaxing" realization the other day that since our "Rome" (cities/schedules/situations) has changed and drastically been reduced in activity, I need to accept it and start living in accord with it. I have a piece of me that keeps lamenting the "old" schedule, Pre-Corona, and the public appearances/activities/people of that schedule.  And that same piece of me hungrily looks out into the coming weeks and months and salivates at jumping back into all of it. But, let's face it, we don't know when re-acclimation will occur, so why am I wasting my here-and-now?  That's not (ever) what God wants.  He always has a plan for us, in every season and transition of our lives.  Even if I don't want to willingly accept the current (isolated) reality, it seems foolish to deny it, or buck it because, well--it's here. ...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: ...

If I am not careful, I'm falling into a Corona complacency.  Getting used to the slow-motion days and getting lazy in my pursuit of Christ during them.  He is as real and present during the Corona quarantine as He has ever been (and will be!) but I (we!) have to stay focused and vigilant in seeking Him (time with Him, lessons from Him) and serving Him. Like an athlete that misses practices and begins to get out of shape and feels his muscles flabbing, we can fall out of spiritual shape if we are not serious about staying in God's word.  But mercifully and not judgmentally, the Lord calls us back to Himself. “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”  13 Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.  ~Joel 2:12-13 I truly love the discipline of God's word a...

Quarantining. Separating. Sanitizing. Cleaning. Purifying.  These words have reshaped our lives in the past weeks because of the Coronavirus.  We have spent time and energy and money stocking up on sanitizers, disinfecting wipes, gloves and masks--to keep our skin and breathable air "clean".   We have taken great efforts to stay separate from others.  Businesses, schools, churches and sporting events are no longer functioning in group (physical) environments, but instead are now existing through remote efforts of screen time and streaming over devices. Whether by germs on shopping carts or standing too close to someone: we do not want to become contaminated by the Coronavirus. Quarantining, Separating, Sanitizing, Cleaning, Purifying:  Living wisely right now during Covid 19  is important. But as we become preoccupied with putting on masks and covering over our hands and faces, God's word urges us to also cover our eyes-to protect against...

I got pushed yesterday.  By Jesus. I had been thinking , and praying , and hurting  for a friend who was in need, but then the Lord told me to get off my duff and do  something.   Of course I didn't hear Him say this outloud , but He spoke to me loud and clear through my Bible reading, and I knew it was a call to action.   14  What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save them?   15  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.   16  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?   17  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  ~James 2:14-17 I had wanted  to do something for my friend and her family, but what?  And how (during Corona quarantine), and (again) what?   But when I...