We are continually seeking the latest information on the corona virus. How many new cases? Is it still spreading? What about where I live? What should I do? There are many questions we ask.
I have been asking myself , “what is the Christian response to the corona virus?”
Historically Christians have stayed to help when others fled. Check out Christians and the Black Plague and you May find some inspiring and sobering stories.
We followers of Jesus Christ have a compelling drive to love one another. Early Christians demonstrated love for fellow believers and non-believers alike. They captured the attention of their world.
What should we do in our current setting?
Seek out and take seriously the best information from the best sources. Seek wisdom to apply acquired knowledge.
Wash your hands. Stay home if you are ill. Use common sense. Nothing revolutionary here.
But there are a couple of things that challenge me.
Isolation. This is a strategy to slow and stop the spread of the virus. Isolate people if necessary but do not abandon people. What does love require?
Do not fear people. I have been intentional about enjoying Chinese food simply to be supportive.
I guess the bottom line for me is care for those in need. You will practice love in action as God leads.
In the meantime. Stay informed. Be diligent. Care.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Diligence. This is the word that comes to mind. Be diligent in caring for your health. The flu, colds, corona virus...
While we cannot will ourselves to not catch cold we can take steps to minimize risk and lessen the impact. This may simply mean wash your hands.
Stay informed, take things seriously, think of others, be open to new discoveries, be diligent.
Actually, that course of action could apply to many areas of life. What about your spiritual life?
Stay informed. Read the book. The Bible informs us on how to map our path.
Be serious. Life is precious and meant to be a joy. There is also eternity to consider. Take your relationship with Christ seriously.
Think of others. As a Christian you belong to God. Look for ways to put the interests and needs of others before yourself.
Open to new discoveries. We are on a road to perfect love. There are joys unimaginable along the way. Discover grace.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
While we cannot will ourselves to not catch cold we can take steps to minimize risk and lessen the impact. This may simply mean wash your hands.
Stay informed, take things seriously, think of others, be open to new discoveries, be diligent.
Actually, that course of action could apply to many areas of life. What about your spiritual life?
Stay informed. Read the book. The Bible informs us on how to map our path.
Be serious. Life is precious and meant to be a joy. There is also eternity to consider. Take your relationship with Christ seriously.
Think of others. As a Christian you belong to God. Look for ways to put the interests and needs of others before yourself.
Open to new discoveries. We are on a road to perfect love. There are joys unimaginable along the way. Discover grace.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Reflections From Sunday Evening
“Morph” - change smoothly from one image to another by small gradual steps.
This definition would continue by saying - “using computer animation techniques.”
I am using “ morph” in a different way. The church is morphing.
We have read and heard the news that mainline churches are on the decline while evangelical, non-denominational churches are growing and replacing the Methodists, Presbyterians, and others that have been around a long time.
Here is my observation. We (Methodists and the like) are not going to disappear. We are morphing into something new.
Small, gradual changes take place. Things look different. We may need to re-do our worship spaces - oh yes, we did that.
We sound different. We discover new ideas.
At the same time we preach the good news of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit moves among us. We re-discover the biblical narrative. And on and on we go.
We are not dying. We are morphing into a new expression of the faithful church.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
This definition would continue by saying - “using computer animation techniques.”
I am using “ morph” in a different way. The church is morphing.
We have read and heard the news that mainline churches are on the decline while evangelical, non-denominational churches are growing and replacing the Methodists, Presbyterians, and others that have been around a long time.
Here is my observation. We (Methodists and the like) are not going to disappear. We are morphing into something new.
Small, gradual changes take place. Things look different. We may need to re-do our worship spaces - oh yes, we did that.
We sound different. We discover new ideas.
At the same time we preach the good news of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit moves among us. We re-discover the biblical narrative. And on and on we go.
We are not dying. We are morphing into a new expression of the faithful church.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Reflections a From Sunday Evening
Today I stood in the back of the worship center while Britton baptized two young people. It is neat to be that close and able to hear their heartfelt “I do” to questions of faith.
Will you resist evil, injustice, and oppression?
As I watched these young ladies immersed in the waters of baptism...
I turned to Talya, who was standing beside me taking it in.
Talya is an extremely gifted vocalist. Walter Bryant worked with her at Worlds of Fun. He continues to be a great supporter.
Talya sings professionally. She performs on Broadway. She tours. When she gets back to KC she loves to sing in church. We love it when she shows up. Today was a day she blessed us with music.
Anyway...she and I were watching the baptism.
I told her I remembered her baptism. Talya professed her faith at our church and was baptized here.
She remembered.
One never gets far from where they said yes to Christ and experienced the grace of baptism.
Remember? Remember!
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
Will you resist evil, injustice, and oppression?
As I watched these young ladies immersed in the waters of baptism...
I turned to Talya, who was standing beside me taking it in.
Talya is an extremely gifted vocalist. Walter Bryant worked with her at Worlds of Fun. He continues to be a great supporter.
Talya sings professionally. She performs on Broadway. She tours. When she gets back to KC she loves to sing in church. We love it when she shows up. Today was a day she blessed us with music.
Anyway...she and I were watching the baptism.
I told her I remembered her baptism. Talya professed her faith at our church and was baptized here.
She remembered.
One never gets far from where they said yes to Christ and experienced the grace of baptism.
Remember? Remember!
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Competition.
We compete in many ways. Some of us are highly competitive. We want to win.
Last week we watched Uber competitive people play in the Super Bowl. ( That did go well!)
There are many other levels and types of competition.
Yesterday Cindy and I went to an indoor track meet at Northwest Missouri State. Our son, Bobby is a coach for Baker University and had some kids running, so we went to check it out.
These are not world class, Olympic type competitors. But it is healthy competition. They give it their best. They run to win, or beat a personal best, or contribute to the team. They were obviously happy to be doing what they were doing.
Sports is a proper venue for competition. A lesson to learn is at the end of the day you did your best, shake hands with others, and move on to the next opportunity.
There are areas where our competitive nature may not be as healthy. I wonder about politics.
I think about church. It seems churches compete for saints rather than lovingly seeking sinners. We measure by numbers - members, money, buildings. We get bummed when the folks up the road seem to be “winning”.
Might want to reconsider some of this.
I do compete in the spiritual life. But the kingdom values are different. We come in first by taking the last place. We gain by giving. We increase when we decrease. It is an interesting “competition”.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
We compete in many ways. Some of us are highly competitive. We want to win.
Last week we watched Uber competitive people play in the Super Bowl. ( That did go well!)
There are many other levels and types of competition.
Yesterday Cindy and I went to an indoor track meet at Northwest Missouri State. Our son, Bobby is a coach for Baker University and had some kids running, so we went to check it out.
These are not world class, Olympic type competitors. But it is healthy competition. They give it their best. They run to win, or beat a personal best, or contribute to the team. They were obviously happy to be doing what they were doing.
Sports is a proper venue for competition. A lesson to learn is at the end of the day you did your best, shake hands with others, and move on to the next opportunity.
There are areas where our competitive nature may not be as healthy. I wonder about politics.
I think about church. It seems churches compete for saints rather than lovingly seeking sinners. We measure by numbers - members, money, buildings. We get bummed when the folks up the road seem to be “winning”.
Might want to reconsider some of this.
I do compete in the spiritual life. But the kingdom values are different. We come in first by taking the last place. We gain by giving. We increase when we decrease. It is an interesting “competition”.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Reflections From Sunday Evening
When I do not have worship responsibilities I like to see what is going on in our church. It amazes me. I miss all the interactions that take place each week. There are people gathered in the dining hall sharing do nuts and fellowship.
There are classes taking place.
Small groups meet.
Worship is inspiring. (I was blessed today!)
My thoughts today as I left church were, “I think I’ll come back here!”
It is good to be part of a Christ-centered church where the Spirit moves in peoples lives.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
There are classes taking place.
Small groups meet.
Worship is inspiring. (I was blessed today!)
My thoughts today as I left church were, “I think I’ll come back here!”
It is good to be part of a Christ-centered church where the Spirit moves in peoples lives.
It’s been a good day. I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve
Sunday, January 19, 2020
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