Grown kids crowded the island as we sliced and diced a Father’s Day feast fit for a king. Counterspace disappeared under cutting boards. Oil crackled its invitation to breaded shrimp. And with one comment, conflict over politics turned organized chaos into an emotional war zone. Raised voices hurled accusations and insults, and right before my eyes, my family became divided. There was no love, just noise, and here’s the thing: love matters. Why?
Read MoreAs I listen, watch, and seek out voices who can help me understand what I’ve never had to experience, I have been humbled. I have so much to learn. My narrow perspective has been further exposed, and really, I have nothing to bring to the cultural conversation. I’m an observer who wants to become a participant in the healing we need among each other, and that’s why I am compelled to share what God has been showing me in His word—words that do have power to heal and unite. Because there is a bloodshed that brings peace.
One conversation, one news report, and I’m as susceptible as anyone to spin with fear. My heart sinks and my gut sours in a way that makes my skin crawl. I am not immune to the fiery darts of the wicked one (see Ephesians 6:16). He means for them to hit their target, divert our eyes, and trouble our hearts. When this happens, we have a choice to make: with all that’s going on—real or speculated—will God’s word remain our plumb-line truth for perspective and understanding? Reading in Proverbs this week, one set of verses set forth a few exact ways we protect our hearts from panic as we walk through this pandemic. Here they are.
Read MoreWhat do we do when we create our own misery, because we figure out God’s way really is the best way AFTER doing things our way first? My learning style tends to be the hard way, and this disaster birthday was no different. I think this was the Israelites’ learning style, too, and we can learn a lot from them about how to avoid a world of hurt. Check it out.
Read MoreI’ve been sober from network news for years and fell off the wagon last night. I immediately regretted it. Peace evaporated in the face of pandemic panic and worst-case scenarios. Like a mother bear protecting her young, I want that peace back. How do we find rest and peace for our minds, hearts, and souls when so much is changing so fast and we’re hounded with a relentless stream of worst-case scenarios?
Read MoreI don't fear the Coronavirus, and I'm not one to panic, at least not for long. At first, I scoffed at what I saw as "alarmists" overreacting to what equates to a flu. Then I talked to my dad, who's on the board of a hospital association and in the medical trenches actively preparing for worst-case scenarios. He helped me understand that what may seem like extreme measures for the current infection counts in the US is to protect against how extreme the spread could be. So as believers in Jesus Christ, what do we do?
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