Sunday again – well now it’s Monday actually – I confess, that’t all the further I got yesterday – two words.  I walked in the rain yesterday, which has a certain charm and a soothing pleasantness all its own to be sure – (it was a gentle, pitter-patter kind of a rain) but it was sad and it was silent and it was Sunday, again.

I wanted to cry out “how long?  O Lord”,  “how many more Sundays with church doors closed?”  And I did, but it is not for me to know the beginning from the end, I didn’t stretch out the heavens like a canopy or set the seasons in motion.  I must walk on in faith, both literally and figuratively,

“but the righteous will live by his faith -”  (Habakkuk 2:4)  So I continued my rainy Sunday morning walk while wondering how many more silent Sundays there will be?    I thought about these words from Habakkuk 3:17-18,

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”

That’s what I needed yesterday, that’s what I need today – to be lifted up, to go on the heights, to gain a new perspective – things look very different from the mountaintop than they do from the pit because the view is so different. Perspective is everything.

My view is so limited by time and space.  My Heavenly Father’s eyes see it all in one glance.  All of time, all of space – what was, what is and what is to come.  It would make more sense to trust Him than to “lean to my own understanding.”  (Proverbs 3:5)

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”   (Isaiah 55:9)

I didn’t get an answer to my “how long?  O Lord” question of yesterday (which is also my question everyday lately – maybe I need to ask a new question?) so I will just have to continue forward in faith for now.

Today it’s Monday and it is raining still.  The song “Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down” is playing in my mind while I wish for the sunny mountaintop view.  But there is One who is able to lift my head, which lifts my view, which changes my perspective  . . .

“But You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”   (Psalm 3:3)

“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”   (Psalm 121:1-2)

yes, where or what I choose to lift up my eyes to makes all the difference in my day. Today I will look to these words from Psalm 118:24,

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us (I will) rejoice and be glad in it.”

sincerely,        Grace Day

 

today’s confession is one common to us all, it is part of the human condition and we share this confession on multiple levels.  It is particularly pertinent and poignant during this time of crisis that the corona virus has visited on our world. It is this – I am hungry.

Even as I write this, I realize that hunger was already a daily reality for many people around the globe and right here in the U.S. before any of us had even heard of the COVID-19 virus.  And now hunger is increasing as people lose their jobs and slip into poverty, which for many is just one lost paycheck away.

But my hunger today is not due to lost wages or to restaurants being closed for so long or from grocery store shelves being less than fully stocked. No, today I am hungry for hugs, for hand holding, for handshakes, for high fives, for human contact that is not virtual.

Not all hunger is physical.  There is a hunger of the soul and of the spirit.  We know, even without the studies confirming it, that babies do not do well if they are not held and touched and talked to.  Without human touch and interaction, newborn babies fail to thrive, even resulting in death.

No wonder physical isolation is not good for people of any age.  From newborn to senior citizen, we never stop needing the human touch.  We were created for community, not for solitary confinement.

But there is another kind of hunger.  It is a hunger that can leave you desperate and searching, restless and unsatisfied, craving what you cannot call by name because you don’t know what it is.

Just as food satisfies physical hunger, sustaining life, and human touch satisfies our soul hunger for connection, bringing us life, there is a hunger deeper than both of these – a spiritual hunger that our Creator alone can satisfy in us.  And He promises in Matthew 5:6 that He will fill our spirits, that we will not go hungry.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.’ ”   (John 6:35)

“The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.  . . .  You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”  (Psalm 145:13, 16)

I love these promises of God saying that He will meet the needs of my spiritual hunger and thirst.  And not just a bare minimum provision does He promise to provide – no, these verses use the words, “be filled”, “never go hungry  . . . never be thirsty” and “satisfy the desires.”   Jesus tells the woman at the well in John 4:13,

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Philippians 4:19 assures me, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus fed the multitude (five thousand) with five loaves of bread and two fish and still there were twelve basketfuls of food left over after everyone had eaten their fill.  The Israelites had manna every morning for forty years without fail.  My Heavenly Father is able to satisfy my physical hunger, my hunger for connectedness and relationship and my deepest spiritual hunger to know Him.

He is a God of abundance and provision.  “You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”   (Psalm 16:11)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”  (Psalm 23:1)  I like how the Living Bible translates this verse,  “Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!”

truly, I will not want – I need not go hungry –

sincerely,         Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I got to realize a life long dream, I got to live out a secret fantasy of mine – sort of.  Today I had the privilege of playing Santa Clause and Secret Agent at the same time. That’s because what I was doing today necessitated merging those two skill sets and identities together into one person.  Today that person was me!

It’s not like I haven’t had years of on the job training for at least one of those roles. (no, not Secret Agent)  but – the role of Santa Clause, yes.  Back in the day, I was Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy all rolled into one person. And those duties were carried out mostly successfully over a period of some years.  I’ve had plenty of on the job training and experience for sure.

Actually the tooth fairy was the trickiest role of the three, if you ask me, because it required a touch of the Secret Agent skill set to get the job done successfully.  I had some failed and some aborted missions trying to execute my duties as tooth fairy, come to think of it. Nevertheless, all that past experience helped prepare me for the mission I found myself on today.

Today I was part of a mission of mercy.  I was one of many agents.  We were all working together to execute the overall objective of the mission.  I was just one piece of the larger puzzle, but every piece has to execute to precision in order to ensure success.  Every piece has to know where he/she fits in to the bigger picture and then blend in by doing his/her part.

It all started with an email several days ago.  I responded in the affirmative and was told I would receive further information in an email yet to come.  When I received that email and responded by not responding, I then received final instructions necessary to carry out the mission, including classified information such as names, addresses and phone numbers.

I was told where and when to report and advised not to exit my vehicle at that time under any circumstances.  I printed off the email so as to have the critical information with me and drove to the rendezvous location, arriving at the appointed time.  As instructed, I remained in my vehicle while several masked men and women loaded large trash bags, partially full, into the back of my car, then disappeared back into the building from which they had come.

Conversation wasn’t necessary.  I was now on my own, entrusted with completing this final phase of the mission.  Many had performed their tasks prior to my arrival.  The preparing of the contents and the filling and the labeling of the trash bags had all been executed to perfection.  The identifying of the targets, the locating of the targets’ whereabouts, communicating with the targets – these critical parts of the mission had all been completed as part of the groundwork that was expertly laid, making the final execution of this mission not only possible but ensuring that it was safely and securely and successfully carried out.

That was my part of the mission – to discover the different destinations and to deliver the goods – all with no human contact and in a timely manner, as the trash bags contained time sensitive materials.  Get in and get out – that is the objective. The targets/recipients never lay eyes on me and likewise I don’t see them either. No identities are compromised during the execution of this highly sensitive mission.

As I drove around, seeking out each targeted destination, I definitely felt like a Secret Agent on a top secret mission.  And a little like Santa Clause too, although I didn’t have to go down any chimneys.  “The drop” was to be made at the front door of each targeted destination, then I was to drive away after confirming by phone that the target was home to receive the “goods.”

What could be more inconspicuous than an ordinary trash bag on a front porch? Genius!  And how great did I feel after all my “drops” went down successfully?  (that was a rhetorical question, no answer will be given)  So today I confess – I really like this Secret Agent/Santa Clause assignment and I look forward to doing lots more of these food deliveries for my church.

I am so thankful for all the hardworking “secret agents” behind the scenes, preparing the food, organizing the deliveries, enlisting the volunteers and providing them with all the information necessary to make this food drop operation work.  I felt so privileged today to participate in this ongoing outreach and care ministry that Brookside Church is doing right now, for such a time as this.

“For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.  Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry  . . . or thirsty  . . .  or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and go visit You.’  The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ ”   (Matthew 25:35-40)

today, as with every day during this pandemic shutdown, the church has left the building – because the church is not the building – the church is the people – and the people are out there being the hands and feet of Jesus to this hurting world – what joy to be a part of that today!

sincerely,     Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

pandemic ponderings – that’s all this is – I confess it now, up front.

why does time drag on so slowly when we are young but then speed past us way too fast when we are older?   first we want to speed time up, then we want to slow time down  . . .  we are never satisfied are we?

why are two people in a boat ok but three people in that same boat are breaking the law?

the pandemic has done a lot for germaphobes, elevating their status and making germaphobes the new cool ones,

the pandemic has also made it possible for “closet germaphobes” to come out into the open without fear of ridicule, they don’t have to hide their behaviors anymore

and the pandemic has created new germaphobes by turning those who are not nor never have been germaphobes into brand new germaphobes

germaphobes are no longer a pitied minority but are now a powerful majority – they are the new ruling class, so to speak

germaphobes are the heroes of this pandemic, the new role models for all of us –

behavior that might have been labeled bizarre in the past is now heralded as the new healthy behavior we all should be emulating – this would include frequent handwashing (which used to be labeled as excessive and as eccentric behavior) avoidance of touching others and surfaces, manifested by not punching elevator buttons or opening doors or shaking hands or by wearing winter gloves all year round and wearing them indoors (none of which will be considered odd behavior anymore)

germaphobes will no longer be thought to suffer from OCD ( I always want to call it OCDC, probably because of the group AC/DC, remember them?)

if germaphobe is now the new normal does that mean the old normal was what? germ lover?  germ embracer?  germ disregarder?

well, COVID-19 has created a population peopled with germaphobes – I don’t know if that means we are ready to face COVID-19 in battle or simply that the virus has succeeded in filling us all with fear (which is what a phobia is, fear of something) leaving us perplexed (not thinking rationally) therefore paralyzed and powerless to fight against this virus effectively –

COVID-19 further demonstrates how effective its fear strategy has been in that we are often found to be fighting against each other rather than this virus – a brilliant tactical move by our enemy –  fear is a multifaceted weapon, after all – effective against an enemy in a multitude of ways.

but I don’t want to live full of fear, that is no way to live, (if it can even be called living?)  I want to live life full of compassion, full of courage, full of hope and faith and love – all the things necessary to live life to its fullest.

one last confession is in order at this point, I believe  – technically I think germaphobe is incorrect in the case of COVID-19 – the more correct term would be virusaphobe – but I have never heard that term used before, so will stick with the more familiar word -germaphobe

so how do we defeat this invisible enemy?  how do I do daily battle with this invisible virus?  this enemy has already struck many blows to me and succeeded in disarming me by taking many things from me.

It started by taking my job.  The virus took that from me and with the loss of a job other losses quickly follow.  The loss of income, the loss of ability to pay bills and provide for one’s family, the loss of purpose, daily routine and way to contribute to society all contribute to the demise of the virus’s victims.

Stripped of all these protections, the virus next isolates its victims.  That opens the door for anxiety and depression to enter in, attacking their victim while at his most vulnerable.  Yes, this virus disarms and then destroys lives, one way or another.  If it can’t make contact with you physically, it will just destroy your life with loss and fear.  It will consume you with all you are required to do to avoid contact with it.

As long as COVID-19 can keep me hiding out at home – the victory belongs to the virus.  It does not want me to take back my life.  That’s how it wins – this virus holds us hostage.  When will the tide turn in this war, we wonder?

I am comforted and encouraged to persevere in this pandemic by the words in Psalm 3:3-4 & 8,  and from the words in Psalm 28:7,

“But You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.  To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill.  . . .  From the Lord comes deliverance.  May Your blessing be on Your people.”

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.”

today all I need is to remember these words from Deuteronomy 20:4,

“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

the ultimate victory over COVID-19 and over every other enemy past, present or future is God’s –

“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.  Where, O death, are your plagues?  Where, O grave, is your destruction?”  (Hosea 13:14)

“He will swallow up death forever.  The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth.  The Lord has spoken.”   (Isaiah 25:8)

sincerely,         Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s confession is a good one in that it is something little known – even to those who know me well.  It is a well kept secret.  But difficult times call for equally difficult confessions.  So here goes.  I confess – Jeremiah is a good friend of mine.  I further confess that yes, Jeremiah is a bullfrog.  And finally I confess – I love his music on a summer night.

You see, Jeremiah and his bullfrog band of brothers have been bringing their brand of music to the world on summer nights for as long as I can remember.  And when they do, they bring joy to the world.  They bring joy to me.

Lately though, I’ve been worried about Jeremiah and his band of bullfrogs. They’ve been in the pot along with all the other frogs (post #31) and now I’m wondering if they will be released in time for their summer concert schedule to take place as previously planned.

The voices of Jeremiah and his band bring so much joy to the world that I would hate to hear of their voices being silenced for the first time ever.  How I will hear of this is by not hearing their voices in the silence of a summer night.

Perhaps Jeremiah and friends are still in the proverbial pot.  I ponder this possibility even as I long to be released from the pot myself.  We are told our release is imminent, just be patient in the pot.  Get comfortable and enjoy.

Remember, life pre-pot?  Life outside the pot wasn’t all that great, now was it?  I mean yaw’ll had to work for a living, right?  And you were really busy, right? running all around, saying that you could use some down time, a vacation, a rest, a respite from your busy schedules . . .

Well, this pot we are all treading water and waiting in certainly seems relaxing as it gets warmer and all our needs are promised to be met by the pot stirring experts who have our best interests at heart.  So reassuring, I think I’ll take a nap and a sauna  . . .

Still I miss the music,  not just Jeremiah’s music, but all the music the free world outside the pot was filled with.  From concert halls to churches to street performers to crickets, birds and bullfrogs – the world outside the pot was filled with every kind of music every hour of every day.  I miss that.  There is no solace in this silence.

The thing is, if Jeremiah is allowed out of the pot (he won’t have the will or ability to jump out on his own) when he is put out, he won’t be returning to the reeds and the rushes of his beloved pond.  No, that wouldn’t be wise, the pond is no longer safe.  Jeremiah, along with all the other frogs, if they are going to leave the pot, must observe the new rules and restrictions  (masks, social distancing, etc.) of the new regime when they are released.

The frogs will be released to the serving dish to await consumption by the pot stirring experts who have been protecting us, who know that this is best for everyone.  (well, not best for all of us frogs, but it must be best for someone, even if we don’t know any frogs personally that are better off for being relegated to the pot)

The pot is full to overflowing with non-essential frogs, (thirty plus million to be exact)  frogs led to believe the pot is the only way out, the only way to prevent mass death and destruction of their daily lives.  Ironically, the pot itself is a place of death and destruction of daily life, while outside the pot is fast becoming a place ruled by fear, regulation and restriction.

How I am missing my good friend, Jeremiah and his bullfrog band right about now.  Their message of joy to the world is one I long to hear again.  One we each need to hear right now.  Oh that they were free from the steaming pot, free to return to the pond to make their music once again.  I want to hear Jeremiah’s unmasked voice blended with the cricket chorus, blended with all the other unmasked music makers of the summer nights.

I want to hear them all freely lifting their voices in celebration of summer, in praise of their Creator, in harmony for all to hear and be made joyful in the hearing. Summer nights won’t be the same without the deep bass of Jeremiah and his bullfrog band of brothers bringing their special brand of song to lift our spirits and settle our souls as the sun goes down over each little corner of the world, one note at a time.

When I leave the pot and return to the world I left, will I find it has become a world of silence masked in fear, people alive but not living?  Will my good friend Jeremiah and his band be masked and muted forever now?

The memory of the music of Jeremiah and his bullfrog buddies plays in my mind even now, “joy to the world. all the boys and girls, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me!”

freedom – joyous freedom – may freedom triumph over fear – freedom ringing, singing, praising, proclaiming God’s good news all night long and every day –

“The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.”  (Psalm 97:1)

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.”   (Psalm 95:1-2)

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.”  (Psalm 96:1-2)

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”   (Ephesians 5:19)

Jeremiah, my friend, sing it!   Joy to the world!  the Lord reigns!

sincerely,      Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Sunday – I know that today is Sunday only because my calendar bears witness that this is indeed true – I guess I will take my calendar’s word for it – though today seems no different from yesterday or the day before from where I stand.  I liked it better when each day of the week had a distinction all its own.

Sundays were the best in that world – they were set apart.  Sundays were special. They were different.  Sunday was a day filled with inspiration and hope and song and lots of people celebrating the good news of the gospel together.  I confess -singing has always been my favorite part of Sunday.  There is nothing like walking into a sanctuary filled with people, a sanctuary filled with the music of their collective voices raised in song, crying out, praising, celebrating, rejoicing as they lift their voices to God and are lifted up themselves in the process – nothing quite like that happens on any other day of the week.

Sundays have been set apart for centuries for rest, for renewal, for rejoicing, for remembering God’s goodness and for singing His praises in the presence of others. I can still remember as a child being surrounded by the sounds of a singing congregation with a singing choir accompanied by an organ and a piano and thinking, this must be what heaven will be like, full of song and celebration.

In Revelation 5:11-13 we get a glimpse of this when we read these words,

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.  They encircled the throne  . . . In a loud voice they sang  . . .  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:  ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’ ”

There will be singing in heaven.  Maybe that’s why we sing in church now, kind of a dress rehearsal, if you will – practicing for our future roles in the celestial choir we will one day join.

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.”  That’s what Psalm 96:1-2 says to do – sing to God.  Psalm 100:1-2 tells me to –

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!  Serve the Lord with gladness!  Come into His presence with singing!”

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King.    . . .   Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.”   (Psalm 98:4-9)

No wonder Sundays seem so silent nowadays.  With the church doors closed, there is no gathering of the saints to sing praise to God.  Psalm 89:1 says,

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations.”

“I will sing of Your love and justice; to You, O Lord, I will sing praise.”  (Psalm 101:1)

Even though I can’t sing as a part of a larger multitude gathered together to worship, I cannot keep silent – Psalm 30:12 says it best for me,

“that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever.”

I am longing for the day that our places of worship again throw their doors wide open and the praises of the people pour out in song – for the day Psalm 150 will be a reality in our land once again –

“Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens.  Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.  Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals.   Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

sincerely,         Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just when I thought it was safe to go out again  . . .   I mean there have been rumors and rumblings of re-openings all week (with a few minor restrictions, of course) but re-openings nonetheless – so just when things were looking a bit promising  . . .  just when I thought it might be safe to venture out once again – enter – “The Murder Hornet.”

That’s right.  News of The Murder Hornet’s entrance into the United States made headlines this week.  I had been blissfully unaware of the existence of such a creature until notification of its arrival appeared in papers and news cycles a few days ago.

The Murder Hornet and COVID-19?  This killer combination (pun intended) may just be too much.  I can only be afraid of one thing at a time.  I only have so much “fear” energy to go around.  Something has to give.  I can’t sustain these levels of fear forever – actually, not for much longer.

So I propose we send the Murder Hornet back to wherever he came from.  This country isn’t big enough for both the Murder Hornet and the COVID-19 to co-exist. Somebody’s gotta go!  And since COVID-19 is invisible and is here to stay, we are told by those that know such things, and is in fact planning a big come back soon, it will have to be the visible, less prevalent, Murder Hornet that must exit the country pronto.

I’m wondering how Mr. Murder Hornet even got into the U.S. in the first place. I thought our borders were temporarily closed to immigrants?  Was the TSA on break that day?  Were Mr. Murder Hornet’s papers in order?  I’m assuming he had a valid passport and current VISA?  I would like to know how Mr. Murder Hornet responded to the question, “what is the purpose of your visit here?”

Having a name such as “Murder”, should be kind of a heads up as to one’s character and motives.  What was his response to the question, “business or pleasure?”  I’m imagining Mr. Murder Hornet slowly removing his sunglasses, smiling sweetly and replying, “my business is pleasure!”  (I’m sure all the unsuspecting honeybees will be happy to know that Mr. Murder Hornet enjoys his line of work)

And when asked, “how long will you be staying?”,  what did he reply? “indefinitely.”  I thought VISAS expired at some point in time.  What did Mr. Murder Hornet say when asked, “will your family be joining you?”  “they are already here, they flew in ahead of me”?  (how did that happen?  did they use an alias, instead of the name “Murder”?)

Well, Mr. Murder Hornet, you won’t remain in the headlines for long.  Something new and more frightening will displace you soon.  Come to think of it, I haven’t heard much about the threat you pose at all today.  But COVID-19 remains among us, eluding our efforts to evict her from our midst.  She is an unseen enemy, giving her some kind of advantage it would appear.  We are constantly testing for her presence, primarily because she hides so well, we are told.

So again today, I  must decide how I will walk in this world.  Who is really in charge here?  It is my Father’s world.  He has the final say.  So I will walk in light of these words from Psalm 27:1 & Psalm 18:1-3,

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

“I love You, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

faith over fear, trust over worry  . . .

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” (Psalm 20:7-8)

sincerely,          Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s trivia question – what do COVID-19 and the God of the universe have in common?

an impersonal virus  –  a very personal God

a virus of death  –  the God of life – actually the Author/Creator of all life

what could they possibly have in common?   give up?

It is this.  Both are no respecter of persons.  What does that phrase mean practically speaking?  It means neither discriminates or plays favorites, they are both about equal opportunity when it comes to bringing you death, in the case of COVID-19, or bringing you life, in the case of God.

We have seen that COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate on the basis of gender, or economic status, or skin color or nationality or religion or fame/celebrity status etc.  People from all over the globe have suffered from this virus, the rich and the poor alike, the famous and the unknown, the prisoner and the free person, those of all faiths and those of no faith, those from every continent and every culture, all are fair game for the COVID-19.

But just as this agent of death doesn’t discriminate among its victims, the God of all Creation doesn’t discriminate in His giving of the gift of eternal life.  He is all inclusive as His word makes clear.  In Acts 10:34 Peter explains this saying,

“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.”

The word “favoritism” is translated “no respecter of persons” in the King James translation.  But the meaning remains the same.  God does not discriminate, He is impartial.  And aren’t we glad of that fact?  I know I am.  Psalm 103:10-13 tells me,

“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;”

I especially take comfort in knowing, “The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.”  (Psalm 145:9)

No favoritism there, God made us all and so extends His compassion to us all. Psalm 100:3 says, “Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us , and not we ourselves; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

In 2 Peter 3:9 I read that “He (God) is patient with you (me), not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  Think of it – everyone – that is pretty inclusive – actually, it is all inclusive – as inclusive as it gets!

Paul writes to the Romans in 10:12-13 saying,  ” – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ ”  (Joel 2:32)

No one is excluded.  That is good news!  The final picture in Revelation 7:9-10 confirms just what an all inclusive, no respecter of persons, no showing favoritism or partiality kind of God my Heavenly Father is.  Picture the scene these words describe,

“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ ”

Every nation, tribe, people and language – imagine it – no one left out – no one excluded from God’s invitation.  Jesus’s  invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 is clear,

“Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I think we are each a little weary about now.  What a relief to know the Creator of the universe does not discriminate towards us the way we show partiality towards each other.  John 1:12 makes this clear saying,

“Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – ”

Isn’t that what we all want?  to be invited, to be included, to be accepted – to be accepted as we are for who we are without reservation, restriction or discrimination.  In John 6:37 Jesus said,

“All the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away.”   an open invitation with guaranteed acceptance!  it does not get any better than this, dear readers!  Definitely cause for celebration.

and now for today’s confession – which is a bit embarrassing but must be brought to light.  I now realize that I began this conversation with you today with a faulty premise – which is that COVID-19 is no respecter of persons and therefore does not discriminate.

But this is not true.  COVID-19 does show partiality.  COVID-19 targets the elderly and the infirm.  This makes sense because this virus is a villain and villains are cowards.  Cowards are going to attack the weak and the sick and that’s just what COVID-19 does, attacks those less able to defend themselves, namely those with other illnesses already, those with weakened immune systems and those who are older and therefore less able to fight off illness.

By doing this, COVID-19 makes himself appear more powerful than he actually is thus gaining the advantage of fear, enabling the virus to keep everyone under his control.  Until the full realization of the favoritism he shows in targeting his victims is revealed and we are all released from his fear filled presence.

In the meantime I can rest and rejoice in knowing I am accepted by my Heavenly Father who does not show favoritism but faithfully watches over me no matter where I might be.

“The Lord watches over you – The Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”    (Psalm 121:5-8)

sincerely,      Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve always longed to travel, I love discovering and exploring new places.  (that’s not today’s confession – this is)  But now I confess to you that I rarely venture beyond the world outside my window and when I do leave my house, it is just to walk in my neighborhood.  That’s my world now.  I don’t venture much beyond its boundaries.

Why?  Well, there is danger out there.  How do I know that is true if I haven’t been out to see it for myself?  I turn on the TV and they tell me it is very dangerous for me to go anywhere that I used to go.  They tell me I need to stay at home a little while longer or bad things will happen to me.  (they don’t think isolation and not working are bad for me?)

I guess they know what’s best for me better than I would know for myself? After all, they are the experts and I’m not.  I should leave my life decisions to them.  They have continued to warn me about the corona virus twenty-four/seven.  Maybe they are worried that I will forget about this virus if they stop talking about it – this virus which is lurking in every possible place, just waiting for me to venture out.   Maybe they are worried that I will stop being afraid for even a moment and they will lose their control over me.

Maybe that’s why just two days ago they announced the arrival of the “Murder Hornet” in the United States.  This is true.  You cannot make this stuff up.  So now there is something else out there that I need to fear – something else that is out to get me.  (well, mainly honeybees, but I could be collateral damage)  At least this new agent of death, the Murder Hornet, is not invisible like the corona virus.

Although even its name, “Murder Hornet”, should strike fear in anyone’s heart. There is no mistaking its intent with a name like “murder.”  So how do I walk in this world full of killer viruses and murder hornets?  Deuteronomy 31:6 has some good advice for me,

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Then Psalm 23 reminds me that –

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”   (Psalm 23:4-6)

I can walk in this world that seems so dangerous and full of death, just as it has always been.  I am on my way home.  I am just passing through this valley of death on my journey.  But it is also full of life.  Life and death have always coexisted together ever since sin entered into our world in the garden.

And that will continue to be the case until Jesus comes again to establish the new heaven and the new earth.  In the meantime, stopping the living from living has no power to stop the dying from dying.  The cycle of life will continue as we wait for that new heaven and new earth to come.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,   . . .   And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ ”    (Revelation 21:1-4)

Imagine it – a time is coming when there will be no more death!  But for now it is time to “be strong and courageous” and get on with the everyday business of living the life we have been given.  It would be a shame to waste life while waiting for death.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10)

I experience that abundant life in His presence, life that is stronger than fear of murder hornets and COVID-19.

sincerely,         Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a secret  I never expected to share, but the Chronicles require a “true confession” each day and I still have plenty of them left so here goes.  I confess to being a penny scavenger.  Not a collector mind you, a scavenger.  The former sounds so much better and actually has an entirely different purpose in mind. But nonetheless, I pick pennies up off the ground whenever and wherever I encounter them.

It’s not exactly a get rich quick scheme but it is kind of fun.  Maybe it started as a child with the saying, “see a penny, pick it up and all the day you’ll have good luck.”  Then there’s the old adage, “a penny saved is a penny earned.”  But I like best the “pennies from heaven” mentality, which makes me think of them a little bit like manna (manna was from heaven)

There is a poem which says in part, “Found pennies come from heaven  . . . angels tossed them down  . . .  So don’t pass by that penny when you’re feeling blue.  It may be a penny from heaven that an angel’s tossed to you.” (C. Mashburn)

So a couple of days ago, while on my bike, I look down and see a shiny penny laying in the street.  Of course I stopped and picked it up.  It was in perfect condition, so clean, so shiny.  In fact, it was probably the sun’s rays glinting off the abandoned penny that drew my attention to it in the first place.  It was hard to miss since it’s shiny, coppery finish stood out against the pavement of the street.  I felt quite fortunate as I pocketed my penny and resumed my ride.

This morning on my walk I again picked up a penny.  This one I almost missed.  I walked over it then stopped, turned back and took a closer look.  Sure enough, ground into the pavement and mostly matching it in color, was a penny.  I guess it was the shape and size that gave it away, certainly not the color.  But when I picked it up for a closer look, it was indeed a penny.  More black than copper color, but still, a penny.

I pocketed my penny and walked on, pondering the lesson of my two pennies. (yes, this is a penny for my thoughts)  One I couldn’t miss, the other I almost overlooked. (glad I stopped and took a second look)  One was bright and shiny, the other darkened and dirty.  But you know what?  Both of them were worth one cent. They were of equal value.

Do I do that with people?  Do I take notice of the bright and shiny, while overlooking those worn down and sullied by the circumstances of life?  Do I consider some people of less value than others, depending on their appearance and circumstance?  My two pennies looked very different, but they were equally valuable.

We all look different from each other and to each other.  But not to God – not to our Heavenly Father.  To Him we are each of equal and of infinite value.  He created our diversity and He gave us our equality.  We are each priceless to our Creator.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  (John 15:13)

“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”  (Romans 8:32)

“For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.  Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.”  (Isaiah 43:3-4)

And God did give one man in exchange for me and for you, one man named Jesus. My Heavenly Father considered me that valuable!  He considers you that valuable too, dear reader.  We are all created in His image and He says to each one of us,

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”  (Jeremiah 31:3)

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!”   (1 John 3:1)

Even though some days I may feel (and look) like the dirty, ground into the ground penny that I found this morning, my value in my Heavenly Father’s eyes has not been diminished.  I am as valuable to Him as is the bright, shiny unscathed penny because we are each invaluable to our Creator.  That will never change.

That is the lesson of the “parable of the pennies.”  I may be guilty of overlooking less shiny people but not the God who knows every hair on every head.  He overlooks no one.  Indeed, Job said of God when he was looking for God and couldn’t find Him,

“But He (God) knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”   (Job 23:10)  God knows the way that each one of us takes.

Today I will take my rest, my comfort and my joy from these words in Zephaniah 3:17,

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

I do love a good lullaby,

sincerely,         Grace Day