Yes, life as we know it has changed for the time being. In my State of Georgia, all schools and offices have been closed. School has been cancelled (When I was a child this would have been exciting news). Many people are working from home, and many more are not working at all. There are people that are without a choice, they have to rely on unemployment benefits, family, and government assistance. We are in the midst of an international crisis. Covid-19 will forever be remembered in history books.
For weeks grocery store shelves have been empty. Necessities have become hard to find. Toilet paper is almost nonexistent. Food products are being purchased as soon as they are stocked. Movie theaters, music venues, parks, eat in restaurants, and other forms of public entertainment have been closed. Barber shops and salons are no longer accepting clients. Small businesses and nonprofit organizations of all types are closed to the public. Church services have been cancelled. America's economy is taking a severe hit, and we are all going to feel the impact of the requirements put in place to keep as many Americans healthy as possible.
I just gave you two paragraphs of information you already know. You're most likely wondering what the purpose of this post is. I have a simple message to encourage everyone to remember Matthew 22:39, "Love your neighbor as yourself". People are going to have needs, and it is our responsibility to help people meet those needs to the best of our ability.
We need to view others with compassion, love, and selflessness. This includes the crazy uncle no one likes, and the neighbor that you can't stand. Everyone has someone in their life that drives them crazy, and we are not told to ignore or reject them. We are told to love others as we love ourselves. We need to see love for others become VIRAL. Love, respect, and care for others needs to become contagious.
So what is it that I am asking of you? I am simply asking for you to think of others, and to reach out in such a way that it changes the world. A lot of people are going to exit this pandemic in depression. There are going to be many people that experience the loss of loved ones, job losses, and changes within their lives that they never imagined. In fact, you may be one of those people. You may be someone that is in need. You might be someone that needs to experience kindness, joy, and love.
When you head to the grocery store, make a call to someone that can't go, or may not have the resources to get the things they need. If you know someone is in need, pick up a few extra items and leave them on that person's doorstep.
There are a lot of elderly people that do not need to go out. If they get sick, the outcome could be deadly. Ask those you know if they need a prescription filled or picked up.
The amount of things we can do to reach out to others is endless. Right now we may not be gathering in a church building, but that doesn't mean we have to stop being the Church. As the Body of Christ it is our job to be the hands and feet of Jesus. So, how can you show the love of Christ in the midst of today's tragedy?
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Viral (Part 1)
Today entire world is in the midst of a life altering pandemic. This pandemic that has become known as Covid-19, SARS-2, or simply coronavirus has closed down communities, towns, cities, States, as well as entire Countries. Some residents have been ordered to stay at home unless they hold employment that is considered necessary by government officials. Some people are working from home, while others are not able to work at all. School systems have transitioned to online learning formats, and many in grade school as well as college are struggling without the hands on approach provided in a classroom setting. Church services and gatherings have been halted. Easter services will not take place as they have in the past! Society as a whole is affected by social distancing regulations.
Governor Brian Kemp of GA has just instituted a "Shelter At Home" mandate (look up the new guidelines at https://dph.georgia.gov/gov-kemp-news-conference-covid-19-update ). I am far from happy about the closure of schools, and the restrictions that are being implemented. In the beginning of this new global pandemic I shunned the idea of government restrictions on American people. At the time I did not have the facts concerning how contagious Covid-19 truly is. In the beginning of the newest coronavirus strain, no one knew how dangerous the virus would prove to be. I am still not a fan in regard to the restrictions that have been imposed, but I believe the rules that have been temporarily established are necessary. First, Covid-19 can be transmitted to you or others by an asymptomatic person (A carrier of the virus that has no symtoms). I am not trying to tell anyone to become a germophobe, but everyone needs to be aware that this bug can be contracted easily, and it can be deadly.
I AM NOT encouraging dictatorships, socialism, or any other governing design that removes the freedom of its citizenship. I proudly stand as a patriot that fully supports the American Constitution. As an American we have a government that is run by "we the people". We elect representatives that are supposed to reflect the views of the majority. America's government does not exist to suppress its people, but to protect the Nation. The government of America was designed in such a way that its citizens are in control. In an extreme time we are granted the right to stand against a tyrannical government that has gone rogue. Now is not such a time.
I am not going to give a civics or political science lecture. Everything I have stated can be researched (I would encourage all Americans to have an understanding of our government and politics. This downtime could be a great excuse to self educate, after all this is an election year). I am bringing government to your attention so that we can all come together, not fall apart. I want to see America make it through this pandemic as a strong and united people. We need to pray for those that we have chosen and voted for. We need to ask God to lead them, and guide them as they try to navigate the Nation and the world through. Pray that their actions are Godly, not self serving, and beneficial to the overall health of the constituents they represent. Romans 13:1 states, "Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God"(HCSB). I Timothy 2:1-4 urges us to pray for those in leadership positions so that we can lead a peaceful, Godly, dignified life. I don't think anyone will object to a peaceful and dignified life.
I am not telling anyone to bow down, or to roll over on issues that they believe in. As Americans we have the right to free speech. We have the ability to be heard. We are allowed to stand up for our principles. However, we are instructed by God to pray for those we have elected and personally placed into leadership positions. As Christians, please understand that our elected officials have been granted their position by God. Unless you are being asked to reject Christ, or we encounter a tyrannical situation in which citizens are trampled upon, I am asking people to follow the guidelines that have been temporarily instituted to protect everyone from the Covid-19 virus that is infecting and killing many.
In closing, please be mindful to others. If you feel sick, please use common sense and stay away from others. If you are in a household in which someone else may be sick, please stay home. If you need something, ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to deliver the items to your door if delivery is not available. If you have to cough, cover your mouth with something other than your hands. If you have a persistent cough, use a mask, bandana, scarf, or other means to prevent unseen droplets that could make someone else sick. ...and PLEASE PEOPLE, WASH YOUR HANDS! Let's get through this pandemic together.
Yes, there is going to be a followup to this post shortly.
Governor Brian Kemp of GA has just instituted a "Shelter At Home" mandate (look up the new guidelines at https://dph.georgia.gov/gov-kemp-news-conference-covid-19-update ). I am far from happy about the closure of schools, and the restrictions that are being implemented. In the beginning of this new global pandemic I shunned the idea of government restrictions on American people. At the time I did not have the facts concerning how contagious Covid-19 truly is. In the beginning of the newest coronavirus strain, no one knew how dangerous the virus would prove to be. I am still not a fan in regard to the restrictions that have been imposed, but I believe the rules that have been temporarily established are necessary. First, Covid-19 can be transmitted to you or others by an asymptomatic person (A carrier of the virus that has no symtoms). I am not trying to tell anyone to become a germophobe, but everyone needs to be aware that this bug can be contracted easily, and it can be deadly.
I AM NOT encouraging dictatorships, socialism, or any other governing design that removes the freedom of its citizenship. I proudly stand as a patriot that fully supports the American Constitution. As an American we have a government that is run by "we the people". We elect representatives that are supposed to reflect the views of the majority. America's government does not exist to suppress its people, but to protect the Nation. The government of America was designed in such a way that its citizens are in control. In an extreme time we are granted the right to stand against a tyrannical government that has gone rogue. Now is not such a time.
I am not going to give a civics or political science lecture. Everything I have stated can be researched (I would encourage all Americans to have an understanding of our government and politics. This downtime could be a great excuse to self educate, after all this is an election year). I am bringing government to your attention so that we can all come together, not fall apart. I want to see America make it through this pandemic as a strong and united people. We need to pray for those that we have chosen and voted for. We need to ask God to lead them, and guide them as they try to navigate the Nation and the world through. Pray that their actions are Godly, not self serving, and beneficial to the overall health of the constituents they represent. Romans 13:1 states, "Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God"(HCSB). I Timothy 2:1-4 urges us to pray for those in leadership positions so that we can lead a peaceful, Godly, dignified life. I don't think anyone will object to a peaceful and dignified life.
I am not telling anyone to bow down, or to roll over on issues that they believe in. As Americans we have the right to free speech. We have the ability to be heard. We are allowed to stand up for our principles. However, we are instructed by God to pray for those we have elected and personally placed into leadership positions. As Christians, please understand that our elected officials have been granted their position by God. Unless you are being asked to reject Christ, or we encounter a tyrannical situation in which citizens are trampled upon, I am asking people to follow the guidelines that have been temporarily instituted to protect everyone from the Covid-19 virus that is infecting and killing many.
In closing, please be mindful to others. If you feel sick, please use common sense and stay away from others. If you are in a household in which someone else may be sick, please stay home. If you need something, ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to deliver the items to your door if delivery is not available. If you have to cough, cover your mouth with something other than your hands. If you have a persistent cough, use a mask, bandana, scarf, or other means to prevent unseen droplets that could make someone else sick. ...and PLEASE PEOPLE, WASH YOUR HANDS! Let's get through this pandemic together.
Yes, there is going to be a followup to this post shortly.
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