I posted this to/on FB on Sunday after church:
Something amazing happened today...no, I didn't get #alllthethings that I needed to keep the virus at bay...(thanks, #hoarders!), it was something better than that. I wasn't sure about going to church today, but since I was on worship slides, I decided to go (#responisbilities). The worship service was going along nicely, and worship was happening....the Lord was in the house...then, we got to the new song "The Blessing", and y'all, prayer happened. For our city, for our kids, for this virus, for our healthcare workers. I went and prayed for a few people in our church (which I NEVER do!), it was so phenomenal to be among friends and worshipping Jesus. The sermon today was from Numbers 14:1-10, where Moses and Aaron are leading the people out of slavery, and the people were upset, b/c they were wandering around aimlessly (I guess they didn't have their GPS'!!!). and he talked about how the Masses responded, and then how Moses responded. I won't go through the whole sermon (You can go to to Lighthouse Christian Fellowship for the sermon....we are high-tech now!!), but it was basically....how do we chose to respond to fears/obstacles? Like the people (fearing), or like Moses (showing others God was his strength)? We CAN choose to respond, in any situation, not just in this crazy virus scare....we can offer to help others, or we can be scared, and buy things out of fear....it really resonated with me today. I am not saying be stupid and lick surfaces, and hug and kiss everyone....be smart, savvy, and safe about it. Air out and clean your house, eat healthy, go for walks, stay out of places where there are a lot of people (for longer than necessary), don't travel out of country, don't get on a. plane. drink water, take your vitamins, and pray, for sure...but don't be fearful. Don't be rude; be kind. Don't be fearful; pray. Don't be selfish; ask your neighbour if you can get something for them (or even give them something that you may have a lot of!), off to go shopping for moms, the elderly, or people who don't have a way around town, who may not be able to get out. I am speaking to myself here as well.
Part two: I can be fearful (and yes, I am one of "those" who are vulnerable to this), but I need to learn to lean on God, and on my family/friends/work-church family. Let's remember to stay positive...throw something fun on your social media pages. PM someone to encourage them. Send someone coffee (heck...send ME coffee!), or some flowers....tell jokes, live as normal as life as you can...try something that you have never tried before....bake something fun....try making new foods...watch movies with your spouses, or kids....or play board/card games..or heck...here is something radical..TALK to your spouse and kids!!!...podcast (with or without kids), read the Bible (or book), read books/magazines, go for drives, bless others as you go through the drive through (the staff or people behind you), watch tv/movies, streaming services, read books/Bible with the kids, listen to music, have dance parties/worship parties.....start your garden..call your gramma, mom, aunt, or cousin..You can also Pinterest-it up, IG-it up, or start a blog (or resurrect your neglected one!!!).....you get the idea, the list is endless....." For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (sound mind!!!)! Timothy 1:7
This was what I wrote on Tuesday morning on FB:
I am feeling called this morning to pray; i am calling for all believers to pray! We need to put on some worship music, get on your knees! Pray! Pray! Pray! It doesn't have to be long or fancy. Pray as you're going about your day; pray as u walk, run, or exercise. Pray as you work, pray as you're spending time with family and friends. Pray with your kids. Pray! Lord, we declare victory over this virus. This virus is not of or from you. We bind this virus in Jesus' name, and we throw it in the PIT, where it belongs!!!! We pray agains the fear, the anxiety, and the greediness of people. We pray against the evil that this disease may be causing. Whether it's political, man made, or whatever man wanted this to be. We pray agains ALL these FORCES! We declare VICTORY in YOUR name! You are our WAYMAKER, our HEALER, and you are THE BLESSING, and we NO LONGER SLAVES TO FEAR!!!! Amen!!! I just feel called to pray today!!!! I feel called to encourage everyone. By encouraging you, you will encourage others! God's got this. He's got you! He's got this virus. He's got this fear, anxiety, and greediness! And yes, I know "he's got" isn't good grammar! What SATAN and MAN have meant for EVIL, GOD has meant for GOOD!!! We declare HEALING and FAITH over this! Even when we don't "see" it, YOU'RE working!!!
Today: Lord, I REBUKE this virus in YOUR Name! I bind it in Jesus' Name!
This was shared on FB today from a friend of mine: In these scary and uncertain times...
Can we all do our bit to break up the constant noise about the virus.
Let's all make the effort to check in on each other and talk about anything else. The weather, what you had for dinner, movies, books or anything.
Share funny stories. Share photos of your life, pets or photos from old holidays.
Share photos of your artwork, share inspirational quotes.
Let's break up the doom and gloom!
Be a light in the darkness.
Shared from my friend Aly Flaherty
I am also adding: sharing awesome news stories, people/pets to follow (here or on IG), and photos, worship songs, or any song..funny memes, movies or books that you think are worthwhile...encouraging things happening around you....(local good deeds), something that you saw that made you smile or laugh, ANYTHING GOOD!
So, this was written out a few weeks ago, from some random thoughts I posted on FB, and IG about the virus, and where life is right now. I am going to post it, b/4 it becomes a moot point.
