April 15, 2020
Leadership Notes
Random Thoughts from My Corona-Bunker…
* All kinds of people are doing all kinds of wonderful, positive, helpful things during these challenging times. As I like to say, most people, most of the time want what's best for their families and communities. God is good all the time!
* Don't let a few people - I call them idiots, Calvin called them reprobates - color your attitude or disposition.
* Seen on a sign at a "Napa AutoCare Center" somewhere in North Carolina - "HOPE ROSE FROM THE GRAVE SO WE MAY RISE FROM ANYTHING THIS WORLD BRINGS AGAINST US."
* On another sign, this time in Texas - "IN 20 YEARS OUR COUNTRY WILL BE RUN BY PEOPLE HOMESCHOOLED BY DAY DRINKERS."
* One of the casualties of times like this is common sense. We've seen it in decisions people make. You can buy lottery tickets but not paint for a stay-at-home project? And what about gardening supplies of all kinds? That is outdoor therapy.
* "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me." {1 Corinthians 15:3-8} That's why we can say, with confidence, that no matter what we experience or go through in life, all will be well, because Jesus Christ is Lord.
* In Kentucky, a church had drive-in Easter worship. Church members remained in their cars. I have no comment one way or another on that. Local police took down license plate numbers of those cars. I definitely have a problem with that.
* Covenant Church members and friends continue to be generous during these trying times. Thank you all.
* While we're mired in economic unknowns, pray for wisdom and a reasonable reopening of the engine of economic growth. WE WILL COME BACK…WITH A VENGEANCE!
* My wife had a brilliant idea…no surprise there…submit photos of how you're living life in quarantine, and with your permission, we'll temporarily post them on the church website.
* Many thanks to Jim Laarman for loaning me a book on the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. It is both frightening, informative, and compelling reading. I'd love to hear from you about what you're reading. Shoot me a text or an email with details.
* Do you think that, as simply as we've had to live life these past few weeks, we'll permanently embrace some of that slower pace when this pandemic passes?
* In 2005, after reading a book about the 1918 flu pandemic, President George W. Bush told an aid, "Look, this happens every 100 years. We need a national strategy." Thus was born a comprehensive pandemic plan.
* Through two subsequent Presidents, the plan languished on the backburner. Fifteen years ago, President Bush said, "If we wait for a pandemic to appear, it will be too late to prepare. And one day many lives could be needlessly lost because we failed to act today."
* Some people came to Jesus, asking about those who died when a tower collapsed on them. They wanted to know where the fault rested…with the sins of the victims or the sins of their parents? And Jesus told them they were asking the wrong questions. The real question is, Jesus said, are you right with God? Unless you repent, things won't go well for you at the final judgment.
* Words cannot fully express my love and affection for the people of Covenant Church. I love how you love Jesus, each other, and our community. What a wonderful time of worship we will have when we gather together again!
BE OF GOOD CHEER,
Richard
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