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How do you navigate seasons like this when the whole world seems to be going crazy, when fear is the predominate emotion for the day in our culture? How do we operate as the body of Christ in this new normal traffic pattern of life?

Be kind! It is just that simple.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)

Being kind is contained in what it means to love agape. “Love is … kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). Kindness applies to everyone, when they deserve it and when they do not. My grandfather used to say that "courtesy is the oil of life.” Think about it. Doesn't It just make life run smoother when you are courteous? Kindness works in exactly the same way. Your life will run smoother, especially in trying times. 

As you interact with people, being motivated by the Holy Spirit, reach out in kindness. It really will change the circumstances around you. During this time of crisis, choose to be kind. In all your actions toward other people do it in a way that honors them as humans created in the image of God. Choose to be tenderhearted. Try to see things as they do. Put yourself in their place. Feel as they are feeling. Then treat them the way you would want to be treated under the circumstances. Choose to forgive. Even when people have wronged you, work on forgiving, and conduct yourself with that understanding.  This is how we love those around us. Forgiving is one of the most powerful gifts we give to others and it transforms us into the image of Christ. 

There is too much tension and stress during this time. Choose to transform it in kindness. 

In these new normal traffic patterns of life, be kind.

Looking out for one another,

Denny

I do the same basic things every morning: make coffee, grab my Bible (now contained in my iPad), sit in my chair that looks out toward the Estrella Mountains, read, study, and pray. Most mornings I get to watch the sun come up and sometimes it is spectacular. This morning was simply normal but the thought struck me that the sun, in fact, came up.  

In all of the end-of-the-world type of language being spread through the news, day after day in this Coronavirus season, the sun still comes up. God is not finished with us yet.  

In thinking about this I was reminded of this passage:

“… the Lord said in His heart … While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”  (Genesis 8:21-22)

This is the confidence that we have in Him: the earth remains, the end of the world is not yet, life will move forward as evidenced by the rising of the sun.

Take the time to notice the simple things in your life. Enjoy the beauty of nature. Stop, look, and take it in. Understand God is in control.

Look out for one another,

Denny 

I am sitting in my home office thinking, praying about all that is going on around us. It feels like being trapped in a dream state of a Twilight Zone episode. Nothing seems familiar or real. What I see and experience is fear ruling. The world around us is changing and not toward the safe place we desire it to be. This entire life continuum is surreal. Will I ever be able to wake up? I do not want to do this. I want to go back.

In this season of COVID-19, it is easy to conclude that: our governments, political leaders, medical establishments, and scientists, have the power to take care of all this. At least we behave as if they do. 

As I contemplate the Coronavirus affair, I'm not exactly sure what we are “supposed" to do but, I do have some advice … 

Be Still …at least for a while. 

I know Being Still is counterintuitive to everything that makes logical sense yet this is what God commands us to do. Be Still, continue to Be Still until this season is over. When it is over ... Be Still. 

As I consider these thoughts, Psalm 46 comes to mind (one of my favorites).

Psalm 46:1 says: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” 

Let me just say this … I need help, and I believe you need help as well. Where is this refuge, strength, and present help when I need it? Where is God?

Psalm 46:10 says: "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 

I want God to shepherd the nations and the earth. I want to see it. 

As you read the entire 46th Psalm, the context of these above verses, nations have gone rogue against God, and the created order is bringing devastation upon its inhabitants. Sounds like what is being reported in the news as I type. Nature, in its fallen condition, is bringing devastation (Coronavirus). Nations, with their political aspirations, have gone rogue against each other (over blame and how to fix this mess).

God’s message to us is simple. Be still and know that I am God. We can trust Him in this as He is not blind to our plea. He is good. Being still starts with surrendering to Him because we are powerless to handle this on our own. Remember … mankind, science, medicine cannot alone resolve this. We are completely helpless and dependent on our Father. This understanding is the foundation for prayer. Part of Being Still is crying out to God.

Pray today, and every day, about those things burdening your heart. Pray like a small child asking a good Father, unashamedly, what you want. What is your heart's desire? Pray that desire.

Be Still and Pray