Healing River January 2021

This year has been marked with reflection and change;

some days feel good and others feel strange.

We’ve learned to work differently;

and love more unconditionally.

We try to tune out the stress;

but sometimes life still feels like a mess.

We find ways to turn negatives into good;

and learn new skills that we thought we never could.

We find ways to travel to less congested places;

and we meet our friends with covered faces.

Hopefully this year has been filled with opportunity;

and we’ve tried to exercise and strengthen our immunity.

2020 hasn’t been like we expected;

but we’ve found new ways to stay connected.

Hug your kids and enjoy the outdoors;

worry less about the very small chores.

Things will get better because they usually do;

enjoy what you love and learn something new.

Don’t forget to pray and always be kind;

try to stay positive and learn to unwind.

                                   Craig Alter, Mercy Health, Cincinnati, OH

Ever since COVID-19 reared its ugly head and upended our world. we all have many questions about it as well as the new vaccine for it.  Focus on the Family has a very interesting and informative perspective on Covid-19 vaccines with two infectious disease specialists Dr. Danial Hinthorn and Dr. Scott James.  This video answers common questions about the vaccines, addressing practical concerns and next steps while taking a look at where the pandemic may be heading in the coming months.  You are encouraged to check this out on the link provided. It may help to answer some of the questions you have had.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/covid-19-vaccines-what-you-need-to-know

Here is a snippet of the discussion by Dr. Daniel Hinthorn on the mechanism of action relative to how the vaccine gets into our cells to build immunity.

Vaccines artificially stimulate the body to have resistance to whatever agent is being dealt with. In this case the agent is a virus. Ordinarily, we use a live virus that is weakened or modified in some way and then when administered, the body builds up antibodies as if we already had the virus infection making us resistant to that particular virus in the future. Coved-19, however, infects the body differently than most viruses and therefore is called a novel virus. So a “novel” vaccine was also needed which required a different structure in order to fight off this particular type of corona virus. This Covid vaccine is not made with a live virus. The path this new vaccine uses is via a molecule called messenger RNA(mRNA). This vaccine bypasses the normal infection process by injecting mRNA directly into the body with a lipid attached to mRNA. This lipid enables the vaccine to get into the cells in our body and begins to make proteins that look like the cell is already infected. So then the body develops a resistance to this particular virus- Covid-19.  

Information on how to get the Covid-19 Vaccine for Huron County can be found on their website via this link: https://www.hchd.us/

This same site will also give you updates and information you need to know about Covid-19.

Remember to Wear a mask, Wash your hands, Watch your distance.

Movement seems to be the easiest thing for us to either drop from our busy schedules or add to our not so busy schedules . When we consider the ways the parts of the body are hinged and rotate and reach in every direction, it’s easy to see that God means for us to move. It’s part of how we celebrate our body-and-spirit connection to God. No matter what our physical activity level is now, we can discover ways to enjoy movement.

Here are a couple thought starters:

♦ How would you describe the connection between your body and your  

  spirit?

♦ Name some ways you can add movement to your life to show this  connection.

♦What goal would help bring your movement into better balance?

Here are a couple Reflection Starters:

      ♦The earliest pages of the Bible show God’s movement – walking – in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:8)

      ♦ David, the greatest king of Isreal, - danced – before the Lord with all his might. (2 Samuel 6:24)

      ♦ Biblical writers describe the life of faith in language of movement – they run and don’t get tired; they walk and don’t faint. (Is. 40:31).  Run so that you may win (I Cor. 9:24). Run with endurance the race that  is set before us. (Heb. 12:1)

Here are a couple Action Starters:

      ♦ Start with small changes in movement – find ways to take extra steps or minutes to a new activity.

      ♦ Invite a friend and have great conversation while walking.

      ♦Take a nature hike through several of our Nature Parks in Huron County.

      ♦Discover a place to walk when outdoor weather doesn’t cooperate.

Laker Legacy Center is hoping to be open by the end of January for public use. Check the Laker website or Facebook page for updates.

This would be a terrific place to get exercise of almost any form.

He was a faithful member of PRMC.

Do you agree that sometimes praying is just hard? It takes a lot of time and brain power-and I for one don’t have much of either sometimes. I will often revert to this prayer that my father would pray using the language of King James every morning while we were growing up as a family at home.  It is a humble prayer.  It is a prayer that is truly one for all times – in sickness and in health, for the rulers of our land….. I first remember it when I was about 9 or 10.  My brother Howard and my late brother Wayne had it memorized.                     (Prayerfully shared by Charlene Neer)

Our kind, heavenly Father, we come before you this morning’s hour, thankful that thou has been kind to us and kept us safe this another night.

We thank thee for the watch and care thou hast given us, for health and strength to rise with the right use of our minds and bodies.

We thank thee that thou are ever watchful and mindful of us thy children. We thank thee Lord, that thou dost continually shower us with blessing far above that which we are worthy of.

We pray for those who are sick and afflicted or bereft of their loved ones. Draw nigh unto them; comfort them in their distress. Help us always to know that thou dost allow these things to come upon us, not to punish us but to draw us closer to thee.

Remember those who have the rule and authority over us. Help them ever to look up to thee for their help and guidance. Give them wisdom from on high, that they might rule in such a way that these liberties which we enjoy might not be taken away from us; if we are not praying against thy most holy will.

Bless those who preach and teach thy word, wherever they are serving thee, at home or abroad. Help them to seek thy truth in such a way that many souls might come to thee yet before it is forever too late. We pray that thou wouldst help all of us to live in such a way that those around us might see that we have been with Jesus.

We pray that thou wouldst be with those of our children who are gone away from us. Draw nigh unto them this day. Help them to live and walk in ways that are pleasing unto thee. Guide and protect them and keep them ever mindful of thy presence.

(Prayers for each child and their special needs)

Lead us, guide us, direct us with thy care divine. Finally, when thou are through with us here on earth with its toils, wouldst thou be pleased to own and accept us home unto thee.                                    

We ask these favors and blessings in the name of Jesus. Amen.