Are You A Fuzzy Monkey?

 Is Genesis 2:18 true? After all that the Lord God had made He came to the conclusion that He had not done His best. God had made the heavens, the earth, the seas and dry land. He had made plants and all kinds of sea creatures and finally, He created man. A remarkable feat of creation when one considers the complexity of our cardio vascular system, our ability to see, and the ability of our muscles to move us and allow us to get from place to place. Add to that our mental capabilities and we are, indeed, a marvel. Yet for all this God said, "It is not good". What could possibly qualify as "not good" in the midst of all that? Oh, it is "not good for man to be alone". We were designed to be social beings. Just give a thought to the nervous system so sensitive that you to feel a stray hair tickle your arm. We were designed to touch, to feel, to know the warmth of another human being that cares for us. 

Just how important is this function of touch and tender connection? Well, as my mind has been wandering back to the early days of my education, Harry Harlow, wandered into the grey matter. Harlow is best known for his social or psychological studies using rhesus monkeys. The experiment was pretty simple. He took baby monkeys and placed them in cages with wire mom monkeys with bottles attached and other monkeys in cages with fuzzy mom monkeys with bottles attached. The wire mom babies did not fare well. In fact many died or developed severe behavioral problems. Not so with the fuzzy moms. Their baby monkeys grew up, for the most part,  healthy and normal. Harlow tested the monkeys further by putting in both a wire mom monkey with the bottle and the fuzzy mom with no bottle at all. The baby monkeys would leave the fuzzy mom, nurse from the wire mom and then scurry back to cuddle with the fuzzy mom. His conclusion was that warm, nurturing, touch was essential for proper development. He discovered that it was not good for baby monkeys to feel alone. 

What is true for rhesus monkeys is true for human beings as well. We do not do well in isolation. We need family, we need community, we need one another. It is not good for us to be alone. The touch of another human being is vital to our well being. It has been God's plan for human beings to function as a community. The Scriptures are filled with phrases that contain the words, "one another". When prisoners are put into solitary confinement or isolation it is not a reward. Children placed in mass wards in orphanages, with little human contact, do not develop well. Many do not survive. We were not created for perpetual "social distancing". We were designed for community and comforting touch.

God recognizes the need to isolate those who carry a potentially deadly disease. Leviticus 13 gives instructions to isolate someone with possible leprosy to protect the community. Quarantine for contagious members of the community was not just allowed, but necessary. However, we are now told that everyone is a potential threat. Everyone must isolate. No one should have contact with another. The message of fear has replaced the need for social interaction. We are told it is not just dangerous but life threatening to get within six feet of another human. We are told to lock ourselves away and avoid other people, even family members. Even though much research shows that the threat is not what it has been. The death rate has plummeted and the recovery rate is very high. Still the fear mongers tell us to stay alone, to avoid others, to enjoy our solitary confinement. It is for our own good. If we disagree, rules are declared to force us to comply.

There are a consequences to this mandated isolation that do not get much publicity. Throughout the United States thousands of seniors have been isolated in nursing homes and assisted living centers. Some have been denied the opportunity to be taken to the homes of their children or grand children. No, for their own protection they are locked away from human companionship, the touch of a child's hand or the embrace of a loved one. Not for days but for months. In New York alone, thousands have been isolated to die alone. Some from a virus, some from loneliness. Some, who enjoyed the simple things of life have given up in isolation. Now, depressed, they just wait to die. No fuzzy monkey available to bring some comfort or warm touch. Isolation breeds death.

The other neglected group are the recovering addicts and mentally ill who need both accountability and comfort. I personally know of those who, laid off from work, isolated at home, not able to be with friends, have returned to the comfort of drugs, both prescription and illegal. That toll in destruction and death will likely never be measured. I wrote a post a few weeks ago, "Which Spirit" reminding us that there is a spirit who desires to, "rob, kill, and destroy". That spirit thrives in the isolated lives of the vulnerable. His quiet voice calls the addict to his drugs, the depressed to their pills, those who suffer from a variety of emotional challenges and Post Traumatic Stress, to just yield to the battle and end their lives. So they do. All alone in their quiet apartment cages, longing for the touch of someone to talk them out of the pressure they feel to end the pain. However, no friend can come. No brother or sister can comfort. For they too are isolated in their own government mandated isolation chamber homes. So they die alone, protected from the deadly virus.   

Our nation, if not the world, has become an enormous laboratory experiment. "Let us see how large segments of population deal with extended isolation." "Let us see how much fear we can instill to keep the experiment going." I am not suggesting there is no threat or that the vulnerable ignore reasonable precautions, however, social science and the Word of God tell us that there will be consequences for the ongoing isolation and fear. When we violate God's design to replace them with man's edicts of "safety" there will be a price to pay. Our oldest generation has become the victim of fear and isolation. Others that government sets out to "protect" are left with wire monkey moms and no comfort as they spiral into the darkness of their own personal pain. But,we know, not all the monkeys are expected to survive the experiment. There is always an acceptable cost when we run the tests and evaluate the process. Not to sound cynical, but have you noticed the government folks, like those in white lab coats, still travel, still wander about talking to folks, still have their social calendars. Perhaps for them, they know that it is not good for man to be alone. That is just for the little monkeys. But, you know, it's for their protection.          

Pavlov's America

 It seems one cannot fully escape one's past. Our minds have the uncanny ability to drag up things we did not know we could remember. Forty-four years have come and gone from my college graduation day. Yet, random things I was required to read find their way to the frontal lobes and pierce my thoughts and cause me to ponder. My studies were multi-faceted, with equal credits in psychology, sociology and Bible and a collection more in history and speech. An interest and further pursuit in cultural anthropology has been the unintended consequence. It has led to a, perhaps, unusual approach to my study of God's Word and my presentation of the Scriptures each Sunday morning. Keeping in mind the Jewish culture, idioms, history of the time and the background of the speaker or writer, as well as the audience, consumes a portion of my preparation. Knowing that Paul was a practicing Jewish Rabbi and a pharisee writing to his disciple, Timotheos, who was likewise a practicing Jew, both faithful to Torah and Jewish tradition, may well place Paul's correspondence in a different light. Our tendency to look at Scripture as if it was written to Americans with no thought to the original culture and history may rob us of the richness of the text. We may even create difficulties in interpretation that can be resolved if the context of the culture and history are considered. However, this is a unintended rabbit trail. My real point goes back to the psychology thing.

In my college days I was treated, exposed and, perhaps, mildly infected with the works of such psychologists as Pavlov, Skinner, Harlow and others whose investigations into behavioral psychology were a hot topic back in the 70's. They were interesting and required reads at the time. The question of nurture and environment verses a growing interest in the genetic links to behavior stirred controversy within the academic community. These became woven into cultural anthropology as one sought to understand how societies functioned and passed on traditions and variations of cultural norms. The concept of "stimulus and response" became a tool to evaluate how and why people did what they did. Pavlov's accidental discovery of salivating dogs became his claim to fame, as it were, and it has been copied and used as a foundation for a significant part of behavioral psychology. If you are not familiar, Pavlov noticed that when he fed his test subject dogs they began to salivate at the presence of his lab assistants even before the bowl of meat powder arrived. The very sight of the lab assistants generated a response. The lab assistants were replaced with a bell or a flashing light, creating the same response. The dogs associated the bell or light with food and began to drool before the food got there. 

The experiment was rehashed in a number of variations. Each time, without any intent by the subject, a response was triggered by stimulus. Positive reinforcement could encourage or alter a behavior. We have been borrowing this for years. "Make your bed and you get a quarter". The child will begin to make their bed automatically, at least as long as the quarters keep coming. The positive behavior will eventually become a response in the expectation of the reward; even if the reward discontinues the behavior will persist. This may wane if the reward is withheld for a period of time. Negative reinforcement was found to be more powerful. A light comes on and voltage passes through the floor of the rat's cage. He jumps on the wooden shelf to avoid the shock. After short amount of time the light comes on and the rat is on the shelf. You can discontinue the shock treatment, however, the rat will be on the shelf every time the light comes on. It will take a long time before the rat will test the floor to see if the shock still occurs. I am not suggesting you tag your child with a cattle prod every time their bed is not made; however, hanging the cattle  prod just outside their bedroom door will likely result in a made bed for quite some time to come. The simple reality is, you can control people's behavior with either a positive or negative reinforcement.

Pavlov's findings have taken on an experiment on a grand scale. A national, perhaps even international, scale. My point is not to promote one opinion or another, but, perhaps we need to think about the bigger picture. "Masks probably do not help", "Masks might be helpful", "Wear a mask to flatten the curve", "Wear a mask to help protect yourself if you are vulnerable", "Wear a mask or you will die",  "Wear a mask or you will kill others", "Wear a mask or you cannot shop". "Wear a mask or get arrested and fined". So we wear a mask. For some it is an inconvenience. For some it is assumed this will pass. For some it is life threatening due to anxiety, PTSD, or respiratory problems. However, for many, it is now a necessity. A matter of life or death. The message to provide the negative stimulus has taken hold. When the light comes on, the threat of the upcoming shock has them grab their mask. The desired result of controlling the subject has been realized. The negatively reinforced message has been ingrained and the poor little mouse will jump on the mask shelf in fear and never be able to know if it is safe again. The experiment to see if control can be achieved through fear has been a success. Now we can introduce new control factors. "The vaccine is there if you want it", "The vaccine is there for the vulnerable", "The vaccine will keep you safe" "If you refuse the vaccine you will kill others", "The vaccine is required by law", "You cannot shop without proof of the vaccine", "It matters not if you have recovered from covid19, the vaccine is required". "We can provide your children with a curriculum", ""We require that your children use this curriculum", "Your children will not be able to go to college or get a job unless they complete this curriculum", "If you do not comply, we will take your children." 

Far fetched? Just check out the history of so many countries that responded to the government's "provision" and "protection". Social utopia has a cost. Just your freedom and your rights. Government knows best. Hear their bell? Put on the mask. Pavlov would be so proud.         

Which Spirit

Have you noticed, if you have lived for a few years, that the world seems to follow a pattern of change. We follow cycles in the seasons, in the days and months and also in human history. Solomon was right when he said, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). However, there are some constants. God is always good, always loves, and is always working toward the realization of His Kingdom. He is the God of life, and not just life, Jesus promised "life abundant", in John 10. The Lord also gave us another constant. In this world, there is a thief who comes to rob, kill, and destroy. While we live on this earth those two realities are with us. Now we know that light will defeat darkness. Good will triumph over evil and God will be victorious. Yet, until that day the battle continues. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:2. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." The spirit that wants to rob, kill, destroy, divide, spread fear and anxiety is always there to attempt to keep us from, life abundant, love, unity, truth and freedom. In essence there are two spirits that are at work around us. The question is, which one do you support.

What makes the battle even harder to engage in are the tactics of our enemy. He is a thief, so he is subtle in his attacks. He is an adept liar, and deceiver. 2 Corinthians 11:14 gives this warning, "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." We can be influenced by  false teachers, false prophets and people in power who are set out to deceive and control us. While Christ promises us that we have no need to fear the enemy tells us to be afraid, to be very afraid. The Lord told us that we are free, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). The enemy tells us to give up our freedom in exchange for a false promise of protection.So how do we proceed? What can we do? Matthew 7:20, gives us some help, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them." People, preachers, teachers, and politicians, can say pretty much anything. But what do their actions reveal? Which spirit do they support and serve?

We are at a time in American history when many of the shadows have been burned away so that the forces of light and darkness have become more evident. At least more evident in the 67 years that compose my life. We have the amazing privilege and responsibility that the people back in Bible times never had. We can have a say in who has power over us. The lines are clearly drawn as to which spirit holds sway over those who desire to be given the positions for the governing of this nation. One party and its candidates hold to the value of life, seeing every life as a gift and treasure from God. No matter what pigmentation, mental capability, economic position, born or in the womb, all of these lives have value and are created by the very hand of God Himself. The other sees life as a biological chance to be disposed of  by the judgement and whim of mankind. They not only devalue life but stood up in NY to celebrate the freedom to execute a child even as it leaves the womb. Others feel that a child should not be considered viable until its quality of life can be ascertained. The unworthy burdens to society can mercifully be left to die. God sees the little ones and the older ones as precious. This pandemic has shown the hand of some in leadership who have assigned the elderly to die alone in nursing home where no visitors may visit them, In some cases it is illegal for family members to take there parents and grandparents out of the institutions to bring them home to care for them as a family. Protect life, or kill and destroy. The fruit reveals the spirit.

I am old enough to have lived through some difficult times and have seen riots and destruction in days past. In those days there was an agreement that these were tragic and needed to be brought to an end. Now protesters, who literally rob, kill, and destroy, are encouraged and protected by governors and mayors of one political party. They have declared the violence to be covered by "free Speech" while denying churches and synagogues, and other places of worship to meet. Liquor stores, strip clubs and casinos are essential but Bible studies, little health food stores, churches and small businesses are not. All on the whim of one person who has assumed power. One party supports family life disrupted, family businesses destroyed,  families encouraged to be divided and take sides. All in answer to the spirit's call to rob, kill, destroy, divide, and dishonor the God who made them. The other party asks for a stop to the violence, destruction, and murder, Calling for the moral strength needed to protect the innocent and vulnerable. We were all appalled with the death of George Floyd. A death that should not have occurred and those responsible should be brought to the full measure of justice. But what of the actual hundreds of young men, women and even children of color that have died on the streets of Chicago and other major cities in the past weeks? Don't their lives matter? The spirit of darkness is celebrating the death and mayhem that strangles many of our cities. Those who over see the chaos from the comfort of their governor and mayoral mansions make excuses and de-fund the police. One party political party dominates this oversight of this anarchy and encourages the chaos.  Which spirit is winning? By their fruits you will know them.

I am grieved over the loss of life, the loss of freedom, the destruction of  lives and livelihoods. Cites overcome by fear and darkness. Perpetual attacks with the intent to divide and compartmentalize people and society. In the midst of this a dear brother I met at the gym is diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He is in the hospital. I cannot visit, not even playing my "Pastor's" card. We text scripture verses and links to praise and worship songs. Only immediate family can see him. My daughter suggested that I pretend he is my son and sneak in past the hospital security. That is when I first mentioned that he is African American. Pigmentation has never mattered to either of us. We have known each other for a dozen years. Talked and laughed and shared prayer requests. Now my prayers are for him. That the One who gives life will spare his. The spirit of darkness has had enough victories in the past few months.

This is not intended to be a political post. It is about a spiritual war that rages here and around the planet. It is not new and it will not end with an election or change in political power here or anywhere in the world. However, those we elect will take us either further into the realm of "rob. kill, destroy" or toward the preservation of life for the most vulnerable of us, the unborn and aging. One toward the government control and freedoms curtailed. The other toward personal freedom and responsibility One toward legalized destruction and fear and one toward the protection of property and prosperity. One toward curtailing religious liberty and labeling Biblical morality "intolerance"  and the other toward religious freedom and freedom of speech. An honest evaluation of the choices before us support my concerns over the spiritual war that envelopes our communities, our states, our nation and the world. Two spirits. One brings life, freedom, and hope over fear. The other says,  kill, destroy, and be very afraid. Which spirit will you support?    

Renewed Every Morning

What are your thoughts when you watch the sun rise? Whether you are sitting alone on a beach, watching it burn through snow covered pines, or just see it creep through your kitchen window, there is something moving about a sunrise. A new day has begun. It is untainted by anything we have done and it holds  a promise of things to come. I know for some the new day is a painful reminder of things lost. Another day waking to an empty bed where a beloved spouse once lay. An expectation of painful cancer treatments or the hollow realization of another day to battle depression or abuse. Yet even in those circumstances a new day still can offer hope. In the midst of the Lamentations of Jeremiah he writes these often quoted words, "Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). The Hebrew word for "mercies" is, "חֶסֶד", hesed. It is a rich word that does not come easily into English. Often translated "lovingkindness". It is a reflection of the reciprocal love based in God's irrevocable covenant with His people. We are loved by Him and nothing can change that. We experience more of the depth of this love when we love God in return. David knew of this unchanging love, even through his failures. Jeremiah expresses it here in the midst of God's necessary discipline upon His people. Every day brings the reminder of God's unfailing love.

The Apostle Paul reminds the rather dysfunctional assembly of believers in Corinth that "love never fails". Pretty much every thing else will, however God's love is constant, no matter what the circumstances. Every sunrise is an affirmation of that truth. We may fail but God's love never fails. We are not worthless losers. Ephesians 2:10 assures us that, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." We are new creations, (2 Corinthians 5:17). The sunrise tells us that we are no longer those who walk in darkness. Peter gives this encouragement, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 1:9). And even though we may struggle in the journey Paul includes us in his letter to the Philippians letting us know that He Who began this good work will complete it, til the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6).

The world and our circumstances my try to tell us otherwise. However, we are God's chosen ones. We are loved and given a fresh dose of His unyielding love and compassion every morning. No scraps of grace from the day before. A new supply of the needed love and compassion of God with every sunrise. We are confronted daily with the bad news of the day. It seems much of the media is intent on discouraging us and marketing fear. Even the good news is couched in the darkest background and embedded with the cautions that even the good news is not really good at all. Stay under the covers and avoid the sunrise. The darkness is your friend. The light is too scary to deal with right now so cower in the shadows. That simply is not the message of God's Word. Paul says we are more than conquerors. We get renewed and rearmed with God's mercy and compassion every morning. Mercy from Him and compassion to share. We were created for good works not debilitating anxiety. And if ever you feel abandoned just praise Him. David writes, "But You are holy, O You that inhabits the praises of Israel" (Psalm 22:3). God is enthroned, elevated and becomes intimate and obvious to His people in the midst of their praise.

We are children of the light and called to reflect the glory of our God and Savior. We cannot do that hiding in the comfort of the darkness. Life is not easy. Each day will bring troubles of its own. No day passes without some kind of challenge. Thus, God provides a new measure or treasure of mercy, lovingkindness, and compassion every sunrise. They are provided new for you every morning. Great is His faithfulness. So get up and bask in the light of His warmth and compassion one more day. For you are His and He will never leave you alone.

Not the God I Wanted

Are you happy with the God of all creation, the Maker of heaven and earth? I have been walking with the Lord for about fifty years now. I had expectations when I began the journey. Ones that fit my maturity and needs of the time, and God seemed to be okay with that. My image of the Almighty has changed. I would like to think it has grown from those early days. Still, there are days when I remember wanting, even anticipating, a more reciprocal God. One where I did my part and He did His. I wanted a comfortable God that was all powerful, yet somehow predictable. Perhaps, in some measure, contained. When I read the Chronicles of Narnia, all those years ago, C.S. Lewis reminded me often that Aslan, the divine lion of the series, was not a tame lion. A nice reminder in the story, however, not all that comfortable in real life.

I have found that, in the honest intimacy of my spirit, that I still long for that tamer version of the Lion of Judah. One where my prayers are answered quickly and in accord with my own desires. Yes, it is true that the theological, rational, intellectual me is quick to remind me of all I have learned. The mind that tells me God is God and I am not. He will do what is best for His ultimate plan and my ultimate good, even if I am uncomfortable with the process. That does not mean I do not struggle with the process from time to time. "We live in a fallen world" may be the only answer when tragedy falls. Yet, it is an answer that can feel a bit hollow when I look at the reality and the pain in my heart when the dark days come. It is those times when I can be remarkably critical with myself. I can see  the struggle as failure and a lack of faith. The Lord has always come through. I have known "the peace that passes all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). And I experienced the truth that, "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). I have even been able to join Job in honestly saying, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15). Those thoughts and memories offer a bit of strength and resolve when I am seeking the tamer lion. However, I would be dishonest to say it is always satisfying.

I pray regularly for a lot of people, issues, missions, and concern for world events. I have seen God answer in remarkable ways. I have seen cancer removed, eyesight healed, people rise up from what everyone thought was their death bed. I have seem social events change the attitudes of people and tragedy unite families and congregations. God has been evident and responsive to my hurts and my prayers. I have also seen the other side. A longed for and anticipated child die at birth for no apparent medical reason. I have had a college room mate, and dear brother in the Lord, be used of God to further the gospel in almost unimaginable ways. Brilliant mind, excellent communicator, able to speak eight languages, struck down in freak car accident at age forty. I have stayed up all night with a couple praying for a child who died in the morning. I have felt the loss of a friend, more like a brother, who has left a hole that the Lord has yet to heal. I have stood in the dark and asked why, knowing there is no why to be found. I have seen ministries grow and selfish, angry people work to destroy them. In all of these situations God could have intervened and chose not to. Even in the current situation where covid 19 has grown into debilitating fear for so many, believers and unbelievers alike, God has the power to change things. Yet the one who "robs, kills and destroys" seems to gain an upper hand in too many lives and communities.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a God Who just stepped in and did what we wanted? A tame yet powerful lion we could direct. One we could come to and say, "I pray, You answer, that's the deal. And I need it by tomorrow." That is not the God of the Bible, nor the God of real life. Feelings have to give way to faith. Wishing and wanting needs to be overshadowed by trust. Discouragement replaced with obedience. Doubt and fear with truth and love. I really do not want a tame lion. I really do need one way bigger than me. One Who can take the questions of life and the disappointments of living and give me that assurance that it will be okay. The Lion has got this. Even through the pain and scars that linger and may always hide below the surface, this Lion has never left my side. And when the days come to an end He will carry me through the valley of the shadow of death to a new home that has no more good byes, no more tears, no more pain and gently present me to my Heavenly Father. A place of joy unspeakable and full of glory. In the darker days I remember this. He is not a tame Lion, but He loves me, and that is enough.

Don't Let the Devil Win

God's church has done pretty well in the midst of challenging circumstances. Historically we usually do.  Satan had a great opportunity to deliver a blow to God's mission. Most of us have been unable to meet together. For the first time Resurrection Sunday services were canceled world wide. Our greatest celebration set to the side. The isolation has continued for longer than any of us had hoped or expected. However, families reconnected. We have made phone calls and checked up on our senior members. We left meals and groceries on doorsteps. We found ways to place worship, devotionals, Bible studies and messages out there on the web. Some of us "Zoom" together while others "Duo", "Face time" or video chat.The message of the gospel and the opportunity to learn about the Lord has multiplied in ways we could not have imagined. What was meant for evil has been turned to good. It has been an amazing thing to behold and a time to give glory to the Lord God for the opportunities we have had. It is also a time to pray that all this spiritual social media will have a dramatic effect and that there would be a great harvest for God's kingdom. We have more than survived the pandemic, we have been conquerors in Christ Jesus. Working through the trial is something we have demonstrated we can do successfully. It is coming out of the trauma where we often do not fair so well. 

This time will not last forever. We are seeing the isolation begin to draw to a close. In the USA different states are giving various degrees of freedom for churches to gather together once again. Churches are putting together strategies and programs to reopen. It is not an easy task and the variables depending upon your location or restrictions make the challenges even greater. On top of that all of the churches that assemble across our lands are full of people. I do not mean the building, I mean the assemblies of living breathing people. You know, all those sheep with various gifts, personalities and experiences just trying to get along. I have been involved in pastoral ministry for over forty years now, and I have seen the Body of Christ splinter in the best of times over the most trivial things. We are often our own worst enemy. In times of struggle we put divisive things aside and look out for one another. That is how it should be. And that is what we have seen. Again, it has been a glorious and God honoring thing to behold. We need to be fervently praying that this would continue.

In the process of keeping up with folks I have spent a bit more time on the phone. Emails and texting are useful, however, talking to people on the phone has many advantages and offers a little better communication. What I have found is that there are a great divergence of opinions as to Covid 19, where it came from, how dangerous it is and what to do. Opinions vary from, "This is no beg deal, I've seen worse cases of flu and colds" to "This is the clear sign of the apocalypse in Revelation". There are conspiracy theories that suggest China is the cause, the "Illuminati" is setting up a one world government, the Democrats are forcing socialism on us, or the Republicans and big business set this up to thin out the elderly, non productive, populations and force us all to buy vaccines. Some are said with a bit of humor and some with real intensity as they hope to convert me to their cause. Thus, we should be meeting together like we always have, no need for masks or precautions this was all an overreaction, we will be fine. We should not be meeting at all. We should meet in cars in the parking lot. We should meet outside. We should put speakers in the church windows so people can meet inside or outside depending on how they feel. We should meet but all wear masks and stay six feet apart. We need hand sanitizer at every door and free masks. We should not pass an offering plate or communion tray for they may have germs. Just wait until the government says it is okay. The government has overstepped its bounds, we should ignore them and just meet anyway. 

Ahh, the joy of Christian unity. The one commonality we find in every book of the Bible is the question of unity and God;s people trying to get along. Think about it, can you think of any book in the Bible that does not have some kind of human conflict in it? It seems to be the devil's most effective tool. Churches divide, families split, fellowships are ripped apart, friendships destroyed. It happens all the time. The potential for this destruction is waiting on our doorstep. How will you respond to believers with varying view on this pandemic and how to move forward? Will you feel a bit judgmental toward those with a different point of view? Satan will flood our minds with thoughts of how naive some people are. How easily some are manipulated or duped by the press. Or how arrogant and unfeeling some people are who have not suffered loss. We will be tempted to think less of others, get irritated with their boldness or lack of caution. The unity in crises could be shattered as the crises comes to a close. 

We have to move forward. We will have to begin to meet together as we all long to do. Yet, we will need remarkable forbearance and patience with one another as we do. We are likely to not get it all right all the time. Be in prayer for your pastors and church leaders who will need to make decisions as to how your church fellowship will proceed. They will not be perfect, however, my guess is that they really do care for you and will do the best they can. If you can not wait to get together, that is fine. If you are cautious and need more time, that is okay as well. We really will be put to the test as to how well we will love and respect one another in this time. The world has been watching. They will continue to watch as we proceed. What will they see? Loving people dealing with one another with patience and gentleness or a divided church struggling with division and chaos. I agree with David's thoughts in Psalm 133:1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" I also know the other side from Jesus' words in John 10:10,“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." I know which one the Lord wants and which on the devil hopes for. I say, don't let the devil win. How about you?          

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Be afraid, be very afraid. This is the grave message that has pummeled us for the last twelve weeks or so. The Corona Virus is out to get you and the only responsible thing to do is to cower in terror in your house. No matter what you think of the situation most of the world finds itself in being motivated by fear, This is a dangerous place to be. Exercising caution is a reasonable and prudent thing to do. However, the motivating message we have heard on the news, from our politicians and a number of medical experts is that of fear. Fear you will be infected and die or fear that you will infect someone else and their death is your fault alone. If you do not obey the message of fear you are selfish, hateful and rebellious. None of those qualities are Godly so just go home and try to sedate your fear with some entertaining distraction.

I have witnessed an almost irrational fear in some folks at grocery stores. Even within the body of Christ there are those who live in fear. God has given us another avenue to follow. In Deuteronomy 31:6 God gives this message to Moses, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Paul gives Timothy a similar message, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (1 Timothy 1:7). It is not difficult to find Scriptures telling us not to fear. The only fear we are to have is a reverential fear of the Lord. 1 Samuel 12:24, "Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you." Being cautious is a responsible way to respond to a crisis, any crisis, be it health, military, or terrorist threat. However, responding in fear rather than trust in the God of creation is one step away from forsaking the God who delivers you.

Responses to life's issues always have consequences. Responding in fear is no different. John warns us that fear negates love. 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." Loving God also means trusting Him. The God Who did not withhold His only Son for our salvation is One we can love and trust in return. We need not live in fear. Notice the danger of fear. "Fear has or holds torment". The Greek word is only used one other time in Scripture, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" found in Matthew 25:46. John uses the same word for everlasting torment or punishment for one who succumbs to the trap of fear. Fear robs us of life and love.

When I was in eighth grade my American history teacher approached our history with a blend of sociology, history, cultural anthropology, and philosophy. History was based in a culture and influenced by one's philosophical approach to life. America had a blending of cultures and its founding drew from the works of John Locke, Thomas Aquinas, and even Plato. The one principle I somehow hung onto was this statement. "Fear destroys freedom." If Columbus had been ruled by fear there would have been no new world. If the pilgrims or Sir Walter Raleigh had lived in fear there would be no Massachusetts or North Carolina. Fear would have kept the colonies under the tyranny of Great Britain. The settlers would not have moved west and much of what we enjoy would never have come to be. Remove fear and we learn to fly, and explore outer space, and find cures to disease. Fear keeps us from sharing the Gospel, being missionaries to foreign lands, teaching a Bible class or even listening to a sick child. Fear is far more destructive than we may realize.

Being aware of the dangers and responding accordingly is a sign of wisdom. God is aware of contagious disease. He instituted regulations for those who were ill or contagious. Leviticus 13 gives the regulations for those with skin ailments, including quarantine, to protect those who were healthy. (Just a note, God does not quarantine healthy people on the basis of fear.)  Keeping those infected at a distance from those who are not is a Biblical principle to protect the community. Leprosy was a horrible, contagious, and sometimes deadly disease. The community needed to be protected. Sometimes, just to be safe, people were isolated until a rash or infection could be verified as contagious or not. It was the best thing to do so that the infection would not spread. Prudent action to help prevent or limit the spread of a disease was part of God's instruction to His people. However, the instructions were not intended to bring fear into the lives of His people. The intent was to bring protection and security.

I do not know your circumstances. I do not know how this current virus has threatened you or your family. However, I do know that the Lord does not want your life filled with anxiety and fear. Perhaps we just need to remember the words of the writer to the Hebrews tells us, "So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Or any pandemic, or government, or whatever the world wants to throw at us. The Lord is always there. I will not be afraid.