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Now What?

3/28/2020

16 Comments

 
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Shelter in Place. That’s what it’s called. Forty million Californians (and more in other states) staying at home unless venturing out is absolutely necessary. Families learning to live with each other 24/7 without going crazy, but as Gayle King of CBS This Morning said recently, “I live alone and I’m driving myself crazy!”

So now what? What do we do?

Many are still working, only now from home. How is that working out? The refrigerator is way to close for my comfort.

Others are trying to recreate their normal at home. Gym workouts, projects, hobbies, etc. The only difficult part is to actually get started.

I have managed to clean four drawers and one cupboard and feel pretty good about that though I know it falls miles short of what I probably should have accomplished already.

I did find these puzzles (pictured upper left) that are self-proclaimed to be “Perhaps the World’s Most Challenging Puzzle,” because there is only one way all nine of those squares fit together. My intent was to complete each one (I have six) and then give them away. After about thirty minutes with one, the frustration was more than the isolation so now all are in the “give-away” box and I moved on to more enjoyable ventures (see bottom photo).

I thought my now defunct tree blankets might work for a hitting net for my whiffle golf balls, but alas they proved too thin (as you can see by the hole) so I moved on to burlap, which seems to be holding up nicely.

I do not mean to make light of the issue, nor of our need to isolate, but we all have had to create a new normal, and as the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

So first of all, how are you doing? Staying safe. Hopefully well. Then what are you doing? How are you managing the old responsibilities with the new reality? What new activities have your incorporated into your day?

I would love to hear from you. I have time.

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Prayer is for the Present . . .

3/21/2020

3 Comments

 
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It only seemed appropriate to return to E.M. Bounds and the topic of prayer. At times like this it seems a lot of people either turn to prayer or to panic. Prayer is always the better option.

We are told to “pray without ceasing,” (I Thes. 5:17) and there is plenty to pray about: our leaders (I Tim. 2:2), those who hate and persecute us (Matt. 5:44), for everyone (I Tim. 2:1) and everything (Phil. 4:6). BUT, what I found very interesting is that Bounds believes prayer is for the present.

I could try to paraphrase everything he said, but I think it best if I just let him speak for himself.

First, he reminds us that in the Lord’s prayer we pray, “give us this day our daily bread,” and by doing so we are “in a measure, shutting tomorrow out of our prayer. We do not live in tomorrow, but in today” (16).

Bounds continues by saying “They thrive best, and get the most out of life, who live in the living present. We do not seek tomorrow’s grace or tomorrow’s bread. They pray best who pray for today’s needs, not for tomorrow’s,  which may render our prayers unnecessary and redundant by not existing at all! (16-17)

Finally, he says that “True prayers are born out of present trials and present needs. Bread for today is bread enough. Bread given today is the strongest sort of pledge that there will be bread tomorrow. Victory today, is the assurance of victory tomorrow. Our prayers need to be focused on the present. We must trust God today, and leave tomorrow entirely with him. The present is ours; the future belongs to God. Prayer is the task and duty of each recurring day––daily prayer for daily needs” (17).

So when we come to God in prayer, let’s pray for today and leave tomorrow in His hands. Remember Jesus did tell us “. . . [to] not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). Amen to that.

* * * *

The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds.​ Baker Books: Grand Rapids, MI. 1990.



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Be Anxious for Nothing . . .

3/14/2020

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Coronavirus. Record drops in the stock market. Devastating tornados. And that’s just the big stuff! Personal difficulties. A wayward child. An ill parent. A lost job. What is there not to be anxious about?





And yet that is what we have been told, yes commanded even. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Notice that nowhere in those verses does it say that everything will turn out okay. That no one will get sick. That your money will be safe or that lives won’t be lost. Though we want everyone to be healthy, out of danger, and financially secure, that isn’t what these verses promise. They promise peace. Peace through the difficulties. Why? Because ultimately God is in control.

Though we live in a fallen world filled with disease, death, disappointment, and downturns, nothing happens without God’s knowledge, and yes, permission. Does He cause it?––No. But as Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”. 

Job 12:10 adds, “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”

But this does not mean that we should throw up our hands and do nothing.  We should always take precautions to minimize the risks that are within our control. But fear should never prevail. Because as I John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” And God’s love is perfect for He loves us intimately and formed each of us so specially.

Luke 12:7––“Why, even the hairs of your head are numbered.”

Jeremiah 1:5––“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

But ultimately it is God who determines our future and the number of days we have on this earth: Job 14:5 reminds us that “A person's days are determined; you [God] have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”

So remember that God’s perfect love for us translates to perfect peace. Isaiah 26:3––“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts you.​

Be prudent. Trust God. Experience peace.







1 Comment

Wind Assisted . . .

3/7/2020

2 Comments

 
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A few years ago I moved from a Toyota Prius to a Honda CR-V AWD. I wanted the height and extra room as well as the ability to drive in the snow without worry. What I gained in space I gave up in gas mileage.

Though the CR-V does get great gas mileage for an SUV, it is still quite a bit shy of the Prius’s top number . . . until a few days ago.




I was driving south to Fresno and had a 25-30 mile an hour tailwind. Well, let me tell you. Those little green efficiency bars on my dashboard were lit up regardless of my speed, and when I went to check my fuel usage, Cecil (my CR-V) would have given Oscar (my former Prius) a run for his money. (Yes, I name my cars.)

While wind assistance can negate a sprinter’s record-breaking run, in almost all other areas having the wind assist you is a good thing. Sailboats rely on it, trees are strengthened by it, a golfer’s driving ego is increased because of it  (perhaps not a good thing), and according to the website, Journey North: “The ability [for eagles] to soar high and far is absolutely dependent on the weather, particularly on the wind and the sun.”

While competitive sprinters must show what they can do under their own power, Christians are designed by God to need assistance––for two very important  reasons. First, as He states in 2 Corinthians 12:9) His “power is made perfect in [our] weakness,” and second “so that no man can boast” that he earned or worked his way to salvation (Ephesians 2:9).

God’s “wind assists” can take on many different forms. It too can take the form of eagle’s wings (Isaiah 40:31), or it can be His grace (2 Corinthians 12:9). Sometimes He is our “refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1), and other times He is a “strong tower” (Proverbs 18:10). He can also be a “stronghold” (Nahum 1:7), a “hiding place” (Psalm 32:7), and a shield (Psalm 119:114).​

So don’t be afraid to spread your wings and let God’s “wind” take you places you never thought you could go.

2 Comments

    Author

    Jody Eileen Solinski spent her career teaching in the California public school system where she enjoyed helping young adults take their place in society. A native Californian, she enjoys the outdoors and so loves living in Northern California where she can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation up close.

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