Alone Together #14 Sleep, Laughter, and Beauty

A good visit together on Tuesday. It’s not perfect, but hopefully it’s giving you some encouragement and support as Paul helps us hold on to what’s vital, and let go of the peripherals during this tough season. We spent time in Philippians 2, talking about Christ living through us in both vertical and horizontal relationships. How can we foster genuine “koinonia”, which is entirely different than just human bodies all in one room. We can have a packed-out building and zero koinonia. Or we can be separated by thousands of miles and experience authentic, life-giving koinonia. The Holy Spirit is not limited by Covid-19 issues.

I told a friend today the three top medications I need right now are sleep, laughter, and beauty. All three revive my body, mind, heart, and soul. All three remind me of the love, care, and creativity of God. To me, there are not luxuries. They are necessities. What is giving you life and strength right now? How can we share those gifts to support one another? For a touch of beauty (and possibly a few laughs) flip through the Scripture Pictures.

The best article I’ve seen on the Church and Covid-19: "At a time when self-idolatry is being exposed in ugly ways, the church has an opportunity to model love that places the interests of others above the self." This is not easy, friends. There are no perfect answers and one-size-fits-all solutions. This is difficult and challenging no matter how you slice it. My heart has broken over some of the divisive, name-calling stances taken by brothers and sisters. I know it sounds crazy, but could we possibly view this as an opportunity to serve and love one another? Valuable words for us.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/church-dont-let-coronavirus-divide/

Alone Together #13 Next Steps

Many of our communities are opening back up…

Depending upon your location and personal situation, this varies drastically. I spoke with a man yesterday who has almost no known Covid-19 cases within a significant radius near him, but whose brother works at a facility with a refrigerated truck out back as a temporary morgue. Jon takes this quite seriously, but many of his neighbors do not.

Each of us is experiencing this challenging season from a unique perspective. Some areas and individuals are affected more by illness, some more by economic impact. Some are facing tremendous loss on both fronts. Some lives have barely changed, others will never be the same. Some have lost loved ones. Some are financially devastated. Others are doing fine.

I’m hearing

• Fear

• Relief

• Impatience

• Hope

• Judgement

• Politics

• Conspiracies

• Excitement 

• Attacks

• Anger

• Finger-pointing

• Anxiety

• Trust

• Gratitude

• Conflicting conclusions

• Incredibly creative, generous, loving, inspiring serving of friends, family, and neighbors

As the body of Christ, we need to walk in wisdom, fueled by the fruit of the Spirit instead of our opinions. We cannot compare our lives, suffering, and situations. We continue to carefully navigate uncharted waters as we consider what a “new normal” will look like for us as an individual, family, church, community, and planet for the next days, weeks, months, and years.

My prayer every step: “Lord, may I be fueled by Your supernatural love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm19:14) Put Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth. (Revised Goodtime Linda Version) And may I take each step in Your wisdom.”

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)

Hope to see many of you all tonight! As always, feel free to slip in and out as desired. Come as you are: pajamas, bed heads, and all. It is good to be with the Church by any means we can finagle, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Much love,

Linda

Alone Together #12 The Socially Distant Epistles

How are you holding up? I’ve talked to a lot of people this week. I hear diverse thoughts, opinions, emotions, struggles, frustrations, gratitude, creativity, teachability, dependence upon God, and a few friends crying, “Let me out!!!!”

So this week, let’s read the Prison epistles:

• Ephesians

• Philippians

• Colossians

• Philemon

As you read, respond in your journal. Consider these questions:

• What does Paul emphasize in these concise letters?

• What is foremost on his heart and mind?

• How does Paul keep his sanity?

• How does Paul care for people from prison?

• How do they do church without a building?

• How did the first century church commit to love and unity while often isolated from one another?

• How can we love our faith community?

• How can we share Christ with a world that needs to see Him?

We’ll have a great discussion Tuesday as we learn from Paul on how to do Church in less than ideal situations.