When you think about this Corona Virus Pandemic, what is the first Bible verse that comes to mind? Think about that for a moment. Over the years, perhaps you have memorized verses from the Bible and now the Holy Spirit brings them to your mind. I would be glad to hear from you if you would care to drop them in a private message to me on FB or send me a text.
I have two that come to mind. The first one is 2 Chronicles 7:14: “…if My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” I do not have a prophetic word about whether this is a judgment sent from God to the world but I do wonder how it could not be? Whether this is what I would call a direct judgment (specifically sent from God in reaction to sin) or an indirect judgment (something that happens because we live in an imperfect fallen world) I think 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a great verse for this time. It is always a good time to pray that we might hear a word from God. To seek His face is to seek intimate conversation where He has our undivided attention. This is a really good time to think about humility. Remember James says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. We should not have any problem confessing our dependence on Him to deliver us from this evil. Turning from our wicked ways may actually be harder than one would think. We have socialized sin and made it mainstream. To even label something as sin can cause uncivil debate. Yet, turning from sin is a required step to forgiveness and healing. So, let’s concentrate on our own sin and sins. That might keep us busy for a while.
The second verse is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Here is the passionate loving heart of our Father in Heaven. Here is His stated goal and desire. The people of Israel were captives in a foreign land and had just received the bad news that they were going to be there longer than they anticipated. The Babylonian exile put them in an unwanted “national lock down and quarantine”. But, God was still in control: He had a plan for His people that included prospering, hope and a future with purpose. This is not the first time God has dealt with a crisis. It may be my first pandemic but it is not God’s first. There was a universal pandemic called sin. It had infected the entire human race. God had a plan to defeat it and to keep it from controlling our lives and our destiny. The Gospel story is God’s plan to prosper you, to give you hope and a future.
Meditate on these things!
EASTER PLANS: looks like we might be live streaming for you on Easter Sunday. I will be doing daily devotionals on the Holy Week starting Sunday, April 5, Palm Sunday. Join me if you would like.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE COROANA VIRUS EMERGENCY?
Just kidding! I cannot imagine anyone in the United States of America who has not heard about and/or been impacted by the Corona Virus Emergency. I have been trying to post a daily devotional of encouragement on Face Book based on Psalm 23. I hope it has been helpful. For sure, it has been helpful for me to do offer it.
Today I want to share kind of a “pre-emptive warning”. Many of us have been around for enough time that we have seen a disaster or two. We lived through Hugo, we reached out during Katrina, we travelled overseas after the tsunamis. There is a strange thing that happens in the middle of disasters. It is slow and it kind of sneaks up on us. It is called by some “compassion fatigue”. Compassion fatigue can happen when we have been pre-occupied be some extreme hardship. We can become inundated with information and news… particularly bad news. We may gradually start experiencing anxiety, fear, frustration, doubts, anger, etc. Before we know it we start caring too much or too little, start feeling apathetic toward real needs, start bottling up our emotions, isolate, turn to substance abuse of our drug of choice.
This is new territory for many people. We have experienced disasters before but not many of us have experienced pandemics…world-wide emergencies! So, let’s take a deep breath and do what we know to do. First, let’s cut back a little on the amount of news we watch. Don’t ignore it completely, just don’t let it dominate your time and thinking. Watch some comedy and laugh; listen to music and dance; look at art and be amazed. Second, don’t forget to exercise when you can. Get outside even if you can’t go far. Third, take advantage of technology. Call, talk, skype, facebook, zoom…just find a way to stay connected. We need others and others need us!
When I played and coached ball, we sometimes played “small ball”. That means you try to win with bunts, singles and walks. You steal one base. You don’t have to hit the home run or the triple every time. Small ball can win the game. During this corona virus challenge, let’s play some small ball. Do the little things that improve our spiritual and mental health. Fill up daily with praise, Bible reading, music, a phone call, giving thanks. Empty out daily the frustrations, explosive anger, isolation and anxiety. Breathe in God’s Holy Spirit, breathe out our confessions…fill up and empty out, fill up and empty out. Stay healthy spiritually, mentally, physically, socially, relationally. Don’t let compassion fatigue rob you of the life Jesus gives you! When this trial passes, we want you healthy and blessed!
Pastor Tom
P.S. We now have 60 families that give online/electronically! We cannot overstate what a blessing that is to our ongoing church budget during this time. Thank you so much.
Today I want to share kind of a “pre-emptive warning”. Many of us have been around for enough time that we have seen a disaster or two. We lived through Hugo, we reached out during Katrina, we travelled overseas after the tsunamis. There is a strange thing that happens in the middle of disasters. It is slow and it kind of sneaks up on us. It is called by some “compassion fatigue”. Compassion fatigue can happen when we have been pre-occupied be some extreme hardship. We can become inundated with information and news… particularly bad news. We may gradually start experiencing anxiety, fear, frustration, doubts, anger, etc. Before we know it we start caring too much or too little, start feeling apathetic toward real needs, start bottling up our emotions, isolate, turn to substance abuse of our drug of choice.
This is new territory for many people. We have experienced disasters before but not many of us have experienced pandemics…world-wide emergencies! So, let’s take a deep breath and do what we know to do. First, let’s cut back a little on the amount of news we watch. Don’t ignore it completely, just don’t let it dominate your time and thinking. Watch some comedy and laugh; listen to music and dance; look at art and be amazed. Second, don’t forget to exercise when you can. Get outside even if you can’t go far. Third, take advantage of technology. Call, talk, skype, facebook, zoom…just find a way to stay connected. We need others and others need us!
When I played and coached ball, we sometimes played “small ball”. That means you try to win with bunts, singles and walks. You steal one base. You don’t have to hit the home run or the triple every time. Small ball can win the game. During this corona virus challenge, let’s play some small ball. Do the little things that improve our spiritual and mental health. Fill up daily with praise, Bible reading, music, a phone call, giving thanks. Empty out daily the frustrations, explosive anger, isolation and anxiety. Breathe in God’s Holy Spirit, breathe out our confessions…fill up and empty out, fill up and empty out. Stay healthy spiritually, mentally, physically, socially, relationally. Don’t let compassion fatigue rob you of the life Jesus gives you! When this trial passes, we want you healthy and blessed!
Pastor Tom
P.S. We now have 60 families that give online/electronically! We cannot overstate what a blessing that is to our ongoing church budget during this time. Thank you so much.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
CORONA VIRUS, JIBC, AND THE CDC!
What a combination to start an article. Someone asked last week what has JIBC done in the past for times like this? We assured them that in my lifetime, the only National Disaster that was ever declared was 9/11. We are kind of used to hurricanes, flu outbreaks and floods. But this corona virus is a new type of experience and is living up to all of the hype it created.
I hope you heard the Governor’s message Sunday at 4:00 pm. He was extremely helpful and showed good leadership. He has assembled a good team who helped him make the tough choices for an extremely difficult time. The Governor recommended no meetings of over 100 people. The CDC came right on his heels and said the Center For Disease Control says no more than 50 people at a gathering. So many schools closed, sporting events, shows and concerts, daycares all closed. Remember, the goal is to “flatten the infection curve” by limiting the targets and to prevent the masses from getting this virus.
That is the topic of this article. We are going along with the Governor and CDC recommendation to not gather for corporate worship and other church activities. We will not have Sunday worship services for the next two weeks for sure. No Wednesday night meals, Bible Studies, Youth or Awana Missions. We are hoping and praying we will be able to resume all activities by April 5 which is Palm Sunday and hopefully by Easter! Just like schools, universities, etc, we will close and hope for the best and try to keep you as informed as we can.
Your church staff is still working every day and is available for phone calls, emergencies, etc. We have volunteers ready if anyone needs help getting groceries or medicines. You should be getting what you need right away. You need groceries and medicines. Don’t wait until the last minute. If you know someone who needs help buying groceries or picking up meds, please let us know. Call the office at 843-762-0244.
This Sunday we should have a better recording of the message for this week. Generous donations have allowed us to get the equipment we need to make this happen. We will be able to live feed services each week. For this Sunday, we will probably record it ahead of time and just have it ready for you to see.
Deep breath…hold ten seconds. Some have said that is a good indication you do not have the virus. But, I am not a doctor and I have not stayed in a Holiday Inn Express lately. The extreme adjustments we are making to our liberties are not just to protect us. It is to help those who are at risk: the elderly grandparents and great grandparents; those with compromised immune systems; those recently on chemo; etc. If we can flatten the corona virus infection curve out, we can do a wonderful service to millions.
This Sunday, I will have a sermon ready for online viewing. It will be my best response to this National Disaster known as corona virus. Plan to tune in and let us know what you think.
Pastor Tom
I hope you heard the Governor’s message Sunday at 4:00 pm. He was extremely helpful and showed good leadership. He has assembled a good team who helped him make the tough choices for an extremely difficult time. The Governor recommended no meetings of over 100 people. The CDC came right on his heels and said the Center For Disease Control says no more than 50 people at a gathering. So many schools closed, sporting events, shows and concerts, daycares all closed. Remember, the goal is to “flatten the infection curve” by limiting the targets and to prevent the masses from getting this virus.
That is the topic of this article. We are going along with the Governor and CDC recommendation to not gather for corporate worship and other church activities. We will not have Sunday worship services for the next two weeks for sure. No Wednesday night meals, Bible Studies, Youth or Awana Missions. We are hoping and praying we will be able to resume all activities by April 5 which is Palm Sunday and hopefully by Easter! Just like schools, universities, etc, we will close and hope for the best and try to keep you as informed as we can.
Your church staff is still working every day and is available for phone calls, emergencies, etc. We have volunteers ready if anyone needs help getting groceries or medicines. You should be getting what you need right away. You need groceries and medicines. Don’t wait until the last minute. If you know someone who needs help buying groceries or picking up meds, please let us know. Call the office at 843-762-0244.
This Sunday we should have a better recording of the message for this week. Generous donations have allowed us to get the equipment we need to make this happen. We will be able to live feed services each week. For this Sunday, we will probably record it ahead of time and just have it ready for you to see.
Deep breath…hold ten seconds. Some have said that is a good indication you do not have the virus. But, I am not a doctor and I have not stayed in a Holiday Inn Express lately. The extreme adjustments we are making to our liberties are not just to protect us. It is to help those who are at risk: the elderly grandparents and great grandparents; those with compromised immune systems; those recently on chemo; etc. If we can flatten the corona virus infection curve out, we can do a wonderful service to millions.
This Sunday, I will have a sermon ready for online viewing. It will be my best response to this National Disaster known as corona virus. Plan to tune in and let us know what you think.
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
CORONA VIRUS AND YOU
It has been a while since anything dominated the news like this latest virus. The news media has a tough job of keeping everyone informed without spreading false and unhelpful fear mongering. It really is a daunting task. So what is the response of our church and our faith?
First, can we all agree that good hygiene practices are worth doing all the time? It is flu season with or without corona virus. As they say on cruise ships… “washy, washy”. Every expert I have seen and heard has encouraged the basic practice of washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Thank you. Go to the restroom, wash your hands; been touching a lot of surfaces, wash your hands. Just good, basic hygiene practices.
Second is what Doctor Oz calls social distancing. Let’s back off of handshakes, hugs and kisses on the cheek for the flu season. This really can cut down on exposure. Add to this one the frequent use of hand sanitizer. A really hard practice is to not touch your face. Avoid, as much as possible, touching your eyes, mouth and nose. * I think the experiment Sunday caught me touching my face 4 times! Lol.
Third, if you are sick, stay home. Please don’t bless others with the gift that keeps on giving. That will be particularly hard for those who cannot work from home. So, if you are sick and have to go out, that would be a great time to wear the little masks if you have them available. At least practice social distancing. Coughing and sneezing into the bend of your arm/elbow seems to be a standard acceptable practice.
Fourth, last but not least, let’s add prayer and scripture. Really. Let’s pray for those who do research and provide care for the sick; pray for the sick and their families; pray for those who are most vulnerable. Pray for our missionaries and those who have planned mission trips to affected parts of the world. Let’s seek God’s mercy and grace, His wisdom and power. Read Psalm 91 when you have a moment. It is not like our Father has never dealt with this before. Watch for what God is doing and be ready to join Him.
Greet me Sunday with the new “knuckle bump” or “chicken wing”!
Pastor Tom
First, can we all agree that good hygiene practices are worth doing all the time? It is flu season with or without corona virus. As they say on cruise ships… “washy, washy”. Every expert I have seen and heard has encouraged the basic practice of washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Thank you. Go to the restroom, wash your hands; been touching a lot of surfaces, wash your hands. Just good, basic hygiene practices.
Second is what Doctor Oz calls social distancing. Let’s back off of handshakes, hugs and kisses on the cheek for the flu season. This really can cut down on exposure. Add to this one the frequent use of hand sanitizer. A really hard practice is to not touch your face. Avoid, as much as possible, touching your eyes, mouth and nose. * I think the experiment Sunday caught me touching my face 4 times! Lol.
Third, if you are sick, stay home. Please don’t bless others with the gift that keeps on giving. That will be particularly hard for those who cannot work from home. So, if you are sick and have to go out, that would be a great time to wear the little masks if you have them available. At least practice social distancing. Coughing and sneezing into the bend of your arm/elbow seems to be a standard acceptable practice.
Fourth, last but not least, let’s add prayer and scripture. Really. Let’s pray for those who do research and provide care for the sick; pray for the sick and their families; pray for those who are most vulnerable. Pray for our missionaries and those who have planned mission trips to affected parts of the world. Let’s seek God’s mercy and grace, His wisdom and power. Read Psalm 91 when you have a moment. It is not like our Father has never dealt with this before. Watch for what God is doing and be ready to join Him.
Greet me Sunday with the new “knuckle bump” or “chicken wing”!
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Who’s Your One?
So, here are the steps: First, pray for our Father to lay on your heart the name of someone you would pray for during the next 30 days. Fill out one of the bookmark cards and name the person you will be lifting up. Any Sunday between now and Easter, you may come forward and put that person’s name at the cross on stage in the sanctuary. We will have a dedicated time of prayer each week for the people for whom we are praying. If you cannot attend, but would like to participate, call the office or send us an email with the name you are praying for and we will take it to the cross for you.
Second, we have provided a 30 Day Prayer Journal that has Scripture to read and a prayer to pray. It is not long or complicated. I have been using this guide since the beginning of February in my own quiet time. It does not replace my quiet time, it is just a few moments I made a part of my quiet time alone with God. It really is short and to the point. The 30 days begins whenever you begin. We do not have to all start on the same day.
Third, start praying that God would show you how you can share your story and the Gospel with the person you for whom you are praying. It might be as general as inviting them to the Easter worship service and out to dinner afterwards. It might be building a relationship that will allow you to earn the right to be heard some day in the future. We will be sharing different ways to God might lead us share His story.
Who’s Your One? You might not know yet. How cool would that be if you really felt in your heart the Spirit of God lead you to think of a name? Someone you know that is near to you but far from God. I am praying and asking. To God be the glory.
Pastor Tom
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