Month: March 2020

The last several days have been beautiful outside, I have been able to log over 120 miles in the last 10 days.  Slowly, I am getting back to form.  I love the outdoors, especially on warm days.  So much to see, and so much to observe.  Nature is a great gift from God.  I believe the beauty of nature is proof to the existence of God.  Sadly, some people misunderstand this, and instead of worshiping the God who created nature, they worship nature.  As Christians, we need to live a life that shows the world the God who created nature, and not live a life like nature created a god.

It is now day eight of the 30 day ‘stay at home’ order….but, circumstances have arisen where a fine line has been drawn in the sand as to what a business can and cannot “legally” do.  The company I work for has tried to draw that ‘fine line”, and I am disappointed, shocked, and almost ashamed.  I would expect that kind of nonsense out of the kind of businesses, attorneys and politicians who failed scruples 101.  I had thought better of my workplace, until now.  I hope, I wish, I pray that that some kind of sense can be made out of their actions.  That maybe there is something where I don’t know the full story.  I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it is increasingly becoming more difficult.   My prayer continues for this horrible pandemic to end. My prayer also is for my family, my friends, my co-workers, and I consider many of my co-workers friends, and for all who are suffering.  Most important, my prayer is that those who don’t know Jesus shall find Him.  That they change from not trusting Jesus, to trusting Him as the only way to be saved.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

  2 Peter 3:9 ESV

In yesterday’s blog I mentioned the verses from the Gospel of John (chapter 21) where Jesus Himself cooked breakfast for His apostles, and how that would be the best breakfast served ever.  As I thought more on that, I wonder.  What would it be like if Jesus were here today in human flesh, here in 2020?  What if He showed up in your kitchen and started cooking breakfast for you?  Would He ask you how you like your eggs, or if you like your coffee black?  He’d know the answer anyway.  I wonder if He  would like coffee too?  He did after all create the coffee bean.  He must have known it made a refreshing drink that many people would enjoy.  Myself, I don’t drink coffee,  maybe I should.  Truth is, I don’t know if in this lifetime, if Jesus will ever appear to any of us in human flesh for a chat over breakfast.  That doesn’t mean He is not in your kitchen. He is always listening.  If you don’t yet know Him as your Savior, cry out to Him, He will save you.  (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10)

This begins day seven of the 30 day ‘stay at home’ order.  Apparently my workplace is going to try and reopen today on a smaller scale with fewer employees. I haven’t yet been called in.  I guess someone, somewhere, decided we are an essential business.  We’re not.  Not sure how this is going to play out.  Some decision maker may be looking down the business end of a hefty fine.

Right now it seems difficult not to worry about the immediate future, what is going to happen, or how long we will be in this situation.  But we as Christians know worrying is not what God wants us to do, trusting Him is.  And we need to step up our ambassadorship for Christ, people are watching us.

²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Matthew 6:26-27 ESV

This is day 6 of the 30 day ‘stay at home’ order.  So much has happened so quickly as this horrible COVID-19 continues to spread.  The country, it seems, for all intents and purposes, has come to a slow crawl.  Trying to make sense of this, and what to expect next is futile.  Prayer is key to holding our country, our world, and ourselves together.  And by the way, God wants us to talk to Him.  I’ve read a few stories about how other generations handled health crisis, one in particular, the words of Martin Luther in 1527 concerning the Bubonic plague.

““I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

Today is Sunday, March 29, 2020.  This will be the third Sunday in a row I’ve been required to worship online.  This gives me some ideal what it must be like for my fellow believers who are unable to attend church on a regular basis.  Whether it be because of illness, or incarceration, deployment, or whatever it may be.  One thing to me is certain.  When it is determined it is safe to return, I think that day will be but a small taste of Heaven, when I can worship in person with my brothers and sisters in Christ once again.  As the hymn goes, ‘what a day of rejoicing that will be.’

It is early Sunday morning. 1:30AM to be more exact.  Soon it will be breakfast. Chick-fil-A is out of the question on a Sunday morning.  And I applaud their stance of being closed on Sunday, even if it is delicious.  I can think of one breakfast that would have Chick-fil-A beat, hands down.  It would be the best breakfast ever.  If I could have been on that beach when Jesus Himself was cooking breakfast.  No breakfast ever could come close.

¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

¹¹ Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

John 21:10-13 NKJV

We have reached day five of the 30 day ‘stay at home’ order for most of the Kansas City metro.  I always enjoy finding something I haven’t noticed, or paid much attention to before.  Today it was a windmill.  This interesting looking structure caught my eye around mile 9 or 10 of my 17+ mile walk today.  Looking at it, I think it is more of a weather vane.  But, since it sits in a small shopping center called Windmill Square, I guess we will call it a windmill.

I have always thought how nice it would be, if I could have extended paid time off,  and have all the time I wish to pursue my hobbies of walking, running and writing.  Well, here I am.  I am walking, I’m about to start my running up again, and I am writing.  And,  I am getting paid.  Sort of.  I say sort of, because it is my personal time and vacation I have to use, my company is not chipping in anything yet.  But, that is another issue.  It is not worth opening that can of worms.

This isn’t really a matter of me making lemonade out of  lemons.  I’m being asked to social distance the best I can, which I try to do. For now, I can enjoy doing what I like, and it doesn’t involve being around many people.  The social distance thing will change when organized races begin once more, hopefully then, we will be ahead of the curve.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

I can’t wait to start races again, hopefully that day will be soon.

It is now day four of the mandatory ‘stay at home’ order.  President Trump is about to sign the stimulus package into law, after Senators and Congress drug their feet getting something done.  I am just ready for normalcy, where we can all go back to work, and stimulate the economy with hard work and American know how.  I don’t think the country has been in this much turmoil in my memory since September 11, 2001.  The events that tragic day were evil to be sure, and Americans were frightened.  But we were also resilient, and we stood proud, and strong.  We will again, but we have to support each other, we have to help each other.  We must trust God above all, and pray. 

Geese certainly know how to social distance, I wish some people would pick up that skill.   We are on day three of the mandatory 30 day ‘stay at home’ order.  I am so thankful I can go on long walks, almost 17 miles today.  A couple of more days of long walks, then Sunday I plan to get my running back in order.  I want to be more than ready when sanctioned road races begin again.   Not sure how they would work it, maybe small waves like they do in larger races, something. And hopefully soon, I need my adrenaline going again.

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

I love trains, I think I always have.  It is always enjoyable for me to walk near the tracks, especially when a train is coming past, then  I can’t help but think of the song by Johnny Cash, Folsom Prison Blues.   Our current situation is hardly on the scale of being in prison, I can go most anywhere I ‘need’ to go, just maybe not everywhere I ‘want’ to go.  Which is OK, I can’t afford to go to a lot of places I want to go anyway, at least not the unlimited shopping spree at Scheels I want to do.  And, I am free to go on my daily runs and walks, so it is all good.

  One of my favorite Christian hymns, always can bring comfort in trying times.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

Today begins Day 1 of 30 days of a mandatory “stay at home” order mandated by most all of the major counties in the Kansas City metro area which is much like many parts of the USA. We are hoping and praying for health officials try to figure out how to conquer the COVID-19 pandemic.  I have decided to each day, to log at least 10 miles either running or walking. Today I walked 10.3  miles.

I know this social distancing thing is necessary, but we as humans, for most of us anyway, it is not natural to avoid people you see on the street, or in the grocery store.  Unless of course you live in New York City, then this social distancing thing “is” natural for you. (just kidding)  In all seriousness, I look forward to a day, hopefully soon, where we won’t feel it is necessary to walk 10 steps out of our way avoiding another human being. It just isn’t natural.  I look forward to going back to my church, and worshiping with my brothers and sisters in Christ, in person.

Hopefully, prayerfully, very soon, we won’t see signs on businesses like the one at the door where I work.

Today was my last day of work before my county is under a 30 day ‘stay at home’ order. I plan to log each day, for the next 30 days my thoughts, and hopefully some inspiration to handle these trying times as God wishes. Thankfully the order does not prohibit me from going on long walks and runs, which I plan to do daily, to the tune of 10-20 miles each day. Hopefully my runs will be at least 5-10 miles a day, with a half (marathon) thrown in here and there.

This was not what I envisioned when I thought of a month off of work, paid. I am in a landlocked state.  Parts of the area I live in are beautiful to be sure, but come on.  If I am gonna be under a 30 day ‘ stay at home’ order, let it be in Galveston Beach, or Corpus Christi TX.  Hawaii would be alright, observing social distancing of course.  Not like those idiots in Florida and California.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

~Phillipians 4:13