It is day 28 of what was originally to be a 30 day ‘stay at home’ order.  I still can’t understand why so many people seem so content sitting at home, not going to work, in what they perceive is safety.  For a free market to survive, people have to work.  Sooner, much better than later, markets have to open back up.  Income has to be flowing, money has to be earned.  Any help the government offers is a direct result of money they already taxed workers from the beginning.  At some point, there is no more money for the government to give away, and then we could have the beginning of something purely tragic.  That is when the government who claims is looking after your best interest, TELLS you where you work, and for that, allows you, and maybe your family to exist.  Capitalism can only work in a free market, with limited government control or assistance.  The more the government assist, the more they will demand or take.  It is my continued prayer that God will see us through these challenging times.  That He will protect this country and its freedoms we so cherish.  But it is my duty, my responsibility, to remember no matter what awaits, God is in control of all, and He is in charge of all.

As I am writing this, I’m watching Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks, the story of how in the early 60’s Walt Disney was trying to persuade the writer of the Mary Poppins books, P.L. Travers to allow him to produce the famous musical.  You want to talk about someone who loved this country and valued capitalism, Walt Disney did.  In one scene in the movie, some of the screenwriters and songwriters are introducing to Ms. Travers the song, Let’s Go Fly A Kite.  I think it is impossible to listen to that song, and not smile, and maybe to want to do just that, go fly a kite.   Of course, when you tell someone to “go fly a kite”, the meaning is usually a bit different.  Like maybe what I want to tell some current politicians, or perhaps some of the people attacking those of us who want to carefully, but quickly open up our economy again.  Our goal is to save jobs, to boost moral, to protect freedom.  To swim in America again.

God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
² Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
³ though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah

Psalm 46:1-3 HCSB

We are at day 27 of the madness.  There seems to be some positive movement in reopening the USA.  In some areas of the country, businesses are getting ready to open back up, beaches are re-opening,  and governors in some states are doing their level best, so hopefully soon, we can all swim in America again.  In my state of Kansas, a federal judge just overturned the governors restrictions on places of worship with more than 10 people.  The judge still expects the churches to observe the 6 foot guidelines, but for the immediate future anyway, it seems our governors ruling is now moot.  She is non too happy from what I can tell.  On matters pertaining to worship, I non too care, at all, what she thinks.

There are plenty of stories and opinions on Facebook, and I am sure other social media sites, with people telling us to stay home, otherwise we must be some kind of selfish mental midget because some of us don’t want to follow lock step with every single edict, the government, who is so much wiser then us simpleton citizens are, issues.  Of course we need to follow common sense health guides.  Of course, if we are infected with COVID-19 or any infectious disease or virus, we need to stay away from people until we are no longer contagious.  And most important, we need to listen to God and remember His commands on obeying authorities.  That doesn’t mean one can’t peacefully protest in an attempt for change.

What seems to be an issue from my viewpoint, a lot of people who are getting chastised are NOT violating any rules or laws on a ‘stay at home’ order, nor or they endangering ANYONE.  They just aren’t following the guidelines of some opinionated individuals who think they can control the lives of everyone else.

No one is demanding that they come out of their fallout shelter or bunker, they are free to stay in there as long as they wish.  For someone to do that would be control, or tyranny if you will.  Insulting someone because their opinion or solution is different then yours, well, that can be a two way street.  Let’s remember God is in control.  Most all of us want this nightmare to end (I think some politicians crave the power they have right now)  Some of us are just more eager to safely test the waters of the deep end, slowly, but surely.  We know we can’t stay in the shallow end forever.  If we do, we will all die there.  No one wants that either.

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8 ESV

It is the 26th day of a ‘stay at home’ order.  There appears to be movement in the right direction to get this economy open and moving again.  That is, at least on the federal level from President Trump.  The state of Texas too is about to step up and swim in America again.  Man they have a good governor.  Governor Greg Abbott is in my opinion, top notch.  The people of Texas are blessed to have him.  He like FDR is confined to a wheelchair, his by an oak tree falling on him while jogging, FDR was stricken with polio.  I believe though the two politicians confinement to a wheelchair may be where the similarities end, unless someday Governor Abbott runs for president.  He would have my support in 2024, depending on what Vice President Pence’s plans are for 2024 and 2028.  Were we to have a President Abbott, then politically, no comparison between he and FDR.  Governor Abbott is not a socialist, unlike what some believe FDR was.

The government has begun issuing stimulus checks to qualified US citizens to help restart the economy.  The ideal of the checks, from what I understand, is to spend at least some of it on the local economy, to stimulate it.  My plans are to indeed spend some locally, pay on a bill or two, save some, give some to my church, and some to a charity.

In some ways, this shutdown of the world economy, to me, is somewhat reminiscent of September 11, 2001.  Most everyone in the United States born before 1990 probably remembers full well exactly what they were doing on that day when they heard the news.  I’m sure the really young remember their parents loving on them a little tighter that day.  No one wants to go back to those days, but one thing did happen, Americans came together, we were united in defeating the terror.  And we will stand and fight again.  We will have each others back through this, and we will win.  And if something more ominous than just a virus is going on, we as Americans will defeat whatever enemy seeks to harm us.  Foreign OR domestic.  By God’s grace, we will return to an even better normal.

 ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  ³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:31-34 ESV

This will mark the twenty fifth day of the ‘stay at home’ order. I wish a quick end was in sight, but who knows just how much longer that this madness will continue.

History will certainly be written about the events that have happened thus far to begin the year 2020 and the last part of 2019. Generations from now, people will read in their history books how the world was in chaos, not because of a world war, or a nuclear explosion, but by a mysterious virus with no present cure or vaccine. Vaccines, now there’s a hot button issue. I personally am torn in the middle on the dangers and effectiveness on vaccines. I have next to zero knowledge in medical science or chemistry, but I believe there are highly educated scientist on both sides of the debate.

We think we know where  all this began, in China. The hows and the whys are still unclear. There are a lot of theories being thrown around. Maybe it was because of unsanitary meal preparations or disgusting cuisine choices. Perhaps it was developed in a Chinese lab, either as experiment gone horrible wrong in an attempt to be a superior leader in medical technology, or, and truly evil, an experiment in making biological warfare weaponry.  We don’t know how this will end, what the mortality rate will be, what lessons will be learned.  We don’t know what will happen coming out of all this. We can hope and pray however that historical documentation of this will be recorded in an accurate manner, and in the future, people will be told the truth about what happened, and it won’t be altered to fit someone’s narrative, or facts won’t be changed or destroyed because it may offend someone.  Not that people in this country have ever before destroyed offensive pieces of history or anything of that nature.

Like I said, we don’t know what is going to become of all this. Prayerfully, relief will be soon, and our country and this world can get back to a more normal existence. We don’t know, but God does. He is already there, both in the immediate future, and in eternity. Those of us who know Him, who have trusted Christ only, Christ alone for their salvation, know that even if this gets much worse, our Heavenly home still awaits. If you haven’t yet asked Jesus to save you, do it now. This world is uncertain and scary. Heaven is just the opposite. Knowing Christ we can know these problems here are short term and will pass. But without Christ, it gets much worse after this world.

⁴ “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

⁶ “Are not five sparrows sold for two ^[b]copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. ⁷ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:4-7 NKJV

Well it happened.  With almost zero level of shock, the person who was elected governor of the state in which I reside, has further extended what was originally a 30 day ‘stay at home’ order until the first of May, at least.  Too bad that her executive order pen can’t get some other things actually good for the people of Kansas.  To her credit, at least she didn’t buy fancy expensive pens to hand out to document the occasion.  This unlike what the highest ranked national official of her political party did for a sham witch hunt, when attention and resources could have been directed to something more important.  Like say, I don’t know, maybe a coming pandemic?

The picture above is of a fishing pier on Cross Lake in Shreveport LA.  When I was growing up, I spent many hours fishing there with my dad.  The last time I saw that pier is from this picture, it was basically all gated up.  I don’t know what has become of it, this photo was about a decade ago.  I was never much of a fisherman, I think I just enjoyed spending time with my dad on the lake, enjoying a can of Coke.  That is what we called a soft drink in the south, a coke.  It didn’t matter if it was actually Coca-Cola brand, Pepsi, RC Cola or Fresca.  Just for the record, it was most probably a Coke anyway, that has always been my most preferred choice.  Now, it is Coke Cherry Zero.  Yeah I know, the sweetener in it probably isn’t the healthiest in the world.  That is nothing,  I think a lot of things happening  are a lot unhealthier than artificial sweeteners.  No, not COVID-19, but the fear of it to the point of completely shutting down life, almost literally, will be, if some common sense doesn’t take a hold.  There are people who seem perfectly content in only coming out of their fallout shelter to maybe run and get a few essentials, then run back, and call that surviving.  And they are not happy with just their resemblance to a life that was, they want to chastise those of us who want to responsibly restart the economy, and try to keep this country strong.  What some seem happy in doing, that is not surviving, it certainly isn’t living, it is, barely, merely existing.  It is, I believe, time to start making definite plans for the very near future.  We have to be ready.  Use common sense, most importantly, trust God, dive in, and let’s swim in America again.

 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Matthew 6:27 NLT

It is day 23 the 30 day ‘stay at home’ order.  I wish the weather would cooperate a little more.  Just a few days ago it was almost 90 degrees out, now, we are lucky for it to be in the 50’s.   I imagine when I finally do go back to work, it will be bright and sunshiny and 90 degrees in the shade.  I also wish the Kansas Unemployment website and phone system would stop crashing, and provide more up to date information.  While we are at it, I wish my employer would give clearer information on what their plans are, and, be a little more appreciative of their employees.  The owner said he is grateful in a recent letter he posted on the employee portal.  Those are just words, not action.  It is disappointing in the way he is making decisions.  That is in my ever so humble opinion.  But I think that opinion may be shared by many of his 30,000+ employees.

On a more upbeat note, it may be possible we are coming close to flattening the curve as it were.  Maybe a turnaround is in sight.  It still frightens me deeply how easily, and how quickly the country was, for all intents and purposes, shut down with little resistance.  I have considerable trust in the president and his administration during this nightmare, I believe he has the best interest for Americans at the forefront.  My trust in his administration is much more than I would have had during the previous one, and certainly more than the one that almost was.  This is why elections have consequences.  And the consequences for freedom and liberty will be dire this fall.  Some of the less than honorable governors, senators and congress men and women have seen what they can do with a little power that is given to them, or power that is just outright taken by them, imagine if election results this fall are unfavorable and that kind of control goes on steroids with no one to stop them.  I have read that some of the governors are indeed on the hot seat right now.  Some of the states, even recalls being considered.  I am also hearing that a little chit chat by some of the good citizens of the state of Michigan is about to take place with their governor, in the form of a massive protest, 15,000 strong.  I’m guessing the 6 foot social distancing rule may be about to be broken, maybe it needs to be.

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

*warning, today’s blog is straight to a point, I even use some $20 words.

That was me manning the WWI battleship, the USS Texas docked in San Jancinto Battleground off the Houston Ship channel near Houston Texas.  The battleground at San Jancinto was the decisive battle in the Texas Revolution, led by Sam Houston over Santa Anna.

Are we as US citizens on the verge of another battle for freedom, where, enough is enough?   At what point do we believe the government is looking out for the genuine health of the populous.  Where do we draw the line between cooperation to have this contagion’s curve flattened to help the greater good, and when do we suspect the government is beginning to decide what is good, or not good for us, based on their own skewed ideologies, or worse, dictatorial control and power craziness?  Just when is enough, enough.

We are now dragging into day 22 of the 30 day ‘stay at home’ order.  At some point people have to go back to work.  When can we be sure we won’t get sick by going around a large number of people.  When can we know it is 100% safe to go to work, a concert, a movie, a restaurant, school, or most importantly to me, church.  We can’t 100% be sure, of anything.  When our movements are being restricted to the point that we need permission to leave our home for anything but essentials, then how far are we from an Orwellian society?  How far will the control continue?  Already, some governors have placed ridiculous restrictions on citizens.  Ticketing them for going to church, fining them, destroying tires in church parking lots.  Is this acting in an over abundance of caution, or is it something much more sinister?  I fear the later may be possible.  Are radical governors little by little discovering what they can, and cannot get away with?  Will citizens lie down in submission every time a new executive order on the state level is issued?  Will at some point people finally say “enough is enough, no more”.  When a governor says an abortion clinic is an essential business, but church attendance is not, folks, we are crossing that threshold.  A government cannot say it is concerned for the health of it’s citizens by curtailing school or church attendance, but then freely support keeping open a clinic that murders babies.  This is not concern for health and welfare.  This is power and control.  It is not only dangerous, it could be fatal.  It already is for the babies.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Ephesians 5:11 NKJV

We are getting close to mid April, and it is day 21 of 30 of the ‘stay at home’ order.  Whether or not the order will be lifted in the next 10 days or so remains to be seen.

I seem to be doing OK on the social distancing thing,  I don’t particularly enjoy going to the store right now, and trying to avoid people can be challenging.  Lately, if possible, I use self service check out, which I typically despise using.  But, these are unusual times.  I like to spend as much time as I can outside to go on my runs and walks, maybe take some pictures.  So in those times,  I can easily follow the 6 foot rule.  In fact, it is often closer to the 500-1,000 foot rule.  I am fine with that, and sometimes prefer it.  When I am walking, and especially running, I am focused on a good time, and watching nature around me.  Road races are a little different.  There I want to try and position myself with a good starting point.  When the race begins, I then want to pass, and beat as many people as possible.  On a really good day I will finish in the top 25% or so.  I won’t mention where I ranked on one of my worse finishes.  But it wasn’t last, just not great.  I hope road races start up again soon.  Where events of all kinds won’t be cancelled anymore.  I have no plans to pay for a virtual race, as I have mentioned before.  I think that is just silly to pay to run a race on your own, just so you can get a shirt, bib and finishers medal if offered.  They have no problem taking real money.  I haven’t seen any organizers taking virtual money to run their virtual races.

It is day 20 of the 30 day ‘stay at home’ order.  That pales in comparison to what this day is all about.  This is the day that Christians celebrate that Christ rose from the grave, it is Easter Sunday.  I have many memories of Easter.  As a child I received some fun Easter baskets, toys, eggs and candy from the Easter bunny.  One could argue that some of the tastiest candy and treats arrive during Easter season, it is always a fun time to add a few extra pounds.  Coloring, hunting and hiding eggs was always a fun adventure

We Christians know full well that Easter isn’t about presents.  It isn’t about toys, baskets, bonnets, candy or eggs.  And just as the true meaning of Christmas isn’t about Santa Claus, the true meaning of Easter certainly isn’t about a cute bunny rabbit.  If Christ hadn’t been born, He wouldn’t have fulfilled prophecy, there would be no telling people that salvation is found in Him alone.  If He hadn’t been born, then He would not have died on Good Friday.  No birth, no death.  Without that death, there would be no sacrifice, without a sacrifice, we would be condemned to hell.  Had He not risen from the dead, then He would not be God, but just a nice moral man who tried to help people.  A nice moral man cannot save anyone from hell.  Only God, in human form, the risen Christ can.  And He will.  All you have to do is call out to Him to save you.  If you haven’t, do it now, do it today, right now, call out to Him.  Make this an Easter to remember.  It will be the best Easter gift you will ever receive.  Praise God that  Christ was born, that He lived, that He died for us, and that He rose, proving He is God.  The tomb is still empty.  Many church buildings also are empty today, but you know what, God doesn’t live in an empty building.  Just talk to Him.  He’s there, He’ll listen.

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, ^[a]and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. ² But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. ³ Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ And it happened, as they were ^[b]greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. ⁵ Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, ⁷ saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”

Luke 24:1-7 NKJV

This is the Saturday after Good Friday, the day remembered when our Lord was crucified and He died an agonizing death on the cross just for us.  He did this for all sinners before Him, all sinners alive while He was on earth, and all sinners after He ascended into Heaven(us), who will place their trust in Him.  Even though the world was/is full of sin, He died for us.

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

Romans 5:8 HCSB

I wonder what all His followers were thinking on that Saturday.  They were told by Him that He would rise again on the third day.  But they also watched Him die.  We know the apostle Thomas wanted visual proof before He believed Christ had risen.  Even though he was told by some of the other apostles that He had indeed risen.  Christ showed up and offered Him proof, that was all Thomas needed.  He was already a follower, but his trust issues probably needed some tweaking.  Not that it is fair to blame him.  I don’t know what I would do if I saw Jesus die in person, then would I believe He had risen based on second hand witnesses?  I would hope I would remember what Jesus said, and be thrilled that He had risen like He said He would.  But would my depression be such, that even though Jesus told me He would rise on the third day, that I couldn’t believe He had risen without seeing Him?

Thankfully, by God’s grace only, I have placed my trust in Christ by faith alone That He will do what He said He would do, and reserve for me a place in Heaven.  Have you trusted Christ alone to save you?  If not, do it now.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many ^[a]mansions; if it were not so, ^[b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14:1-6 NKJV