Month: May 2020

Memories of a summer long ago, sliding into a pool, and swimming in America.

Hopefully normalcy will occur before the end of this coming summer.  In a year from now I wish this all to be a horrid memory, one never to repeated with the level of fear, lunacy, tyranny and hysteria we have witnessed.  Memories……Ah…they can be good, happy, unforgettable, and some, well they are unpleasant memories, and try as we might, they can never be forgotten in this lifetime.  Some of the happiest memories I have are watching certain movies with family.  The movie itself may or may not have been a great movie, but the memory of family time when I remember certain movies is priceless to me.  Each one has a very distinct treasure in my heart.

It will be another Sunday of online services.  Point blank, this does not seem like church to me.  Worship is to be the gathering of the saints, this is watching TV on Sunday morning to me.  People need to be allowed to go to church, we can social distance if it is absolutely  necessary, but we need to be gathered together in person praising God.  This has gone on long enough.  Kansas City MO is wanting to require the names and addresses of people attending church in the city there.  I hope legal defense challenges won’t allow that.  It is beyond reprehensible that the powers that be, even think of something that dictatorial.  I shudder thinking just how much control some in authority are seeking.  I fear what other municipalities in the area, if they plan on something of equal despotism.

I am not convinced all of this is just about public safety.  Too many strange things seem to be happening.  Similar things seem to be going on across the globe, some nations are indeed more strict then the orders in place across most of this country.  However some governors seem to be giving nations under tyrant dictators a run for their money.

Swimming in the great pool that is America, can only be enjoyed when we are allowed to tread the waters of freedom without a government issued buoy.   But through it all, no matter what, God is in control.

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18  NKJV

Here at day 40, the area is anxiously ready to get back to some form of normalcy.  But the restrictions and rules that will be in effect in some of the areas, well, it is almost like, what’s the use?  One local mayor (Kansas City Missouri’s) even said they are not trying to be big brother.   If someone actually says that, then, that may be preciously what they are doing.  Businesses have suffered enough, especially restaurants.  Continued restrictions are not helping anyone, except maybe some that have nefarious motives in mind.  I hope these leaders are not trying to rule in tyranny, but I believe that some are.  Hopefully most are not.  But, at times, some leaders are not making those of us who like to swim in America and tread the waters of freedom feel very comfortable.  I still think the bigger danger  is not COVID-19, it is complacency and apathy.

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

“The World’s A Nicer Place In My Beautiful Balloon.”  Jimmy Webb

Up Up And Away was a 1967 song written by Jimmy Webb and recorded by The 5th Dimension.  These days of late I feel like soaring above all the craziness until the world is closer to normalcy.  Maybe the world would look a little better from high above.  But….I can do nothing to control what happens either from above, from hiding in a dungeon, or from the ground.  I can be kind, I can be understanding, and most importantly, I can pray to the One who is soaring above.  He doesn’t need a balloon.  I seem to forget daily, that God’s got this.

Here we are at day 39.  There seems to have been some movement in the last few days.  On Thursday April 30, the governor of Kansas announced she is lifting some of the ‘stay at home’ order, effective sometime this weekend.  But….some of the decision makers in my county have decided to extend our ‘stay at home’ a week past that time frame.  So, it lingers on a bit longer.  Even when it is lifted in my county, it is still unclear all the plans and protocols my company will have in place.  They are masters at being clear as mud.  When I do go back, after what will be at least a six week furlough, I still have two weeks vacation I have to use by mid June.  If all this madness thus far wasn’t enough fun, we may soon have a meat shortage.  Hopefully, prayerfully, normalcy is in the foreseeable future.  Maybe we can all enjoy a calm, warm summer, and swim in America while treading the waters of freedom.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV