Time On The Road……….by Donnie

Nothing like watching an elephant sliding down a snow capped hill to bring a little humorous levity in this crazy ‘stay at home’ madness.  And now, by popular demand, it is being held over for it’s 43rd consecutive day!   Will this be the last week I am not working?  Who knows?

I collect elephants.  The one pictured above is in fact, named Wheeee!, and it is one of my favorites.  I have been collecting elephants probably 25 years now.  Some collectors claim it is bad luck to have an elephant with the trunk down.  I don’t buy into such nonsense.  I have some such pachyderms in my collection.   Speaking of nonsense, have I mentioned it is day 43?  It is time to go back to work.  I don’t like this trial package of socialism.  Hopefully this fall, most voters won’t care much for their free sample either.  I think I may collapse trying to stay afloat in the waters of tyranny.   Swimming in America is grand, it is a gift from God I believe.  But you have to either keep swimming, or tread the waters of freedom.  If we stall,  drowning in socialism is a certainty.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 NKJV

Day 42 of the fun and laughs has arrived.  Stimulus checks have begun being issued.   I did my part to help stimulate the economy at a local hamburger stand by indulging in this wonderful cheeseburger.  Thankfully most restaurants and such have been allowed to continue during all the madness.  To me there is nothing tastier than local food stands or restaurants, compared to the national chains.  In times like this……Wait, times like this, what does that mean?  There has never been a time like this.   A time where the government shuts downs certain businesses for the public good, while big box stores are allowed to remain open.  The smaller stores, who are not essential, are forced to shudder until the government tells them they can open again.  Hopefully that will be very soon.  It seems to me a store with an occupancy of 30, that is half full, poses less danger than a big box store with 100 people inside, but, maybe it is just me.  Back to my point on local businesses.  The local food places are allowed to stay open, so hopefully they will survive the restrictions on their business.  But the local ma and pa stores, that have had to shudder for 6 weeks or so, they may not survive all this.  And that will be tragic if good people lose their business because they had to shut down because of staying open was perceived as a threat to the public good.

As the economy begins to open back up, ever so slowly, it will be interesting to see how different things will be.  When we eat out and sit down at a restaurant again how will seating change.  When we get a haircut, will the barber or stylist be in a haz mat suit?  Will the swimming pools be allowed to open, anywhere?  What about water parks and amusement parks?  An empty pool during the summer will be but a sad metaphor of the stifling the ability to swim in America and tread the waters of freedom.  And most important, the return to places of worship.  For me that would be church.  My church has a very large membership, with multiple services.  I enjoy going to what is called The Venue service, with more contemporary type singing, songs you might hear on KLOVE.  But it will be interesting to see how social distancing will be handled.  Hopefully soon questions will be answered, and there won’t be attendance guidelines set by governing authorities.

This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 ESV

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

Tomorrow is May 1^st.   Today is the 38^th day of this ongoing saga. We may have already reached MAY DAY. On Wednesday the mayor of Kansas City MO issued a ridiculous order for reopening the economy called 10-10-10. Basically, it says a business can only operate at 10% capacity or 10 people, whichever is more. And this includes employees in the business. The kicker is, anyone who is going to be in the business more than 10 minutes must register their contact information in the event there is an outbreak in that area. WELCOME TO 1984! The Kansas City MO mayor says they are not trying to be big brother. Somehow that doesn’t make me feel any better. I don’t yet know what the plan is for Kansas to begin reopening, or for Johnson county where I live. From what I am hearing, and hopefully, their order won’t be nearly as draconian. But it might be extended a bit longer. Ronald Reagan once said “the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, I’m from the government and I’m here to help” How right he was.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

Is it really worth having sports events with no fans?  Whether or not this complete stand still of life  was merited or not (I personally think the hysteria is way over blown), sports on all levels have, at least for now, been frozen in time, or the season ended.  NASCAR may return this summer, and with fans.  If Major League Baseball does return this year, from what I understand there will be no fans, and only played at a few regions, where all teams will play.  And some kind of hybrid concoction of a schedule with teams mixed into three divisions, no American League, no National League.  Why bother?  I don’t  attend very many MLB games at the park, but a big part of watching sports on TV, is fan reaction.  Seems there would be more excitement watching a classic baseball movie.  Or maybe just play a baseball video game.  Baseball is as American as apple pie, but we can survive without MLB, we can’t continue to survive this ‘stay at home’  business.  If memory serves me well, I think they said two weeks, then we can resume.  Well, we are at day 37.  I’m not sure what the governor of Kansas has planned, supposedly she is making an announcement on Thursday in regards to what will happen next week.  I guess we will see what happens then.  As long as she has so much of the state shut down, she might want to check on getting the unemployment system working with a bit more efficiency.  That would be nice.   That would be as snug as a bug in a rug.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

² Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³ Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalms 100 KJV

I really haven’t worn a mask yet, a kind friend brought me one, so I wanted to try it on for size.  Supposedly if I return to work next week, I will be required to wear some type of face covering.  I don’t know if I like that idea, no one can see my beard.  What I need is something to cover my hair until I can get it cut, there lies the disaster zone.  They won’t let me wear a hat at work, so I’m gonna have to figure something out before next Monday if we are all called back.  It is possible though, not all employees will be called back at once, so, who knows what will happen in the near future.

When I was growing up in north Louisiana I had an uncle that lived in south Arkansas.  My family would make frequent trips to visit him.  I have some nice memories  of fishing in his pond with my dad.  Catching lightening bugs when dusk approached was always something I enjoyed.  My uncle lived out in the country, the bugs were easy to spot.   My uncle was a chicken and cow farmer.  We were never short on beef, as he would frequently supply us with plenty of steaks and hamburger.  I remember one time on his pasture, a cow or bull came chasing after me.  Someone helping on the pasture that day stepped in and popped the soon to be a cheeseburger on the nose with a board.  Since my uncle also raised chickens, often times there would be baby chicks in the chicken houses, I always enjoyed when he would go grab one and let me hold it for a while, nothing like a real life Easter basket toy.  When I was very young, I had a mild case of childhood asthma.  I do have some faint memories of having breathing difficulties when we would go into Arkansas, as there were so many things in nature I was allergic to at the time.  That included live adult chickens, so I couldn’t go near the chicken houses sometimes.

COVID19 is a respiratory disorder, which in a few is fatal.  I say a few, as most people who contract it will recover.   I appreciate the  concern for the at risk population, and even though most people do recover, even one death is tragic.  I truly do care for the health of others, and facts are that some otherwise seemingly healthy individuals have succumbed to the ailment.  This is why we have to be cautious, we have to be compassionate, we have to look out for others.   As Christians we should be showing the world that anyway.  We can do all theses things and still unlock the gates and swim in America once again.

 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, ¹³ accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.

Colossians 3:12-13 HCSB

Day 35 has arrived.  Is it time?  Are we ready to open America up for business?  Can we go for a dive into freedom and capitalism?  The waters are warming, the air is more crisp.  The shoreline is packed, people are waiting for the whistle.  “On your mark, get set…..” hmm..……still waiting for that whistle….Is it safe?  Are there some nefarious motives for the wait?  Are the lifeguards being cautious?  Do think think we are no longer capable of swimming without a life vest?  Do they know we are ready, but afraid of what we might do when we are allowed to swim freely again?  Do they know that we are safer with less of them and more of us collectively?  Are they wanting us to just swim in a little bowl on their desk, and not enjoy the open waters?

I am certainly ready for a return to normalcy.  I am ready for capitalism and freedom to shine brightly once again.  I am a patriot, I love this country.  I’m the son of a war veteran.  A veteran who helped fight for freedom, and against tyranny.  I appreciate what he and so many other veterans have fought for.  Many of them died for freedom.  They certainly didn’t make great sacrifices to preserve socialism or communism.  I don’t know what the end game is for some politicians, just how much control they will want to instill.  There is so much confusion.  Some politicians who are certainly in the ranks of less government control are trying to approach reopening cautiously, but surely.  I want people to be careful and safe, but I want freedom and the economy to thrive.  At some point, we have to dive in, head first, and take a swim.  Yes, the water may be chilly at first, but it will warm quickly, and the swim will be grand.  Then we can splash and have a blast in the pool of freedom.  As we swim in America again.

Here we are at day 34 of the ‘stay at home’ order.  Who knows what is going to happen next.

I was born in the south.  Louisiana to be exact. Mosquitoes, alligators, lizards, toads, crawfish and humidity were a way of life. Truth be told, I never actually encountered a gator in the wild, and I even went tubing on a local lake, Cross Lake where they live. Hey, I’m not saying I’ve always made wise choices. When I was young I never appreciated living in the great state of Louisiana as much as I should. So many pine trees, they are so beautiful.Then there is Red River, which separates Bossier City and Shreveport, where I lived, that waterway holds lot of interesting history.  I can’t forget about the Cypress tress covered in Spanish moss on Caddo Lake, another alligator dwelling place.  Caddo Lake borders Louisiana and Texas, and is a popular camping and fishing site.  Caddo is also the name of the Parish in which I lived.  It was named for the Caddo Indians of the early 1800’s in the area. A Parish, unique to Louisiana in the sense that it is one of only two states that do not have counties, Louisiana has Parishes.  The other state without counties is Alaska, they have boroughs. 

Louisiana history was a required course in 8^th grade, and we had to know all of the Parishes.

As I mentioned, Louisiana has mosquitoes, and they were huge it seemed. I imagine I’m immune to mosquito bites by now. And the humidity in Louisiana, you could probably swim in the air.  I loved it.

Humidity. You switch just one letter and you have the word humility.  For some people humility is more difficult to handle than humidity.  I can often, I’m ashamed to say,  fall into that category. 

Years ago, singer Mac Davis sang a comedic, tongue-in -cheek song, with some colorful language, about how difficult it is to be humble when you think you are perfect.  And isn’t that where the problem lies?  You have to believe you aren’t perfect, and that it is not all about you, in order to have humility.

Contrast that to the Christian group Casting Crowns who recently recorded a song titled Only Jesus.  They remind us in that song that it isn’t about us, it is about Jesus.  That we shouldn’t care so much if people remember us, but we should always live for and tell others about Christ with whatever time we have on this earth.  And yes, every time I listen to it, I am ashamed.  My life should not be about me, but about Jesus.  I try to let Christ show in me, but, when I let me show in me, I get myself into a tangle.  This current COVID19 is a perfect example.  When I try to balance on one hand being considerate of the possible dangers to others if we don’t have ‘stay at home’/’shelter in place’, vs. wondering at which point is it going too far, both as an inconvenience, and the very real danger of what damage will come to the economy and American freedoms if something isn’t soon resolved.  I want America, and the world to be safe and healthy, and for the economy to be sound.  I want to swim in America again.  But mostly, I want people to see Jesus in me. 

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

I Peter 5:6-7 NKJV