Time On The Road……….by Donnie

As we begin day 33 of this ongoing ordeal, I ponder how something of this nature may have been handled in past times. In the days of Jesus life on the earth, people with leprosy were outcast. They were quarantined from society so to speak.  Jesus didn’t worry about being near them, He in fact healed many of them. You could say Noah and his family were also quarantined on an ark. That is certainly a case where you agreed to the quarantine, or you died. Tragically, many did die. We as Christians of course understand the analogy God was developing with the ark, that is by accepting Christ as Savior, we are in a sense quarantined from eternal separation from God. Let us not forget about Jonah, his disobedience to God found him quarantined in the belly of a large marine animal for three days. Another analogy of course, this to Christ, three days in the tomb.

It makes me sad for high school students, most especially the seniors of the class of 2020. Their senior year came to a screeching halt in a most disastrous and distressing way.  Just as they were headed toward 3^rd base with their eyes on home, the umpire stops the game due to a storm. I must say, from what I can see, these brave seniors are handling their situation admirably. I don’t know how I would have handled it if my senior year had been cut short. I suppose at first I would have been thrilled, thinking, wow, I get to graduate, and I can go out to eat everyday, go to the movies, disc golf, miniature golf and no more school, I would think I was on top of the world. Then I would remember everything is shut down. My anxiety would be roaring. I would be waiting for normalcy, ready to swim in America again, just as I am now.

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

Matthew 12:40 ESV

We have reached day thirty two. This was originally a 30 day ‘stay at home’ order. May 3^rd is the new end date I believe. I am not holding my breath on this ending then, but, you never know. Stranger things have happened.

The world is certainly a different place right now. To say practically everything is surreal is an understatement. So many stores have closed temporarily (I hope the mom and pop stores will recover), people you meet on the street, well, it’s just… everyone is acting differently. We are walking out of our way on the road or sidewalk as to not commit a felony offense of approaching someone less then six feet from us. Ordering food from a fast food or restaurant has taken on a new approach. Almost every seasonal event to this point has been canceled, or at best, delayed. Church services online, that is probably the worse. The online technology is fairly new in the scheme of things, something you use if you are sick, or out of town. Not because the doors to the church building aren’t even open. Yes, I know the building is not the church, the people are. But I am ready to be with fellow believers again. Hopefully that day will be soon. We can know with full assurance when followers of Christ get to Heaven, there will be no more fear, no more illness, it will be perfect. The worship leader God assigns to lead songs probably won’t even use a big screen, it will all be perfect. Until perfection arrives, I will settle for normalcy, and a chance to swim in America again.

14 “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

We are at the 31st day of this madness known as a ‘stay at home’ order.  It is the new craze.  It’s catching on across the country.  Even the globe.  You’re not hip if you haven’t joined the action.  Nothing like following the herd so people won’t think ill of you.  Speaking of which, the country of Sweden is not practicing lock down, and reports in early April show that their numbers are fairly low.  They are depending on herd immunity to fight it.  Only the elderly and vulnerable are isolated.  Maybe that is working for them, and maybe it is something our country should try.  Thankfully, I believe many states are about to loosen restrictions and open up their part of America again.  I don’t know when my state and area will open up again, or when my employer plans to open back up.  I know that I am ready for normalcy again, I’m ready for a lot of normalcy again.  Hopefully, it will be a better new normal, not a new normal we will be forced to adjust our way of life.

I’m certainly ready to start road races again. Nothing like a good kick to the lungs and heart to get me moving.  The weather is warming up, my feet are aching to hit the road.  I can run on my own, and I do.  But nothing like a little competition, especially fun beating people a lot younger than me.  Before I boast too much, I must remember that I have been beaten by kids who are not even teenagers.

Being patient is very difficult for me right now, as I am sure it is for many.  I have to remind myself God speaks of patience often.

Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love.

Ephesians 4:2 NCV

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And so with day 30, we continue on.  Originally it was to be a 30 day ‘stay at home’ order, yet here we are, who knows how much longer.  During all this, part of me thinks it is good to be so cautious, to avoid further spread of this horrible virus.  But…more of me thinks that many people in authority across the globe have absolutely and completely lost their collective minds.  Data coming in seems to be confusing, contradictory, fraudulent, but at times, informative.  Do you trust any data coming out of China?  I don’t.   Sadly some of our more liberal national leaders are certainly seeking less than honorable opportunities to push their agendas into aid packages that have nothing to do with stimulating the economy that is collapsing because of the hysteria of COVID19.  Some of these politicians have no problem allowing people to shop at large essential retail stores, but will claim that this fall it is too dangerous to vote in person.  They want mail in ballots.  Yeah, no way for that to be rigged. Ha.  Some of these same people will say going to the barber or hair salon is a unnecessary dangerous risk, but an abortion clinic is a safe essential business.

There are plenty of negatives happening right now.  But through it all, trees are budding, flowers growing, the grass is getting greener, the air is warmer, and God is STILL in control.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV

Today begins the 29th day of this adventure.  When you haven’t worked for close to three weeks, you have to keep your mind occupied.  For me it is stepping up my blogging and continuing my running.  I also enjoy long walks.  Finally the weather is cooperating more for my outdoor leisure.  This time last year I had already run three races.  One that I ran last year has been postponed, and another was, GASP, converted into a virtual race.  If you’ve read some of my previous blogs, you know my views on virtual races are not favorable.  My running in 2019 was a record year for me, I ran twelve races.  It may be difficult to beat, or even equal that this year if conditions don’t soon improve.

With all the running I do, inevitably I come across, several times daily,  pedestrian crossing signals I must activate to safely cross a street.  As much as I am trying to avoid the hysteria, and not stay paranoid, I am not comfortable right now activating them with my bare hands since I may not have immediate access to wash or sanitize them.  So, when possible, they get a nice high kick.  Whenever I arrive back home, whether on a run/walk, or shopping for necessities, the shoes I am wearing get sprayed down with disinfectant.  Mercy, maybe I am paranoid.

Back to the crossing signals, even after I activate one, there is no guarantee cars will stop.  Pedestrians seem to be invisible, or unimportant in the eyes of some drivers.  Sometimes it could be that they are on their phones while driving and not notice me, but at least they were able to find out what their spouse wants for supper.

I’m reading that more states are getting ready to open back up.  I can’t say it enough.  We have to be careful, we have to be cautious, but the country absolutely has to open up for business again.  I have zero trust in some of the senators and members of congress who I believe are seeking power grabs, and who are, to some degree, exploiting this pandemic.  The liberal media is certainly no help with their convincing some people that if you aren’t staying at home and waiting for the all clear, you are an uncaring and ignorant jerk.  I want to see the country opening back up, and those who wish, go back to their lives.  And those who are not yet comfortable coming out, they are welcome to stay home.  But something has got to give.  People can’t stay home forever.  The economy can’t stay on life support forever, and America can’t survive the way we are coasting forever.  We’ve got to dive back in, and once more, swim in America.  The water is fine.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 NLT

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