I'm back!!
My wife Deby and I started off on our retirement road trip on March 6th. On the evening of March 5th I was in the ER with severe pain. I had a kidney stone but I was cleared to go on the trip with pain medication. We went. We got all the way to New Orleans when I had back-to-back attacks of pain. One attack was in public as I laid on a park bench moaning and groaning. Deby suggested she would be fine with returning and I agreed. I had one more pain attack of an hour and a half and I have been pain free since. Thank you Jesus!
Today I was reading my daily devotion and I wanted to share the words with you.
Psalm 61:1-2 "O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety."
I am inspired by two thoughts.
One is that pain and suffering are throughout the world. We are suffering the effects of the Corona virus but so is the rest of the world. Our prayers for healing should include everyone. The world is connected physically and spiritually, but we need to learn to be connected relationally and emotionally.
"From the ends of the earth I cry to you for help." There is healing in just realizing and living in that unity. "We are the world. We are the children. We are the ones to make a better day so lets start giving. There is a choice we are given. We are saving our own lives. It's true we can make a better day just me and you." Remember those lyrics when a famine was tearing through Africa and a group of musicians came together to remind us we are all connected. We need to learn that again!
Secondly the Psalm teaches us that in faith we can receive "the towering rock of safety". When I was a Youth Pastor I always encouraged the youth in my care to live with joy and creativity unless their actions sacrificed their safety or the safety of others. We are being called on to avoid gatherings of 10 or more to stop this pandemic but it is tempting to take risks. Why not stretch that rule and meet anyway? Because to do so would jeopardize the safety of others. Safety is nothing to compromise with, especially when doing so could hurt or even kill those who are most vulnerable.
I am praying for you all to stay strong and be safe!
Remember the words of this song: (the children know the song)
Jesus in a rock and He rolls my blues away. Bop Shu Bop Shu Bop Pow
Jesus is a rock and He rolls my blues away. Bop Shu Bop Shu Bop Pow
Jesus is a rock and He rolls my blues away. Bop Shu Bop Shu Bop Pow
When you wake up in the morning and the sky ain't bright or blue.
When you wake up in the morning and the big world's after you.
When you wake up in the morning well, Jesus gonna pull you through.
Why? Becaaaaause: (Repeat chorus)
Pastor Rick