Keeping the Ship Afloat
Online Bible Study/Discussion Group -- Wednesdays at 10am
Sign on to spend a little time together with Pastor Jean as we share our own experiences and seek the wisdom of scripture to light our way. (The Zoom link for this group is at the end of this email)
Today I drove to Shiprock, NM, to deliver donated N95 masks to the hospital there. While Personal Protection Equipment is more available now, they are still grateful for any additional help. In order to visit the Shiprock Medical Facility, you are stopped at the parking lot entrance and receive the OK to proceed. Patients are triaged into various categories and sent on to other stops in the parking lot. Before entering the facility, you check in with a security guard, then wait to be checked for fever and other symptoms. I didn't try to enter the building, so the security guard was happy to take our donation. Both the "gatekeeper" and the guard expressed gratitude for our help.
On my way out of town, I passed the Bethel Christian Reformed Church. This is what is on their church sign: "Go ahead and SCREAM. Go ahead and CRY. Just Don't Give Up."
I needed to see that today! As our current situation drags on and on; as cities all around the country erupt in violence (overshadowing the people protesting legally and peacefully); as some of our neighbors put pressure on us to take off our masks and "be normal;" as the work of meeting people's basic needs continues--Yep. I needed to see that sign today.
It is OK--actually I enthusiastically encourage you to express your emotions in whatever way you wish (but Please stop short of resorting to violence!). Go ahead and Scream--there is a great deal to be frustrated about! God ahead and Cry--we have great losses to mourn. And when you've let it all out--in the calm that follows--remember the promise of our Savior: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age...even through COVID-19 crises...even through unimaginable loss and death...even through senseless violence and fear...even to the end of the world. I am with you ALWAYS"
Scream. Cry. Do what you need to do to release your emotions. Just don't give up. Our God will walk with us through everything that comes, bringing hope when we may least expect it.
Peace and all good,
Pastor Jean
Sign on to spend a little time together with Pastor Jean as we share our own experiences and seek the wisdom of scripture to light our way. (The Zoom link for this group is at the end of this email)
Today I drove to Shiprock, NM, to deliver donated N95 masks to the hospital there. While Personal Protection Equipment is more available now, they are still grateful for any additional help. In order to visit the Shiprock Medical Facility, you are stopped at the parking lot entrance and receive the OK to proceed. Patients are triaged into various categories and sent on to other stops in the parking lot. Before entering the facility, you check in with a security guard, then wait to be checked for fever and other symptoms. I didn't try to enter the building, so the security guard was happy to take our donation. Both the "gatekeeper" and the guard expressed gratitude for our help.
On my way out of town, I passed the Bethel Christian Reformed Church. This is what is on their church sign: "Go ahead and SCREAM. Go ahead and CRY. Just Don't Give Up."
I needed to see that today! As our current situation drags on and on; as cities all around the country erupt in violence (overshadowing the people protesting legally and peacefully); as some of our neighbors put pressure on us to take off our masks and "be normal;" as the work of meeting people's basic needs continues--Yep. I needed to see that sign today.
It is OK--actually I enthusiastically encourage you to express your emotions in whatever way you wish (but Please stop short of resorting to violence!). Go ahead and Scream--there is a great deal to be frustrated about! God ahead and Cry--we have great losses to mourn. And when you've let it all out--in the calm that follows--remember the promise of our Savior: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age...even through COVID-19 crises...even through unimaginable loss and death...even through senseless violence and fear...even to the end of the world. I am with you ALWAYS"
Scream. Cry. Do what you need to do to release your emotions. Just don't give up. Our God will walk with us through everything that comes, bringing hope when we may least expect it.
Peace and all good,
Pastor Jean
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