GIVING THANKS IN TURBULENT TIMES

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Be thankful? Tough ask! Virtually everybody has an opinion about life during Covid-19. The disruptions to our lives, let alone the risk assessment everyone is subconsciously calculating, makes for animated conversations around the coffee pot. In my spot, the idea of “doing no harm” and leading responsibly with great people in our church has been in itself “quite the ride.” Thankfully, I could say, it has taught me a few things. I have learned to be more patient with others and myself. It has affirmed that fear has two sides. Fear keeps us appropriately cautious from jumping without looking first, but it also can paralyze us from living fully. We need balance. I laughed out loud the other night watching a rerun of the silly movie WHAT ABOUT BOB. Bob, a lovable multi-phobic personality, played by Bill Murray, cannot be alone in his daily fear, so inappropriately, he attaches himself to his narcissistic therapist. It is “big funny” because we all have a little bit of Bob or little bit of Dr. Leo Marvin in our world. We probably need to be a little more real about life, like Leo’s son, Siggy.

Being thankful in all circumstances isn’t just because I learn things. It is because of who I learn from and why? We belong to God our Father who made this world, and He desires we be His mature kids. We want to fully understand the significance of this truth. The scripture says that as disciples we learn from Christ, the master teacher/Messiah, who we are in this world and the right things to do. We, who are/are being saved from sin, are God’s redeemed sons and daughters who are learning characteristics like obedience, trust, patience, compassion, confidence, common sense, and wisdom. So, being thankful that God is supernaturally “with us” in Jesus is understandable and developed within us. His presence bolsters our confidence. He ultimately reigns over all things and is now our companion and teacher. We trust He will help us all make sense of things, as we live in His good purposes, both hearing and doing His will amidst a fallen world. 

So yes, during this time of Thanksgiving, we are thankful for His provision and also thankful that we are born from above, in Christ, and these are times to trust and grow.

Barry

The Problem with Evil: Further Thoughts on Romans 8 in the Days of Corona

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8: 35-37

Remember, we live in the tension of a fallen creation. It is filled with death, decay, and rebellion. This reality is starkly different from the future new heaven and earth. The Holy Spirit is with you bringing the power and fellowship we long for today. He is also proof of the certainty of God’s preferred future. The life we cherish is not one of temporary power, temporary health or temporary wealth that ends in futility. Granted, it is easier to discuss this when we are not in a crisis of grief or fear. When the Day of the Lord arrives, our faith in Christ, as Paul says in Romans 8:28, assures us “All things work together for good, to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.” We are confident that we will be conformed to the risen likeness of Jesus, that we are more than conquerors of the death and decay of this creation. Why confident? Because it is God’s final plan, and He sits as King of all creation and history. Like Abraham, we are now God’s children by faith. We are purchased with Christ's blood. His redeemed sons and daughters. “So, what shall separate me from the love of Christ?” Not one thing of this sin-ravaged world, not famine, not hardship, not persecution, not dangers in this world, not disease. One day, when the time is right, all things will be made right. We shall be conformed to His resurrected image. Until then, I belong to His mission and the pain sometimes caused by that mission. Suffering will give way to His future and goodness. He will set right, all wrongs, and wipe away our tears. So, we wait, serve, endure, pray, and enjoy the comfort of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence.

Brother Barry Dunn

The Problem with Evil: Faith in days of Corona Virus

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38-39

Loved ones, today, as I sit in my office, I have been in more conference calls and group messages than I ever imagined. People have asked questions like: Is God in control? Is God good? The Bible answers, yes. Then, why is evil in the world, like viruses? I am reflecting deeply on Romans 8. The answers to these questions fill many books, but here is my thinking contained in several short articles. 

 The Christian answer requires a healthy appreciation for living in tension: The Kingdom is “now,” with the Holy Spirit, but the Kingdom is also “not yet.” Life is not what it should be.  In Romans 8, Paul grasps this paradox, in spades. Western culture has come to believe that true goodness looks like power, health, and wealth on this earth. Christians have long known this is wrong. Wealthy and powerful people suffer and die. God’s goodness does not insulate us from the sin ravaged creation. We still often live with desperate, vexed, and sin-filled hearts. Our peace is found in fellowship with God; in a life with Him in a new, re-made heaven and earth, that is not unlike the Garden of Eden. Until we fully enter that time, we will live with Him; but in a world of death and decay. This truth will not get you fanfare in our culture, but it is our “real.” 

In Response: I am asking all our members to call 3 shut-ins, 3 family members and 3 friends each day to check on them.

Brother Barry