Devotions for Techies

Most of us have been forced online due to the Coronavirus.  So many online meetings for work, school, family celebrations and check-ins.  Meeting online is fraught with hurdles:  timing with other householders who also need to be online, limited bandwidth,  choice between camera and/or mic, fuzzy and freezing screens, audio feedback, voices that don't sync with the speaker...  Connecting and communicating with clarity are not always ideal.  Still we persist.  Why?

Hard-core techies like the challenge.  Many are driven by deadlines set by the boss or the teacher.  Some need to hear a loved one's voice or to see a familiar face after too long a separation.  To give up is to surrender to isolation, loneliness, or drift without purpose.

Happily, we mere mortals can readily connect with our Father and Creator God.  Our Lord Jesus appeared on earth in the flesh to meet people like us.  He personally delivered messages from the Father.  God sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers.  The Spirit counsels, comforts, empowers,  advocates, and brings teachings to remembrance.  Jesus taught us how to pray and assured us that we would be heard by God at anytime and from anywhere.  In a word, our Father in Heaven offers us "net neutrality"; we have equal access to almighty, unconditional Love.  He knows what's on our mind before we even say one word. 

Make time daily for this mysterious and wonder-filled meeting, powered by love.  God asks that we seek him wholeheartedly, that we listen to his voice, that we love and obey, and that we glorify his name.  He has something he needs to tell you, something he needs you to understand today.

Negotiations

Life flows along, until conditions change or someone blows the whistle for a timeout and revaluation. Perhaps a world event arises like a pandemic. Perhaps it’s a diagnosis, job loss, financial crisis, or relationship breakdown. Someone, for some reason, wants a change in rules to improve their situation. In business, we call this crisis management. CEOs may decide to file for bankruptcy and reorganize. In marriage, we call this separation. Maybe a spouse walks away for a time to ponder what he really wants in life.

In such cases, someone is unhappy with the current arrangements. Yes, mid-course corrections are part of living. Certainly resilience involves flexibility, adaptability, and perseverance. Whenever negotiators discuss new terms, they prefer to work from strength and greater leverage. One of the parties may suffer loss or setbacks. Few of us want to negotiate from a position of weakness.

God takes an entirely incomprehensible position in negotiations with us. He recognizes that we are not worthy rivals at the table. We are impotent paupers. We have nothing to win God over to our way of thinking, to spare us, or to help us out of our dire circumstances.

God recognizes we are sinners; we are flawed individuals. Incredibly, God chooses us anyway. Amazingly, God loves us anyway. Unbelievably, God offers us help and hope at the negotiations' table. God provides the costly solution; He shares with us his righteousness and victory over death. Christ died for our sins, redeemed us, and grants us new standing. We become new creatures in Christ with a fresh start. We enjoy new and improved terms, based on no assets nor strengths of our own. God’s strength is made visible in our weakness.

“’My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Cor. 12:9

Give Thanks.

Loving Relationships?

Church is a place where sinners gather.  A family can be a refuge or a battlefield.  As much as we try to befriend safe people, to marry well, or to associate with co-workers who can help us advance, we can feel betrayed, deceived, used, or unappreciated at the end of the day.  Why?  All we want is love, sweet love.

Admittedly, relationships are messy.  A friendship or a marriage may start well but deteriorate over time.  People change.  Individuals look out for their own interests and tend to trample on others, intentionally or unintentionally.  All of us bear scars and carry painful memories.  We may share these experiences with a trusted few and learn to live in the light.  If we stuff them down for years, they may blow one day like shrapnel.  Our secret anger, painful burden, or steaming resentment becomes visible. 

Listen to your life.  Address relational realities.  Stop trying to manage your image.  Stop pretending, hiding, or covering up.  Deal with root problems.  When you feel overwhelmed, get help.  Seek out help in the person of an experienced counselor.  See your pastor.  Read scripture and Christian literature.  Pray.  Practice healthy habits.  Take  yourself in for a tuneup, in other words. 

When we are in better shape, stronger, and healthier biblically-speaking, we are able to be present to others.  We stop sizing up someone by what we stand to gain.  We are at long last able to build relationships by blessing the other, doing good, and loving actively.  We give without expectations of cashing in.  Learning to consider the interests of others is a process in leaving selfishness behind.  It's an exercise in self-denial and sacrificial love. 

"Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Phil. 2:4-5

Will we get honest and own up to doing our part in making relationships happier and healthier?  As Christians, we are called to love.  (1 Corinthians 13)  It's a challenging, lifelong assignment.  Look to Jesus to see how he pulled it off.  Rely on Holy Spirit power daily to live out a lifestyle of love.

How Long, Lord?

Seniors in their 90s like my Dad are discovering iPads and FaceTime can bring loved ones closer, even when they are feeling isolated.  Seeing a smile or hearing laughter brightens the long day.  Technology enables connection. 

Those with immunity concerns are also feeling cut off from casual interactions with friends.  The realization that there is no end in sight to this COVID-19 pandemic makes the loneliness all the harder to bear.  How do we engage in abundant living while protecting our health?  How do we fellowship?  Are outdoor, masked, socially distanced gatherings a possibility?

Yes, survival requires adapting, letting go of accustomed routines, and embracing new practices like virtual interactions, outdoor meetings/activities, social distancing, and wearing masks.  

Who could have imagined working remotely for months, online silver sneakers workouts, virtual art and cooking classes, and web conferencing to discuss church matters?  We have been forced to rethink, to cope, to set up life differently, to distance to avoid possible contagion.   Life online is possible for many, but is ultimately less satisfying long-term.

A few suggestions for now:

Spiritual Formation:  Join a Crestview Bible Study or Summer Parables Group.  See the Crestview Website to connect online.

Worship:  Play the music you love, that promotes worship.  God is near.  Try listening now: 

In Christ Alone.

Fellowship:  Call someone in your life, that needs a word of encouragement or comfort.  Send a card.

Love One Another:  Give whatever you are longing for, to someone else.  A delightful surprise lifts the spirit. 

Create:  Like our Creator God, make something good to share:  a meal, a picture, music...

Renewing Your Mind

These are challenging days when your Christian faith is being stretched. Our world is in pain. You’ve felt it.

When life becomes demanding, the Christian message of hope and help are needed all the more. Would your ways of relating, daily routines, or thinking patterns benefit from observing Jesus in action? Renewing your mind is a daily practice that transforms a life. It leads to joy. God is at work in you by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Consider spending time reading and studying how believers in the Bible and Christians today manage problems, persevere, problem solve, and fortify their spirit.

By practicing Christian spiritual disciplines like study, prayer, service, and stillness in God’s presence, we mature in Christ. Spiritual transformation is not easy or convenient. It forces us to change attitudes and behaviors.

Block out time to meet with God. Check out 1 of the digital collections linked in Midwest Musing Resources to nourish your spirit. There are many online Bible websites, sermon video archives, podcasts by Christian authors and speakers, and Christian worship music to help you on your faith journey. 

Join one of Crestview’s on-going Bible study groups. New summer online groups will start in June. Christian Boot camp is slated for the fall. Jump in. Now is a time to reprioritize.

Christian Spiritual Formation Resources

During these COVID-19 days when life can feel like you @home on an endless spin cycle, consider rethinking how you spend time.  Meet with God and go deeper in your faith. Travel with the Holy Spirit while you are “stay safe” @home.  Listen, Read, Study, Watch, Worship!  Godspeed! 

  


Beth’s Top Picks, May 2020 

European Leadership Conference, May 22-28, 2020.  Free, Online

The Bible. All-time bestseller. Read a passage, a chapter, a book.

Crestview Sermons Archive. Rev. Shawn Barkley, West Chester, OH.

Podcast: The Well.  Rev. Shawn Barkley 

Midwest Musing: New Every Morning.  Blog.  

Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. John Ortberg, Menlo Park, CA. Watch messages.

Redeemer Presbyterian Church. NY, NY. Tim Keller
Resources: Meditations, Skeptics Series, Audio files, Sermon Archive, Recommended Reading, Articles,etc.

Park Street Church. Boston, MA. Sermon Library

Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Calvin University 

Calvin Center of Faith and Writing. Christian writers in various genres. Biannual conference.

Hall of Church History.  Phil Johnson.  Church history information.

Ligionier Ministries.  Founded by R.C. Sproul, Learn Resources

IF Gathering TV. Jennie Allen.  Women's ministry resources, videos, annual conference.

Ann Voskamp. Daily Blog. Women's ministry.

On Being with Krista Tippett.  Radio and Podcasts 

Virtual Religion Index  Websites

YouTube Watch, Listen, & Worship. Search  Christian authors, speakers, musicians.

Looking for something to READ by a celebrated Christian author? Pick up a book by
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Corrie ten Boom
Frederick Buechner
Francis Chan  
C.K. Chesterton
Elisabeth Eliot
Richard Foster
Bill Hybels
Timothy Keller
C.S. Lewis
Max Lucado
Kathleen Norris 
Henri Nouwen
John Ortberg
Eugene Peterson
James K.A. Smith
R.C. Sproul
John Stott
Joni Eareckson Tada
Barbara Brown Taylor
Ann Voskamp
Dallas Willard
N. T. Wright
Philip Yancey


Want more?  Willing to pay tuition?
Christian Witness and Ministry in a COVID-shaped World.  
Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI. Online 3 week summer courses. 3 Sessions. 

Celebrate Today

May is a time to celebrate:  anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Memorial Day...  Do we feel like celebrating when there are so many questions about the summer ahead and fall plans?

Perhaps this COVID-19 time gives each of us the opportunity to be present with the people who matter most.  What do our friends and family need today?  To be seen, to be challenged, to be celebrated?

Admittedly, our projected schedules and grand plans are falling apart.  We are learning to embrace the now over tomorrow.  Why not try starting your day with the Lord's Prayer?

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.    Matthew 6:7-13

The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr also captures this idea of slowing time, of embracing this day.

"Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,"

What does celebrating and connecting look like?  

Calls, texts, cards and eCards, emails, Zoom meetings, Facetime, smiles and waves, balloons tied to doors, crayon drawings taped to windows, packages on porches, muffins hanging from hooks, garden flowers left by the mailbox...
Be creative.  Give away the very thing that would delight your heart! 

Celebrate life.