March 2020 - March 2022 Oh how those two years changed our lives. It was unexpected. It affected everyone. For many it caused serious divisions of opinions. For some it caused pain and for too many sad unexpected losses. Many of our friends passed away during this time, most from covid.
We learned new vocabulary and new definitions - pandemic, covid, delta, omicron, isolation, quarantine, antivax, antimask, mandates, virtual learning, zoom - just to name a few. There were places we couldn't go, places we shouldn't go, and places, like churches and schools, that were often closed.
We learned to do so many things differently. We learned to use the computer to order our groceries online. We would order and then the clerks would load them in our car for us. No contact needed. We've learned to appreciate this method and will no doubt continue to do it. We've also learned to order some meals this way.
Except for our prescriptions, many of our medical supplies have also been ordered online from locations such as CVS.com and Walgreens.com. We have ordered clothing and presents online and have not entered a store in two years. It is great and convenient to have things delivered to our front door. We may never return to in-store shopping.
We have missed making trips and taking vacations. We really miss going to Ocean City, Maryland, and also visiting friends. Most of our trips have been to doctors and for medical tests. And despite the huge increase in the cost of gas, this is one budget area in which we have been able to save money.
We do miss the fellowship of those at church although we don't think many miss us. I miss my wife playing preludes and offertories. However we have been able to faithfully "attend" churches through streaming, including our own church and especially Swindoll's church, Stonebriar, from Texas. We enjoy their beautiful orchestra, ensembles and choir. We enjoy singing along with their hymns. We are learning from the sound teaching. That service is one of the bonus results of the pandemic for us.
We miss talking to people. Besides family and doctors, during these two years I have only had five conversations with other men. Now I have never been a very social person, but these limits on conversations have been difficult for me. I've tried to contact folks by e-mail but it appears that not many like to share using the technology.
We've lost many friends who've passed away during these years, many due to covid. But many of them we'll see again someday in heaven. We've lost some medical friends who've chosen to retire during the pandemic - our longtime dentist and one of my wife's heart doctors. They are hard to replace.
We have not had our entire family together for over two years. We had hoped to do so on Christmas, but one person tested positive for covid so one of our families couldn't come. Maybe next year we can try once again, should we survive 2022.
I have had time to write, such as this crazy blog, to read and especially to pray. There are so many who have real needs and who need prayer and encouragement. What an important ministry that is. I challenge you to spend more time taking the needs of others to the Lord.
We have not had our entire family together for over two years. We had hoped to do so on Christmas, but one person tested positive for covid so one of our families couldn't come. Maybe next year we can try once again, should we survive 2022.
I have had time to write, such as this crazy blog, to read and especially to pray. There are so many who have real needs and who need prayer and encouragement. What an important ministry that is. I challenge you to spend more time taking the needs of others to the Lord.
We have had all of our recommended shots including boosters, as well as our flu shots. We still wear ourf masks everywhere. We have tried to be as careful as posssible, maybe more careful then needed. But we are old and have physical problems that require us to be extra careful.
Now the question might be what will happen the next two years? I have no way of really knowing, but my prayer is that the rapture might occur. And, if not that, some of us may be taken home anyway. What a blessed hope Christians really have.
But if that doesn't happen I think churches may need to expend and improve their streaming services. I would hope that many would include staff dedicated to ministering to those who worship at home. There is a big potential for important ministry here that has not been tapped. Churches should not continue to skip this mission field.
Now the question might be what will happen the next two years? I have no way of really knowing, but my prayer is that the rapture might occur. And, if not that, some of us may be taken home anyway. What a blessed hope Christians really have.
But if that doesn't happen I think churches may need to expend and improve their streaming services. I would hope that many would include staff dedicated to ministering to those who worship at home. There is a big potential for important ministry here that has not been tapped. Churches should not continue to skip this mission field.
I suspect some form of covid may always be around. Probably they will offer annual booster shots as they do for the flu. That might be the new normal.
I would expect that many stores and companies may expand online services or else they will continue to lose costumers. This is too convenient for consumers who won't take the time or effort to go shop when they can do it at home. More department stores will close and become a thing of the past as many have already become.
Whilte many of us are eager to return to restaurants, I would guess that pickup meals will be expanded. Fast foods are good at times, but the public wants more than that. However the drawback on such expansion may be the problems of hiring enough staff and the increase in food costs.
I would also expect that many of us will be keeping our vehicles much longer. The problems with the supply chain will make many things much more expensive, if even available. Inflation will produce greater strains on finances, especially on those of us who are retired. The few dollars that social security is increased each year just doesn't cut it for today's retirees with today's inflation.
But the more difficult changes could come with our deeply divided government. And anarchy is a growing possibility as groups take actions to get their rights and protest actions with which they disagree. Look at the recent blockades in Canada, And we know that things will not get any better. And I haven't even mentioned the worldwide unrest and the potential of terrorism and nuclear war. The scriptures tell us that this will get worse so we shouldn't be surprised.
The prophet Habakkuk also wrestled with the way things were going in his lifetime. At times he wondered if God really was really in control. But here is what he concluded at the end of his book.
I would expect that many stores and companies may expand online services or else they will continue to lose costumers. This is too convenient for consumers who won't take the time or effort to go shop when they can do it at home. More department stores will close and become a thing of the past as many have already become.
Whilte many of us are eager to return to restaurants, I would guess that pickup meals will be expanded. Fast foods are good at times, but the public wants more than that. However the drawback on such expansion may be the problems of hiring enough staff and the increase in food costs.
I would also expect that many of us will be keeping our vehicles much longer. The problems with the supply chain will make many things much more expensive, if even available. Inflation will produce greater strains on finances, especially on those of us who are retired. The few dollars that social security is increased each year just doesn't cut it for today's retirees with today's inflation.
But the more difficult changes could come with our deeply divided government. And anarchy is a growing possibility as groups take actions to get their rights and protest actions with which they disagree. Look at the recent blockades in Canada, And we know that things will not get any better. And I haven't even mentioned the worldwide unrest and the potential of terrorism and nuclear war. The scriptures tell us that this will get worse so we shouldn't be surprised.
The prophet Habakkuk also wrestled with the way things were going in his lifetime. At times he wondered if God really was really in control. But here is what he concluded at the end of his book.
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights."
But we do have hope. We can rejoice in the Lord, the God of our salvation. The Sovereign Lord is our strength! And a better day is coming - maybe today, or tomorrow or maybe in 2022!
1. Years of time have come and goneSince I first heard it told,How Jesus would come again someday.If back then it seemed so real,Then I just can't help but feelHow much closer his coming is today.Chorus:Signs of the times are everywhere.There's a brand new feeling in the air.Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky,Life up your heads, redemption draweth nigh!
2. Wars and strife on every hand
And violence fills our land,
Still some people doubt he'll come again.
But the Word of God is true,
He'll redeem his chosen few.
Don't lose hope, soon Christ Jesus will descend.
Chorus:
Signs of the times are everywhere.
There's a brand new feeling in the air.
Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky,
Life up your heads, redemption draweth nigh!
Keep looking up, it might be today!
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