Two Views

Here we sit at Corgi Hollows, in the center of the continent, far from the big outbreaks of COVID-19.

And yet we are affected, and waiting with suspense. We know it is just a matter of time before a droplet of virus comes into contact with us, and what will happen then?

We know, without a doubt, that the economic effect is real. I am not working as a substitute, nor at the hotel (much) anymore. The hotel is virtually empty, the main staff are all that are needed, except for the occasional break.

School is still happening, albeit very altered. Spring break is to be three weeks long. I'm trying to write my project. Tomorrow I'll be able to think about it, right?

I know many who have lost their jobs, even if it is temporarily. We hope it is temporary.

Actually, as I sit here I'm more sure of this than anything: Jesus Christ is our only, surest hope.

He can protect us from a severe case of the corona virus. He can provide income. He can preserve our loved ones. He can restore the country, the world. He can give, and He can take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Loss is a part of this sin-sick world.

It's nice to know that we have our residence in heaven, ultimately with the LORD.

I imagine heaven to be a place of satisfying productivity. I think that there will be color and taste and peaceful joy at all times. I imagine seeing the face of my Lord, Jesus Christ and worshiping Him.

I imagine getting ready for the return to earth, loving on those horses, happy with everyone.

As these unimagined events unfold around us I am reminding myself that this is what we knew was coming. Perhaps not exactly like this, but in this vein. We are seeing a crisis unfold. We are at its mercy with no control over the outcome. We are in God's hands.

I don't know how we'll be even next week---you see older people talk about surviving, younger people dying. This virus is unpredictable to some extent. We all know that the elderly are vulnerable, those with immune systems compromised.

Ed and I were chatting about the oncology ward at the children's hospital. We speculated what was going on there right now, picturing it as we believe it may be: no visitors, cooked food delivered, incredible protocol strictly followed.

We count our blessings that cancer isn't happening right now for us. Still, I wonder about immune systems around here...

Then I focus on the Lord and His promises. Perhaps not to preserve in this life, but certainly to give eternal life. We know our days are already numbered.

God knows our days, and we trust in Him.

So, I have two views right now: some concern, some peace. My concerned view is simply acknowledging the trial our world is experiencing. I'm sorrowing in my spirit that I know people who are living unrepentant lives. I grieve their difficulties ahead, pray for their salvation, hope for their eternity.

My peace is that WHATEVER COMES we know God is in control. He has us in His hands.

When I read about William Tyndale and the many others burned at the stake with their Bibles bound around their necks I am horrified. The barbarian acts of the human soul are awful to think about. They go on in this age, horror upon horror. God knows. Justice comes.

But many suffer, and perhaps you or I will. Face it. We are not guaranteed freedom from such persecution.

I pray for the deliverance, the Blessed Hope of our Savior appearing to catch us away for the bridal feast week. "Where I am, there you will be also!" Made perfect in a twinkling of an eye.

But we will wait on that beautiful day. It could be the midnight cry tonight...

Should persecution come for us we know that the peace that passeth all understanding is ours. We lay claim to it. We know that God's grace is always sufficient.

Hold on, fellow believer. We have been watching, and we know that "these things are coming to pass."

What does Jesus tell us to do then? "Look up, for your redemption draws nigh."

Be encouraged. Be born again. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

Wait. Just wait.

It's happening.

Read This:

http://m.startribune.com/coronavirus-pandemic-what-s-normal-now-what-s-next-an-interview-with-michael-osterholm/568978932/?fbclid=IwAR1ivl_16XH6c671p7FwFzD_2rscZSQNCz_4a5FjxrzyUPkf_ZjvMMhLOEs

What You Really Need To Know - In These Last Days

What You Really Need To Know - In These Last Days

Quarantine

For whatever they are worth, here are my thoughts on this most unusual circumstance. Believe me, I'm reading all sorts of things, some sound pretty crazy, some realistic, some probable, some possible.

My husband returned from the west coast last evening. He drove through Jackson, Wyoming, which apparently had icy roads. I'm glad I wasn't along for the ride!

My daughter hopes to return today from British Columbia, Canada, driving. She's in Montana right now, so we're talking a VERY LONG drive.

They were out west helping to move my son's family home to Minnesota. It's been quite the week. Moving is always somewhat stress-related (according to the textbooks). Add a looming pandemic and it really gets interesting.

Outside here at Corgi Hollows I'd hoped to wash a few windows today. But:

We have a bit of snow.

See the lake forming to the south? That happens every spring, but one of the tiles is plugged, so we think there may be big issues afoot.

Things to think about.

There's four of us in the house today. All of us have had schedule changes. I'm still working at the hotel (hotels don't close, apparently) but no school, no classes for a few more days, (even online) and my husband has also been told to stay home and work from home.

Spirits are high. We are a house of introverts, so we cherish time to re-calibrate, to reset, to re-charge.

Because we are prophecy people our house is stocked. It always is. That's who we are. We didn't shop much last week. Didn't need to. We are default preppers since Y2K. It makes sense for such a time as this.

The corgi is ecstatic that we are home. The geraniums are blooming mightily in the windows and the fireplaces are cozily heating our feet.

The cats are fine too.

Three large trees were felled last weekend before my husband left for Washington. Two mighty oaks and a massive basswood (linden). I felt blue for days, but they were rotten up the entire core, and they posed a real threat to Corgi Hollows. Those who have lived here in the past will perhaps understand my sorrow at their demise. There is one more oak that must be taken down before the wood chopping begins.

I plan to make the stump of the basswood into a seat, as our kitchen garden is right next to it. It will serve as a focal point. This is a good thing.

My husband is an adventurer, risk taker, and he had his moments of danger multiplied in the tree project. I tend to get sort of stressed out watching his calculations, so I keep my ears open, but occupy myself with other activities. When I hear a loud boom that shakes the house I run out to see if he is still alive.

He survived.

We are shopping for a wood splitter now. Four large trees are simply too much to manually split for people these days.  We have firewood, yes we do! We have firewood, how 'bout you?!

My parents are self-quarantining this week. We are talking on the phone, but we are not going over there, except to leave groceries, etc. My mom, a nurse, wants to have a baseline of no exposure. I think it is a good idea. Our local nursing home has cancelled our chapel services (where I play piano once a month) and the jail has also cancelled our prison ministry. No cases of COVID19 are reported yet. Hopefully none will be.

But probably there will be. It's inevitable. The statistics suggest it.

Our hope is a flattening of the curve, not an avoidance of the pestilence.

It's just a matter of time before we catch the cold, so to speak. How we respond to it is yet to be seen. Ten days. Fourteen days. We'll see.

I've read the "Q" stuff online that suggest COVID19 attacks those (in particular) who are users of adrenochrome. If you are unfamiliar with that be forewarned: it is a Luciferian rabbit hole. This is tied up in the biological weapons category.

I've read that it is far less dangerous than the flu, H1N1, HIVaids, SARS, etc.

I've read that martial law is being practiced.

I've read that the world is being tested for a global system and currency is going to be obsolete.

I've read that vaccinations are a part of the response and we will be forced to have them...

You've probably read all of this too.

With all the fake news out there (This virus is Trump's fault!) it's difficult to know what to believe. Really.

This is when your faith is critical.

"Religion is the opiate of the masses."

Give me that old-time religion! I'll take that over godless panic any day. Where is your faith anchored? Where are you placing your trust?

Your days have already been numbered, appointed. You cannot change that, so why fret?

I love Psalm 37. It says over and over that we are not to fret.

I hope you are finding peace as you read your Bible today. I hope you are finding a quiet game or art project to work on. I hope you make something good to eat. I hope you are praying for our country, for our world.

I hope you are looking at the birth pangs all around us and considering your eternal destination! Jesus is coming soon! Look up, for your redemption draws nigh!

I'd say the birth pangs are pretty sharp right now.

Will you survive the COVID19?

Probably. Statistically. But YOU DON'T KNOW.

I'm looking for the rapture, not symptoms, but whichever comes first I trust in my Heavenly Father.

And in the meantime we pray that evil is conquered, that souls are saved, that Christ is glorified.


Don't fret. That means don't panic. Jesus is STILL on the throne. He may be getting up to come and get us as I write this, but He's still in control. Don't worry.


We have firewood. In a few weeks ya'll come over for a real hot dog and marshmallow roast. We'll share our quarantine stories.

Warning

https://twitter.com/ZhouLabUCR/status/1237644026355920896?s=09

Great Thread Here:

https://twitter.com/JesusIsWarning/status/1237423920774615045?s=09