Convinced about Jesus

Where do I start this morning? I’m writing this mid-morning on Monday. It’s hard to know what to think right now isn’t it? I woke up Saturday morning and really wondered for a minute if all of this is just a dream and then it was like, nope, this is all very real.

We did “church” on-line Sunday and that was a strange experience. For people that are “shut in” watching church on television was not a big deal but for many going to bed Saturday night with the realization you were not going to get up and get ready for a corporate worship service was odd.

I have only missed two Sundays in 19 years. I feel like I lost my attendance pin (if you are old you know what that is) but I guess we have more important things to think about.

Believe it or not this tired, old and sometimes cynical pastor is starting to miss people. At least I’m practicing social distancing and sheltering in place with the Blonde (my wife Jennifer) and she’s my favorite person in the world (not counting Jesus).

As a pastor I’m extremely thankful for technology. We are using email, social media, YouTube, Zoom and text messaging like crazy.

We are working hard at staying connected in the best possible way. It might be a snow day for some but this pastor is producing content and making it available like I normally do.

Prayer is a big part of this isn’t it? I’ve got a whole new prayer list including the economic impact this is having on people. I prayed for this newspaper this morning.

Our youngest son just got back to really working after a couple of motorcycle wrecks and some bionic man type surgery. His coffee shop closed for the virus crisis but then reopened for which we are grateful.

The 21-year-old that used to live at our house (youngest daughter KK) has her first full-time big girl gig and is able to work from home but it could get a little western for her if things don’t get better soon.

Regardless of how you feel about our president I’m glad he is including the economy in his strategic plans for battling Covid-19.

What happens when the fog lifts? I think that’s in part what’s driving our anxiety - we don’t know. What does a post Corona Virus world look like? Will there be a new normal? What will that new normal look like? Of course, sadly that world is already missing over 15,000 people that have become victims of this health challenge.

My business is spiritual so I frame everything through a Jesus lens. Is this moving people closer to Jesus? I don’t think so but I hope so.

Many people are curious about Jesus and that’s a good thing. They are curious about the church, they wonder what goes on behind those big doors of the church building.

Some of those people we hope move from being curious about Jesus to being convinced about Jesus. In other words, that they start to believe that Jesus is who He says He is and that He does what He says He did because He loves them and wants to have a relationship with them.

Finally, our greatest prayer and concern is these people are convinced to become committed followers of Jesus. At the end of the day that is all that matters - that people know know Jesus.

He told me to tell you that.

“Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)