Hope: There are things to be sad about these days, but we also have plenty of reason for hope. We just have to understand what hope is. Being hopeful is not the same thing as being positive, optimistic, or having resilience. Biblical hope is never based on circumstances or attitudes; it is about the character and promises of God. This was the gist of my sermon last weekend.
A Reflection on Anxiety: By God’s grace, anxiety is not a struggle for me. But it’s a growing concern for a growing number of people. If you’re among them, you may profit from this reflection by Tim Dalrymple, the president of Christianity Today.
A Reflection on Grief: Alongside CT’s treatment of anxiety, we have Harvard Business Review’s treatment of grief. It is based on an interview with David Kessler, “one of the world’s foremost experts on grief.” As an aside about the impact of COVID, Kessler’s piece on grief almost instantly became one of the most popular pieces HBR has ever published.
Marriage in an Age of COVID: Last week I joked that obstetricians and divorce lawyers were about to be busy. In this piece, sociologist Brad Wilcox argues that Justices of the Peace will not. Noting that marriage rates dropped following the Great Depression, Wilcox—a professor at UVA and a senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies—argues that COVID and a faltering economy will mean fewer people will take the trip to the altar.
Oops: Speaking of last week, there was an error. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking, “You were duped. Lewis didn’t write that piece on plagues, that was someone else imitating him.” A few investigative clicks later and my suspicions were confirmed. My apologies for misleading you. Some of you likely had your doubts or knew I was wrong but were too kind to say. In any event, credit for the piece—which you can readhere—goes to Rev. Aaron Michael Nielson at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Durango, CO.
An Apologetics Resource: A few months ago, I had an extended dinner with Dr. Paul Copan, an author, philosopher, and apologist. He had much to offer, so I arranged to have him speak at Christ Church. That event is one of many things on indefinite delay. But you can access some of the resources yourself, such as a weekly apologetics, philosophy, and worldview email called The Worldview Bulletin. This online resource has free and paid subscription options. It’s a “best of” from the web on apologetics and related topics. You can see for yourself or sign up by clicking here.
Making the Most of the Days: By the way, I was feeling okay about how I was using my time during COVID until I read about Isaac Newton. While quarantined from the plague, he did little things like improving calculus, discovering gravity, and attending to a few other small matters.
Two Opportunities to Smile: Chances are you could use some excuses to smile. Here are two at COVID’s expense: a one minute Cheers clip and a one minute clip on grocery “shopping.”
Prayer Requests: As you might imagine, the requests for prayer coming into the church have skyrocketed. Some of those asking for prayer are sick, recently unemployed, or anxious. Many are asking for prayer for others: in particular, first responders and/or family members working in the medical field and those in developing countries who have far fewer resources with which to cope.
Closing Prayer: Lord, put your hands on our eyes, that we shall be able to see not only that which is visible, but also that which is invisible. Let our eyes be focused not only on that which is present, but also on that which is to come. Unseal the heart’s vision, that we may gaze on God in his glory. Amen. Origen (c. 185 – 254)