June 5, 2020

Psalm 38:10

The Psalms capture the unedited cries of the sick, scared, suffering, and lonely. They know nothing of “pain is an illusion” or “just don’t let it get you down.” We are not told to push forward with “mind over matter.” It is “God over matter,” and we are called to lean into Him.

It’s Not Even Half Way Over: In a podcast called The Argument, Michelle Goldberg noted that 2020 started off like 1974 (an impeachment), quickly became 1918 (a pandemic), turned into 1929 (an economic crash), and is now 1968 (urban unrest). When you add Africa’s locust plague and our upcoming presidential election—to say nothing of “murder hornets”—it makes you a bit jumpy about what’s next.

Lecrae: I have not attended a Lecrae concert, but I have heard him speak on three occasions and have always been impressed. A friend reminded me of this eight minute interview that I heard live a few years ago, which I would recommend. By the way, here is Lecrae’s “Tell the World” video.

What Comes First? When was the last time you asked yourself if it was your political views shaping your faith or your faith shaping your political views? If it’s the former, you (we) need to ask ourselves, what is shaping our political views? We need to be honest, even if only with ourselves.

New Music: Among the good to emerge from COVID are the music videos. Here is one from Dublin called “The Irish Blessing.” Here is a second, from SF called “The Bay Area Blessing.”

Pray for Kids—and Be Alert: Since schools across the US closed in March, reports of child abuse have plummeted. This is not because abuse is down, but because teachers do not see it and cannot report it. As they say, “If you see something, say something.”

Late to the Party: Given that half the people I’ve recommended this book to have already read it, this news may be of limited value. But if you have not read A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, I recommend it. This is not a “Christian” book per se, just a well told novel in which a Russian aristocrat lives under house arrest in a luxury hotel for more than thirty years.

Anxiety, Depression, and Resilience: This week I had a chance to record a conversation with a psychiatrist, a professor of psychology, and the leader of a nationwide help hotline for teens. We explored our country’s decade-long climb in anxiety and depression and also talked about what to do about it. By the way, all three panelists are optimistic about the resilience of today’s young people.

Quotes Worth Requoting: “Lust isn’t sexual desire per se, but disorderly sexual desire—the problem isn’t the desire, but the disorder. The idea in the old saying about the ‘remedy for lust’ isn’t that marriage provides a way to blow off steam when the pressure inside the boiler gets too high, but that the sweet disciplines of married life have a tendency to rearrange our emotions and desires… to help them become more orderly. Of course that won’t happen if a man treats his wife as a steam-pressure vent. But part of the meaning of marital purity is that he learns to treat her as a wife.” Dr. J. Budziszewski, “On the Meaning of Sex.”

Thankful: Given the events of the last two months, I am glad I took advantage of my seminary’s courses on Advanced Financial Management, Navigating Pandemics, and Leading During Civil Unrest.

Closing Prayer: “Heavenly Father, we come before you in a spirit of supplication. As sinners, we know we have much for which to repent; as beloved children, we know we have great reason to hope in your abundant mercy. As members of a society plagued by opposition to your gospel, we implore your assistance and aid to work towards a society where discrimination, racism, hatred, bias, division, and rejection of your love are replaced by faith, hope, and charity in the communion of all your saints on Earth and in Heaven. May your Kingdom come, Lord Jesus. Amen.” Martin Luther King Jr.