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Local Perspectives on Coronavirus – Pt 7

This week I had the privilege of interviewing Nancy Cross. I’m so encouraged every time I talk with Nancy. When you meet her you may first see the wheelchair she sits in, but Nancy’s joyful countenance and confidence in the Lord will leave you seeing Jesus Christ.

Nancy has been married to C.W. for almost 26 years and has two children by a previous marriage. She had been divorced almost 10 years before she met C.W. at work. All their married lives they have prioritized the Lord and faithfulness to Him in a local church. For 20 years they have been glad to call West Park home and are faithful members of the Fruitbearers ABF.

May God be glorified in your life as you read Nancy’s perspective today.

Nancy, thank you for talking with me today. I’d like to know what your current experience is during this time of the Coronavirus.

Probably during this period of time the thing CW and I, even though we do the online services and everything, miss is the physical fellowship of the believers. We just really do. It’s like it’s given us a new appreciation for the church body. It’s more than a building, and I know I’m not telling you anything that you haven’t told all of us, but it’s a fellowship. And I understand why God’s Word says, “Don’t forsake the assembling of yourselves together with other believers,” and I understand that. When I say we feed off of each other, God gives each one of us gifts to share in a body, and that’s why we need to be one in the body. Not only in what we say but what we do and how we love one another. And that’s what we have so missed!

And you know, the other thing we’ve talked about also is that this period of time has given us a new insight into what believers in other countries who do not have the opportunity for open fellowship with one another, what they have experienced all along! I don’t think God wastes anything, does He?

Nancy, people describe those in our elderly community as “at-risk.” Do you consider yourself to be at-risk during this time?

Honestly, no. I guess the reason I say that is I don’t go out and do things that our authorities have said don’t do, because not only would I be putting myself at risk but I could harm somebody else. I don’t fear; I’m not afraid. That’s just bottom line. Although I’m sure if people looked at me and saw my age and that I’m in a wheelchair and everything they’d say I’m at-risk. But I don’t think about that. We’re trying to live our lives as normally as possible under the guidelines of what the government has said.

Nancy, what difficulties have you faced in your life, and how have those difficulties prepared you for what you face today?

You know, I grew up in a very difficult emotional situation. My dad was an alcoholic for much of my early years, and that was a really difficult time both emotionally and financially for us growing up. But now that I’ve experienced breast cancer and then the spinal cord situation, they have been difficulties, but I almost look back at that, Joe, and think, you know, in a way, all that was difficult for me in my early years has somewhat served me well for now because this doesn’t feel as difficult as maybe those years did, and some of the things that I learned then were how to be emotionally dependent on God and also to be wise in how we deal with our finances. So I know all that sounds like a fairy tale but really when I look back on my early life, and it was really painful for me and my siblings and my mom as well, somehow or other the scripture that says “God uses all things for the good,” He has! He has in my life, and it’s not to say there aren’t difficulties at times. Of course there are. I’m human just like everybody else, but I know that all those years of hardness that I dealt with then as a much younger person has shown me how dependence on God and then opening up to people in my life that I need to talk to that can help me deal with things… and it’s not to say things now aren’t difficult, but it’s not as difficult as [it may be] for someone who hasn’t experienced the things I did growing up. And that doesn’t mean that I’m all excited that I had all that difficulty! It’s just I’ve looked at those things as things that can useful for me today.

May I ask, what is the name of the condition that requires you to be in the wheelchair?

I have transverse myelitis, and it is a spinal cord disease that… can be caused by a virus or you could have some kind of immunization that can settle in the spinal cord area, and then it just takes over the spinal cord. It shows how marvelously and wonderfully God made our bodies and then because we live in a world that is affected by sin, that sin has affected everything around us, our environment and everything, so that you’re susceptible to getting anything.

Nancy, thank you for sharing what God has used to prepare you for these times of suffering. Last question, if you were to sit down with someone from our church, maybe someone young experiencing lots of difficulties right now who doesn’t have the background that the Lord gave you, what would you encourage them to focus on? What lessons from the Lord, in addition to how He works all things for good, would you encourage them to be thinking about?

I love young people, Joe, and I love young women and men, married couples, and I look at them and recall being like them, raising children, and it’s not really easy. There is so much going on, even in the church and in the communities and everything, and I pray for the young people in our church, I pray for all of them. It’s not easy emotionally, spiritually or financially, and especially in relationships.. that can be really tough!

I would encourage them to think on a daily basis about how God will lead them through that day through the power of the Holy Spirit within them. If at the beginning of that day they sit down and have time with Him before they rush out into the world to see what’s going on and seek His guidance in His Word. Joe, I know when I pick up God’s Word… most of the time there’s something in that scripture that speaks to my day or to my life at that time that I could use. And I know better than I did when I was thirty years old, how important God in my life is. I mean every day. You have to get up every day and intentionally seek His fellowship with you that day.

 

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Global Perspectives on Coronavirus – Pt 8

Yesterday I shared a portion of my interview with a contact in China. Today I’m sharing part 2. As I said yesterday, it’s helpful to take a step back from media coverage of China and see things through the eyes of believers there. One of the most helpful things I’ve heard in recent weeks is that the Chinese believer are praying for us here in America. Let’s get on with today’s Global Perspective to hear more from a family on the ground in Beijing.

Perspective from China, Pt. 2


How are Chinese believers responding to the virus?

Our church, and a couple of others in Beijing known to us, have gone online fairly smoothly. There are lots of social media groups (on WeChat, the ubiquitous platform in China) in which believers are sharing encouragements and prayers. Bible studies and prayer meetings are also happening via video-conferencing. We have been very impressed with how the more mature believers have continued to encourage everyone to keep being involved with one another even though we can’t meet. The teaching from our church has been solidly biblical, and neither dominated by the coronavirus situation nor minimising it. It feels like they really have done the best that anyone could do. The church also organised offerings in order to donate supplies to Hubei province in the early days of the virus, but the government has generally frowned on any civil society or charitable efforts and so we haven’t heard any more about further opportunities to give in that way since early February. Most recently people in our church have been praying for other countries and checking up with us about our friends and family back home, offering to send things to our families if needed.

I wish I knew more about rural congregations, or churches in other cities, but I can only really speak intelligently about a small section of the church in Beijing. There has been more fear than I believe is appropriate in the congregations known to us, but there are also very wise voices speaking into those situations, and the church leaders seem to be doing a great job.

What should American believers learn from China’s experience through the coronavirus?

Prepare for months of disruption to church life, and plan creatively and positively to support the lonely and vulnerable, even if you can’t go to visit them right now, and to strengthen the faith of all other believers. Get used to gaining what you can from online meetings, and from lots more phone calls, but hunger for the day when you can meet again in significant numbers to enjoy face-to-face fellowship and worship together in person.

Humility and patience are vital. This is certainly true inside the home — you’ll now be spending more time with a smaller number of people in a confined space, and that will test the quality of love and forbearance. As for outside the home, don’t insist on personal expression and freedoms in the moment if it would increase the risk of others catching the virus.

Exercise sober judgement when you hear conflicting things from politicians, medical experts, media voices, etc. When in doubt I recommend listening to the medics — they are much less likely to be lying to you or shooting off their mouths than the politicians, who tend to say something different depending which day of the week it is (clearly some politicians are much worse than others in this regard). Doctors here in China warned of the virus weeks before the local government in Wuhan was prepared to admit its severity. In America you have the opposite problem — not too few voices, but too many!

Cherish the fact that our treasure is not here on earth. And comfort those who are anxious using gospel truth, not with platitudes. It may well be that the Lord will open up conversations with unbelieving family members, colleagues or friends who are especially afraid, or who are grieving, and the good news of Jesus is what they need to hear, from a loving ambassador of Christ, whether there is a virus going round or not.

If there are people you see in need because they have lost their jobs, don’t hold back in generosity. If you are a landlord and your tenants are suddenly unemployed, don’t throw them out. I know of a few cases in Beijing where landlords have made a lot of trouble for out-of-town or foreign tenants, and the coronavirus itself is bad enough without cruelty and profiteering of any kind making it worse. Millions of people in China have already suffered economically because of the coronavirus, and their large savings accounts may tide them over for a while. But Americans tend to have less saved up than the Chinese, so in times of crisis, many people around you probably have very little buffer in place.

If no one hoards and panic buys toilet paper then there is enough toilet paper. Think very seriously when you load up your shopping cart about what the Lord would say to you. Are Christians here in this world to do as the world does or to live out a better way?

Don’t talk about praying more — just pray more.

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Global Perspectives on Coronavirus – Pt 4

Have you been following the news lately? Admittedly it’s hard to put our devices down and turn off our tv’s for fear of missing the latest developments. But truly the best news comes as we look back in faith instead of ahead with fear. David, today’s author, takes us back in history to learn how God’s people trusted Him and how we still must trust Him today.

Be Strong and of Good Courage

As the world faces the current pandemic, I am reminded that the nation of Israel is no stranger in responding to crises. This goes for the small, yet strong body of believers as well. In 2014 Israel found herself having to respond to the daily barrage of rockets coming out of Gaza that were aimed at her civilians. The situation had deteriorated to being more than a thorn in Israel’s side. The daily disruptions had shut down schools and was causing an entire population to live in fear. The government was considering sending a ground force into Gaza to root out the source of this terror. It would certainly be messy and cost innocent lives. Those on the front line consisted of Israel’s youth—the 18-year-olds who are conscripted for 3 years after high school. These soldiers included the sons and daughters of our friends that we served alongside in ministry. Many were calling for a strong, hammer-like response to the terror.

In contrast to the outcries for blood, our pastor in Jerusalem, along with the elders, drafted a letter to the Prime Minister. In this letter, they assured the Prime Minister that they were aware of the heavy burden he carried on his shoulders. The elders let him know that this wasn’t the first time that the Jewish people faced a crisis that demanded a response. They assured him that there was a group of Jewish believers in Jesus who were praying for him. They implored him in the letter to turn to the One who would fight for them and not trust only in the weapons of war.

Our pastor wisely admonished us to pray. Pray for the Prime Minister. Pray for the soldiers and the army. Pray for the believers who live in Gaza. And pray for the terrorists who were behind the rocket attacks. Our focus was turned from one of fear leading to revenge, to one of faith leading to hope as we prayed for our enemies.

Today, we face a new enemy. COVID-19 is creating global uncertainty and panic. The world is watching how we as believers respond. On one level, we need to heed the advice and cautions of our government and medical professionals. Prudence regarding social-distancing and cleanliness is required. However, we must also respond as people of faith in the One whose hand is mighty to save. As fear and anxiety rise up in the hearts of those around us, we have the opportunity to give assurance that the One we serve cares for us and is in control. We have the opportunity to love our neighbors.

Joshua faced a critical situation after the death of Moses. The Bible tells us that the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel. Joshua in turn reminded Israel of all that the Lord had done for them as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty AND that they may fear the Lord their God forever. We need to remind ourselves daily of the great things God has done for us in the past so that we can be assured of his care for us in the future. Pray for your enemies; pray for those who don’t yet believe; pray for those who disagree with you politically. The hand of our God is mighty and his love for us is great.

David has served in the Middle East for the past 15 years, along with his wife. They have three grown children.

 

 

 

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A Good Habit To Get Into

Every one of us has habits, things we do again and again, sometimes without much thought.

  • Coffee in the morning.
  • Exercise routine even earlier in the morning.
  • Bible reading and prayer.
  • Nose-picking or nail-biting.

Obviously some habits are better than others!

In a candid interaction with the church in our first evening Family Gathering, Pastor Sam addressed the issue of habits by pointing us to Hebrews 10:24-25. Here’s what the text says:

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)

Sam asked us at the gathering, “What point in this passage is really counter-cultural in our context?”

A few responses came from those gathered, like: “Love and stirring one another up” and “encouraging one another.” Those things are definitely good points from the text.

But the truly counter-cultural point in those verses is the good habit of meeting together more and more as a church family. For the most part, that habit of meeting together “all the more as you see the Day drawing near” is not a regular part of American church culture.

What can help us stop a bad habit (of skipping times to gather with the church) and motivate us to meet more regularly?

Two points to bear in mind that will hopefully encourage you:

  1. All believers in Christ are God’s family. God’s family! The encouragement there is that God chose to make us His very own precious children (see 1 John 3:1).
  2. God wants His children to gather often so we can know Him, worship and love Him together and love one another more as a family (see Hebrews 10:24-25).

Some habits definitely are better than others, but the habit of gathering as God’s family is one that reaps eternal and everyday rewards. See you Sunday mornings and at the next Family Gathering on September 24!