Nor Have An Anxious Mind

Our two gorgeous ones enjoying spring grass...

The day started off dreary and a bit rainy. Not unlike other recent Ohio mornings.

We seem to have lots of rain. But what was different this morning was the news. Corona Virus. Covid-19. Every news channel you turn to, flip to, or read on your phone. News about it is everywhere. It's in Ohio. Does anyone we know have it?

Have we been exposed to it when we were out buying essential items? Can you get it

from the mail? (a bit alarming I saw a news report that mentioned opening your

mailbox with disposable gloves...Do we need add gloves to the shopping list??)

The questions go on…

So...back to previous thought. It's raining. Animals need to be fed. A busy part of being a hobby

farmer. It doesn't change if it rains or storms, if it's hot and dry, or if Covid-19 is out and about.

Simply put the animals need to be cared for.

I grab my heavy barn coat (so thankful today that it is also waterproof), pull on my knee high,

insulated Muck boots and head out into the pouring rain. The sounds and smells of the barn

greet me as they always do. With days full of confusion and chaos, it's nice to have simple,

calming sameness. Same sights. Same smells. Same animals. Our beautiful white horse nickers

to me as I step inside the barn and close the door behind me. Our beautiful bay gazes at me,

seemingly analyzing how long it will be until I have her feed scooped and poured into her dish.

She's a bit impatient, that one. With a toss of her head she turns around in her stall.

She'll wait...for now. But not patiently. 

Tugging the lid off the metal bin, I lean it against the bin next to me. Hmmm, the smell of the

horses grain is a welcome one. Familiar. Quickly I fill two scoops of grain and pour them into

the the feeders of the waiting horses. They are ready for breakfast. Then I fill hay bags and water

buckets. Feed the chickens. They are fluffy and dry. Even the open door to their safely screened in

outdoor run isn't tempting them today. Just the duck. He's busily exploring a fresh puddle from the

rain. The chickens prefer to watch from the doorway. That's what they do. And that's okay. I put

their treats into their pan and add grain to their feeder. They have plenty of water in their bucket

so they are good. No eggs yet. Too early.

By now the horses are wrapping up their grain. Our bay is watching me. She knows I've taken the

hay bags outside and she is ready to go find them. But for now she waits for our elder statesman.

Our beautiful white gelding takes a bit longer to eat these days. And that's okay. He's still the boss

of the herd. He just chews slower.

Both horses are done eating now. Grain bins are empty. With a tug I open the back door of the

barn and shove it open. The horses step out into the mud. Yes mud. It's Ohio. We get rain.

We get mud! And lot's of it. 

The horses trot around to their hay bags and settle in to breakfast. The chickens are contentedly

pecking at their treat pan. The cats munch on the feed store's finest cat food, from their

individual bowls. Everything is calm and quiet. The smell of alfalfa hay wafts through

the air. It's as good as perfume.

Everywhere I look everyone is calm. Patient. Eating or drinking. They all have a warm, dry

place to sleep. They all have plenty of food to eat and water to drink. They don't worry about

meals. They just know that come meal time I will be back. The feed bins are never empty at

meal time. The water bucket is always full when they want a drink. They have shelter from

heat in summer and shelter from cold in winter. They are taken care of. And you know what?

So am I.

Sometimes I feel fear. This week is a good example. But in reality, I don't need to. See, I have

someone who provides for my every need as well. Thankfully there is food in our pantry,

and water at the faucet. We have shelter from the heat in summer and shelter from the cold

in winter. As I write our wood stove burns merrily, warming everyone in the house. 

Fear. I looked it up. It's in the Bible. A lot. According to www.BibleGateway.com it appears

457 times in the New King James Version. There are 353 references from the Old Testament

and 104 from the New Testament. I'm going to concentrate on one of my favorites, from Luke 12.

The subtitle in my bible, above verse 22, says "Do Not Worry." That's a welcome reminder

for me today! In this portion of chapter 12, Jesus is talking to His disciples. He tells them this

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body,

what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing." Jesus knows

that they have fears, just like we have fears. But He specifically mentions life. Are you worried

about your life? Or that of your loved ones? I know that I am. We pray about this daily. Now,

multiple times a day with the illness that is sweeping not only our land but also our world.

But he also mentions food and clothing.

Jesus goes on to call our attention to the ravens. Have you ever seen a raven? Ravens, as opposed

to crows, tend to be found in pairs. Crows in groups. They have dark black plumage. But simply

put they are birds. In verse 24 Jesus says to "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap,

which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you

than the birds?" In verse 25, He addresses those of us who may be concerned about our height,

by saying "And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" and He continues in

verse 26 by saying "If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?"

Do you feel anxious? I know I have this past week. Have you seen any empty store shelves?

Lilies...Warm weather and lilies. I love to see beautiful lilies growing. Apparently Jesus did too.

In verse 27 he says "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to

you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Solomon. Remember who

He was? The wisest and richest man who ever lived? Israelite King, that was visited by the

prestigious rulers of his time from all over. Jesus reminds us the simple lily, which is clothed by

God, is arrayed even finer than Solomon.

Grass...there is some in the picture at the top. Our horses are enjoying it. Beautiful, green, rich,

spring grass. In Luke 12:28, Jesus says "If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the

field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little

faith?" So God clothes the grass too? Ahh, but we are coming to my favorite part, verses 29-31.

"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For

all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these

things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you."

Nor have an anxious mind...hmm, I've been anxious. What about you? I've seen the news reports,

seen the extended school closings, seen the projections if we don't practice "Social Distancing."

Working in the ER for 20 years provided plenty of fodder for worst case scenarios. How many

ventilators do we have? What about all the other "normal" patients that we have right now that

are in the intensive care units this time of year...will there be enough? Staff? Beds? Ventilators? 

Jesus finishes His encouragement to the disciples by saying in verse 32-34 "Do not fear, little

flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms;

provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail,

where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be

also." Hmmm...where is my heart? Where is your heart? Has your 401K taken a hit this week,

today, like everyone else? 

I love this passage. Jesus hits all my fears from this week. Life. Food. Clothing. Anxious minds.

Money. And I am reminded again that I don't need to worry. Just like my horses don't. I don't need

to worry that God will "show up" at meal times. I don't need to worry if God will "show up" at bill

paying times. I don't need to worry about my 401K, or perhaps the lack thereof... Simply put Jesus

tells me not to have "an anxious mind." He's more faithful that I am. And I can tell you this,

I would never leave my animals in need. I can't change the virus circulating around our globe.

But I can stay home, wash my hands frequently, and continue to pray.

And I don't need to live in fear. Neither do you.

Don't have an anxious mind. God's got you.

Reflections on 9/11

Yesterday (9/11) I spent the day in the same way I spent it 15 years ago (9/11) caring for patients in the Emergency Department. I remember starting an IV on a patient who was watching the live news coverage and seeing the second plane hit the World Trade Center. It was an incredibly sobering day. The world seemed so very broken then. And yet 15 years later it is even more broken today then it was then.

I long for a place where there is peace. A place where there is no fighting, no killing, no hunger, no death or disease. A place where loneliness, broken hearts, broken marriages and families, custody battles and alienated loved ones are a thing of the past. That place where there is no fear, no money worries, no worrying about losing jobs or being able to pay the bills. Doesn't that sound like a wonderful place? The good news is that is exists. We just haven't gotten there yet. My favorite two chapters in the Bible are Revelation 21-22. They describe the promised home for those who believe in Jesus Christ, for those who have accepted Him as their Savior and friend. For me today it is a promise that I hold on to. And I look forward to that day when the sky opens wide and we see Jesus coming back (on a white horse no less!) with the hosts of heaven to take us home. What a day that will be! 

Please share a comment below about what you are most looking forward to in Heaven. I can't wait to see my loved ones who are sleeping peacefully awaiting that trumpet call! How about you?

Revelation 21-22New King James Version (NKJV)

All Things Made New

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me,[b] “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done![c] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things,[d]and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,[e] abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me[f] and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”[g] 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy[h] Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.

14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names[i] of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the citywas pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the citywere adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation wasjasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

The Glory of the New Jerusalem

22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,[j] for the glory[k] of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved[l] shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.[m] 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.[n] 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes[o] an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

The River of Life

22 And he showed me a pure[p] river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy[q] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8 Now I, John, saw and heard[r] these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For[s] I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous[t] still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

Jesus Testifies to the Churches

12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega,the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”[u]

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments,[v] that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But[w] outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

A Warning

18 For[x] I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add[y] to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away[z] his part from the Book[aa] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

I Am Coming Quickly

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.[ab] Amen.