Choices. We like having them, but sometimes the decisions that go with them are not easy to make. Paper or plastic? Beef or fish? Vacation or staycation? Red or blue? Sometimes our choices have very little consequence, but others can impact our lives for a long time.
Virtual meetings, virtual work, virtual church, virtual concerts, planning for virtual schooling, and last weekend, I attended a virtual wedding! I'm sure by now most of us thought we would be virtually done with all of this! While that may not seem like the case, every day brings us one step closer to getting back to normal.
I recently received a call from a friend of mine concerned about the issues of the days we are living in... and the church's response. These are indeed challenging (although by no means unprecedented) times. Ecclesiastes 1:9 is just as true now as it was when it was written thousands of years ago "...There is nothing new under the sun." The problems are the same–the only thing that has changed is the speed and distance at which we can communicate, which makes them seem bigger and more prevalent.
"What in the world is going on?" Racism, riots, and 'rona dominate the headlines, and for many it feels like the world is falling apart. Our hope is not in this world, however–it is found in the Lord. In 2 Timothy 3:13, Paul tells Timothy "evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."
Can I ask for a favor? Will you pray for your pastor today? “Of course,” you say! “Why?” Because, believe it or not, he is facing one of the most difficult decisions of his ministry right now. The pressure is on to get it right.
Cornerstones. In our modern-day construction of wood and steel structures we don't hear much about them anymore. However, the cornerstone serves a crucial function in a masonry building. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
"There's just not enough time in the day..." How often have you heard that phrase? How often have you said that phrase? The fact is, if there were 26 hours in a day, it still wouldn't be enough for most of us! Don't believe me? Do you realize you have an extra day this month? 24 hours that you did not have last year, and won't have for another 3 years. Yes, a leap year means that we will have extra time... and we'll still be amazed about how time flies!
They say that hindsight is 20/20, and yet as we enter the year 2020, we are looking forward to something we have not yet seen. It reminds me of Hebrews 11:1, which says that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Some of us are hoping that 2020 will be a better year, and others may find themselves quite content with how 2019 went, and would be completely satisfied if 2020 continued in the same way. Our perspective, just like hindsight, changes over time.
"Buckle your seatbelts and hang onto your coffee..." If you listen to Wake Up Right for any length of time, you've heard that introduction before, probably more than once! That's pretty much the way I feel from mid-September to mid-January! Fall can be pretty busy around the WRGN studios. Between preparation for See You at the Pole, fall concerts, Share-A-Thon, and the holidays, it can seem almost overwhelming at times! Thankfully, we have a great team here at WRGN who navigates this busy time with aplomb! I am eternally grateful for the way our staff keeps things on track.
It's the most wonderful time of the year! I know for most, when you hear that phrase, Christmas comes to mind... But let's not rush! For me, the fall season–short as it is–is my favorite (although Heather may not agree!). I enjoy the crispness in the air, the splendor of the many colored leaves, and the celebration of another year of broadcasting.