The Lord has been very kind in continuing to give us beautiful weather during lockdown. It makes a big difference that people can make use of their outdoor spaces.
There seems to be a restlessness developing as some people are becoming impatient to return to work. The government has not given plans for coming out of lockdown yet. Hopefully they will make some announcements next week before they loose control and the will of the people. The primeminister is due to return to work on Monday so maybe he will lead some clearer announcements.
On Thursdays more and more people come out of their houses at 8pm to clap for the NHS. This week a lady in the road opposite came out and played 'Somewhere over the rainbow' on her Cello which people seemed to enjoy.
I've continued to be productive around the house cleaning windows and painting the fence. I also started studying 1 Corinthians. I wonder how far I will get before we are able to socialise again. It's been good to spend more time in prayer and more intercessory prayer.
I started with some gastric symptoms yesterday which could be Covid so 7 days of isolation now for me, not that it will make any difference.
Last Sunday we had a good day with preaching in the morning, Galatians bible study in the afternoon and I watched a short sermon in the evening. I found 3 lots of full online services was exhausting and was pleased to read an article this week that explained that it is a common phenomena to be exhausted after lots of online meetings.
On Tuesday we had a missionary meeting on Zoom which was very interesting.
Yesterday I collected my couch from my clinic so the room is all empty now and that is the end of the clinic in that setting. The government is giving grants to businesses who do not pay business rates - mine was confirmed yesterday.
I feel in the routine with this lockdown now - a daily routine incorporating exercise and piano practise and evening phone calls. The supermarket distancing is becoming normal. It stills slightly daring to go out anywhere at the moment!
I keep feeling so thankful for the way the Lord has blessed me with providing work, a few months ago my circumstances would have been so different. I'm thankful for the rest from commuting. Thankful for a garden to enjoy and nice places to walk. Thankful for a loving family and friends. Thankful for a certain hope and a glorious inheritance to look forward to.
Sunday 26 April 2020
Sunday 19 April 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #5
A verse came on the daily calendar this week which it has been enjoyable to meditate more on:
to console the mourners in Zion—
to console the mourners in Zion—
'to give them a crown of beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified'
Isaiah 61:3
I was particularly struck by the garment of praise and the oaks of righteousness.
Last Sunday was Easter and we had a sermon on the resurrection, we also met to study the book of Galatians.
On Easter Monday I planted some seeds in the garden so it will nice to see them grow and develop over the next few weeks if all goes well.
This week the prime minister has come out of hospital, thanks be to God, and is recovering at home. Our former pastor went to glory at the beginning of the week. Our prayer meeting reflected on his passing.
The bluebells are looking lovely in the woods. It is a blessing to have nice places to walk so nearby.
I've continued working by telephone all week, it seems to work very well and many people have good motivation for exercise at the moment with plenty of time and good weather.
It's strange really some things seem to be getting easier - the regular daily routine, the method for going around the supermarket doing two lots of shopping, the routine of evening phone calls but somehow this week has seemed more difficult for the lack of face to face interaction. It was disappointing but not unexpected that the lockdown has been extended for another 3 weeks.
Many churches are taking advantage of online opportunities, running short evangelistic courses, seeing more people at their meetings, online Sunday schools and holiday clubs. There have been several online sermons and blogs about 'Don't waste your lockdown'. There is more time for Bible study and prayer but there are also many distractions. How wonderful it would be to see a bright shining church emerge from this full of zeal and no longer lukewarm.
Sunday 12 April 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #4
It has been a beautiful sunny week. This lovely Easter weather makes me think back to the lovely sunshine we enjoyed a year ago at Easter when I was camping.
How much of life we never realised was a privelege - to go in and out as we please, to freely enjoy the countryside, meeting with friends, to be able to sit beside my mother on the sofa, gathering to worship God together.
Last Sunday we again met on Zoom with a visiting preacher speaking on Palm Sunday, then an afternoon Bible study on Galatians. In the evening I went to another church by Zoom with a sermon on the Philippian jailer. I find Zoom meetings much easier to be a part of. Watching youtube on my own it seems much easier to be distracted and loose concentration somehow. The queen addressed the nation in the evening, only the fourth time she has done this in extraordinary times.
On Good Friday I watched a service in Bangor at the same time as my friend and then we had a Zoom meeting in the evening.
We've had the joy of seeing wonderful answers to prayer for healing. The prime minister was in intensive care for a few days this week with the virus. Many in the nation prayed. The Lord has restored His health. Another friend went into hospital but was very soon sent home to continue recovering. Hundreds are dieing each day in the UK and several nursing homes have a lot of cases. The government continues it's daily briefings.
This week I've worked at home all week. I'm glad to be able to speak to others on the phone and it's good to have purpose in the day. It's already noticeable though that the work Whatsapp group is much quieter. I emptied my clinic room on Friday moving out of the premises I rented.
I've seen Tesco's with huge long queues going round the car park and down the road this week. I was thankful to choose a time with no queue. Most things are in stock now although there are very few eggs - the only ones left were Duck eggs.
I've been getting lots of household cleaning done and jobs in the garden. I feel concern though about the need to spend more time with the Lord and learn the lessons of this situation.
Today is Easter Sunday - we remember our Risen Lord - the same, yesterday, today and forever.
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. Mark 16:4 Let's look up and see our God and what he will do to bring glory to His name.
How much of life we never realised was a privelege - to go in and out as we please, to freely enjoy the countryside, meeting with friends, to be able to sit beside my mother on the sofa, gathering to worship God together.
Last Sunday we again met on Zoom with a visiting preacher speaking on Palm Sunday, then an afternoon Bible study on Galatians. In the evening I went to another church by Zoom with a sermon on the Philippian jailer. I find Zoom meetings much easier to be a part of. Watching youtube on my own it seems much easier to be distracted and loose concentration somehow. The queen addressed the nation in the evening, only the fourth time she has done this in extraordinary times.
On Good Friday I watched a service in Bangor at the same time as my friend and then we had a Zoom meeting in the evening.
We've had the joy of seeing wonderful answers to prayer for healing. The prime minister was in intensive care for a few days this week with the virus. Many in the nation prayed. The Lord has restored His health. Another friend went into hospital but was very soon sent home to continue recovering. Hundreds are dieing each day in the UK and several nursing homes have a lot of cases. The government continues it's daily briefings.
This week I've worked at home all week. I'm glad to be able to speak to others on the phone and it's good to have purpose in the day. It's already noticeable though that the work Whatsapp group is much quieter. I emptied my clinic room on Friday moving out of the premises I rented.
I've seen Tesco's with huge long queues going round the car park and down the road this week. I was thankful to choose a time with no queue. Most things are in stock now although there are very few eggs - the only ones left were Duck eggs.
I've been getting lots of household cleaning done and jobs in the garden. I feel concern though about the need to spend more time with the Lord and learn the lessons of this situation.
Today is Easter Sunday - we remember our Risen Lord - the same, yesterday, today and forever.
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. Mark 16:4 Let's look up and see our God and what he will do to bring glory to His name.
Sunday 5 April 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #3
How quickly we adapt as humans. This isolation is becoming a new way of life, not that I would like it to continue any longer than necessary, it is so unnatural. God created us to be social beings and living in communities, not isolated ones and families. I hope we never forget the blessing of being able to be together after this.
Last Sunday morning service went well on Zoom with a remote preacher, we managed the same again on Tuesday evening. Isaiah 26 on Sunday and Peter being released from prison in answer to prayer on Tuesday. It's good to be reminded of the Sovereignty and trustworthiness of our God and that he answers prayer.
The reminder of the frailty of life and seriousnsess of the virus has continued this week. Daily deaths have been increasing rapidly. A man in his 60s from my friends church died yesterday. A lot of medical staff have died.
This week I went to a 21st birthday party on Zoom. I've also transitioned to working from home, covering patient lists by telephone.There have been a number of issues getting the IT set-up but the IT department has been overwhelmed by demand.
The shops are laid out for distancing with a new one-way system around Tesco. There was no queue to get in when I went, more evidence that things are settling into more of a routine.
Although the isolation is becoming more routine I feel it is important to use the time to seek the Lord and plead for His name to be glorified through this and the protection of many lifes temporarily and eternally. When this first happened I was so moved by how the finger of the Lord had gone out against us, I pray I wouldn't become hardened to that conviction.
The week has ended with beautiful sunshine so it has been lovely to be out in the garden. This morning is beautiful ready to worship the Lord on this Palm Sunday.
Last Sunday morning service went well on Zoom with a remote preacher, we managed the same again on Tuesday evening. Isaiah 26 on Sunday and Peter being released from prison in answer to prayer on Tuesday. It's good to be reminded of the Sovereignty and trustworthiness of our God and that he answers prayer.
The reminder of the frailty of life and seriousnsess of the virus has continued this week. Daily deaths have been increasing rapidly. A man in his 60s from my friends church died yesterday. A lot of medical staff have died.
This week I went to a 21st birthday party on Zoom. I've also transitioned to working from home, covering patient lists by telephone.There have been a number of issues getting the IT set-up but the IT department has been overwhelmed by demand.
The shops are laid out for distancing with a new one-way system around Tesco. There was no queue to get in when I went, more evidence that things are settling into more of a routine.
Although the isolation is becoming more routine I feel it is important to use the time to seek the Lord and plead for His name to be glorified through this and the protection of many lifes temporarily and eternally. When this first happened I was so moved by how the finger of the Lord had gone out against us, I pray I wouldn't become hardened to that conviction.
The week has ended with beautiful sunshine so it has been lovely to be out in the garden. This morning is beautiful ready to worship the Lord on this Palm Sunday.
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