17 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 36

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Here's a happy happenstance. Today is International Haiku Poetry Day and it's also Blah Blah Blah Day. In celebration of both, I composed an original poem (you did know that I'm a poet, right?), just for this auspicious occasion.

blah blah blah blah blah
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
blah blah blah blah blah

You're welcome.

Now, the final installment of my limited run series - the prayers in the back of the Methodist Hymnal (the 1964/66 one).

#746 - FOR CHURCH, LAND, AND WORLD
Remember, O Lord, thy Church upon Earth; deepen her influence and extend her power for good, till the kingdoms of this world become the kindgom of our Lord and of his Christ.
We pray for our beloved land: for our leaders and governors, and for all who have part in public service. Make them pure in motive, wise in counsel, and strong in action, doing right in the fear of thy holy name.
Father in Heaven, look down in mercy upon our distraught and fevered world: forgive the mistaken ambitions, the selfish passions, and the presumtuous claims of men; remove all suspicion and bitterness from among the nations, and bring them to peace and concord by the redeeming love of Christ.
Have mercy, O Lord, upon those who are passing through sore trial: the poor, the sick, the anxious, the oppressed, those who are in danger from the fury of the elements or from the violece of men. Inspire in us and in our fellow men the will to help our suffering brethren. Heal, protect, and strengthen them according to their need. Comfort those in sorrow with the comfort which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We pray for our own dear ones, wheresoever they are, that, surrounded by thy love, they may be kept in health and joy, and abide in safety and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether

16 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 35

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?


No, today is not The Day of the Triffids, that's something completely different. This is the Day of the Mushroom.

We're starting a movement - sauté your vegetables! Why not join our movement and sauté some mushrooms today?!

Yes, we're starting a movement - sauté your vegetables!

Also, here's a great retro kids' SF book that actually held up pretty well on rereading as an adult:
The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet, by Eleanor Cameron


Now, the penultimate post in my limited run series - the prayers in the back of the Methodist Hymnal (the 1964/66 one). I'll insert names in them rather than just the titles as in the original as appropriate.

#745 - FOR THOSE WHO LABOR IN THE GOSPEL
Increase, O God, the faith and zeal of all thy people, that they may more earnestly desire, and more diligently seek, the salvation of their fellow men, through the message of thy love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Send forth a mighty call unto thy servants who labor in the Gospel, granting unto them a heart of love, sincerity of speech, and the power of the Holy Spirit, that they may persuade men to forsake sin and return unto thee. And so bless and favor the work of thine evangelists, that multitudes may be brought from the kingdom of evil into the kingdom of thy dear Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.


Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether

15 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 34

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Those of us residing here in these United States know that today should be Tax Day, but that's been put off until July due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Taxes gone viral? Who knew there could be any advantages to pandemics?

Now, more of that limited run series here - the prayers in the back of the Methodist Hymnal (the 1964/66 one). I'll insert names in them rather than just the titles as in the original as appropriate.

#744 - FOR THE PRESIDENT AND OTHERS IN AUTHORITY
O Lord, our heavenly Father, whose glory is in all the world, and who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon Earth: Most heartily we beseech thee, with thy favor to behold and bless thy servants, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of the State of Michigan, and all others who have rule throughout the world. Grant them wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness. So rule their hearts and prosper their endeavors, that law and order, justice and peace may everywhere prevail, to the honor of thy holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether

14 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 33

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Interestingly , today is Ex-Spouse Day. Perhaps more interestingly, today is also International Be Kind to Lawyers Day.

Coincidence?
That's a bit hard to believe, although it's interesting to note that coincidences always seem to happen at the same time, isn't it? That should make you wonder.

Now, more of that limited run series here - the prayers in the back of the Methodist Hymnal (the 1964/66 one). I'll insert names in them rather than just the titles as in the original as appropriate.

#743 - FOR THE CHURCH
O God our Father, we pray for thy Church, which is set today amid the perplexities of a changing order, and face to face with new tasks. Baptize her afresh in the life-giving spirit of Jesus! Bestow upon her a great responsiveness to duty, a swifter compassion with suffering, and an utter loyalty to the will of God. Help her to proclaim boldly the coming of the kingdom of God. Put upon her lips the ancient Gospel of her Lord. Fill her with the prophets' scorn of tyranny, and with a Christlike tenderness for the heavy-laden and downtrodden. Bid her cease from seeking her own life, lest she lose it. Make her valiant to give up her life to humanity that, like her crucified Lord, she may mount by the path of the Cross to a higher glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether

13 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 32

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?


What's this? Today is National Peach Cobbler Day? Can one really make a living making shoes for fruit, or is this just a hobby? Who knew peaches even had feet? (Google "cobbler" if you don't get it.)

Today is also Thomas Jefferson Day (oddly, it's his actual birthday - he turns the big 277 today). You know, Thomas Jefferson. The author of the Declaration of Independence. The third President of these United States. The guy on the nickel. The one on Mt. Rushmore who gets mistaken for Martha Washington. His memorial in Washington, DC is really cool, and it's one of the least visited of the big memorials. Go see it. (Go see Mt. Rushmore too, it's spectacular.)

Now, the start of an limited run series here - the prayers in the back of the Methodist Hymnal (the 1964/66 one). I'll insert names in them rather than just the titles as in the original as appropriate.

#742 - FOR ALL CONDITIONS OF MEN
O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind: we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldst be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially, we pray for thy holy Church universal, that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any way afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their suffering, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we ask for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.


Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether

Easter Sunday - 12 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 31

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Friends, it's perhaps the oddest of Easters: the church buildings are empty.
Yes, the church buildings are empty, but so is the tomb:

The Lord Is Risen!
The Lord Is Risen Indeed!

How to celebrate in such days as these? Well, first, let's all sing Christ the Lord Is Risen Today with the GPUMC congregation. Charles Wesley knew what he was doing when he wrote that hymn. One of the blessings of being a Methodist is the heritage of the Bible and the Hymnal - if you have those two books, you have the Methodist church.

Next up, here's a poem I wrote about seeing Mary in the garden that first Easter morning:

In the Garden, in the World
(audio version)
Read: John 20:1-18

Walking slowly in the dawning
    burdened with grief
    burdened with oil and spices
    burdened with a task – an act of Love

To the tomb they come wondering
    how could He be dead?
    how can we bear it?
    how can we roll away that stone?

Shocked to stillness, to standing
    the guards are gone
    the tomb is opened
    the angel tells them that He is risen

Running to the disciples, then with two returning
    the men look in
    see He is not there
    return pondering, confused

Left behind in the Garden, wondering
    where can I find Him?
    where have they taken Him?
    where have you taken Him?

Asking the Gardener, weeping
    hears Him call her name
    sees Him welcome her
    worships Him, falling at His feet

Listening to His Word, worshiping
    “don’t fear, trust Me
    “don’t hold Me, proclaim Me,
    “tell them to come to Me.”

I see the scene unfold, marveling
    The Tomb is empty!
    The Tomb is empty!
    The Tomb is empty! Hallelujah!

Mary met Him in the Garden
    where will I meet Him? Here?
Mary worshiped Him as soon as she knew Him
    when will I worship Him? Now?
Mary knew Him as her Lord, her all
    what is He to me? Savior?
Mary ran to tell her friends to meet Him
    whom will I tell? Anyone? Everyone?
Mary spent her life serving Him who saved her
    why don’t I? how can I not?

                                    - Charlie van Becelaere, © 2020


And finally, our task is to share the Good News. Live your life so that everyone you meet will wonder and want what you have (you will meet people again eventually) - and make sure that what you have is really Who you have. Amen.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether

11 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 30

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

There's something special about cookbooks. We can learn about different cultures, history, strangers, even relatives, just by reading cookbooks. With the current unpleasantness it seems there is more home cooking going on that is usual. I've heard it said that "We're all coming out of this either alcoholics or really resourceful gourmet cooks." I know I'd prefer the latter. Resourcefulness is a good thing. To illustrate that, here's a brief cautionary tale:

A new bride called her mother one evening in tears.

"Oh, Mom, I tried to make Grandma's meatloaf for dinner tonight, and it's just awful! I followed the recipe exactly, and I know I have the recipe right because it's the one you gave me. But it just didn't come out right, and I'm so upset. I wanted this to be so special for George because he loves meatloaf. What could have gone wrong?"

Her mother replied soothingly, "Well, dear, let's go through the recipe. You read it out loud and tell me exactly what you did at each step, and together we'll figure it out."

"Okay," the bride sniffled. "Well, it starts out, 'Take fifty cents worth of ground beef'..."

I've always heard that it's important to know the context of what you're reading. I guess it really does pay to know something about when and where what you're reading was written!

That goes for Scripture too, of course, and we're about to hit the pinnacle of the Greatest Story Ever Told - here comes Easter! To prepare for that, and considering that we're all stuck at home with our ovens, I've found a great project for you. Please post pictures of your results tagged with #PlagueJournal30.

Read this whole recipe before beginning, and try to do this with family or friends, or whatever co-quarantinians you have tonight: the night before Easter Sunday.

Resurrection Cookies

Even if you don't like or eat these cookies, making them will be a meaningful devotion.
Even if you don't make these cookies, reading this recipe will be a meaningful devotion.

Ingredients:
1 C whole pecans
1 C sugar
3 egg whites
1 t vinegar
pinch salt
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Place pecans in zipper bag and have someone beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. This represents how Jesus was beaten by the soldiers after His arrest. Read John 19:1-3

Smell the vinegar. Put 1 t into mixing bowl. This represents the vinegar Jesus was given to drink when He was thirsty on the cross. Read John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. This represents Jesus giving His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each person's hand. Everyone should taste it, then put a pinch into the bowl. This represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers. Read Luke 23:27

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 C sugar to the bowl. This is because the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know Him, and to belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes, until stiff peaks are formed. Now, the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon-full onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:65-66

Put cookie sheet into the oven. Close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each person a piece of tape, and seal the oven door, just as Jesus' tomb was sealed.

GO TO BED!

Although it seems sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, this represents the despair Jesus' followers felt when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface, and take a bite: the cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb opened and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9

The Lord Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together. Grand Teuton Press is proud to join the #StayHome Movement uniting our entire industry to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether