A Message to help keep calm in the storm: COVID-19 and Stress
As the news of COVID-19 escalates, our anxieties and fears tend to rise as well. How do we keep calm amidst the storm of minute by minute media coverage? How do we separate real and valuable information from hype? It isn't easy. We are told through scripture to cast our cares on God, the source of strength. That perfect love casts out fear. That we should be "anxious for nothing," Yet still we may find our minds swirling with "what if's," and worry.
I can't help but think about Jesus and the disciples in the midst of the storm on the Sea of Galilee. As the disciples scurried around the boat, fearing for their lives, Jesus slept on a pillow in the stern. In Hebrew, sleeping is a metaphor for trust. Isn't that beautiful - that though he is in the same storm with the disciples, Jesus chooses trust over fear. And that IS beautiful - if you're Jesus. But how about the rest of us? Let's look at the disciples.
In their fear, they felt the need to wake Jesus up. "Master, don't you care that we are perishing?"
At first glance, we may think of the disciples, (and us) as not having enough faith. Why couldn't they (or, why can't we) trust that God is in control - and let Jesus sleep? But I don't see the disciples waking Jesus as an act of fear - I see it as an act of faith! While the storm swirled around them and they had done everything they knew to hold things together, instead of relying on themselves and their own abilities, they went to the source of power and strength. They woke up Jesus! What a bold and faith-filled act! And what a fantastic model of prayer for us during times of anxiety.
So many times we approach God as pleading children - begging for mercy or protection or immunity from the storms of life. But God has given us a promise . . . that despite how it may look or how we feel, God's promise is sure; God will never leave us alone - not for one second. And so when storms come we can pray to God, not arrogantly . . . but confidently, and with boldness, and with surety in God's promise as did so many before us in scripture... "Wake up God! You promised to be with me and right now I'm not feeling it!"
Now, this kind of praying does two things (at least). First, it focuses our attention from the storm to the only one who will finally, still the storm. And second - it reminds us that the Christ in us continually connects us to God through the Holy Spirit. The Jesus (Christ) in us always "sleeps," always trusts. In faith, "wake up," the Jesus inside of you! In faith, call on that trust, call on that calm, call on that love. Stand up and rebuke the wind in your own mind - "Peace, be still." And rest in God's great calm.
As the news of COVID-19 escalates, our anxieties and fears tend to rise as well. How do we keep calm amidst the storm of minute by minute media coverage? How do we separate real and valuable information from hype? It isn't easy. We are told through scripture to cast our cares on God, the source of strength. That perfect love casts out fear. That we should be "anxious for nothing," Yet still we may find our minds swirling with "what if's," and worry.
I can't help but think about Jesus and the disciples in the midst of the storm on the Sea of Galilee. As the disciples scurried around the boat, fearing for their lives, Jesus slept on a pillow in the stern. In Hebrew, sleeping is a metaphor for trust. Isn't that beautiful - that though he is in the same storm with the disciples, Jesus chooses trust over fear. And that IS beautiful - if you're Jesus. But how about the rest of us? Let's look at the disciples.
In their fear, they felt the need to wake Jesus up. "Master, don't you care that we are perishing?"
At first glance, we may think of the disciples, (and us) as not having enough faith. Why couldn't they (or, why can't we) trust that God is in control - and let Jesus sleep? But I don't see the disciples waking Jesus as an act of fear - I see it as an act of faith! While the storm swirled around them and they had done everything they knew to hold things together, instead of relying on themselves and their own abilities, they went to the source of power and strength. They woke up Jesus! What a bold and faith-filled act! And what a fantastic model of prayer for us during times of anxiety.
So many times we approach God as pleading children - begging for mercy or protection or immunity from the storms of life. But God has given us a promise . . . that despite how it may look or how we feel, God's promise is sure; God will never leave us alone - not for one second. And so when storms come we can pray to God, not arrogantly . . . but confidently, and with boldness, and with surety in God's promise as did so many before us in scripture... "Wake up God! You promised to be with me and right now I'm not feeling it!"
Now, this kind of praying does two things (at least). First, it focuses our attention from the storm to the only one who will finally, still the storm. And second - it reminds us that the Christ in us continually connects us to God through the Holy Spirit. The Jesus (Christ) in us always "sleeps," always trusts. In faith, "wake up," the Jesus inside of you! In faith, call on that trust, call on that calm, call on that love. Stand up and rebuke the wind in your own mind - "Peace, be still." And rest in God's great calm.
Welcome to Theological Stew!Preparation:
Each ingredient we pick up on our journey of faith that we find new, or interesting, or surprising, slowly becomes a part of what we believe. We put them into a big pot, located in the warmth of our heart and hearth. Those ingredients simmer together into what I call our own unique theological stew. Just as a chef shares her favorite recipes, we can share our stews with one another... not critically, not comparatively, or to prove that our stew tastes the best- but to add to the richness and flavor of the community crock pot. Happy Stirring... Linda |
Easter Sermon
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Around the Table
Here's some of what is served up on Sunday Mornings at church- http://www.fbcmoorestown.org/
The sermons are organized by scripture passage- a giant pantry of sorts...
I hope to get a "by title" page going, but for now, it's kind of pot luck :)
Click for Sermons
The sermons are organized by scripture passage- a giant pantry of sorts...
I hope to get a "by title" page going, but for now, it's kind of pot luck :)
Click for Sermons
Food For Thought (blog)
Meals are always better with hearty conversation!
Just as you would go to an old friend's house for dinner,
I invite you to pull up a chair, grab a plate and join in!
But please, remember your table manners....
no one wants indigestion ;)
Blog Discussion
Just as you would go to an old friend's house for dinner,
I invite you to pull up a chair, grab a plate and join in!
But please, remember your table manners....
no one wants indigestion ;)
Blog Discussion
Movies that Cook
I love movies- especially foreign films, and I tend to view them through a theological lens. In this section, I plan to give a short review and theological reflection of movies I love. Here's a taste:
The Way Home
As it Is In Heaven
Babette's Feast
The Color of Paradise
The Way Home
As it Is In Heaven
Babette's Feast
The Color of Paradise
Basic Ingredients
Although stew is finally spiced to taste, here are some basic ingredients that go into my everyday recipe:
Prayer & Meditation
Lectio Divina, Contemplative Prayer,
and other spiritual disciplines (varies by season)
The Bible-
I generally use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
From time to time rely on The Message for a more mellow flavor,
Contemporary English Version (CEV) and
The New Living Translation (NLT) if I am looking for extra color
Finally, to keep it all organized somewhere- a Journal
Prayer & Meditation
Lectio Divina, Contemplative Prayer,
and other spiritual disciplines (varies by season)
The Bible-
I generally use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
From time to time rely on The Message for a more mellow flavor,
Contemporary English Version (CEV) and
The New Living Translation (NLT) if I am looking for extra color
Finally, to keep it all organized somewhere- a Journal
Spices
Here are some things that have flavored my stew recently...
Life of the Beloved, by Henri Nouwen
Women, Food and God, by Geneen Roth
The Scapegoat, by Rene Girard
Jesus and the Drama of Salvation, Raymund Schwager
Mostly Everything Frederick Buechner ever wrote :)
Linda Pepe
Rev. Linda Pepe is the Pastor of
First Baptist Church of Moorestown, NJ.
www.fbcmoorestown.org
She is passionate about helping people embrace
God's unconditional love and acceptance.
Email: LAPepe@aol.com