Churches across the world will commemorate the day of Pentecost this next Sunday, whether they meet online or in their buildings. Most will celebrate the need for the Holy Spirit’s power, and they might read Acts 2:1-4, which tells how the Spirit’s flame rested on all the disciples who prayed in the upper room that day.
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for three months, you know gasoline is at record low prices. I paid $1.25 a gallon last week in Georgia. Some states are reporting prices below a dollar a gallon.
Back in March when the COVID-19 crisis erupted, the U.S. government created a website called “coronavirus rumor control.” It was an attempt to squash some of the bizarre theories people were hearing, including the bogus idea that the National Guard was being dispatched, with machine guns and tanks, to force everyone to stay inside their homes.
With more than 35 years of experience in management, Russell Helwig knows more than a little bit about encouragement and how important it is for leaders—especially church leaders—to provide that in times of crises.
Americans living in their comfortable suburbs are quick to scold people for not staying indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. We work from home on our expensive laptops, buy our essential items on Amazon, order in pizza and wear designer masks—and then condemn people who want to venture back to “nonessential jobs” because they can’t pay their rent.
I’m an impatient guy. When the COVID-19 crisis shut down everything in March, I wanted things to get back to normal fast. I don’t like quarantines. I’m an extrovert, so I hate being isolated. I miss my gym. I miss eating out. And I miss church meetings!
