“not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing” Hebrews 10:25a (NIV)

These are weird times. We didn’t go to church on Sunday and it looks like we won’t go for a while.

In my medical opinion, it’s unquestionably the right thing to do. Pastors all over the country undoubtedly wrestled with whether or not to cancel services. They knew they’d be criticized either way. Pray for their continued wisdom; we need them. These are weird times indeed.

Ironically, no providentially, our church is studying the book of Exodus. To be exact, we are in chapter 20 of Exodus. You know, thou shalt not… etc.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 (KJV)

Now, America’s idols are smashed to smithereens. I learned this stuff the hard way too. If you know anything about my story, you know that God interrupted my active life and mandated a year of Sabbath rest. Seems He takes that whole business seriously.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 (KJV)

Intermission

Researching Sabbath and rest for my book, I discovered intermission is one of the Greek definitions. I chose that for the title, not that I paused voluntarily; none of us do that well, do we? Now, the whole planet is in intermission.

Holy day

Fortunately, my church regularly live streams. So I curled up in my chair, mixed a little green matcha powder with hot water, soy and honey and opened my laptop for what may be the most Spirit-filled service I’ve attended in a while.

You see, some of us are musically handicapped, and must sing softly to protect the ears of those around us. But this morning I sang loudly to the Lord. Go ahead, thank God you didn’t have to listen to the off-key, yet genuine worship.

When our musicians asked families to gather their children to sing, “Jesus Loves Me,” I envisioned pajama-clad, wide-eyed kids who are used to having tangles painfully brushed out of their hair before a mad dash to get out the door on Sunday mornings. Not sitting around the computer screen before they brushed their teeth.

We didn’t forsake assembling; we didn’t. Instead we watched our church family’s names pop up under the “watching” tab. When I saw the name of an elderly lady who lives in assisted-living, I cried. Occasionally I tear up in church and blink it back, but I was still wearing yesterday’s make-up anyway so I just let ‘em fall.

During prayer, my feet were bare and my face on the floor. Not something I typically do during Sunday morning service. I stood when they sang, “My Living Hope,” because I knew that’s what we’d all do if we were there.

We need more

Please let Facebook know that if this madness continues, we are gonna need an amen button. And don’t forget to hit the laugh button occasionally; the pastor needs to know we get his jokes. Either there weren’t any this week or it went over my head. These are weird times.

Freedom

There was something holy about worshipping at home with the service streamed from a near empty sanctuary. No distractions of what we or someone else was wearing, or whose kids were not behaving, or whose cell phone is ringing. There was freedom to gather, and there was just freedom. They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. My church family is like oxygen for me, but it’s not gone.

“God is sheer being itself – Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” John 4:24 MSG

Hope to see you next week

We were there: church family and visitors. Please join us next week. By the way, I’ll just go ahead and mention, I noticed a few of you were late and some left early. Hope it wasn’t to get to the restaurants to beat the Methodists. We need to stay home, but we don’t need to forsake assembling. Maybe we will start a mid-week service or something.

Invitation

Here’s the coolest thing of all – one of those babies I delivered 8 years ago told his grandpa he wanted to talk to the pastor and get baptized. Right there in the living room. You know what I always say, “I love to see them born, then born again.”

God is on His throne

Trust God in these weird times. Take advantage of the intermission from the harried pace we live. Feed school kids, order groceries for the elderly and new mommas. Oh, and check on the extroverts you know. We are definitely not ok!

Encourage each other, don’t criticize. There is no need to panic, but it’s not business as usual either. Love your neighbor, even online.

“not giving up meeting together as some of you are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

P.S. Intermission isn’t published yet. I’ve rewritten it about 99 times and submitted it to a handful of agents. They all say I need more readers, so I’d love for you to follow me on Facebook or sign up for my email list. Invite your friends if you already do.

I did write a short book on forgiveness called, “Dressing the Wound.” I learned that lesson the hard way too. Thanks for reading. Hope to get to know you better.

Want to read more? Don't depend on social media; subscribe and get blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

Don't miss the next one!

SUBSCRIBE!

You have Successfully Subscribed!