Dear Friends,
Diane and I are doing well. We hope you are safe and healthy. As believers we find ourselves looking beyond the challenges of the current spread of a deadly virus. Peace is available and yet sometimes illusive. Faith that is optimistic is considered by some to be unrealistic. Fearful people who are committed to a negative attitude are not move by facts. Some people are putting their faith in the government to solve the problem. Others find some kind of energy by blaming the government for mismanaging the crisis.
Our battle is not against people. (Ephesians 6:12) However we reject the paranoid perspective that a virus is lurking somewhere, ready to jump on us. The battle against fear is fought on our knees. We battle in prayer on behalf of those who are ill. We are the church without buildings.
We reject the theology that God is judging us with this virus. We live in the dispensation, the age, of grace. There will be a coming judgment day. (Hebrews 9:27)
We also reject the conspiracy theories because they are not helpful. They generate hopelessness and fear.
Our personal focus is prayer, comfort for the fearful, delivering food to those in need and encouraging those in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Jesus said the whole deal boils down to this: Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40)
We are praying for you and your family. Be blessed and wash your hands like your mama taught you.
Dennis and Diane Teague