From Me to You

The whole world is in turmoil. We are living in an unknown. People are isolated and frightened. Some are losing patience. Most are trying to comply with governmental guidelines and be a good citizen.

In a time like this, of course it is only natural to wonder, to think, to try to understand. We read and we try to follow the news. For some, that is too much and we shut it off. We try to keep up with what is being said through social media. Some of it is alarming. We often do not know what to believe.

It is a perfect storm for rumors and conspiracy theories to abound. It is just the right time to frighten people and to attempt to manipulate people. It is a time, now more than ever, that we must be on our guard.

I write. I don't always write well. But it is something I like to do, so I write. I like to study and learn; and I like to think. SO. This is what I have learned. And this is what I think. Read, at your own discretion, of course. 

Something we know to be fact is that there have been around four or five viruses that have started in China in the last several decades. In just the last twenty years, according to "US News", three corona-viruses began in China, causing major worldwide outbreaks.

The Wuhan Virus started in Wuhan, China. It was originally thought to have begun in a "wet market", after someone ate a bat. This is something that is easily believed. A wet market is an open, outside market where fresh meat (questionable) is sold and water is splashed on it to keep it cool. Those markets are horrible and should be shut down. This isn't the first time a virus has begun there.

There has also now been discussion, with some proof, that the virus started in a lab while doing research. A careless employee, gave the virus to her boyfriend and thus it spread. There is much truth to this. This thought is more and more being revealed. We know as fact, China has a history of bad laboratory safety. We know they were doing testing in these labs. More research is needed to find out exactly what happened. China needs to tell us what they know. This is neither a rumor or a conspiracy theory. In fact, as more and more comes to light, this is looking exactly like it might be the case. Again, this is not conspiracy theory, rumor, or even suspicion. These are developing facts that absolutely must be investigated. And there needs to be consequences for China's actions in hiding the information.

Many believe that this could be a retaliation of China against President Trump for taking the actions he took regarding policy. This is a suspicion of many. No one in authority is stating this as fact, as of yet. It is ok to be suspicious and want answers.

What we do know as fact: China is not being honest with us. China is hiding information. China cannot be trusted. It is still Communist China, after all. CC knew about the virus before they warned the world. They stopped flights within their own nation, before alerting the world. This prevented the world from stopping travel there and more importantly, from traffic coming out. This lasted for at least six days. President Trump was among the first to finally stop travel coming from China and he was widely criticized for it. All of this is proven fact. Communist China withheld information from at least eight doctors who were trying to warn the world. Some of these doctors have disappeared. Some have died. That is neither  conspiracy or rumor. It is fact that needs to be investigated.

The idea that the WHO is too involved with Communist China, and is being used as their pawn is neither rumor, nor conspiracy theory. It is a question that must be researched and investigated. Until the answer is known, the President is right to remove funding from them, in my opinion. There is an investigation beginning, with millions of dollars allocated for it.

The virus is deadly. The world is right to be shut down. This needed to be done until more information was known. This was sprung upon the world without warning. We were right to "over -react" even if it is revealed that the virus is a less problem than originally thought. What is also true, is that this virus is being used for political purposes. Though some numbers grew out of an abundance of caution, some numbers are being/have been intentionally inflated. This is fact.

As for the United States, we have a diverse and widespread makeup. We have political affiliations that vary in each state. Our parties have become so drastically opposite in thought and policy, that solutions for this problem are going to be diametrically different from state to state. We have a 10th Amendment that gives power to the states. The governors of each state will be in charge of their own states. We will all see to that, including the President. But, this is also a national disaster. All 50 states have declared a state of emergency, and asked the federal government for help. This puts the President in charge. As Mark Levin recently stated, his power lies within the "Interstate Commerce Clause". Our President is doing his best to facilitate, orchestrate and walk the fine line. There is no precedent for him to follow. He is a man that listens to counsel. He always has, and I have always known that about him. He understands, "in a multitude of counselors, there is wisdom." If someone does not believe that about him, they are ignoring proven fact. And it is probably out of political differences, that they do not choose to believe that fact. Or they have believed lies in the media. Dr. Fauci, who is of a different political persuasion than the President, is one of many that have testified to the fact that he listens and follows their advice.  Fauci recently listed five times, the President followed their advice and counsel. I won't take the time to list that here. (I know this is getting long. Yikes!)

We are all learning as time goes on. No one has all the answers. Facts will even change to some degree, as time goes on and more information is revealed. That doesn't mean anyone purposefully made a mistake. It just means it is a learning curve which needs allowance for adjustment.

Still rumors are going to abound. They always do during an unknown. For example, people are claiming the hospitals in New York are empty, while demonstrating that for us using a video. But that isn't what the death tolls reveal. That isn't what the First Responders' documented calls reveal. And that isn't what the hospital admission numbers reveal. This rumor is easily disproven, if researched. The fact that Samaritan's Purse was asked to come to New York to bring their transportable hospital is proof. The last I checked the Samaritan's Purse Hospital had served 160 patients. This is fact, from a trusted source - Franklin Graham. It is a "rumor" to suggest otherwise - a rumor that was probably based on a "conspiracy theory" that some were hoping to prove. There is a difference between the two. If one is to google the source of this video, one can see that those who produced it, have ties with questionable sources, who promote other fake theories. We always need to be willing to dig a little deeper before we believe anything.



Resilience

I am trying to differentiate between facts, suspicions, rumors and conspiracy theories. It is important we understand. I have given an example of fact, suspicions and rumors. A little more dangerous, I think is a conspiracy theory. For example the widely spread theory that Bill Gates is using this to promote vaccines and force us all to take them is conspiratorial. It is promoting a fear, based on no fact. Some even take it further to say, this is exactly what will be used to bring about the "Mark of the Beast". There is no way to prove this statement. It is a conspiracy theory, with no basis in fact. Yes, there must always be a bit of truth included in something to get people to believe the lie. We see this here. Bill Gates is too involved with WHO. He is their number one donor after the United States. He may have selfish motives. Maybe he is trying to make money off of all of this. BUT, there is also the possibility he actually believes he is helping. Maybe he believes that with the resources he has, he is obligated to help. I don't know that for a fact, but I am not out there spreading it as either intent. This theory that is making the rounds, does not consider that option.  The former is a rabbit trail theory that is dangerous, in my opinion. BUT even if it WERE TRUE, I believe it is nothing more than a distraction at this point. It is distracting us from absolute truth. I would just hope to encourage us all to not get to distracted with improvable theories.

Now, for my thoughts for Christians regarding all of this. What is TRUE in my opinion, (as well as many others' opinion) is that this is a wake-up call from God. This is a chance to get a few things right. This is a chance to bring people's fear, to calm; people's theories to Truth; Christians faith to action. This is a time to share Jesus and explain God's plan for the world. The world was created for man - to subdue it and be a steward of it. But more than that, we are created to serve the living God and bring others into that knowledge.

If we are chasing rabbit trails, how are we able to do that? Are we instead instilling more fear in people? Are we giving our government more excuse to take more control, because we are not displaying any competent rationale? We have already seen news articles stating that social media will be cracked down on, due to false information. That is just one dangerous result of not seeking and informing truth. Power will use our lack of information against us.

But back to our faith. I wonder. Are we on our knees? I know there have been many calls to fasting and prayer. Did we participate in that? Are we continuing in that practice? We have seen many examples of compassion and care. Truthfully, love is abounding in many wonderful, and heart-warming ways. Are we supporting others in this, or are we beginning to get too distracted with theories and fear?

Is our patience getting thin? And are we more often expressing our anger, than our common sense? Take a quick peruse through social media. It is getting pretty ugly out there.

It is wise to distrust the government. Our Founders warned us about that. But there is also a time where a little trust is warranted. And now again, I am specifically talking to the Christian. We, as Christians, overwhelmingly elected this man to the most powerful office in the world. The President of the United States, the most powerful nation in the world. Why would we not trust the man we elected? At least until he has proven that we shouldn't? I think we could find some answers and peace in that trust. Of course, not ultimate faith and trust - that is reserved for our Father God.

There are many signs to be optimistic. The President has said that there are 29 states with low infection rates. He said yesterday, that he feels many of those states will actually be able to reopen BEFORE May 1. Of course, there will be gradual conditions that still need to be in place. It will not and should not be a full-blown re-opening in any state. We are going to need to social distance a bit longer and wear our face masks and gloves. Elderly and people with low immune should probably still stay home. It is only common sense.

Now we are also still seeing wrong thinking in many of our leaders. Nancy Pelosi has gone home, rather than pass the "small business bill". She has stated she won't pass it until her pet projects and agenda is included. She has gone to the safety of her multi-million dollar home. Yesterday, Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York, condescendingly told us that the success they have achieved has nothing to do with God, or our prayers. It is only all due to the hard work that they have done. Shame on him! I wouldn't want to be in New York after a statement like that! The governor of Michigan is trying to enforce heavy-handed laws far beyond her right or authority. People are right to not comply in a circumstance like that. We are seeing multiple examples of situations like this that require our attention and action, but also still demand our flat out repentance and prayer.

 

This is a time that we need to support one another, alleviate each other's fears and encourage a turn back to God. We need to forget about what might happen and focus on what our Creator wants from us during this time.

It's all going to be ok. Father God has heard our prayers. He also sees our humility. And  He has seen sincere hearts. I don't think God will punish a leader who has supported our Christian faith more than any President in my life time - 65 years. This is a leader who has brought prayer back to the White House. Fact! He is a President who has followed the Biblical mandate of supporting Israel more than any President ever. Fact!  Those are guidelines God has given in order to receive His blessings. Those guidelines have not been negated. Of course, our President and many leaders have faults! We ALL do! Things are not aligned yet, for us to give up and give in. Yes, we are to keep looking up. Yes, we should expect Him at any time. But never are we to stop working; stop praying or give it all up, because someone believes "what will be will be".

Our God is going to bless our repentance and our sincere hearts...IF... we who are called by His name will humble ourselves and pray. He WILL heal our land. (The oft quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14)

I think we need to quit chasing rabbit trails and get on our knees. The cause of this virus rests with Communist China. The solution resides within us. This is on us, Christian, and no one else. I think we should all quit looking for someone else to blame and focus our eyes on Jesus.

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I didn't write this to offend anyone. It is my worst fear, that I will. I wrote it is because it is on my heart....and well...I write. ;-) I am not casting judgment on anyone. I am worse than anyone about spreading the Gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission. I do it mostly through writing, because I am usually at a loss for words. But I do believe it is a time for each of us to use what God has equipped us for and what he has commanded us to do.

In Jesus' Name and Love,

Jan

^"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." ~ John 3:16 (KJV)

^"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." ~ Acts 4:12 (KJV)

 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9