“I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus. You can quote me on that.” Bishop Gerald O. Glenn shared these words in a sermon to his congregation at New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Richmond, VA, on March 22.
This in-person sermon was also the last that Bishop Glenn would deliver.
“What is that car doing?”
I slowed down as another car slowly crept onto the road. Somehow they thought it was a good idea to pull out in front of me and a Domino’s delivery car on a street that wasn’t very busy. Nothing too dangerous, but it was definitely unexpected and required me briefly to pump my brakes.
‘Twas Easter 2020, and I sat in my room,
Looking outside and feeling all gloom.
The sun barely shining, the earth filled with fear,
And I stuck at home with my cellphone drawn near.
A virus with seemingly little resistance
Had forced me and others to “socially distance.”
A moment of weakness as I sat alone
Caused me to question, “Is God still on the throne?”
For why would a God full of mercy and love
Let bad things occur and just watch from above?
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
Recognize that reference?
With this powerful call upon Americans to place their faith in their leaders and release their grip on fear, new president Franklin D. Roosevelt began his inaugural address on March 4, 1933.
If God spares me long enough to become well-stricken in years, someday I will tell young people, “I remember the days when the line for Chipotle stretched halfway through the parking lot.”
Yes, Chipotle often has a line, but, no, it doesn’t usually stretch that far. But today the lines at grocery stores, coffee shops, and restaurants are 2-6 times longer than they were only a few months ago.
What should I write about next? Are there issues that you are facing or that the church is facing today that need to be addressed? Take 15 seconds to let me know!
