The Relativity of "Sheltering in Place"

This unprecedented time in our country reveals the stark contrast in urban and rural areas. Most times the rural area comes out on the short end of the stick - too far from places and services, poor communication options, harsh living conditions and a myriad of other reasons. Yet the minuscule population in Southwestern Osage County appears to have provided a distinct advantage for the Benders. (We are accustomed to stockpiling but not hoarding.)

“SHELTERING IN PLACE” IS RELATIVE

          On average, 6,730 people reside on ¼ of a square mile in New York City. In our locale, that would be the 2017 population of the city of Pawnee, Oklahoma, (2,136 people) three times over (6,408 people) PLUS the 322 residents of the 2017 count for Ralston, Oklahoma, equaling 6,730 people.

The above square represents a square mile.
 The section shaded blue represents a quarter
of a square mile and is equivalent to 2.5-5
 city blocks in New York City, the city hit hardest
by COVID-19 this year. On average, 6,730 people
 live in that amount of space in New York City.

On average, 87 people reside on ¼ of a square mile in the United States.

Once again, this square equals a square mile or
640 acres. Throughout the United States, on
average, 87 people live on a quarter of a mile
represented by the blue shaded quarter of the
square. It equals 160 acres.

Mother’s Farm is ¼ of a square mile. Only 2 of us are keeping “safer at home” on these 160 acres!

I have told Mother probably not many 95-year-olds have such an expansive way to “shelter in place” or stay “safer at home!”

Don’t we rural Oklahomans have much to be thankful for!

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (Let's pray for healing for all those struggling with this horrible plague no matter where they live.)

For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (May we obey the scripture and lift up all in authority whether government officials, healthcare professionals, law enforcement personnel, and emergency response workers. I mentioned only a few groups of people who work for our betterment. Their goal is for our world to be a place of peaceful, quiet living.)

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (May we remain eager to share that Jesus is the truth and the only way

to come to salvation since He alone is the Savior sent from God.)

I Timothy 2:1-4

O Lord, even though we may be so different from urban dwellers, may Your Spirit of healing touch the residents of the cities like New York City. Empower Your believers living in the metropolises with boldness to share who You are, what Your Word says, and the difference You can bring to lives. May our own thankfulness for health overflow in our everyday living so that Your greatness and lovingkindness is manifested to Your glory.

Remembering the Spring of 1995

Exactly 25 years ago today, the landscape of downtown Oklahoma City was changed when its security was rocked by a truck bomb that took 168 lives, injuring over 500 people.  As with every Oklahoman living in 1995 of school age or older, my memories remain vivid of that day.

The Highs and Lows of 1995

                The Oklahoma State Men’s Basketball season of 1994-1995 thrilled the loyal following of the Cowboys and even the fair-weather fans. Under the astute tutelage of  Hall of Fame Coach Eddie Sutton, the team featured Bryant “Big Country” Reeves, the 7-foot center, and Randy Rutherford, the point guard. Both Poke stars had honed their basketball skills in small, Oklahoma towns.

                I anticipated listening to John Holcomb and Dave Hunzicker broadcast of the games during late fall evenings. The team meshed and gained momentum as they progressed into the winter months. Radio coverage allowed me to do tasks and enjoy the excitement of the Poke b-ball games, too.

                March Madness saw Oklahoma State winning four games to reach the Final Four Tournament hosted by Seattle. In their first game, UCLA, the eventual championship team of the NCAA Division I Men’s Tourney, bested the scrappy Oklahoma State Cowboys. What a ride they gave us fans! I whooped and hollered for five months from November of 1994 through April 1, 1995.

                Eighteen days later, on the third Wednesday of April, my third graders lined up orderly and walked to their P.E. class. As I rushed around to accomplish as much as possible on my planning period, Virginia Williams, a second grade teacher, whispered quietly to me of the shocking news of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

                So many questions filled my mind surrounding a devastating event like this, but my mission of teaching third graders superseded my own worry-fueled wonderings. With just minutes until the students returned, I knew these bright third graders were old enough to understand the seriousness of a destructive happening like this but young enough to question, “If something hurts my parents, what will happen to me?”

                Having taught them “Knowledge is power,” I began the routine of providing the morning copy of the newspaper, The Oklahoman each day. The availability of the newspapers offered a springboard for helpful discussion if the students needed or wanted that.

                In a previous post written five years ago about the April 19^th bombing and my students, I commented about the third graders, “They moved to a point of acceptance and understanding in a quicker manner than I did.”* Drawing compassionate cards with third grade heartfelt messages moved them from fear and worry to quiet resolution. Actions of this kind instilled the beginning of learning to reach out in sympathy to hurting hearts. I observe and hear about these students all-grown-up continuing to provide comfort to grieving people and families. 

Third Graders of 1994-1995 Who Were in Our Classroom
Front Row: Karalea Corley, Jason Dilbeck, Josh Alexander, Cassi Koch, Jackie Kennedy, William
Fosnight. Middle Row: Amber Phillips, Tyler Hillsberg, Rhonda Brandt, Travis Sawyers, Cassidi
Pease, Bernadean Gates. Back Row: Brady Goad, William Gates, Aaron Cheves, Leslie Williams,
Lauren Goad, Scott Brown. I proudly displayed this photograph on the cover of my teacher's manual
 as I taught the Russian teachers.  (Photograph by Blunck's)

                In May, following the bombing, I joined with others from the United States to teach educators in Russia during a short-term teaching trip that had been scheduled for about a year. As the only Oklahoman on the team, I was granted permission to wear the royal blue ribbon symbolizing the Oklahoma Standard with the designated pin depicting the flags of the United States and the relatively new Russian Federation. Whether Russian educators or fellow Americans on the team, not only was sympathy extended, but an astonishment at the uncensored reliance on the Lord openly expressed that undergirded the courage of Oklahomans throughout the months of dealing with the aftermath and sorrow.

The Official Pin of the Teaching
Team on which I served in 1995.
The royal blue ribbon faded to
purple.

                As we mark the 25^th year since this unspeakable evil, I have been astounded how many mentioned God gave them the power to forgive. One woman when asked how she dealt with the loss of a precious little one replied simply, “My Lord and Savior.” Some first responders and rescue and recovery workers explained how God enabled them to do unthinkable tasks day after day.

The prayer service organized by Oklahoma’s first Lady, Cathy Keating, found its way into many of the conversations I had while on the short-term teaching trip in Russia. So many commented how surprised they were at the overwhelming support by Oklahoma citizens and the deeply spiritual nature of the event.

As we once again find ourselves in a difficult fight, this time with an unseen virus, may we turn to God who gave supernatural comfort and calm in the midst of a horrific time in our state’s history 25 years ago. Just as those citizens of yesteryear sought strength to do difficult searches and recoveries, may we look to God for stamina, strength and courage beyond ourselves to do what we need to do.
Lord,on this day of remembrance, comfort and strengthen loved ones of the those taken 25 years ago. Enable them to see how they can honor with their lives the legacy of those they miss so greatly.
Impress upon us, the citizens of this state, the need to seek Your righteousness found only in Your dear Son. May we daily live in Your power because we know that apart from You we can do nothing.

        Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Here is a link to the comforting, but powerful message by Billy Graham at the prayer service on the Sunday following the unspeakable crime against a building full of innocent people. 

https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/billygrahamoklahomabombingspeech.htm

*Here is the link to the post written five years ago: 

https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2015/04/one-of-oklahomas-finest-hours_19.html

A Hammer, New Calves and a Song

                This year's Good Friday began with a sizable list of tasks to accomplish. Thanks to “Safer at Home” measures, every responsibility was on the farm. Unfortunately, I found myself complaining to my sister on the phone when she called.

                After our conversation, as I walked to get a count on the cattle, I noticed the wayward red steer was back in the meadow. I thought Add one more item to the list. Evidently, my earlier fence repair had been ineffective.

                 I noticed Baby Belle, a seven-year old cow, was not with the herd. but I spotted her on the other side of the big pond. Sure enough, she had a newborn calf. Deciding to give her space, I walked on looking for Princess Charlotte, dubbed this because the little princess of England was named on the day this red white-faced cow was born.

Finding her, I proceeded to locate where the breachy steer broke into the meadow. Since I needed Dad’s old pickup with the tools and supplies needed for minor fence repair, I walked back to get it.

Driving back, there was Baby Belle with her new caramel-colored calf. I gave her a couple pounds of “celebratory creep.” I guess this tradition stemmed from rewarding my students following big accomplishments. She gobbled ravenously the pellets while I ascertained we had a Good Friday blessing – a healthy heifer calf.

As I replaced the first missing fence clip, I recalled the complaining words earlier. It could be called “venting” but the scripture “Do everything without complaining and grumbling” loomed large in my mind. I had asked forgiveness earlier for the complaints that spewed from my lips. As I had driven back to the pasture, I prayed, “God, You, in no way, held my grumbling against me. You blessed Mother and me with a brand-new calf. You truly showed me the truth of As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.”

Sue Schutz, Mary Jo Thurber and
Norma Nell Wheatley 

Soon the pinging sound of the hammer reverberated loudly around me, as I replaced a missing fence staple. Instantly, I was transported to the first Good Friday when Jesus was being crucified. As I remembered His death, the song, “Were You There,” played in my mind as it had when I was only three or four years old and listened intently as Mother practiced with Peggy Barnes, Sue Schultz and Norma Nell Wheatley, a trio of girls from her Sunday School class at Masham Baptist Church.* Their three-part harmony captured my little ears along with the song’s haunting melody. Although I understood little about crucifixion, the music conveyed a sad, mournful time to my heart.(Link to another post about this song: https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2015/04/easter-sunday-and-60-cent-trio-book.html)

The resounding clang of metal on metal when driving in a fence post evoked the thought Yes, I was there because sins just like my complaining were laid on Him. Then I remembered Paul’s long treatise of this doctrine in Romans 6 and these words, we believers were “crucified with Him” - that is “our old self” – so we could be "alive to God in Jesus Christ.” Not only did He free us from the deadly strangle hold of sin, but His death and resurrection empower us to live the new life in Christ.

Then as I loaded the tools into the back of the pickup, I recalled my favorite verse of the song.

Were you there when He rose up from the dead?

Were you there when He rose up from the dead?

     Oh! Sometimes I feel like shouting glory, glory, glory,

Were you there when He rose up from the dead?

                                                                                                                           Public Domain

                Frequently when singing the third line, I recall Dad. Often, Dad would come into the house to share a blessing he had experienced on the farm or we would share some good thing that had happened to us. Instantly, he would throw both hands in the air as though the Woodland Cougars had just scored, and exclaim, “Glory!”

As I passed Princess Charlotte, she had calved, as Dad liked to say. She was nuzzling that red white-faced baby to get it to stand. I watched quietly for a few minutes. Not wanting to startle her, I didn’t shout, “Glory,” but my heart worshiped as I realized the wonderful blessings God gives. Most importantly, I am redeemed because my trust is fully in Jesus, not because I am sinless but by accepting the sacrificial death of Jesus. I still sin by complaining and grumbling, but His blood continues cleansing those sins. All I can whisper is, “Glory, glory, glory.”

That’s how we should celebrate the resurrection of Jesus  - not just on Easter Sunday, but every day of the week. May our hearts and mouths find daily reasons to shout or whisper “Glory, glory, glory.”

*A later trio of girls that sang in the Masham Baptist Church was composed of Nancy and Janie Leforce along with Linda Laird. 

He Had Only One Topic

I already had this week’s post ready except for minimal editing. Then I awakened on Friday morning with several thoughts bouncing around in my mind. Those thoughts were of repentance, John the Baptist, the COVID-19 crisis, and Jon Ogle.

Once I began mulling on those mental musings, I headed to God’s Word since verses started coming to mind.

When I thought of the action of repentance and its need, the overpowering figure of John the Baptist loomed large in my mind . He was in a category all his own. The angel, Gabriel, announced his impending birth to an elderly father married to a woman well passed childbearing age. Gabriel predicted this baby would grow up and announce and prepare the way for the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. The scripture said John was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. Clothed in camel’s hair, his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey as he dwelt in the wilderness. John’s unchanging message resounded through the wilderness, as this fiery prophet proclaimed,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”  Matthew 3:2

Then Luke recorded in his gospel, chapter 3, verse 8 this stirring command from the lips of John the Baptizer:

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…

Cruden’s Complete Concordance defines godly repentance as “sorrow (that) shall cause a complete change of action.” If one continues reading Luke 3, John, who prepared the way for the first coming of Jesus to the earth, explained what repentance looked like for his hearers, such as soldiers, tax collectors and people just like us. Fruits from repentance would be generous sharing, honesty in all dealings, no falsehood in speech, humility instead of intimidation and contentment with what one had.

                Jesus preached repentance. We read His words in Luke 13:3:

…Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

He addressed, in Matthew 9:13, the only two possible responses to His call for repentance. Some responded to Him in obedience while the rest resisted, refusing to admit their need to repent. I chose to use the Amplified Version of this verse:

…for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [(self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].”

                Jesus spoke, in Luke 19:30-31, one of the sternest sermons telling the account of a wealthy man and a beggar named Lazarus (not the one he raised from the dead). Both died. Jesus, with His omniscient power, gave an unprecedented view into hell, the eternal destination choice of the rich man. The man requested for someone to go to his five brothers, and said,

…if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.

Then the stark answer echoed throughout all the eras of time,

If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.

As we approach the Easter season, this serves as a clear reminder of the consequence of refusing the words of Moses and the prophets in the Old Testament and the detrimental result of willful rejection of believing the most powerful event of history, the resurrection of Jesus after His sacrificial death.

                The Apostle Paul discussed the two reasons for seeking repentance – godly sorrow or sorrow of the world. His words reverberate loudly in our society today:

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, exhibited sorrow of the world. To read more about this traitorous disciple, follow this link:  https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2019/11/jelly-fungus.html

                The Apostle Peter uttered the heart of God when he wrote in his second letter in chapter 3, verse 9 these words of loving patience:

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The serious demeanor Jon
had when preaching the
necessity of repentance to
 his hearers.

              

Jon Ogle's welcoming
countenance as he
ministered to his flock.

  I mentioned Jon Ogle in my early morning thoughts. Jon, as our pastor in the early 1980s, was given a loving moniker, Jon the Baptist, by some Ralston residents because he preached faithfully “Repent or perish” or in the local vernacular “Turn or Burn.” During his tenure, he didn’t dress like John, the forerunner of Jesus, nor did he eat like him. However, Brother Jon was a fiery preacher always preaching repentance – a change by the power of Jesus, emphasizing that genuine repentance would lead to a change in one’s behavior.

Let’s share Jesus’ message of repentance during the COVID-19 crisis, one of the most stressful times of our country’s history. If we have come to Jesus with a heart of true repentance then whether we live or die, we will be with the Lord. Paul encouraged and comforted early day believers who had experienced godly repentance with this verse.

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8