My parents were strong believers in making sure that their children worked hard and kept their word when it was given. If a promise was made to help a friend or neighbor, it was expected the promise would be fulfilled even if it meant missing an anticipated event. We learned our word defined who you were to others.

At the conclusion of church service today, we celebrated the Lord's Table. During this part of the service, we spent a moment reflecting upon our readiness to commemorate our union with the Lord Jesus Christ. In preparation for communion, believers were encouraged to examine themselves before a holy God.

The song by Sonicflood entitled Holiness, opens with these lyrics, "Holiness, holiness is what I long for, Holiness is what I need, Holiness, holiness is what You, want from me!" Those words would match what the Lord is saying to the people of Israel.

Before I accepted Christ as my Savior, I did many things that fit right in with the group of friends around me. I did not see any reason to live or speak differently, as we were comfortable with one another. I soon recognized, after becoming a believer in Christ, I had old habits and lifestyles I needed to put away and not practice anymore.

One of the many things that have been exposed through the pandemic is the negative impact of isolation. For many, the painful truth of being in a hospital separated from family, filled both the healthy and sick with dread and anxiety. A ray of hope was delivered when the period of quarantine concluded, and they could be reunited again.

It was like any other day on Friday, January 7th, until the end of the evening. Suddenly, life as I knew it drastically changed for me. That night after a Bible study, I recognized that I was a sinner and needed Jesus as my Savior.

"Cleanliness is next to godliness" is a phrase that I have heard at different times particularly during the Covid pandemic. The people that advocated this, believed very strongly in the need for maintaining a high standard of sanitation. While I am all for hygiene, I believe cleanliness falls far short of godliness and personal holiness which the Lord requires for His service.

The law in the United States has come under scrutiny. Pressure for it to be reviewed and changed has been demanded. The police and security have come to be analyzed in almost every situation. Between cell phone cameras and video recordings, we have become a nation constantly under investigation.

Worship is under scrutiny and debate and much has been written on the importance of worship and prayer for the believer. The clothes we wear, the songs we sing, and the instruments we use can become more important than our attitude of worship.

Some individuals, like my mother, have the innate ability to make articles of clothing and create beautiful sweaters and blankets from a ball of string! Especially in the eyes of someone who barely can draw stick figures and make them identifiable, I look forward to seeing the finished work of art.