Keep On
“What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure” (Philippians 2: 12-13 MSG).
My lands! This man, Paul, packed some major punch in every verse he penned. But in this letter to the Philippians, he gave a dose of amazing encouragement. And sometimes, “keep on keeping on” is exactly what we need to hear.
As I’m writing this, we have been in quarantine for weeks. Weeks! Never before have we walked such a path. I was chatting with my mother-in-law recently – and in her 80+ years, she has lived through the Great Depression, the youngest of 7 with a mom whose husband died far too soon, and sending her own husband to Korea for months to fight. Despite those challenging times, she said she had never experienced this kind of stress – in the midst of the quarantine and the “social distancing”.
Yet here we are – trying to create a new normal day-by-day. While our situation is different from those living in Philippi, the encouragement is the same:
1. Keep on. We may not be gathering on campus; but friends, Immanuel is still open for business. We still have the amazing ability to meet for small groups online, worship together online, and reach our community for Christ.
2. Redouble your efforts. During the days following Hurricane Katrina, our church set up a place for people to come, have a bed for rest, and a hot meal. In the same way today, we are providing masks and gloves, food and cleaning supplies – to meet the needs in our community. I love that our church has always been willing and involved in our city, state, country and world. But even now, we are reminded to redouble our efforts to benefit those that need it the most.
3. Use your energy well. Your friends and family are struggling with stressors they may have never known before, as you are. But use your energy well! Check in on those around you. Invite them to gather online with us – and ask how you can pray for them.
Perhaps you might want to mirror our friend Paul’s actions and write a letter! What a joy to find a letter in your mail from someone who really cares!
Keep doing that you have been doing. Keep moving forward.
By Carrie Peterson
My lands! This man, Paul, packed some major punch in every verse he penned. But in this letter to the Philippians, he gave a dose of amazing encouragement. And sometimes, “keep on keeping on” is exactly what we need to hear.
As I’m writing this, we have been in quarantine for weeks. Weeks! Never before have we walked such a path. I was chatting with my mother-in-law recently – and in her 80+ years, she has lived through the Great Depression, the youngest of 7 with a mom whose husband died far too soon, and sending her own husband to Korea for months to fight. Despite those challenging times, she said she had never experienced this kind of stress – in the midst of the quarantine and the “social distancing”.
Yet here we are – trying to create a new normal day-by-day. While our situation is different from those living in Philippi, the encouragement is the same:
1. Keep on. We may not be gathering on campus; but friends, Immanuel is still open for business. We still have the amazing ability to meet for small groups online, worship together online, and reach our community for Christ.
2. Redouble your efforts. During the days following Hurricane Katrina, our church set up a place for people to come, have a bed for rest, and a hot meal. In the same way today, we are providing masks and gloves, food and cleaning supplies – to meet the needs in our community. I love that our church has always been willing and involved in our city, state, country and world. But even now, we are reminded to redouble our efforts to benefit those that need it the most.
3. Use your energy well. Your friends and family are struggling with stressors they may have never known before, as you are. But use your energy well! Check in on those around you. Invite them to gather online with us – and ask how you can pray for them.
Perhaps you might want to mirror our friend Paul’s actions and write a letter! What a joy to find a letter in your mail from someone who really cares!
Keep doing that you have been doing. Keep moving forward.
By Carrie Peterson
Recent
Archive
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?