Journal of Faith: Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Philippians 2:12

It has been two weeks since my employment was moved to working from home and even longer since I've been able to do my favorite part of my job, which is teaching.  All I saw on the television, internet, and in my email for weeks was more bad news about the virus that is sweeping the world like a plague.  Yesterday and today I got news of family friends who were sick with it.  I heard voices of disbelief on the phone as I listened while they tried to make since of it all and asked me to pray.  What do you say to people when fear is being nurtured all around them and not completely uncalled for?  I said that I would pray and I did, and I am still.  Even as I spoke on the phone with my mother today and she told me of a dear friend that was lost today and two more friends who are hospitalized, the conversation took a turn as it often does with believers in Jesus Christ.  We started out sad and shocked at our first known experience with the plague, but th...

I was watching a video of a praise and worship event, and it was amazing.  The singers were well known names in the gospel music world and they sang with all that they had. I loved the song choice as well.  The song that they sang was an anthem which means to me that it is meant to display the glory and grandeur of God. I have sung this song many times before with my family choir, and in my family we believe in making a joyful AND well sung noise unto the LORD! The people in this video did that! What got my attention, however, about this display was the comments section.  Many of the people were edifying (praising) the singers and musicians while others were expressing disenchantment with what they thought were gaudy displays of skill.  This led me to ask God and myself about a few things surrounding God's gifts to men.  Firstly, is it wrong to take joy in the gifts that God has given through others? Secondly, is it wrong to use our God given gifts to their ...