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For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.… Jeremiah 29:11-12

As I read the headlines regarding the filing of bankruptcy by J.C. Penney, once a retail giant, I felt a wave of sadness. After all, this business opened it’s doors in 1902 and has withstood the ups and downs of many economic recessions, including the Great Depression. In addition to shopping at their stores, generations of families can remember browsing their giant catalog, placing orders, and waiting in line to pick up their purchase.

But as I read further, I realized that they were not throwing in the towel and giving up. Despite the changes in consumer purchasing, and the presence of the pandemic, one of the cornerstone’s of retail has developed a viable plan to restructure. 118 years of resiliency has enabled J.C. Penney to identify and close 242 stores that are no longer profitable. The shareholders and executive management have identified their target customers and will use marketing strategies to stay afloat for many years to come.

Amid the pandemic, we have not only experienced a significant threat to our health, but we are also in an economic recession. The necessary changes have sparked many negative emotional responses, which have led to an increase in anger and hopelessness. Dreams and short-term goals have been placed on hold without an end date, which leads to further frustration. Too many challenges in such a short timespan have led to internal and external crises, when will it end?

As of now, we have no answers as to when our pandemic will end. Even so, we can take steps to restructure our lives. Commit to at least one hour per day for devoting time to God, the Bible is encouraging and gives us real-life accounts of the struggles of humanity. Pray several times a day, ask God for guidance, and the determination to make the necessary adjustments to maintain a productive lifestyle.

1. Identify your most important priorities.
2. Eliminate unnecessary spending, including the closure of credit card accounts.
3. Return to the basics of cooking tasty, nutritious meals.
4. Incorporate family time where everyone can share their day, make suggestions for family activities, learn how to budget, and participate in the household tasks.
5. Explore opportunities to develop new skills and/or hobbies.
6. Call the local churches and non-profit organizations who help those in need to donate items and non-perishable food.
7. If you are in need, seek help from your local churches/organizations, call 211, contact your creditors to make payment arrangements.

Positive changes are required to keep moving forward. God knows our concerns and limitations:  Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26

Remember, God is BIGGER than all of our problems. Stay Aware and Stay Safe!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

 

 

Imagine starting a new career in an entry-level position. In five months, the employer’s expectation would be for you to have learned the necessary foundational skills to perform your job at a satisfactory level. Most of us have sustained significant changes this year that may have impacted our motivation and drive to move forward.

When is the last time that you set a goal, worked diligently, and now can enjoy the fruit of your labor? Grab your journal and find a serene place where you can spend some time alone. Free your mind and think about a plan for self-growth and development. Identify your interests and research online for purchasing low-cost items that facilitate hands-on creativity.

Our lives must be well-rounded, or else we will succumb to the hardships of our environment. Now is the best time to discover and develop your talents or to complete unfinished tasks. Begin with simple, realistic hobbies that can be achieved in two weeks or less, then progress to more complex projects as your skill level increases.

Last year, I attempted to grow flowers from seeds and failed. By my failure, I learned a valuable lesson, to let nature take its course. Do not give seedlings plant food! The sunlight and good potting soil are enough to propel the growth process. So, with that in mind, I ventured outside of my heart-wrenching experience and recently purchased a packet of marigold seeds. Since our weather is unpredictable, I decided to use a grow light and keep the seedlings indoors until our stormy season with strong gusts is over.

The seeds that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:14-15

Witnessing the seeds grow reminds me of the spiritual growth and peace of mind that we can achieve when we study the Word of God and pray for change. The most significant accomplishment that we can make in our lives is to serve God. Faith, trust, patience, and obedience are the characteristics that propel us into the spiritual growth cycle.

Always make God first! Focus on the Giver, and He will give you the ability to discover your natural gifts and talents, and regain your motivation to keep moving forward.

Bible Reading: Philippians 4

God, we have sustained many changes this year. We pray for you to give us peace and the desire to move forward. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.  –SJR

 

On May 25th, the city of Dallas, Tx, reached a milestone; for the first time since the pandemic, there were no deaths due to the Coronavirus. Considering that the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area’s 2019 population was 7,573,136, this is a significant accomplishment.

But, before one has the opportunity to get excited, there is the tiny print that many fail to read that discloses the rest of the story. Reading further into the reports, it is noted that these statistics are only the cases that have required hospitalization. The total case count of 8,998 with 211 deaths does not include individuals who tested positive for the Coronavirus, were treated and released to self-quarantine, or passed away while quarantined at home.

The second area that was kept hush-hush is that two-thirds of the cases have been individuals under the age of 65 and without high-risk chronic health conditions. So, 6,002 people who were considered medically healthy still required inpatient hospitalization for the evaluation and treatment of the Coronavirus.

We must ask ourselves when we hear or read the statistics for the cities we reside in; where is the rest of the story? Who would think that the numbers in Dallas would only reflect cases that required admission to the hospital? Is the current trend nationwide for only inpatient hospitalizations to be counted and reported to the American people? Then we are not being told the whole truth, and the decision to publish to the general public only hospitalized cases and deaths was an intentional act, which may explain why many have not taken the COVID-19 virus seriously and continue to place emphasis on the economy.

We have been placed on a need-to-know basis. The statistics are misleading and have led many astray with the false belief that it is the senior population that ranks first in Total Cases and Total Deaths. This concept is not a current trend because of the pandemic. Historically, adversity exposes the natural tendency for people to become hysterical and overreact; as a result, vital knowledge is withheld. Who would think that the hoarding of toilet tissue would be the response to a virus that attacks the Respiratory system?

We are kept in the dark unless a whistle-blower with an intact conscience steps forward and reveals the truth! The result of disclosure is the retaliation of their employers and the anger of the public who really did not want to know the rest of the story.

You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. Galatians 5:7-8

Walking down the middle of the road is known as “Compromise.” We play a dangerous game of chance when we are comfortable with only knowing part of the truth. No two comfort zones are alike. We build our custom-made zones based on the decision not to go above and beyond. The presenting obstacles that require new thinking or actions, we tend to ignore and are perfectly happy, only knowing just enough information.

And yes, the whole truth brings discomfort in our lives. The desire to know the entire story takes strength and continuous perseverance. At times, you feel powerless and weak from the ongoing struggle of right vs. wrong, and truth vs. error. Even so, seeking the truth empowers us by tearing down the walls of fear, disbelief, and indifference. The choice to possess knowledge of the rest of the story gives us the freedom to make informed and wise decisions regarding every aspect of our lives.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Galatians 5:16-17

We have the need to know the complete truth about every threat to our lives. Thankfully, God has not withheld any knowledge from us; the Bible contains the rest of the story, His Son Jesus Christ is coming again. With God’s guidance, we no longer have to compromise by walking down the middle of the road. He provides all that we need to know to continue our walk on the straight and narrow Path of Righteousness.

Bible Reading: Galatians 5

Prayer: God, we thank you for giving us the complete truth regarding what our part is in the Plan of Salvation. We pray for the strength to seek knowledge and ask you to provide us with the wisdom to stay away from the middle of the road. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

 

In Friday’s blog, Watch and Pray, I expressed that God does not require us to place ourselves in harm’s way to serve Him. Finally, we have someone who is not yielding to the political pressure of reopening our churches prematurely.

So, why are healthcare professionals so fixated on the practice of Stay-at-Home when we are in an Economic Recession?

Currently, in the US, there is a practice of Ventilator Rationing in which the patient is evaluated for the probability of a full recovery. If the indicators point to yes, then Intubation and placement on the Ventilator are initiated along with pharmacological intervention.  If not then the patient is treated with comfort measures, supplemental oxygen, and medications to manage their symptoms and the course of the disease plays out that may lead to death.

The average recovery time for the Coronavirus infection is 11-15 days. For an Upper Respiratory Infection, that is a long time to suffer, especially if you did not qualify for Ventilator placement.

COVID-19 attacks the lungs by creating secretions that block the normal mechanisms of the Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Exchange of the Respiratory system. The virus also attacks the cells that are responsible for fighting against viral and bacterial invaders. Also, the Immune system may or may not be strong enough to fight the virus, even in those deemed by Medical providers to have the chance for a complete recovery. This is a simplified explanation of the complexity of the havoc that the Coronavirus causes on the body.

There are also residual effects that many people are suffering post-recovery. The lungs are easily damaged by diseases that attack the Respiratory system. Our cells, tissues, and organs depend on the nourishment that oxygen supplies and the effective removal of Carbon Dioxide to function.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Be proactive and protect yourself. Trust in God and do not be deceived by the pressure to choose, “Wealth over your Health.” God has promised to care for you.

Pray for guidance and Stay Safe.

Sonya RN

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/22/opinions/churches-reopening-trump-covid-19-beck/index.html

The History of Memorial Day
It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers. During that first national commemoration, former Union Gen. http://www.pbs.org

Reflect on those who willingly dedicated themselves and gave their lives that we could enjoy the freedom that many have never experienced.

This Memorial Day, we must also acknowledge the pain and suffering of the families of 345, 467 individuals who lost the battle to the most devastating attack on humanity: The Coronavirus!

COVID-19 continues its battle against our most effective defense, our Immune system, by attacking our Soldier cells by infiltrating and changing the DNA, rendering it powerless.

These words were part of a Memorial service of an individual who succumbed to the Coronavirus; its purpose is to remind those of us who are still alive that we must do our part in protecting our health by making sacrifices.

The current Death toll of 345,467 is one that will sear our minds as one of the most tragic events that humanity has faced from a global perspective. Not that suffering throughout the centuries can be minimized; however, we anticipate that others will say their final goodbyes during this pandemic.

As the flowers differ in physical beauty, we also vary externally; even so, we share the same physiological framework and psychological characteristics that define us as the human race, and that will always be our common thread. Reflecting on the loss of others empowers us to extend ourselves for the good of humanity.

We extend heartfelt condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones.

So prepare your mind for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 Peter 1:13

Goodbye always leaves us with pain, but it never takes away our hope that the best is yet to come.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-meatloaf/

There are many things that we wish for and will never have.

Peace is a gift that God gives freely to those who take their problems and give them to Him.

Just Pray and Wait on God Deliverance is on the Way!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV

Amid the pandemic, there are many different schools of thought that have created an atmosphere of uncertainty. Who can we trust to give us sound guidance? With over 5 million global confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, even with the recommended measures of wearing facemasks, social distancing, and reopening at reduced capacity, the numbers of cases and deaths continue to escalate. Due to the ongoing chaos, many individuals have given up and are disregarding all health precautions by resuming the habits of their prior lifestyles.

Since the onset of the Coronavirus, the debate between Health versus Wealth has ignited the conflict between health prevention/ maintenance and reopening to preserve the economy. The Centers for Disease Control, a national agency that has the responsibility for the control and prevention of infectious diseases created a safe reopening plan that was ignored. The Coronavirus pandemic has pitted politicians against the physicians and scientists, along with political leaders continually debasing each other. But the most prevalent disputes are among ordinary people based on political party preferences and complaints of the violation of their civil rights.

Political socialization is the “process by which individuals learn and frequently internalize a political lens framing their perceptions of how power is arranged and how the world around them is (and should be) organized; those perceptions, in turn, shape and define individuals’ definitions of who they are and how they should behave in the political and economic institutions in which they live.

Pledging allegiance to a political party or politician supersedes the boundaries of free will by redefining who you are and molding your mind to overlook the infractions. The change does not happen overnight. It is a process where you are in agreement with one thing that the politician stands for, and that is how the journey of compromise begins.

Because of political loyalty, Satan is swaying many believers to go against Biblical teachings. The merge of church and state is before us. A building is not essential for us to worship God. If our focus is on attending a church (building) collectively for only 1-2 days per week, then how are we worshipping God on the remaining days of the week?

In Exodus 3, Moses was appointed by God to lead the Israelites, and he was so faithful that he met with God on Mount Sinai to commune and receive the Ten Commandments. In modern times, no one individual has been appointed or anointed as a Spiritual Leader by God. Political status does not qualify an Unbeliever to represent God, nor can he or she speak for a Holy and Righteous God.

There is no biblical basis to substantiate a man-made Christian holiday–Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Easter and is false teaching. Satan will even use the name of God to deceive those who are not led by the Holy Spirit. God does not require us to compromise our health to serve him. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 1 Corinthians 6:19

In fact, if we study the book of Leviticus, God gave strict guidelines to preserve the health and well-being of the Israelites. To persuade the individuals who believe in God, but have been staying at home for the safety of their health, Satan has used manipulation to attempt to compromise their safety by encouraging large gatherings in the name of God. Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 2:2

When reading Hebrews 10:19-39, there is a verse that many believers use during this pandemic: And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25. There are many who accept Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation but have always refused to attend church. With the constant interaction that believers have on a day-to-day basis with unbelievers, the Apostle Paul admonished those who accepted Christ to attend church. We do require the strength of other believers; however, in a time where an uncontrollable virus is still causing havoc on the world, we must use technology to preach the Word of God which can be accomplished without face-to-face contact during this pandemic.

Dissension is expected among unbelievers because they do not acknowledge or serve God. Satan is the author of confusion. Satan seeks to cause chaos, disorder, death, and destruction, and if we evaluate the condition that our world is in, he is doing his job well.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace–as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 1 Corinthians 14:33. 

Watching includes praying! Our lives are dependent on God, who is faithful in His promise to protect us from all schemes, plots, and lies that originate from evil. We cannot afford to lose out on our reward of Eternal Life by succumbing to Satan’s plots to separate us from God.

Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Proverbs 4:6 NLT

Every situation in our lives must be presented to God in prayer. We must ask for wisdom, do not rely on feelings, judgment, or past experiences; do not act prematurely, if you truly desire God’s divine intervention, then we must wait for His answer.

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; Psalm 34:19 NIV.

Bible Verse: Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NIV

Prayer for today: Dear God, We ask you to forgive us of our sins, our shortcomings, and to fill us with the Holy Spirit. We ask you to protect us from all of the schemes, the hurt, the harm, and the dangers in this world. We acknowledge that we are powerless against Satan and the forces of evil. God, we know that the temptations that we face every day are meant to separate us from you. We need you, and we ask for wisdom, we pray for the desire to obey your will for our lives. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.