Adversity

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 08 January 2021

I confess that when I think about not traveling and why we are limited or cannot travel re ongoing government-instituted C-19 protocols, I want to grit my teeth and throw things.

But then I’m reminded of when I tried this approach as a kid and Mom – who must have been the model for Mrs. Walton who always quoted Scripture on “The Waltons” – would quote the KJV, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24).

This was Mom's way of saying to an errant son, “Straighten up and fly right.” Who could argue with Mom, much less Scripture?

Mom was right. It's a great perspective verse:

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (ESV).

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Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 21 December 2020

Feeling low, depressed, discouraged, disillusioned, anxious, fearful, hopeless?

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Phil. 4:4-8

*This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 29 October 2020

Things I pray for that may not be God’s will:

COVID-19 to end worldwide, now.
Social unrest, including in the US, to cease.
Polarization in culture to give way to productive consensus.
Authoritarian regimes to fall to democratic movements.
Religious liberty for everyone in the world.
No more wildfires, hurricanes, or other “bad weather.”
Abortion policy reversed; abortions reduced then eliminated.

That last one was the hardest one for me to write.

The point here is not me suggesting God does not care or that He blesses such travail, but that the Sovereign God is in charge, that accidents or surprises don’t happen in the divine economy, that He works His purposes in spite of and through adversity and evil.

So, I pray for His providential wisdom, His will, His mercy and grace.

*This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 03 October 2020

One year ago today I had my heart attack. I had a stent procedure, changed my diet and began walking a few miles each morning, lost weight, and otherwise returned to my life, family, and calling.

Heart attacks get your attention, though. “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

I am grateful to the Lord for his protection and blessing, to the Drs and nurses for their expertise, and to my Good Wife for her decision in the wee hours of that night: “We’re going to the E.R. Now.”

So, I’ll quote a verse my Mother quoted to me many times as I was growing up, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24).

And I’ll cite my favorite chorus, “God is so good. God is so good. God is so good to me.”

He’s good to you too.

*This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.

Details: Written by: Rex M. Rogers; Published: 17 August 2020

Year 2020, “Annus horribilis,” Latin for “horrible year.” Queen Elizabeth used the phrase once to describe a tragic year for her family in the early 1990s.

Year 2020 is only half in the books, but the Latin seems apt:

COVID-19, government lockdowns and economic fallout, protests, “those who call evil good and good evil,” civil liberties like freedom of religion, speech suspended in the name of public health, riotous chaos ignored in the name of justice, anti-racism racism, ideology, hate passing for public discourse, intolerance parading in name of tolerance.

Then again, I’ve only experienced a few years.

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:14-15).

In 1920, Sen Thomas Riley Marshall, later Vice President under W Wilson, said, “What this country needs is a really good five-cent cigar.”

I’d say what this country needs is a moral reckoning that refocuses American culture and politics on God and good.

*This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.

God's Remedy For Stress

This Is the Day the Lord Has Made: Scriptural Perspective

Feeling Low, Depressed, Discouraged, Disillusioned, Anxious, Fearful, Hopeless?

Things I Pray For That May Not Be God’s Will

Heart Attack One Year Ago Today--God Is So Good

Year 2020, “Annus Horribilis”