Guy's Blog

I Watched a Squirrel This Morning…

By Guy |

I watched a squirrel as the sun made its way over the horizon this morning.

He was simply living in the moment, scampering up and down the trees, running to and fro across the lawn, and just basically scratching around for his breakfast and then eating it right on the spot.

I know very little about squirrel behavior, but it looked like this little guy wasn’t concerned about the future beyond being aware of his surroundings and immediate security.

He had his head on a swivel and most certainly would have dashed away if I had made a move toward him.

But I didn’t, so he just went about his business.

No worries.

No cares.

No distractions.

Simply in the moment.

We should all do that from time to time.

What Has Become of Us

By Guy |

Black and white photo of a theater mask hidden behind a blurred bush. — Photo by miro polca on Unsplash

What has become of us?

As I went to the elevator lobby at our hotel this morning I found a man already waiting to go downstairs there.

He had a face covering on–a neck gaiter designed to keep out UV rays, but not viruses–not because it would provide any protection but rather because of the COVID panic and the accompanying myths about the value of masks.

In an attempt to go along to get along and help the guy feel comfortable, I fumbled among the change and wallet in my jeans pocket to drag out my own basically unsanitary mask, donned it, and then offered to wait for the next elevator in case he was afraid of being in an elevator with another human being.

He chuckled and told me he was fine with another passenger, and then as soon as the doors closed, he went into a quiet rant about how stupid the face coverings farce is and how he was tired of the whole thing.

The door opened and after wishing each other a good day we went our separate ways.

The incident has stuck with me all day now because of the way it represented a breakdown in our societal norms that I do not believe for one minute is accidental.

Don’t get me wrong. I know the COVID-19 thing is real and that it has caused illness and death all around the world.

What I don’t know is whether the virus was man-made and then weaponized as a strategic project or naturally-occuring and then weaponized as a tactical maneuver driven by random circumstances.

Either way, our interactions with fellow human beings have been affected, and not in a good way.

Instead of polite greetings and positive encounters, millions of people have learned to judge and fear those of us who’ve made an informed choice to avoid face coverings. One woman at this hotel visibly cowered and then literally walked into a wall trying to get as far away from me as she could, presumably because I was not wearing a mask in the all-but-deserted lobby.

Our relationships and sense of unity are all messed up, and this whole situation has the stench of an effort to employ the divide and conquer maxim.

In my opinion, our society has been changed by dark and powerful forces that have something in mind for us other then what is best for us.

Keep your head on a swivel and be alert.

Plant a Seed

By Guy |

Now that the new year is here, take some moments to quiet your heart, pray to God, consider the grace He’s shown to you, and then resolve to share the good news with those with whom you come into contact each day.

God providentially brings people into your life for a reason. Be a witness!

I’m not talking about becoming all preachy or anything like that, but rather living your life as an ambassador for the kingdom and allowing the fact that you’ve been called by Christ to show in your behavior and manner of speech, regardless of your circumstances.

Then, as Peter wrote, be ready to tell people the “reason for the hope that is in you.”

Plant a seed.

God will give the increase.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
1 Peter 3:14-16, ESV

What Will You Do

By Guy |

As we race toward the finish line for 2020, which is arguably one of the most challenging years in our nation’s history, it is worth each of us asking ourselves what we have done to do good, do well, and honor God.

Such reflection is healthy, as it opens a window to where we’ve been and alerts us to some ideas of what our aims should be in the new year in terms of doing good, doing well, and honoring God.

This exercise can be especially helpful for those of us who are looking back on a year that we would just as soon forget.

So how will you do good, do well, and honor God in 2021?

The Risks of the Rushed Vaccine Do Not Outweigh the Benefits

By Guy |

So, an FDA panel endorses Pfizer’s COVID vaccine.

However, several members of the panel “took issues with the aspect of approving the vaccine for use in 16- and 17-year-olds due to limited evidence.”

Seventeen of the experts voted to approve.

Four of the experts voted against approval.

One of the experts abstained.

So, five of the 17 members — that’s nearly one quarter — did not agree with this question: “Based on the totality of scientific evidence available, do the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine outweigh its risk for use in individuals 16 years of age and older?”

And you can bet your last dime that those who reject the vaccine and refuse to have it injected into their sovereign bodies will be branded as out-of-touch reactionaries, conspiracy theorists, lunatics, anti-science, etc.

My opinion is that I am not willing to submit to a rushed vaccine that 30 percent of the FDA’s own approval committee rejected because in their expert opinions the benefits do not outweigh the risks.

Instead, my belief is that the wisest course of action is for the vast majority of the population to take its chances with the virus that presents less than a one-half or one percent risk of death.

Perhaps there is some utility for this vaccine in the most vulnerable populations — e.g., the very old, those whose bodies are otherwise compromised and therefore, high risk, etc. — but I am not sold completely on that idea either.

And I definitely reject the idea that everybody aged 16 and up should allow this foreign substance into their bodies.

The risks do not outweigh the benefits.

You know I’m right.

Image: Daniel Schludi on Unsplash