Positive News Tidbits, 4/6/20

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Stephen Nielsen

I love to hear positive news, even while we are going through this pandemic. Here are some bits of positive news, and some positive thoughts.

Unlike most other nations, Finland has been stockpiling medical gear like surgical masks for years. They have plenty! As I read in my morning newspaper, Finland’s location (next to the Soviet Union) and historical lessons have taught the nation to prepare for the worst. Now they are fully prepared.
I have been daily chart-reading the COVID-19. It appears that the top nations in the EU that are infected (Spain, Italy, Germany and France) are now on a downward slope. That means that the US will soon follow. It is my guess that we may hit the peak in just a few days, level off, and then begin a decline.
I was reading how Leah Beno, one of Minnesota’s top news anchors, has been learning new things and adjusting to her new work environment—having to work at home with her kids. People all over the country are learning and making adjustments. That’s a good thing! The more we learn the more we are prepared for what’s to come. And these trials will help us to be stronger and a better person.
Good news for non-Christians. This coronavirus is a warning to you of what’s coming—a foreshadowing of terrible times ahead, prophesied in Revelation 6:6-7. God cares about you and is giving you this warning so you can be prepared for what’s to come. Your only way to prepare is to repent and start believing in Him. He is your only way of escape.
Good news for Christians. This pandemic is telling us now that Christ’s coming is very soon! Be ready! And be excited!

Positive News Tidbits

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Stephen Nielsen

I thought it would be good, in these troubled times, to bring a bit of positive news.

From my newspaper I read the good news that because of the bars being closed and far fewer people are drinking and on the roads, there are significantly fewer DWI’s, crashes, and injuries. So, even though the COVID-19 death toll is rising, at the same time the traffic accident death and injury toll is declining.
A retired Venezuelan army general, Cliver Alcala, has surrendered to U.S. That’s great news. Also, I presume that someone just received a 10-million-dollar reward.
Generally, I think people are praying more.
Due to this pandemic, and all the precautions we are supposed to take, there seems to be more positive messages going out, especially among the youth.

A Prisoner in My Own House

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Stephen Nielsen

This is exactly the place I was thinking of going for a walk today. It is overlooking the Mississippi river. I took this picture a year ago today. Hopefully I will see some of the same sights.

I feel like a prisoner in my own house—apartment. I woke up this morning with the reality that I was scheduled to go to work—actually, to help a friend paint a room to be used as a church office. My pastor was sort of counting on me to help out. But I feel lousy. I hope I’m not getting the coronavirus. I’m 69 years old and ripe for the virus; old people like me are really suppose to stay home. I didn’t want to do it, but I really felt that I should—that I should text the pastor and tell him that I can’t come, that I wasn’t feeling well. So, I did, and of course he understood. A couple hours later my doctor called me and asked me not to come to my appointment tomorrow if it wasn’t an emergency. I agreed to cancel, and I also talked to her about some of my medical concerns.

Now I feel like I should just obey the President and the experts and stay home. But I’m feeling better and I don’t want too. I’m antsy. Can I really stay here in my apartment for a couple months until, as they say, this coronavirus washes out? I know I can always find things to do, like what I’m doing now, writing. But I like to get out too. I have favorite eating places, coffee shops…and I want to go there. Oh, it’s tough! I don’t think there will be anything wrong with going for a little walk outside. I need the exercise. I think I feel well enough to do that, and I won’t be around anyone…I don’t think. I will pray. I will make this day a day of prayer—for myself, for the country, and for the world.

BREAKING: World Health Organization declares coronavirus “global pandemic.” Tells world leaders: “Wake up. Get ready.” 10x more deadly than the flu. Chancellor warns 70% of Germany could become infected. Global markets falling. Israeli cases continue to climb. Here’s the latest. #PleasePray — Joel C. Rosenberg’s Blog

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Stephen Nielsen

(Washington, D.C.) — Panic is wrong. We need to stay calm. We need to turn to the Scriptures and prayer and trust the Lord to protect us. We would do well to start with Psalm 57:1, which a Christian leader in France just sent me. “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me.…
BREAKING: World Health Organization declares coronavirus “global pandemic.” Tells world leaders: “Wake up. Get ready.” 10x more deadly than the flu. Chancellor warns 70% of Germany could become infected. Global markets falling. Israeli cases continue to climb. Here’s the latest. #PleasePray — Joel C. Rosenberg’s Blog

A Blah Day Is Revived

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Stephen Nielsen

*A muskrat comes out of hiding and looks up at me. Should he face the world or go back under?*

Today is one of those days. Really blah. A low energy day. A day of transition. A day of testing. I don’t even know how to start this blog. Let’s see. What to write about? I woke up this morning in a fog. I didn’t want to get going. I sat on the edge of my bed for the longest time—trying to decide: should I start getting dressed, or maybe just flop back into bed? I had very low energy, even to think things through. Eventually, the battle was won over the bed. I got up. I did my regular things: eye drops, meds, some TV news, my quiet time, then off to breakfast where I am now—at Perkins. I have an omelet, hash browns, fruit and coffee. I glanced through the paper. Nothing worth reading. Usually the comic strips give me a pick-up. Not so much today. They reflect sort of how I feel. Dustin was rejected by a couple gals in a bar; Garfield was told by his cat girlfriend, “I am cute, and you…well, you’re you.” Suddenly I thought of myself. I think I use to be cute, but no more. Oh well. I’ll just be me.

Besides being a day of blah and low energy, it also happens to be a day of change and transition. I just finished reading the bible through, and today I started again in Genesis; and I will also be reading the Psalms. I look forward to it. Hey, looking up! I sort of finished writing on all of my blog categories at least once—except a couple that I’m waiting on. I still need to send something out about my books. I hate trying to sell myself, but I have to do it. I mean, I think some people will benefit from them, so I really should do some promotion.

I also will be telling my story—sort of my autobiography, in many continuous blogs. I’ve never even though much of doing that, but I think maybe it would be a benefit, both for myself and others. There is so much in my life that is blank—no memories. I hope that some things will come back to me. I hope and pray also that somehow I could be a benefit to others.

Well, I’ve eaten my breakfast, the coffee’s cold, and I need to get going—do something. My energy is slowly coming back. I feel somewhat revived! Thank you, Lord.