Encore of Revival: America, March 23, 2020

Revival has returned. It’s not in the streets yet and evil hasn’t fled. But, revival has landed and is making its way across the country. Chicago rings church bells five times a day. Everywhere, Americans look up and ask whether God is trying to get our attention.

Duh.

As they were once called in the 80s, the “Kansas City Prophets” always said that God’s judgments are merely intended to help us love more. Pain removes everything that limits our capacity to love and receive love. When crisis hits, we examine our priorities and look deep inside, hoping to have the one thing that matters most. And, we find it in our hearts. Of all the things we gain and lose in the world, the one thing we hope to have when everything else is shaken is our ability to still love. Once we find that we still have that ability, no matter how small, we feel like the richest in the world, having remembered that truly, all that matters is love.

Revival has returned.

The Communist Chinese thought that by refusing to supply America with pharmaceutical ingredients, panic would spread across America. But, they were as wrong as the Grinch who thought he could steal Christmas from Whoville.

As crisis rises, not from a virus as much as our overreaction to it, America is returning in full swing to its core. Maybe we’ll learn to ditch our drama. Maybe we’ll learn a happy medium between our two favorite poles of fear and apathy. Even as we decide, small companies and neighbors are helping each other. We’re seeing America at its best, just as it is during any time of crisis. We return to God, revival returns in return, and, like a giant rousing from its sleep once again, the American machine of love-in-crisis is in full swing.

Revival has returned.

Election

Hungry: Vultures circling early…
Coronavirus crisis: Trump’s argument for reelection is collapsing // CNBC

Could the 2020 Election Be Postponed? Only With Great Difficulty. Here’s Why. // DNyuz

Congress

Coronavirus bailout: Senate GOP bill caps executive pay // CNBC

Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, Ben McAdams are first lawmakers to announce testing positive for coronavirus // Fox News

Senate coronavirus vote delayed after Rand Paul pushes doomed amendment // NBC News

Senate to take up coronavirus package after House passes revised bill // Politico

Washington as Usual

North America

Chicago Catholic Church Bells To Ring 5 Times A Day As Call To Prayer During Coronavirus Outbreak // CBS Chicago

Taking stock of strange days: The week that America changed // AP

As Coronavirus Hits, New Yorkers Wonder if They Should Leave // WSJ

Fear!
The coronavirus could kill millions of Americans, immunization specialist says // CNBC

Fear:
Bill Ackman pleads to Trump to increase closures to save the economy: ‘Shut it down now’ // CNBC

Europe

Merkel in quarantine after doctor tests positive for virus // AP