During the COVID-19 crisis, sheltering at home includes an inordinate amount of TV time. As a public service announcement, I am sharing “Bill Burch’s All Time Top 20 Movie Countdown” for the information and inspiration of my dear readers.

20. The Matrix. The sci-fi notion that humans live in a virtual, computer-generated reality blew my mind. Consider it a modern retake of the classic children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit, which poses the question, “What’s real?” Well, except for special effects, high-tech weaponry, and software viruses that will kill you. The franchise should have stopped with the original.

19. Toy Story. Pixar’s first feature length film redefined animated movies. I saw the movie at the theater with my five-year-old daughter, and it was magical. Buzz Lightyear discovers love and friendship truly define life.

18. The Princess Bride. OK, the fantasy isn’t a manly-man’s sorta movie, but I rest secure in my machismo. The fairy tale cum children’s book features priceless scenes and quotes. The sword duel. Rodents of unusual size. “As you wish.” “Inconceivable!”

17. Forrest Gump. Tom Hanks portrays a simple man whose life shapes the major events of his day. Life really IS like a box of chocolates.

16. Saving Private Ryan. Tom Hanks makes a second appearance in my list as a platoon officer during World War II. I watched transfixed when the movie abruptly shifted from black and white to color during the Normandy D-Day invasion. The scene vividly portrayed the sacrifices of those who fight to protect our freedoms.

15. Die Hard. I hesitated to include the first in the Bruce Willis film franchise due to the language of the uncut version. However, the film redefined the action movie; AND I’ve never heard Beethoven’s Hymn to Joy in quite the same way again.

14. Caddy Shack. It’s a risqué movie one wouldn’t watch with school age children. However, Bill Murray as Carl the Groundskeeper steals the show. I’m laughing as I type this blog, recalling the scene where Carl fantasizes about playing in The Masters while lopping off the tops of flowers. “I got that going for me, which is nice!”

13. American Graffiti. The 1973 film featured a galaxy of future stars, including Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Mackenzie Phillips, Cindy Williams, and, of course, Wolfman Jack. The movie captures the wonder and angst of adolescence.

12. Young Frankenstein. I’m not a huge Mel Brooks fan—his humor exceeds even my admittedly high silliness quotient. However, Gene Wilder shines with pure genius as Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson. “Werewolf? THERE wolf.” “Put the candle BACK.” “Frau Blucher!”

11. The Terminator. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a time-traveling robot from the future—need I say more? I must admit the sci-fi flick appears 11^th in my list so that I can end this week’s blog with the Arnold’s favorite line, “I’ll be back!”

The Northside Church staff wears nametags with the church’s logo. It allows members and guests alike to identify staff members along with the areas in which they serve.

During hospital visits and offsite meetings, I wear my nametag in the community. The practice facilitates visits at hospitals and other institutions; and at times, it has led to impromptu conversations about church and faith.

However, sometimes I forget I’m wearing a nametag.

Last year a group of five staff members went to lunch at a local eatery. Although the restaurant was not crowded, food service took forever. We expressed our disappointment to the server. Then we realized that each of us was proudly sporting a Northside Church nametag!

For those who call ourselves “Christian,” we constantly live with the tension of claiming the name of Christ but acting all too human. People are always watching to see if our practice equals our profession. Although I’m not prone to amnesia, wearing a nametag reminds me of who I am . . . and who I am called to be.

Suppose you wore a “Christian” nametag this week. How would it transform your words and actions?

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord,

“He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

I’ve weary of people taking potshots at our governor and mayor, including some of my fellow Christians and clergy.  Our political leaders face incredible challenges, juggling multiple responsibilities and demands. Any decision will outrage a portion of the populace.

I’m amazed that people who have never run a hundred member organization know exactly how to govern a state or city. Monday morning quarterbacks abound, all smugly confident they possess the perfect plan for yesterday’s game.

I do not know Governor Brian Kemp or Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms personally. I believe they are people of faith who seek the best for their constituents. No doubt, they have made and will continue to make mistakes. They are human beings working with limited knowledge and conflicting advice. We can disagree with their decisions without attacking their integrity or intellect.

I’m also tired of the false dichotomy of “people or profits.” It’s not an either/or equation. People make profits. Profits support people. Balancing public health with economic stability on a high wire without a net would make a trapeze artist blanch in fear.

For those who chant “shelter in place” as a mantra, I wholeheartedly agree that our society needs to practice social distancing to protect the vulnerable. However, recognize that the ability to work from home is a socioeconomic privilege that many do not enjoy.  A large percentage of our population must physically show up at work in order to get paid.

Let’s also recognize that the ability to stay at home is based on others who go to work. Clerks stock shelves and bag groceries. Nurses and doctors care for the sick. Sanitation workers pick up the trash. Truck drivers deliver the goods. Big box stores supply construction and DIY projects. Restaurants provide takeout food.

Paul calls the church to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 1:1-2). Let us spend more time praying for our leaders and less time demonizing those who disagree with us.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made toilet paper a topic of socially polite conversation. Reports of shortages and hoarding lead the evening news. People triumphantly post on social media when they find the elusive product in stores. Others ask if anyone can spare a square.

Two toilet paper commercials recently caught my attention.

Charmin is continuing its regular ad campaign, featuring freaky cartoon bears who openly discuss their bathroom habits. In a time of crucial shortages, the commercials are offensively oblivious to the current crisis.

Cottonelle, on the other hand, released an ad assuring consumers of increased production that will soon restock empty shelves. The company is collaborating with the United Way to provide toilet paper to the needy.

Crisis tempts us to turn inward, focusing on survival and self-interest. However, the same challenge also provides the opportunity to turn outward, focusing on service and others. Whether it’s a company, congregation, family, or individual, the choice remains the same.

Shame on Charmin. Kudos to Cottonelle.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect every aspect of church and society. In mid-March, Northside Church suspended all gatherings and shifted to online worship only. Easter marked the fifth Sunday without public worship.

I keep waiting for the “new normal” everyone talks about, but it hasn’t arrived yet. Each week presents new challenges and opportunities.

Working in a COVID-19 world feels like assembling an IKEA project while wearing heavy gloves. Completing the project might be possible, but it requires an inordinate amount of time, energy, effort, and patience.

However, the church is learning new ways to do old and new things. Also, we are discovering that some of the old things weren’t worth doing at all. How will the present crisis inform future ministry?

In Isaiah 43:19, God proclaimed, “Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

Challenge and opportunity arrive together. Normal won’t be back. God, allow your church to be open to the new things you are birthing.

During Bible study, a pastor asked participants to share their favorite Scripture passages. An elderly woman said, “My favorite verses in the Bible all begin with the words, ‘It came to pass.’”

Confused, the minister asked, “Why is this phrase so important to you?”

The wise saint replied, “Because, preacher, the Bible says, “It came to PASS,” but it does not say, “It came to STAY!”

Crisis narrows our horizons and perceptions. We pull into ourselves and focus on me and mine. It’s easy to imagine that the COVID-19 crisis has come to stay.

Faith grants an eternal perspective that sees life beyond the moment. Hope broadens horizons and perceptions. Love reminds us that we’re not alone.

In the King James Version of the Bible, verses often begin with the words, “It came to pass.” They never say, ‘It came to stay.”

#fearnot

Call me a Boomer, but I’m still a paper calendar kinda guy. I appreciate seeing the month at a glance and checking off tasks with a pen. Between vocational and personal commitments, my calendar remains full.

Until Thursday, March 12.

In a press conference, Governor Kemp urged organizations to discontinue large public gatherings. Later in the day local school systems cancelled classes. The next day Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson strongly advised United Methodist congregations to cancel worship services.

Suddenly, my calendar cleared.

Out of morbid curiosity, I marked cancelled meetings and events with a red X. I’m up to 29 now and counting! However, something strange occurred. A clearer calendar led to a heavier workload.

First, we’re learning creative ways to accomplish daily tasks. Old dogs can learn new tricks, but the canine gets dog-tired in the process. Second, social distancing and video/conference calls aren’t as effective or efficient as person-to-person interaction. Finally, uncertainty and anxiety dampen our spirits.

I regularly have to take a deep breath and allow my shoulders to relax. Then the Holy Spirit reminds me that the Lord God Almighty is still in control. We serve the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. All of life takes place within the context of God’s providential care.

#fearnot

During the COVID-19 crisis, Northside Church has suspended gatherings in the congregation and community for the near future. However, we continue to offer online worship services Sundays at 9:45 and 11:00 on Facebook and www.Northsideumc.org. The church website also features videos of the services and sermons.

Some churches are calling their online services “Virtual Worship.” Dictionary entries for the word “virtual” include:

• Almost but not exactly in every way a thing or quality
• Seen, heard, or experienced on a computer

At Northside, we reject the first definition and embrace the second. Online worship is NOT “almost but not exactly” worship. Whether worship occurs in person or online, we are the body of Christ praising God.

Join us in worship each Sunday as an online community of faith.

Sam the Yorkshire Terrier watching Northside’s online service last Sunday with me. 

Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner taught me some valuable life lessons as a child. The cartoon characters’ Saturday morning antics revealed:

• When you run off a cliff, keep moving your feet and don’t look down.
• Gravity is a real DELETED BY CENSOR.
• Parasols are poor protection against falling boulders.
• The Acme Corporation sells all the gear necessary to catch a fast adversary.
• Coyotes have more lives than cats.
• Cannon balls sting but cause no permanent harm.

Most of all, the Coyote taught me to keep trying no matter how many times I failed.

Beep, beep!