Questions, Questions Living with COVID 19

I ran into a line of argument concerning hype and loss of freedom is part of this outbreak? The impact of being confined for part of March and April some states like Illinois possibly going on into May will have many unintended negative consequences of loss of work, school, suicide, abuse. A strong argument for our mitigation actions is the millions of lives saved. The president and team projected 2,200,000 which I believe is a conservative estimate. My estimate was 1% of 350,000,000 or 3.5 million. The actual numbers so far are lower, thank God.
Decisions to save lives will be noble but as we move forward may not be appreciated as we recover to normal. Doctors will soon find lawyers pushing back in the weeks and months ahead. Hype and loss of freedom is part of this discussion. We rarely call the media into account as they move for ratings.  The media will sway with no moral base to wherever the wind may blow.
I want to see ballparks filled again and freedom restored. I am concerned we will lose freedom.
Will steps taken this time to restrict public gatherings be used next time to restrict gatherings those in power oppose? I believe the government acted in goodwill this time but we have to raise 1st amendment rights each time this takes place.  Martial law sometimes comes into place. Here we see it because of medical concerns. Will actions from this point further move in the direction COVID 19 reveals with solid data and knowledge or will it be used to broaden elitist control left or right? Hold to your political beliefs but I encourage thought concerning our basic rights. Mitigation seems most reasonable in regard to lives lost to fight this unseen enemy. It can not sustain us but it seemed wise to apply it. It is my hope we ask a lot of questions and maybe next time we can target our mitigation better.
Was this a created virus by humans? Will terrorists change weapons to bio-weapons after seeing how we reacted and worldwide? I ran into a line of argument concerning hype and loss of freedom is part of this outbreak? The impact of being confined for part of March and April some states like Illinois possibly going on into May will have many unintended negative consequences of loss of work, school, suicide, abuse. A strong argument for our mitigation actions is the millions of lives saved. The president and team projected 2,200,000 which I believe is a conservative estimate. My estimate was 1% of 350,000,000 or 3.5 million. The actual numbers so far are lower, thank God. Decisions to save lives will be noble but as we move forward may not be appreciated as we recover to normal. Doctors will soon find lawyers pushing back in the weeks and months ahead. Hype and loss of freedom is part of this discussion. We rarely call the media into account as they move for ratings.  The media will sway with no moral base to wherever the wind may blow.
I want to see ballparks filled again and freedom restored. I am concerned we will lose freedom. Will steps taken this time to restrict public gatherings be used next time to restrict gatherings those in power oppose? I believe the government acted in goodwill this time but we have to raise 1st amendment rights each time this takes place.  Martial law sometimes comes into place. Here we see it because of medical concerns. Will actions from this point further move in the direction COVID 19 reveals with solid data and knowledge or will it be used to broaden elitist control left or right? Hold to your political beliefs but I encourage thought concerning our basic rights. Mitigation seems most reasonable in regard to lives lost to fight this unseen enemy. It can not sustain us but it seemed wise to apply it. It is my hope we ask a lot of questions and maybe next time we can target our mitigation better.
Was this a created virus by humans? Will terrorists change weapons to bio-weapons after seeing how we reacted worldwide response? If we have the ability to create viruses what will be done in the name of science or defense in the future? Science can be used for good or bad. We have learned that right?
Did we do well regarding the most vulnerable, the aged and those whose health has been compromised?  Did we improve therapy for the people in the nursing home that could help some of these people survive? Were they so weak and aged that this fast-spreading and powerful virus overcome them? Are there times when we are helpless against death? This taps into our greatest fear. We may be so afraid we attack each other and follow unreasonable behavior.
My wife and I have been living with COVID 19. She contacted it helping disabled adults as an RN. After she came down with the virus she was tested with drive-in testing that wasn't even in our county. She tested positive. I came down with flu-like symptoms several days later. When her health improved, I called my doctor had a virtual check-up with him and he agreed I needed to be tested. Because I am not in health-care I was tested at a local hospital drive-in which sends a test to the lab. I am still waiting for the results. As soon as I hear, I will share the results. Questions. The delay in this disease is not good. That is a good question, Can we create lab connections that are faster?
In my next blog, I would like to explore improving elderly care? What are our limits? In a local nursing home, there have been 24 deaths out of 120 people in the home. That is 17% of those in the home. Scary, keep walking

James introduction SD 480p

Covid-19 Preparing for what if and reducing stress

Time to reduce stress

It is hard not to think about coronavirus. News about it is everywhere. I am just like many of you trying to get practical information to decrease the chances of getting sick and if I or a loved one get sick with the virus how can I care for myself or someone else to survive. Being a senior citizen this is critical to know what are the challenges.
Below I share links to Mayo, CDC, Harvard Medical and My local state. These sites have good information we need to fight this virus.







According to the CDC, the symptoms are in serious cases:

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning

Harvard lists:

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Some people infected with the virus have no symptoms. When the virus does cause symptoms, common ones include low-grade fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. However, COVID-19 can occasionally cause more severe symptoms like high fever, severe cough, and shortness of breath, which often indicates pneumonia.

Right now any symptoms you experience contact your health care provider. Whether at home or treated in a hospital that will be between you and your healthcare provider. Keep in mind I am just like you. I am not a doctor and I don't plan to diagnose or treat my self. If I get symptoms I am going to call my doctor. 

According to Mayo clinic care at home will be managing the symptoms like we do with the flu. 

Currently, no antiviral medication is recommended to treat COVID-19. Treatment is directed at relieving symptoms and may include:

• Pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
• Cough syrup or medication
• Rest
• Fluid intake

Learning how to treat the virus may help in preventing it from getting serious. But if we get more serious symptoms then again call your healthcare provider.
Mayo had very good information to lower your stress over the coverage of the virus which in turn helps you better fight the virus. Since the media lives off this crisis like a shark in the water, limit yourself from their hyping things up.  Reducing time spent helping their ratings to activities you enjoy will reduce news stress.
Covid-19 is more serious than the flu, but we can fight it and give ourselves the best chance to get through this. Keep walking
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20479976
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html
coronavirus-resource-center
http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

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Reached 100,000 Hits

My journey is an ongoing series of adjustments. I went from walking to biking to prevent falling because of my Cerebral palsy and now I am walking short walks to improve my ability to balance and walk.

I haven't been writing a lot lately but people continue to visit the blog and find posts to read. In the Fatman walking, I explore what I have discovered that helps to keep moving and keep my health up as I age.
There are four basic enemies that can cut our lives short heart disease and cardiovascular disease, strokes are part of this; cancer, diabetes, and I have added dementia.
As we age there are other issues we face, but these four are on top of the list.
Being a Fatman obesity is a battle. With aging our metabolism slows down and our health may bring mobility problems that make weight even more difficult to manage. I have seen research on how our body resists our efforts to lose weight.
In my blog, I have been open to mental health issues of dealing with depression, insomnia, anxiety and later post-traumatic stress. These things are in remission and I am happy to report this old man isn't living a grumpy, blue life unable to sleep.
Biking, resistant training, flexibility, shadow boxing all play a part in fitness.

Walking the dog is an
easy 1-mile walk at the
end of the day

I have shared my spiritual journey, I hope in a positive way. In the present moment, there are great hostilities concerning the faith. Too many view expression of faith as a fanatical, negative perspective that is not healthy or balanced at all. I hope to encourage a closer look.
I have shared the stories of people who have lived long lives and why they were able.
My perspective is not from a health expert, but a fat old man. I hope it encourages you to keep walking. Thank you for hitting my blog 100,000 times.

You need a good road to heaven

You need a good road to Heaven

Barb and I are walking a good trail

If you want to begin a walk with God, it starts by faith with knowing Christ as your Savior. Has anyone ever shown you from the Bible how you can know God through Jesus Christ and know for sure you are going to heaven? May I show you?
What do you want to read first the good news or the bad news? You can scroll down to the heading you like to read first.
The bad news:
The Bible tells us “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 We have all done things wrong. The 6 of the 10 commandments deal with human behavior show us what we need to know. We have all lied, stole, disobeyed our parents, hated, had sexual thoughts toward
others we shouldn’t have, coveted others belongings or relationships.
You may argue one area but we have all done

Bad roads are very
difficult to travel.
A bad road to
heaven won’t get
you there

something
wrong.
Because of our sin, we don’t meet God’s standards for entrance into His Heaven. We fall short. If you and I wanted to throw a rock to South America from Liberia, I think you could

throw farther than me. But both of our throws would come up short of hitting South America. It is even a greater problem of going to heaven. We can’t get there on our own. Every funeral shows us that as we look at the body of a loved one.
In Romans 6:23 the Bible tells us in Romans 6:23a, “For the wages of sin is death,” A wage is something we earn and because of our sins we earn death. Death comes to us all. In any culture and at any time you would have to agree that is bad news.


The good news:
Staying in the book of Romans we read in 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love
toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus died on the cross for you and I. He took on Himself our sins and paid the penalty for our sins. If

The Gospel is a good road to heaven.

When I was a young man, I was a missionary,
Pastor, Teacher in Grand Bassa.

you were dying of cancer and someone took that cancer in their body where you were free from it that would be good news for you and your family. Well, that is what Jesus did for us.Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He (God) made him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus). It certainly shows God’s love.

Ephesians 2:8, 9 tell us more of the good news. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

The Gospel is a good road to heaven.

We have to trust in Jesus to save us from sin and its wage of death. We cannot do it ourselves. When we die we are helpless we can’t move. Only God can take us to heaven. The shell is left to this earth until the time God raises the body and gives it life. Until then our soul and spirit go to heaven.
We express that trust in the Savior by prayer. Romans 10:13 says, “For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Call on God to save you and He will. Now you can begin your walk with God.

My friend Moses and his son working hard to harvest cassava.

Life can be hard to earn a living providing food and shelter for your family. Knowing God by believing His Gospel starts us on a new journey of faith. Heaven is sure, listening and reading God’s word will help us discover truths to live by that are good for us. Our burdens and cares will continue but now there is a change. God will see you through the “shadow of death.” Along with the way blessings and God’s care will happen.
Contact me, Rev. Bill Reeves Jr. at bbbbsa@sbcglobal.net I would love to hear from you.

Overcoming the mountain of "the Black dog"

Winston Churchill describes the depression that he experienced calling it by the name “the black dog”. Charles Swindoll writing about this Psalm referred to the experience David had as what his father had called being “under the pile”. Some refer to it as interpreting life “seeing blue”. Sometimes when we experience long-term stress it gets to us.

At a time like this, it is no time to study the book of Job, look at dark things or even difficult questions. Sometimes we still have to bugger on. Churchill could not postpone WW2. Abraham Lincoln suffering depression had to carry on to save the union. And here in Psalm 13, David had to find hope to carry-on in a 12-year struggle of survival against the threat of death by Saul. 

Long-term stress can take its toll.

How do we get through it?

Psalm 13 just being six verses (see picture) can be very helpful. Psalm 13 we described as a lament Psalm. This type of psalm fits well with the picture of a mountain. At the base of a mountain is the emotional outcry of feelings we find hard to express. It is good that we have someone we can actually share these things with. Because I see people in the Bible expressing them to God is a great encouragement. God is someone we can always share our feelings. We cannot always act our feelings where they would be harmful to us or to others, we can share them with God. Look carefully at the "how longs" in verses one and two. 

Ps. 13 Overcoming "the Black Dog"

From our perspective, we may feel these things but eventually, we're going to have to confront them. Does God forget us? Does he hide his face from us? Note verse two painful thinking comes from within ourselves. Our state of mind is not how God sees things. 12 years David has been harassed by King Saul to the point of death. That is a very long time but soon David will not only survive but triumph over his enemies. Hard to see that in the struggle.

We discover in these lament Psalms a point where the difficult feelings turn to prayer and off for a rational prayer request. We saw that in verse three. David wants light=life to be restored in his life. He needs God to heal him. (Psalm 23:3)

In verse five we see the next necessary step in the healing process as we focus on God's faithful love and deliverance (for David from Saul) for us the mountain of "the black dog." Confronting the lies of depression always begins with some truth that contradicts the depression. Hope begins to grow. 

As their depression lifts, we see the mountain of the black dog thrown into the sea. If you look at Mark 11:22 the mountain Jesus was referring to was the Mount of Olives. Now you can stand in front of that mountain with the loudspeaker and you will never see the mountain thrown into the sea. We know the mountain will be there until Jesus comes back. The mountain that Jesus is referring to is the significant obstacle that we face that causes us to cry out with strong emotional language. 

Finally, as we look back we see how Lord was with us. Note David saw God’s care as being very generous. Whatever the mountain we face it is good to know that God wants us to experience life being blessed. Looking back how did we get through it? We see the Lord as being there.

We all suffer loss and face disappointments, God wants to hear us. We start at the base of the mountain as we begin our climb to prayer, faith through the darkness to life. Keep walking