Coffee Talk

With Marc & Denise Atchley

The Fear of the Lord

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

COVID-19 has caused a global upheaval.  Cities and states across the United States have ordered residents to "shelter in place" or "stay at home".  Elsewhere, entire countries are in lockdown, and more are moving in that direction.  There is great uncertainty and fear about the ability of health care systems to cope with the overwhelming devastation of the disease.  Add to this the crippling effect on businesses and economies - local and global - and it would seem that things are spiraling out of control.

This past Sunday (March 22), our family watched our church's worship service online.  Preaching from Matthew 8:23-27, Dr. Jim Coffield's sermon was entitled "Calming the Storm: Dealing with Fear".  He offered the following insights:

1. Our fear arises from circumstances that are beyond our control and which have dire consequences.  Many of the disciples were fisherman and were accustomed to the storms of the Sea of Galilee.  But this was a "great storm," which caused them to fear for their lives.

2. Our fear turns to panic when we lack faith.  In Mark's account the disciples actually ask him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"  (Mark 4:38).

3. Our faith is strengthened when we recognize that Jesus in stronger than the storm.  When Jesus demonstrates his authority over the storm, the disciples go from panic to marvel.

4. We must exchange our fear of circumstances with a fear of the Lord.  The disciples didn't simply marvel at Jesus, "they were filled with great fear" (Mark 4:41) of him because of his divine power.  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9:10).

When the disciples followed Jesus into the boat, they were confident (perhaps self-confident?) of arriving to their destination.  But the dramatic change in circumstances turned their confidence into fear; and absent faith, their fear turned into panic.  If they hadn't realized just who was in the boat with them, they soon found out.  Jesus Christ, the Maker and Sustainer of all things, was with them and had things in hand ... even as he slept. 

We (Marc and Denise) regularly need this reminder that meek and mild Jesus is the One to truly fear.  Storms, diseases, death - even Satan and his demons - yield to his will.   A proper fear of the Lord not only helps us to respect and honor our King, it also helps us to be unafraid because we know that this mighty King is on our side.  Pandemic and economic collapse are nothing to fear when Jesus is in the boat (he actually is the boat!).  Rather, we can focus on the people around us who need to be brought into the boat.  Oh, that this would be true about all of us who know him!

We're praying for you and your family at this time!  

Vienna Coffee at The Regas Building
In our last newsletter we described our partnership in a missional coffeehouse and our noted concern to find someone to manage the shop once we move to Greece.  Today, we're simply trying to find our way in the COVID-19 landscape.  Sales that were growing steadily are presently a fraction of what they were.

For now, we've decided to stay open, give staff what hours we can, and stay connected with our community.  Business is limited to takeout and curbside service, but this is safer for our staff and our customers.  A number of regulars have come by to support us and most tip generously.  They seem encouraged by us, and we are definitely encouraged by them.  We need God's provision and guidance as we seek to be a thriving business-as-mission.  We would greatly appreciate your prayers for this venture.

Greece

With God providing the funds needed to go to Greece, we assumed the rest of the path would be challenge-free.  We began to make plans for relocation this summer.  We booked a trip to Athens to visit schools and look for housing during Spring Break (last week).  We confidently submitted our visa request to the Greek Consulate.

Challenge-free ... what were we thinking?  Our initial submission to the Greek Consulate for a visa was denied.  The issue relates to the type of visa/residency permit we were seeking and the way our employment was described.  So, we're now engaging a Greek attorney to navigate the process.  In fact, we were going to meet with her during our visit to Athens ... but then the trip was cancelled.  Days before we were supposed to leave, we learned that the schools in Greece were closed due to COVID-19.  Things escalated rapidly, and a day later our leadership in Greece advised us not to come.  We rescheduled our trip for late-April/early-May, but have since been advised to cancel all travel plans until further notice.  We know that God is in control of these challenges and will use them to accomplish His purposes ... but knowledge and feelings dont always match up.  Please pray for the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit during this process.

And please remember Greece as well.  With COVID-19 cases rising, the Greek government on Sunday announced a total lockdown.  While this act will hopefully save lives, it will undoubtedly put even greater strains on an economy that is still climbing out of a deep depression.  Please pray for God's grace and mercy upon this country -- that He would stop the spread of COVID-19, restore economic vitality, and send a Great Spiritual Awakening!

Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church
Last week, as we were reeling a bit with the impact of COVID-19 on our business and our planning for Greece, we received a call from Dan Mosely, the Director of Missions at Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church (Fairhope, AL), saying that the church will support us.  We were thrilled and invigorated, not only because of their generosity but because we had really enjoyed our visit to the church in February and had hoped to deepen the relationships we had started. God knew we needed that encouragement right then, perhaps just to reassure us that His plans for us haven't changed.  Thank you Eastern Shore!

Partnership Through Prayer & Giving
"as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:11

- Health/welfare of the coffeehouse, staff, and community we serve
- Greek visa application process
- Selection of housing and school(s) for the children
- Sale of our house here in Maryville
- Children's adjustment to leaving the US and living in Greece
Thank you for your prayers and generosity!

Marc and Denise Atchley
TEAM - Greece