Category Archives: Peace of God

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January 29, 2016

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Joy, Peace of God, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

THE GRATITUDE JOURNAL

Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. [Psalm 106:1 (NLT)]

pine grosbeak Last week, I started a new gratitude journal and thought back to when I first started keeping such a record of daily blessings. More than fifteen years ago, we were spending the entire winter in our Colorado mountain home. Having had the misfortune of breaking my knee the first day skiing, my outdoor pursuits were over for the season. Watching family and friends hustle out the door each morning, seeing their happy faces upon their return, and listening to them recount the day’s exploits became an invitation to my pity party. During a lonely afternoon, while everyone else was out having fun in the snow, I watched an Oprah show about gratitude. I was clearly in the need of an attitude adjustment so keeping a gratitude journal seemed a good idea. Every night, I listed five things for which I was thankful; some days it wasn’t easy but I kept at it. Later that winter, Oprah and several audience members shared some journal entries. Their entries were long, introspective and weighty while mine, for the most part, were simply a list of ordinary everyday things. People wrote of finding sacred spaces, authentic selves, true paths, and deep spirituality while I’d been grateful for figuring out how to manage the stairs in a multi-level house, chocolate chip cookies, seeing a cardinal on the deck, cable TV, and that the library had the Stephen King novel I wanted to read! My gratitude for pizza delivery, ibuprofen, warm fleece blankets and home-made granola seemed shallow when compared to the philosophic reflections that were shared. Some people had even fashioned beautiful hand-made books while others used handsome leather-bound journals—I was writing in a little appointment book we’d received from our accountant!

At first, I thought I’d done the whole gratitude journal thing wrong but then I was thankful that I hadn’t turned gratitude into work (as it appeared many of those women had). Regardless of the kind of book used or the words chosen, the journal worked its magic. Daily gratitude changed my negative attitude and what could have been a miserable winter became a wonderful one, just not the winter I’d expected. Gratitude journals don’t need to be works of art or literary masterpieces, they just need to be written with a grateful heart.

I’m thankful for Jesus, forgiveness, salvation, love, answered prayers, memories, my family, the Bible, and a host of other things and I thank God daily. My gratitude journal, however, makes me look for specific blessings of each day. Sometimes, my list is deeply introspective but, most of the time, it makes for rather boring reading. I list the ordinary things and events that make each day extraordinary—fireflies, a stranger’s smile, children’s laughter, warm slippers, fresh corn on the cob, rhubarb jam from the farmer’s market, the grosbeak at the feeder, or finding shoes that fit. It really doesn’t take much for me to feel full of gratitude and for that I am thankful!

Most of us live rather simple lives; the people we meet, the things we do, and the places we live are pretty run-of-the mill. Fortunately, life-changing events are few and far between. Just because our days are ordinary, however, doesn’t mean there’s nothing for which to be thankful. Without writing in the journal, there are many small things in my day (like the ninety-eight cent pineapples I got yesterday), that easily would be overlooked. Keeping a gratitude journal reminds me that every day with which I am blessed is a good one! While some days may be better than others, every day brings reasons for thanksgiving.

Heavenly Father, open our eyes to the many simple blessings in our lives. Help us realize that gratitude for the little blessings of life gives us both strength to endure and joy to sustain us during the many troubles and difficulties of life.

It’s not happy people who are thankful, it’s thankful people who are happy. [Anonymous]

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. [Psalm 118:24 (NLT)]

 

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January 7, 2016

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Patience & Perseverance, Peace of God, Prayer, Today: Make it Count

TEN SECONDS

I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world. [John 16: 33 (GW)]

 Jesus looked at them and said, “It is impossible for people to save themselves, but everything is possible for God.” [Matthew 19:26 (GW)]

angels trumpet Netflix’s “unbreakable” Kimmy Schmidt was kidnapped as a teen and survived fifteen years in a doomsday cult while imprisoned in an underground bunker. Once rescued, she faces a world she didn’t think still existed and for which she is completely unprepared. While this certainly is an odd premise for a television comedy, there’s much to be learned from her naive and optimistic outlook. In one episode, Kimmy (who knows from experience) explains that one can stand anything for ten seconds and adds, “Then you just start on a new ten seconds.”

While at the gym, positioned on hands and toes with my core supporting my body’s weight, I thought about coping in ten second increments. Granted, holding in plank for only one minute is nothing when compared to the challenges people face day to day, but those sixty seconds seemed unachievable when the timer started. Knowing I could easily remain in push-up position for ten seconds, however, I stopped thinking about sixty and just kept counting to ten. What at first seemed impossible, when broken into small increments, became possible.

Any 12-step program teaches the importance of taking life one day at a time. Sometimes, however, even one day seems way too long. When we’re in pain or distress or even trying to maintain sobriety, time seems interminable. While vacations pass too quickly, chemo treatments, grieving, hospital stays, healing, unemployment, financial difficulties, depression and passing a kidney stone don’t go nearly fast enough. Being a Christian certainly doesn’t mean we will avoid adversity or suffering; in fact, suffering and adversity were pretty much guaranteed for the early Christians. Suffering may develop character but, given a choice, most of us would be satisfied without more character building if it involves discomfort or adversity. Moreover, knowing that trials both test and strengthen our faith is of little comfort when we are the ones enduring those trials.

Instead of asking God, “How much longer?” perhaps we need to say, “Lord, as long as you are beside me, I can hold on for now!” We can say that with confidence, knowing that anything can be endured (and endured with joy) because of the power of the Holy Spirit, even if we can only do it one day or even ten seconds at a time.

[ONE DAY AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS (by Marijohn Wilkins & Kris Kristofferson)]
I’m only human, I’m just a man,
Help me believe in what I could be And all that I am.
Show me the stairway I have to climb
Lord for my sake, help me to take One day at a time.
One day at a time sweet Jesus That’s all I’m askin’ of you.
Just give me the strength To do every day what I have to do.
Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord, help me today, show me the way One day at a time.

Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually. [Romans 12:12 (GW)]

We ask him to strengthen you by his glorious might with all the power you need to patiently endure everything with joy. You will also thank the Father, who has made you able to share the light, which is what God’s people inherit. [Colossians 1:11-12 (GW)]

 

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December 11, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, God's Grace & Love, Holidays & Holy Days, Joy, Peace of God, Today: Make it Count

HOLIDAY TIME

He continued, “Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything: This day is holy to God. Don’t feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!” [Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)]

christmas starThe countdown has begun and it’s just two weeks until Christmas. At this point in December, we’ve probably made ourselves and our families crazy while preparing for this wonderful holiday. The word “holiday,” however, doesn’t come from “holler-day” as in holler at your family because you’re over-booked or over-drawn, nor does it come from “hollow-day” as in feeling drained and exhausted. A holiday is not supposed to be a “horrible-day” either! The word “holiday” actually comes from the words “holy” and “day.” Its original Old English meanings were “religious festival” and “day of recreation.”

As we prepare for the upcoming holiday, we want to remember to keep the day “religious” which means keeping Christ in our Christmas festivities. But what about that other meaning of the word holiday: a “day of recreation”? Perhaps it’s time to stop the madness and do some refreshing and recreating. Try taking a break from all the holiday prep and listen, truly listen, to the beautiful music of the Christmas season. Ponder the words, “joy to the world” or “tidings of comfort and joy” and let them fill your heart. Sing along with the carols’ words and let the hallelujahs, glorias, and fa-la-la-la-las echo throughout the house. (FYI: “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and “Santa Baby” are not Christmas carols!) Put your feet up and read some Christmas stories or poems—the first two chapters of Luke are a great place to start. Perhaps you’d prefer O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi, Max Lucado’s The Christmas Candle or even The Grinch Who Stole Christmas! Watch a holiday movie, drink a cup of cocoa with marshmallows, sit quietly by the fire, or make a list of things for which you’re thankful instead of things you need to do or want to purchase. You’ve probably spent hours decorating the house but have you paused to enjoy the decorations or think of what they represent? Notice the star on the top of your tree and imagine the magnificence of the star of Bethlehem. Take the time to look at your nativity scene and think about the people depicted in it. Remember the purpose of all this holiday hubbub: the celebration of Christ’s birth. The Jews were told by Isaiah to clear the way for the Lord. Have we cleared the way for His presence in our hearts, not just during the holiday season, but all year long?

Father, as we busy ourselves with preparations to celebrate Christmas, keep our hearts and minds focused on the real meaning of this holiday—the loving gifts of salvation, forgiveness and restoration brought to us by the Christ child.

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. [Dr. Seuss]

Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken! [Isaiah 40:3-5 (NLT)]

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December 10, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, God's Promises, Holy Spirit, Peace of God, Salvation: A New You, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Temptation & Sin

CLEAN THOUGHTS

Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. … Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. … Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. [Psalm 51:2,7,10-11 (NLT)]

tropical water lily There’s a shampoo that claims, “I’m so good, I put clean thoughts in your head.” A nice idea and, if a shampoo could do that, the world would be a better place. Our heads often become filled with mind grime: worry, fear, anger, ingratitude, bitterness, envy, guilt and anxiety. That kind of dirt, while not as obvious as poor hygiene, is far worse than dirty hair. Unfortunately, no matter how you combine berry and tea extracts with orange flowers, the concoction can’t clean out the gunk that can fill our minds. There are, however, ways to put clean thoughts in our heads by availing ourselves of the Holy Spirit, prayer and scripture.

When our minds become filled with negative or troubling thoughts, we need to take a long shower with the Lord; better yet, soak in His tub and immerse ourselves in His word. Our thoughts will be cleansed with prayer, our souls reconditioned by God’s words, and the Holy Spirit will fill us with His light. We truly will emerge from that bath feeling refreshed and clean.

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!
[Are You Washed in the Blood? (Elisha A. Hoffman)]

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. [Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NLT)]

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. [1 John 1:7-9 (NLT)]

 

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November 25, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, God's Word: The Bible, Peace of God, Trusting God

STORM WARNING

Bryce, Utah
Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away. [Isaiah 28:16-17 (NLT)]

For the last two months, I’ve watched a heap of lumber at a nearby intersection transform into an enormous three-story “retirement resort.” Made entirely of wood, I can’t help but think about the Big Bad Wolf. You remember him—the fellow who huffed and puffed and blew down the Three Little Pigs’ homes until he got to the one made of bricks.

Here in southwest Florida, there are no wolves at our doors but we do get our fair share of huffing and puffing from tropical storms and hurricanes. Just because it’s been ten years since Wilma hit here doesn’t mean we’re not going to encounter another hurricane. In fact, some weathermen say we’re three years overdue for one. While nothing is actually hurricane proof, things can be pretty darn hurricane resistant. With proper design and construction, damage from storms can be greatly reduced. Our home, for example, is made of poured concrete and has hurricane straps anchoring its roof to the building.

Hurricanes aren’t the only threat to homes here. There’s a high risk of termite infestation and that building looks like a huge buffet for those hungry pests. Wood rot and mold in our hot and humid climate also jeopardize wood structures, not to mention the danger of fire. I’m sure the resort’s landscaping will be attractive, the interior design lovely, and stucco will be applied to the exterior. Nevertheless, while it may look well-built and beautiful on the surface, it will still be nothing more than an attractive pile of sticks. It might be able to withstand a tropical storm, like Fay with her 55 mph winds, but I doubt there will be much left if a relative of Wilma’s with her 125 mph winds returns (or if a family of termites take up residence).

What a building looks like on the surface is nowhere near are important as what it’s made of and who constructed it. That goes for people, as well; we need a solid base made by a good builder. Sooner or later one of life’s storms will come along to shake our lives. Without a firm foundation in God, without a life built on His word, without Jesus as our cornerstone, we’re not going to be able to stand strong against the tempests of life. We might make it through one of life’s cloudbursts like unemployment, but add debt, disease, or a death and you have the makings of a hurricane. Just as mold and termites threaten a poorly built home, infidelity, addiction or depression can gradually destroy a family. A life that isn’t built by God is vulnerable to attack on all sides. We’re not hurricane-proof—believer and non-believer alike will encounter major storms—but they don’t have to blow our lives apart. If God has been the architect and builder of our lives, we have nothing to fear. With Jesus as our cornerstone, we’ll be hurricane resistant and still be standing when the tempest has passed.

Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. [Psalm 127:1a (NLT)]

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. [Ephesians 2:23 (NLT)]

 

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November 11, 2015

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Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love, God's Promises, Peace of God, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Thanks & Praise, Trusting God

PUT ON YOUR RED DRESS

Then everyone who believes in him can have eternal life. Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. [John 3:15-16 (ERV)]

Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” [John 14:1-2 (ERV)]

When you hear of my home going… Don’t worry about me. …Hey… I’m just another soldier, going home to be with the Lord. [Gospel hymn – author unknown]

While chatting with a friend, I mentioned how my little black dress has served so well at visitations and funerals. “Well, you better not wear that at my funeral,” she protested. “You better wear a bright red dress; I want a celebration!”

cardinal - CSS2592web“I’ve got a home in gloryland that outshines the sun,” goes the old familiar gospel song. If we believe that, why are we so somber when a believer passes away? Why the long faces? Of course, we mourn the loss of a loved one—their death leaves a void in our lives. I’m not trying to minimize the loss of life or diminish anyone’s sorrow. Life here on earth, however, is just the prelude to an eternal life with God. Rather than focusing on our grief, we need to celebrate the life our loved one lived and rejoice at the beginning of his or her new life. Although we’ve lost a friend or family member, Heaven has gained a new resident. The angels won’t be draping black crepe on the clouds when someone new arrives. They’ll be posting “welcome home” signs and hanging colorful streamers and balloons to celebrate another resident. Picture St. Peter busily painting a new number on the population sign at the Pearly Gates. As beautiful as God made earth, imagine how magnificent heaven will be. Moreover, it will feel more like home than any house in which we ever lived.

I imagine few in my circle, with the exception of my friend, would understand if I attended wakes and funerals in a brightly colored dress, so I will continue wearing the same black one. But, when our time is over here on earth, my friend and I have specific instructions—no dirges, just joyful songs of homegoing and no weeping or somber faces, just tears of joy and a little laughter. Ladies, when it’s time for me to go home, get out your red dresses and have the men come in their favorite aloha shirts!

Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now; I shall have gone up higher, that is all, out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal- a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like unto His glorious body. [D.L. Moody]

We know that our body—the tent we live in here on earth—will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a home for us to live in. It will not be the kind of home people build here. It will be a home in heaven that will continue forever. [2 Corinthians 5:1-2 (ERV)]