Category: Peace

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Admitted Failure

This morning I’m going to share the thing that has been frustrating me that last couple of weeks.

It’s my refrigerator!

About six weeks ago our new refrigerator started to malfunction. The freezer section is perfect, a minus two degrees; the refrigerator, however, has issues. It only cools to forty-four to forty-six degrees. This temperature is too warm to store eggs, milk, and other items that can spoil.

No problem, it’s under warranty. We had a tech come troubleshoot the problem, reported it to the manufacturer, finally we received approval for a replacement and waited for the trucking company to deliver it so it could be installed.

All of this was to happen before April 28 because we were supposed to leave for the mountain on May 2. The refrigerator wasn’t delivered until April 29, one day after our scheduled install. We had to reschedule, and we couldn’t get an appointment until tomorrow, May 5.

We are late getting to our campground on the mountain where we will be hosting again this summer. Did I mention that I am frustrated? I hate being late for anything and especially this.

Each morning the refrigerator, the schedule, the entire situation is a partial focus of my prayer time. And if I’m truthful, I’m not really praying about it I’m complaining! There, I said it.

I talk with you each morning about trusting the Lord with all the issues in life – the big and the small. I quote the verse:

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8 NKJV

The Lord perfects or completes the things that concern me – this refrigerator has been a big concern. How foolish! I’ve allowed this cooling box to heat my emotions. I’ve allowed it to cause unrest in my soul and complaining from my mouth.

“God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing. ” Philippians 2:13-14 CEV

The Lord is more concerned with my heart than with the temperature of my milk and eggs. Which one has a more eternal value?

Some of you may be reading this and saying “I can’t believe she is getting so upset about a refrigerator. The world has bigger problems than this.” And you’re right – I agree completely. So, learn from my error. Keep your heart right; I have repented, and I may have to do it again before this situation is resolved.

My verse for today is this:

“Help me to guard my words whenever I say something. 4 Don’t let me want to do evil
or waste my time doing wrong” Psalm 141:3-4CEV

I will guard my words and my heart and I choose to let God’s peace rule. I hope you do the same.

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Sit Quietly

This morning is one of those times when sleep eluded me. Awake at 1 am and up at 1:45. It was time to get up, pray and let the Lord speak to my heart.

I cherish those times of sitting quietly in His presence.

I began to read some of my favorite passages and found myself in Colossians. It’s there I stayed; my heart was flooded with complete gratitude – there truly are no words to express my thankfulness.

“God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. 14 The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 ERV

Every sin I have ever committed and every one that I still will are forgiven!

Christ paid the price for our sin, once for all, we have been made right with God. I have been made right with God!

“At one time you were separated from God. You were his enemies in your minds, because the evil you did was against him. 22 But now he has made you his friends again. He did this by the death Christ suffered while he was in his body. He did it so that he could present you to himself as people who are holy, blameless, and without anything that would make you guilty before him. ” Colossians 1:21-22 ERV

No longer separated from, no longer enemies but friends. And not just friends – we’ve been adopted as His own. Christ died for me, to forgive me and then presented me to the Father as one who is holy, blameless and without guilt.

“You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLV

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

I am welcome in His throne room. I am invited to spend time in His presence. It’s important to sit quietly in His presence with no agenda or requests. In His presence is the fullness of joy!

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Kindness & Peace

We just returned from a week’s vacation visiting our son and his girlfriend. We had a wonderful time; most of it was spent visiting and enjoying one another’s company. COVID had kept us apart for over two years.

Sunday we visited Alcatraz. When we were on the ferry, returning to the pier, I heard a young child say, “Today was a good day. Thank you, Mom, for the best day ever”. I had to turn around and see this kid’s face. He had a smile from ear to ear, so much kindness and gratitude from someone so young. He was only about 6 or 7. It warmed my heart.

We can always use more kindness and peace.

It would mean a great deal if people treated each other nicer, right? I think we can get a hearty amen to having less drama in our lives. What can we do to see that we are being used to bring these two elements into the lives of those around us?

“This letter is to all of you in Rome. God loves you and has chosen you to be his very own people. I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!” Romans 1:7 CEV

We can begin by praying for God to bless those we know with kindness and peace and then we can follow through with being kind. Kind to the other drivers on the roads, to the salesclerks and waiters. To receptionists and executives. To the person sitting at the next desk or our biggest competitor. To our kids and our spouses.

We are all naturally drawn to people who are kind, people who live drama-free lives. A genuine expression of kindness or compassion can be life changing.

The Apostle Paul also said this:

“God has been kind to you. He has been very patient, waiting for you to change. But you think nothing of his kindness. Maybe you don’t understand that God is kind to you so that you will decide to change your lives.” Romans 2:4 ERV

God’s goodness is what brings people to Him. When we emulate God’s character, we are being used to bring others to Christ. We must never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit working through us.

I once read a statement similar to this: “If we preach less on sin and moral failure and more on the love of God and his goodness, we will see less sin and moral failure”.

“God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

Today I’m praying that God’s goodness and peace will overflow in our lives!

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“P’s” in a Pod

One of the things our grandchildren enjoy doing when they come is filling the bird feeder. Then they sit back, quietly, and watch for the birds come.

On one of their visits we ran out of bird seed. It was then they discovered the seeds which were in the pods which fell from the Palo Verde trees. They would crack the pods and save the seeds for Pappy, Dave, to put in the bird feeder. On Friday, they introduced this discovery to their two-year-old sister.

Who knew looking for seeds in a pod could be so much fun?

This morning in my Bible reading I felt like my three littlest grandchildren. I was discovering, or rediscovering, the p’s in the pod of God’s word. I would like to share with you what I found.

  • Power – “God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us.” Ephesians 3:20 NLV
  • Peace – “The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NLV
  • Provision – “The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need.” Psalms 23:1 NLV
  • Protection – “ I will say to the Lord, “You are my safe and strong place, my God, in Whom I trust.” Psalms 91:2 NLV
  • Praise – “ Praise Him for His great works! Praise Him for all His greatness!” Psalm 150:2 NLV
  • Purpose – “He is the One Who saved us from the punishment of sin. He is the One Who chose us to do His work. It is not because of anything we have done. But it was His plan from the beginning that He would give us His loving-favor through Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 1:9 NLV

I started thanking the Lord for the wonderful blessings of His word and it seemed that each new thing I was thanking Him for began with a p. It caused my heart to chuckle, much like the laughter I heard from our grandchildren as they discovered more and more pods to break open.

I hope I never lose the excitement of opening God’s word and finding these little treasures. I also hope this is an encouragement for you, keep looking for the Father’s promises.

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Making An Impact

I hope I never become complacent to the way the stories of the Bible touch my heart!

Each year at Easter I am drawn to the encounter of Mary and Jesus in the garden. It has such a powerful impact.

“Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down 12 and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus’ body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. 13 The angels asked Mary, “Why are you crying?”

She answered, “They have taken away my Lord’s body! I don’t know where they have put him.”

As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was. 15 Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.”

16 Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.” John 20:14-16 CEV

Mary had been at the foot of the cross and I’m sure she saw Jesus take that last breath and utter those words “It is finished”. Her heart broken; she had probably thought of nothing else for the last few days. The Sabbath was over and now she was able to go to the tomb and prepare His body properly for burial.

Jesus was her friend, her teacher, no one had ever been as compassionate as He. She could complete this one last expression of love and loyalty to honor Him. But when she arrived at the tomb He was gone…

Her heart sunk and the tears began to flow. She had probably stuffed her emotions deep just to make it through this last act of service but finding the tomb empty she began to weep.

Turning away from the tomb I’m sure her mind was filled with confusion and hopelessness. With her eyes filled with tears she saw someone standing behind her in the garden. She didn’t recognize this man in the early morning light and with her sight blurred by her tears. She thought he was the gardener.

He spoke to her and she questioned him but then it became personal. He spoke her name, “Mary”.

No one had a voice like His! No one had ever spoken her name the way He did! This was a one-on-one exchange between Mary and her Lord.

Jesus cares about our grieving, our broken hearts, our troubled minds. He cared enough to give His life for our salvation, our wholeness – spirit, soul and body.

“For sure He took on Himself our troubles and carried our sorrows. Yet we thought of Him as being punished and hurt by God, and made to suffer. 5 But He was hurt for our wrong-doing. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so we would have peace. He was beaten so we would be healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5 NLV

In my darkest hours of overwhelming sorrow and in my moments of greatest joy I have heard Him speak my name. When you hear Him speak your name it makes a lasting impact.

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Keeping Peace

In light of our world and national situation, I felt it was appropriate to remind us of some of Jesus’ final words to His disciples.

The crucifixion is just hours away. Jesus knows the spiritual, physical and mental state of his disciples – He knows they are hoping that He will overturn the government and set up an earthly kingdom. He knows that they are moved by fear, He’s had to address that several times in the past and He knows that one of his disciples will betray him for money and the others will leave Him in His darkness hour.

This was His message then and now. He knows our weaknesses and our strengths. He knows our fears – the things we haven’t voiced to anyone. He knows our spiritual condition; maybe we’ve just been playing church and wonder if it’s really worth it to continue living this “Christian life”. This is what Jesus is saying to all of us.

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together…11 Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do. 12 I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things that I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father. 13 Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. 14 I will do whatever you ask me to do.15 Jesus said to his disciples:If you love me, you will do as I command. 16 Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help[b] you and always be with you. 17 The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.18 I won’t leave you like orphans. I will come back to you…27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:1-27 CEV

“I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.”

Have peace today – don’t be worried or afraid but trust in the One who loved us enough that He died for us! He loves us enough that He lives for us and intercedes for us from His throne in heaven!

Keep the Peace!

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Each New Day

Every day we have the opportunity to continue on the path of the previous day or to begin anew. Honestly, many days I am thankful for the opportunities to start over.

My hobbies include knitting, baking and gardening. They have taught me it’s ok to start over. Some knitting projects haven’t worked out the way the pattern indicated they would – I’ve ripped out rows and rows of stitches and with a couple of them I have started over with a completely new pattern that works better.

I’ve experimented with recipes in the kitchen that I won’t be repeating. I’ve made breads that didn’t rise and the whole batch had to be scrapped and I’ve started over. There’s no shame in that; it’s a learning experience.

Living in different climates my enthusiasm for gardening has also had some do-overs. Some plants thrived during the milder summers but couldn’t survive the frosty winters. So Spring was a time to prune and pull up and start over.

Life also challenges us to start over. New career, city, friends, relationships, financial plans, educational training, physical well-being can all lead to us on a path of beginning again. Sometimes we can get overwhelmed, and feelings of insecurity and failure try to take over.

One thing I am confident of is that God is the God of the second chance.

“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends.23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

We go to bed at night, heavy-hearted, because we have failed in some way or another. We had displayed an attitude that we thought we had conquered; we harbor a grudge or fail to resist a temptation that we swore we would never do again.

And then comes the promise of a new day. We can live with regret, wallow in our past mistakes or we can begin again trusting in God’s amazing love.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning.24 Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Yes, I know I repeated the same verses…and I would like you to read them again, and again, and again. The Lord’s kindness NEVER fails! His mercy is new EVERY morning!

“I was in trouble, so I called to the Lord for help. The Lord answered and made me free.
6 The Lord is with me, so I will not be afraid. No one on earth can do anything to harm me.
7 The Lord is my helper.” Psalm 118:5-7 ERV

Today is a new day filled with new hope; new mercy and grace; new strength. It’s time to begin again!

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How to Wait

Yesterday was a lesson in waiting. It’s a hard lesson to learn.

Dave and I have been planning a trip to visit wonderful friends for months now and yesterday was the day of departure. We had purposely left some chores for the morning because our flight didn’t leave until after 4. We needed something to fill the time, neither one of us wait well.

An oft quoted saying in our home is, “we’re burning daylight”.

Chores were done, showers taken, bags were packed and it was time to head to the airport. We stopped for lunch, using more time. We arrived at the airport, found parking, took the shuttle to the terminal and then we waited.

We waited in line to check in. We were too early, “you’ll need to wait another twenty minutes”. (deep breath) Ok. Made it through check in, bags secured, on to TSA and finally to the gate. More waiting. Finally it was time to board.

Yes! The wait was almost over. I had been texting with friends and family to let them know we had boarded and would soon be taking off. That’s when things went awry. Technical issues with the plane’s communication. A call went in for technical support…we waited. Problem assessed. Work done.

We pulled away from the gate. Hope and excitement rose. Taxied out…problem persisted. We turned around and headed back to the gate. (heart sank)

Hope deferred.

“Hope that is delayed makes you sad…” Proverbs 13:12 ERV

More technicians entered the plane. More work done. More time passed. We finally left the gate and made it into the air, (big smile), two hours late.

“Hope that is delayed makes you sad, but a wish that comes true fills you with joy.” Proverbs 13:12 ERV

So much joy!

But the story isn’t over. When we landed there was more waiting. Our bags took “forever” to arrive. Those of us who had shared the flight were trying hard not to complain about our inconvenienced travel. We were all thankful to be at our destination, safely. Now to see family and friends. Yes, there was joy.

Now in light of what’s going on in the world my wait yesterday was insignificant, I admit. However, it is little things like a delayed flight that can influence our attitude and spoil our day. God wants us to have joy in each day. He wants us to let His peace fill our hearts, even when we wait.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

My hope is no longer delayed. I am going to enjoy these days with my friend. But the next time circumstances cause me to wait, I hope I wait well, with joy and peace.

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Nap Time

As I was searching for an image to use on this morning’s blog, I came across a picture of a napping child and the caption read “When is a child too old for a nap?”. My answer, never!

Yesterday day was busy. Not the crazy, hectic, week-before-Christmas busy but busy. Getting everything ready to travel safely and then setting up again once we were back to our permanent site.

Dave does the hard work; my jobs are little and detailed. After we were settled, I made lunch and we sat down to relax. About an hour and a half later, I woke up. Dave smiled and asked, “did you have a good nap”? Oh yes, wonderful.

If we listen, our bodies will tell us what we need and when we need it. We get thirsty and so we get a drink. We get hungry and we eat. (The trick to weight loss is to eat only when we are hungry). We rest when we are tired.

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NLT

Our bodies have these internal signals that are God-given and we need to listen to them so we don’t damage our health. If we push past these warnings it can be detrimental. Oh yes, I know this project MUST get done – the kids NEED to be at this activity. Just a couple more hours and I can rest. But if we keep that pace harm ourselves with physical and mental burnout.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 ERV

I was reminded of a time when Jesus took a nap. He was in a boat, in a storm, with his disciples and he laid down and went to sleep. He wasn’t up fretting or helping them row. He was resting. We need to learn from Jesus.

“Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!” 39 Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Mark 4:38-39 ERV

Sounds like good advice when we are in life’s storms. We can fret and worry and it will change nothing. But when we come to Jesus with those problems, He will speak to our storms and give us rest.

Trusting Him gives us a spiritual nap!

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Beauty & Goodness

I just felt I needed to share with you about the goodness of the Lord and the beauty He brings to our lives.

We’re surrounded by so much that is the opposite. Sometimes we get distracted and lose hope.

Last night while putting one of our grandchildren to bed we had this conversation. “Sometimes the devil gives me bad thoughts and I can’t sleep.” We prayed for peaceful sleep and told the devil he couldn’t bother him in the night.

A little while later he called out and said he couldn’t sleep. He was bothered by bad (he means scarey) thoughts. I went in and asked him, “Who’s bigger? Who’s stronger? God or the devil? Every time God and the devil fight, God wins and God is here to fight for you”.

Simple, childlike trust. He went to sleep and slept peacefully through the night. Sometimes we adults forget that the battle isn’t ours, it’s the Lord’s and He has already won. Our job is to trust Him and not feel we have to do it on our own.

“Give honor and praise to the Lord, whose power and beauty fill his holy temple.” 7 Tell everyone of every nation, ‘Praise the glorious power of the Lord.8 He is wonderful! Praise him and bring an offering into his temple.'” Psalm 96:6-8 CEV

God, our Father, fills our lives with beauty and power. He does not leave us helpless. His goodness follows us all the days of our lives.

“The dry desert will rejoice. The desert will be glad and blossom. 2 It will be covered with flowers and dance with joy. It will be as beautiful as the forest of Lebanon, the hill of Carmel, and the Sharon Valley. This will happen because all people will see the Glory of the Lord. They will see the beauty of our God.

3 Make the weak arms strong again. Strengthen the weak knees. 4 People are afraid and confused. Say to them, ‘Be strong! Don’t be afraid!’ Look, your God will come and punish your enemies. He will come and give you your reward. He will save you.” Isaiah 35:1-4 ERV

We have God’s promise of His goodness all the days of life here on earth and when this life is over we have the promise of living in His house, in His presence.

“For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life. Then I will live with You in Your house forever.” Psalm 23:6 NLV

We used to have a saying, “God is good all the time, all the time God is good”. He is! There is no God like our God, the creator of the heaven and the earth.

“How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. 20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.” Psalm 31:19-20 NLT

Take a look at the beauty around you, your Father created that for you to enjoy. It is to be a reminder of His goodness and power!

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