Category: Peace

Posted on

Summertime Fun

Yesterday, after I had been transferring files to the new computer I took a little time to glance at new posts on Facebook. I saw this delightful image drawn by one of my Facebook friends, Barbara Ann Kenney. It brought back so many dear memories.

For a number of years we spent our summers in Iowa working for friends who have an aerial application business. With all the corn and soy beans grown in Iowa’s rich soil it made for very busy summers. We worked from before sun rise until long after sun set. My friend, Melody, and I had pictures saved to our computers of two chairs on a beach with two drinks with umbrellas in them, big white puffy clouds in the sky and the waves gently rolling in. We said “this is our summer vacation”.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about those summers were the prayer times I had with her and one other friend. We would take time to pray over all the pilots, ground crew, airplanes, weather, office staff and the growers and their crops. As best we could, we made our office area a place where the love of Jesus and the peace that He gives could be felt.

It was a time of refining for me. There was so much to learn on the computer. So many different personalities. Safety precautions were paramount. It was a time when the Lord taught me a lot about how to treat people, to keep my calm when things around me were chaotic and to trust Him implicitly in every circumstance. He taught me how to be joyful even when I was weary.

“My Christian brothers, you should be happy when you have all kinds of tests. 3 You know these prove your faith. It helps you not to give up. 4 Learn well how to wait so you will be strong and complete and in need of nothing. 5 If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.” James 1:2-5 NLV

It was a time of sweet fellowship. I miss those days and the friends that the Lord blessed me with.

Our circumstances may be rough and rocky at times. We may be stretched more than we ever hoped to be but if we keep an attitude of joy and not give up, the Lord will bring us through it with strength. We will grow during these times and the Lord will use us to bring His light to those around us.

Every time I see a picture of chairs on a beach I remember those days surrounded by Iowa cornfields. A place of deep friendships and enduring love.

We can enjoy summertime fun, even if it’s just a picture on a computer, when we keep our focus on Him.

Posted on

Good, Better, Best

My computer recently started showing signs that it was tired and slowly down. I talked to two of my computer “gurus” and their advice was the same – it’s time to get a newer, faster, better computer. The one I was currently using was over three years old and had served me well but it just couldn’t keep up.

I listened carefully when they told me what were “must have’s” and what they felt I needed most for my work. Then came the search. Some were good, others were better but which one was best? I compared ten to twenty different laptops before asking their advice on the one I purchased. Thumbs up!

One of my least favorite things to do is set up a computer and another one is setting up a new phone. I have done both of these in the last two months. I would rather go to a dentist or dig ditches; I feel so inadequate as I stumble my way through. I have told the Lord this several times, believe me. It was after much prayer for wisdom that I sat down yesterday morning and started the process. Thank you Lord for guiding me through the steps.

I had wished that someone could have been here talking to me, directing me. That would have been good. Better yet, it would have been nice to hand my old computer and my new one to someone and let them do all the setup and transferring of data. However, I wouldn’t have learned much in doing that. God did give me wisdom and I was able to overcome my apprehension and my fear. I used the “help” search a lot and was able to complete most of the tasks.

Today there are still several steps I need to finish up on so you can pray for me. But this morning I am writing the blog on my new computer and feeling very accomplished.

You might not be intimidated by computers and phones but there’s certainly an area of life where you feel that others excel and you are lacking. In those areas, you may also find yourself comparing yourself to others. The Apostle Paul says we are unwise when we do that.

“We don’t dare put ourselves in the same class with those who think they are so important. We don’t compare ourselves to them. They use themselves to measure themselves, and they judge themselves by what they themselves are. This shows that they know nothing.” II Corinthians 10:12 ERV

When we compare we do one of two things, we either judge ourselves as inferior to others or superior to them. Neither one of these is good. Our goal should be to see others the way the Lord sees them and to have others see Christ living in us. That is true success.

“Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

3 God has given me a special gift, and that is why I have something to say to each one of you. Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself just as you are. Decide what you are by the faith God has given each of us.” Romans 12:2-3 ERV

The Lord will change us, and others, in a way that only He can. He will give us the understanding to recognize the good, the pleasing and the perfect. We will discover what is good, better and best!

Posted on

Relief From Weariness

I sat here for the longest time this morning trying to gather my thoughts. There is only one way to describe what I’m feeling – it’s weariness. Emotionally I’m weary. I’m tired of the anger and hatred. Selfishness and greed are everywhere and it’s exhausting.

Maybe you are weary too.

What do we do in times like these? Where do we find strength and rest?

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

Night and day people came to Jesus. Some of them needed miracles, some needed answers, some wanted to trip Him up and defame Him. Others were drawn to His compassion and the genuineness of His teaching. He was rarely alone and when He did go to a solitary place to pray, they would come searching for Him.

And He never turned anyone away…in fact, He gave us the invitation above. “Come to me all who are weary and I will show you how to rest”. So, this morning I came. I came to sit and rest in His presence and with His word. I like what it says in the Message version “Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely”.

Free from anxiety, free from fear, free from anger, hatred, selfishness and greed. We are free to experience peace, joy, love and kindness. We are free to experience forgiveness, grace, mercy and strength.

Weariness comes from focusing on our own efforts and resources. Rest comes when we focus on the Father. I worked with a pastor who would often comment “I don’t want to work for the Lord; I want to work with Him”. That’s exactly what these verses are saying “walk with me, work with me, watch how I do things – it will bring you to a place of rest”. King David said it was like laying down in green pastures.

As I sit here now, I feel the weariness leaving, like water draining from the bath tub, and a calm, refreshing coming to my soul. The Lord loves to trade with us – we bring Him our sin and He trades it for forgiveness. We give Him anxiety and He trades it for peace. He offers us strength when we admit our weakness. He gives us grace for our failures.

Thank you Father. I brought You my heaviness. You were true to Your word and You gave me Your rest!

Posted on

A Place of Comfort

I’ve been up for several hours now, in fact, it was just about 2 am and I knew I needed to get up and spend time with my Father. I went to bed last night after learning our governor had set a statewide crew extending from 8 pm to 5 am. This is to continue for at least the next week.

Communities all across this nation are in a state of turmoil and fear. I only know one way to maintain inner peace and that’s by reading God’s word and talking with my heavenly Father. I have been praying for my family and loved ones but I have also been praying for those of you reading this. I may not know you by name but God does and He desires to be your protection and your peace.

What was the first thing on your mind this morning? The kids, your job, health, finances, a relationship, the world crisis – whatever it is, the Lord has a solution. He cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

His lap is big enough to have room for us to cuddle up and draw strength from Him. I love this picture I’m using this morning. That’s me sitting in my dad’s lap and yes, that’s an open Bible there too. This may be the reason that I find it so easy to imagine that I am always welcome in my heavenly Father’s lap. In times of joy and sorrow, triumph or tragedy, victory or defeat I find great solace in knowing that I am always welcome in my Father’s presence.

His Word is powerful enough to change the course of rivers and set the boundaries in the sky; so at His word our world can change from disorder to order. We shouldn’t let anything hold us back from enjoying the Father’s presence, His power and His word.

“You will teach me the right way to live.  Just being with you will bring complete happiness.
  Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

In our Father’s presence there is joy, peace, kindness and help. Rest in Him!

Posted on

Healing Hearts

I intentionally stay away from the news but this story has captivated the country. As I sat here praying for George Floyd’s family I was also praying for those who took his life and for those who are exploiting this terrible situation.

Satan’s works are obvious – hatred, bigotry, death and destruction. Jesus’ works are equally as evident – love, peace, justice and healing.

Jesus said: “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

A family lost their son and brother through an unconscionable act of hatred. We should be supporting them with our love and prayers. We should move forward with a determination to eradicate racial bias and hatred wherever we find it . The words of Jesus are never more true than at a moment like this:

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:34-35 MSG

Love in action is offering a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, and a heart of compassion.

Those who are rioting and looting are not part of the solution. They are destroying the property of innocent people and spreading hatred. Their actions are doing nothing to help, they are only causing more pain.

We are needed to do the work of Jesus – healing the broken hearted.

“Someone handed Him the book of the early preacher Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” Luke 4:17-19 NLV

Join with me in praying for the Floyd family and all who have been touched by this tragedy.

“Father, in the name of Jesus, the name that brings healing and comfort, I pray for the George Floyd family. Let them experience an outpouring of Your love like they have never known. May they be wrapped in Your comfort and experience Your peace that goes beyond all natural pain and sorrow. We also pray that those responsible for this horrible act of hatred, let them repent for what they’ve done and may they find forgiveness in Your love. May those who are doing all manner of evil and exploiting this situation be stopped in Jesus name. Expose those who are initiating and instigating these acts of hatred. May they experience Your justice for their acts. And now Father, show each of us what we can do to bring Your love and healing to all we meet. Amen and Amen!”

I would like to encourage you to reach out to those who have hurting hearts today. It may be someone in your family, your neighborhood or your workplace. They may not be effected by the events of George Floyd’s death but they are hurting all the same. As followers of Christ, we can reach them with the love and compassion that He showed while on earth.

May we be used to help heal the broken hearted!

Posted on

A Must Share on Peace

Yesterday morning when I read these verses I knew they were a must share.

“Only God gives inward peace,  and I depend on him. 6 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure. 7 God saves me and honors me. He is that mighty rock where I find safety. 8 Trust God, my friends, and always tell him
each one of your concerns. God is our place of safety.” Psalm 62:5-8 CEV

ONLY GOD!

The search for peace, at times, seems to be as illusive as the hunt for the loch ness monster or abominable snowman. Many spend there life searching for it but so few find true peace.

I’ve been reading about the life of David, first as a shepherd and then as king. His transition from the pasture to the palace was a rocky one, to say the least. We often think that when we have a call of God on our life that the road ahead will be smooth and unhindered. Not so my friend, not so.

David was anointed king while Saul was still reigning. Saul hated David and pursued him relentlessly through the deserts. David and his men hid in caves and even took refuge in the towns of the enemies of the Israelites to avoid Saul’s obsessive attacks. There were several times when David could have easily killed Saul but he refused. He told his men, who were encouraging him to take Saul’s life, that he would not touch the king that had been anointed by God. David depended on the Lord to protect and bring him to power in His timing.

I have been reading all this for the last several days, there are chapters and chapters written on Saul’s pursuit of David. So, when I read Psalm 62 yesterday morning and saw David’s words of praise for the peace and protection that the Lord had given him I was greatly impressed. All of the threats, the struggles, the hunger, the danger brought David to pen these heartfelt words “Only God, God alone, God saves, Trust God”. He had one focus, Only God.

These are the words that start this chapter: “Only God can save me, and I calmly wait for him. 2 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe and the fortress where I am secure. 3 I feel like a shaky fence or a sagging wall. How long will all of you attack and assault me?
4 You want to bring me down from my place of honor. You love to tell lies, and when your words are kind, hatred hides in your heart. 5 Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on him.” Psalm 62:1-5 CEV

I don’t know what your life’s circumstance is but I feel certain that some of you have experienced personal attack, unprovoked aggression. May I encourage you to do what David did – focus on God and God alone.

Only God gives inward peace, depend on Him.

Posted on

Stay Focused

I remember those mornings when we lived in Idaho and Montana that I would sit quietly with my hot coffee and watch the icicles melting on the eaves. Each droplet that awakened from frozen slumber to fluid movement meant the earth would soon be showing new signs of growth.

The warmth of the sun reminded us all that the long winter days were over and spring would begin to blossom very soon.

Yesterday we learned from our governor that the “long winter” of the stay-at-home order would be over and life, once again, would begin to bloom. However, before everyone begins to rush out and reclaim previous activity I would like to remind us all to stay focused.

Much the same as I focused on that melting icicle that would send its moisture into the earth to awaken the seeds that had been dormant through the cold months of winter I would like us to focus on the kindness and sharing that we experienced during the last few months.

Time with family took on richer meaning. Sharing a moment of laughter with a friend was a cherished gem. And our quiet prayers for safety and protection brought a richness and strength to each day.

Let’s not lose sight of what we learned and experienced during this time.

“I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Not many of you have met me face-to-face, but that doesn’t make any difference. Know that I’m on your side, right alongside you. You’re not in this alone.

2-4 I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery! I’m telling you this because I don’t want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or “the Secret.” Colossians 2:1-4 MSG

Let’s stay focused on Christ and our relationship of reliance on Him and His strength. There will be challenges ahead, many of them, and so, we must remember where our strength and peace come from.

I don’t know how things are where you live. Maybe you’re still being asked to stay at home or perhaps your state has already opened. But it’s not the condition of the state that makes the difference in our lives, it’s the condition of the heart.

Just like the relationship between the sun and the icicle our hearts are warmed by the Son, softened to make way for new growth and a greater capacity to love.

Posted on

Kindness & Peace

Some mornings when I get up I hesitate having any contact with the outside world. It’s not because I’m afraid of the reports on COVID-19. My heart gets grieved by the unkind words and actions that seem to be so prevalent.

Two things we can always use more of is kindness and peace. It would mean a great deal if people treated us nicer, right? I think we can get a hardy amen to having less drama in our lives. Here is the question: How can we be used to bring those 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

Well, 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 to those around us.

Kind to the other drivers on the roads, to the grocery store workers, our first responders, to truckers, neighbors and those we speak to on the phone and through electronic communication. To our kids and our spouses.

Kindness brings peace.

“Without wood, a fire goes out. Without gossip, arguments stop. 21 Charcoal keeps the coals glowing, wood keeps the fire burning, and troublemakers keep arguments alive.” Proverbs 26:20-21 MSG

“Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him?” Romans 2:4 CEV

God’s goodness is what draws 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.

“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 flooding all those around us.

Posted on

Light in the Darkness

We’ve probably all heard about the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel”. And for some these last few months have seemed like an endless tunnel with the light snuffed out. This is a path we have never walked before but let me tell you there is Someone who has and He has promised to lead us through!

“Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” John 14:6 ERV

We can put our hope, our trust, our faith in Jesus. He knows the way through and He promises to lead, to be our guide in every situation. Years before He came to earth the prophet Isaiah foretold what Jesus would do for us. Even when we feel we are walking blind we can trust Him.

“Then I will lead the blind along a path they never knew to places where they have never been before. I will change darkness into light for them. I will make the rough ground smooth. I will do these things for them; I will not abandon my people.” Isaiah 42:16 ERV

In times when we are frustrated, disappointed, angry and uncertain we can come to the Lord and tell Him exactly how we feel and He will answer us and give us direction.

“I gain understanding from your instructions, so I hate anything that leads people the wrong way. 105 Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.” Psalm 119:104-105 ERV

The Lord’s instruction to us are written in His word. Fear Not – Trust in the Lord – Let Peace Guard Your Heart – Don’t depend on your own understanding. All of these words give light to our path today.

Many times I have felt like the Lord wants me to be a cheerleader for those who are discouraged. I’ve been through discouragement, disappointment, fear and anxiousness and I know this as sure as I am breathing this morning “God is faithful and He will not abandon us”.

“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’” Jeremiah 33:2-3 MSG

Long before social distancing and streaming church services, Dave and I attended an on-line church. Living rural like we do it’s nice to have worship services come to our home. We can watch services from anywhere in the world, any day of the week and be encouraged by the songs and messages. One song that has been particularly uplifting lately is called Way Maker. I’ll leave you with some of the lyrics. I can’t think of a much better way to start the day. (Click the link and hear it for yourselves)

Way maker
Miracle worker
Promise keeper
Light in the darkness
That is who you are
Way maker
Miracle worker
Promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God
That is who you are

Please let me encourage you – if you feel you are walking around blind, that there is no light at the end of this tunnel, there is hope and His name is Jesus! He is our light in the darkness!

Posted on

Welcome the Day

Yesterday morning after I posted the blog, Dave and I headed over to the canyon’s edge for an unobstructed view of the sunrise. It’s amazing to watch the valley floor begin to lighten. The clouds were hanging low over the river, the pastures were green and a golden hue chased away the night’s shadows and welcomed the day.

As the sun rose over the mountains ridge we sat in the truck and thanked our heavenly Father for the beauty of His creation; we thanked Jesus for His sacrifice of death on a cross and we thanked the Holy Spirit for His constant companionship each and every day.

They, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, have an amazing impact in my life each day. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, I am forgiven and have a life that is reconciled to God the Father. The Holy Spirit leads, instructs and gives me guidance from God’s word. My heavenly Father has filled my life with power and purpose.

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT

God the Father has chosen to invest His power in our lives. He doesn’t want us living a defeated, contrary and worrisome existence. He wants our lives to be filled with hope, joy and peace.

“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:3-4 CEV

The beauty of each morning’s sunrise is a testament to God’s faithfulness and power. He lights the world for the day’s activities and He has placed the light of His love in our hearts to be a ray of hope to all we meet.

Welcome the day with light of God’s love!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress