Let There Be Peace
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You [for forgiveness] in a time when You [are near and] may be found;
….Surely when the great waters [of trial and distressing times] overflow they will not reach [the spirit in] him. Psalm 32:6 AMP
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A few years ago, I came across an a cappella ensemble of singers on YouTube whom I have come to love. Their name is Voctave. An older song of theirs that comes to mind is entitled “This Is My Wish / Let There Be Peace on Earth” (click below to listen to it).
Peace…what an elusive thing. Always just out of our reach. We all crave it but struggle, and sometimes we just outright drive it away from possibility by our selfish desires and blindness.
I know Your heart breaks, Lord, as You look across the world You so lovingly created and You see what we do to each other – the anger, the hatred, the violence, the backbiting, the discord – it just never ends. It is rampant. And it is everywhere…even the church…
Every day innocent people fall victim to distorted mindsets. My heart aches for all those whose lives have too quickly come to an end and their families who are left carry their loss for the rest of their lives.
We want peace. We strive for peace…but it is elusive. The enemy of our souls is about division, not unity. And peace will not come until he is vanquished once and for all. Peace in the here and now is found only in You and peace for all eternity is found only in You.
The Apostle Paul admonishes us in Romans 12:18,
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Lord may this be my prayer. May I also pray with St. Francis of Assisi, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Use me to touch Your world today. Amen.
Core from May 26th, 2017, Fri., 5:06 am
No Cookie Cutters Required
(Unfortunately, these are not Karen’s Kookies – I looked but couldn’t find a good pic.)
As we travel this weary land, Father, use us to bring Your Good News to a world that so desperately needs it. Most of all make us genuine representatives of Your Kingdom. No cookie cutters required! Amen!
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When Massey was little Karen started a small business out of our home to provide us income while still enabling her to take care of him as a full-time mom. It was called Karen’s Kookies. She used a delicious sugar cookie recipe – they were soft and just melted in your mouth! Her creations were unique in that she would brush them with icing and then decorate them with colored sugars to make them look like whatever the image was. A daisy would have an orange center with white petals. Fish would be bands of different colors. You get the idea. They were beautiful and tasty! (We did hear of one recipient who received a kookie bouquet – a terracotta pot with a Styrofoam core covered in Easter grass and then filled with decorated “flowers” on skewers – she refused to eat them because they were so pretty!) Karen hasn’t baked “professionally” in years, but our family is treated to her fine creations most holidays.
As I typed out my opening prayer, I felt compelled to flesh it out a bit.
I honestly think that we would be hard-pressed to find someone who thought our world was just a great place to experience life. Yes, we enjoy many things, with many people but even with all of its joys, life is most assuredly not without its rough spots. And for many, the phrase “rough spot” is a great understatement. Some live their entire lives in seemingly unending “rough spots”.
As believers, we can cling to Jesus for security and support but for those who don’t know Him, it is pretty hopeless. Especially in the times in which we find ourselves – COVID-19 has wreaked havoc and caused division in innumerable areas of our lives. But even beyond that, countless individuals are overwhelmed with all that life continues to throw at them.
And as believers in Christ, what do we offer them? I know what we can offer them but in reality, what do we offer them? What bothers me, and I truly am no less guilty, is the fact that a lot of words come out of our mouths – and it sounds great – but where is the action behind those words?
The Amplified Bible’s translation of James 12:7 reads,
So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].
Action is of utmost importance, but another problem lies in the fact that often our faith and actions communicate error or insensitivity. Holy Joe Schmoe said thus and thus and we – in cookie-cutter fashion! – rattle off the same rhetoric and proclaim our duty done.
In these times in which we find ourselves, and really it applies to every time we find ourselves; people are looking not just for band-aids or a few pats on the back but genuine love and compassion. It’s more than tossing a few coins in a red kettle. It’s more than an extra prayer thrown up when it crosses our mind – though those things do fill needs – but, we need to get our hands dirty. We need to be seeking out real needs up close and personal and addressing them. Investing ourselves in them. Committing to those involved.
Is it risky? Probably. Is success guaranteed? Not necessarily. Is it worth it? Most definitely.
When Jesus came to live amongst us, did He hold back? No, He gave His all. He gave and gave and gave…to the very last drop. And we are called to be His disciples and give thinking of others, not just ourselves.
Dec 21st, 2020, Mon, 7:01 pm
In the Bleak Mid-winter
A full day, Father, though not as full as in years past. I pray that our humble offerings of service would have the impact that You desire. Amen.
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This past week something occurred that was a bit out of the ordinary. It is not unusual for it to snow this time of year, but it is a bit unusual for it to linger for very long. We had about four inches earlier in the week and then there was more a day or so later.
Snow is one of those things that people either despise or love. Normally there is not much middle ground. I, for one, love snow…even though it can be a great challenge to drive in – especially a school bus! But honestly, that is another one of the perks of driving a school bus, especially when you drive for a rural school district.
At this point in the year, it is still pretty dark on my early route, but the sun is up for my elementary route and my views are often spectacular – sunrises, wildlife, to name just a couple – but there is something beautifully serene about snow.
Scenes of nature this time of year, and for the next few months, are pretty drab. The only green you will see are evergreens and the occasional field of winter wheat. Everything else consists of a wide variety of browns and greys – somber to say the least. But when the snow comes, everything is under a beautifully brilliant layer of white! It shines…it shimmers. The drab is gone and if you know how to look, sights that are breathtaking to the eyes abound! Come around a bend or pop over a rise and glory is all around.
A few years back a Christian artist by the name of Twila Paris released her version of the Christmas hymn, In the Bleak Mid-winter. (And as if God is affirming my writing, what should come to my ears but the song itself as I write!) I may have heard it before, but it has stuck in my head since then. It was written originally as a poem by a young lady by the name of Christina Rossetti in January 1872. Here are three of its stanzas,
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am? —
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him, —
Give my heart.
(Read the entire poem on Wikipedia by click here.)
One of our struggles is that far too often we feel that our lives are filled with way too many browns and greys…especially before we come to a relationship with Christ. Life is drab but he covers our lives with Himself, much like snow covers a bleak mid-winter world and lives that were once dull and dreary come alive under His guiding hand. What once had the look of barely being alive now becomes vibrant and glory is all around! What a wonderful gift He gives us!
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 NLT
Dec 20th, 2020, Sun, 8:23 pm
Don’t Turn Your Back on a Friend
Father, one would think that with the way life is right now there would be less stress and less that needs doing. But, as You are well aware, that just doesn’t seem to be the case. Shore me up to be up to the task. May I be what You need me to be in all circumstances. Amen.
Luke 22:54-65 (<<click here to read the passage)
As an adult with a few years under my belt, one thing I have struggled with is fake friends. Here’s one example. Early on in my time at Kohl’s, I was a Point of Sale Supervisor. I worked with associates on the registers. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a cold, detached kind of person. I enjoyed getting to know fellow workers. I didn’t lord my position over them but supported them. I had fun with them. I listened if they wanted to share personal struggles – it’s the pastor in me!
Sometimes people would work for a year or so, then move on. One woman worked on registers for a time and did just that. She got another job somewhere but was still a relatively frequent shopper.
After that, I would see her in the store and would greet her, but she ignored me! I tried a few more times but I always got the same cold shoulder response. Total strangers were more friendly than she was. I don’t know what happened but whatever professional relationship we had had at one point ceased to exist.
I understand that not every person is going to be your best friend but to go from relational to total avoidance is disheartening, to say the least.
We can get the idea that the disciples were just students of a rabbi. And to some extent that was true, but they were far more than followers…they were more than associates. They were friends…good, solid, share everything kinds of friends. Peter proclaimed without a hint of hesitation that he would give his very life for Jesus if it was called for.
Mark (who many hold to have written Peter’s viewpoint of the Gospel), in a parallel passage to today’s, wrote,
Peter said to [Jesus], “Even if they all fall away [and desert You, ashamed and afraid of being associated with You], yet I will not [do so]!” Mark 14:29 AMP
Jesus goes on to say,
“I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” v30 NLT
And Peter declared emphatically,
“No! Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” v31 NLT
In essence, Peter was saying, “Jesus, you know me! You know I’d do whatever had to be done. Friends stick together!”
Yes, Jesus knew Peter…He knew him better than he knew himself. And unfortunately, Jesus’ prophetic statement came true.
…the rooster crowed… and, at that moment as Peter stood by the fire and Jesus stood amongst His accusers, He turned and looked at Peter. And all that Jesus had said flashed through Peter’s mind.
Peter wept bitterly, not only because he realized that he had denied his Lord, the Messiah, but also because he had turned away from a very dear friend, a person who had loved and taught him for three years… But when frightened, he went against all he had boldly promised. Unable to stand up for his Lord for even 12 hours, he had failed as a disciple and as a friend.
We need to take the last portion of this study note to heart.
We need to be aware of our own breaking points and not become overconfident or self-sufficient. If we fail him, we must remember that Christ can use those who recognize their failure.
Lord Jesus, keep us close to Your heart. We, like Peter, are prone to wander. May we strive to not be the kind of friend who turns their back on You. Help us to never forget that though we may fail, that You will surely forgive…for that is what friends do. Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Dec 17th, 2020, Thurs, 6:28 pm
An Exchange of Life
Artwork by JonathanallenArt available for purchase through Etsy.
Time is just flying by with only four more days of student picks left before our break. Father, may I be receptive to Your love and generosity not just now but throughout the year. Amen.
Luke 22:47-53 (<<click here to read the passage)
I am a huge C.S. Lewis fan. I’ve read all of the Chronicles of Narnia books several times over. I have seen the BBC’s television adaptation aired in the late 80s and thoroughly enjoyed the Walden Media produced movies released from 2005-2010.
In the first book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, we meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for the first time. Through a course of events, he offers his life in exchange for the life of a young, naïve boy turned traitor. The antagonist of the story, the White Witch, eagerly agrees, thinking the with Aslan out of the way she can have her say rule Narnia forever. That’s what she thought at least…but she was wrong…so very wrong.
Literarydevices.net states that a rhetorical question is asked just for effect, or to lay emphasis on some point being discussed, when no real answer is expected. A rhetorical question may have an obvious answer, but the questioner asks it to lay emphasis to the point.
In today’s passage, Jesus’ question at the end is most definitely rhetorical. Maybe some of the cronies come to arrest Him didn’t understand the full ramifications of everything but the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him most certainly did.
Jesus asked,
“Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? Day after day when I was with you in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power and authority of darkness are yours.” vs.52-53 AMP
My study Bible* states,
The religious leaders had not arrested Jesus in the Temple for fear of a riot. Instead, they came secretly at night, under the influence of the power of darkness, Satan himself. Although it looked as if Satan was getting the upper hand, everything was proceeding according to God’s plan. It was time for Jesus to die.
Satan thought he had the upper hand for he knew, as well, that this hour and the power and authority of darkness was his and he gloried in his supposed victory, but it was short-lived. And in the end, his was the defeat. Darkness ruled but for a moment but ultimately suffered a crushing defeat, losing everything.
Lord Jesus, may we realize that regardless of what the world’s claims may be that You and You alone are King and Victor. As Aslan allegorically portrayed, You willingly laid down Your life for our lives – all of us “traitors” – and in so doing, we who choose to believe and follow You are victors as well! All glory to Your name and Yours alone!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Dec 16th, 2020, Wed, 7:09 pm