"It was the biggest crisis of my life and I had peace. It was incredible." That was the statement I heard from a young man this week who was recounting how God worked in his situation. His premature, new born baby was in a neonatal ICU - struggling. The young man's father had come to visit and he had a major health crisis and ended up in the ICU in another part of the hospital. Crises do not usually crash into our lives alone.
So how do we get peace when your child and your father are both in ICU? The interesting thing about where God teaches us peace (as well as patience, kindness, love and pretty much every fruit of the Spirit) is that it comes in the places where it is hardest for them to naturally exist. In the places where it seems life takes peace, God teaches peace. He takes us beyond the natural to grow the supernatural.
Think about that in your life. Have you ever learned patience without actually being in a place where you have to wait? I haven't. Peace is the same way; God teaches it to us in the crisis and the chaos. If we learn it there, peace will be there when the crisis and chaos go away. And the peace will be stronger.
This Sunday we are going to be learning about God's peace. I have a sneaking suspicion that many of us are in a place to learn it - right now.
for the journey...
Tim
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Friday, November 7, 2014
Friday, October 31, 2014
Being a Peacemaker
It is sad that the only thing we know about two people named in Paul's letter to the church at Philippi is that they did not get along. Euodia and Syntyche are called on by name to stop their squabble ( Philippians 4:2-3).
What a shame. They were probably really good women who served passionately in their church and in their community. Maybe they fed the hungry, clothed the poor, ministered to the sick. Paul even says they "contended by side in the cause of the gospel." But the only reason they are remembered today is for the fight Paul called them to quit. None of us want to be remembered that way, but how can we be remembered as a peace maker not a peace breaker?
I think the words of the former Chaplain of the United States Senate, Richard Halverson can help. I am certain he saw his share of peace breakers so that the peace makers stood out this way.
"You can offer your ideas to others as bullets or as seeds. You can shoot them or you can sow them; hit people in the head with them or plant them in their hearts. Ideas used as bullets will kill inspiration and neutralize motivation. Used as seeds, they take root, grow and become reality in the life in which they are planted.
The only risk in the seed approach: Once it grows and becomes a part of those in whom it's planted, you probably will get not credit for originating the idea. But if you're willing to do without the credit...you'll reap a rich harvest."
Euodia and Syntyche were bullet shooters not seed planters. They got credit for the bullets they fired at one another, that's for sure. What will you be remembered for in your church? Bullets or seeds? This Sunday we will meet to evaluate where we are on this. Maybe we will even plant some peace seeds.
for the journey...
Tim
What a shame. They were probably really good women who served passionately in their church and in their community. Maybe they fed the hungry, clothed the poor, ministered to the sick. Paul even says they "contended by side in the cause of the gospel." But the only reason they are remembered today is for the fight Paul called them to quit. None of us want to be remembered that way, but how can we be remembered as a peace maker not a peace breaker?
I think the words of the former Chaplain of the United States Senate, Richard Halverson can help. I am certain he saw his share of peace breakers so that the peace makers stood out this way.
"You can offer your ideas to others as bullets or as seeds. You can shoot them or you can sow them; hit people in the head with them or plant them in their hearts. Ideas used as bullets will kill inspiration and neutralize motivation. Used as seeds, they take root, grow and become reality in the life in which they are planted.
The only risk in the seed approach: Once it grows and becomes a part of those in whom it's planted, you probably will get not credit for originating the idea. But if you're willing to do without the credit...you'll reap a rich harvest."
Euodia and Syntyche were bullet shooters not seed planters. They got credit for the bullets they fired at one another, that's for sure. What will you be remembered for in your church? Bullets or seeds? This Sunday we will meet to evaluate where we are on this. Maybe we will even plant some peace seeds.
for the journey...
Tim
Friday, April 18, 2014
Cell Phone Revelations
It was November 5, 2013, I would be helping a group as they watched the Billy Graham video, "The Cross" that evening. It was a very important day; I was feeling a little nervous. I got down on my knees beside my bed to pray and as I did I reached for my cell phone to put it away so I would not be interrupted for the next few minutes.
As I pulled my iPhone out of my pocket I realized it had been opened to my internet browser and it had opened BibleGateway.com to John 20:19. I was shocked because I had not been searching on it recently and I was puzzled how it could "accidentally" gotten to those places. Here is what John 20:19 says, "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
I took it as something I really needed to read that day.
I read on and verse 21 said, "Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." Now I really knew that was something that I needed to read that day. I knelt there not really knowing what to pray, just trying to soak it all in. Before I could even say anything in prayer, I had been shown what I needed to hear that day.
God is faithful, that night went well. The gospel was shared, there was not a great response but I had a real sense that seeds were planted. But more than that, I went to that gathering to watch Billy Graham's final message with an awareness that the risen Lord was with me. That really changed my perspective. I wasn't just going, I was sent. I didn't have to be afraid, Jesus was there to bring me peace. Just as surely as he showed up in that locked upper room, he was there that night in a borrowed living room with that group of people offering peace to us all. What I set out to do that day was not changed. My perspective on what I set out to do was.
I have read that passage numerous times. I have read over the notes I wrote down that morning several times since then. I sensed that this passage is what we need to focus on this Resurrection Day morning. The resurrected Lord stands here among us and he offers us his peace, even if it doesn't just pop up on our cell phones.
for the journey...
Tim
As I pulled my iPhone out of my pocket I realized it had been opened to my internet browser and it had opened BibleGateway.com to John 20:19. I was shocked because I had not been searching on it recently and I was puzzled how it could "accidentally" gotten to those places. Here is what John 20:19 says, "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
I took it as something I really needed to read that day.
I read on and verse 21 said, "Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." Now I really knew that was something that I needed to read that day. I knelt there not really knowing what to pray, just trying to soak it all in. Before I could even say anything in prayer, I had been shown what I needed to hear that day.
God is faithful, that night went well. The gospel was shared, there was not a great response but I had a real sense that seeds were planted. But more than that, I went to that gathering to watch Billy Graham's final message with an awareness that the risen Lord was with me. That really changed my perspective. I wasn't just going, I was sent. I didn't have to be afraid, Jesus was there to bring me peace. Just as surely as he showed up in that locked upper room, he was there that night in a borrowed living room with that group of people offering peace to us all. What I set out to do that day was not changed. My perspective on what I set out to do was.
I have read that passage numerous times. I have read over the notes I wrote down that morning several times since then. I sensed that this passage is what we need to focus on this Resurrection Day morning. The resurrected Lord stands here among us and he offers us his peace, even if it doesn't just pop up on our cell phones.
for the journey...
Tim
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Making Peace
In my first church, there was an incident that really put the whole church in a bad light. It involved a funeral and a statement that someone who worked at a funeral home made about our church to the family that was grieving. Some similar statements like this had been made before.
It was very upsetting to me and to the church so I did the right thing and confronted the person. Though this was the right thing, I did not go about it the right way. I spoke in anger and I was not respectful. It caused a real rift. Soon people were coming to me and saying things like, "I just want you to know that I am on your side." Other comments that came my way were things said about me and the church and the problem with this person at the local Dairy Queen during morning coffee gatherings. It kept getting bigger.
Finally, with reluctance and very little hope that this would get settled, I decided to do the right thing the right way. I took a trusted deacon, we went to the person and I asked for his forgiveness for speaking in anger and in disrespect. To my surprise, that settled it. There were no more reports from the Dairy Queen and no one else telling me that they were on my side.
I have gone back to that little town several times for funerals, always working with the person that I had the problem with and there seems to be no remnant of the past still hanging around. I have no other explanation than God does like to work when we work at reconciliation.
Several years later, I came across these steps to reconciliation from Ken Sande author of the book, The Peacemaker. I can recommend them:
for the journey...
Tim
It was very upsetting to me and to the church so I did the right thing and confronted the person. Though this was the right thing, I did not go about it the right way. I spoke in anger and I was not respectful. It caused a real rift. Soon people were coming to me and saying things like, "I just want you to know that I am on your side." Other comments that came my way were things said about me and the church and the problem with this person at the local Dairy Queen during morning coffee gatherings. It kept getting bigger.
Finally, with reluctance and very little hope that this would get settled, I decided to do the right thing the right way. I took a trusted deacon, we went to the person and I asked for his forgiveness for speaking in anger and in disrespect. To my surprise, that settled it. There were no more reports from the Dairy Queen and no one else telling me that they were on my side.
I have gone back to that little town several times for funerals, always working with the person that I had the problem with and there seems to be no remnant of the past still hanging around. I have no other explanation than God does like to work when we work at reconciliation.
Several years later, I came across these steps to reconciliation from Ken Sande author of the book, The Peacemaker. I can recommend them:
- Address everyone involved.
- Avoid "if" "but" and "maybe."
- Admit specifically what you did.
- Acknowledge the hurt.
- Accept the consequences.
- Alter your behavior.
- Ask for forgiveness.
- Allow time.
for the journey...
Tim
Friday, July 26, 2013
Know Peace in this World
In the past week I have seen several deeply committed people, sharing Christ's love, fulfilling His call to be on mission go through suffering. A missionary couple on their way to speak at our church were kept from leaving their country because of a false report on an auto accident. They had no choice but to pay fines and fees they should not have had to so they could leave their country.
Another committed couple involved in missions is having to come home because their unborn child has a major heart defect that will require several surgeries and care that can only be had here in the states. My daughter's apartment was smoke damaged from a neighbor's apartment fire while she was completing her summer mission assignment. Her problems are not near the magnitude of the couple and their child but it all brought home the truth - just because you are serving God, it does not mean you get a free pass on personal problems. Serving God does not mean you earn some special protection or you are entitled to special life of convenience. It sometimes means you face a unique set of problems on top of your service.
In all these cases though, I have begun to see the hand of God provide peace in the problems. With these extraordinary trials there seems to be an extraordinary presence. Something is at work in all these people to help them deal with what is before them.
Jesus never promised that if we served him we would earn an exemption from the trials of this life. When we face them and grumble about the unfairness of them while we serve him, we seem to have bought into a promise he never made. In fact, Jesus promised us that there would be problems in serving him. But he also promised us that in those places we could know his peace.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
I can tell when I am off base when I question my misfortune because I am "good" enough to serve him. I can tell when I am on the right track when I experience his peace in my problems. So where do you find yourself today? Pondering the purpose of your problems or experiencing his peace?
For the journey...
Tim
Another committed couple involved in missions is having to come home because their unborn child has a major heart defect that will require several surgeries and care that can only be had here in the states. My daughter's apartment was smoke damaged from a neighbor's apartment fire while she was completing her summer mission assignment. Her problems are not near the magnitude of the couple and their child but it all brought home the truth - just because you are serving God, it does not mean you get a free pass on personal problems. Serving God does not mean you earn some special protection or you are entitled to special life of convenience. It sometimes means you face a unique set of problems on top of your service.
In all these cases though, I have begun to see the hand of God provide peace in the problems. With these extraordinary trials there seems to be an extraordinary presence. Something is at work in all these people to help them deal with what is before them.
Jesus never promised that if we served him we would earn an exemption from the trials of this life. When we face them and grumble about the unfairness of them while we serve him, we seem to have bought into a promise he never made. In fact, Jesus promised us that there would be problems in serving him. But he also promised us that in those places we could know his peace.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
I can tell when I am off base when I question my misfortune because I am "good" enough to serve him. I can tell when I am on the right track when I experience his peace in my problems. So where do you find yourself today? Pondering the purpose of your problems or experiencing his peace?
For the journey...
Tim
Friday, December 7, 2012
Plumber's Peace
Note: To more fully appreciate this post you may want to read the post from 7/28/2011 "I am Not a Plumber"
We had more plumbing adventures at our house last week, our kitchen sink faucet pretty much came undone. Some important looking piece of gasket fell out of it and it would not shut off. I was able to get it somewhat back together so that I could turn the water off but the whole thing left me feeling pretty uncomfortable. The faucet had the look and I got the feeling, this could fall apart again at any time.
Adding to my anxiety, it was Friday and after some phone calls I found there was no help available until the next week. So I gave my family faucet first aid instructions of how to handle the handle very carefully and how to go under the sink to the cut offs in case we had a complete faucet failure.
We made it through the weekend and decided we needed to replace our chipped and dented sink if we were going to replace the faucet so we got our new supplies and waited for the plumbers. They came right on time and spent a couple of hours replacing faucet and sink.
I watched them work for a while and I was amazed. There were no bent or leaking pipes, no skinned knuckles, no hopeless looks of frustration - all of the things that usually accompany my plumbing efforts. There was just skilled work by a couple of guys who have done this before.
In an odd way, it was peaceful. They fixed my faucet and sink quietly and efficiently and then left. Everything was back in working order, even better than it had been before and all my anxiety was gone. It can be funny how the experience of peace comes to us. I was in over my head, called and waited on someone who could help. They came and did their job and it brought me peace.
That is not unlike how peace comes from Jesus. When we are in over our heads and we call on him, he comes and brings peace with his presence - for even bigger things than broken faucets. He works peace into our lives by being able to fix broken things. We are going to look at his peace this Sunday in Advent. Do you have any "faucet fears" in your life? I know someone you can call.
For the journey...
Tim
We had more plumbing adventures at our house last week, our kitchen sink faucet pretty much came undone. Some important looking piece of gasket fell out of it and it would not shut off. I was able to get it somewhat back together so that I could turn the water off but the whole thing left me feeling pretty uncomfortable. The faucet had the look and I got the feeling, this could fall apart again at any time.
Adding to my anxiety, it was Friday and after some phone calls I found there was no help available until the next week. So I gave my family faucet first aid instructions of how to handle the handle very carefully and how to go under the sink to the cut offs in case we had a complete faucet failure.
We made it through the weekend and decided we needed to replace our chipped and dented sink if we were going to replace the faucet so we got our new supplies and waited for the plumbers. They came right on time and spent a couple of hours replacing faucet and sink.
I watched them work for a while and I was amazed. There were no bent or leaking pipes, no skinned knuckles, no hopeless looks of frustration - all of the things that usually accompany my plumbing efforts. There was just skilled work by a couple of guys who have done this before.
In an odd way, it was peaceful. They fixed my faucet and sink quietly and efficiently and then left. Everything was back in working order, even better than it had been before and all my anxiety was gone. It can be funny how the experience of peace comes to us. I was in over my head, called and waited on someone who could help. They came and did their job and it brought me peace.
That is not unlike how peace comes from Jesus. When we are in over our heads and we call on him, he comes and brings peace with his presence - for even bigger things than broken faucets. He works peace into our lives by being able to fix broken things. We are going to look at his peace this Sunday in Advent. Do you have any "faucet fears" in your life? I know someone you can call.
For the journey...
Tim
Friday, April 6, 2012
Fear Knot
There were days when I was younger that I would get away to the peace and quiet of a spring that ran along the back end of our property in Hope. When I needed to think, when I needed to seriously pray, when I needed to get away, that is where I went.
One spring day when I went there facing some big challenges (funny how I can't remember what they were now). I walked along the Live Oak lined gully that the spring trickled through. I had begun to feel the peace of God in me and I began to see that my problems were not so large. I really sensed that God was with me there.
Then, my solitude was broken by the sound of a pack of barking snarling dogs. The sounded like they were somewhere down the gully on our neighbors property. They were some distance away, but as I listened, it sounded like they were coming my way. Thoughts began to race through my head, where did these dogs come from and what kind where they? It did not sound like they were some one's cow dogs rounding up our neighbors cattle. They sounded like this was a pack of angry dogs up to no good. There was a knot in the bottom of my stomach, what if they continue down this gully and see me? I did not want to find out what that would be like. Stories of dog attacks I had heard from the past sprang to mind.
I decided to run out of the gully and try to get to our truck before they could get to me. I made to the truck, out of breath and more than a little relieved. Then I stopped to listen again. I could hear the dogs in the distance, they were actually going away from me, still barking, snarling and sounding like they were fighting something. I was safe.
Then the oddest thought came to my mind - the disciples in the garden with Jesus as he prayed and Judas came with a mob to arrest him. They had all run away. I suddenly got a glimpse of what it must have been like. They were in the presence of the one who stilled their storms, brought them peace and guided their souls. Then something interrupted their solitude, an angry mob. I am sure they felt an even bigger knot than I did and they ran.
I understood then as I understand now, that fear can rob you of a lot of peace. The desire to survive in the presence of a threat can quickly overwhelm the presence of the one who brings peace. I felt ashamed. I had been there with God, gotten afraid and I had run away to save myself. I have never looked down on the disciples about their running again. I can see how easily it could have happened. They saw a real mob and saw their evil intent. I heard dogs in the distance and imagined what they might do.
The good news is that the one who brings us peace does not run but comes looking for us even in our fear, to bring us an even greater peace. I am glad I have a gracious God. I am thankful for the fear his son faced and overcame. When I think of what he faced, it gets me ready to truly worship him.
For the journey...
Tim
One spring day when I went there facing some big challenges (funny how I can't remember what they were now). I walked along the Live Oak lined gully that the spring trickled through. I had begun to feel the peace of God in me and I began to see that my problems were not so large. I really sensed that God was with me there.
Then, my solitude was broken by the sound of a pack of barking snarling dogs. The sounded like they were somewhere down the gully on our neighbors property. They were some distance away, but as I listened, it sounded like they were coming my way. Thoughts began to race through my head, where did these dogs come from and what kind where they? It did not sound like they were some one's cow dogs rounding up our neighbors cattle. They sounded like this was a pack of angry dogs up to no good. There was a knot in the bottom of my stomach, what if they continue down this gully and see me? I did not want to find out what that would be like. Stories of dog attacks I had heard from the past sprang to mind.
I decided to run out of the gully and try to get to our truck before they could get to me. I made to the truck, out of breath and more than a little relieved. Then I stopped to listen again. I could hear the dogs in the distance, they were actually going away from me, still barking, snarling and sounding like they were fighting something. I was safe.
Then the oddest thought came to my mind - the disciples in the garden with Jesus as he prayed and Judas came with a mob to arrest him. They had all run away. I suddenly got a glimpse of what it must have been like. They were in the presence of the one who stilled their storms, brought them peace and guided their souls. Then something interrupted their solitude, an angry mob. I am sure they felt an even bigger knot than I did and they ran.
I understood then as I understand now, that fear can rob you of a lot of peace. The desire to survive in the presence of a threat can quickly overwhelm the presence of the one who brings peace. I felt ashamed. I had been there with God, gotten afraid and I had run away to save myself. I have never looked down on the disciples about their running again. I can see how easily it could have happened. They saw a real mob and saw their evil intent. I heard dogs in the distance and imagined what they might do.
The good news is that the one who brings us peace does not run but comes looking for us even in our fear, to bring us an even greater peace. I am glad I have a gracious God. I am thankful for the fear his son faced and overcame. When I think of what he faced, it gets me ready to truly worship him.
For the journey...
Tim
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