Just a simple prayer this morning.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14 New International Version (NIV)
Posts Tagged ‘peace’
Prayer for Peace
January 12th, 2012Peace in a storm
December 19th, 2011Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow.
He’s everywhere these days. And I have to admit I really liked it that as I was sitting in BW3 yesterday watching some games, the pregame conversation consisted of more faith talk then it did touchdown talk! So Tim Tebow makes yet another appearance in the Buffet.
Last Friday, I was shown this video of Tim Tebow mic’d up in the Broncos come from behind win against the Bears from the previous week. I find this to be amazing. I actually have loved hearing this stuff from the time I was a little kid. I think the sideline banter is always fascinating. But this video I find very impressive. It’s not really the come from behind effort, or anything about the football game. It’s more in the way Tim Tebow handles himself on the sideline. His temperament, his encouragement, his focus – and the evidence of where his treasure really lies. He seems so at peace with himself and with what is going on around him. Hm.. that sounds a lot like the words we read in that book we call the Bible.
To me it’s so impressive to see how even when he was behind, he was still focused on encouragement and giving effort. I am sure he gets frustrated, I am sure there are moments that he would not want us to hear – he is human. And I am sure there are others who, in their own jobs, are also great examples of this. But to see this, in the limelight and the pressure of big time football, is quite inspiring. I think this is a great example, one that we can take directly into our own fields of employment.
I think it would be worth to take the 10 minutes and watch this. The example that you can see from him will help point you and others to the Christ.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV)
Giving Peace and Light
December 6th, 2011Sometimes I come up with original content. Other times I come up with ‘borrowed’ content. It’s probably a great debate about which one makes it better. Today as yesterday will be borrowed.
I have tried to read more this month and I found some great reading plans at the YouVersion Bible site. I have actually been reading two different plans, one that is discussing a Christmas carol a day, and the other that is just discussed different areas surrounded the birth of the Christ. Yesterday there was a question posed at the end of the both readings and interestingly enough they were both very similar. One asked this
How has your life been a light to those around you? Make a point to be light during this season.
and the other this
What one thing could you change to give those around you a foretaste of God’s Kingdom of peace?
Great questions, how would you answer them?
14-16“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16The Message (MSG)
Being Peace
November 15th, 2011A few months ago, in a Sunday morning bible class, the instructor asked us what the our prayer was for our life. I can’t remember the exact context of the conversation, but I remember the answer that immediately came to my mind. And it come with so much authority and certainty that I actually felt like sharing it out loud, which doesn’t come easy for me in that setting. ( Which is really odd, since when I teach I love audience participation!) Anyway, the prayer for my life on that day, and really ever since, was simple and powerful. On that day I spoke these words:
I just want to be peace in storms.
I was sick – sick of the frustrating battles with my teenager, sick of the constant striving at work, sick of the ridiculous distractions that wrap me up and warp my viewpoints – sick of not just letting the spirit do what the spirit does.
That day was not the first time this thought was in my mind, but since that day I have prayed that prayer almost every day at some point in the day. And you know what – it has helped me grow is so many uncountable ways.!
So this past weekend as I cruised through Colossians I rediscovered this verse that I just love. I hope it helps you as well.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 New International Version (NIV)
Be peace, be thankful, be Christ.
Shadows
June 16th, 2011I thought I had a really great thought this morning about being in Orlando, and being right on the edge of Disney World and how that could have some symbolic meaning about being close to something that you really loved that you couldn’t get.
And then I thought about how at the Holy Lands Park on Monday they recreated the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ and his second coming, and again how that was just like a tease since it was something that we lots of us look forward to, but alas it is not here yet.
So I thought I had a great thought about shadows and how those glimpses into the future keep us motivated to keep moving. I even thought that this verse in Colossians would be great for that,
17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ Colossians 2:17
But it was just a shadow of a thought, a passing glimpse, not even a real post, so I will just share this encouraging verse today instead:
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17
