Deeper than feelings is the conviction that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior…
A conviction not just spoken but lived…
This is the core of the peace beyond all human understanding we carry within…
For we are immersed in Him…the Great I AM.
He is risen today so that we may have life.
A Glorious and Joyful Easter to all!
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Why is it that pain, trials, sufferings -be it emotional, physical, or spiritual- break open streams of creativity?
Could it be that the living water that seeps through the cracks of our humanity
saturates the dryness of hopelessness and brings resurrection…
again and again and again.
The current of new life erodes the deadness of discouragement and despair,
breaking down the banks of fear that have built up along the sides of the lack of peace.
Without the foundation of fear the living waters gently but forcefully flood the stagnant pool of suffering…
bringing movement and re-circulation and peace and ahhh…
oneness with Him who is living water and who re-hydrates the parched soul.
A friend of mine shared this equation:
PRAYER + SURRENDER = PEACE
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This isn’t a raise the white flag, I give up, just forget it kind of surrender…
This is a wrestling with God, I’m afraid, I just don’t know, I’m angry, I don’t want to, difficult prayer of surrender when my will has become disconnected with His will and plan.
Uncomfortable prayer, challenging prayer, die to oneself prayer, no I don’t know the best way prayer of surrender that leads to peace.
That peace beyond human understanding…
The fitting of my heart in His…
My hand once again clasped in the hand of my Father.
Yes, PRAYER + SURRENDER = PEACE.
“This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
image via fromtheheartofj
The facets of the human person…
Fallen yet immersed in the I AM…
Catching bits of light and reflecting it.
The broken- open- healed- present- potential bundle of God’s Love.
Just one cell of the mystical Body with a unique task that no other can accomplish in the Divine Plan.
Let there be harmony among the broken-open-healed-present-potential masterpieces of Divine Love…
Which is the not yet tuned symphony of the Glory of God…
Man Himself…
The broken-open-healed-present-potential bundle of God’s Love.
“At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three, but the greatest of these is love.” ! Cor 13:12
image via fromtheheartofj
Peace is not the absence of the chaotic cacophony of the world that swirls about the soul…
But rather the knowing that I am holding the hand of Him who holds my life in His within the midst of the din.
Yes this is Peace.
“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. ” 2 Th 3:16
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“Take care to maintain peace and tranquility in your heart; let the waves toss and churn all around your boat, but fear not, because God is there and as a result, salvation.” Francis de Sales
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
What is PEACE of mind…How do we live it?
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Spanish Moss is common in the southern United States.
image via art.com
Oak trees draped with hanging moss paint a picture of peace and tranquility.
Evoke images of Southern belles, all afternoon picnics, and croquet games.
Mint Juleps optional.
Spanish moss is very beautiful…
but it grows in nooks and crevices of the weakest branches of majestic hundred year old trees.
Blocks the sunlight from feeding the leaves that surround it.
It does not kill, but yes, further weakens.
Our minds can become full with random thoughts, distracting thoughts, busy thoughts, purposeless thoughts, empty thoughts…
image via fasttrackobm.com
Our minds become weak with the heaviness of them.
Thoughts drape up on thoughts shutting out the light from above that guides us and sustains us.
Begin to weaken our will, our walk.
Let not the moss grow in weakened areas of the mind.
Relax, slow down, rest…
image via everyjoe.com
Mint Julep optional!
Let the light of Godly, purposeful, affirming thoughts fill your mind.
Anything else is mere moss.
A light filled mind is a PEACE filled mind.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. ” Phil 4: 8-9
Lord make me an INSTRUMENT of your PEACE…
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Where there is hatred, let me sow love…
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Where there is injury, pardon…
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Where there is doubt, faith…
image via truthstirring.blogspot.com
Where there is despair, hope…
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Where there is darkness, light…
image via faithlifereflections.blogspot.com
Where there is sadness, joy…
image via livinglifebydesign.com
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console…
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To be understood as to understand…
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To be loved as to love…
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For it is in giving that we receive…
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It is in pardoning that we are pardoned…
image via 4catholiceducators.com
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
“Lord truly make us your INSTRUMENTS of PEACE.”
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“Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called sons of God.”
Peace MAKERS.
We all love Peace, but…
We are called to be Peace MAKERS.
Called to go about life intentionally bringing about the highest good of others.
Then we are BLESSED to be called Children of God…
image via olystudio.com
Mirrors of God’s very nature.
Peace MAKING is not about avoiding conflict…
Brushing dirt under the rug…
Ignoring the elephant in the middle of the room.
This is a call to get to the heart of the matter…
To unravel the knots with God’s given grace and wisdom.
Jesus, Our Savior King, died up on the cross to bring Peace and to restore us to a right relationship with Him.
Peace MAKERS don’t avoid conflict.
image via freebiblestudyguides.org
They walk right into it with their armor on.
And by the power of the Holy Spirit bring wholeness into the brokenness.
MAKE Peace in the real sense of the word and you will be BLESSED.
“Let us pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another.” Romans 14:19
image via galacticroundtable.com
Adam and Eve walking in the garden in the breezy time of day, conversing with God.
Sigh…..can you just imagine?
But then the fall…
Discord…Disconnect…Seperation…Sin
Now we all long for Peace…
image via haywardhounds.webs.com
Shalom in Hebrew.
Peace…a word that packs a punch.
Peace…a prayer.
Peace…means wholeness, completeness, perfectness, fullness.
When we greet one another with “Peace” or “Peace be with you”,
image via mylot.com
We are actuallly saying…
“I hope this day there is movement toward wholeness for you.”
“I hope this day things in your life are as they ought to be.”
“I hope this day you are restored to walking in the garden in the breezy time of day with God.”
image via krlyayoga.com
Peace…a mighty blessing we bestow on others.
Peace…a paradise petition.
Peace this day, friends, may you know it and may you pass it on.
Words are powerful!
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
through Him with Him in Him... 