The Harmony of Peace

Someone sent me an email that set me to thinking. Consider the following.

... For decades scientists have been trying to find out what holds the universe together by finding the smallest particles that are the foundation of all creation. Here it is ...Years ago scientists thought the Atom was the smallest particle inthe universe; then they split the Atom and found Electrons ... Years later they were able to break down Electrons and found Protons and Neutrons ... but it's not over yet. Later they were able to break down the Protons and Neutrons and found what they thought were the smallest particles of all ...Quarks. Ready for this? Not too long ago scientists finally broke down the Quark, what they thought was the smallest particle in the universe, and they found the root of every living particle that holds theentire universe and every living thing in it together ... VIBRATIONS, CAUSED BY SOUND WAVES ! HERE'S THE IMPORTANCE OF IT ALL ... The Bible, written over a period of thousands of years before there were any scientists, tells us that GOD SPOKE the entire universe into existence and that it is HIS SPOKEN WORD which is alive and living is what holds it all together ... Thus in the form of ... SOUND WAVES; once again proving ! that the Bible is really the Word of God and cannot be disputed.> >>> Pretty Cool, isn't it? He who kneels before God can stand before> >>> anyone!

In other 'studies' I have come to understand that 'sound' consists of 'vibrations' or 'frequencies'. Color is a label used when a person is 'seeing' 'frequencies'. Scientists can measure 'brain waves' and many more areas of life that, bottom line, involve frequencies, vibrations, waves, etc.

Is it so very far fetched, then, to accept that when I am in agreement with the Creator God of the universe -I am in harmony with Him, in sync with the vibrations emitting from Him, or in more Biblical terms, united to Him - that God's power will be 'seen', revealed in and through me?

Even more awesome is the realization that when I not only am in agreement with God but am sharing that love with others God uses me as an avenue for His love to flow out to others as well as return back to Him.

Interestingly enough I believe that is what Jesus said when talking to some of the leaders of His day. They asked Him what was the greatest command. His two part answer (Matthew 22:37-39) simply put is: Love God supreme and love others as you love yourself.

In this sense Harmony with God is true Peace.

Jesus warned us that in this world we would have problems. But then He went on to say, "Be of good courage, I have overcome the world." Combine that with Jesus' promise of "Peace I leave with You, My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." The kind of Peace Jesus gives is being in sync, in harmony with the Creator God of the Universe. WOW!! What power that is.

Peace to You today.

Bringer of Peace

Sharing God's Peace

I only have a few minutes right now. This morning a friend shared with me some of her challenges in life. We occasionally get a chance to 'stop and talk' . I have a feeling that since we hadn't seen each other for almost a week the stresses of life had been building. She has been sued legally and had some questions. We unpacked some possible reasons based on what I am learning about God's desire for Peace and Joy to be in our lives. She has often encouraged me in the past when I would be 'down' so I felt thankful that there was a possibility to return the favor to her. She has a whole pile of paper work that needs to be filed in just a few days so I have a feeling we will be 'working' as well as talking.

I would be helping her right now but I brought her clothes home to dry - since someone disconnected her dryer in this legal 'issue' (not particularly fair but happened nontheless).

As mentioned earlier I believe the blessings received at campmeeting were many. Just getting us there was a small miracle. We really didn't have money to go but had made reservations anyway. A few weeks ago a couple of ladies visited our church. We ended up talking most of the afternoon. One sweet lady, just before leaving, shared a little 'love gift' with me. Yes, it was more than enough to get us to campmeeting - Praise the Lord. Then, later, the sister of this lady shared a whole bag of books with us that have proved very interesting and informative as well. Praise the Lord again.

Time is passing so I will need to go for this time. May share more later.

Bringer of Peace

A little 'side trip'

I am still rather new at this 'blogging'. My brother 'tagged' me while I was away for a few days.

This 'tagging', according to his definition is:

Tagged! You're It
I have been tagged as “it” in the world of blog. This seems to be a very interesting game being enjoyed by various bloggers who are expected, when tagged, to publish 8 random facts about themselves on their blog page and then tag 8 more people who in turn become “it”.

I am going to be 'hard put' to find 8 other 'bloggers' mainly because I don't even 'know' that many myself.

But as far a 8 'random facts' I've decided to give it a try - for whoever may happen to read.

1. I am the fourth born in my family. My name means maiden, bringer of peace (or peace maiden). I believe that meaning has had a very positive impact on my whole life. I learned later that my father's mother's original name was also Olive even though when I knew her she went by the name of 'Frances'.

2. Music, particularly music related to spiritual topics, has been an important element in my life. I was told that after my mother lost a baby, Paul Dean who was born after me, I would say to her "sing mama, sing" (I was somewhere around 2-3 years old). She would sing and I got the distinct impression that it helped both of us. As a primary and junior age child I remember the enthusiastic song services particularly at campmeetings - we just got back from a Holy Spirit filled campmeeting during this last week. And summer camp memories always included singing around the campfire. In my early twenties I was introduced to 'scripture songs'. I was a student elementary school teacher and during my first year of teaching the 'school choir' learned to sing Psalm 119. I decided if I could learn to sing that anything else would be easier. Over the years those Bible songs have been a tremendous influence in my heart. When I began studying more about God's plan for Peace and His JOY power available to my life, I ended up collecting 60 some portions of scripture relating to either JOY or PEACE which have had a strong power in my mind.

3. From about as young as I can remember I wanted to be a missionary and a teacher. God was gracious enough to let me experience the best of both. I have taught in a school classroom setting for a while. I have also taught in a Vacation Bible School format for many years. The 'missionary' part has also been varied. The Lord sent me on my first 'missionary' assignment to teach a 'mission' elementary school in the hills and hollers of West Virgnia. (Did you know that West Virginia only has 'three' directions? 'Up, down and around.) After I was married my husband and I spent six years in Zambia, Africa on mission. More recently I had the wonderful privilege of participating in two short term overseas mission trips to India - WOW!

4. During my high school days - which I navigated at a boarding school called Wisconsin Academny - I earned part of my tuition working at a 'book bindary'. Later, while a student teacher I again assisted with text book preparation. I guess the Lord was preparing me for another assignment. After the India mission trip God asked me to complete a series of lessons called 'HIS STORY - the Creator God of the Universe' . Each lesson includes some part of HIS STORY as well as word searches, questions, music, pictures or other activities so that the participant will be able to 'take part' rather than 'only read' in the learning process. It has been a challenge and yet a real blessing to me as well.

5. Another area of interest to me has been 'alternate' health. I would go to a Dr. if needed but there are also many 'remedies' other than 'drugs' that may work just as well and at times may be less expensive. After returning from Africa I found out that many symptoms I had experienced for many years were due to 'food allergies'. A common suggestion is to avoid the foods that bother, except I am allergic to around 100 vegetarian foods. Keeps life interesting. After trying many remedies I came across 'clay' . For me it has been a 'God-send' for it takes away the majority of my food allergy reactions often from within seconds to minutes. If you are interested in more about clay you can visit http://www.eytonsearth.org/
I also have 'airborne' allergies. Something that has helped me a whole LOT is an orange cleaner. If you are interested you can learn more at http://www.healthyhomesonline.com/

6. As mentioned earlier I am the fourth in my family - the oldest being a brother ten years older, then two older sisters and two younger brothers (one died shortly after birth but the other one is very much alive and well. He has a blog at http://www.clayfootsteps.blogspot.com/ which I find very thought provoking.) In fact he is the one who 'tagged' me.

7. I presently reside in the peidmont area of lovely Virginia. Just today we were out in our garden digging potatoes. Thanks to an extra dose of Vit. E my muscles are only telling me that I an not quite used to that kind of work on a daily basis, but not yelling and screaming that they have been abused.

8. Ah, the last of this assignment. What better way to end this 'tag' than to let the world know - at least the world of those who read this - that I love Jesus and would love to share with anyone who is interested some really neat things I have been learning about how God has wired our minds to operate at optimum capacity by tapping into two disctinct and yet closely related experiences which science today calls JOY and PEACE. And from my own life experience may I testify that what science has discovered WORKS! for real.

I will have to try to come up with 8 other blogsights later. It is getting late and I must get some sleep.

May God give you His peace just now

Bringer of Peace

Peace and JOY

I received some challenging news last evening. Someone very dear to me is being attacked. My hubby and I presented them to the Lord before going to sleep. This morning I spent some time 'unpacking' Psalm 16. I had already done a limited 'word study' and was re-reading it to put it in my own words. As I completed paraphrasing it I believed that it was also a message for the 'one' dear to me who the devil is attempting to 'crush' through others who are envious of him.

Following is my 'paraphrase' of Psalm 16 for anyone who wishes to consider it. (I have also posted it at my paraphrase blogspot - see side bar.) In the King James Version verse 11 reads "Thou wilt show me the path of life, in Thy presence is fullness of JOY, at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore". I had learned that verse also as a scripture song so it was rather familiar to me. But this time as I spent more time on it the context became even more interesting. Following the paraphrase I will include the KJV with definitions from Strong's Concordance for the last two verses.

1. A permanent poem written by David. Take care of me, Almighty God, for I have confidence in You.2, 3. My heart said to You, my Creator God: "I am not comparing my goodness with You, my Sovereign, rather to Your family here on earth and to those who are special to me. 4. Those who 'go with the flow' and get behind shall have a lot more sorrow. What they make more important than You I won't even mention with my mouth."5. My Creator God is my inheritance and He takes care of me.6. I accept this covenant as agreeable. Yes, I consider this to be extremely good.7. I kneel before my Creator who advises me; my 'inner self' also corrects me at night.8. I have chosen to always be guided by My Creator God so I won't waver.9. It gives me intense pleasure knowing I can trust Him.10. You, Creator God, won't leave me in demanding situations to be overcome by horrible messes.11. Your guidance leads me to be with You, giving me real JOY. This is the best place I can ever be.

In the following KJV quotes are in black and Strong's definitions are in red.
10 For thou wilt not leave loosen, relinguish, permit my soul breathing creature, vitality, in hell inquire, request, demand; neither wilt thou suffer give, put, make, thine Holy kind, pious, courtesy to an equal, One to see corruption sink, bow down, incline, humble, a pit, destruction
11 Thou wilt show ascertain by seeing, know, me the path to travel, well trodden road, caravan, of life alive, raw, fresh, strong: in thy presence before the face [is] fulness satisfaction of joy brighten up, blithesomeness, glee, intense pleasure; at thy right be right, be on right hand side, stronger side hand [there are] pleasures agreeable, delightful for evermore. Glitter, eminent, permanent

I realize that verse 10 does apply as a prophecy concerning Jesus. I also believe that whatever promises applied to Jesus when He lived here on earth as a human can also be applied to those who choose to belong to Him as His sons and daughters.

My present definition of Peace includes being so comfortable in someone else's presence that I feel at rest and confident they have my best in mind. I believe the above Psalm portray's that. And as a result of that confidence in God I also receive true JOY - not just now but ever onward.

Sounds good to me. Now to keep myself focused on that reality as God sees it for me.

We have much to do today so will 'go' for now.

Bringer of Peace

Sharing the Source of Real Peace

I needed to 'take care' of my cell phone so stepped out of church. A couple of ladies had just arrived from another city. They had heard that a special speaker was going to be at our church and had decided to come to hear him speak.

After church we visited with them as we ate lunch. After talking on for a while we invited them to our home to continue our visit. They were interested in what we have been learning concerning some Bible topics and relationships with God and others. As we shared the Lord continued to open topic after topic to our deeper understanding as well. Story after story opened to our minds more of what God is really like.

One of Satan's countereits is to get people to think that God uses 'force' at least once in a while. True peace, however, cannot flourish when a mind believes in force - either giving or receiving. If a mind thinks that someone else is attempting to force, it often causes resistance. God commands - yes - but at the same time He also allows a person to choose to obey or otherwise.

It is Satan that attempts to make people believe they 'have' to do 'this' or 'that' even if they don't want to. God sends His love to all creation. It is God's love that is the life of everything.

When a person realizes that God can be trusted then he or she can come into a confiding peace in God's presence. As we shared some of how to do this and saw these dear folks gain a better understanding of God's plan for peace it brought peace to our hearts.

Bringer of Peace

Peace in Attitude

Early on this week the water pump shorted out leaving our farm with no 'running' water, except what we 'run' to get. Praise the Lord that happened before August when the 'service agreement' runs out. (We hope for 'well water' again some time next week.) Praise the Lord for the rain this week that replenished our rain barrels so we have water that can be used for toilets etc. The rain also knocked out our phone line. When calling to report that proplem I decided that the spirit of complaining wasn't making me happy for sure so I decided to 'be nice'. The operator offered to forward all calls to my cell phone for free while our land line was out. That turned out to be a real blessing for some friends wanted to come visit and they didn't know my cell phone number but I got their call anyway. I have been seeing more and more how my attitude so greatly affects what I see - both in others and in situations.

Is that one reason the Lord says "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid? "
Peace beginning in my attitude 'flavors' every other area of my life.

My present definition of 'sin' also deals in part with attitude. Here it is. Sin - an attitude, resulting in action when the opportunity presents itself, of any will other than God's will for me, for my life.

The Bible says that whatever is not of 'faith' is sin. My definition of 'faith' also deals in part with attitude. Faith - an attitude, resulting in action when the opportunity presents itself, of choosing and being in God's will for me, for my life.

So how does this all tie in with true Peace? One way is "Great Peace have they which love Thy law and nothing shall offend them."

So long as I choose to remain in God's will - Supreme love to the Creator God and loving others as myself - God gives me His 'great peace' as a love gift. Does that mean nothing will 'go wrong'? No! Does that mean every one will 'like me'? No!

Peace is my life often seems to 'come' to me 'in spite' of problems. Jesus promises "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

In the past when we have had trouble with our pump I got really upset. I could have had a repeat experience this time but having listened to the part of my brain that was trying to get me to have a 'repeat performance' as before of upset and frustrated, etc. I decided that since it had not helped me in the past I was going to 'react' differently. Having made that choice God gave me His peace - Praise Him!

It was even more evident in the matter of the phone. When I chose to 'be nice' instead of chewing out a phone operator who most likely couldn't do anything much about it anyway, I immediately had a 'change of attitude', Praise the Lord.

It has been a busy week on many 'fronts' in my life. I praise the Lord.

Oh, I have plenty of reason to tell others where they are wrong, but it just doesn't seem to be the way Jesus did things in His family of followers on a day by day basis.

He is called the Prince of Peace. The more I look at how He did things the more I believe I can 'act like Him'.

More later,
Bringer of Peace

Peace of Mind

This morning in our 'worship' we read the following. " Peace of mind, which comes from pure and holy motives and actions, will give free and vigorous spring to all the organs of the body. Inward peace and a concience void of offense toward God, will quicken and invigorate the intellect, like dew distilled upon the tender plants." (from a book called Sons and Daughters of God page 169)

Sounds like this 'peace' is quite important. It quickens and invigorates the intellect. It gives free and vigorous spring to all the organs of the body.

This is the experience of peace I choose - God's peace in me.

May you have that kind of peace in your life today also.

Bringer of Peace