Heart Peace

The only real peace is that which is in one's heart. The word is used otherwise, such as a peaceful scene, peace on earth, etc. but true peace comes from the inside. That is why when Jesus said 'Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you', He added 'let not your heart be troubled'.

Circumstances and experiences can lead one to understand true peace better but they do not either give peace or take it away.

The real basis for true peace comes from 'who I know'. One of Jesus' other names is Prince of Peace. Yet just being 'around' Jesus does not assure me of Peace. Judas spend somewhere around 3 years in close connection with Jesus but he sure didn't end up with true peace.

This morning I read the illustration of a graft. Until the branch that is being grafted in to the root stalk fully connects to the point where the sap and nutrition from the roots begin to flow into it, it may still be 'bound' to the root stalk but the connection is 'useless'.

So it is with me. I may talk about Jesus, I may study about Jesus, I may even 'act' like Jesus, but until I receive a constant flow of nourishment from Jesus, I don't have His peace - and JOY!

I'm learning.

May the God of Peace continue to teach you how to get that 'living' connection into His peace.

Bringer of Peace.

Word picture of a Peace based relationship

One of my early recollections is learning to say Psalm 23 from a very pretty poster. My mother had one for Psalm 23, Psalm 1 and the Ten Commandments. (There may have been others but those are the ones I remember.)
I remembered learning them but I couldn't recall them in later years by memory (until I learned them to music which seems to do a much better job of recall).

Anyway, as I have mentioned before, I have been 'unpacking' portions of scripture using the Bible and Strong's concordance and asking the Holy Spirit for wisdom to the meaning for me.

Psalm 22 was much longer and took quite a bit of time. This weekend I put Psalm 22 into my own words and posted it on the paraphrase site. Today I decided to 'review' Psalm 23, even though it was much more familiar to me.

There may not have been as many surprises because I was more aquainted with it but I still found it very interesting. Since it is short I am including it here as well as in the paraphrases link.

Somehow I like that word 'celebration' to describe the sentiments of this scripture. May God's peace flow in to your heart as you partake of His spirit in a deeper way while reading Psalm 23.

Bringer of Peace

A musical celebration using voice and instrument, written by David.
Since I am being taken care of by the Self-Existent One, I lack nothing. He leads me to repose and rest in lovely, beautiful places: He enables me to run with a sparkle upwards to peaceful refreshment. He restores my vitality: He conducts me with delight to prosperous areas because of who He is and because He is paying attention to me. Even when I experience calamity, I won't be afraid of being broken for You are with me - You guide, protect and console me. You take care of me, even in the presence of those who are against me. You satisfy me with more than enough. Joyful favor and beautiful kindness will revive and refresh me and I will be permanently married into the family of God.

Psalm 22

I have been 'unpacking' Psalm 22 for some time now. When I get to the end of a chapter it always seems as though I have never really 'seen' it before. The same is true of this Psalm.

For anyone interested in my present understanding go to the paraphrase link on the side and click on Psalm 22

Good day

A new Week

Another week, another opportunity to grow in Jesus who is the Prince of Peace.
I managed to get to my children's class at church this weekend. I didn't really 'feel' ready but I was determined to do the best I could which I did. God was merciful and due to an unforseen set of circumstances the church didn't have water. It was decided, mainly for the children's sake, that church would be held early and people could go home early.
We had about a 15 minute class during which I attempted to 'sing' one song :(
Fortunately the children 'knew' the song pretty good and were able to follow the pictures.
So, after another short 'spoken' presentation with pictures, we went for church.

After church it was found out the some 'points' in the pump system were burned. By next week everything should be 'working' and I hope my voice will be too.

Before the weekend I had taken a friend shopping. When we arrived at the checkout it was discovered that her purse had been stolen - including a brand new credit card. She was in tears (I don't blame her) and we ended up just going home so she could report the theft as soon as possible. Later in the evening, when my husband found out what had happened he suggested to go back and pay for her groceries for her. When she realized what he had done she was again in tears but this time for joy.

Since we were on our way to our son's 21st birthday celebration we couldn't stay around long. The next day, however, when she called me, she thanked us again and told me that we had helped restore her faith in God - Praise the Lord.

Somehow, that kind of an appreciation gives an inner peace, knowing we have helped the Lord.

Yet, through all of this and much more, the Lord is showing how to stay in His peace.

May you learn more of God's peace and experience more of it as well.

Bringer of Peace

Peace of mind

Monday is past. This is one time I am really glad that is true. As mentioned earlier I have been helping a lady friend who was sued by another person. This Monday the lawyers came and the other lady went through my friends place. She has been 'fearful' that my friend is 'stealing' her stuff. To prepare for this 'Monday' we separated my friend's things from the other lady's things. On Monday everyone watched as the other lady 'went through' my friend's things. If it hadn't been so serious it was at times funny - or maybe better put, pathetic. She took a dust pan and broom. She wanted my friend's turkey forks. There were many other smaller items she pulled out, indicating that she considered them her property. My friend also got to go through and indicate if there were any items she considered were hers. After that was over then the 'two sides' went back and forth on the 'contested' items. I haven't heard the final 'report' from today but I am hoping that most, if not all of the items, are taken care of so we can 'move on'

One lady who was writing the contested list item made the comment to me that it was like a couple of little kids. I agree with one exception. I think one of the 'kids' was very much a bully.

Previous to this - beginning maybe 6-7 years ago - this person had begged my friend to be her 'mother'. My friend had gradually laid aside her various means of support to help this lady and get her set up in business. But then, when the business was going good, suddenly the other person wanted nothing more to do with my friend, to the point of trying to evict her out on the street. It didn't work quite that way, but at this point in time there seems to be an out of court agreement and Monday's activities was an attempt at bringing 'a closing' to this nasty turn of events so my friend can 'move on' with her life as a writer and an artist.

My friend has signed a lease for another place to live. We have 'separated' her things and hopefully we will SOON get them packed and to the new location as soon as possible, now that it seems that the other side has agreed to the 'separations'.

But all of this has taken a toll. I guess I was pushing hard to get everything separated by Monday. Now that Monday is past I have sort of just been in neutral. For the past couple of weeks I have been struggling with a sore throat and laryngitis and I have got to slow down for at least a little while before we get to the 'final' move to get my friend into her new place.

Yet for all of the above I have a peace in my mind and heart that what we did was the best that could be done under the circumstances. I'm thankful, very thankful, for one shining attribute of my friend. She appreciates my help. We have had a few disagreements on 'technique', you might say. Yet, many times, even after I have left for the day she will call me to make sure I knows that she appreciates what I did to help her. I think that is one thing that has caused me to want to go the second mile for her.

Some other folks we have been trying to help recently, or so it comes across to me anyway, seem to almost consider that they are doing us a favor when we help them. I don't think they think that but the way they act seems that way at times.

We have been trying to 'juggle' space in the house next door. One lady has been living on a porch for a couple of years. She wants an inside room and I think we finally have one available. Yet, somehow, we have almost perceived the feeling that she believes she deserves it rather than what I have considered a job and a half to try to work things out so she could have it. (That does sound like maybe I have an attitude problem as well. I'm working on it.)

Back to this 'peace of mind' thought. I know God gives Peace. I also believe others can assist in giving peace. Lastly, it is up to me to decided what kind of peace I will 'have'.

May the peace of God flood your heart and life just now. Hey, just the fact that you have read this means you are special. Peace to you.


Bringer of Peace

Joy and Peace in Believing

For over two weeks now it seems that the intensity surround me has been increasing. That may or may not be of value. On the other hand, however, I have been having less energy. My voice comes and goes on a regular basis. Sometimes I can talk almost normally and other times I communicate on 'whisper' level. That has seemed to be a blessing on at least one occasion. I was talking to a salesman about a 'remnant' piece of rug - in a whisper. To make a long story short he ended up selling it to us for about 50% off. I wondered if he felt sorry for me but I didn't mind. This weekend I about hit bottom though and didn't go much of anywhere except dreamland, if you call that 'going'.

Tomorrow the lady I have been helping who has been involved in a lawsuit will have an official inspection. The lady who was suing her has accused her of taking things while at the same time it has been quite obvious that the lady knows a lot about doing just that - taking things from my friend. Anyway, one of the conditions of settling out of court was that this lady could inspect my friend's belongings before she packs to leave. (quite an interesting way to 'pack') Anyway, one blessing is that taking all this time to sort - one pile for my friend and another pile for the other lady - should make it much easier when we do pack.

That is only one area of my life at the present.

Another challenge has been that I normally teach children on the weekend. With little or no voice that has been almost impossible. Last weekend, for some reason, there were almost no children. An older lady friend stepped in and taught the children. I haven't yet heard what happened this week but I know I couldn't have done it anyway.

A few of you who read this have been at our farm. At the beginning of this year a couple lived in a four room apartment in the upstairs of a big house. They chose to move to Tennessee in April. A while later the thought came to me that maybe I could use some of the apartment for an office for my ministry called "Passport to Life". I have been able to get the majority of my things set up in two rooms.

But in the meantime we have been needing at least one more room. To make a long story short I did get two rooms but the apartment kitchen and one bedroom we have let a lady who lives here 'take over'. The room where she was in was at the head of the stairs. Another lady has been living in an impromptu bedroom on a porch. We are giving her the room at the top of the stairs as a 'permanent' bedroom. In order to do that we needed to empty that room of the furniture.
Oh my, my rooms have more than their share of things for now. I hope to get my rooms in shape some time soon. My oldest sister some time might be able to help me. But whether or not she is able to come and help me I keep 'hoping against hope' and keep on keeping on.

So how does all of this deal with JOY and PEACE? One reason is that each time God brings me through one of the above experiences I am also experiencing His JOY and His PEACE as He 'grows me up' into the way He would act.

As I believe that God loves me, believes that He wants what is best for me, then I am filled with His Spirit and His JOY and PEACE become mine.


Accept those gifts from the God of JOY today

Bringer of Peace

A choice - Peace or Fear

During the past several days I have been studying Psalm 21.

Here is my present understanding of it for any who wish to read it.

1. For the superintendent of Music, a celebration song written by David for both instrument and voice. The king delights in how strong You are, Creator God. Your victories animate him to sing and dance with intense joy. 2. You have given him his deepest longings, not even denying his spoken desire to unite with You as intimately as in a marriage relationship. (Meditate) 3. You hasten to benefit him with your goodness. You place on his head a crown of pure gold. 4. He asked to live in You and You gave him Your own eternal life. 5. The king's great splendor, grandeur and magnificence is the result of You setting him free and placing him in that position. 6. You placed him there to adore and speak good of God, thus revealing His character. You have given him intense JOY as You have looked upon him. 7. The king is confident in the Creator God and while bowing in respect before the Supreme God he will not waver. 8. You will also appear to those who hate you. They too will experience your strength. 9. Your presence and full power will be to them destructive - as fire. The Self-Existent One's breath (His life) is so powerfull that, like fire, it will consume them. 10. Even their families will cease - with no offspring. 11. They schemed evil plots against You, but couldn't carry out their plans. 12. You will eventually allow them to receive the full consequences of their choices by turning your life giving gaze away from them, leaving them lifeless. 13. Creator God, Your ways are high above the way we think and act. You are strong in Yourself. We will sing and make music about Your victory.