The end of 2011

I sit here before the computer with nothing to write.  I think my brain has gone into overload as i go over the events of 2011. Nationally, globally, personally, it has been quite a year! Then I peer into the year 2012 and it is an empty page holding the promise of more challenges but also the sweet experiences that brighten our days. Fortunately we live out all our days one moment at a time; that is all we have. We cannot go back and re-write the past; the future is yet to come.  

Papa, I thank you for this past year with all of its joys, sorrows, victories, and yes, failures. All has been an invitation to trust You and to find You faithful. One of the small things I have especially appreciated is how You have helped me find things that I have misplaced. How is it that the God who takes care of the Universe and everything in it, cares enough about me to show me where I have put something? I love it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Walking in the flesh

I have a perfect example of what happens to me when I try to do it right in my own strength. Today Glen and I were out shopping and he was doing something differently from the way I would have handled it.  While I am waiting for him I am saying to myself:
 "I will not mention this."
"I don't need to say anything."
"It is so silly. I won't say anything."
Well, he did something else that was not to my liking and I protested.  Everything I had decided not to say came out. It was at this point that I realized how the whole situation was out of my control. Not once did I turn to Papa and say that I was over my head and would He help me. It was such a little thing.

I think that God orchestrated the whole drama to let me see myself and just how silly I can be.  I love it!  He is so down to earth with us.  We take ourselves far too seriously.  And, it makes a good story for my blog!

Receive: Peace WITH Others

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  Matt. 5:9

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 

II Cor. 5:17-19

This extension of peace horizontally is not passive.  Oh no! God is for peace. Relational peace. He is the first peacemaker. I think about where it is hard to extend peace, reconciliation:  To neighbors, family members, enemies, co-workers, between races, between generations, toward the unjust.  But the Christ within me says to me, “i AM your peace.”  So, we are back to the beginning.  We receive in order to give!

Papa, I am a new creation and have been given the ministry of reconciliation. I receive peace and so am given the tools to pass it on. The whole thing is much deeper than just getting along with others. I make a choice to let God’s resurrected Life flow out of me to others; to share the message of reconciliation.

Receive--the peace OF God

This is what Jesus said to His disciples the night before He died:  

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Jn 14:27

Peace--freedom from agitation, anxiety, fear.  

But it is more than freedom from; peace brings quietness and rest of heart.

The world does not have access to true peace. 

True peace for those who are Believers is the serenity that is untroubled when the oceans roar as financial systems collapse, when nations prepare for war; when our personal worlds fly apart. 

Peace is a choice.  

Papa, In this Christmas Season, I am so grateful that Jesus came to us as the Prince of Peace. He indwells me as peace. In times of great stress--even the stress that comes to me during THIS season--I can turn to You and receive peace by faith. You say, “let NOT your heart be troubled. Let NOT your heart dwell in fear." I always have a choice. I give You my fear and anxiety today in exchange for Your peace.

Receive-- Peace WITH God

As I move from 2011 to 2012, I find the world in turmoil yet God has much to say about peace.

God makes peace with me in that He moves toward ME and does not require any activity on my part.  Two scriptures put this into perspective for me:

In Col 1:21,22 Paul says, “And you, who were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him.”  

I was completely hostile to anything pertaining to God.  DIdn’t want Him; didn’t need Him.  But, He moved toward me!  Jesus brought me into reconciliation with the Father through His physical death on the cross.  He now presents me as holy, blameless, above reproach before Him.  Nothing in this verse says anything about going to church, baptism, prayer, or living right--not that there is anything wrong with these things, but nothing I DO will ever make me right with God. God did it all! 

Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Rom. 5:1

Papa--I receive today the peace that comes from being reconciled to You through your precious Son. I receive it by faith. You are so extravagant!  I give you my nothing for your everything.  Loving You today.

JESUS

Swaddled at birth

Swaddled in death

This is our Lord!

God Wrapped in a Blanket

Jesus,

Loves pure light

Shines from the heart of God

Into this Holy dark Night

Swaddled in cloth

Placed in a cradle of wood.

Jesus,

God with us

    Blood,

      Tears,

          Rending of flesh

Sorrow poured out on a wood tree.

The light of the world,

Swaddled in darkness

For me; for me.

Jane Reeves