Doing Our Best to Stay in Peace

Watching the news report of another devastating hurricane approaching the U.S. coasts -- I continue to pray for divine intervention for those precious souls who are evacuating and have no idea what they will come home to – if anything at all.

Last night my church held a Holy Hour to pray for all those affected by Hurricane Harvey and for those in the path of Hurricane Irma. It sure made my heart glad to know that we were a united front, pounding on heaven’s door with prayers of intercession for our brothers and sisters in harm’s way. Many lives have been turned upside down and inside out….literally. I can only imagine how they long for peace and the very least we can do is to pray and PRAY HARD. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

While in prayer, this old song came to me:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.
In the light of His glory and grace.

That sounds like it’s taking all this devastation too lightly, but on the other hand, that’s what we must do – we put the spot light on God’s grace and keep our eyes focused on He who is the essence of peace.

No question – it’s a work-out to strive for peace at all times and especially at times when there are families displaced by war, little children on streets begging for something to eat, out of control fires ravaging homes and families…..and now these hurricanes. Doing our best to stay in peace, regardless of the natural form of storms, as well as the storms of the soul that rage (and I’ve had many) must be our greatest determination.

Isaiah 26:3 says “Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on ME!” I know the world's peace depends on calm seas, favorable circumstances, getting our way, things going as expected, with very few challenges. That sounds so good, but as soon as the storm clouds start rolling in (literally and figuratively), we tend to go the way of anxiety and concern.

Here's the peace I know well -- the peace Jesus gives. That peace helps me face circumstances with a quiet confidence that guides me -- not contingent on what's going on around me, but what's inside me -- better yet, WHO'S inside me. Jesus said, "Peace, I give you -- my peace I give you -- not as the world gives I you! Let not your heart be troubled." John 14:27

Here I am, this morning, all safe and sound in my home in Frisco, TX -- my needs are met. I’m comfortable and secure. But, I could be here, and not know Him -- and be completely lost and hopeless -- longing for inner peace and rest in my soul. How grateful I am that when I searched, I found that safe place in the person of Jesus Christ, and what a difference it has made in the many storms I’ve encountered.

Don’t you know that it breaks God’s heart to allow the storms to come? As parents, doesn’t it break our hearts when our children encounter storms and though we don't ever like to see our children suffer, sometimes having them cuddle up to us for reassurance and peace, just feels good. Should we think that our Father is care-less about His kids? I believe He could be strategic in allowing some things....that He knows draws us closer to Him. “ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8.

I continue to pray for our country – on so many levels and above all, I pray that not only does God bless America, but more importantly that America blesses God and turns to Him for “peace in the midst of the storms”.

Peace I Give To You

Day 110 of Photo Inspirations -- Safe Harbor
By tonight, we will have been travelling on the Atlantic Ocean 7 days.  We were detoured from Halifax, Nova Scotia because of the low pressure system, but tomorrow we'll be docking in the Azores, Portugal.  It's okay with most all of us, because Nova Scotia has 3 feet of snow and the Azores will be in the 70s.  We welcome that climate.  Then we'll be heading on to Ireland.  I'm really look forward to being there.  My grandparents were Irish, so maybe you could say I'm heading toward my family "roots".  These are a few pics of my friends and I enjoying this beautiful ship.  By no means is anyone complaining about being aboard this little city.  The food, the entertainment, the activities, and the comfortable areas all over make for a beautiful and restful experience.  We've had four time zone changes and will have others before getting to Denmark on May 2nd.

I've been talking a lot about staying in peace.   I've loved water skiing -- I could do some pretty awesome moves as a slalom water skier, but as I look out the windows of this ship, I see some pretty rough waters -- white capping.    I would have never attempted skiing on waters like these.   But inside this ship -- we don't even notice the rough waters.  It is stable.  I'm sitting at the table in the dining room as I type this.  I just finished my breakfast and the glasses and the dishes on the table weren't moving a bit -- even my coffee and orange juice aren't moving inside the glasses and cups.   It is a stable place of comfort and peace.

And, in the matters of life, as long as I fix my thoughts on my Prince of Peace, I'm stable and at peace.  I know the world's peace depends on calm seas, favorable circumstances, getting our way, things going as expected, with very few manageable challenges.  That sounds all sweet and nice, but as soon as our "apple cart gets turned over", the world's peace tends to dissipate and we are left with anxiety and concern.  But here's the peace I know well -- the peace Jesus gives.  That peace helps me face circustances with a quiet confidence that guides me -- not contingent on what's going on around me, but what's inside me -- better yet, WHO'S inside me. Jesus said, "Peace, I give you -- my peace I give you -- not as the world gives I you!  Let not your heart be troubled."   John 14:27