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If grace is an ocean,
We are all sinking.

Having Peace

Everyone has seen tragedy. Haiti, 911, the Holocaust... Few of us have faced such depth as tragedy as those listed, however, some form of strife has made it's way into all of our lives. For some it is the death of a loved one. For other, it may be a health related crisis. Others will face divorce or other personal trauma.

Tragedy comes as a part of life -- non-Christians and Christian alike. Details may vary, but the experience does not.

I have asked many times over life whether it's possible to have peace in the world we live in. Some people would say that peace is impossible, an ideal that we can work toward but never obtain. I, on the other hand, think that peace is entirely possible. Through experience though, I think that it can be difficult to acheive, and we usually seek it in the wrong way... Here are 3 suggestions I can make.

1. Understand that God is here
There are tons of 'God' bumper stickers out there, and there's one that I've seen that says "Know God, Know Peace. No God, No Peace". This is totally true. Without acknowledgement that there is a God, we will not have peace. That's why it's called the "peace of God" or "God's peace" in the Bible. At this moment, I can't explain it, but all I know is that "I've got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart".

2. Understand that God is aware
Jesus made a remarkable statement concerning this incredible attribute of the awareness of God in Matthew 10:29... Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. Honestly, God did not create this world and then turn His back on it; His is aware of what is going on, and we are alone in the struggles we are facing. He rejoices when he sees good, love and beauty. It breaks His heart when He sees strife; war and hatred, what we have done to this world.

3. Understand that God cares

Okay, so there's a God, but that's not enough to bring us peace. He's aware of what is going on., but still... Is that enough to bring peace in my life? A big tipping point for me is to know that God cares.

Not only is he with us, He knows us. He knows who each one of us is, and knows everything about us. He knows the numbers of hairs on each of our heads* and knows our every want and need. If He cares about the hairs on our heads to that degree of detail, I feel confident that He knows everything about us in all ways. David got it write when he wrote "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me"

If we are going to have peace in our lives it will only be when we genuinely realize that God not only knows whats best for us, but that He wants what is best for us. And then we have to take that belief and act upon it. We must step out in faith knowing that God is rooting for us and that He knows what He's doing.

Too often we second-guess God. It's almost like we say "Okay God. I love you, and I know you are in fact God. I know you are The Creator and the Ruler of the entire freakin' universe, but, I think in this case, I actually know the better thing to do." And so we do what we think is best and then when it all falls to pieces, we wonder what went wrong. It's funny that sometimes we look back and say, "Darn, if only I had done what God had wanted me to do..." God cares, and He sees a much bigger picture than we do (kinda like someone else I know--shout out!).

The life of a Christian isn't all quiet and contemplative. We face turmoil and trouble just like anyone else. But the wonder of it all is that, in the midst of all the troubled life that is crashing loudly around us, we can have peace! With the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we can experience peace on a level that defies humans understanding (check out Philippians 4:7).

It means we can experience God's peace in our church. It means we can experience God's peace in our homes, even between parents and siblings. It means we can experience God's peace out in the world. Really, it means that we can experience God's piece in our hearts. It doesn't mean that any of these places are going to be perfect, but it means that in spite of that, we can have peace. Because true peace doesn't come from us, or anything the world can offer us - it comes from God.


*(side note: I've always wanted to ask...)

Snack time!

Best thing about having my wisdom teeth pulled?

Finding new foods.

I've tried a lot of stuff the last week, including baby cookies (pretty darn good).

But, today I came across the best snack ever. Taken from an old classic, with a bit of a spin, I introduce...

PEANUT BUTTER N' JELLY MUSH!

Its a sweet, no chew substitute for the toasted alternative!

And it's super easy!

All you need is:

Toast (variable quantities)

Peanut Butter (variable quantities)

Jam (variable quantities)

Butter (variable quantities)

You put all of said ingredients into a blender and spin away! Make sure to mix a few times, to make sure all pieces of toasts (especially the crusts) have been completely crumbled.

After that, scoop out of blender, and enjoy!

Stay tuned for possible spinoffs of this little mixture... I'm thinking frozen PBJ snackers...

Not one word has failed

I sit here on the couch* beneath piles of books on Theology. Books by CS Lewis, NT Wright, Max Lucado, Brennan Manning, Rob Bell, as well as other various assorted books on subjects that are too theological for my small brain to even begin to comprehend. I'm not really reading all these books... I've read some of them, and others I've attempted to read.

I am sitting here, chatting with people and working on other blog posts while pondering how wonderful God's mercies and promises are. I am constantly being reminded of how wonderful His love is for me and how beautifully it encompasses my very being.

"Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave" 1 Kings 8:56

Recently I went through my Bible, reading all the different notes and papers that were nestled inside of it. A few things caught my eye...things that I wrote down in times when I had hit rock bottom, things that I had clung to with all my life in hopes of understanding the depth of God's Love for me and His purpose in everything that had happened.

I remember sitting down and writing on a piece of paper "What is God doing with me? Where is He in all of this? How does He see anything positive coming from me after this? Is this the end?"

These thought had consumed me for a long time as I tried to figure out the tangle of life. I felt alone, like there was no one who could understand me. Flipping through the pages once more I came across this note :
5/3/2005
Claiming the Promises of Ruth
-Childless, Widow, Moved to a new land
Met her husband and together they began a family that was the predecessor for something amazing.

When I wrote that, I was at a turning point, a place where God gently held me in His hands and reminded me that things will be better. And while hope fades in and out for me, His promises stay pure, stay true. He never waives in His mercy and love for us. He never fails. He never forgets.

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

I am reminded ever so gently and constantly that a) God has a purpose for my life b) God is the restorer and sustainer of my joy and c) God's promises stand true. Just a random post to voice how much I am in love with God lately.

*location changes, depending on what other things I'm doing at the moment.

Wisdom Teeth

I like wisdom.

I'm quite fond of it.

I'm fine with wisdom teeth, too.

You can almost see 'em back there!

That is...



Until they're gone.



And your face swells so much you can't eat.

And you go stir crazy from sitting on the couch,

Watching daytime TV all day, looking like you got beat up

and eating liquefied food.

Sigh.

(I've been out for the past few days with wisdom teeth removal.

The healing process is quiet annoying. It's getting frustrating.

But, things are getting better! Yay for drugs!)