PEACE = Loving One Another in Christ (Repost)

This repost is especially for the Facebook site “Pursuing Peace.” God’s blessings on all my readers today.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, February 17, 2016

PEACE = Loving One Another in Christ

Today’s definition of PEACE is gentle, just like the person the definition came from. Anacelia Padrid gave the following definition: “PEACE = the result of loving one another in the Christian way.”

Anacelia is a member at St. Luke’s Christian Community Church in Morton Grove. When I asked her what she would like to write down for her personal definition, she got quite serious. Full of thoughtfulness. Then, she carefully wrote her definition on the sheet. Last, she gave an explanation of her definition.

She said, “It is in the Christian family that we have our love with one another, as our head who is God. Only through Him we are guided in the proper way.”

By this definition, Anacelia gives people no questions about her faith as a Christian. Some other people gave more general definitions, but this one is decidedly, definitely Christian.

I know Anacelia earnestly believes this Christian way of understanding PEACE.

I just gave a meditation (or, brief sermon) about PEACE at this evening’s Lenten service. The result of loving one another in the Christian way? Not quite my definition. I did, however, let people know Jesus offers to give anyone PEACE. I mean, anyone.

Jesus does not discriminate, as we think of John 14:27. Jesus promises to give us PEACE internally. And as an outgrowth of that inward emotion, we are invited to be instruments of God’s PEACE.

Anacelia, thanks for an additional insight. Blessings on you and your family.

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Love One Another—in Prayer?

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Love One Another—in Prayer?

You know how something just jumps out at you, and grabs your attention? That’s how it was with me and a couple of verses from the liturgical daily prayer book. Earlier, I read an extended passage from John 13. Yes, I appreciated parts of this whole passage. However, verses 34 and 35 made a particular impact on me.

Our new command from Jesus? Love one another. By this, everyone will know that we are Jesus’ disciples.

Gosh, I guess people have been messing that one up for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Just recently, I talked with a good friend of mine in another state. She told me about a medical situation with an older relative, and another family situation where things might change pretty drastically. Both are things my friend needs prayer for! (As well as her family, too!)

I know that God is listening, sure. But, I also understand that this command to love one another gives many people a belief structure to grab on to. Loving God is in a vertical direction, it’s true. However, loving other people is very much on a horizontal plane. Praying for my friend and for /her family is a loving thing to do, for sure!

What is loving? How do people show love God’s love today? Dear Lord, gracious God, help me pray for my friends and acquaintances when it is needed. Lord, thanks for the blessings You give to us each day. You are so generous to each of us, one day at a time. Each day, each night. Thank You for Your wonderful example. Help me—help us to let others know we are Your followers.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

(Check out #40acts; doing Lent generously at www.40acts.org.uk )

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

Day #34 – A Good Steward, Prayerfully

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, March 28, 2015

Day #34 – A Good Steward, Prayerfully

Ever hear something (or read something) and immediately have a scene from your past pop into your head? That was me, when I read today’s excellent suggestion from Ruth.

As I went through the colored action suggestions at the end of the blog post, my eye fell on the first one, the green one. And I immediately went back several decades, to when I was twelve or thirteen years old.

My dad was alive then. We were in the little brick house in Chicago where I (and my older brothers and sisters) all grew up. My dad was a statistician, and particularly precise and conscientious where saving money was concerned. We didn’t have too much to spare, especially with my older sisters at the University of Illinois. (Yes, both at the same time.) He drilled it into all of our heads to be thoughtful and careful with what we used, how much we used, and why we used it. This was the same with food to paper products to utilities.

I particularly remember several times when I was either twelve or thirteen. It was winter time, so a time of earlier darkness. A time of more artificial lights. I would go into a room, find what I needed, and automatically flip off the light switch as I left the room.

“Hey! I’m still in here!” was what my dad said, disgruntled. This happened several times. (At least.) I would look back, chagrined. Sorry. Apologetic. “I’m just doing what you said. What you taught me.” I distinctly remember saying that, at least a couple of times.

I know our family was thinking about saving money when we grew up. We needed to count our pennies. (Pennies were worth something in those days! But, I’m showing my age.) Now, when I think twice about turning on lights, or turning down the heat in my condominium, or using that reusable insulated cup for my coffee or tea in the morning, I am also thinking about being a good steward of creation. Of the gifts and blessings God has given me. What a good reminder of what I can do, to make a difference.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

(Check out #40acts; doing Lent generously at www.40acts.org.uk )

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .