PEACE is Serenity and Calmness (Repost)

This is reposted especially for Pursuing Peace, the community Facebook group. And, it’s still valid. I still think Carol’s definition of peace is excellent.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, February 18, 2016

PEACE is Serenity and Calmness

Today’s definition makes sense. Deep-down sense.

As I talked with the person who gave me this definition, she was cleaning up after the fellowship time at St. Luke’s Church. She told me—in so many words—what she thought the definition of PEACE is. “I think that’s a wonderful definition! Could you write it down on a piece of paper? I would very much like to take a photo of you with that definition,” I said.

At first hesitant, she agreed. (And as she straightened her jacket, she told me she didn’t take very good photos. Which I disagree with!)

Carol Metler’s definition: PEACE is Serenity and Calmness.

How much more straight-forward could a definition be? Certainly serenity figures into peaceful living. Lack of drama and trauma. And, serenity implies an inner calmness. Carol added, “Even happiness enters into peacefulness. People who are happy are often peaceful.”

Sadly, many individuals are neither happy nor peaceful. Their lives are not serene and calm, either. Family units have disruption and disagreements aplenty. I have seen extended families living with a lot of difficulties; not only in terms of physical and medical needs, but even more extensive are the emotional and psychological difficulties. Lots to pray about.

A lack of PEACE can be divisive and devastating to relationships. Thank you to Carol for this excellent definition. (And, Carol looks happy and serene in her photo!)

I pray that all of our relationships may be touched with peace, serenity and calmness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@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

PEACE: Forgiveness and Equality

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, April14, 2016

PEACE: Forgiveness and Equality

Today, I am sharing two more special personal definitions of PEACE. These definitions came from an opportunity to visit the Muslim Community Center some days ago.

The president of the Sunday school reminded the gathered crowd that I was there to ask the simple question “What is PEACE, to you?”

I did not get a chance to talk with each person who made out a definition. I feel so sad, because I very much wish I could have spoken with both of these people. Both definitions are thought provoking, and I would have liked to find out more about each one.

Maryam’s personal definition: “PEACE is forgiveness.”

Rohail’s personal definition: “PEACE is equality.”

Both of these descriptions caused me to think deeply. Our country seems filled with animosity, anger, fighting—and in need of PEACE. In need of equality, too.

The lack of PEACE and equality concern many people today. I have heard from a number of people that these insidious attitudes have heightened fear, anxiety, and defensiveness for many. I think a large part of the answer comes from definitions like these—this positive point of view about PEACE.

What we can do about it? What action can we take? Thank goodness a number of individuals have ideas about how to lessen the anxiety between people. We can go one step further, and practice forgiveness. And, practice treating people equally—and equitably. Then, instead of anger and resentment because of unforgiveness and unequal treatment, we can spread harmony and positive feelings.

Gracious, merciful God, thank You for providing hopeful answers and positive change. Help all of us to act in ways that promote forgiveness and equality. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@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

(Thanks to everyone at the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove, for making this week of personal definitions of PEACE possible.)

PEACE is Forgiveness

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, March 5, 2016

PEACE is Forgiveness

Several days ago, I visited the senior group at St. Martha’s Catholic Church in Morton Grove to speak to them about PEACE. I talked briefly about how much division there was in our world today. Our country seems filled with animosity, anger, fighting—and in need of PEACE.

I gave a small presentation about the lack of PEACE and what we can do about it. Several ideas about how to lessen the animosity between people and between groups of people.

I also gave them some background on my Pursuing PEACE Project, and asked if any of the seniors would be willing to give me their personal definition of PEACE. Today’s definition comes from a dear senior named Diane Urban, who said “Peace is forgiveness.”

According to Diane, “Peace is one thing you can’t find in a family, sometimes. Peace in relationships, in a family, is very important. Especially when people are sick.”

How right she is! I served as a chaplain in hospitals and care centers for almost ten years. I would see some families having difficulties with one another. When one family member was a patient in the hospital, it would happen that the other family members would bicker and argue. I could understand! Having a significant member of one’s family in the hospital for some time can be particularly stressful. Not only for the patient, but for the other family members, too.

Diane, God’s blessings on you and your family. And, may God bless all families going through difficult, unforgiving times. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@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

PEACE: God’s Presence in My Heart

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, March 3, 2016

PEACE: God’s Presence in My Heart

Earlier this week, I visited the senior group at St. Martha’s Catholic Church in Morton Grove to speak to them about PEACE. Isn’t the country more and more divided now? Divided in terms of race, politics, sexual preference. And, then some!

I gave a small presentation about the lack of PEACE and what we can do about it. Several ideas about how to lessen the animosity between people and between groups of people.

I also gave them some background on my Pursuing PEACE Project, and asked if any of the seniors would be willing to give me their personal definition of PEACE. Several of them were eager to give me their points of view.

Today’s definition comes from a sweet woman circulating around the room. I went up to her and asked my question: “What is your personal definition of PEACE?” Carol DiSimone reflected for several moments, and then said, “Peace is God’s presence in my heart.”

I asked her for a little more explanation. She responded: “I thank God when I pray. I thank God every night that I have God in my heart. I am very grateful.” That was the most important thing in her heart. Yes, there was some additional stuff going on in her life. However, stripping all that other stuff away, putting it in its place—as Carol had—the presence of God is what is important to her.

These seniors have a good deal of wisdom and insight. Would that we all have such a straight-forward view on life, and God in our lives. God, may it be so!

@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

This Prince of Peace

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, December 29, 2015

This Prince of Peace

The world today is not a peaceful place. Definitely not peaceful.

I live in the Chicago area. There is definitely a lack of peace here, too.

I crave peace. Calm. Gentleness, kindness, love, joy. Lord God, peace seems so out of reach, both corporally as well as individually. Yet, there is good news. Good news of great joy, which was given for all people.

God came to earth at Christmas. It was not only Love that came down at Christmas, but also the Prince of Peace came into this world. God reconciled the fallen, hateful world to Godself, in a vertical direction. One of the compilers of this book of December meditations writes, “Where God comes in love to human beings and unites with them, there peace is made between God and humankind and among people.” [1]

But, wait. That’s not all. God also overcame the enmity one person has with another. One group with another, one country with another. “Come and see how God, out of pure love, has become our brother and wants to reconcile us with each other.” [2]

Now there is the possibility of peace, love, and togetherness, instead of fear, hatred, and isolation. Prince of Peace, You entered into the world to show us love, in the most personal and vulnerable way possible. All that I can say is thank You, Jesus.

@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

[1] God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, trans. O.C. Dean, Jr., compiled and edited, Jana Riess (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press, 2010), 74.

[2] Ibid.