Peace, and Personal Definitions

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, June 8, 2016

Peace, and Personal Definitions

What is your personal definition of peace? What is peace, to you?

I have been gathering these personal definitions together for months. Getting a sample of peace here, a more complete picture of peace there.

Gathering some from here, there, and in every sort of illustration. Here is a quote from the June 7 article by Lee V. Gaines, pertaining to the Peace Vigil in the Chicago Tribune: “Jones said during the months of Lent she also asked her congregation to share their thoughts on the meaning of the word, and then started posting their response on a blog she created earlier this year.

“’People really appreciate my asking them what their personal definition of peace is, what their idea of peace is, so that’s what I’ve been doing,” she said.

“[Morton Grove Village Trustee Janine] Witko said an event like this is especially important given the divisive and polarizing discourse on display during the current election cycle. She said Morton Grove is an example of an incredibly diverse community living in relative harmony.”

I am thinking about all the definitions I have gathered together. What should I do with them?

Still thinking. Asking for suggestions of all of you! Send them to me, please. God willing, I will come up with another great idea.

@chaplaineliza

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

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 – Feeling God’s Presence in the Garden

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, March 1, 2016

PEACE – Feeling God’s Presence in the Garden

A snowy, icy, sleet-filled day today. A day quite the opposite of the personal definition of PEACE I’d like to highlight.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself. As I continue my listening tour, in my efforts to pursue PEACE, I come to another point of view. Another opinion of PEACE. This one comes from Jane McInnis, who says “PEACE is feeling God’s presence in the garden.”

I appreciate Rev. Joe McInnis’s invitation to attend the church he pastors, in Wilmette, Illinois. I was glad I had the chance to worship with the congregation, too. After the service on Saturday, Pastor Joe’s wife Jane gave me her view.

I asked her to elaborate on her definition. “Being out in a garden, either working with the soil or arranging things to bring about a beautiful result. These things bring such a feeling of peace. There are lots of parallels. You have to dig a little deeper to get good results. When you plant, sometimes you have to dig to set the plants properly. Dig deep so the plants can take. Sometimes you even dig to reach that peaceful place.”

I’ve seen the skill Jane has with growing things and gardens. She can bring wonderful things out of very little, indeed. And, getting down to basics? Green things, growing in the rich soil. Such a metaphor for us and our lives before God. I am afraid I’m a beginner (at most, an advanced beginner) at this garden stuff.

Yes, I used to help my mom dig up the garden and plant young plants at the house where I grew up, in Chicago. However, it’s been more than ten years since Mom died and the house was sold. Quite some time since I dug in the soil.

Dear Lord, gracious God, thank You for this deep and touching analogy. All kinds of emotions are tied up with my memories, remembering how I used to help in the garden. I also appreciate Your multi-faceted bounty of differing kinds of plants. Growing things. Help me to stay green and growing. Help me to be nurturing, kind and loving to all who come within my reach. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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

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 is Living in a Civil Union

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, February 28, 2016

PEACE is Living in a Civil Union

Another day continuing the listening tour. Another day of journeying to various locations over the next weeks in my efforts to pursue PEACE.

I so appreciate Rev. Joe McInnis’s invitation to attend the church he pastors, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wilmette, Illinois. I was glad I had the chance to worship with the congregation, too.

After the service, I had the opportunity to ask several people their opinion of PEACE. What is their personal view of the word PEACE?

One woman wrote out her definition, and then gave me further information about it. Mindy Davis considers PEACE to be “living in a civil union.”

In all seriousness, Mindy thinks the Chicago area—not to mention the United States—to be a more dangerous place than it was only ten years ago. “I am more fearful today, and not just politically. Much more so than I have been in my entire life. That is where I am right now. Things are not civil at all. People my age are going out today and buying guns. It’s very concerning.” Mindy thanked me for wanting to continue the conversation about PEACE.

Yes, I know—at least, partially—what Mindy is talking about. And, I feel badly that there is more fear, more anxiety, heightened security, and less PEACE than ever before. It breaks my heart to think that there are individuals who think so little of the well-being, safety and security of others. Incivility, to say the least.

These sad individuals are just that: sad, lost, in need of some kind of-something. Deep down, I mean. I realize each individual has issues and difficulties of their own. Yet, my heart breaks at the meanness, nasty attitudes, and sometimes downright violence that these individuals cause. Not only cause, but also escalate.

It warms my chaplainly heart to hear that people are concerned for this aspect of PEACE. I not only want to continue the conversations promoting PEACE, but also to be there to listen when folks express fears, anxiety, and even suspicion.

Dear Lord, gracious God, thank You for Your presence with me. Not just when times are good, and happy, but when times are scary, and evil, and sometimes even traumatic. You still come alongside of all of us. Each one of us, all of us have that opportunity to have You come alongside us. Just as King David said in Psalm 23, even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with us. Thanks, Lord!

@chaplaineliza

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

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 = Serenity

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, February 27, 2016

PEACE = Serenity

Continuing the journey today; continuing the listening tour. I am traveling around to various locations over the next weeks in my efforts to pursue PEACE.

My friend and colleague from St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rev. Joe McInnis, invited me to attend the church he pastors, in Wilmette, Illinois. I was so glad I had the opportunity to attend there this afternoon.

After the service, I had the opportunity to ask several people their opinion of PEACE. What is their personal view of the word PEACE?

Dave Rundell knew at once. He wrote it out immediately. PEACE = Serenity.

He has a ready smile and an engaging manner. He gave me a little more information about this definition. Dave referred to the Serenity Prayer as he was finishing up the sign with his personal point of view. “When I am walking in a right way with God, then I feel whole, complete.”

“Serene?” I asked. Dave grinned at me. “Exactly.”

I can relate. I know well the feeling that things in my life may be spinning out of control. It’s good that I can let go of the things that fall into God’s area of operations.

God willing, may there be serenity and peace in both Dave’s life and mine. Dear Lord, may it be so!

@chaplaineliza

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

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