PEACE – Knowing Jesus is in Control

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, February 26, 2016

PEACE – Knowing Jesus is in Control

The last day of definitions from Bethesda Worship Center in Des Plaines, and the last day I would sincerely like to apologize. There was a malfunction with my digital camera. Sadly, I was unable to take photos of the dear folks in Des Plaines on Sunday. I do thank Pastor Chuck Reid for offering his smart phone as a last-minute replacement! (My advanced-beginner expertise with social media is showing … in that I couldn’t get the dratted thing to send photos!)

However, I persevere. So, this is the last day—and the last definition. Today’s personal view of PEACE comes from Barbara Reid, Pastor Chuck’s wife. Barbara’s personal definition of PEACE: “knowing Jesus is in complete control of my life.”

As I talked with Barbara, she gave me a great expansion on that definition. “Jesus is God in the flesh; Savior, Master, salvation. Knowing that He, the Author of peace, is in control of me and of my life? That is truly peace for me.”

Sister Barbara said so many excellent things. She gave several outstanding words and phrases to describe what PEACE is, for her. However, I would like to focus on her expression “Author of peace.” Barbara is quoting from 1 Corinthians 14. The apostle says, “God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.”

That is truly peace. Not confusion, not disorder, but instead peace and orderliness.

What sprang to my mind after that? Nature. The animal kingdom, and the plant kingdom. The order found there, which is so sensible. So structured. So logical.

Dear Lord, thank You for order. Thank You for making certain that people have both rhyme and reason to their lives, their purpose, their very souls. I praise Your name and Your wish to communicate Your love each and every day. Great is Your faithfulness and love!

@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

What Does Make Christmas?

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, December 23, 2015

What Does Make Christmas?

The holiday season is coming to a crescendo. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Tomorrow will be a wonderful service at my church, and lots of warm and fuzzy feelings. Christmas carols sung, special music at the service, candles lit, closing with “Silent Night.”

Yes, all of those things, and more, are wonderful. Special. One of a kind, even.

But, Henri Nouwen’s words in today’s Advent meditation bring me up short. “Somehow I realized that songs, music, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words do not make Christmas.” [1]

So, what does make Christmas?

I feel like Charlie Brown at the Christmas pageant rehearsal. “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” I know Linus responds, “Sure, Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” He then recounts the Nativity narrative from Luke 2. Except—it doesn’t penetrate into Charlie Brown’s head. Yet.

I realize—intellectually—that “Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God’s work and not mine….it is into this broken world that a child is born who is called Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, Savior.” [2] Feelings do not come into the equation. It is, in fact, something far beyond all feeling and emotion, as Fr. Nouwen says.

Yet, God wants all of me. All of us. Intellect, physicality, emotions, and feelings, and all. The salvation of the world is, indeed, God’s doing. God wants to save all parts of us. Not just emotions and feelings. Thank God. Thank You, God.

@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] Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen (Linguori, Missouri: Redemptorist Pastoral Publications, 2004), 50.

[2] Ibid.

Center on a Savior, Christ the Lord!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, September 26, 2015

Center on a Savior, Christ the Lord!

Such a familiar passage, the second chapter of Luke. The angel announced to the shepherds, “¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Yes, another significant Name of God, in either the New Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures. My word—Name of God for today is Savior.

As I started to focus, meditate and center on the Name of God “Savior,” a parallel verse came to me. A verse I had considered earlier in the month, but another significant verse from just about this time. From the first chapter of Matthew: “²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Yes, “Savior” is a bit different from “He will save.” Also, from “Jesus” (or, Yeshua). But if I think of them in the mindset of a Hebrew word—or, the three-letter Hebrew base on which all of these variations on the word “Savior” are built—then we are looking at a close relationship between all of these cognates.

(Yes, biblical Hebrew is fascinating! Although, it has almost altogether slipped through my fingers. Almost all gone, alas. Sorry, Brooke. You did an excellent job as teacher. It’s me and my learning difficulty.)

Savior? Yes, Jesus. You came into the world to save me from my sins. To save Your people from their sins. Thank You. Thank You so much. For being my Savior, and Savior for my friends and family, too.

@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

I’ve Got That Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, July 13, 2015

I’ve Got That Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Joy is also the topic of today’s modern psalm from Praying the New Testament as Psalms.

I could have expected that this verse would have been included. Of course it was. The verse from Luke 2 has been adapted as follows: “Good news and great joy for all people:/—a Saviour, the Messiah is ours./I will never be afraid.” [1]

That good news was brought to the shepherds guarding their sheep outside Bethlehem, so long ago. The shepherds were on the periphery of Jewish society, from the “wrong side of the tracks.” Still, they were among the very first to receive the news. That good news of great joy.

Even though life in this world is uncertain, I still have joy. Even though life can be frightening sometimes, God brings good news. Even though I don’t know the future, I still have joy. Truly, the joy of knowing Messiah Jesus, knowing that He brings good news—that is good news for all people.

Praise God. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people.

@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 .

[1] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 114.