Anxiety in the Deep

Psalm 94:19

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I stood in the shallow water, turned and plopped my bottom into the kayak. As I paddled across the lake to the deep, I found my bearings and relaxed. Until a twinge of doubt struck me. A bit of fear crept in, then anxiety tried to shake me up. What if I fell into the water? I tightened my life jacket, pulled the oar through the water, practiced the guiding technique Tim showed me and paddled deeper.

I pushed the anxiety aside. If I didn't, I'd be miserable and unable to enjoy the trip. I closed my eyes and listened to the soft sound of the water lapping against the kayak. The birds chirped, children's laughter wafted through the air. Peace settled over me. We floated for a while on the water, then paddled in against the mild waves.

Anxiety has dogged me for as long as I can remember. Several years ago a doctor diagnosed me with an anxiety disorder. Since then my brain has required meds to help the chemical imbalance that exacerbates the anxiety. Yet, I still feel anxious at times.

In an anxious moment, I pray. God has peace to pour into me. But I need to turn my fears and anxiety over and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me. In a practical sense, I have to force myself to stop and breath. Pray and believe. When I closed my eyes on the lake, my heart slowed, and I relaxed. I knew my fear was imagined. I had nothing to worry about.

So often in life, anxiety rears its ugly head. Fear overwhelms. Satan uses our weaknesses to scare us. But, my God is bigger than any anxious doubt or made up fear. He wants us to give our doubts to him. He loves us and wants to replace our anxiety with joy and peace.

Be the Peace

Seek Peace

Merry Christmas

May God bless you with 

peace, joy, hope and 

love this holiday season!

Christmas Blessings: Peace

Luke 2:13-14

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

  

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

As Eli and Ella Cate put my Fisher Price Nativity set together, I watched with great joy. They placed Mary and Joseph in the stable and gently laid baby Jesus in between them. Ella Cate found all the palm trees and lined them up, while Eli herded the sheep to the shepherds. As they were playing, my daughter, Sara, asked Eli if he would sing a song he'd learned for his great-grandfather's funeral. As he tinkered with the manger scene, his strong, young voice filled the room. "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." Wow, what a blessing to hear this almost nine-year old sing one of my favorite songs.

At Jesus birth the angels rejoiced with a song of peace. They glorified God and poured the favor of peace over the shepherds.

The Christmas season can get hectic. Too much to do, places to go. So many families are knee deep in sports and activities, while others are lonely, even sad. The holidays can be a difficult time for so many reasons. But it can also be a time filled with peace. Just knowing that Jesus birth changed the world and our options in life brings me calm and comfort. If it weren't for that sweet baby in the manger growing to be a man who gave his all for me, my life would be utter chaos. Instead I have peace in my heart, knowing my life is in God's hands.

I pray God's peace pours over you as you prepare to celebrate Jesus birth. May his arms be a place of rest and his feet a place of worship.

God's Peace

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

What is the most peaceful thing you can think of? A baby sleeping in your arms. A stream flowing through a meadow on a summer day. A fresh layer of undisturbed snow in the woods. That perfect song that takes you to a place of rest and renewal.

For me a peaceful time is sitting in the living room with my husband on a quiet Saturday morning. Having my family gathered around me. Walking in the woods on a spring day. Watching the snow fall and glisten. Sitting under my favorite lighthouse and listening to the water strike the rocks. 

Peace on this earth seems harder to come by every day. With so much negative noise in the world, I find it difficult at times to come to a moment of calm. Yet knowing what I do about Jesus, I understand that peace is near.

When I chose to follow Jesus, I gained a serenity that is incomprehensible on this earth. Because of my relationship with him, I know the peace of God will guard my heart. His grace pours over me and offers hope. His Spirit dwells in me and comforts me. When I feel anxious, I know I can go to Jesus and seek his quiet reassurance. I love the verses in Philippians that remind me that God has a peace to pour over me that is beyond my comprehension. He has a peace that transcends understanding. The very peace he fills my heart with is the same one Jesus experienced when he died on the cross and rose again. Jesus knew God held his heart.

God's peace is a gift; given to anyone who chooses to follow Jesus.

Peace-

How about a God Hug?

Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

I have a friend who talks about "God kisses." Those moments when life works out. Maybe your path runs across that of a friend you haven't seen in a while, or an unexpected opportunity opens. For me, even the sight of my lavender tulips felt like a God kiss, a tiny joy of spring. But then there are those times when I need more. I may feel a little lost in my path. Sadness affects my life, anxiety gets me down. During those times, a God kiss is sweet, but I need a "God hug." A big old, God pulls me into him, hug.

Yes, an embrace from God. Many times those come to me on Sunday morning, while I'm standing in church singing worship music. I close my eyes and picture myself walking into the most comforting hug I can imagine. That's how it works for me, but God reaches out to us in so many ways. Maybe as you walk along your favorite trail, or drive down the road in your car (just don't close your eyes) you feel his arms around you. Perhaps while you rock a newborn, or sit quietly reading the Bible. God offers his open arms whenever we want to step into them. He's our comfort and safe place.

I'm grateful for a God who offers me shelter and his shadow for rest.

True Peace

Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Micah 5:5
   And he will be the source of peace.

When I was a teenager, I looked forward to hearing my brother, Darryl, sing the song Let There be Peace on Earth. He was part of a quartet who echoed the beautiful words each Christmas. In the lyrics, the songwriters penned "let it [peace] begin with me." I took that to heart and have since sought out how to be a peaceful person. One who calms conflict and eases anxiety. Even though I seek peace, I'm not always at peace. The world is so full of noise and distraction, I sometimes have to close my eyes and block out everything to pray for peace in my heart.

Thankfully, I don't rely on myself to discover the peace that passes understanding. I just ask Jesus. He is the true peace. In Luke 2:14 a heavenly host of angels announced to the shepherds, minding their own business tending sheep, that a babe was born in a manger who will save the world. First of all, if a bunch of angels showed up and started talking to me, I'd be scared witless. So I'm guessing the shepherds felt the same way. From what I read in Luke 2:14, God had an inkling of how the shepherds would react because he bestowed his peace on them. He was pleased with them and didn't want them to be afraid. That's how God is, he is the giver of peace. Through Jesus he sent the Prince of Peace who gives understanding and calm in the midst of stress.

I love the words of Casting Crown's I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.  Click the link and give a listen, let the peace of Jesus pour over you. I pray for peace this Christmas season. Internal peace and peace in this world. Please pray with me.

Christmas Peace

Merry Christmas!

Wisdom

Peace

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

I took some of our grandchildren to the swimming pool as a last hoorah of summer, before they head back to school. We loaded our foam noodles, Zeke's paddle board, and a few other fun things in the Jeep and drove up to the pool. We had a wonderful surprise when we arrived—we we're the only ones there. As I sank into the clear water and felt the heat of the day melt away a peace came over me. The stress of the week disappeared and a few hours playing with my grands filled me joy.

The peace I felt in the pool was wonderful and relaxing, but it pales in comparison to the peace Jesus pours into my heart. I often call on Christ's peace when I am stressed or upset. I seek his peace in sadness and grief. When the world screams chaos and conflict, I rely on Jesus' peace to calm me and carry me. Social media, the nightly news, and newspapers are filled with discord and contradiction. Jesus offers a peace that passes understanding; peace that fills the heart and calms the soul. I'm thankful for any moment of serenity and calm that loving Jesus brings.

Praise God for peace in the midst of chaos.

Let There Be Peace

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

This week I don't have any fun stories or beautiful descriptions of nature. Instead God has set on my heart the desire to write about what it means to have a change of heart. Much of what I see on television, read in newspapers, and click through on social media tell stories of sadness, violence, negativity, name-calling, and frustration. People ask when will this stop? What can be done to change the darkness that surrounds society?

The Bible tells me that the world will have unrest. We'll deal with sorrow and violence. But the words of Paul show me change can be made. Not by a bunch of people who sit around and discuss their differences, but by people who have a change of heart. When Christ rules the heart—truly takes over and moves in—the heart is filled with peace. Kindness abounds, love rules, and people care. Until we hit our knees, ask God for forgiveness, then turn our lives over to Jesus the darkness of the world will win. The only answer is Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. And he promises eternal life.

As for me, I gave my life to Jesus many years ago. Because he fills me with his Spirit, I aspire to show kindness and be a positive influence. I love the Lord and I ask him to work through me to make a difference. Who's with me?

Praise you Lord for your Son and the believers who are the church!

Change Happens

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It's the time of year when winter is trying to figure out when to give in to spring. On Monday we had a two-hour delay due to snow, by Friday the snow was melted with sixty-degree temperatures. The change of seasons is a normal occurrence in southwest Ohio, so I'm used to it. But what about other types of change. I admit I'm not fond of change. And it happens. Often. But more often than not, adjustment to a new situation brings good stuff. Even though I may fret and moan, an alteration in life may produce better circumstances, new people, and positive growth. But even positive growing pains don't always feel good. Sometimes they flat out hurt.

But the good news is, when I know a change has come directly from God and is not something I've caused due to selfish reasons, I have that wonderful peace that passes understanding. Even when I know the change may have a foggy future of uncertainty, God calms my heart and carries me through. I'm so thankful I have a God who understands me and knows what I need, all the time. So even though the temperature varies and life throws curve balls, God leads me through. He guards my heart and mind and I praise him for that. 

Merry Christmas!

Tim & I wish everyone a Christmas filled with peace & joy!

The Promise of the Angels

Luke 2:9-10
An angel of the Lord appeared to them [the shepherds], and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."

I snuggled on the couch with my seventeen-month old granddaughter, Ella Cate, on my lap and my grandson, Eli, beside me. On TV the Grinch tortured his poor dog, Max, by plopping reindeer antlers on his head and forcing him to pull the sled. As Max flipped and flopped through the air Ella Cate giggled. The more the poor dog struggled and acted goofy the more she laughed out loud. The tinkle of her laughter filled my heart with joy. And isn't that what Christmas is all about. The joy of the season.

Too often the stress of the holiday and the sadness of life overwhelm. Then I hear the sweet sound of a child's laughter or the tender voice of a grandchild saying he loves me. I see friends hug as they greet one another. I watch a mom love on her kids. Jesus came to earth to bring peace and joy. Though the world is not at peace right now and sometimes joy is not obvious, peace and joy remain in my heart because the Holy Spirit dwells in me. As Christmas draws near, I'll cling to the promise of the angels. Jesus brings good news that will cause great joy. Praise God for his precious gift.

Peace

Wednesday Wisdom