12/12/2019
The words of the Advent wreath...Peace, Hope, Joy and Love. Isn’t that what all of us want or our lives? If we had those, could we feel like we had it all? I thought that I would spend my midweek blog for the next 4 weeks of December reflecting each week on one aspect.
Let’s light the candle of peace…
Peace too often is a word or concept of the absence of conflict or troubles. I believe that we seek much more than that when we ask for peace.
I believe that what we really desire is Shalom-peace. Shalom speaks to having harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity and tranquility. Is that what you desire? I know that is what I am asking for when I seek peace in my life...in my soul.
I don’t believe that shalom is humanly created or accomplished by us. I believe that this kind of shalom comes when we have a right relationship with God. I believe that this is a gift of the Holy Spirit and that we can only realize and receive this gift when we have that relationship with God. What does it take for this kind of relationship? A stillness...an openness...an availability.
So during this crazy season of parties, shopping and decorating...if you want peace, shalom peace, remember to take time to be available, to be open and to be still.
I know that this hymn is a very old hymn for in fact it is as was written by Frances Ridley Havergal in the 1800’s but I can’t help but feel the poetic words beautifully describe shalom peace as I believe we desire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhLti2q0lCo
May your life be filled with peace, shalom, this Advent season. Pastor Patti
Archived Posts
Matthew 24: One More Thing...
I sometimes stumble on old documents I’ve created but have completely forgotten about. I cannot remember why I created them or what purpose they were originally supposed to serve....
Keeping the Church Doors Unencumbered
Sunday, we considered Jesus’ disruptive actions in the Temple in light of his frustration with keeping gentiles from worshipping in their designated courtyard. We then reflected on how we still tend to throw up roadblocks to those who don’t normally attend church. I found the following, but didn’t have space for it in the sermon. It’s provocative and worth chewing on for a while.
What Was the Crowd Celebrating on Palm Sunday?
I came across this list which feels a little like a "Greatest Hits of Jesus' Ministry". I share it with you today for your inspiration and edification. Enjoy!
The Best Kind of Trouble-maker
While working on this last week’s sermon I was looking through Phillip Yancey’s excellent book—The Jesus I Never Knew—when I came across a section that I found profound. It didn’t quite fit my sermon, but it caught my eye enough that I copied it down.
Practical Tips To Avoid Judging Others
When I research a sermon, such as Sunday’s message on judgmentalism, I always try to think through some practical steps or tips in how to implement God’s desire for our lives. I rustled together a herd of ideas this week and I offer them to you.
The Shepherd, the King, and the Rescuer
God has got a long list of names, but some of those names are better than others. There is a small child who thought God’s name was Harold since the Lord’s Prayer includes the phrase “Hallowed be thy name.” When you think of all the scriptures that are most likely to be memorized you would have to include Psalm 23, The Lord’s Prayer, and John 3:16. The danger for us is our tendency to focus on the wrong thing.
Old Jokes Are The Best Jokes
Sunday morning, we took a look at Jesus’ command to make our enemies into neighbors and loving our neighbors as ourselves. One of the obstacles to doing this is our growing sense of tribalism—whether it’s a political, socio-economic, or even theological tribe.