Posts with the tag “peace”

Years ago, we went to a festival in the park. There were artists, food vendors and music. As I strolled around, I came across some eye catching artwork depicting the Garden of Eden and Creation. Flowing through the garden was this peaceful, welcoming river. As I stared at the painting, I could imagine sitting peacefully there listening to the water flowing. “A river watering the garden flowed from...  Read More

Sharon was fed up! She asked Michael several times not to track the dirt in the house when he came home from work. Especially on her new floors. What did he do when he came in? He never stopped for a moment to take off his shoes and clumped through the house leaving a trail of mud. She exploded and gave him a piece of her mind. She then stormed out of the house fuming and by the time she got to th...  Read More

There are days when we wish we could run to a place of safety, away from the troubles of life and the arrows of the enemy. We do get weary of the pandemic, “breaking news,” and opinions passed off as truth. It would be so easy to throw up our hands in utter hopelessness. But praise God for our refuge. That place of peace, comfort and wisdom. That place where we hear a voice of love, kindness and g...  Read More

“Hallelujah” is an exclamation of worship or a call to praise. It comes from a Hebrew phrase that means “Praise the Lord.” It’s a joyful expression of praise and thanksgiving to God. Honestly, a Hallelujah should be on our lips every day for all the Lord has done and is doing for us. But sometimes it’s hard to find your Hallelujah or even remember you had it.Have you ever gotten up in the morning ...  Read More

Sometimes we forget the power we’ve been given by the all powerful Jesus. We forget the strength of the Holy Spirit and the victory of that strength in our lives. We were given the method and the process for claiming and maintaining that victory. Let’s pick up our armor and our weapons because none formed against us can proper. Join us as we pray this week’s prayer over any fiery darts the enemy s...  Read More

Have you ever been so sad and confused over something that you found it hard to move forward another day? Some of us may feel that way because of the issues COVID-19 has brought. Some of us may feel that way because we’ve had a defining life event that was so hurtful. Some of us may identify because we’ve lost something or someone so suddenly.Imagine you are one of Jesus’ disciples and it’s the da...  Read More

How do you see Jesus? Is He your 911 call when you’ve exhausted all options? Is He your quick fix at the moment? Or is He your “go to” for life whether you are in the midst of the good or the bad? How you see Jesus actually determines what shape your heart is in.You can tell what shape your heart is in by the words that come out of your mouth. Those words connect with your actions. Unfortunately, ...  Read More

Do you need an encounter with God today? Do you want to push away the troubles and demands of life, and take a break? Or do you just need a touch from Him today? Now is the time. Drop whatever you are doing, and let’s call upon the Lord to be present right where you are—in your car, in your room, as you are walking, wherever you are.Empty your thoughts and quiet your mind. It may take a moment, bu...  Read More

When we were kids, we loved a big downpour of rain in the summer because after the storm, we could run out and jump in the puddles. It was even more fun to walk along the curb in the water as it rushed down the street. Because I was Miss Don’t Want To Get Dirty, I would put my old sneakers on instead of going barefoot. Once we were done, I would walk home with squishy shoes, water just teeming out...  Read More

We need to stay healthy, especially under stress. Over the past year, we’ve experienced just that as we’ve adjusted to the impact of COVID-19. Many of us take extra care to bolster our immune systems to improve our physical health. Taking vitamins like B, C, D, and zinc each day help. Our mental and spiritual health, however, are important too.Maintaining a healthy attitude and mental state increa...  Read More

Jesus had a long couple of days. His disciples had just come back from their mission excited to tell Him about it. But because so many people kept coming, they didn’t even have a chance to eat. Although Jesus tried to take them away where they could talk and rest, too many people recognized them. By the time Jesus and the disciples landed, there was already a large crowd. He had compassion on them...  Read More

We’ve been in the midst of a pandemic for over a year now. Our finances have been affected, our jobs have been impacted and our ability to move about freely has nearly evaporated. We’ve all experienced what I call “COVID brain.” Whether we realize it or not, our minds have been scrambled by the lock downs and the new way of living. This season has reignited loneliness, anger, depression, disappoin...  Read More

There are no new situations under the sun, just variations of similar circumstances. The disciples were locked behind closed doors in fear after Jesus’ death. They didn’t know what the future held for them. Today, we too are locked down and locked in by COVID not knowing what’s next and fearful of what we face. But Jesus appeared and breathed a breath of revival and peace on the disciples. Join us...  Read More

Yesterday, we talked about our need to get moving if we want to see change and the move of the Lord in our lives. We have to break out of our comfort zones and awaken the fire we have down in our bones for Jesus. In that fire and passion for Him, we will find a joy and peace that will overcome every crazy twist and turn of life.Does your soul burn for Jesus or has your faith and passion been reduc...  Read More

There’s a game I just loved to play called, “The Game of Life.” It’s a board game with little cars that you put stick people in and you go around the board of life. You may pick up a kid or two, a house and more, but the game is supposed to be fun as you go through the ups and downs of life. My favorite part was yelling, “Your move!” because I wanted to play the game fast and win.The game takes yo...  Read More

With all we are facing in our homes, in our nation and in the world right now, it can be overwhelming. We are tired of the pandemic and all the other unrest and chaos around us. What we could depend on in the past is now just shaky ground. But praise God, we know the all powerful King who is not moved and cannot be shaken. All we need to do is quiet our souls, have faith and trust in Him, and watc...  Read More

Every day we look for some sign of peace and unity for our country, our families and for us. What we’ve found is that we actually have to search for it or intentionally seek it because it doesn’t seem to come easy or naturally these days. Or so it seems. We are reminded, though, of that great feeling of peace when we see doves hovering nearby. For ages, they have been associated with peace, and th...  Read More

Everything around us is moving and shaking like an earthquake. We need the ever present help of our Father who can stop the shaking, but move in His way and His will. Help us pray this week for a great movement from Him to end the pandemic, the economic turmoil and the divisiveness that lurks in every corner. Pray for a move of the Holy Spirit across this land and the world. Only through His Prese...  Read More

It’s easy to get lost in our brokenness as we struggle to survive COVID-19, lockdowns and restrictions, economic difficulties and yes, even weariness and doubt. We’ve been bombarded with so much, and we’ve lost so much, even precious loved ones through this time. Division within our homes, churches and government entities has left us wanting for peace and grace. Join us as we pray for the Lord to ...  Read More

It can be so easy to feel broken by all the unrest, sickness and death surrounding us right now. We are walking in unprecedented times and we need unprecedented solutions. Those can only come through the Hope of our salvation, Jesus. In the midst of it all, His victory is our victory. But to be victorious, we must not walk in fear, but in confidence knowing that He is with us. This week, join us a...  Read More

Kathy was tired. Working in the hospital long hours with so much sickness was beginning to take its toll. She had pulled two doubles in a row and she hadn’t talked to her kids or husband in three days. On top of that, her emotional tank was beginning to reach empty and she knew she was running on fumes. She had to work. Her husband lost his job due to the pandemic, and even though he found a job i...  Read More

Each year at this time, we turn into caring, kind and giving people. For whatever reason, Christmas causes us to be more forgiving and we look for opportunities to share what we have with others. We suddenly overlook things that caused dissension during the year to give each other a pass. As a result, we are closest to what God wants us to be at Christmas.As you read Edgar Guest’s poem, “At Christ...  Read More

We are entering the holiday season facing a pandemic out of control and political confusion, it’s easy to focus on our trials and lose sight of the One who can save us. Praise God, Jesus taught us how to pray. He taught us to approach the throne of God with these simple words, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” These words alone are a mighty prayer that can shake t...  Read More

As we close out this week of advent, enjoy this inspiring poem written especially for the White House Christmas Tree lighting in 2005. Maya’s words are so relevant for today.____________________________________________Thunder rumbles in the mountain passesAnd lightning rattles the eaves of our houses.Flood waters await us in our avenues.Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalancheOver unprot...  Read More

Praise and worship were the first actions taken when Jesus was born. Imagine how the Israelites felt. They had waited for hundreds of years. It took fourteen generations from Abraham to the birth of the Messiah. They waited for Immanuel, “God with us.”This tiny baby would save His people from sin, a heavy burden placed on the shoulders of a child. The night Jesus was born, the stars were shining s...  Read More

This is the time of year when Christmas lists are made, hints are dropped and commercials never seem to end. If you have kids or grandkids, they can’t wait to give you their lists of what they just can’t do without. But this is 2020 and for the first time, we will experience Christmas during a pandemic. How different the lists may be this year. What’s on your Christmas list?If you’re having troubl...  Read More

When Jesus was born, the earth rejoiced! Hope had come to save us. He would be that bridge between the old covenant and the new covenant. He would be the link between the past and the present, between the present and the future. He would be the glue that would seal us and our relationship to the Lord. He would be the peace between God and sinners. The Prince of Peace!This is the season when we cel...  Read More

We are entering our second week of Advent and our focus is on Peace. You know, in order to have peace, you have to be still. Being still can be a challenge, though, for many of us. Our culture rewards busyness and multitasking. The spinning plate syndrome receives accolades: the more plates you can spin, the more successful you are. But Jesus actually taught something very different, be still, pea...  Read More

We have a powerful weapon for Jesus called a two-edged sword. It’s our mouths. With our mouths we can speak life. With our mouths we can spread the Gospel, and with our mouths we can pray for peace and for revival. Join us this week as we pray this Unite 714 prayer. Let it fill you with boldness and loosen your tongue to declare the goodness of the Lord.Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing ...  Read More

The world Jesus was born into wasn’t too different from ours. There was a crisis and a meltdown, both politically and socially. There were revolutionary ideas and great divisions among the people. The Roman Empire ruled over the Jews at this time, and the Jews wanted a Messiah to come and bring order to the chaos.God didn’t send an army of angels to take over, nor did He send a full grown Jesus to...  Read More

Waterfalls are so fascinating. Not only are they beautiful, but to hear the roar of the water as it rushes over the rocks is amazing. One of the most visited waterfalls in the world is Niagara Falls that sits between Canada and New York. If you’ve never been there, put it on your bucket list for the future. There are actually three together and they are just gorgeous. Every time I go there and wat...  Read More