Peace

A Time to Pray

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Back in 1968 the must-see movie in my circle of friends, was, “Romeo and Juliet”. Everybody I knew, whether they loved or hated that “Sorta-Shakespearean” version, could instantly recall its theme-song, “A Time for Us”. Maybe we liked it because that title pretty summed up our feeling that whatever happening of significance in the world, was all about us. But as I am getting to be nearly ancient by my own standards, I am learning that what happens around our neighborhood, our region or our nation has little to do with my plans or opinions. What matters is best summed up in how Jesus taught us to pray:

"Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
In earth as it is in Heaven"
Matthew 6:10 KJV

So, I say all this, to urge that with tomorrow’s meeting between our president and Vladimir Putin looming on the horizon, that we each make this, not a time for us, but “A Time to Pray. Rather than discussing, our brilliant political points, or our opinions about Zelensky, Trump or Putin, let’s urgently pray for peace for the hundreds of thousands of young Russians and Ukrainians facing one another on the frontlines of this war.

When the Apostle Paul made this appeal for prayer to Timothy, there were few of the “Kings and all those in authority,” that were any good. From Nero in Rome on down through Herod Agrippa II in Judea, these were not a morally stellar bunch. But the reason we are commanded to pray is not because we like our leaders, but because we are supporting the only king whose kingdom matters: King Jesus!

Be Still

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments 
"Be still and know that I am God"
I heard my Savior say
But instead
Just like a child 
I chose to run away

Then ran as fast as I could race
Till I felt my aching side
Then out of breath
With failing legs
I sat and simply cried

Then His voice called once again,
"Find peace in what I've done
Come learn My way
And take My yoke
Then rest in Me alone!"

Be  Still by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright 2023
All rights reserved

Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” 
Psalm 46:10 ESV

Peace Talks

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV

I am old enough to remember the Paris Peace talks, which preceded the end of the Vietnam War. Those meetings gave the illusion that peace was at hand, but the reality was that, for the first week, they argued over what shape of table they were going to meet at! Then, after years of painful negotiations and millions of words exchanged, a document was signed that ensured nothing at all. Not long after the U.S. withdrawal, North Vietnam, invaded and conquered all of South Vietnam in record time. That is the way peace is in this world. But in today’s verse, Jesus assures us that He wasn’t leaving us a peace like that and thank God He didn’t! Instead, Jesus left us His peace: an amazing and eternal one. Unlike the Paris Accords, the peace Jesus gives has nothing to do with the absence of trouble, rather the presence of a power to overcome it. In fact, Jesus tells us, “In this world you will have tribulation.” There’s no doubt about it. Everyone battles for their tiny piece of turf, but when we put our faith and our lives in the hands of Jesus the battle is over, and He has already won! Now, He offers us His peace plan. The peace that Jesus gives is not false, weak or temporary, but it will last forever. But this peace of Jesus also comes to us only on the terms of unconditional surrender. Instead of trying to negotiate what kind of table we are going to sit at, we can trust Him and joyfully sit down wherever He decides. Jesus won the war for our souls when He gave His life for ours and we belong to Him. So, let’s sit down with Him, not at a negotiating table, but at a banquet table, and celebrate with the Prince of Peace and worship Him forever!

“Father, let me loose my clutch on everything temporal. My life, my reputation, my possessions, Lord, let me loose the tension of the grasping hand. Open my hand to receive the nail of Calvary, as Christ’s was opened. He thought Heaven, yea, equality with God, not a thing to be clutched at. So let me release my grasp.” – Jim Elliot

In the light of the sadness and tragedy of the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, it is precious breath of fresh air to hear the voices of these young people, blending together in four languages. May God bless you with His peace wherever you are this morning and may He guide your steps into His ways of peace today.