Peace: 1 Peter: Prayers and Poetry

                Peace

                From His heart

                our Lord has wrapped

                each one into union

                of His grace and truth

                so we too can testify

                offer encouragement

                walk with Him daily

                on His road together

                Forever

Psalm 89: 32: "Then I will visit their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes."

                

Peace: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

         Peace

        To think on

        these things that

        the Lord provides.

        Hopefulness

        Honest choices

        Heart centered on love

        Guard our daily stress

        gives us clear direction

        grants us peace in conflict.

        To stand on solid ground

        these promises stand firm

        His word lives.

Psalm 18:43: "Thou hast delivered me from the contentions of the people; Thou hast placed me as head of the nations; A people whom I have not known serve me."

Shoes: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            Shoes

            Different shoes for

            different days

            each has a purpose

            each to keep walking

            for whatever is necessary

            for destination

            multiple ways

            multiple preparation

            proclaim gospel of peace

            proclaim hope

            just choose whatever works

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            just choose to wear them.

Reflection Proclaim: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What defines “peace” to you? External or internal or both? What does it look like?

2.     What person in your life do you consider a peacemaker? In what ways do their actions or attitudes confirm that quality?

3.     Where are you struggling to live in gospel peace right now?

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Share: What possible “shoes” could help you share gospel peace this week?

Proclaim: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Ephesians 6:15

“As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.”

“Whatever” in today’s slang tends to mean “who cares” as in a true disinterest for a topic, or to hide a curiosity behind a personae of indifference.

Yet “whatever” in scripture builds from a foundation of commitment, opportunity, and promises.

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who bring good news,” says the prophet Isaiah (52:7), “who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, And says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

We love good news. We cherish those who bring it to us and we hurry to pass it along to others we care about. What about those God cares about? How do we share His peace that is beyond our own understanding? Real peace. Not an external standoff but an internal reality that can holds on.

Soft slippers, spiked heels, metal boots, strong hiking shoes, playful sneakers, or vulnerable bare feet to walk and run alongside with words of hope and peace and restoration. By whatever means of communication: silent or verbal.

Music, scripture, prayers, art, dance, sports. Whatever means of  sharing God’s presence here and now and forever.

Lord, help us to proclaim Your gospel of peace Your way.

Psalm of Worship: Isaiah 55:9

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“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:14, “for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.”

Prophets and Pastors have often spoken of a deep hole within us that will remain ever empty until we recognize God’s love and presence.  And then sometimes when that chasm is filled the hunger to go deeper and deeper in relationship lingers.

We have a newborn in our family this week and besides the pure delight and awe, it has been amazing to see how he snuggles into his family with his own version of recognition. He has a unique cuddling position he chooses each for dad and for grandma and if shifted when with that person into a possible different angle he immediately reacts with a tiny squawk. With mom any position is fine as long as he’s held by her.

This fragile child instinctively knows to whom he belongs and wholly trusts.

I wonder why we so often seek You but don’t find You. Is it because You are infinite and since we don’t really comprehend, or can grasp infinity, we settle for substitutes? And don’t hear our internal squawk of dismay warning us that we are moving away from Your safe arms?

Lord, please create in each of us a heart hunger that knows and recognizes You so instinctively that we will turn away from emptiness and false imitations. Keep us in Your peace.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 139: 23-24

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”