A few nights ago Drason was dropping me off in front of South gate, it was really windy, so he dropped me at the door. Another driver proceeded to screech around him, honk and make a certain gesture. Macguines' asks his dad why he didn't respond. Drason tells Macguines "Be at peace." Everyone is quite for a few seconds while thinking this over, then Mason asks:
"Can I be a cat?"
Almost as funny as a reptile story I heard once :-)
But it got me to thinking....
How does one manage to be at peace?
Well, I guess there are three ways.
One is to be at peace with the lost.
Luke 6 :27-36 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "
I know there are times I fail at this. Have you ever tried to return something to the store after Christmas, and wanted to chew out a sales clerk for not refunding the money? Ever gestured back at someone?
The second way is to be at peace with other Christians:
1 Thessalonians 5: 4-15
"But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Have you ever heard the saying "If you want peace, prepare for war" It sounds like Paul had. First he says, you belong to the light, Jesus, so act like it. And then, put on the armor of God and live in peace, encouraging one another. Another verse that comes to mind. "1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Be careful that you aren't the one everyone else is struggling to live in peace with.
The third is to be at peace with God:
Philippians 4:4-9
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 everything, 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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I don't know about you, but being at peace seems like a lot of work. How on earth does one accomplish this? Well maybe these are in the wrong order, how about:
1. Peace with God = peace with believers + peace with the world.
For the Christian, peace starts with a tight relationship with God.
So "Be at peace" starts with me.
Now, how does one be a cat?
Enough for now,
Amanda
5 comments:
Can we use a "fire log starter" to help with becoming a cat? hahaha
Thanks for the laughs, I had a great time.
To be a Cat you have to change your religion to something I wont mention then have your life end so you can come back as one.
You two are going to wind up on the prayer list if you're not careful!
Why am I winding up on the prayer list, all I did was make a funny and thank you for the laughs? Come on "fire log starter", now that was a funny story, I was laughing so hard, tears were coming, :)
Ok maybe I need on the list, so that Drason doesn't kill me for telling that story:-)
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