Tuesday, November 30, 2010

God is not dead...

Sorry for the late start today. The kids and I were ringing bells for the Salvation Army and to be honest I was having a hard time thinking of what to write today. Sometimes its hard to feel joy when all around me there is hate. Maybe not in my family or at my church, but its there. Its a mile down the road, in the yard with all the kids toys, where a few nights earlier we drove by and found out there had been a shooting. Its at the store we go to all the time where a month ago a lady was robbed. Its in the honking horns of people with no patience. Its in the person you see being rude to the cashier. Its in the news where you find out that another child has been molested or killed.

It threatens to take away our peace and causes us to despair, but then there is something deep within that softly calls out.... Peace on earth, good will to men. There is a smile on the face of your child that tells you there is hope. There is the kindness of a stranger that says, "The wrong will fail and the right prevail." There is a life sacrificially given that calls out, "God is not dead nor does he sleep."

God will not forget his promise, if we stand firm, he continues to say...
"I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far."(Isaiah 57:18-19)
(Pause my playlist before listening)


Take it deeper....
  • Read all of Isaiah 57. Pay particular attention to the things that stand in the way of our peace. What "idols" have taken the place of the worship of the one true God? What do you think the worship of false idols looks like today? Hint: Matthew 7:3
  • Think of ways that you can bring peace on earth. Start by bringing into your own home and neighborhood.
  • Pray for those that are mourning. Pray for those that are living in fear. Pray for those that are at war.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I hear you. I try not to dwell on the haters, but sometimes it gets hard to ignore. But good people are all around. Just the other day a lady I had bought some clothes from at a yard sale mailed me back my check and said she wanted to be a blessing in my life. WOW! Peace lives in the hearts of so many. And so, yes, there is peace on earth because of people like you Nicole.

Nicole said...

Thanks Alice! Its amazing what a difference those little acts of kindness make in someones life. I hope you share that story on your blog because its a good one and see I have not added anymore crafts to my daily blogs. Hehe Well at least not ones you actually have to do.