Peace: Boston's Peace

For the last 7 months my wife and I have been blessed by the gift of our incredible little boy. And I have found that becoming a father and transitioning into that stage in life is almost as abrupt as the act of being born itself. You have time to prepare, time to ready your mind, life, and home. Time to make sure all the physical and mental apparatus are in place in time for the new arrival. But regardless of the preparations, anticipations, and expectations there is no quantifiable amount of bracing one can do to ready themselves for the tsunami that is about to wash over their lives; clearing the slate and starting all over from scratch. And like the child coming into the world, it is sudden, immediate, and somewhat anti-climactic. All of a sudden it’s just here, with no trumpets, drum roll, or slow fade. A complete and immediate shift in realities. One minute life’s one way, the next it is completely different.

And this shift is not terribly peaceful. It’s sudden and jerky with lots of crying and tears and laughs and it’s quite emotionally messy. And the raising of the new life is not awfully dissimilar. Our son is always squirming, kicking, laughing, crying, crawling, drooling, eating, and making seemingly random inarticulate sounds that will one day be the words “Go Saints” and “Who dat?!” He is rarely still and even more seldom quiet. He even makes noises in his sleep. And I watch my son reflecting on my life with him versus my life before him, looking for peace in the same manner that I look for something I was just holding and now can’t seem to track down.

I have two reoccurring rolls in our family regarding to our son: get him to sleep at night and get him when he wakes up in the morning. I like these responsibilities. In addition to giving my wife a break, I get to be the last one he plays with at night and the first one in the morning. And every night as I sit with him in the old wooden rocking chair in our living room, slowly rocking him and feeding him his last bottle, he rubs his eyes letting out a few last squawks and squeaks and looks at me one last time to make sure I’m still there, and then he goes completely limp except for his heavy, deep-sleep breathing. And in that first moment of his sleep peace finds him. Yes he’s tired from going all day. Yes his biorhythms are telling him it’s time to shut down for a while. But as he lies in my arms, stomach full, warm, recently bathed, loved, and knowing he’s safe and sound, peace finds him.

My son, Boston, came abruptly, suddenly, and anti-climactically into this world, and every day his mind and body are full of beautiful life and constantly in motion. And like him, I am chaotic, busy, tiring, tired, needy, and desperately seeking peace. You aren’t a baby. You don’t worry about which toy to play with first or why the dog is so hairy or if mommy still exists even though you can’t see her. You worry about your bills, your job, your family, career, faith, marriage, health, house, education, friends, past, future, and so on. And amongst it all we feel so helpless and overwhelmed. My son doesn’t worry about his next meal because he knows it always comes. He doesn’t worry about love because it always comes. He doesn’t worry about tomorrow because it always comes. And whatever joy it brings will come, and whatever pain it brings will go. He doesn’t find peace in trying to control all of these things and bending them to his will and need because peace always comes too. And his peace comes when he finally surrenders his needs and realizes that they are all taken care of. When he realizes the things he worries about are out of his control and that someone else has it covered, then peace finds him.

With all the abruptness of life, all the needs, wants, and demands that are here, suddenly and unannounced, with all the worries and anxieties that are destined to come, peace finds us in the moments that we realize someone else already has all the important things covered. When I recognize that I am not in control anyway and that trying to be is futile, then peace finds me. When I understand that the only things that truly matter are the things God was already going to take care of anyway, then peace finds me. And today, may peace find you.

Father, you have never given me a reason not to trust you. You’ve never misled me, never disappointed me, and never dropped the ball. But I continue to try to be in control of the world around me. You know what I am anxious about. You know what keeps me up and replays over and over in my head. God, send us peace in the knowing that you are watching over us and taking care of us. Help us live lives that relinquish control along with our worries. And help us not worry about how worried we are. Help us give ourselves permission to surrender to you. Please send us peace. Amen.

Chris Palmer

Stephenville, Texas

Peace, Perfect Peace

These words come from a well known hymn:

“Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, Perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed? To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging ‘round? On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.”

The book of Philippians is a letter Paul wrote from prison in Rome to some very dear friends in Philippi as a response to their generosity for his support. Throughout this personal letter we see the theme of rejoicing. In this life we can rejoice because God loves us, sent his Son to die for us, and gives us everything we need. If we die, we can rejoice because we will be with Christ forever. We are citizens of heaven (3:20) and should live with that thought constantly before us. Our passion for knowing Christ is the secret of a joyful Christian life.

Joy is not based on circumstances, but in the confidence that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. I, like many of you, have been able to identify with Paul while going through life-changing experiences. It has been during some of my darkest hours that Paul’s words have become relevant to me, personally.

I remember vividly, as if it were yesterday, waking up in the recovery room of a Fort Worth hospital. I felt the cold plasma running through my veins as I learned that the tumor had been removed and that it was malignant. It was during the moments that followed that I prayed confidently for God’s will to be done. I remember praying that whether I lived or died was up to Him. I believed and trusted that He had a purpose for my life either way, through life or death. It was at this time that I knew without a doubt, “the peace that passes all understanding”. Twenty-five years later, I continue to be at peace with the realization that my life is in the hands of a loving Father. I continue to believe that I am here to serve a purpose and to develop my potential. I believe His Spirit will guide me as I prayerfully and diligently seek His will for my life.

I treasure these words from the apostle Paul:

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (4:4-7)

“Father, we are thankful to be citizens of heaven. We praise You for giving us Your Word to light the way and for our Guide, Jesus Christ, who has gone before us to show the way. We pray for strength and courage to follow in His steps. Forgive us, Father, when we stumble and fall. Thank you for lifting us up and for never giving up on us. Through your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”

Jan Alderfer

Stephenville, TX

Peace: Where There's A Will, There's A Way

"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near." (Ephesians 2:14-17)

A while back, I was studying the concept of peace. My study revealed an amazing truth. When biblical writers speak about peace between God and man they present peace as something that comes with a high price tag. Peace comes via Christ’s sacrifice. They use graphic language: death, his body of flesh, his shed blood. They never speak about it in a light-hearted way. One of my favorite professors at ACU often reminded his students, “When God makes peace, he bleeds.”

In our dealings with each other, do we view peace like that?

In the movie The Straight Story Richard Farnsworth plays Alvin Straight. The script follows the true story of an event in the life of Alvin Straight, a 73 year old man living in Iowa. Alvin had been at odds with his brother for over 20 years. And, more than anything, he wants to set things right. But, failing eyesight and no driver’s license have taken away his driving privileges. His daughter offers to drive him to Wisconsin to see Lyle. “Nope”, he says. “I need to do it on my own steam.” So, Alvin goes to “Plan B”. He tunes up his riding lawn mower and sets off for Wisconsin. Almost 30 days and 320 miles later he finally reaches his destination. The last scene is a touching one. Lyle’s eyes widen with curiosity as he sees his estranged brother pull up to his house on a 1966 John Deere lawn mower! “You drive all the way up here on that?” Lyle queries. Alvin walks to the porch and extends his hand. “I figured it’d been too long since we talked and I didn’t like the way we talked the last time we wuz together. I wanted you to know that I was serious about patch’n things us.” What a story!

A. J. Muste said, “There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.

It’s easy to argue, divide and bicker at one another. Got a family? Ever been to church? Served on a ministry committee or two? You know what I’m talking about. Sometimes in the name of what’s right we forget about “what’s right”. We forget that we are created in the image of God and for community.

Mother Teresa said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

In Ephesians 4:3 Paul says it is our responsibility to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Unity comes with our baptism into Christ and renewal through the Holy Spirit. The “peace keeping part” is our responsibility.

Jesus said “blessed are the peacemakers”. I confess that its easier to sit in a room with a concept than to imagine what it looks like put into action. Who among us hasn’t done that? Anybody can analyze peace. We can talk about it. We can load our minds up with scriptures about peace. But Jesus said “peacemaking” is where the real action is. It’s what really counts. The Hebrew writer says we are to “pursue peace” ( Hebrews 12:14). Why? I think it’s because forging the kind of ties within community that reflect the presence and reign of Christ is something you have to “want”.

Jesus wanted to establish peace between us and God. So…he entered human experience. I think that’s the message of the text in Ephesians 2. “He came and preached peace.”

Have you ever thought about what our lives, relationships and congregations would look like after thirty days of concerted efforts at “peacemaking”? What conversations are “out there” waiting on us? What breakthroughs are just around the corner? When we lay our lives in the context of the gospel story, we hear God's call to make our peace with living as conduits of peace. It sends us into the world and into our relationships with other believers as people “bent on making peace”.

Can’t find your car keys? No problem. Start the lawnmower.

O Father, may the peace of Christ so rule in our hearts that we surrender our wills to your will, our view of people to your view of them. Awaken us to the expectation and promise of peacemaking as a way of life. Keep us from running from the hard tasks that come with making peace. Strengthen our hearts for the challenges that Satan puts in our way to keep us comfortable with thinking and habits that are less than what the gospel calls us to. Thank you for Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

Peace: When Peace Like A River

Standing near the aspen trees, I could see the sun shinning on the brilliant yellow leaves shimmering in the cool breeze. I could hear the clear cold water rushing in the river beside me as it flowed from the snow covered peaks above to the red and yellow flower blanketed meadow spread out below. High overhead, an eagle was soaring with her wings spread out to catch the gentle breeze. As I listened, I could hear the many sounds of nature, the shrieks of the eagle, the rustling of the aspen leaves and the bubbling of the water as it made its way downward over the pebbles and rocks.

I found myself relaxed and peaceful, a peacefulness that extended to the bottom of my soul. Even though the water was a rushing stream, the words of the Psalmist in chapter 42 ran through my mind and heart as I looked and listened to what God had placed around me:

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

The reality is that we do not always find the peace we seek from what is around us; there is a peace that transcends a beautiful mountain, the forest, the ocean, the desert sunset, a peace that takes us away from the cacophony and confusion where we most often find ourselves. The peace we should be seeking is not to be found in this world. Jesus said: “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33)

In 1873, Horatio Spafford penned the words to “When Peace Like A River.” Spafford’s ship was passing near the spot where his four daughters had died in a ship wreck as they were crossing the Atlantic. Just a few weeks earlier, his wife, who survived the wreck, had sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Spafford’s great family loss came on the heels of a tremendous financial loss in the great Chicago Fire of October, 1871. His peace was not to be found on this earth.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

First Refrain
It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Last Refrain
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.

Like Spafford, our real peace is not to be found in what this fleeting world has to offer. Our peace lies in what the God had prepared for us through our Lord Jesus.

Lord, help us seek that which is truly the peace that passes all understanding, the peace that comes by placing our life, faith, hope and trust in you.

Paul Schulze, Phd.
Stephenville, Texas

Peace: Embrace the Wound

Contrary to the assumed feeling of reward, peace is a derogatory term creating emotions of discomfort and insignificance. Our cultural use of the word “peace” often characterizes a consumeristic spirit hoping to receive gain and approval. The dictionary usage includes ambiguous terms like harmony and tranquility, often diluting the transforming and radical quality of Christian peace. Christian peace seeks to provide justice and reconciliation, often asking it’s recipient to embrace pain and wounds that most people would run away from. “Unto us a son is given, the Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6ff). The irony is that when the Prince of Peace finally arrives, he is betrayed, tortured and crucified, and becomes an example for those who think they can rebel against a brutal military empire and a corrupted Godly people. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5:9). Which wounds are you ready to embrace?

In this season of Advent, it is not my intention to make us feel ungrateful, peace-less, or even ask one to pursue flagellation (a cool word to describe hurting oneself for the sake of faith; a form of aesthetic). But, I will argue that peace is often an action that people are least likely to pursue. How does one seek peace with enemies? (Blessed are those that feel safe, for they…). How does one embrace a peace with those with doctrinal, theological, or political differences? (Mic, be careful). Before I get in trouble and create little peace for those that read this, we should be comforted that our pursuit into being conformed into the life of Christ is already transforming us closer to the great peacemaker, the Prince of Peace. It’s good to be called a child of God. Again, which wounds are you ready to embrace?

Prayer: Meditate on the text Luke 2:9-14

Mic Biesboer
Stephenville, Texas