The S Word

     Do not murder.

     Do not steal.

     Do not lie.

     Do not covet.

     Do not worry.

     It might not be one of the commandments, but it is still commanded.

     If I choose to lie, I have sinned. If I choose to worry, I have sinned. Worry separates me from God. In fact, when I worry, I believe I know more about what is best for me than God does. My ideal outcomes for situations become little idols, stealing attention away from the one who holds my future in his hands.

     I know God would not ask me to do something that is impossible. When he says not to worry, he assures me it does not have to be a way of life. I can hold on to the truth that facing the future with peace is possible. It probably will not be easy, but it can happen.

     Peace is possible. I am choosing to run from sin straight to the arms of of a very capable and loving God.


     Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34 NIV) 

     Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 NIV)


     Lord of peace, I confess that I do not always trust you with my future as I should. Thank you for covering my sin of worrying with the blood of your son Jesus.  Help me to embrace the truth that you know what is best for me and will always be with me. Amen.

Listen for the Whispers

     Mornings at my house are rarely quiet. A lot of energy is expressed in creative ways over breakfast and necessary tasks for getting ready.  After clearing the table one morning, I sat on the couch to take a deep breath. My daughter, still in her pajamas with the feet attached, crawled up in my lap.

     "Listen for the ticker," she insisted.

     The "ticker" is a two sided clock that juts out from the living room wall. My daughter takes great delight in telling the rest of us to stop so she can hear the ticker. When all is quiet, the ticks are easy to hear. If we listen closely, we can distinguish a separate click for each clock. Most of the day, they are drowned out by the commotion.

     We sat, patiently listening together. One tick. Then, two.

     In that moment, God whispered, "This is the same way you should be listening for my voice. Your focus is often on the noises that are the loudest and not on me."

     Elijah tried to hear the Lord long ago too. The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV)

     I have to make time in my day to purposefully be still and listen for the whispers of God. He has so much to say to me if I would only find a quiet place. 

     I smiled as my daughter slid off my lap and ran to catch up with her brothers. It amazes me every time God speaks truth through the energetic blessing he has given me.


     Prince of Peace, help me to be still, and know that you are God. You desire to speak truth into me throughout my day.  I want to take time away from the noise of the world to listen to you. Thank you for reminding me in such a simple way.  Amen.

PEACE Be With You

     Jesus gets right to the point. I like that about him. The first thing he says to his disciples after raising from the dead is "peace be with you." These guys were fearfully huddled in a locked room. But they could not lock Jesus out. They could not lock peace out. Jesus walked through their fear and offered peace freely. 

     Here is my point. They accepted his peace. 

     They believed, surrendered their fears, and trusted him with the future. Jesus' words today are still "peace be with you." The same peace offered a handful of ragamuffin men is offered to me today.

     Today, I choose to accept that gift of peace. I will continue to walk in it tomorrow. When I am tempted to lock the door of my heart in fear, I will remember his comforting words.


     "Peace be with you."


     On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:19-22 NIV)

     Lord of peace, help me swing wide open the door of my fearful heart. Your gentle gift in the midst of any trial overwhelms my soul. I thank you that you triumphed over fear in the resurrection. I desire to walk in that truth daily. Amen.