Refrain From Strife

It is honorable to refrain from strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel. Prov 20:3

Lately I have been biting my tongue and restraining my fingers from typing words that are best left unsaid, an awful lot, in order to keep from quarreling with some who appear to be provoking quarrels and strife. It is not always easy for me; but, I do try. Every now and then something slips through my lips or the tips of my fingers and I am confessing that sin before the day's end.

The world appears to be in quite a mess right now. ISIS has caused and continues to cause much devastation. But, it's not all that helpful for those whom ISIS threatens with death to be fighting with each other. There are way too many conflicts going on all over the world (there always are) for any country or people to expend any more time or energy stirring up more conflict amongst themselves.

Is it not time for us to refrain from strife and quit quarreling amongst our brothers and sisters here and around the world so we can focus on taking care of the imminent and very real dangers that ISIS is bent on bringing?

I am fortunate to live in a country where we have freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and a whole lot of freedoms that many in this world do not have. I am very disappointed that we often take those freedoms for granted and use them to cause strife and quarrels. Instead of being thankful for these freedoms we abuse the privileges by using them to cause more strife and quarrels. We do not have the time to argue with or slander one another; we have way too much to do. There is enough suffering in the world without adding to it.

I do not think that I will be repenting of this blog by this day's end.

May God help us to live and work in unity to protect all whose lives are being torn apart and even ended.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

John 14:15-31 Peace

John 14:15-31 NIV
My morning prayer requests included praying for the children of northern Iraq. Apparently, ISIS has been busy beheading even the children. And, what kind of turmoil do we live in? Is it even comparable to atrocities like these?

Yet, life does have a way of turning our lives upside down. Everything is not always peaceful. It might be a whole lot more peaceful if humanity would just get it together and serve the one true, living God; following His loving will for humankind, rather than our own personal agendas. But, our egos get in the way and life can become one set of problems or obstacles after another. We do not always live in peaceful environments. Yet, Jesus tells us that he gives us his peace. In the midst of turmoil in the world around us, we can still live in the peace of and with God.

Jesus promised that after he was gone, the Father would send the Holy Spirit in his name to teach us his way. The Holy Spirit will guide us on the way; that we might be reconciled to God through Christ Jesus. In this promise we can find peace of heart and mind.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. No matter what the world throws at you, God is with you.

God's Peace - Pr. J