Saturday, July 16, 2016

Peace

Another week, another senseless act of terror.
Will true peace ever come to this world so full of hate?
If you believe the Bible, the answer is no.
As Christians, we find our peace in Jesus, not in the world, itself.
Ah yes, but peace can be found if you know where to look.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. 
See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
Matthew 24:6
~
Peace.

I need it like oxygen.
I thirst for it as if it were water.
I crave it like food when I am hungry.
I long for it in my day to day life.
~
I made a decision a while back to live in it.
That doesn't mean that I live my life burden-free...is that even possible?
If you know anything about me, you know that's not the case.
Peace is a choice we make and we need to seek it, wherever we can find it.
~
There are many things that speak peace to me.
Most recently, there was a precious dove lying motionless in the grass...



...and when I knelt down to investigate, off it flew towards the safety of the trees.
That sweet bird was safe and sound, and peace swept over me.



Then there was such peace after a storm that left the skies gloriously rich in texture.



There's a sense of tranquility coming from that quiet drive in the country on a sunny morning...



...and those cows haven't a care in the world.
Peace.



Just soaking in the beauty that God has created speaks peace to my soul...



...and those tiny beads of water that hang on for dear life after a soothing summer rain...


...remind me of how God hangs on to me through times of trials, 
bringing such beautiful, unspeakable peace.



Just the other evening I walked into the kitchen and something immediately caught my eye.
The last golden rays of the setting sun peered through the Mason jars in the window,
creating the most calming glow, leaving me with such a peaceful feeling.
~
So as I'm typing this post, an old hymn is echoing in my brain.
I haven't heard it sung for a long time.

WONDERFUL PEACE
Warren D. Cornell, William G. Cooper - 1889

(click to listen)



I don't know how you can listen to that song and not sense God's peace and presence.
~
And I'll close with this poem I found.
  I think it speaks right to the events that we are witnessing in the world today.

GOD'S PEACE
~M.S. Lowndes

God's tender love and peace
Is what we all long for
In a world so hopelessly chaotic,
So unstable and unsure

It brings stability to our minds
And calmness to our souls,
For that is what we desperately need
As this world can be so cold

We need to have God's peace
When turmoil's in our lives,
For God's peace doesn't depend
On the daily pressures of life

When we have those stressful days,
God's peace can often soothe
And bring us such a quiet hope
That chases away the blues

So when you feel the pressure on,
Remember, Jesus Christ,
Receive from Him the peace He gives
As His daily dose for life!

~
And now, my favorite scripture about peace:

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

I pray you enjoy a peaceful week, my friends!


Sharing at:

Spiritual Sundays

30 comments:

  1. Yes, Debbie. The peace that is from God does indeed pass all understanding! But there is peace. Thank you for this soothing post tonight.

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  2. Oh, how we all would love to live in a world of peace! Super post and a good positive attitude. Maybe some day that peace will come.

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  3. Thank you. Your post reminded me of the peace that only Jesus gives.

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  4. Beautiful peaceful post you have graced us with this evening, Debby.
    Your words were so fitting with the verses and photo's you chose. Lovely, just lovely.
    Thank you for your beauty~~

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  5. I don't know why, but there are tears in my eyes. I thought of a line of a song by Joel Hemphill, "The inly real peace that I have, dear Lord is in you."

    No matter how chaotic the world, we can find peace in Him.

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  6. How people can go thru this life without HIM is beyond me. HE is our peace.

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  7. You have created peace here in this post with your beautiful photography and commentary. The Millennial Reign will be peaceful on this earth, until then, it will be very unsettled indeed. As BJ says, He is our peace.

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  8. Another beautiful post and wonderful photos that bring peace to me. and I'm sure they bring peace to others as well.

    Hugs,
    Carol

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  9. We are certainly living in chaotic times. Your post certainly brought an inner peace. Beautiful hymn.

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  10. A wonderful post and so well said and illustrated. Your photos are so good, among my favorite of yours.

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  11. Amen! - This post was beautiful.

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  12. A beautiful post, Debbie. Yes, this world needs inner peace. Your photos are really evocative of the peace that nature can bring.

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  13. Thank you for this beautiful post. I don't hide my eyes from the suffering around me...I pray and try to show love to everyone around me. It's what I can do. I'm thankful for friends like you that know how to express your feelings and ours too. Hugs, Diane

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  14. Oh, my friend, your pictures are so lovely! This is part of why I call my blog The Beautiful Matters, because we need to seek beauty, and have eyes to see it, especially when the world is so dark. Beauty is healing, and beauty brings peace; beauty matters. You have captured such beautiful, peaceful images. No, this world will never know true peace without Jesus.
    Beautiful, peaceful hymn; thanks for sharing it. Blessings, Deborah

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  15. Reading this post and seeing the beautiful pictures,has brought a sense of peace to me today.God is good all the time and He alone is the true giver of peace.

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  16. Beautifully written post. Your pictures are so lovely. They remind me of my morning walk. : )
    How wonderful that we can know God's peace!!

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  17. Our former Pastor used to say: No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace. There is nothing that comes close...

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  18. Hello, What a wonderful post! The peace was in the words and I could feel your desire to stay in that peace! The photos were so very beautiful! You have captured the beauty and the peace in them!
    Happy blessed week and enjoy all your moments!
    Hugs, Roxy

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  19. First let me say how much I like your blog look, lovely and fresh :)
    Like you I decided to live in peace a long time ago, but as you say that doesn't mean a lack of what could be called burdens. It does mean knowing Who is in charge and being able to rest in that knowledge.

    Diana

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  20. A beautiful post, Debby. There is such solace in reflection and in the beauty of nature.
    Amalia
    xo

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  21. Ah, the lovely and blessed peace that only Jesus offers...what precious peace! I so enjoyed your post, dear friend, and was greatly encouraged by your words, photos, and the song at the end.

    Thinking of you! Love and hugs

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  22. Wonderfully written. Peace... ah, peace... the world has gotten a little "wonky" lately. Let's hope everyone in the world gets back on track.

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  23. Debby, you have written this so well.
    Thank you for all your pictures and words.

    All the best Jan

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  24. An uplifting and inspirational post Debbie. As always beautiful photos. There are many moments of peace in our day if we look for them. May you have a week filled with peaceful moments.

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  25. This was a wonderful post and very needed. We all need to soak in the presence of peace. Your photos are just beautiful and I can say I felt peace were all over them. Love it!
    Thinking of you...
    Amy

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  26. It's crazy when you just watch the news. Really terrifying and sad stories.
    Your blog is refreshing to read with all those photos and reminders.

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  27. Lovely photos, Debbie. A beautiful post in contrast to the daily headlines lately. Not only do we have the national and world ones but the equally disturbing ones from our local cities, big and small.

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  28. The world needs a post like this at the moment...thank you :)

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Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.

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