Monthly Archives: August 2010

Pursue Peace

Leave a comment

“Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up-building.”1

“I know what makes him tick, and I know what ticks him off!” These were the words of a speaker I heard when talking about her relationship with her husband—with whom, by the way, she had a very good relationship.

Clever lady. Smart wife!

For couples, and friends for that matter, to relate well to each other—and to build each other up—each needs to know how the other ticks; that is, understand each other. First though, we need to know and understand ourselves . . . and know what ticks us off and why we get ticked off (get angry)!

There are some things we ought to get angry about, such as at anything that is harmful to others. But oftentimes we get angry—and overreact—not because of what the other person has done, but because of who we are. In other words, when I have a lot of unresolved hurt and anger from the past, it can get triggered by the slightest incident and I overreact!

What the other person does may or may not be a problem, but my hurt and my anger are always my responsibility. And to the degree that I overreact, that is always my problem!

So we need to know not only what ticks us and each other off, but also why we get ticked off . . . and what we need to do about it if we are to have fulfilling and meaningful relationships.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to know, understand and accept myself, so I will be much more understanding and accepting of others. And help me to face and resolve my character issues and be a peacemaker and not a troublemaker. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Romans 14:19 (RSV) (NIV).

<:))))><

Security Amidst Never Ending Change

Leave a comment

“I the Lord do not change.”1

While some things never change, we can’t say that about life in the last century. I read that if we were to put the entire world’s knowledge from the beginning of time until 1845 on a graph it would measure only 1 inch tall. From 1845 to 1945—just 100 years—the graph would measure 3 inches tall. But from 1945 until today the graph would be as tall as or even taller than the Washington monument.

Change, rapid change—some for good and some for bad—has become the order of the day. They say that today’s average worker will need to be retrained at least three times during his working career to keep up with all the changes. Changes in technology, our manner of living, relationships, beliefs, philosophy, morals, and so on are happening so fast it is difficult to keep up with it all. It can leave us reeling and stressed to the max.

And while we have learned how to put a man on the moon and talk to him while he is there, we hardly know how to communicate to one another in a meaningful manner when we are in the same room! Much of our modern education (with access to almost unlimited knowledge) has taught us how to make a living but has failed miserably in teaching us how to live.

And without an anchor for the soul we can be left floating on a restless changing sea of uncertainty and insecurity. But for those who have faith in God, of this one thing we can be absolutely sure: God changes not! His love is from everlasting to everlasting and he is still in control of the world and universe no matter what.

In the U.S. we have engraved on our coins, “In God we trust.” But until that is engraved on our hearts and we genuinely trust in the God who changes not, we will have no lasting security.

T.O. Chisholm wrote:

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

“Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for your faithfulness and unchanging nature. Help me to trust in you no matter what, knowing that you are in control and hold the world in your hands. Please hold my life in your hands, too, as I yield the control of it to you. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

1. Malachi 3:6 (NIV)

<:))))><