Cease Fire

His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers! (Psalms 55:21 NLT)

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9 NLT)

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:3 NLT)

Enough said.

Jay

Humble Thyself

The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11, 12 NLT)

The proud will insist on their understanding, ways, views, dogma, to the point of hurting/destroying a relationship.

The humble will bring peace, healing, reconciliation with them wherever they go. The focus is not being "right", but being in union/harmony/love above all else.

May we ask for humility every day we wake up.

Jay

Nurturer

May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace. (Psalms 144:12 NLT)

May we constantly remind ourselves to nurture our children/family/friends.

Word,
Jay

Reconciler

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT)

Obviously, God in/through Jesus reconciled with us. I believe reconciliation is a most vital/paramount biblical principle that Christians need to value/practice (Spirit of Reconciliation).

(Jesus speaking): So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. (Matthew 5:23, 24 NLT)

A Reconciler has the following attributes: peace-making, forgiving, gracious, confessing, patient, repenting, and keeps no record of wrongs. There are more, but you get the picture.

With all that is in me, do I reconcile with anyone/everyone where a beef/problem exists?

Do I hide behind a wall of pride that insists that I'm right and THEY should be initiating the reconciliation?

Am I so prideful that I can't
/won't admit I've wronged someone and ask for their forgiveness?

Do I hold a grudge that I won't let go of, so that I won't forgive?

Am I willing to lose peace/harmony/family/friends/coworkers because of my pride?

"I'm afraid that if I reconcile and/or forgive , that the wrong will be swept under the rug and all things will become falsely good again."

Are you a Reconciler or a Divider?

Let's discuss this.


P.S. Though I've presented this in a black and white manner, I completely understand how extenuating circumstances don't always allow for a mutual reconciliation and/or even a way to approach certain people.

Jay

It's been awhile.

Feels good to be writing again. I got swept up in a tornado that put me out of town a lot. Looks like I'll be local for awhile and am already enjoying the rest.

I look forward to interacting with you. If you have any topics you'd like to discuss, please feel free to ask me.

Word,
Jay

Putting Away Childish Things

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11 NLT)

We don't like to think that we think/behave like children as adults. We're always telling people to grow up and if you're a Christian, the meaning of "grow up" is drastically different.

To the world, they think they're grown up by aging and being "successful" in life. They also think that behaving like an adult requires no showing of emotion or weakness.

Here's what "growing up" means to Christians (in no certain order):
1. Humility
2. Pursuit of Wisdom (seek, receive, and live)
3. Know God intimately
4. Addressing and putting away (always room for grace) things like: jealousy, comparisons, covetous, pride, envy, hatred, grudges, vindictiveness, rage, fear, worry, etc.......

It's not easy to grow up the Christian way, but it's the only way to deeper levels of understanding and freedom.

JayBird

Peace and Dissociation

I have spent the last 6 months pondering if a person can accurately identify the difference between peace and dissociation--given that the mind protects itself from traumatic/hurting/stressful events by dissociating (the splitting off of a group of mental processes from the main body of consciousness).

If any reality be perceived as "too much to handle," a checking/zoning-out occurs. At the core we know it exists, but will place the reality/truth into a compartment/box that is placed out of sight and acknowledgement.

After awhile of denial-produced "peace," we start to receive insights that kindly remind us of reality/truth that needs addressing. At this point, as free humans with free will, must be responsible for an area of hurt that needs Jesus' healing.

By no means is blank staring, zoning-out, denial, apathy, complacency, or any other faux form of ignoring the truth , going to heal the hurt on its own with time. Time is not our friend when spiritual infection has begun.

This question crossed my mind several times during this process: "Are you claiming peace when you're simply checked-out?"

Ever feel numb and void of creative thoughts/ideas? For that matter, ever feel so apathetic that you feel you may have lost your ability to care/give a damn?

I'm currently addressing any area/reality that I want to avoid and/or any behavior that stinks of dismissive judgement on others.

Your thoughts or questions are welcome.

Jay