Isaiah 57:18-19 — “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them,” (says the Lord). “I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, (Shalom, Shalom) to those far and near,” says the Lord. “I will heal them.” Shalom is the Hebrew word for ‘peace’ (and much […]
3109) Shalom, Shalom Read More »
   Bitterness has a tenacious way of taking root deep within the soul and resisting all efforts to weed it out.  Bitterness occurs for many reasons. It might come from deep hurts you received as a child, hurts you cannot forget. Time, rather than diminishing the hurt, only seems to sharpen the pain. Bitterness
2970) No Bitterness Allowed Read More »
Painting above:  Old Man and Child, by Finnish painter Hugo Simberg (1873-1917) ——————– From a letter by Hannah Whithall Smith (1832-1911):    We are in 1903 and I am nearly seventy-one years old.  I always thought I should love to grow old, and I find it even more delightful than I thought.  It is so
2920) At Peace With Growing Old Read More »
   Two artists were asked to paint a scene which would depict their concept of peace.  The first artist produced a painting of a beautiful mountain lake.  Everything about the picture suggested peace and quiet.  The sky was clear and not a ripple disturbed the calm waters.  There were no boats on the lake,
Luke 2:13-14  —  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” ******* CHRISTMAS MORNING by Larry Kiewel I awoke. Always a surprise, actually. I lay quietly As first light began its progress.
1354) Christmas Peace Read More »
San Bernardino, California; December 2, 2015; fourteen killed in yet another mass shooting, this one at a Christmas party ————————–    As in the picture above, the Christmas carol I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day expresses the sad message that “there is no peace on earth.”  The song was originally written as a poem, Christmas Bells, by Henry
970) Peace on Earth? Read More »
   Late at night on April 26, 2006, a man fell asleep at the wheel of the truck he was driving down an Indiana highway.  The huge truck and trailer crossed the center line and crashed into the front of a van of college students and staff returning from a banquet.  Five people in
886) In An Instant Read More »
    (…continued)  I have been going to church conventions for over 30 years, and have heard many debates on resolutions in which well-meaning Lutherans have supported various causes in the name of peace and justice.  Some have wanted to support unjust regimes because at least they kept the peace, and some have wanted to
712) Peace and Justice and Pontius Pilate (b) Read More »
   Many Christians place a great emphasis on ‘Peace and Justice’ issues.  There are many churches in which you will hear more about peace and justice than about Jesus Christ.  To be concerned about these issues is certainly implied in the teachings of our Lord, who was called the ‘Prince of Peace,’ and who
711) Peace and Justice and Pontius Pilate (a) Read More »
“Merciful Snow” A short story from Rev. Michael Lindvall’s book The Good News from North Haven: A Year in the Life of a Small Town, 1991, pages 26-33.  Lindvall is a Presbyterian pastor who grew up in Minnesota, and has served parishes in Michigan and New York.      …Priscilla Atterby died at eighty-four years:  “fourscore
669) Peace at Last Read More »
