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the Manna | September 2013
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the Manna | September 2013
Columns
20 | Still Small Voice
07 | Signals 09 | On The Air
22 | Inner Peace
Features 12 | The Good News of Peace Peace is a person.
14 | Peace When will we finally have peace?
17 | Enemy or Best Friend?
Stay in Touch
What do you hear in chaos? Staying God-focused, not self-focused.
24 | God’s Peacemakers Staying true to God’s Word.
26 | Peace One Day How should we show our faith in Christ.
29 | What Have You Done For Me Lately? Why we shouldn’t presume.
Who is God, really?
18 | God as Psychological Crutch God cannot be dismissed.
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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the Manna | A Publication of Maranatha, Inc. Editor-In-Chief: Debbie Byrd Creative Director: Joe Willey Editorial Coordinator: Karen Tull Contributing Writers: Phil Bohaker, Jeff Friend, Susan Olsen-Lowry, Josh Millwood, Karen Tull, Mary Mullins & Brittney Switala Media Client Liaisons: Adam Riggin and Randall Stapleton
Frequently Asked Questions Who We Are The Manna is published by Maranatha, Inc., a Christcentered ministry called to proclaim the Good News of faith and life in Jesus Christ through various forms of media, as God directs, until He returns. “Maranatha” (mer-a-nath´-a) is an Aramaic word found in I Corinthians 16:22. It is translated, “Our Lord, come!” Joy! 102.5 WOLC is also part of Maranatha, Inc. Its call letters stand for “Watch, Our Lord Cometh.” Maranatha!
Disclaimer Non-ministry advertisers are not required to subscribe to the “Statement of Faith” printed at right; nor are their businesses and products necessarily endorsed by the Manna, Joy! 102.5 WOLC, or Maranatha, Inc., whose viewpoints are not necessarily represented by the opinions or statements of persons interviewed in this magazine; nor are the viewpoints of its advertisers.
Statement of Faith We Believe… that the Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible and authoritative source of Christian doctrine and precept; that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that the only hope for man is to believe in Jesus Christ, the virgin-born Son of God, who died to take upon Himself the punishment for the sin of mankind, and who rose from the dead so that by receiving Him as Savior and Lord, man is redeemed by His blood; that Jesus Christ in person will return to Earth in power and glory; that the Holy Spirit indwells those who have received Christ, for the purpose of enabling them to live righteous and godly lives; and that the Church is the Body of Christ and is comprised of all those who, through belief in Christ, have been spiritually regenerated by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The twin mission of the Church is worldwide evangelization, and nurture and discipline of Christians.
Manna and Joy! 102.5 WOLC P. O. Box 130, Princess Anne, MD 21853 Voice: 410-543-9652 Fax: 410-651-9652 Manna e-mail: info@readthemanna.org Joy! 102.5 e-mail: wolc@wolc.org ©2013 Maranatha, Inc. May not be reproduced without written consent of Maranatha, Inc. Photos: iStockphoto and Thinkstock
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Signals Where is Peace? Peace. Is it really hard to come by? People struggle. There is conflict at home or in the workplace. Disorganization may bring stress to our day. Our lives may be overcommitted or we may be spending time involved on some activity that we really abhor. And, often, we attempt to foist our misery, our chaos, our drama, upon anyone that will seemingly lend an ear. On an epic scale, there is violence in our neighborhoods and war on many global fronts. What can we do? We become consumed with our inability to be of any help. We can be frustrated by U.S. efforts to attain peace in Syria but not Detroit. In this issue, Manna contributors exam-
ine the concept of peace. What steals it? It is even achievable? Is it possible to have a peaceful existence while living in a world filled with uncertainty and violence Most important—who is the Prince of Peace we hear about and how can we know Him? Debbie Byrd is General Manager of Maranatha, Inc., a ministry that includes Joy! 102.5 and the Manna.
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On the Air New Chapter Laura Story is set to release her new album God of Every Story next month. Grammy Award-winning artist, speaker, songwriter, author and worship leader Laura Story has a gift for penning songs that connect with people all around the world. In her April 2011 release of Blessings, Laura saw an overwhelming response to her songs inspired from the diary of her life. The title track of the album, “Blessings,” picked up a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Song, a Billboard Music Award and multiple Dove Awards. In a fitting follow-up to her impactful record comes the release of Laura’s next chapter—her new album God of Every Story. “This new record is a collection of songs about where God’s love and grace intersect with our real-life situations,” explains Laura. “It’s about God working all things together for good and love always winning. It’s a celebration of God’s faithfulness, even when we don’t always understand His plan this side of heaven.”
The 11-track album features some beautiful worship ballads and showcases Laura’s powerful ability to tell stories and encourage and inspire others through her music. Such is the case in the lead single “I Can Just Be Me,” an honest and personal track on being broken and finding comfort in God. We’re currently spinning that new song on Joy! 102.5. Laura’s next album God of Every Story is due out September 30th. Be sure to listen for her new single and other incredible songs from her new CD on Joy! 102.5. Rodney Baylous is Program Director of Joy! 102.5. Visit www.wolc.org.
Listen Now! Check out our Program Guide at wolc.org
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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Program Guide Listen @ www.wolc.org
SRN News - at the top of various hours www.srnnews.com
Turning Point - 7:00 pm www.focusonthefamily.com
Music - 12:00 Midnight - 6:00 am
Revive Our Hearts - 7:30 pm www.reviveourhearts.com
Joy in the Morning - 6:00 am - 9:00 am Our Daily Bread - 6:25 am www.rbc.org/odb My Money Life - 7:25 am www.crown.org Insights - 7:45 am www.insight.org Focus on the Family - 9:30 am www.focusonthefamily.com Family Life Today - 10:00 am www.familylife.com Turning Point - 10:30 am and 7:00 pm www.davidjeremiah.org Midday Joy - 11:00 am - 1:00 pm New Life Live - 1:00 pm www.newlife.com Mission Network News - 1:55 pm www.mnnonline.org In Touch - 2:00 pm www.intouch.org Money Wise - 2:30 pm www.compass1.org Renewing Your Mind Minute - 3:30 pm www.ligonier.org Focus on the Family Minute - 4:30 pm www.focusonthefamily.com Adventures in Odyssey - 6:00 pm www.whitsend.org Focus on the Family - 6:30 pm www.focusonthefamily.com
Money Life - 7:55 pm www.crown.org Insights for Living - 8:00 pm www.insight.org Bible Reading - 10:30 pm Music - 8:30pm - 12:00 Midnight
SATURDAY Down Gilead Lane - 9:00 am www.cbhministries.org Adventures in Odyssey - 9:30 am www.whitsend.org
SUNDAY Music - 12:00 Midnight - 8:00 am Grace to You - 8:00 am www.gty.org Living a Legacy - 10:30 am www.moodyradio.org/livingalegacy Moody Church Hour - 11:00 am www.moodychurch.org National Christian Choir - 12:00 pm www.nationalchristianchoir.org The Hour of Decision - 1:00 pm www.billygraham.org Forward in Faith - 1:30 pm www.centralchurchofgod.org Gospel Greats - Sunday, 2:00 pm www.thegospelgreats.com Music - 4:00 pm -12:00 Midnight wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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ost people view peace as an internal state of mind. The world seems to move ever faster, with endless, real-time information available at the tap of a finger on a smartphone. The speed of life in a world of streaming media can be overwhelming. Naturally, we want something to shield us from the unpredictability of our lives and provide stability amid the cultural chaos. As a father of three children under four years old, I am well versed on the eternal quest for “peace and quiet.” This kind of peace is a valid goal for any of us. God certainly wants us to have peace of mind, rather than anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7). But this is not the only kind of peace we find in Scripture. In fact, before we can have true, lasting peace in our souls, we must undergo a more radical, life-altering experience of peace. This is not the ever-elusive “peace in the Middle East” of news headlines for the past 60 years. The peace that trumps all other forms of peace comes only from reconciliation with God. Paul makes it clear that to be in a state of
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unbelief makes us de facto at war with God. We are His enemies, and there is only one cure for this condemned state—the cross of Jesus (Colossians 1:21-22). The death of Christ is the only way we can ever be reconciled to God. So, understandably, Paul writes of Christ, “He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). Jesus is the embodiment of peace, as it was the sacrifice of His body which made a way for our reunion with God. Our reconciliation with God is a much different kind of peace than the peace of sitting on a dock with your feet in the water gazing at the sunset. The one involves the cessation of hostility between enemies; the other involves a mental and emotional state. But the truth is that having the latter without the former is akin to the Christmas Truce of 1914, during which certain German and English infantry units laid down their arms on Christmas Day and ventured into No Man’s Land to sing carols and exchange pleasantries. There was a feeling of peace during that brief exchange, but that did not change the fact that nations were at war and people were dying. Likewise, most people will enjoy the
The Good News of Peace By Phil Bohaker
feeling of peace at times in their lives, but apart from Christ they are not in a state of peace. The state of peace brought on by Christ’s cross extends even beyond our relationship with God. In the culture surrounding the early church, there was no shortage of hatred between Jews and Gentiles. But as the gospel spread, believers on both sides of the fence realized that the cross was the bridge that united them as the people of God and “put to death their hostility” (Ephesians 2:16). Jesus made peace where otherwise it was impossible. We are often reminded of the ongoing need for racial reconciliation in our society. But the one thing that is excluded from the conversation is the one thing that could bring true reconciliation. Peter calls it “the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). Jesus is Lord of all—no matter who your parents are, no matter where you come from, no matter what you look like, no matter what box you check on a form. He is the bulldozer to all the walls of division we build to keep to the status quo of “us” and “them.”
The good news of peace is that through the cross of Christ we can have peace with God, which then becomes the foundation for peace in all its forms. When we have peace with God, we can offer that peace to others and experience it as an antidote to anxiety and disharmony in our hearts. But if our starting point is not peace with God, then all of our peacemaking will be only a cheap substitute that does not deliver on its promises. The good news does not end there. God is not satisfied to simply offer inner peace to individuals. When he restores all that was lost by the Fall, he will build a kingdom where all our walls are torn down. Our differences will produce harmony, rather than enmity. We will be “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9). And we will have one voice as we shout, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” We can talk about peace all we want. But unless our cry for peace invites people to join us in the hope of God’s eternal kingdom, we are just offering them saccharin and telling them it’s sugar. wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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Maranatha Media | Home of Joy! 102.5 and the Manna
Peace By Jeff Friend
P
eace. How can such a small word be so difficult to achieve? For centuries it has been passionately pursued by individuals and nations, the rich and the poor, and people of every culture. Even today the headlines proclaim the prospect of peace talks between governments and the call for peace after social unrest. Yet somehow it seems to constantly elude capture. Part of the problem is that peace means so many different things. Today we are constantly exposed to stories of wars and terrorist activities all around the world, and peace seems to move farther and farther away from our grasp. But the Bible also details many wars and terrible violence, so the idea of people living in complete love and harmony around the world has been an unattainable goal for generations. But sometimes the thought of striving for peace on such a grand scale can be too overwhelming, and we feel hopeless it will ever come. We try to push those horrible images of war out of our minds in order to focus on our own lives. We think, “Let the leaders and rulers try to sort out the global mess. I have my own personal and family battles and struggles to deal with.” Even on an individual level, however, the longing for peace takes a variety of forms. For some, it may mean the end of physical pain, bringing peace to their bodies. Others may envision peace as the return of calmness and unity in a dysfunctional family situation. And others may yearn for relief from the consuming grief over the death of a loved one or the devastating end of a relationship. The scenarios are endless. Whether on a universal level or in personal situations, humans crave peace. So is peace even possible? From a strictly human perspective, events through thousands of years seem to tell us the answer is ‘No,’ at least for any sustained period of time. But thankfully, Jesus Christ came to live on Earth, and the appearance of the Prince of Peace changed everything; the type of peace He brought was supernatural. In fact, Philippians 4:7 describes it as a peace “which surpasses understanding” (NKJV). No longer was man left to create his own version of peace. By entering into a personal relationship with Jesus, we can have a peace that provides the calm assurance that He is with us through every situation and that all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). There may be chaos raging in the world and in our personal lives, but we can be confident that our future will eventually result in living forever in total peace and happiness.
Is there another way for man to find true peace on Earth? Some religions would want you to believe so. For instance, Buddha said, “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” However, a person who believes that he or she can create their own peace will constantly be frustrated with their inability to do so, because Jesus declared real peace could only be found in Him. C. S. Lewis wrote, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” Perhaps Thomas Watson summed it up when he said, “If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.” The Israelites knew firsthand about God’s peace. The Old Testament describes the wars and invasions that were frequent and extremely destructive. They encountered great physical hardships and were oppressed by foreign rulers and even their own kings. They also experienced spiritual anguish when their relationship with God had been neglected or outright ignored. But when they returned to an intimate relationship with Him, they were reminded of the peace and assurance of His love. The same is true for us today. Following God wholeheartedly and entrusting our lives to His care results in an indescribable calmness even in the bleakest of situations. As long as we live on Earth, we will face many trials and difficulties: unemployment, financial worries, physical illnesses and disease, doubts and fears. Of course, Satan loves to spearhead attacks against us to try to make us turn from God and doubt His love for us. But we have the peace that Paul described when he wrote, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV). Politicians may try to get warring nations to sign documents to declare peace. Leaders may ask us to look to them to solve looming problems and to trust them to provide a wonderful, peaceful future. But placing our trust and hope in humans, despite their best intentions and efforts, will not bring peace and rest to our lives. What will? Simply accepting Jesus’ offer: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV).
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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Enemy or Best Friend? By Karen Tull
W
hen you think of God, does any kind of visual image come to mind? We’ve probably all seen the common secular depiction of an old, white-bearded man towering above the clouds. He has a bellowing voice and not the happiest expression on his face. There’s the chance he might strike you with a lightning bolt if you slip up. Then there’s the idea put forth in the famous 18th century sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by American theologian Jonathan Edwards, in which humans are described as dangling precariously over the threshold of Hell and at risk of being cast into the flames at any moment of God’s choosing. Neither visual is particularly warm and inviting. To view God in either light isn’t likely to inspire love and devoted service. Who can approach a God who is, well... mean? Thankfully, we don’t have to rely on how others portray God. Through His Word, He makes it possible for us to know His authentic character, straight from the Source. In Scripture, we are told, among other innumerable truths, that God has always existed, always will, and is inherently perfect and just. He made all of creation, including our individually-unique selves, and commands that we be perfect just as He is perfect. But, because sin entered the world, that is not a standard human beings are capable of upholding. And, the consequence of sin is death and eternal punishment. God, however, did not leave us in a predicament of sure doom. In His mercy and everlasting love for us, He made a way out, and did so through sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to die and wipe clean our record of wrongs. Through Christ and only Christ has our access to God been re-opened. Scripture says, “Let us then approach
God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). By accepting this gift of salvation, we are no longer enemies of God—we are His children. What freedom and peace there is to know that we have been forgiven for every sin we have committed and are even yet to commit. Freeing to the point, perhaps, where the tendency might arise to feel comfortable...maybe a little too comfortable. Can we be so at ease with God that our view of Him shifts in the other direction? God no longer being the severe punisher, but our best friend who doesn’t have a hang-up anymore with our sin. He just loves us and wants us to be happy. Well, the fact remains that God is holy and hates sin. While we may be forgiven, God does not take sin lightly and, therefore, requires that we strive to live a holy life according to what is written in His Word. Seeing God as merely our pal isn’t likely to elicit in us the appropriate respect or reverence. So, is it then possible that a casual view of God can be just as dangerous, just as much a stumbling block as one where He’s regarded as a bully? Both are equally false gods...they do not exist. Therefore, to place an erroneous view of God above the true God—either through ignorance or apathy—is tantamount to idolatry. Evangelist Ray Comfort of Living Waters Ministries writes, “And so a man who has the knowledge that the eye of the Lord is in every place beholding the evil and the good, will separate himself quickly from the sin...He knows that he is accountable to God for every word, every thought, and every deed, and therefore a healthy fear of God keeps him from sin.” And, keeps us from worshipping a god of our own making. wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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I
remember getting into a cab outside a central London church. The cabbie took one look at my Bible and launched into his opinion of Christianity. He explained to me that belief in God is a crutch for weak, pathetic people who don’t have the strength to take responsibility for their own lives. When I answered, “Thank you very much,” with just a hint of irony, he blustered on with, “Well, I’m just saying it for your own good. A girl like you doesn’t need religion!” This idea that Christian faith is a psychological crutch for needy people is a pervasive one, based on a number of assumptions. The first is that God is merely a psychological projection: he doesn’t actually exist in any real sense, but exists only in the minds of his followers, who have created him out of their own need—a need for a father figure or a need to give significance to their existence. The most famous proponent of this view was the Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). In arguing against the existence of God, Freud theorized that one’s view of God springs from the view one has of one’s father. When people grow up and find themselves thrust into the cruel, cold world, they look for a haven of security and protection from it. An adult can no longer look to parents for this protection, if he or she is to maintain dignity. Yet, Freud mused, we look for another “Someone” to do this job for us and this leads to the idea
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of a “Higher Power” or God. From this perspective, God is merely a creation of the human mind, a projection emanating from human need and desire rather than a distinct reality. For Freud, God is made in humanity’s own image, the “ultimate wish-fulfillment,” the end product of human desire for a loving father. Can God really be explained away so easily by one aspect of psychology? One obvious point to make is that the argument about projection cuts both ways. After all, isn’t it equally possible to say that Freud and other atheists deny the existence of God out of a need to escape from a father figure, or to argue that the non-existence of God springs from a deep-seated desire for no father figure to exist? Clearly this doesn’t prove that God is real, but it does show that Freud’s arguments cannot prove that God does not exist while at the same time helping us tackle the question of projection. After all, dismissing God as a psychological projection while claiming neutrality in our own psyche is disingenuous at best and cannot be an adequate basis for rejecting God. It also quickly becomes apparent that a Freudian belief in God as a human projection cannot provide us with an explanation for the Christian faith of converts such as C.S. Lewis or Alister McGrath, who would rather not believe but find themselves compelled by the evidence that Chris-
God as Psychological Crutch By Amy Orr-Ewing
tianity is true and real. In fact, we may go further by suggesting that a desire for a God who can fulfill our needs and provide moral order exists precisely because human beings have been created to desire him. The man floating on a raft at sea is unbearably thirsty, but he won’t get a drink of water simply by being thirsty. But the very existence of his thirst does show that a way for his desire to be satisfied actually exists: fresh water. As C.S. Lewis put it, “Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists.” Ultimately for the Christian the important question is not whether I have a psychological need for a father figure, or a desire for a father figure not to exist. Rather, the question is about what actually exists: Is God really there? The way to come to any conclusions about that is to investigate the evidence for his existence. The second assumption we encounter is that because belief in God provides the faithful with a crutch, this means it is somehow suspect. The skeptic implies that since the believer finds protection from the cruelty of nature and the evil of the world, the idea of God is like a talisman, an irrational superstition. But surely, if belief in God provides a positive moral framework that helps people to live constructively, that is not a reason to disbelieve. Similarly, if relationship with God enables to believer to find healing, wholeness, and comfort in the midst
of human suffering, we should not be surprised. After all, if God is real, God’s existence will have a massive impact on life and on the experience of life. It is only if God is not real that we ought to be worried about the “crutch” God provides. Finally, the third assumption is that people who make use of this “crutch” of relationship with God, and find it practical, meaningful, and effective, must be weak or inferior. This is a rather strange idea, since surely it makes sense to access real sources of support and relationship that are there for us. If a God of love does exist, the rational thing to do is accept that love, to come to know it. Entering into that relationship will have a positive effect, and that does not make the person weaker than or somehow inferior to anyone else. On the contrary, it is the logical, reasonable response if God himself is real. Amy Orr-Ewing is curriculum director for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and training director of RZIM Zacharias Trust in Oxford, England. God as Psychological Crutch by Amy Orr-Ewing, A Slice of Infinity, originally printed November 1, 2012 (www.rzim.org). Used by permission of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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Still Small Voice By Josh Millwood
“I
’m very sorry to have to tell you this, but it seems that the cancer is back. It is already in your lymph nodes. I’m sorry, but there’s just not anything else we can do for you. It’s time to get your affairs in order.” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “Your position is being downsized. In this economy, we just can’t afford to keep you. We have a small severance package, and if you would like to personally finance your current medical coverage, I can send you down to HR.” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “I’m so sorry, Mom. Daddy…please don’t walk away. It was only one time. I didn’t think I could get pregnant the first time! He wanted me to get an abortion. I don’t know what else to do! Please don’t cry, Mom!” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “Around 4:35 this afternoon a lone gunman entered the front door of the elementary school building and opened fire with an automatic rifle. Twenty-five children and three teachers were killed before he turned the gun on himself.” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid. “At approximately 7:00pm this evening I issued an executive order to our military and allied forces to respond in like kind to the recent attacks on American soil. Our nuclear facilities are prepared and ready to quiet America’s enemies permanently.” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Jesus shocked his disciples by telling them that He was about to leave them. They were expecting Him to take the throne of Israel, boot out the Romans and establish God’s holy reign over the world. But Jesus proclaimed that He was about to die, that He would leave and God would send them a Comforter. They had given their lives in service to this Man who claimed to be the very Son of God. They had expectations and He had shattered them. All their dreams, hopes and plans were hinging on a misunderstanding of God’s plans. This still happens today. Callings become day jobs. Marriages fail. Hurricanes and natural disasters destroy cities. None of these things means that God has abandoned you. In light of the fallen nature of this world, God alone stands Perfect, Unchanging and True. When your world is crumbling to pieces, Jesus compassionately whispers to you, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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woman with dark circles under her eyes and a simple ponytail does her level best to provide the best for her family. After work she picks up the kids and then heads to the grocery store which carries organic produce and fair trade goods. Even though the prices are more expensive than the store down the street, she knows she is giving her family the best quality food. At the check-out counter there are several magazines about topics such as yoga, astrology and Buddhism. After the meal she turns on HGTV. She’s a big fan of decorating and color and new ideas to make her home feel warm and inviting. Her house is about 10 years old and has had small DIY improvements, but she never seems to feel at rest in her own home. She hopes each new project will help corral the chaos and make it feel like an ordered, yet warm space. This show finally explains that discontent. The host says there is a sense of balance and peace in a living area that can only be achieved through Feng shui. She thinks that maybe when there is the right balance of wood and natural textures and clutter is removed, the home will feel peaceful. She does a Google search to further research Feng shui and bags up some “clutter” to donate to Goodwill. She tucks her little ones in bed and then does a few yoga stretches her doctor said may help her relax and have restful sleep. This woman is longing for peace and rest. This woman is a Christian.
In popular culture, the symbol of a person in the lotus position is the epitome of someone who has discovered a true sense of peace and rest. A moment of tranquility is a “Zen moment.” With all this talk about peace there is no talk of faith, just a general assumption of fact: this lifestyle of yoga, meditation and simplicity will bring a sense of internal calm and centeredness in our chaotic lives. The search for inner peace is understandable. One in eight Americans is currently on anti-anxiety medication (National Institute of Heath.) We are in the process of recovering from a lengthy recession which has meant the loss of jobs and homes, downsizing for some, bankruptcy and more multi-generation families living under one roof just to make ends meet. Financial strain and the associated arguments have caused many couples to divorce. With such stress all around, it is important to know where to find inner peace. Urban Dictionary describes Zen as (a) “a total state of focus that incorporates a total togetherness of body and mind,” or (b) “complete and absolute peace.” JudeoChristianity also has its own special word for peace: Shalom. This word has a wide variety of meanings including to be safe, sound, healthy, perfect, complete. Shalom also extends to peace with God, a relationship Zen does not address. For personal peace to exist, there must be an acknowledgement that the shortcomings one sees in oneself and the worries one has about the future are taken care of somehow.
Such replacement therapy is best explained in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Second, meditation for a believer in Christ can include several things. It is not a process that requires self-focus, but Godfocus. It can be the simple repetition of Scripture or Bible memorization. Galatians 5 says it is letting go of worry and fear and replacing negative thoughts with a focus on the attributes of God. Washing your mind in thoughts such as, “God is worthy. He is just. He is Creator of Heaven and Earth” helps push aside temporal things. Third, create a home of beauty and simplicity for God’s glory. Christians should be aware that some of the principles of Feng shui are based on Taoist philosophy. For the Christian, there is no such thing as the “perfect spot” on Earth, because our home is not in this world and the Kingdom of God is not this life in this place. Rather, Christians should be concerned with glorifying God in their homes. Minimalism and decluttering can lead to a lifestyle of generosity and is most certainly a wonderful way to glorify God. Inner peace and a sense of calm, though important, is not an end in and of itself. It is only truly possible when it includes peace with Almighty God.
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That can only happen with an acknowledgement of God and His Son, Jesus, whom the Bible calls the Prince of Peace. In John 14:27, Jesus tells His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” Peace is a gift the Lord wants to give us through the power of the Holy Spirit, but few believers embrace it. Believers don’t seem to have an attitude of inner peace and rest figured out. Many are afraid of change and the influences of society at large. Moms bite nails and pray for their kids to avoid being polluted by the world. They hole up in church groups and Bible studies readying for the end of the world. Fear and isolation have not proven attractive to society at large, so ownership of the term “peace” has been given to Eastern religion. Somewhere along the line, many Christians have lost sight of the biblical call to find peace with ourselves from our relationship with God. While Eastern practices require emptying of oneself, for the Christian there is work involved. It is the ultimate in replacement therapy. First, there is the capturing of worrisome thoughts and replacing them with Truth. Old pattern of thinking: “The world just keeps getting worse and worse. What will it be like for my grandchildren when they’re adults?” New pattern of thinking: “The Lord made my children/grandchildren and He loves them more than I do. God is trustworthy.”
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Inner Peace
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hether we’re talking about conflict in the Middle East, violence over drugs or divisions right in our church, strife is all around us. Wars and conflicts are not new to our age. They’ve existed since biblical times and continue to rage around the world. If we’re supposed to be following the Prince of Peace, why can’t we find much peace in our world today? In an article from Auburn University entitled, “Peace, and the Legacy of Jesus,” the author has a pretty simple answer: “Most people are selfish and dishonest.” The author goes on to say that “many people have not yet learned to appreciate the blessing in doing good to others and living together in truth and harmony.” Doing good takes work and time. Many of us are already too tied up with our own obligations and careers to think about how to reconcile with an estranged sister or brother. Besides, if that person wanted to have a relationship, they could make the first move, right? That’s not exactly how Jesus spelled it out in the Gospel. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” Jesus calls us to bring peace to others. On TheBibleway.com, one author wrote, “Peace carries the idea of reconciliation. It is not just declaring a cease-fire but a uniting of the armies. It isn’t just not fighting in front of the kids but starting to love one another. It isn’t just closing the doors to shut out the noise on the street but finding an inner
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tranquility in your spirit that remains though surrounded by turmoil. True peace comes when friendship is re-established between you and God, others and your own self.” It might sound cliché, but the song, “Let there be peace on earth and let it start with me,” really sums up how to be a peacemaker. The first step is creating a peaceful relationship with God. We can’t expect to have peace within ourselves or with others if we don’t have a connection to our Savior. Sometimes we have been living in a way that we know is displeasing to God. Maybe we are too ashamed to spend time in prayer because we feel He’s disappointed in us. We could feel angry at God over a tragic or trying experience in our lives. Regardless of the reasons, God wants a peaceful, close relationship with each of us. He’s waiting for each of us to talk with Him and work things out. We only need to confess our sins and take comfort in the peace God offers. Philippians 4: 6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The thread that links together peace with God, ourselves and others is forgiveness. Unconfessed sins can create distance between us and God and can cause that peaceful feeling to leave our hearts. Once we make things right with God, we need to forgive ourselves. Hanging on to guilt erodes peace. 2
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God’s Peacemakers By Mary Mullins
Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” God made us, knows our flaws and loves us. With that knowledge firmly rooted in our hearts, we need to love ourselves and realize that we have become a new creature in Christ. If we continue to hang on to past mistakes, we are keeping ourselves from feeling the peace promised to us as children of God. We also hinder the work we could be doing for Him. When we can’t even forgive ourselves, how can we expect to forgive someone else? We will never be effective peacemakers if we don’t make peace with our own heart. Once we’ve sought a peaceful relationship with God and ourselves, we can then turn towards others and seek to spread peace. There are two main keys to peace with others: forgiveness and sharing the Gospel. In the blog “The Good Life,” one writer uses the parable of the king who forgives one of his servants to demonstrate how important forgiveness is to God. In the story, the king forgives the servant of an enormous debt, but then the servant turns around and throws another person in prison for owing a small debt. The king hears about it and gets angry. He calls the servant back in and makes him pay the huge debt. The blogger points out that the Lord commands us to keep the peace by forgiving those who hurt us and by loving and serving them. Our sinful nature wants to hold on to those hurts and put people into the “prison” of unforgiveness and resent-
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ment. But God sent His only Son to Earth to die for our sins. He paid the ultimate price to bring us the peace of an eternal life spent in Heaven. He forgave us our huge debt yet we have a tendency to turn around and make others pay their debts to us. We need to break this cycle if we are to have peace in our lives and if we’re to become peacemakers. The Auburn University writer points to Peter’s teaching in the Bible as a way to attain the peace we need to forgive others. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2). As with so many Christian principles, the way to achieve them is by turning to God’s Word. We need to immerse ourselves in the knowledge of God in the Scriptures and spend quality time with the Lord in prayer. It would be like trying to get a job as a computer programmer without ever taking a class about computers. In order to learn to do something, one of the first things we need to do is get educated about the topic. We will struggle as peacemakers if we don’t first spend time consulting the ultimate how-to manual—the Bible. We need to make God’s Word such a part of our lives that when we’re faced with trouble, strife and adversity, we have the peace of God firmly rooted in our hearts. Peace isn’t the absence of problems. It’s a way of living in the eternal promise given to His children—the peacemakers.
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Peace One Day By Susan Olsen-Lowry
For more information about Peace One Day visit:
peaceoneday.org
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ever doubt that one individual can make a difference. One person who exemplifies this is Jeremy Gilley, a self-described “nobody” who in only two years persuaded the UN to establish a day of peace and nonviolence to be celebrated annually on September 21st. Jeremy has since used that UN Resolution not only to celebrate that day, but to persuade other countries around the world to lay down their weapons and take part in peaceful actions. This all began when Gilley, a then unknown British documentary filmmaker, had an epiphany. “What would happen if there were a day every year dedicated to practicing world peace?” he thought. He set out to make a documentary to film the idea by interviewing heads of state, UN dignitaries and other world leaders. Gilley founded Peace One Day. To his surprise, many corporations and individuals donated funds, airline tickets and other needs. He circled the globe with his camera crew, relentlessly talking to people about his vision of a day of peace and nonviolence. Everyone agreed there should be such a day. They just didn’t know how to go about creating it. Eventually Costa Rica and Great Britain agreed to sponsor the resolution in the UN. It passed unanimously on September 7, 2001. The United Nations Day of Peace and Nonviolence was born. Now came the hard part: how to implement the day. For the first few years, there were concerts and small actions. Gilley was frustrated. He wanted to see ceasefires on Peace Day. A day of ceasefire and non-violence would clear the way for humanitarian activities. In 2007, actor Jude Law became the first Peace One Day ambassador and made a trip with Gilley to Afghanistan, a country whose people have been at war for more than 30 years. They met with representatives from the UN, the Afghan government, school children and others. There was enough of a promise of a cessation in violence to allow WHO and UNICEF workers to enter the country to immunize 1.4 million children against polio. A peace walk was held in the streets of Herat, followed by a discussion among young people about what needs to be done in Afghanistan for sustained peace. Seventy percent of Afghanistan’s population is under 25 years of age. They have never known peace in their lifetimes. Gilley’s hope for peace was coming true. The public started paying more attention. Awareness of Peace Day was growing. In a spirit of cooperation, corporations Puma and Adidas arranged for football matches all over Africa and South America. These games are part of the “One Day One Goal” program. It’s designed to facilitate cooperation and unity. For example, Mercy Corps is credited with bringing together the Iraqi Army and the Kurdish Pesh-
merga, normally enemies, for a game in 2008. In Brazil, rival gangs came together to play football and socialize on Peace Day. In August 2008, Gilley and Jude Law returned to Afghanistan. This time they met with President Karzi who, along with UN forces, pledged support for non-violence on September 21st. This time UNICEF and WHO workers were able to vaccinate another 1.6 million children against polio. The drive to immunize Afghan children is part of an ongoing effort to eradicate the disease in Afghanistan, one of the four remaining polio-endemic countries. In fact, since 2007, Afghanistan’s Peace Day campaigns have resulted in 4.5 million children being vaccinated in the country’s most troubled regions. In 2012, 280 million people in 198 countries were aware of Peace Day. Ninety-four million young people participated in events such as anti-bullying classes. Twenty-seven million people participated in religious gatherings such as prayer groups and inter-faith events. Twenty-six million people participated in UN, government and humanitarian events. On Peace Day 2012, over 6,000 events took place, ranging from concerts to conflict resolution workshops. Even though Peace Day only happens once a year, the effects of these peace actions continue. Peace education curriculum that Gilley and staff at Peace One Day developed include lessons such as “The Consequences of War,” “End Bullying Role Play,” “Conflict Resolution Skills,” “Intercultural Cooperation” and “Sport for Truce.” The curriculum is free and may be downloaded at the peaceoneday.org website. The Peace One Day foundation uses music, art, dance, education, film, sports and online activities to create a culture of peace. Each year has a theme. This year the concentration is on young people and the theme is, “Who will you make peace with in 2013?” Jeremy is one individual who, without money or fame, has made and continues to make a difference. His accomplishment for peace has cleared the way for humanitarian actions around the world. There is trouble in this world. Any one of us may feel overwhelmed by it and throw up our hands and say, “There is nothing I can do.” But we should consider the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote, “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:1719). Gilley was encouraged and emboldened to change the course of world events one day out of the year, every year. If one person can have that vision and, with the help of many, see it come to fruition, what can the rest of us do, emboldened by our faith and resolve in Christ Jesus?
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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What Have You Done For Me Lately? By Karen Tull
M
y family is big on sending notes. As a kid, one of the things my mother drilled into my head was the importance of mailing a handwritten “thank you” to anyone who had given me a gift or done something nice for me. I used to grumble about it, but over the years, I’ve come to see the value in what seems like a lost practice in society today. “Thank you.” A simple phrase—but a potent one. When left unsaid, there is often hurt felt by the giver, even if the gesture was made out of a pure heart with no expectations. All you have to do is scan a “Dear Abby”-type of column to realize the meaning in even a simple acknowledgement of a kindness. Letters consistently come in from people heartsick over never hearing these two words. I can recall a discouraged grandmother who wrote in to say how she and her husband, year after year, would ship Christmas presents to their grandchildren in another state. Not once had they heard from them. Expressing our thanks to others, either verbally or in writing, says to that person, “You didn’t have to do that— but you did it anyway. And I appreciate it.” I once heard a comedian on television recount an evening when he had taken his children out to eat. As they were leaving the restaurant, he said to them, “Daddy just bought you a nice dinner. Aren’t you going to say ‘thanks’?” To which they replied in disgust, “We’re your kids—you’re supposed to feed us!” Sometimes, whether we realize it or not, we can begin to presume that people should do certain things for us. “It’s my birthday—of course something special will be
planned for me.” “We’re getting married—here’s the website for our registry.” “Men are supposed to be the breadwinners—my husband shouldn’t expect a ‘thank you.’” “All my wife has to worry about is straightening the house and fixing us dinner—that’s a pretty good deal.” This perspective creates a breeding ground for contempt. As humans, we have an intrinsic need to feel valued, both for who we are and what we contribute, which is why “thank you” can be so life-giving to our souls. Like a cool drink to a dry throat, many of us are almost gasping for validation. And we can bless each other by administering that pat on the back that we all need from time to time. On occasion, the hardworking husband needs to hear: “Thanks for all you do to provide for us.” The busy stayat-home mom needs to hear: “Thanks for taking good care of our home and family.” The young son or daughter needs to hear: “Thanks for cleaning up—you’re such a big help.” The steadfast pastor needs to hear: “Thanks for your sermon today—it spoke directly to where I am right now.” The diligent employee needs to hear: “We couldn’t have done this project without you.” The devoted teacher needs to hear: “My passion for learning began in your class.” When we take the opportunity to let those around us know that they matter, it spurs them on to keep going. And as we seek to adopt more of an attitude of gratitude in our lives, we should reserve our foremost and greatest offering of appreciation to God—who has and will always be the Giver “of every good and perfect gift.”
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | September 2013
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