Sunday Reflection - Let's Talk About Jesus

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When I first saw the picture above I found it amusing, however, later I started thinking about how many Christians seldom actually talk to another person about Jesus. Many people that I know who attend church regularly rarely talk publicly about their faith.

When Jesus was alive he said ‘go tell others what you have seen here’ - his followers were called the believers and they followed The Way. If they had been silent about the message of Jesus then all knowledge of him would have disappeared from history. The early believers spoke to others about Jesus even though many of them were ostracized and even killed for mentioning his name.

Why are so many of today’s Christians silent about the Good News of the coming of Jesus Christ?

What do you do? Do you talk in hushed tones about your faith beliefs or maybe you are silent about it?

Do you want to be able to talk with others about your Christian faith?

Here are some steps that you could take:

• Recognize that faith is a sensitive subject. Be prepared - remain calm, friendly, and welcoming.
• Make sure you are well informed about the Bible – this is very important.
• Wait for the appropriate time. The most agreeable circumstance is in a small group or one on one.
• When a discussion of faith is being held listen to the viewpoints of others without interrupting, objecting, or correcting. and calmly, say “You know that I'm a Christian, right? (they nod or whatever) Generally, the Christian belief is ________." Keep your response as brief as possible
• Remember your goal. Don't make this about you. Remember who you are - you are the face of Jesus that this person is seeing at that moment. Make sure you're presenting him accurately.
• Resist the temptation to quote a lot of scripture.
• A quiet, solid faith shows. If you can not be easily annoyed casual onlookers will know your faith is strong and deep. 



• As a Christian, stand for Jesus wherever you go. Make sure what you show people is a good example.
• Humility is so important. Tell them, "I can't speak for every Christian, only for myself. But for heaven's sake, don't follow me. Follow Him."
• If you show respect and kindness and have some understanding of Biblical principles you will be fine.

So, stop being a silent Christian – speak up!

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - When One Door Closes Another Opens

When One Door Closes - Another Opens

Have you ever had the experience of applying for a job that you really wanted and did not get? Or maybe it was a relationship that ended and caused you heartache and later on you met the person of your dreams.

If we reflect on some of the unhappy times in our life we can often realize that, in retrospect, the experience provided a lesson and that we learned something very important.

Stay open for the possibilities that can be yours after every perceived failure.

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Revelations 3:8 I know what you do; I know that you have followed my teaching and have been faithful to me. I have opened a door in front of you, which no one can close.

*****

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only one of two things will happen, either He will catch you when you fall, or He will teach you how to fly.

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Inner Tranquility and Peace

The following words come to my mind as I look at the picture above:

tranquility, peace, calmness and serenity.

Many cultures throughout history have thought of nature as an integral and necessary part of their inner lives. Many in our society have lost contact with the restorative, healing, and inspirational power of the great outdoors.


It seems that everyone today is looking for peace. Peace in the world. Peace in the home. Peace on the job. Financial peace. Everyone is looking for peace, but is anyone truly finding it?

Augustine said – "peace is something that is internal to us, if we were perceiving properly – through the eyes of the soul instead of through the senses – we would perceive that everything – no matter how shattered and disordered it appears to be – is really in divine order, really and truly perfect."

Get in the habit of taking a few minutes at the end of each day to make a list of all the things that happened in that day for which you can be grateful. It is a little known law of nature that the more gratitude you have, the more you have to be grateful about.

"The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom." - James Allen

"You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose." - Indira Gandhi

1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NIV)

1 First, I want all of you to pray for everyone. Ask God to bless them. Give thanks for them.

2 Pray for all who are in authority. Pray that we will live peaceful and quiet lives. And pray that we will be godly and holy.

3 That is good. It pleases God our Savior.

*****

The next time that you come across a peaceful scene absorb it and let the glories of nature energize your body, heal your psyche, and uplift your spirit.

*****

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Pentecost

Acts 2:1-6 (NIV) - The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

1. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
6. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

Today we celebrate Pentecost as a Christian Holy Day commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples of Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament of the Bible. It is also known as Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday.

Christians share their perspective about the meaning of Pentecost as well as how the diversity of languages and cultures can enhance their worship and fellowship with each another.

As recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, it was on the 50th day after Easter that the apostles were praying together and the Holy Spirit descended on them. They received the “gift of tongues” – the ability to speak in other languages – and immediately began to preach about Jesus Christ to Jewish people from all over the world who flocked to Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot.

Pentecost also marks the birth of the Christian Church. According to church tradition, Pentecost is always seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day.

After reading the account of the Pentecost in the Bible I always think about how wonderful it must have been for people from various cultures to be able to talk to and understand each other. They had travelled from many lands and when touched by the Holy Spirit they were able to speak other languages.

In spite of cultural differences we are, through the power of the Spirit, enabled to understand each other and treat each other as equals, with love and mutual care.

The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, and a dove.

PENTECOST

by Edward Potts

We went to Jerusalem just like He said,

For forty days we wondered what lies ahead,

We sang, we prayed, and recalled each word,

That Jesus told us, and the miracles we've heard.

There was, Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene.

Who told us of many things they had seen,

Jesus told us that in Jerusalem we would receive power,

We waited with patience for His promised hour.

"Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it know fear,

I go to my Father, but you will stay here,

I'll send you a comforter while I am away,

Just go to the Jerusalem and wait for that day.

As we sang and prayed our spirits did soar,

Suddenly the room was filled with a roar,

Great tongues like fire came like the wind,

As fire set on each one, His power came in.

We sprang to our feet and in language unknown,

We gave praise and honor to God on His throne,

Some people thought we had lost our mind,

But they didn't know we had drank His new wine.

As we prophesied in the word long ago,

God was pouring His spirit on people below,

Jesus had redeemed the world Adam lost,

That day in God's word is called Pentecost.

*****

God blesses those who work for peace, 


for they will be called the children of God. (Matt 5:9)

Reflection for Palm Sunday

Reflection for Palm Sunday

Miniature bronze figures by German sculptor Ulrich Henn, on the doors of

St. James Cathedral, in Seattle, Washington

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Lift up, O gates, your lintels;

reach up, you ancient portals,

that the king of glory may come in.

- Psalm 24:9

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SAY THOU

by Joseph H. Gilmore

O thou

whose name we do not,

have never known:

on that day,

did he enter the spirit

of the parade?

Did he laugh

at their gesture,

unlikely prophet

on an unlikely animal

shuffling toward

an unknown destiny?

Say thou.

Or did he look neither right nor left,

flint-faced, eyes fixed

on some undetermined distance,

deaf to the merriment

of the bystanders?

Say thou.

Did his heart race,

sensing danger,

but not knowing from where?

Did he wish

he had never prayed

for the coming of God in his life

with power,

and to his people

with power, love and justice?

Say thou.

When the people yelled,

"Save now!" did they mean:

"Now is the time for the people to be saved,

for we are God's

and we will live free and whole

or die

knowing that God is among us,

within us?"

Or did they mean:

"You there, hero!

Don't let them do you in.

We are counting on you.

We will pray for you.

And we will

tell the brave story of you to our children.

Good luck."

Say thou.

Did he still own the words

He borrowed from Isaiah

for his first sermon...

"the Spirit of God is upon me,"

or, as he rode,

was he rehearsing

his last prayer,

"My God, my God, why?"

You say, we beseech thee.

He was a danger

and a delight

thou knowest,

and following in his way is,

ever,

more than we bargained for.

He went up in flames,

and there has been light

ever since.

Hosannah in the highest!

Blessed are those, who

like him,

ride in to town

regardless.

(from Eternity's Dance With Time)

*****

One who has surrendered to it knows

that the way ends on the Cross-

even when it is leading through the jubilation of Gennesaret

or the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

-Dag Hammarskjold

Received from the Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor, PA 18013

Reflection for the Fifth Week of Lent

Reflection for the Fifth Week of Lent

A Reading from Jeremiah 31:33

But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

A stone sits poised-

Heave it at the Zealot-

sanctimonious crowd.

Punish the harlot.

Stone them until they are dead,

along with our mercy and reason.

Or hold it. Like a worry bead

soft aromas blend meadow,

murmuring stream, swish of sunshine,

until peace with trees and breeze

creates a tranquil heart.

I am the rock

I am the tree and tornado,

savory salt and dead sea.

Within me are rage and rest,

kindness and cruelty,

love and lust,

revenge and forgiveness.

Whether I hurl the stone

or cradle it in peace

is my choice.

- Joanna Lawson

From "Seasons of Worship at Kirkridge"

A Prayer

Liberate us into a greater life, O God.

Give us eyes that see all life

as an expression of your love,

for we are your people!

Amen

Reflection for the Fourth Week of Lent

Reflection for the Fourth Week of Lent

DEVOTIONAL: This week marks the first days of spring, the season of rebirth. During spring, the Earth’s axis is tilted toward the sun and daylight gradually lengthens. This begins the winter thaw, causing the earth to warm and new life to emerge.

It has been a long, cold, dark winter, and I find myself earnestly craving the sunshine of spring. There is a stark contrast between the way I feel on days that are sun-lit and how I feel when the sky is overcast. Exposure to light restores us, renews us and replenishes us. It nourishes our body by infusing us with vitamin D.

In the same way that visceral light energizes us, God’s revealing light illuminates the hope and grace we have been so abundantly given. We have a fantastic opportunity: to quit clinging to our doubts, criticisms and fears, and fully submit to the possibility of change and rebirth in our lives through God.

*****

SCRIPTURE: John 3:14-21 (NRSV)

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.

By Grace Eidmann, a senior theater major from Antioch, Ill.

Reflection for the Third Week of Lent

Reflection for the Third Week of Lent

"Lent is a time to pause, to reflect and to be silent. Lent is a time when we withdraw to become engaged; when we are contemplative so we can take up activity; when we attend to our own inner yearnings and God's inner nudges so we can take up the cross of justice and work for the way of peace ... Lent is not about doing without, but doing something. This is not a time to give up, but to take on. This is the season when we are asked to be intentional about our relationship with God as we reflect on our rites of passage to wholeness and life." - Jeffrey Steven Gaines, Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church San Francisco

Psalm 19: 7-8

The law of God is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of God is sure,

making wise the simple;

The precepts of God are right,

rejoicing the heart,

The commandment of God is pure

enlightening the eyes.

Prayer

"There is a really deep well inside me.

And in it dwells God.

Sometimes I am there too.

But more often, stones and grit block the well,

and God is buried beneath.

Then God must be dug out again."

- Etty Hillesum

Dear Lord, We stand here at the well

thirsting for living water. As you fill our cups,

please give us strong and steady hands. Amen

From the Kirkridge Retreat Center

Bangor, Pennsylvania 18013

Reflection for the Second Week of Lent

Reflection for the Second Week of Lent

A Reading from the Gospel of Mark 8:34-36

And Jesus summoned the multitude with the disciples, and said to them, "If any would come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who would save their life will lose it; and those who lose their life for my sake and the Gospel's will save it. For what advantage is it, to gain the whole world and forfeit one's life? "

A Lenten Exercise of Nonviolence

From a column by Father John Dear, SJ

Recently, a friend and I were discussing how it took Thomas Merton, the great monk, 20 years in a Trappist monastery, before he began to deal seriously with his own inner violence. Look it up. On August 21,1962, he wrote in his journal:

Today I realize with urgency the absolute seriousness of my need to study and practice nonviolence. Hitherto I have "liked" nonviolence as an idea. I have "approved" it, looked with benignity upon it, praised it even earnestly. But I have not practiced it fully. My thoughts and words retaliate. I condemn and resist adversaries when I think I am unjustly treated. I revile them, even treat them with open (but polite) contempt to their face. The energy wasted in contempt, criticism and resentment is thus diverted from its true function -- insistence on truth.

If such is the case with Merton, certainly with us. Our following the nonviolent Jesus requires the daily inner work of deepening nonviolence. And what a better time than Lent? It's a time to look deeply at what's going on inside us and, where we are violent, to repent and then to offer ourselves mercy. The more we show compassion toward ourselves, the more we will toward our neighbors.

Prayer

Come Lord!

Do not smile and say

you are already with us.

Millions do not know you

and to us who do,

what is the difference?

What is the point

of your presence

if our lives do not alter?

Change our lives, shatter

our complacency.

Make your word

flesh of our flesh,

blood of our blood

and our life's purpose.

Take away the quietness

Of a clear conscience.

Press us uncomfortably.

For only thus

That other peace is made,

Your peace.

-Dom Helder Camara

From the Kirkridge Retreat Center - Bangor, Pennsylvania 18013

Reflection for the First Week of Lent

Reflection for the First Week of Lent

This is a day of new beginnings,

Time to remember and move on,

Time to believe what love is bringing,

Laying to rest the pain that's gone.

For by the life and death of Jesus,

God's mighty Spirit, now as then,

Can make for us a world of difference,

As faith and hope are born again.

Then let us, with the Spirit's daring,

Step from the past and leave behind

Our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,

Seeking new paths, and sure to find.

Christ is alive, and goes before us

To show and share what love can do.

This is a day of new beginnings;

Our God is making all things new.

In faith we'll gather round the table

To taste and share what love can do.

This is a day of new beginnings;

Our God is making all things new!

- Brian Wren

(A Lent Sourcebook: The Forty Days).

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"
Matthew 4:1-4

From the Kirkridge Retreat Center - Bangor, Pennsylvania 18013

Sunday Reflection - The Baptism of Jesus

Baptism of Christ: Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River by John.

painting by Davezelenka 2005

Today’s is the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus, when Christians officially end the celebration of Christmas and now move on to the next phase in the liturgical year, which is called the “Ordinary Time.”

In this season of endings as well as of new beginnings, we are assured of God’s ever-abiding presence. He remains to guide and protect us.

The Baptism, signals the end of the private life of Jesus Christ and the start of his public ministry. In Matthew 3 - John baptizes Jesus and then, the voice of the Father in heaven was heard, saying: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

Some families baptize their children when they are infants. Others wait until the ‘age of reason’ (usually around the age of 12) and there are others who are not baptized until they make it their own personal choice as an adult.

No matter the age of the person, baptism is a commitment on behalf of the child or by an adult and is the ritual of initiation or entry into the community that unites us with Christ Jesus and the Christian community. Thus, in baptism, we bid “goodbye” to our old self and we welcome the “new life” in Christ.

As we celebrate today, let us be reminded of our personal baptismal promise to reject what is evil and to embrace what is good and pleasing before God. If we do this, we, like Jesus, will be pleasing to our Father in heaven.

1 Peter 3:21 - 'this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.'

In these turbulent times I pray that this reflection about Baptism will help to keep us grounded and that we concentrate on our personal faith journey and not get distracted by the acts of hatred that we witness or hear about daily.

Stay focused and do no harm, in this way we will be able to make positive changes in the world.

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Today is the Second Sunday in Advent

Today is the second Sunday in Advent

The Advent season marks the beginning of the Christian year in many western churches in the United States. Its length varies from 22 to 28 days, starting on the Sunday nearest St Andrew’s Day (read this blog's Nov 30th entry) and encompassing the next three Sundays, ending on Christmas Day.

Many Christians in the United States attend a church service during Advent and may engage in activities such as special prayers and contributing to ideas on enhancing peace. Many Advent traditions are observed in the United States in the prelude to Christmas Day. For example, the Advent wreath is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The wreath can be seen in various churches across the nation around this time of the year.

Advent calendars of all designs are also given as gifts at this time of the year. The calendars feature openings in the form of windows or doors that are numbered to count the days to Christmas. Calendars may contain chocolates, toys, or candy and are given to children as a fun way to observe the Christmas countdown. Some traditional Advent calendars show 24 days but many Advent calendars showing 25 days, with the last opening on Christmas Day.

It is uncertain as to when exactly the celebration of Advent was first introduced in the Christian church. Some sources say that Advent began on November 11 (St Martin's Day) at some time in the fifth century in the form of a six-week fast leading to Christmas. Advent was reduced to its current length at some stage in the sixth century and the fasting was later no longer observed. Advent is originally a time to reflect and prepare for Christmas

Advent traditions spread from Europe to the United States, especially the Advent calendar, which became very popular in the United States after World War II as American military personnel and their families who were stationed in Germany brought them home and made them a part of the pre-Christmas traditions

Purple is historically the main color used for Advent because it reflects penitence, fasting, and the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the king (Jesus Christ). The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his first Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his second Advent.

Advent wreaths are symbolic of Advent. They are usually made of fir and decorated with gold and silver ribbons or scarlet woolen threads. Lit wreaths may be displayed on the table where family and friends sit while singing carols and preparing handmade gifts.

So there you have it:

Advent is a period of spiritual preparation in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. During this time, Christians observe a season of prayer, fasting and repentance, followed by anticipation, hope and joy - not only by thanking God for Christ's first coming to Earth as a baby, but also for his presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of his final coming at the end of time.

peacesojourner

Today is Bloggers Unite - World-Aids-Day

The origin of AIDS and HIV has puzzled scientists ever since the illness first came to light in the early 1980s. For almost thirty years it has been the subject of fierce debate and the cause of countless disagreements, with everything from a promiscuous flight attendant to a suspect vaccine program being blamed. So what is the truth? Just where did AIDS come from?

The first recognized cases of AIDS occurred in the USA in the early 1980’s. A number of men in New York and California suddenly began to develop rare opportunistic infections and cancers that seemed stubbornly resistant to any treatment. At this time, AIDS did not yet have a name, but it quickly became obvious that all the men were suffering from a common syndrome.

The dominant feature of this first period was silence, for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was unknown and transmission was not yet understood. By 1980, HIV had spread to at least five continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia). During this period of silence, the spread was unchecked by awareness or any preventive action and approximately 100,000-300,000 persons may have been infected.

In June 1981 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) published a report about the occurrence, without identifiable cause, of rare lung infection Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in five men in Los Angeles. This report is sometimes referred to as the "beginning" of AIDS, but it might be more accurate to describe it as the beginning of the general awareness of AIDS in the USA

Because there was so little known about the transmission of what seemed to be a new disease, there was concern about contagion, and whether the disease could by passed on by people who had no apparent signs or symptoms.

In 1982 we had a family friend who was diagnosed with AIDS. At that time it was a very new disease and no one knew what it was or how you got it, however, it was rumored was that it was a definite death sentence.

Norman was an entertainer, a dancer who also belonged to a local singing group. He was gentle and kind and a lifelong friend to several people. When he was diagnosed he was told that he was going to die and his mother opted to take him to her home. At that time it was an enormous secret if a person had AIDS because no one knew if it was an airborne disease or not. We, his friends, had several discussions about just how supportive we could be without putting ourselves, and our families at risk.

Norman’s birthday was approaching and one of our group, Bernard, insisted that we should give Norman a surprise birthday party. We wanted to go to visit him but we were still cautious. We tried to find out everything that had been printed about the illness. Well we discovered that it was not airborne and that we could not get AIDS from being in Norman’s presence. Bernard purchased a beautiful birthday cake and we purchased paper plates and napkins along with plastic forks and spoons. We knocked on his mother’s door and enthusiastically announced our arrival by singing “Happy Birthday To You”. He was so frail and weak but he managed a giant smile and we spent the afternoon with him. The men who were members of his singing group serenaded him with songs and even did a few dance steps. It is still a ‘happy memory’ day.

The acronym AIDS was suggested at a July meeting in Washington, D.C., AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) was first properly defined by the CDC in September 1982, and they published their first set of recommended precautions for health-care workers and allied professionals designed to prevent AIDS transmission.

Still very little was known about transmission and public anxiety continued to grow.

In 1983 it was reported that the cause of AIDS was unknown, but it seemed most likely to be caused by an agent transmitted by intimate sexual contact, through contaminated needles, or, less commonly, by inoculation of infectious blood or blood products. No evidence suggested transmission of AIDS by airborne spread.

In October, the first European World Health Organization (WHO) meeting was held in Denmark. At the meeting it was reported that there had been 2,803 AIDS cases in the USA. By the end of the year the number of AIDS cases in the USA had risen to 3,064 and of these 1,292 had died. Our friend Norman was included in the list of persons who died in 1983.

Our friendship with Norman led me to become an advocate for people living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)/AIDS. I started a support group for teenage children whose parents had died from, or were currently living with, AIDS. These young people could not talk about it to their school friends and were stigmatized by society. The peer group gave them an opportunity to talk it over with some other young people.

The story I related to you happened 29 years ago and I am sorry to say that there is still an enormous stigma that is born by people who are infected or affected with HIV/AIDS. The statistics today are heavy and many people remain ignorant of the disease.

The death toll since the epidemic began in the early 1980s has reached 22 million, including at least 4.3 million children. More than 36 million people worldwide are now living with HIV/AIDS and every month an additional 440,000 people become infected. Approximately 95% of AIDS cases are in the developing world.

HIV/AIDS rivals poverty and war as a threat to the lives of millions of children in the developing world. There are many worthy organizations worldwide that are working towards a cure. I recommend that you to look them up online and see if you can help in some way.

I urge you to learn more about this disease and at the very least, give a person living with HIV/AIDS a smile and a hug. Yes, human contact is important to let a person know that you care.

I have lived in different countries around the world where I learned that education and medications for HIV/AIDS are not available to everyone for a variety of reasons.

This year, on World AIDS Day is is important to support universal access and human rights. Access for all to learn about prevention, treatment, care, and support is key to conquering HIV/AIDS, and is a fundamental human right.

Wont you give it some thought and then make a decision about how you can help in some small way? Please!

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Eagles in a Storm

Eagles In A Storm


Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm.

While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. 

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. 



When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us.

We can allow God's power to lift us above them. 

God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives.

We can soar above the storm. 

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

*****

Isaiah 40: 29 He strengthens those who are weak and tired. 31 But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

peacesojourner