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Category: Peace

A Month of Sundays

A Month of Sundays

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A Month of Sundays--calendar with Sundays circledA month of Sundays means a long time.

 “I haven’t seen you in a month of Sundays” was a common greeting where I grew up. This often happened with:

  • Out-of-state relatives who visited once a year
  • People who went to school together years earlier
  • Grandparents who had not seen grandchildren for a few days

They meant the time between visits seemed to last forever.

A month of Sundays also means something will never happen.

If invited to pet a snake, many might reply, “Not in a month of Sundays.” They never plan to do it.

God gave Sundays for worship and rest.

Worship allows people to focus on God. Rest gives them a pick-me-up after a hard week of work.

Years ago on Sundays, many churches did not allow:

  • Games or sports
  • School or community events
  • Shopping
  • Work, except emergencies
  • Anything much except church attendance and quiet rest

Therefore, some people thought Sundays lasted a long time. A month of Sundays would have felt extra long.

I fear people today have gone too far the other direction. They burn their candles at both ends. As a result, they stay tired and stressed without God’s day of rest.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8 NKJV).

Thanks to Carole Fite and Darrin Jenkins for this suggestion. Thanks also to Taylor County Bank for the use of their calendar page with Larry Smith’s photo.

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In the Books

In the Books

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In the Books--children's libraryWhen we want to check if something happened, we look in the books.

Anything in the books is a matter of record.

It is:

  • Completed
  • Finished
  • History

For example:

  • A new year begins. The old year is in the books.
  • Lawmakers pass a law. The law goes in the books.
  • A person retires. Her job is in the books.
  • Someone dies. His life goes in the books.
  • People turn over a new leaf. They put their old habits in the books.

Not everything in the books is correct.

Mistakes happen. Just because we see something in writing does not make it right. Therefore, we want to check for truth.

However, we can always trust one book.

The Bible shares God’s truth with the world. We want to go by the book with that book. Therefore,

  • Open it.
  • Read it.
  • Live it.

God remains ready to give us a fresh start anytime, anywhere. If we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, our future is secure. Our salvation is complete or in the books.

“I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books” (Revelation 20:12 NIV).

Thanks to Sue Davis Potts for the suggestion.

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Pie in the Sky

Pie in the Sky

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Pie in the Sky--cherry pie held up to the skyJoe Hill wrote about pie in the sky in his 1911 song, The Preacher and the Slave. His song criticized religious leaders who told people about heaven but ignored their physical needs.

Pie in the sky refers to a good future, usually after death.

However, that often means a bad life now with slim pickings. People wait and hope for better times.

Pie in the sky also means false hope, such as:

  • Plans or ideas that will never happen
  • Promises that will not be kept
  • Dreams that will never come true

Pie in the sky ideas sound good, but they seldom happen in real life. Wishes don’t make them occur.

People need more than pie in the sky.

Everyone should prepare for life after death. Yet, everyone also suffers real needs now.

Jesus showed how to balance the two.

Prepare for the future.

  • Accept Jesus as the way to heaven.
  • Live and teach as Jesus lived and taught.

Make a difference now.

  • Feed the hungry.
  • Care for the sick.
  • Give hope to the hopeless.
  • Help pick up the pieces of broken lives.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’”(Matthew 25:34-36 NIV).

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Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion and to Lauren Gordon with Gordon Goodies for the photo.

Warm the Cockles of My Heart

Warm the Cockles of My Heart

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Warm the Cockles of My Heart--bowl of seashellsTo warm the cockles of my heart, something makes me happy.

I never use this expression. I do say something gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. The two expressions mean almost the same. Deep inside, I feel:

  • Good
  • Content
  • Warm

I have no cockles in my heart.

No one does. So how did this expression start? wiseGEEK and other sources offer these two possibilities:

  1. The “Latin description for the heart’s chambers, cochleae cordis.” Cockles became a slang word for cochleae.
  2. Mollusk shells (cockles) and the human heart have similar shapes. (See photo.)

They give other ideas, but these two seem most common.

The following warm the cockles of my heart:

What about you?

What warms the cockles of your heart? Please comment below.

On Valentine’s Day and every day, may life warm the cockles of your heart.

“We know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5 TLB).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion.

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At the End of the Day

At the End of the Day

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At the End of the Day--sunset over treesAt the end of the day means our final conclusion.

We have considered everything. We have:

  • Discussed
  • Analyzed
  • Experimented
  • Then made our decision

At the end of the day, we choose.

  • Who will share my life?
  • What will I do?
  • Where will I live?
  • When will I do what needs to be done?
  • How will I treat others?

We make our at the end of the day decisions any time of day.

  • Morning
  • Midday
  • Evening
  • Night

The time matters little, but, at some point, we must decide. We cannot ride the fence forever.

Our at the end of the day decisions show what we value most.

Will we choose:

  • Money
  • Status
  • Power
  • Popularity

Or will we choose:

  • A relationship with God
  • Time with family
  • Making our world a better place

As the song “When It’s All Been Said and Done” reminds us, only what’s done for love lasts.

“Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion.

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Deck the Halls

Deck the Halls

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Deck the Halls, Christmas villageDeck the Halls is a traditional Christmas and New Year’s song.

As sung in this video, the original version was Deck the Hall (not Halls).

However we sing it, the message remains the same: Tis the season of joy.  Therefore, we decorate with signs of the season. We also celebrate with:

  • Music
  • Gifts
  • Church services
  • Visits with family and friends
  • Parties
  • Food
  • Santa Claus
  • Elves and reindeer
  • Helping people in need

We deck the halls, but so much more.

 Trees, lights, and other Christmas symbols decorate our:

  • Houses
  • Businesses
  • Parks
  • Churches
  • Bridges
  • Everywhere we look for weeks before and after Christmas

Why Bother?

What’s the big deal about Christmas anyway?

We get so busy decking halls, we sometimes forget the reason why. And it is a big deal.

Jesus came, God to earth, in the form of a baby.

Jesus came as our Savior, to die for our sins. His gift to all who accept Him: a personal relationship with God and a home in heaven.

We can deck the halls and more, if we wish. We can keep our decorations simple, if we wish. However we celebrate this special time of year, may we always remember why.

Merry Christmas!

“A child shall be born to a virgin! And she shall call him Immanuel (meaning, “God is with us”)” (Isaiah 7:14 TLB).

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Turn a Blind Eye

Turn a Blind Eye

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Turn a Blind Eye--child sneaking Christmas cookies off a plateTo turn a blind eye, we ignore something.

We pretend not to see it or know about it. However, we do see and know. We simply don’t want to do anything. We sweep it under the rug.

To turn a blind eye to small issues may cause no problem.

  • Children sneak a bit of food before dinner.
  • Families have small disagreements.
  • People make embarrassing mistakes.

To turn a blind eye to larger issues may cause great problems.

  • Children (or adults) have little or nothing to eat.
  • Family members suffer abuse.
  • People bully a disabled person.

We must take action when people suffer.

First, we figure out what we can do. Then we do it.

“Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse” (Proverbs 28:27 NIV).

Thanks to Frank Cheatham for the suggestion and to Barbara Snow for the picture.

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Immediately If Not Sooner

Immediately If Not Sooner

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Immediately If Not Sooner, St. Lawrence River International BridgePatience is not my greatest strength. Most of the time, I want everything done immediately, if not sooner. I want it done now, but I wish it were already done.

That seems true for many of us.

We want everything fast:

  • Food
  • Information
  • Service

We don’t like to wait.

A right smart of patience would do us all good. Instead, we tie ourselves in knots with worry. because we can’t get everything done as fast as we want.

We become content when we begin to enjoy each moment.

With an easy does it state of mind, we:

  • Learn from the past
  • Do what we can today.
  • Look forward to what the future holds.

Like crossing a bridge on a family vacation, we enjoy the ride.

Above all and at all times, pray for and follow God’s direction.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12 NIV).

Thanks to Jan Abbott for the suggestion.

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His Name Is Mud

His Name Is Mud

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His Name Is Mud--runner in mudMany children love to play in mud. Some animals roll in mud. However, no one wants to hear his name is mud.

Anyone whose name is mud is in trouble.

 The person’s bad situation makes him:

  • Unpopular
  • Dishonored
  • Have a bad reputation

Many believe his name is mud began with Dr. Samuel Mudd.

Dr. Mudd treated John Wilkes Booth’s broken leg after Booth killed President Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Mudd went to jail but was later pardoned. Many say he was innocent of any wrong. However, his reputation suffered.

His name is mud was a common expression before Dr. Mudd.

It often meant a person was a fool.

A person whose name is mud can come clean.

If guilty of bad behavior, he can:

  • Admit his mistakes
  • Ask forgiveness
  • Turn to God for guidance

If innocent of bad behavior, he can:

  • Live a life that shows his innocence
  • Explain what happened, if he thinks that will help
  • Show proof of his innocence
  • Watch his step to prevent future problems

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2).

Thanks to Terry Brewer for the suggestion.

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Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

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Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side--pony eating through fenceThe grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Or so it seems.

That applies to both animals and people. Cows or horses stick their heads through fences to eat grass on the other side. People often try to reach the other side as well.

Many of us believe other people live a better life.

Therefore, we want what we don’t have:

  • Bigger homes
  • Nicer cars
  • Cooler clothes
  • Better-paying jobs
  • More travel
  • Well-behaved children

Life seems perfect for others, while we struggle from day to day. As a result, we get down in the mouth.

The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Most people have problems. No one may see those problems, but they are there. Their problems may differ from ours, but that does not make them any easier.

Happiness comes from within.

We never find happiness by:

  • Comparing our lives with others
  • Getting more than everyone else
  • Eating high on the hog

We find true happiness by:

  • Following God’s plan
  • Learning to be content in good times and bad
  • Valuing people more than things
  • Sharing what we have with those in need

Don’t believe the grass is always greener on the other side. It may be occasionally. Usually it is not.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6 NIV).

Thanks to Shirley Redding Rice for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

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