Sunday

It was a happy day for him

when he gave us our new lives

through the truth of his Word,

and we became, as it were,

the first children in his new family.

~James 1:18 (LB)~

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

SOON AFTER THE Vietnam War ended, the American Art Institute opened a contest asking people to send their artistic rendition of the meaning of peace…

The institute received hundreds of paintings, most of them the kinds of things that typically depict calmness and tranquility.  Many paintings were of pastoral scenes with green valleys, quiet streams, and blue skies.  Others were of people together in quiet settings and embraces.  Still others were obviously personal and descriptive of some experience.  In all, the responses were overwhelming in their portrayal of the kind of peacefulness we all desire.

However, in the painting the American Art Institute chose, the artist had captured a raging storm so vividly that, looking as it, you could almost hear the thunder.  In the center of the picture was an open field, and there, nearly lost in the darkness of the clouds, the artist had painted a tree bowing to the strong winds.  And in that tree was a nest where a mother bird hovered over her young.  The one-word caption:  Peace.

That is the peace that “passes all understanding.”  It is peace in the midst of the storm.  Peace that comes with the cry, “Thy will, not mine, be done.”  Peace born of assurance that we are not alone.  Verdell Davis, “Peace Not as the World,” Let Me Grieve but not Forever, 66

“Peace I leave with you,

My peace I give to you;

not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”

~John 14:27~

Have a great Lord’s Day!  Pray for peace in the lives of individuals and peace between nations!

Anna Lee