Where Do We Find Peace?

Where do we find peace?  When one listens to any news report, or reads posts on social media of any kind, it does not take long to realize that the world is not a peaceful place.  And, I am not even talking about wars and conflicts between nations and/or cultures.

When did we become a people who cannot disagree without hating? Why do people who have been friends for years suddenly end the friendship because of political differences? At what point did we arrive at the position of "I AM RIGHT" and therefore I can publicly condemn all who dare to disagree with me? Is it okay to see what we perceive as a wrong (even among people we don't know) and then take to Facebook and rail on about how wrong those people are? Have we become so absorbed in ourselves that others simply DO NOT MATTER?

I pray that we will return to a patten of civility. I pray that we will learn to love as He loves us.

There is only one place to find peace.  And, it does not come from the government!

May we each seek and find the peace that surpasses passes understanding.

The Lord lift up His countenance on you,

And give you peace.

Numbers 6:26

What do we do with the "in between" Times?

Landscape photographers love to shoot at two times during the day.  They get up very early, arrive at a location before sunrise, and wait for the magic to hopefully happen.  Or, they hang around until the end of the daylight, that wonderful, warm, glowing time of twilight.

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, Nags Head, North Carolina

Photographs made at sunrise and sunset can be phenomenal. Experiencing either can be a very uplifting moment.  Life is like that too for Christians.  Many start and end each day with prayer and reflection on Spititual matters.  But, in photography and in life, what do we do with the rest of the day, those moments in between the beginning and the end.

Half Dome Sunset, Yosemite National Park, California

Photographers often spend that time processing their images. To process my photographs I use a program with sub menus that will affect different parts of the picture.  Here are some of those sub categories and how they might speak to how I should be using each day in my life:

Exposure -- How/Who am I exposing to a life in Christ?

Contrast -- Does my life contrast with the world's way?

Highlights -- What are the highlights of my day?  Do I recognize them all, and give credit to the One who placed them there for me?

Shadows -- What is lurking the shadows of my life that I try to hide from everyone? And, more importantly, how am I cleaning out those shadowy behaviors?

Clarity -- Does my life have a clear purpose?

As usual, I have work to do!  Have a good day and make the most of the in between times!

Therefore be careful how you walk,

not as unwise men but as wise,

Ephesians 5: 15

Are You a Radical?

for you were formerly darkness,

but now you are Light in the Lord;

walk as children of Light

Ephesians 5:8

Yesterday our pastor encouraged us to be radical in our faith walk.  That really set me to thinking. Am I living like Christ in every moment of every day? Am I letting my light shine?

Am I living on the edge, trusting Him to lead me and be my example?

Or, am I falling into complacency and hiding my faith when it might  be easier to do that?

I believe I have work to do! So, I leave you with this thought. . . Love and live radically, and do it for and with Him!