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A Cry For Peace
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
These days it seems like we’re a far cry from true peace. Our world is full of senseless violence. People are fighting. War wages in different places across the world. Meanwhile in our homes, we run from one activity to the next leaving little opportunity to catch a breath. Kids are bickering. Parents are yelling. We leave no chance for peace to permeate our lives.
Just look at the news from yesterday – Massacre in Pakistan, a family shot to death in my own community, Siege in Sydney. And it goes on from there. Our world seems to be a long way away from the peace described in Isaiah.
If you come from a more traditional church background, you probably will be lighting the fourth candle on the church’s advent wreath this weekend. It will be the fourth Sunday of Advent. Many people around the world will be talking about peace. Isaiah talks about an everlasting peace that will come when Christ, the Prince of Peace, returns to rule. I long for that peace. May you and I find a glimmer of peace this season as we anticipate Christ’s return.
Do you crave peace? How will you pursue peace in the week ahead?
Ice Breaker – Peacemaker
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
This past Sunday was the second Sunday of Advent. Many churches around the world celebrated Advent by lighting this second candle. The second candle represents PEACE. This provides the inspiration for today’s Ice Breaker. Be sure to read a few more comments after my answer to today’s question. Then leave your answer in the comment.
Question: Where do you need to make peace in your home, at your job, or in another area of your life?
My Answer: This has the potential to be one of the deeper ice breaker questions. In fact, it’s probably way past the threshold of breaking the ice. I feel like I try to be a peacemaker in my home, but I could do a better job making peace by going to bat more often for my wife as she interacts with our kids. We have entered the stage of parenthood where our kids are teenagers, and they are smarter than we are (at least that’s what they think). Sometimes, my kids don’t follow through when they are asked by my wife to do things. I could do a better job of backing her.
At my job, I feel like I am often called upon to be the peacemaker between my project managers and their customers when an impasse develops related to scope of work. I like this aspect of my job as it often seems like I get to come in and save the day for one side or the other.
I often keep my thoughts to myself when it comes to some of the controversial social issues where there is conflict. In some cases, this happens because I am not fully informed, and in other cases, it is simply to avoid further conflict. More than anything, my responsibility as a Christ follower is to point people to the ultimate peacemaker. When I speak up, I want to make sure this is where I’m directing people.
Many think of Advent as being a time to get ready for Christmas. I guess it is to some degree. We set up our nativity, our tree, and other decorations during this time. But Advent was not really meant to focus on Christmas. It is a tradition created to help us think about Christ coming again. He is often referred to as the Prince of Peace – the ultimate peacemaker.
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Peace
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.Isaiah 9:6-7
These days it seems like we’re a far cry from true peace. Our world is full of senseless violence. People are fighting. War wages in different places across the world. Meanwhile in our homes, we run from one activity to the next leaving little opportunity to catch a breath. Kids are bickering. Parents are yelling. We leave no chance for peace to permeate our lives.
If you come from a more traditional church background, you probably will be lighting the fourth candle on the church’s advent wreath. Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Many people around the world will be talking about peace. Today’s verse above talks about an everlasting peace that will come when Christ, the Prince of Peace, returns to rule. I long for that peace. May you find a glimmer of peace this season as we anticipate Christ’s return.
Do you crave peace? How will you pursue peace this week?
Today, I’m hooking up with The Sunday Community. Hop on over here to see what I’m talking about.
When Stress and Anxiety Levels Overtake Me
There are times when stress and anxiety overtake me.
Yesterday was an incredibly busy and fairly stress day. I gave a job offer/promotion to one person on my team, and I had to tell four other people that they didn’t get the job. I had several people asking me for help in getting resources that were limited at the moment. And I had to do an exit interview for one of my indirect reports who decided they wanted to end their employment sooner than agreed. Meanwhile, I was straining to catch up on emails and to-do-list items that continue to build up. Honestly, I could feel the stress building up as the day progressed.
When time like this come I cherish scripture that reminds me to give my worry and anxiety to God. Here are a few of the verses I go back to at times like this:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25
As I reflect on my day, I lean on these verses as timely reminders to relax and to trust God for wisdom, authority, strength, and peace.
And now, I’m ready for a new day!
How do you deal with stress? What helps you when your anxiety levels begin to elevate?