Encouragement

• Mashed Potatoes    As we continued the work on the our church structures roofs, we had to deal with the 68 year old sanctuary building. The   I am certainly one about which it could be said "He likes to eat."  I just hate it when I have to limit certain types of food when they don't agree with me. It seems there are some foods that my body thinks are the enemy. This kind of infighting is bad!   One food that I don't have trouble with is mashed potatoes. I like them and they like me. If fact, I imagine almost everybody gets along with mashed potatoes. And perfect ones are even better!   We have a recipe that is entitled, "Perfect Mashed Potatoes." Now, I wonder how they can claim that. I like mine with a little horseradish mixed in. Some people wouldn't, therefore they wouldn't be perfect. I don't mind one bit if there is an occasional lump. Others might pass the bowl if they found them that way.   Perfection is something most of us would like to achieve. But even if we could, who's standards would we use? Yours, mine or someone else's?   Paul told the Philippians that God would take care of their perfection, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). God is always preparing us for perfection. There's no other way you will make it!   Trust Jesus Christ that He knows how to make you perfect and prepared for heaven. He really does. He knows how long it will take and He knows the shortest route for you.

• Peace   As you can imagine, we have a very busy household. Not only are Ben and Daniel almost constantly heard to be in motion, there is a flurry of coming and going from the older kids too. Nathan is currently running the newspaper route, and Jason and David into basketball season practices. Jason and Christa are both in a school play and all three have jobs off and on. A person can get tired just watching them come and go! Because of that I sometimes long for a little more peace.    A peaceful environment exists in some of the homes I visit. Often I find that sitting in the home of an older person is a peaceful experience. Apart from the fact there is no back-ground noise of busy children, there is something about the atmosphere, the older furniture and fluffy pillows. I long to stay and nap, but have to swing back into my racing life.    Paul's benediction in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 - 18 mentions peace twice. First, Jesus is the Lord of peace. He can give you peace of soul if you make him your Lord. You find that with Jesus in your life, you no longer have to fret over the most important issue of all, your eternal destination.   Secondly, Paul praysthat the Lord of peace would "grant you peace in every circumstance." It is possible to have inner peace, even in a busy or troubled life.   You have to look to Jesus for peace. And you might pray, "Father, grant me the peace that passes all understanding."

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