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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Peace on Earth?
The following is believed to be a true story, but the point is true whether or not the story is true.
In the early days after World War II, the United Nations Building was in the planning stages. Those in charge wanted a mural in a main room that expressed in artistic form the beauty of genuine peace. A renowned muralist agreed to do the work on the condition that no one would see the work until it was finished.
While there was some anxiety concerning the artist’s intentions, he was allowed to do the work. On the day of the unveiling of the mural, many wondered how “peace” could be depicted on a mural. When the work was finally viewed, the initial response was mixed. A cottage in the mountains was the focal point of the painting, but it was not the peaceful scene expected. No, the cottage was in the midst of a storm, with winds blowing and lightning in the sky. Trees were bending in the raging winds, and dark clouds were in the sky.
The muralist was immediately questioned about the scene. Some thought it revealed just the opposite of “peace.” Others were very disappointed and they said so.
The artist’s response deserves our attention. He spoke to those who expected a tranquil, calm pastoral scene, saying:
“If you expect to experience a peace characterized by serenity and an absence of conflict, you will be sorely disappointed. Mankind cannot expect that form of peace today. But if you look closely at the mural, you will see the only kind of peace available today. When you find it, remember that peace is possible, but only a peace that can exist in times of conflict.”
When those present looked closely, they saw in one of the swaying trees, a nest of newborn birds, asleep under the wing of their mother. “There is the peace for man today,” said the muralist. “I fear man will always have conflict, but when we can be at peace in the midst of conflict, we can be at peace within ourselves.”
While Jesus was here on earth, He promised peace to those who are His disciples. But in the midst of those promises, He made it clear that His disciples would be in constant conflict.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.
The word “peace” is found over 400 times in the King James translation of the Bible. But “war” and similar words are found about the same number of times. Jesus did come to bring peace. Man seeks and desires peace. But does man want peace enough to do what it takes to have peace? That remains to be seen.
Perhaps we have unrealistic expectations about this subject. Maybe we have not truly read and studied what God says about peace. The heavenly host that announced Jesus’ birth said:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased,” Luke 2:14 (ASV).
Peace, yes, but not for those who refuse the Prince of Peace. Isaiah said, “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked,” Isaiah 48:22 and 57:21. Jeremiah rebuked those who cried out, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace,” Jeremiah 6:14.
Perhaps we must now look to one who himself lived in the very midst of conflict. This man, the apostle Paul, received the most severe forms of persecution, 2 Corinthians 11:21-28, including imprisonment, beatings, stoning, and false charges. Once he was placed in stocks and beaten with rods. In another instance men plotted his death. His last years were spent in prison just for being a Christian. Yet, through all this, he maintained his composure, and his life exudes the only lasting peace available to man.
From prison Paul wrote to his beloved friends:
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:4-7.
You may be unwilling to accept any peace but that which is void of conflict. You may not be willing to accept the peace Jesus has promised. I fear you will be greatly disappointed, for that kind of peace will not be found. But those of us who serve Jesus with all our hearts can have a peace that allows us to enjoy life here on earth, yet long for our heavenly home. That promise, that hope, is for you and me.
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“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God,”
“Those who prefer victory over peace will have neither.”
“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers.”
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee,”
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another,”
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Thanksgiving Proclamation
The father of our country, George Washington, issued the first official Thanksgiving Day proclamation.
"1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation"
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God---to obey His will---to be grateful for His benefits---and humbly to implore His protection and favour: And whereas both Houses have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:
Now therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States, to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be: That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favourable interpositions of His Providence in the course and conclusion of the late war;---for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed;---for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of Government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;---for the civil and religious Liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, That we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; --- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine."
Note: Further research into this subject reveals that it was our President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, who set aside "the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."
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