Sunday, April 26, 2009

Peace in the midst of the storm

A couple weeks ago, I heard an incredibly loud explosion about 11:30 PM when someone tried to kick in my front door, completely shattering the glass on my storm door and cracking the wood on the front door.

A week ago, I was laid off.

I am also suddenly in the deepest credit card debt, by far, that I've ever been in, because of the IRS and because of Overdraft Protection fees.

Jobs are very hard to find in this area. This county has the highest unemployment rate in the state, and the lowest pay rate.

We are in the middle of a global economic crisis.

The most dangerous type of light bulb, CFLs, which can cause headaches; skin problems; brain damage; kidney damage; can damage photographs; and causes interference to radios, TVs, phones, and remote controls, may become the only legal bulb by 2014.

Bird flu and swine flu may become pandemic (a world-wide epidemic).

And I suspect that things will only get worse.

In the midst of all this, the Pastor at the church I was at tonight talked about the peace of Christ for the Christian, which far surpasses any peace (or semblance of peace) that the world can offer. We who are Christians should rejoice that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and that we have a better home to look forward to. Therefore, I wanted to share a few verses about peace for the Christian.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
(John 14:27)

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 4:7)

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
(Colossians 3:15)

10 comments:

Greg said...

And here's another: "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165).

I knew about the attempted break-in and the swine flu, but not that you got laid off. I'm very sorry to hear that. My days at work are numbered as well, but at least they extended my exit date to a year. I know, it's weird.

Tamela has some great advice for you, my friend, and I'll be praying for you.

Dr. Russell Norman Murray said...

'A couple weeks ago, I heard an incredibly loud explosion about 11:30 PM when someone tried to kick in my front door, completely shattering the glass on my storm door and cracking the wood on the front door.'

Okay Sir Jeff, we have discussed this a few times on blogs and email, and so now I am going to state what came to my mind when you first mentioned the live explosion while we were Facebook chatting, which I did not state originally because of the seriousness of the situation...

The explosion was from the fattest guy in your neigbourhood that farted.

'A week ago, I was laid off. '

In Jesus' name I pray that the right employer will see your talent and skill and hire you soon.

'In the midst of all this, the Pastor at the church I was at tonight talked about the peace of Christ for the Christian, which far surpasses any peace (or semblance of peace) that the world can offer.'

The Lord is perfect and holy, but even though I do not appreciate much of what he wills in my life, I realize it is for the greater good and there is no greater pleasure and honour than serving the one and only true God.

And his service is not forced or coerced!

Russ;)

Jeff said...

Greg,

And here's another: "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165).

Yes, good one, Greg. Thanks.

I'm very sorry to hear that.

Thank you. I need to find something soon because, for the first time in my life, I have nothing saved up...plus in debt.

My days at work are numbered as well, but at least they extended my exit date to a year. I know, it's weird.

Wow, I've never heard of that long an extension. Mine was only a week. But that's good---it gives you a lot of time to look for something else.

Tamela has some great advice for you, my friend, and I'll be praying for you.

Thanks, Greg, I'll check it out.

This blogger issue with hard returns and line breaks is a pain. I've had to re-do my comments several times in the past couple weeks, because I keep forgetting that I need to put 1 or 2 HTML breaks (tags) so that the reply doesn't merge onto the same line as the quoted comment.

Jeff said...

thekingpin68,

The explosion was from the fattest guy in your neigbourhood that farted.

Oh, man! LOL! Is weariness from all your PhD revision work causing you to become as silly as me? I tell you what, when I was attending Bob Jones University, they had so many strict rules (plus I was going to work full-time and attending classes full-time, every cent going toward tuition, and for 2 or 3 weeks I even had 2 jobs plus going to school full-time, and living in the dorms, so had very little time for homework or sleep), that I pulled more pranks and practical jokes than I ever had before or since, just as a pressure release.

One of my roommates was from Haiti, the (or one of the) poorest country(ies) in the world, yet his entire tuition was paid for by the school. Plus he had a rich uncle, so he had an entire closet-full of nice jackets and suits! I had 1 or 2 suits, and that was it. (We were required to wear a tie and jacket to dinner, and wear a tie to breakfast and lunch and all classes.) He had time to go to all the social events plus get involved with all the ministries, but I couldn't, because I had to work all the time. Man, I was so jealous of that. I did date and go on a few events, though (the best was white-water river rafting), so I can't complain too much. Boy, have I gotten off-topic now!

In Jesus' name I pray that the right employer will see your talent and skill and hire you soon.

Thank you, Russ. I went to one temp agency last week, and they asked what the minimum pay was that I required. The number I gave them was basically what I had been making at the newspaper, and their reply was, "You're not going to find any jobs that pay that." So they lowered my minimum by several dollars per hour. But then, after I calculated it, the amount they lowered it to was not enough to pay my monthly bills. The pay rate here is the lowest in the entire state. Then again, when I first moved here, I was told by more than one person that I would never find any technical jobs here, yet after they said that, I found work as a Graphic Artist at several companies, plus hosted an Internet Radio Program.

there is no greater pleasure and honour than serving the one and only true God.

Yes. Amen!!

Great Googly Moogly! said...

Sorry to hear about this, Jeff. You will be in mine and Mrs. Moogly's prayers as well.

To know that we have peace with and the peace of God in Christ through the Spirit is a source of great encouragement for us who know the Lord. I'm thankful that in the midst of your current situation and the attempted break-in you are resting in the peace of God and even continuing to encourage your readers to do so.

You are a blessing to the Church as you faithfully seek to edify the Body even while enduring tough times.

GGM

Jeff said...

Great Googly Moogly!,

Sorry to hear about this, Jeff. You will be in mine and Mrs. Moogly's prayers as well.

Thank you very much, GGM.

To know that we have peace with and the peace of God in Christ through the Spirit is a source of great encouragement for us who know the Lord.

Yes!

I'm thankful that in the midst of your current situation and the attempted break-in you are resting in the peace of God and even continuing to encourage your readers to do so.

You are a blessing to the Church as you faithfully seek to edify the Body even while enduring tough times.


Thank you! It was cool that this past Sunday the Pastor talked on peace, just when I needed it. My mom told me that, even while she was living alone (one of my brothers and his wife are living with her now), and even when someone knocked on her door at 11:30 PM (she didn't answer, and never found out who it was), she went over verses every night that talked about peace, and she felt a confidence and protection and a real peace, even more than when my dad was alive. Her faith in the Lord is really strong.

As for me, I know that the Lord will provide. He has never failed me, and He never will. In the midst of the possibly-pandemic bird flu, swine flu, global economic crisis, and many other things that are going on, the ONLY One that can be truly and fully relied upon is Jesus. The American dollar may decrease greatly in value, so money may not help all that much. Some talk about the possibility of a shortage of food, and I've seen articles about a wheat disease. More and more laws are being passed that are contrary to what the Bible teaches. But Praise God that my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes."
-Psalm 118:8-9

Scott said...

Praying for new and great career opportunities for you, hang in there brother!

Jeff said...

Scott McQueen,

Thank you very much!
Also, thank you for stopping by and commenting!

Tamela's Place said...

hello Jeff,

So sorry to hear about the troubles many of us are facing some turbulent times. Peace in the Lord is a precious most valued treasure. I don't know what i would do without Him and his peace. Know that brother's and sister's in the Lord from all around are praying for each other, i will remember you in prayer Jeff that the Lord will bring a job your way in Jesus Name!

God bless you and be encouraged in Him always!

Tamela

Jeff said...

Tamela,

Thank you very much! Your prayers are much appreciated!

As Christians, I'm guessing you will agree that there may be even tougher times ahead. But thanks be to God that we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! No matter what happens, we are in Christ, and that is the safest place in the world to be!