Tag: dailyprompt

Peace bringer?

August 12, 2024

What brings you peace?

What brings me peace? Knowing Jesus and doing my best to follow Him each and every day.

In John 14:27 Jesus says, “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.”

Jesus said this as He was preparing to go to the cross. He knew chaos and confusion was about to be thrust on His disciples, so He gave them His comfort and His peace.

I find these words comforting myself too. So many times I have been worried or stressed out from the trials and tribulations of life, these words have been my comfort.

Many years ago I heard this saying, “No God, no peace. Know God, know peace”. I have found this to be true. Knowing Jesus has given a sense of peace and purpose that the world could never give me.

As I type I am reminded of the great passage from Philippians chapter four. It says…

[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

I love the way this passage encourages us not to be anxious about anything, but to bring it to God. Then God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus.

This is the secret to knowing true and lasting peace. When we know this peace, we know God is with us and God holds us in the palm of His hands.

What brings me peace? Jesus!

Listening at work

July 22, 2024

What do you listen to while you work?

What do I listen to at work? Being a School Chaplain I listen to people. Listening is a big part of my job. Listening, asking questions and encouraging.

I must add though, being a Chaplain I am always conscious of listening to the Holy Spirit as I work. Most days I am prompted to go to a particular classroom or part of the school. Quite often there is someone there who needs encouraging or a listening ear.

So what do I listen to while I work? People and the Holy Spirit.

My passions?

June 12, 2024

What are you passionate about?

This is an easy one to answer. The things I am passionate about are always not far from the surface and easy to see. I have many passions, but one stands above it all.

My faith in Jesus is my number one passion. Since I came to Jesus in July of 1989, my life has never been the same. He changed everything for the better. My heart is to walk with Him all the days of my life.

Walking closely with the Lord drives everything else I do in my life. He is the reason I get up early to pray and read my Bible. He is why I want to be the best husband and father I can be. He is why I am a Chaplain. He is why I have my PASSION websites to reach out with His love.

If it was not for Jesus I do not know where I would be. Jesus has given my life meaning, purpose, strength, hope and a future. He loved me and died on the cross for me. My response is to give my life back to Him each day and to take up my cross as it says in Matthew 16:24.

What am I passionate about? Jesus!

Most of my time?

June 7, 2024

Who do you spend the most time with?

This is a tough one. Who do I spend most of my time with? It would be a close call.

I spend a lot of time with kids at school being a Chaplain. But when I am at home it is with my wonderful wife. We are pretty much inseparable when I am not working. We have been for 29 years.

So if I had to make a close call it would be my amazing wife. I am a blessed man.

Qualities in a friend

May 30, 2024

What quality do you value most in a friend?

Looking back over the years most of my closer friends have had the same qualities. They are people of faith, I can talk and pray with them, they listen and not judge, and they provide encouragement when I needed it.

But my closest friends understood when I needed space to process things. They gave me space and time to think things through and did not take it as we are not friends any more. They understood my need to “turtle” and be inside my shell every now and then.

In my heart I am introverted, which just means I need space to recharge my batteries by being alone by myself. Unlike extroverts who need to be around people to be recharged.

For example, if I am thinking through a big issue I will go to my shed to be alone or I will go for a walk up our local rock that over looks our town. The space provides no distractions and I can just hear from God.

My best friends over the years have always understood this. They know I spend a lot of time talking and listening to people in my job as a Pastor or Chaplain and I need time alone or time alone with God to reset and recharge.

So what do I value most in a friend? Someone who understands my rhythm of time with people and time alone. Time when I need to turtle!