The glowing hues of blue, orange, and yellow in the flickering flames melted into the stunning sunset scenery out my window. “Thank you, God, for YOUR perfect peace,” I whispered, gazing at the 2nd Advent candle.
How do I keep this perfect peace? Joy AND jolts are juxtaposed in my journey-how do I obtain perfect peace? How do I find stillness in the storm? Calm in the chaos? Tranquil in the midst of trouble?
What’s my NATURE? Peace washes over me like a cleansing flood while I’m IN nature. Later, “caught by surprise” cancer circumstances, my soggy spirit and exhausted body felt drowned. “God, I return to YOUR unwavering nature and rest in YOU.”
Whenever I face challenges, I pause to pray. I’m reminded of Advent Week #1-to wait well and stay prepared. NO PANIC! I will surrender my soul to God. To have true peace, I have to surrender!
How can I NOT have a different peace perspective after what I’ve experienced? “GOD, THANK YOU for providing circumstances to practice the peace that is ALREADY IN ME because of YOU.”
It’s not denial–it’s about dependence on God. I don’t pretend everything is fine when the storm is rocking the boat, the torrential downpours are stinging my soul—
“Peace! Be Still!” Jesus declared this when the disciples panicked during the storm. This command isn’t just for weather. MY HEART HEARS HIM.
When facing sticky situations or unhealthy conflict, stress can lead to sickness, sadness, or suffering. When you’re peace “peters out” what do YOU do? PRAY? Walk away? Take deep breaths? Listen to music? Read? Walk in nature? Binge favorite shows? Snuggle with a loved one or pet? If your season starts to snowball, but your spirit melts, please know you’re not alone.
“Holy Spirit, I need you to speak for and through me. Help me adjust my attitude, cloth myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Remind me of God’s truths about love, unity, and peace.”
“Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13) I’ll let God’s love lead so HIS peace resides in my heart.
HOPE.
PEACE.
Soon, I’ll light the joy candle. Last, love. Is there anything greater than these?
Friends, do you know how loved you are?
Have hope, keep the faith, and I pray that peace will permeate your soul and surroundings! 💚🙏🏻
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Peace is the quiet place we place our mind when the storms are blowing all around us! Well done, my friend. Have a blessed Christmas!
Amen, Dwight! I appreciate you so much, dear friend. You and yours have a blessed Christmas! 💚🙏💚
Thank you, Karla!
You’re welcome, Dwight!
Lovely words. Lovely thoughts. Lovely cards. Peace.
Thank you so much! How thoughtful! God bless you! ❤️
Not sure I’d like perfect peace. That would mean nothing is happening. I want things to keep changing, but I do like it sometimes when the pace of change slows down.
The closest thing to perfect peace in my house right now, is our cat. He got neutered yesterday, and we had to give him a dose of pain medicine today to keep him from licking his surgery area. Now he’s sound asleep.
I wish you lots of joy and love, with the lighting of your next candles.
Hi, Tippy! I’m always so happy to see you!
Thank you for hanging in here with me. I have a lot of “happenings” which keeps me away. So many unexpected things~ 5-10 years ago, these things would’ve flipped my apple basket and mind!
If I can achieve an hour of the Lord’s perfect peace it’s beautiful! Some days, the happenings come in waves so you can imagine how much I pray and love nature when I can get there!
I won’t say “vet” out loud as Finley is giving me the side eye right now. She does NOT like it and I’m sure your cat wasn’t happy!
I’m glad he’s asleep without pain too! Do cats get the cones like dogs?
Well, sometimes change can come so abruptly, and be so large in scope, that it can feel overwhelming. It’s those times when peace is most desired. Getting out in nature can be a great way to find some peace (unless there’s a tornado bearing down upon you).
You’re right, our cat was not happy. He has a cloth-foam cone that looks like a round life preserver. But he’s very agile, and with effort, he can still reach every place with his tongue. But not while sedated, apparently.
Tippy, I sure understand this! It can come in waves~ nearly knock me over at times.
It might appear I panic and hide. (Imagine me going into a telephone booth and appearing with my peace superpower lol)….not quite that dramatic. Typically tears under trees or an uttering of “God, we have this!” I’ll never let go of that power of peace in me!
Tornadoes., …oh my! Yikes 😳
How’s your cat? Better today I hope! I’m planning to read and visit blogs today! I expect giggles and learning from you! Happy Friday, my friend.
The cat is better. He’s very rambunctious. When we give him his sedative, he fights it like heck, and keeps zooming around the house until he finally conks out.
Happy Friday to you, too, and I hope you have a merry Christmas.
‘In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart: I have overcome the world.’
These words had no meaning to me for…well, a very long time. But the wisdom behind His love showed me purpose, meaning, and even more love when I finally understood. One side of life in its pain and hurt, truly gives us an appreciation of the other side in its happiness and love Karla. Yes, a painful time, says I to that teacher in your heart 🤣❤️
Hang in there kind lady, He is true to His word. What awaits is so much more than we fully understand. You will truly make up for what went before. A sea of friendship, nature glowing in another light altogether, and love embracing it all, beyond anything you can imagine. We will be it all 🤗🥰🤣❤️
Lots of hugs to you and Finn, a few extra degree’s to keep the chill at bay but allow the fires to keep going. I love fires, especially out in the open. It asks us to gather and share its warmth and light. And I saw the picture of your shoes. Have you been out and about? Yayyyy! Even if assisted by skeeter 😂❤️
You guys take care, I hope all is well. Sending lots of healing love your way by the boys in the blue wavetop courier service 🤗🥰🤣😂🦋🎄🎅🎶🎁🕊️🦌☃️🐾🦓❤️🙏
It’s an utter relief when you find that perfect peace!
Doesn’t mean it changes circumstances, but he’s with us through it!
I’m taking one hour at a time~ embracing it and doing what I need~ and letting go of what I can’t control.
I was able to get in the woods yesterday with my dear friend from our campground days. It was wonderful to have her with me! I don’t live in fear of falling; but I know if it were to happen, it wouldn’t be good (for any of us!). After a full 3 days I could barely get off the couch yesterday afternoon and evening. It’s ALL fine because I know and “hear” when I need to rest. I have Skeeter’s batteries charged for any long days walking in future!
YOU take care too, dear friend! We’ll keep the healing love and send a dose your way too! It would be great to see the dolphins and whales! I pray your weather is cooperating ~ it’s been wild across our globe!
Stay safe and blessed!! 🥰💕🙏🎄⛄️ 🦓 🎶 🤗 💕🐶
Good to hear your ‘in the rhythm’ with your heart my friend. Knowing when your body needs time out (but sometimes you just have to push it a little bit. It is Christmas fun time, even if we pay a little more 🤣).
My dose gratefully received Karla, thank you. And our weather is something to behold. Wild storms as normal but when they measured a 14cm hailstone I’ll settle for indoors for those ones 😂 And as I spoke to another blogger, I have a friend up north which has really warm 40C plus heat normally, sent me a picture of 46C. It was that hot he lay under a tree to wait out the midday heat and a herd of wild camels came in looking for some water. I’ve never laughed so hard. He said he woke up with them sniffing around him. Must have been a shock 🤣
Ok, you guys take care, seek warmth, be it a fire or His love, and enjoy the celebration of His birth. Merry Christmas!!! 🤗🥰🎄🎅🎶🎁🕊️🦌☃️🐾🐶🦓❤️🙏
Waking up with camels sniffing around me would mean, “Karla not in Missouri anymore!” Bwahahaha 🤭😂😂🤣
That’s funny!
But not the heat!
Or the love and friendship! Many hugs!! 🤗 ❤️♥️🙏💚🎶⛄️
Hahaha, ah this world is a many splendorous thing Karla. You never know what’s around the corner. Just be careful when snoozing out in your yard just in case, I’ve never seen a low flying camel…but 🤣😂
And big hugs returned kind lady, with much love and friendship for you and the Finn 🤗🥰🎶🎁🕊️☃️🐾🦓❤️🙏
😁😁😁😁😁
Great post on peace, Karla. Thank you! I wonder how much more peaceful we would all be if we could grasp the fact that those who are “in Christ” are actually, truly in Christ? The scriptures are abundantly clear about this, yet I have known very few who understand the truth of our relationship with our Savior.
More than 140 times the epistles use the phrase “in Christ” (or a form of it like in Christ Jesus, in the Beloved, in Him, etc.). This is the overriding theme of the entire New Testament. We are literally placed into Christ and He into us. This is of necessity a two-way placement, for if we are truly in Him He must also be in us.
Think about the peace that comes from knowing that we need not hope for His presence with us when times are unsettling. The truth is, we cannot get any closer that we are to Him, for He is in us and we are in Him. True this, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be
Jesus is seated at the right hand of Power…and you are in Him.
You are seated in the waiting room at the doc…and He is in you.
This “in Christ Who is in me” relationship is transforming everything in my life. I know it is in you as well. Hallelujah!
Great picture of the little Finster!
May your days be merry and bright as you live out your “in Him in me” life!
Tim
Thank you, Tim!
You so perfectly and succinctly shared what I wished I would’ve understood so many years ago!
And it was in black and white (and red 🙂 the entire time in front of me.
It’s so amazing to fully live with the indwelling of Christ! I no longer view circumstances as “tests” to see if how I react is a failure of God’s expectations ~ he expects me to be human, of course, but when I chose to follow him, that meant surrendering everything of “me” so he could take full residence! I’m so thankful for his grace and love when I don’t use this undeserved free power with the silly thought that I could create my own peace. It will never happen!
If I meditate, it’s on his words and miracles~ his thoughts and ways (which are way higher than mine).
In Christ! There’s no other way for me, Tim. It’s the only way!
What an encouragement to know that it’s a constant presence ~ Praise God!Merry and bright ~ I love that! All year!
As we become home to his Spirit, nothing can separate us from God any longer. Amazing and wonderful!
Finley says thank you, Tim!
Our best and Christ’s love and blessings to you and Rascal, dear friends!
Not sure how I became anonymous. Maybe there was a vote. But was it…unanimous? Did they raise hands, or was it vociferous?
This is getting darker by the minute. We need something luciferous!
Tim! I wish you could hear me laughing! I thought the same thing~ there was NO vote in my world.
Finn and I would raise all 5 hands/paws to 1Pursuit! 🤭
I learned new words! We will definitely try and keep it light! *as I think of words that rhyme with luciferous*
“It’s not denial–it’s about dependence on God.” ❤️ Praying peace for you, sweet friend. 🕊️
Thank you, Kelley. You’re so sweet. I’ve missed reading your beautiful poetry and seeing you. Prayers for you too, my dear friend ❤️🙏❤️
We covered Karla. I love God’s peace. Real peace is quite a God provided miracle while I sometimes try to manufacture a cheap knockoff. No comparison.
Amen, Gary!!! The cheap knockoff breaks down. Love that, dear friend. And the entire Fultz Family! Blessings and peace to you all. With all your snow and cold, I pray for continued warmth and comfort!
Finn, I love you so much. I hope you know. Your human is OK, too. ❤️
MAK~ I wuv u soooo much and my hooman say she duz 2 ♥️♥️♥️
❤️ Scratch your human’s ears for me, OK, Finn?
Perfect peace doesn’t change the circumstances but it changes us! 💛
Warm hugs, prayers and love that you can keep that perfect peace in your heart and keep your eyes on Jesus as the storm winds blow. He will keep you from sinking! Love you, my warrior friend!
How beautiful, C! Thank you 🙏
We will keep our eyes on Jesus and our souls surrendering to HIM!
Your words had me singing a song (that I recorded for you!).
I love you, sister C!❤️🙏💚🎶
Yes, we will!!!!
A song you recorded for me!! I want to hear it!!! 🥰🥰🥰
Love and prayers back at ya!!
So when my peace “peters out,” I have a plan now. When my coworker gives me a hard time. Or when my wife yells at me for not taking out the trash. Or when I get a call from a telemarketer. I’m going to say “peace. Be still.” Can I throw in there a scram or get lost too. No, that would be rude, right? Ha ha. I’m just kidding, but I love that guidance. Peace. Be still!
Heavenly peace! So true!!! The waiting, patience and peace only God gives…yes, some of awesome Advent gifts! Love you 🥰 Christmas peace & love, dear Karla!Sent from my iPhone
I love you Sue!! And the gift of your choirs singing praise to God! Such amazing things! I thank God for you, dear friend. Love and peace to you and yours! You’re a gift! 🎁 ❤️🙏💚🎄🎶
Karla, I am resting in peace too. This world can creep up and put a strangle hold on hope, promote panic, and frighten faith. But. We are never alone, we are never exposed. I’m meeting with the prayer warriors today to put together cookies for the cookie walk and we always pray. You will be remembered! May the Holy Spirit wrap you in a loving embrace and protect you from the turmoil of this world!! Love and hugs from me and Mochi too!
ps – Can you send me your mailing address? I have a Christmas card poised to be sent!
Happy Friday, Val! It’s so liberating to have peace isn’t it?
“This world can creep up and put a strangle hold on hope, promote panic, and frighten faith.” Amen 🙏 (love that alliteration too;)
When you have Christ withIN we have the power!
The cookie walk sounds sweet and fun! You and those warriors are amazing! Can you email at finleyriverpublishing@gmail.com as I need your address too! Finn and I send love and hugs to you and Mochi!💚🐶❤️🙏🎄💚 thank you for your support, kind words, and prayers!
Thanks Karla – I just sent you an email! It amazes me that there are so many who reject Love…
What a fine foto of Finley! Haha- just trying to keep your spirit of alliteration. 😁
Jesus is our Peace. And we have all of Him 24/7. Easier to “know” than to “feel” sometimes. But the Holy Spirit is amazing at His job and you’re so good at putting it into words. Love you, my dear sis!
Karla, I love Isaiah 26:3. Isn’t it amazing that we can have peace in any circumstance? Even when fear is trying to take over our mind, we can choose faith – faith in the God of mercy and love! Even when we don’t know what will happen, we can trust the One who does. The result will be peace! God bless you, dear friend! Henry and I send our love and prayers. 💕🙏🐾
very nice 👌
Thank you!❤️
Thank you for this beautiful post. I thought of this old song written in 1889! Love, hugs, and prayers, my friend ❤️🙏🏻❤️
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Author of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Ah soul, are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark;
Oh, accept this sweet peace so sublime!
-Warren Cornell 1889
-William Cooper 1889
I love you, Pam. This is absolutely beautiful!!
I’m saving this–the words are treasures!
“This sweet peace so sublime!”
❤️💚🙏🏻🕊️🕊️🕊️
Beautiful and full of hope- thanks for sharing Karla. 💚💚💚
Thank you, Sadje. You’re so precious to me. 💚💚💚💚❤️❤️❤️ It’s my blessing to share!
Thank you so much 🥰🥰🥰
I read once that peace comes when we let go of our expectations and simply accept what is. Because there is always some good in what is, and knowing that whatever is happening to us, God is with us and for us. You do an amazing job of sharing that with all of us, and I really do hope you know how much that is appreciated. You are a gift to so many!!! Including me…..
That’s beautiful, Ann.
It’s true isn’t it? We have to truly surrender to feel it.
Accepting isn’t easy is it? Acceptance was my “word” last year.
It’s sounds silly–but cancer has given me many gifts. God has taught me so much through it all. The pain–its purpose.
You are so sweet to share such kindness and precious thoughts. I give all glory to God, Ann.
“God is with us and for us.” Amen, dear friend.
Sending love and hugs. YOU’RE a gift too!
Peace is so different to what I thought it might be when I was younger. Peace is knowing that you are loved and have the perfect shepherd to keep me safe ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Amen, Gary. Such wise words.
I feel like you–it’s SO different now. I’m glad we have that same Shepherd! Sending love and hugs to you and Hawklad! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
❣️
Thank you, sweet sister. Sending love and hugs, dear Kate. ❤️
So much back to you Karla 🎄💕
Little sister one day we will know the fullest of Joy being in the presence of Jesus. That keeps me going. You are a blessing little sister. Praying for you.
Amen, big brother! It keeps me going too! I’m praying for you. You’re a blessing to me.
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Thank you, precious sister. God bless you! ❤️🙏🏻
I have felt God’s peace at times when I expected to feel nervous or anxious. It was so amazing to feel that peace wash over me.
It’s amazing isn’t it? I’m so happy you know and feel his peace. Thank you for being her! I appreciate you. God bless you!
Thank you, Karla! I needed this post today. It was a terrible day, and I ran into my favorite cashier at the grocery store. She asked me about my day, and then she told me about hers… her 13 year-old is bullied at school and the school does nothing. And, they are being evicted at the end of January. When I got back to my car I had a meeting with God and apologized for my sniveling complaints. I thanked him, because I think he had a hand in making sure I was there to hear her story.
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Karla, your words are such a gift. Your faith, surrender, and peace in the midst of the storm point straight to Jesus. You constantly remind us what we need to believe, that true peace is found in resting in Him.
Lord Jesus, wrap Karla in Your perfect peace. Strengthen her body, calm her heart, and fill her with hope and joy this Christmas. Let Your healing presence be near her every moment.
In your name I Pray, Amen 🙏