7.22.2011

happy friday | 7.22.11

peace.
few have it.

but it's certainly been a theme in my heart lately.
a longing for it.
a desire to quiet myself enough to see god
and know that he will give it.

the peace god offers
is beyond all this world's ability to understand.
it transcends circumstances
and gives freedom to those who have it.

so this friday, peace is what i hope for you.
happy friday!!
and happy reading below:

you can read more here:
(from philipians chapter 4 in the new testament.)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.
 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.




or you can read more here:
(from The Imitation of Christ by thomas `a kempis)

Goodness and Peace in Man

FIRST keep peace with yourself; then you will be able to bring peace to others. A peaceful man does more good than a learned man. Whereas a passionate man turns even good to evil and is quick to believe evil, the peaceful man, being good himself, turns all things to good.

The man who is at perfect ease is never suspicious, but the disturbed and discontented spirit is upset by many a suspicion. He neither rests himself nor permits others to do so. 
He often says what ought not to be said and leaves undone what ought to be done.
 He is concerned with the duties of others but neglects his own.

Direct your zeal, therefore, first upon yourself; then you may with justice exercise it upon those about you. You are well versed in coloring your own actions with excuses which you will not accept from others, though it would be more just to accuse yourself and excuse your brother. If you wish men to bear with you, you must bear with them. 
Behold, how far you are from true charity and humility which does not know how to be angry with anyone, or to be indignant save only against self!

It is no great thing to associate with the good and gentle, for such association is naturally pleasing. Everyone enjoys a peaceful life and prefers persons of congenial habits. 
But to be able to live at peace with harsh and perverse men, 
or with the undisciplined and those who irritate us, 
is a great grace, a praiseworthy and manly thing.

Some people live at peace with themselves and with their fellow men, but others are never at peace with themselves nor do they bring it to anyone else. 
These latter are a burden to everyone, but they are more of a burden to themselves. 
A few, finally, live at peace with themselves and try to restore it to others.

Now, all our peace in this miserable life is found 
in humbly enduring suffering rather than in being free from it. 
He who knows best how to suffer will enjoy the greater peace, because he is the conqueror of himself, the master of the world, a friend of Christ, and an heir of heaven.



4 comments:

Dado said...

Peace dude!

roni said...

aaahhh...that's better. thanks.

keri said...

thx friend.

Angie Davis said...

wow. thanks.