Happy are the peace-makers ...

[vahn]

Funny thing , it never fails , everytime I go through what seems to me a sort of a milestone or a "breakthrough" that I find myself not being able to wait to share it with someone , but by the time I get here the whole concept takes on a new meaning and a different picture develops from what I had encountered or experienced . (Maybe that could be the exact reason for my impatience huh?)
Take the title for example , that was NOT what I had in mind to write about tonight !!

I do know why that happens , its because I had learnt to make it a practice to pray to my God and acknowledge His Sovereignty prior to undertaking any task , whatever it is , first I present my intent to my Lord and then ask for His opinion , then I go about it with my 100%.

For a quite some time now , since I came to this retreat I had befriended this one person whom I shall call Bob (not his real name) from day one , and you know ? its one of those weird feelings its as if we knew each other for a hundred years !
Anyway , this guy is a true Christian (if there was such a thing) I mean as christian as they get , right ? But with one problem , he's an alkie , and when I got here he was only a week or so sober (though I didnt know it then) and neither did anybody else until recently when he finally opened up and declared himself one at our first AA meeting last week .

Regardless , I was leaning on him to gain more insight and expand my spiritual horizon by talking to him as often as I can (still do) . However , he never failed to puzzle me with his constant "why's" !! If you know what I mean. Why me , why this happens why that doesnt happen . Here I am listening to him with all the scriptural hope and enlightenment and next thing I know I'm getting whacked with "Why dont I get it " Q's .

Today , after lunch , sitting in the garden , he came by , and the same usual convo , only this time a little voice was telling me "You know what's coming vahn" , so before anything I just opened my Bible pretending to read it while he went on with his "lamentations" (jokingly) , I guess I was paying attention , he nudged me and said "why do I wear that bracelet ?" I asked "which one ?" the WWJD he said , I dont even know where the answer came from ,but the words out of my mouth went "For people like you to read Bob !!" he said "Serious vahn , what would Jesus do ? " which again cought me by surprize , and I went " Anything He wants Bob !!"

Looking down at my Bible to hide my tken aback look , my eyes fell on Deut 29:29 , and it read ,There are secrets the Lord your God has not revealed to us , but these words which He HAS revealed are for us to OBEY .

Isnt tthat Paul said in romans ? 14 , Was God being unfair ? of course not ! 15 "If I want to be kind to someone, I will. And I will take pity on anyone I want to" . And so God's blessings are not given just because someone decides to have them or works hard to get them. They are given because God takes pity on those He wants to .

"Who are those who God takes pity on ?" Bob asked . My answer ? "Those who strive for peace " "Happy are the peacemakers , They shall be called the sons of God " and like His only , we in turn , will be chased around , accused , beaten, crucified and risen above it all Bob , that's why ! "We dont look for peace if there wasnt war"

[mlg]

Amen my friend!!!! Holy Spirit was all in that answer. If all was peace then there would be no need to seek HOPE of a better day to come...therefore noone would seek the Father. Great stuff you shared vahn. I luv hearing about the Holy Spirit working through you. You are such a blessing to those around you. You've made me smile. Keep working and reaching my friend. God needs more souls like you and I reaching out to others.

luv ya