From My Perspective - - -
Most of us desire and want Tranquility rather than Turbulence. We trend towards peace and quiet rather than turmoil and noise. All of us have a built-in decibel level beyond which our comfort zones cannot stretch and/or go. Entering into this mix in our generation is Terrorism where Tranquility and Turbulence are not part of either the ambition or a core value of a Terrorist. Terrorism is suggested to have a narrow objective: “Their goal isn't necessarily to bring down the US government, just to batter it so much that it accedes to the attackers' will.” Its intention is not so much to occupy as it is to disrupt.
Most of us would associate Turbulence with air currents violently vibrating an Aircraft. There are also storms at sea and the tossing of vessels of all sizes. We experience turbulence with weather patterns that shift and produce storms and wind advisories. Some of the definition for Turbulence is: “violent disorder or commotion; a state of violent disturbance and disorder; instability in the atmosphere; a disturbed state; tumult; disorder; agitation…” Last week, an interesting column by Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal was entitled: “Turbulence Ahead - Some things to be thankful for in depressing times.” In the article, she draws a distinction between the Great Depression that occurred in the 1930s with the events that are occurring now. She concludes that this economic downturn is dissimilar to The Great Depression and uses statistics and impressions to make her point. There is a word that would help her article, namely, “yet”! We are not in a Great Depression II – YET! However – don’t tell that to the people where foreclosure is occurring with their homes; or the household provider who has been told his employment is no longer available; or the number of businesses that are closing; or the numbers of people who cannot pay a minimum amount on their bills; or the fixed-income citizens whose annuity-pension has almost disappeared; etc. We are not at a great depression level – yet!
Consider these things with me - - The Bible contains some important references and perspective to this entire subject of Turbulence versus Tranquility… (1) Isaiah 57:20-21, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, Says my God, for the wicked.” This assessment/judgment pertains to those in Verse 17, “For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.” (2) John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” These words are intended to encourage those who must go forward without the physical presence of Jesus Christ with them. (3) John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Also consider - - Living in a troubled and tempestuous time does not mean one has to surrender to turbulence. Tranquility is in a relationship with Jesus Christ, not with the accommodations granted by a culture/society. The Yale Divinity School (November 2007) embarked on a Reconciliation Mission, which states as part of its purpose: “The Goal of the Reconciliation Program is to promote reconciliation between Muslims and Christians, and between Muslim nations and the West, drawing on the resources of the Abrahamic faiths and the teachings and person of Jesus. The Reconciliation Program is the newest program at the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. In its initial phase, the Reconciliation Program is focused primarily on bridge-building scholarly research on the major theological, political, cultural, social and ethical issues which traditionally divide Muslims and Christians, and on concerns which unite them.” It will be interesting to see if/when the study will bring them to II Corinthians 5:16 through 21, and to embrace the truth of Verses 18-19, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” Let the Peace From God be the foundation of your Peace With God.
Most of us desire and want Tranquility rather than Turbulence. We trend towards peace and quiet rather than turmoil and noise. All of us have a built-in decibel level beyond which our comfort zones cannot stretch and/or go. Entering into this mix in our generation is Terrorism where Tranquility and Turbulence are not part of either the ambition or a core value of a Terrorist. Terrorism is suggested to have a narrow objective: “Their goal isn't necessarily to bring down the US government, just to batter it so much that it accedes to the attackers' will.” Its intention is not so much to occupy as it is to disrupt.
Most of us would associate Turbulence with air currents violently vibrating an Aircraft. There are also storms at sea and the tossing of vessels of all sizes. We experience turbulence with weather patterns that shift and produce storms and wind advisories. Some of the definition for Turbulence is: “violent disorder or commotion; a state of violent disturbance and disorder; instability in the atmosphere; a disturbed state; tumult; disorder; agitation…” Last week, an interesting column by Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal was entitled: “Turbulence Ahead - Some things to be thankful for in depressing times.” In the article, she draws a distinction between the Great Depression that occurred in the 1930s with the events that are occurring now. She concludes that this economic downturn is dissimilar to The Great Depression and uses statistics and impressions to make her point. There is a word that would help her article, namely, “yet”! We are not in a Great Depression II – YET! However – don’t tell that to the people where foreclosure is occurring with their homes; or the household provider who has been told his employment is no longer available; or the number of businesses that are closing; or the numbers of people who cannot pay a minimum amount on their bills; or the fixed-income citizens whose annuity-pension has almost disappeared; etc. We are not at a great depression level – yet!
Consider these things with me - - The Bible contains some important references and perspective to this entire subject of Turbulence versus Tranquility… (1) Isaiah 57:20-21, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, Says my God, for the wicked.” This assessment/judgment pertains to those in Verse 17, “For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.” (2) John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” These words are intended to encourage those who must go forward without the physical presence of Jesus Christ with them. (3) John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Also consider - - Living in a troubled and tempestuous time does not mean one has to surrender to turbulence. Tranquility is in a relationship with Jesus Christ, not with the accommodations granted by a culture/society. The Yale Divinity School (November 2007) embarked on a Reconciliation Mission, which states as part of its purpose: “The Goal of the Reconciliation Program is to promote reconciliation between Muslims and Christians, and between Muslim nations and the West, drawing on the resources of the Abrahamic faiths and the teachings and person of Jesus. The Reconciliation Program is the newest program at the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. In its initial phase, the Reconciliation Program is focused primarily on bridge-building scholarly research on the major theological, political, cultural, social and ethical issues which traditionally divide Muslims and Christians, and on concerns which unite them.” It will be interesting to see if/when the study will bring them to II Corinthians 5:16 through 21, and to embrace the truth of Verses 18-19, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” Let the Peace From God be the foundation of your Peace With God.
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