Don't Forfeit Your Peace.

Elisabeth Elliot's Daily Devotional

Title: Don't Forfeit Your Peace
Author: Elisabeth Elliot

It would not be possible to exaggerate the importance hymns and spiritual songs have played in my spiritual growth. One of the latter, familiar to most of you, has this line: "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer" (Joseph Scriven). Prayerlessness is one of many ways by which we can easily forfeit the peace God wants us to have. I've been thinking of some other ways. Here's a sampling:

- Resent God's ways.
- Worry as much as possible.
- Pray only about things you can't manage by yourself.
- Refuse to accept what God gives.
- Look for peace elsewhere than in Him.
- Try to rule your own life.
- Doubt God's word.
- Carry all your cares.

If you'd rather not forfeit your peace, here are eight ways to find it (antidotes to the above eight):

- "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165 KJV). "Circumstances are the expression of God's will," wrote Bishop Handley Moule.
- "Don't worry about anything whatever" (Philippians 4:6, PHILLIPS).
- "In everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God... will guard your hearts" (Philippians 4:6,7, NEB).
- "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me... and you will find rest" (Matthew 11:29, NIV).
- "Peace is my parting gift to you, my own peace, such as the world cannot give" (John 14 27, NEB).
- "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15, NIV).
- "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:13, KJV).
- "Cast all your cares on him for you are his charge" (1 Peter 5:7, NEB).

"Grant, O Lord my God, that I may never fall away in success or in failure; that I may not be prideful in prosperity nor dejected in adversity. Let me rejoice only in what unites us and sorrow only in what separates us. May I strive to please no one or fear to displease anyone except Yourself. May I seek always the things that are eternal and never those that are only temporal. May I shun any joy that is without You and never seek any that is beside You. O Lord, may I delight in any work I do for You and tire of any rest that is apart from You. My God, let me direct my heart towards You, and in my failings, always repent with a purpose of amendment."

--St. Thomas Aquinas

All the Poor and Powerless.

Here's the story I'll tell my friends when they come to worship,
and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:
Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;
give glory, you sons of Jacob;
adore him, you daughters of Israel.
He has never let you down,
never looked the other way
when you were being kicked around.
He has never wandered off to do his own thing;
he has been right there, listening.

Here in this great gathering for worship
I have discovered this praise-life.
And I'll do what I promised right here
in front of the God-worshipers.
Down-and-outers sit at God's table
and eat their fill.
Everyone on the hunt for God
is here, praising him.
"Live it up, from head to toe.
Don't ever quit!"

From the four corners of the earth
people are coming to their senses,
are running back to God.
Long-lost families
are falling on their faces before him.
God has taken charge;
from now on he has the last word.

All the power-mongers are before him
—worshiping!
All the poor and powerless, too
—worshiping!
Along with those who never got it together
—worshiping!

Our children and their children
will get in on this
As the word is passed along
from parent to child.
Babies not yet conceived
will hear the good news—
that God does what he says.

StrengthsFinder 2.0

I absolutely love taking personality and strength tests. I've done several; Myers Briggs (ENFJ), "Leading From Your Strengths", and most recently StrengthsFinder 2.0.

StrengthsFinder 2.0 helps you discover your "Top 5 themes" or strengths based on a questionnaire. Then it gives you two descriptions.
1. A brief "Shared Theme Description" for each of your top five themes
2. Your "Personalized Strengths Insights", which describe what makes you stand out from others with the same theme in their top five.
I thought it was pretty neat and after taking the test I really loved the way my words sound. Check it-

My top 5 themes are:
1. Communication
2. Woo
3. Positivity
4. Activator
5. Strategic

:: Communication ::
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights
Driven by your talents, you usually attract listeners with your stories, presentations, lectures, or speeches. You routinely seek opportunities to talk about what you think, feel, or have experienced. Chances are good that you very much enjoy the animated give-and-take of a lively discussion. It’s very likely that you naturally gravitate to situations where you can be your true self. You feel life is wonderful when people listen as you share stories about your successes, failures, talents, limitations, hopes, or fears. Because of your strengths, you generally keep discussions and light conversation moving when you are chatting with someone you know well. By nature, you regularly surround yourself with people. You are energized by what you learn about each one. You crave to know what makes a person special, singular, or distinct from all the others you encounter.

:: Woo ::
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights
By nature, you assert — that is, declare and affirm — that every person comes into your life for a definite purpose. This explains why you launch into discussions or engage in small talk with people you are meeting for the first time. You really want to figure out why your paths in life have crossed. Chances are good that you undoubtedly are talkative in social situations. You have a good time circulating from group to group. You feel wonderful about life when people appreciate your unreserved, gregarious, and friendly nature. Instinctively, you probably have been told at some point in your life that you should not talk to strangers. Whoever said this failed to understand how much energy you draw from conversations with outsiders. You want these people to feel at ease in your presence. This explains why you engage them in chitchat or discussions. You are likely to ignore recommendations to keep your distance from newcomers. To do so may be misguided, senseless, or wrong in your opinion. Driven by your talents, you feel a surge of energy when you start talking with newcomers. You typically generate such enthusiasm in these outsiders that they participate in activities, join teams, register for classes, or interview for jobs. It’s very likely that you spark the interests of others with your keen wit and sociable nature. You can quickly establish an easy rapport with individuals by telling a joke, smiling, introducing yourself, or giving a compliment. You recognize that laughter is a universal language.

:: Positivity ::
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights
Driven by your talents, you feel much better about yourself and life in general when you have a worthwhile cause or project to which you can dedicate your mind, body, and spirit. Instinctively, you may be regarded by people as a big-hearted person. Perhaps this is one way you transform strangers into friends. Perhaps out of thoughtfulness and kindness, you share your time, knowledge, or possessions with others. Because of your strengths, you realize how wonderful your life is when you have been able to assist someone in need. By nature, you support the people around you by acknowledging their outstanding accomplishments and stellar performances. Chances are good that you enjoy discovering as much as you can about the people you meet. You are friendly and enjoy socializing. You quickly put at ease those you are meeting for the first time or the tenth time.

:: Activator ::
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights
Chances are good that you celebrate the achievements and successes of individuals and groups. You compliment them. Your enthusiasm energizes people and makes them eager to tackle the task at hand. Time and again you say and do things that re-invigorate their minds, bodies, and spirits. By nature, you sometimes make people feel special. Typically you point out the importance or usefulness of something they said. Because of your strengths, you routinely spark the enthusiasm of individuals. Your own job, studies, or life becomes much more exhilarating when you help others more fully experience their lives. It’s very likely that you undisputedly stir people’s emotions by motivating them to take action. Discovering what makes each person unique is one of the ways you galvanize — that is, stimulate — groups or energize particular individuals. Instinctively, you traditionally determine for yourself and others what should be done. After you have made up your mind, you typically waste little time moving forward with projects or assignments.

:: Strategic ::
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights
Because of your strengths, you usually feel satisfied with life when your innovative thinking style is appreciated. You automatically pinpoint trends, notice problems, or identify opportunities many people overlook. Armed with this knowledge, you usually devise alternative courses of action. By evaluating the circumstances, available resources, and/or the potential consequences of each plan, you can select the best option. Instinctively, you are a self-reliant person who needs time alone to think and work. You generate innovative ideas and propose systematic programs of action. You likely identify recurring configurations in the behavior of people, the functioning of processes, or the emergence of potential problems. By nature, you select the right combination of words to convey your ideas or feelings. In the middle of discussions, your vocabulary provides you with precise phrases and terminology. You probably express yourself with ease and grace. It’s very likely that you probably feel very good about yourself and life in general when you know the exact words to express an idea or a feeling. Language has fascinated you since childhood. Your ever-expanding vocabulary often earns you compliments. Chances are good that you generate innovative ideas. You offer unique perspectives on events, people, and proposals. You probably inspire people to start projects and launch initiatives. You tend to identify a goal, devise numerous ways of reaching it, then choose the best alternative. This explains why you see opportunities, trends, and solutions before your teammates, classmates, or peers see them.

Music Monday :: The Notion

I went to a show with a friend last night to check out a band from her college town. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it. I mean, I love music but I can be opinionated about it. This was definitely one of those college bands that plays at the frat houses, but they had some really good original music. They have the frat band thing going on but they also have this funk swagger about them. It was surprisingly refreshing. You should definitely check them out. My favorite song is "Love is Coming Over Me". http://www.myspace.com/thenotionrocks

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Selah

Look upon our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.