It is fairly impossible to post this morning with a house full with family. I will, however, share this amazing scripture, with one short comment:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:4-8

All the above verses are used on a regular basis, one at a time, as stand-alone “sound-bite” theology. But today I want you to read them as one connected thought.

Embrace the joy of knowing God, and be sure that a gentle spirit is the hallmark of your faith. God is close by, committed to being with us in every circumstance; so there is no need to be anxious. The focus of our relationship with God is not one of asking, but of gratitude, and it’s a thankful heart that’s going to result in the God-quality of peace. It turns out that there is a mutually reinforcing relationship between gratitude, peace, a gentle spirit, and an intentional focus on what is true, just, and excellent.

Teach us, Lord, every day, and lead us into deeper understandings of your way – Amen

– DEREK