Peace or Pieces

Genesis 33:4-6

And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you ?"  So he said, "the children whom God has graciously given your servant."

Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Isaiah 11:6
“ The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.


Isaiah 54:13
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Jeremiah 32:38-39
They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.

2 Corinthains 12:13-15
And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls;

Luke 7:31-33
And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:
                 ‘We played the flute for you,
            And you did not dance;
                  We mourned to you,
            And you did not weep.’

THE PRICE OF UNITY ?
This post is dedicated to the memory of Christina-Taylor Green born on Americas darkest day, a glimmer of light, on a day that once united America (9/11/2001).  She lost her life 9 years later during an attack on congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.  Even in darkness, the path of truth is there, if we have the courage to follow it.  Our children are a blessing, they are precious, and they are a reflection of heaven itself.  They are our heritage and not the other way around.  Beloved, the path He gives us is of  "one heart, and one way", for the good of our children.  Have the love to "spend" and "be spent" for their souls, and remember, "the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children."  Work for the peace of our children, let them be "taught by the Lord".  May these steps of sorrow lead to our lasting unity, civility toward one another, and  wisdom.
~Chris

Baruch 3:12-14
Thou hast forsaken the fountain of wisdom; for if thou hadst walked in the way of God, thou hadst surely dwelt in peace for ever. Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, were is understanding; that thou mayst know also where is length of days and life, where is light of the eyes and peace.

The story of Briar Rose

This is the real story of the Sleeping Beauty. Centuries before the time of Jesus, imagine a people, brought low under brutal Assyrian captivity, their culture and faith forbidden, but kept alive, hidden in the stories they passed on to their children. Jesus knew them (Luke 15:8, Matthew 25:5), and so loved them, that He sent His disciples north, on a journey to find them (Matthew 10:5-6). Beyond the Samaritan cities, where they had lived so long before, passing by the Gentile lands. "Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 10:6).... tell them, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand", He instructed them. The message of good news was received by many of them, with joy and belief, since miracles (Matthew 10:8) happen to those who believe. Ancient Israel was ready for the message of redemption, having preserved their hope through stories like this. So, open your heart as a little child would and meet the real Sleeping Beauty.




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Genesis 11:29
Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.

A long time ago there were a king and queen who said every day, ah, if only we had a child, but they never had one.....
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Genesis 18:1
And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

Genesis 18:10
And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.
But it happened that once when the queen was bathing, a frog crept out of the water on to the land, and said to her, your wish shall be fulfilled, before a year has gone by, you shall have a daughter. What the frog had said came true, and the queen had a little girl who was so pretty that the king could not contain himself for joy, and ordered a great feast.
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Genesis 49:1
And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
He invited not only his kindred, friends and acquaintances, but also the wise women, in order that they might be kind and well-disposed towards the child. There were thirteen of them in his kingdom, but, as he had only twelve golden plates for them to eat out of, one of them had to be left at home.

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Genesis 49:28
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.
The feast was held with all manner of splendor and when it came to an end the wise women bestowed their magic gifts upon the baby - one gave virtue, another beauty, a third riches, and so on with everything in the world that one can wish for. When eleven of them had made their promises, suddenly the thirteenth came in.

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2 Kings 10:26
And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.The king, who would fain keep his dear child from the misfortune, gave orders that every spindle in the whole kingdom should be burnt.
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Jeremiah 3:7-9
And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not.

It happened that on the very day when she was fifteen years old, the king and queen were not at home, and the maiden was left in the palace quite alone. So she went round into all sorts of places, looked into rooms and bed-chambers just as she liked, and at last came to an old tower.
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Amos 5:2
The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up.

Jeremiah 14:17
"You will say this word to them, 'Let my eyes flow down with tears night and day, And let them not cease; For the virgin daughter of my people has been crushed with a mighty blow, With a sorely infected wound.

And, in the very moment when she felt the prick, she fell down upon the bed that stood there, and lay in a deep sleep.

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Matthew 25:5
While the bridegroom tarried, they (the ten virgins) all slumbered and slept.

And this sleep extended over the whole palace, the king and queen who had just come home, and had entered the great hall, began to go to sleep, and the whole of the court with them.

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Isaiah 32:13
Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:

Isaiah 35:13
And thorns shall come up in its fortified towers.

But round about the castle there began to grow a hedge of thorns, which every year became higher, and at last grew close up round the castle and all over it, so that there was nothing of it to be seen, not even the flag upon the roof.
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Psalm 130:8
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Isaiah 27:4
Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.

Isaiah 10:17
And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;

After long, long years a king's son came again to that country, and heard an old man talking about the thorn-hedge, and that a castle was said to stand behind it in which a wonderfully beautiful princess, named Briar-Rose, had been asleep for a hundred years, and that the king and queen and the whole court were asleep likewise. He had heard, too, from his grandfather, that many kings, sons had already come, and had tried to get through the thorny hedge, but they had remained sticking fast in it, and had died a pitiful death.Then the youth said, I am not afraid, I will go and see the beautiful Briar-Rose.

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Isaiah 60: 1 - 2
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

Song of Solomon 2: 1 - 2
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

Song of Solomon 2:10
My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me.

Then he went on still farther, and all was so quiet that a breath could be heard, and at last he came to the tower, and opened the door into the little room where Briar-Rose was sleeping.There she lay, so beautiful that he could not turn his eyes away, and he stooped down and gave her a kiss. But as soon as he kissed her, Briar-Rose opened her eyes and awoke, and looked at him quite sweetly.

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Revelation 19:7
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.And then the marriage of the king's son with Briar-Rose was celebrated with all splendor, and they lived contented to the end of their days.

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Romans 11:1
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Isaiah 1:3
The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Romans 11: 25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

~ SLEEPING BEAUTY ~
Sarah who was barren, gave birth to the nations of Israel through her only child. Jehu king of Israel tried to protect the nations by burning the images out of the house of Baal. Israel having rebelled against God wandered, and is lost among the nations, asleep. Romans 11:6 ("God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear"). Many prophets died pitiful deaths trying to reach her. Israel, the ten lost tribes (of the Assyrian captivity), are the ones being redeemed in the sleeping beauty story, and though she sleeps still, her awakening is near.
~ Chris
Who is the Rose of Sharon mentioned in the Song of Solomon 2: 1 - 2 ? A clue can be found in the book of Ruth. The redemption of Ruth by Boaz is a reflection of the redemption of Israel by Jesus. "Ruth" is derived from a Hebrew word for "rose." The Rose of Sharon then are the ones redeemed, as is Briar-Rose in this lovely tale of redemption by the prince. A tale compiled by the Grimm Brothers, based on the ancient oral tradition of a long lost people.

If you have happened upon this story, it is no chance encounter. Jesus has come for all people (Matthew 3:9). He is whispering to you. "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me".... to a new everlasting life of happily ever after. Awake to Him and welcome the Prince of Peace into your life now. Beyond the history, beyond the story, the real Sleeping Beauty is you.... "the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys", and Jesus has become the same for you.

Isaiah 1:18
("Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet" (the rose), "they shall be as white as snow;" (the lily) "though they be red like crimson," (the rose) "they shall be as wool." (the lily) .

Jesus took our place, putting on our sins....

Matthew 27:28 - 29
("And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head,..." (the rose)

that we might put on His righteousness.
Revelation 19:8
("And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:" (the lily) "for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.").

and none are arrayed like her.

Luke 12:27
("Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.")
Awake, beloved briar rose, listen to His whisper... you are "the lily among thorns". Be transformed by His righteousness, by simply saying yes to His love....
http://grimmsfairytales.us/_wsn/page2.html

Rachel's Tears - Rachel's Joy

Rachel's Tears
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Jeremiah 31:15
Thus says the LORD:
“ A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation and bitter weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted for her children,
Because they are no more.”

"Just looking at my heart crying about the pain." ~Rachel Joy Scott


Jeremiah 9:1
Oh, that my head were waters, And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people!

"Please find me a lake, so I may drown in my waters of sorrow." ~ Rachel Joy Scott
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Rachel's Joy
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Psalm 126:5
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.

"I am not going to hide the light that God has put into me." ~ Rachel Joy Scott

Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.

"Create in me the church, so that wherever I go I will find sanctuary."  ~ Rachel Joy Scott

John 16:20
Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

I lost all my friends at school. Now that I have begun to walk my talk, they make fun of me. I don't even know what I have done. I don't really have to say anything, and they turn me away.
~ Rachel Joy Scott

Luke 6:21
Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.

"I have a purpose,
I have a dream,
I have a future,
so it seems."
~ Rachel Joy Scott
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THIRTEEN TEARS FOR HER CHILDREN
Rachel along with her sister Leah, was a matriarch of the 13 tribes of Israel. Rachel died in child birth while bearing her second son Benjamin. Rachel's lamentation for her children, children of Israel, has been heard down through the ages.  Her 13 tears will forever be remembered.
Beloved, like Rachel, through the sorrow, you shall reap joy, and you shall laugh.

~Chris
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On April 20, 1999 Rachel Joy Scott lost her life along with 12 others, in the Columbine shooting. This post is dedicated to the memory of  Rachel Joy Scott and the 13 tears she shed for Columbine, as recorded in her journal.

Jesus come into my life,
Lord come into my heart.
   cause you are the one,
Who will fill the void inside,
   You are the One,
Who will give eternal life,
   You are the One,
Who will give undying love,
   You are the One,
Who is in heaven above.
~ Rachel Joy Scott

Peace and the righteous kiss

When peace was born to us
Isaiah 9:6 (OT)
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Job 22:21-22 (OT)
Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart.

Proverbs 16:7 (OT)
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.






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He was chastised for our peace
The deceitful kiss - When strife and envy meet
Proverbs 27:6 (OT)
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Isaiah 53:5 (OT)
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Luke 22:48 (NT)
But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

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The holy kiss - When mercy and truth meet
Psalm 85:10 (OT)
Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.

2 Corinthians 13:12 (NT)
Greet one another with a holy kiss...

Luke 7:45 (NT)
You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.

Romans 13:13 (NT)
Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Matthew 5:6 (NT)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Isaiah 26:2 (OT)
Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.

~WALK AS IN THE DAY
Let us walk the narrow way, properly with eyes open, as in the day, that the nations may follow Him in truth. Hunger and thirst for righteousness and be filled. To those who He has hard won through His merciful grace, receive the kiss of peace. A peace not as the world gives (John 14:27), so let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Beloved, submit to His love and be at peace with him. Receive His holy kiss, the kiss of righteousness and peace.
~Chris

Forgiveness, Sacrifice, Justice

Romans 12:19
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

2 Corinthians 2:10
Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,...

1 John 4:9
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.


EVEN WHEN IT HURTS

Forgiveness is a two way street. Do it even when you feel an injustice has been done. Do it even when you must sacrifice for the injustice. Do it even when he's your only begotten son. Do it because He did it for us all, that we might live through Him.... Oh, and in case you missed it beloved... Forgiveness is there for OUR OWN sake.

~ Chris

From the river of His pleasures

A sober minded people, set apart for us

Numbers 6:2-4 (OT)
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink;


Amos 2:11-13 (OT)
I raised up some of your sons as prophets, And some of your young men as Nazirites. Is it not so, O you children of Israel?” Says the LORD. “ But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, And commanded the prophets saying, ‘ Do not prophesy!’ “Behold, I am weighed down by you, As a cart full of sheaves is weighed down....

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Jesus, our Nazirite, who we caused to take a strong and bitter drink
Matthew 2:23 (NT)
“He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Luke 22:17-19 (NT)
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

Proverbs 31:4-6 (OT)
Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

Psalm 69:21 (OT)
They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

John 18:10-12 (NT)
So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Psalm 51:6-8 (OT)
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice

John 19:29-30 (NT)

Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”

1 Corinthians 11:26 (NT)
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

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the wine of confusion or of peace
Proverbs 4:17 (OT)
For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.

1 Corinthians 10:21 (NT)
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

Psalm 60:3 (OT)
You have shown Your people hard things; You have made us drink the wine of confusion.

1 Peter 5:8 (NT)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

1 Corinthians 14:32-34 (NT)
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

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Who we are in Christ

1 Peter 2:9 (NT)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Psalm 135:4 (OT)
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Psalm 36:8 (OT)
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

~SOBRIETY OF MIND AND SOUL~

Beloved, you are called to be different. A peculiar people. Jesus, our Nazirite, drank from the cup meant for us, so that we could taste freedom instead of death. If you grasp that truth, you will no longer be under the bondage of evil. Say yes to Jesus, and live life to the fullness of all God desires in you.... come and drink from the river of His pleasures.

~Chris