Second week in Advent

Second week in Advent
hope - PEACE - joy - love -light

Sorry for the hiatus- I didn't have MS Word on my computer for a few days and it took a while to get it re-installed. Monday I had promised to look closer at Philippians 4:6-7 and how you can deliberately, carefully condition your mind to receive Christ’s peace. Here goes:

“6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

~Philippians 4:6-7

It’s easy to say do not be anxious about anything, but it’s another to not be, right?

St. Paul tells us how to ease our anxiety in the very next breath- “in everything, present your requests to God, with thanksgiving.”
Prayer is the key to peace. Dr. Bob Orr, director of clinical ethics at Fletcher Allen Health Care, the teaching hospital for the University of Vermont reported that prayer brings a definite physiological benefit.
"I certainly encourage people who are believers to pray," Orr said. "My observation is the person who prays is less stressed. He becomes less anxious, and his blood pressure and pulse improve."

One study showed the risk of diastolic hypertension was 40 percent lower among those who studied the Bible daily and attended church weekly. Another study concluded that elderly heart patients were 14 times less likely to die after surgery if they found comfort in religious faith.
It’s a simple if-then proposition.

IF YOU BRING EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER WITH THANKSGIVING: then… THE PEACE WHICH PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING WILL GUARD YOUR HEART AND MIND.

Here’s a special Christmas song from one of my favorite Christmas movies, White Christmas, to help you remember Philippians 4:7...

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS (Instead of Sheep) by Irving Berlin

Both Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney had hit versions of this song from their 1954 1954 movie White Christmas. "Count Your Blessings" was the 11th song introduced by Bing to be nominated for an Academy Award.

When I'm worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting smallI think of when I had none at
all

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads

And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds

If you're worried and you can't sleep

Just count your blessings instead of sheep

And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads

And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds

If you're worried and you can't sleep

Just count your blessings instead of sheep

And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

Prayer:

Thank you, Jesus

For being the blessings you bring me, including peace.

Please grant peace to my friends and loved ones who don’t have it this Christmas.

Teach us to pray, Lord.

Teach us to leave our burdens at your feet and count our blessings.

I love You, Jesus, Amen.