Go in PEACE

“Make me an instrument of your peace.”

- St. Francis of Assisi

This morning was one of those rare occasions where I got to sleep in. Ahhhhh... gotta love a three day weekend! As I laid in bed, enjoying the morning peace, I began to hear the sound of sirens break through the quiet. They continued for quite a while and I realized it must have been the start of a Memorial Day Parade taking place just a few streets away... a gentle reminder of the reason behind my “day off.” Our PEACE is not “free,” someone has paid the price - lives have been sacrificed for me, for you, for our country. I said a prayer of thanks!

I was reminded of the following quote from Hafsat Abiola, “Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are.”

Hafsat Abiola is a writer and an activist who works to promote women, youth, and democracy in her home country of Nigeria, and around the world. She is the founding member of several initiatives including Global Youth Connect, Youth Employment Campaign, and Vital Voices: Women in Democracy. Hafsat is also the Executive Director of the Kudirat Initative for Democracy, KIND, which runs a program that offers leadership training to 750 young women across Nigeria each year. She is a woman that is creating a world of peace, "that supports everyone.”

If we look around, we can find many faces of PEACE... the military who serve our country ... the government who monitors relations and seeks to establish laws ... the police in our communities that keep up safe ... the missionaries that offer God’s peace to others ... the “peacemakers” within our own families. The list could go on and on. In one way or another, we are all responsible for being "keepers of PEACE."

Yesterday at church we had a Commissioning Service for members who will be serving in the mission field over the summer. One young woman is leaving today, heading to Kenya to work in children’s homes near Nairobi, as well as the slums of Mathare. Another person is taking on a leadership role for a team heading to Bethlehem, Israel. Our Youth Ministry will be running summer camps for kids and doing a variety of community service projects. These are just a few of the ways people have chosen to make a meaningful difference, bringing peace and God’s love to the lives of others.

The wonderful thing is that when we serve others, some of God’s grace spills into our lives. My prayer today...  As our military seeks peace for our country, God’s peace will wash over them and they will feel comforted, safe and loved.

Today, take time to give thanks!
Go in Peace, and Serve the Lord, Donna Weaver

“Peace cannot be achieved through violence,

it can only be attained through understanding.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Race Is On

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses
to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down….
And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

– Hebrews 12:1-2

The 100th Indianapolis 500 Race will take place this Sunday, May 29th at 12 pm (coverage begins at 11 am ET). I am so excited because this year’s pace car will be driven by one of my all time favorite race car drivers... four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, A. J. Foyt. I have to admit, racing is in my blood. My grandfather was a race car driver (before Foyt’s career even began). And my mom raced quarter-midgets at the East Coast fairgrounds. Watching the Indy 500 was (and still is) a Memorial Day tradition in our family.

Alex Tagliani will hold the Indy pole position for this year’s race and is the first Canadian to do so. In an interview during race week, he said that next to his family and faith, racing is what drives him each morning. It’s great to hear another sports person speak out about their faith.

Did you know that the racing community has its own ministry?

IndyCar Ministry, the official chaplain program of the IndyCar Series holds both non-denominational and Catholic services each weekend on the race circuit. Their mission is to minister through the IndyCar Series, which includes four different series' – the IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, the Star Mazda Series, and the USF2000 Series. They minister to all of those in the racing community, which includes drivers, teams, officials, safety personnel, and even the media. They also reach out to the fans in various ways, sharing the love of Christ. Their ministry is funded through donations made by churches, corporations, individuals and some race teams.

Gentlemen, start your engines! This command will be heard by drivers and fans alike at the start of this year’s Indy 500. On command, 33 finely tuned engines will begin to roar.

How tuned are our engines? Just like the cars that will hit the track in Indiana, we need certain things to keep us running the race before us. You might be asking, “What exactly is our race?” As Christians, we are running a spiritual race. Philippians 3:14 tells us “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” The drivers in the Indy 500 prepare their minds, bodies and cars ahead of time. They need to pace themselves for the race that lies ahead. We too need to prepare ourselves through prayer, and studying and reading God’s Word daily. We need to seek God’s peace and pace ourselves, because just like 500 miles at Indy, our race is not easy either. We may experience delays, bumps in the road, or even near accidents, but perseverance is key to winning the race. We need to stay focused on the checkered flag – Jesus Christ will be waiting for us at the finished line.

It’s Friday, Let’s Sparkle... Action Required...  School is almost over and Vacation Bible School is just around the corner. I recently read an article about a VBS program called "Rev It Up!" The racing theme is based on 1st Corinthians 15:57 -- "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." What a great message for children, letting them know that God provides us with victory through his son Jesus Christ.   In racing terminology, if we are going to stand in the winner’s circle of life, Jesus will be the one to help us get there.

Do you have young children? Be sure to check out the Bible School programs in your area. While you’re at it, why not volunteer to help out.

Are your children all grown up? What better way to stay “young at heart” than volunteering to work with kids. Check out the volunteer opportunities at your church.

Some of the other Bible School themes this year include: PandaMania, Hometown Nazareth, SonSurf Beach Bash, and Jesus to the Rescue.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and stay safe.
Let’s go “racing” everyone...
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

"The crashes people remember,
but drivers remember the near misses."

- Mario Andretti