How Do You Find Rest and Peace? By Sandi Somers

 

Image by Reddit.com

The story is told of a contest in which the artists were to paint “perfect peace”. Of the many paintings submitted, the judge liked only two. One picture was of a calm lake, perfectly mirroring peaceful towering mountains and a blue sky.

The other picture was of a dark angry sky filled with flashes of lightning. Down the side of the mountain gushed a foaming waterfall. Peering closely, the judge noticed behind the surging water a tiny bush. There a mother bird sat secure on her nest. The judge chose this picture. “Because,” he explained, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.” *

Don’t we long for peace and rest, free from heavy responsibilities and worries? Time to relax and renew our spirits? God does give us these needed times. Even Jesus told His disciples: “Let us go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31).

However, Scriptures focus more on resting amid storms and burdens. “Come to Me, all you who are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest,” Jesus said (Matthew 11:28).

How can we find that rest?

I can sometimes get tied in knots with worry. Several years ago I was pressured with too many duties and worried about how I would accomplish everything. My devotional reading one morning mentioned a woman who felt the same way—pressured, worried, and exhausted. The Lord whispered to her, “It's not all the work that’s wearing you down, it’s your worries.” (I don’t remember the wisdom or advice God gave her.)

I went on my prayer walk, knowing full well that God didn’t need to remind me of my worries. But what would He say? Hardly had I gone two blocks when He quietly outlined the next steps to break down my projects into manageable pieces. I walked home refreshed and began tackling the next things. I discovered that when we bring our worries to God, He gives us His word: a promise or direction or how to restfully handle our dilemmas. And then we can go on.

Several InScribe bloggers last year also gave us an insight into their agitated spirits and how they found rest and peace.

Sharon Espeseth shared what God was teaching as she cared for her husband. “We may not have all the answers about Hank’s ill health, but we are thankful for what we have.” And then Sharon listed eleven points for praise and thanks—(a “must-read”)! She knew then that giving thanks clears our minds from debilitating fear of the unknown and gives us patience and a rested heart.

 When Alan Anderson chose “Rest” for his word of 2020, he posed the question: “What is the answer to all this weariness, this reality of being ‘heavy laden?’ Is there an answer?”

 Later in the year he wrote that he was tired, tired, tired. Admitting his weariness, the Lord’s gentle words reminded him of his deep need for Jesus’ promised rest. “This is not an elusive emotional longing, but a stated result of an honest heart after God,” he added. As a writer, Alan found emotional healing and rest when he wrote, giving hope to others in their own grief and hardship. Alan illustrated the principle that doing something engaging and interesting releases our minds and bodies from weariness and tensions. Endorphins pour into our bodies and bring about euphoria and well-being. They help us relax, release energy and productivity. And then we can move forward, fulfilling part of God’s purposes for us.

Pam Mytroen shared: “The stress from my job and family situations had been building like black angry clouds, and swirling into tornadoes of anxiety. After much prayer, the Lord showed me that I was trying to meet everyone's expectations, which was impossible. He showed me that I needed a new mind-set.”

She began to stop thinking about the “what ifs” of job difficulties, to let go of unrealistic expectations, to accept that she can't be perfect and please everyone, to stop worrying about her family, and to be thankful instead. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), Paul said. Brain science is now catching up to what God told us those millennia ago—developing new patterns of thinking regrooves the brain and nervous system with new patterns. But it takes time. Pam added,“Switching one set of thoughts for another takes self-discipline. I am amazed at the freedom and the space in my mind that was once taken up by stress and anxiety.” 

My prayer for you is that you’ll discover Jesus’ rest from worries, tiredness, and people’s expectations. Rest to a new mindset, thankfulness, and new steps in God’s purposes for you.

 What is it for you?

How has the Lord come to you when you’ve been burdened? What has he taught that you can pass on to others who are careworn?

Or perhaps now you’re struggling with an issue and the Lord is challenging you to enter into rest (Hebrews 4:11). What are you learning?

How do God’s promises in Matthew 11:28-30 (or other scriptures/insights) give you peace and rest in what you have faced and/or are facing?

Tell us your story.

 

(*Note: This story of a mother bird on her nest in a storm is only one of a number of variations I’ve read.)  

New Memories of "Silent Night" by Pamela Mytroen

by Pamela Mytroen

 

How will Christmas 2020 be remembered? One thing is certain – the fruitcake won't follow the traditional recipe this year. We will make new traditions. Think about the usual Christmas program in church. You know, the same one every year where the children dress up in bathrobes and carry old vases found in the church basement for frankincense, gold, and myrrh. The one where the toddlers are more fascinated with the lights than with singing "Away in a Manger". 

The one where the kids forget their lines. Yes, that one. And finally when the chaos was over,  Moms and Sunday School directors heaved a sigh of relief and looked forward to that  “sleep in heavenly peace”. And then, a quiet awe would settle as we sang “Silent Night”. It brought us all together in wonder of that first Christmas. Those church nativities are so endearing, now that they are beyond our reach, and will forever be precious. 

 

And what about this? Will it ever happen again? I'm thinking of when my husband - a child at the time - sang "Silent Night" in his Christmas concert in a tiny church. All the children stood on stage, holding lit candles. This was, of course, back before we knew that these things were dangerous and we were not yet enlightened. He was so focused on the words of the song that he didn't think about the lovely young girl standing just in front of him, with long luscious locks. Nor did he smell the burnt hair as she fainted and fell back into his candle. 

When he did realize it, though, he quickly clobbered her with his book, repeatedly, until he smothered the flames. And of course when the crew dragged her off stage, he re-joined the chorus heartily, “All is calm, all is bright.” Though "Silent Night" was not so silent, the message remained the same, and a new version was forever burned into memory.  

 

The song continues to make memories today. Instead of singing our carols as a choir in church, we thought we should sing to the seniors of a care home. 

We carolled outside their windows, with our masks on, on an icy driveway, spaced far apart. 

How strange to look at each other through a cold glass 

window! 

But inside, they waved and blew kisses to us. They clapped to the rhythms and moved to the tunes in their wheelchairs. 

 

Though it felt cold, sterile and distant, we sensed the warmth of Emmanuel, God with us. 

We discovered that glass and mask barriers cannot hold back joy and peace. 

Darkness did not prevent a spontaneous dance to “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”. And, though not holding a candle on a stage, we still pray that we imparted light and hope to those who are cut off from loved ones and from the usual events that give them a sense of stability. 

 

What about the first coming of Jesus? Talk about breaking with tradition! There was nothing traditional about a baby born of a virgin. Or about lowly shepherds being visited by illustrious angels! How bizarre! And how about the Star that guided mysterious wisemen to seek out a newborn King?  

 

What was traditional and routine, unfortunately, was that Herod and all of Jerusalem were troubled. The Roman authorities and the religious leaders continued to make life desperate and burdensome for the people. These were the everyday traditions of their lives. The people had waited four-hundred years for a Saviour. And He came – “the dawn of redeeming grace” - in one of the most troubled times in history, and in a most unconventional way. His birth, surrounded by farm animals, in a small, insignificant town seemed too humble and too different. 

 

How dare God show up in a way we hadn't expected!

 

Jesus continues to surprise us. He visited us outside on a cold night, while we stood near a window, wearing a mask, croaking out carols for our dear seniors.

 No children on stage. No candles. Not even any burning hair. Definitely not any heavenly hosts singing Alleluia. And yet, this has been one of the most life-changing carol singings I have experienced. Jesus came humbly to our little group of singers. Emmanuel, God was with us! And "Silent Night" with its timeless message, once again made new memories. This time during the unexpected happenings of 2020. 

Pam Mytroen

 

Bread Brings us Home by Pamela Mytroen

 

It’s amusing to discover what humanity holds dear when the sand shifts beneath our feet and we scramble, searching for solid ground on which to stand. Certainly the charade of ‘Charmin’ hoarders comes to mind, but have you also noticed that flour and yeast are in short supply? We turn to the basics, the things that speak comfort and security, and what could be more universally comforting than bread? Whether rye or sourdough, Nann bread or challah, flatbread or bannock, tortilla, or pretzels, hardtack, lavash, bagel, or taboon, gluten-free or traditional, we find our rhythm as we mix and stir. During this season we are folding and rolling, gathering and kneading, around and around. The yeasty aroma swirls about the kitchen and out the door, beckoning all who hunger. Bread brings us home. And when we gather to eat, we long to be filled and satisfied. Do we realize how broken we are? Do we see ourselves collapse at the table? Do we get a glimpse of how we cannot even crawl through another day without nourishment to heal and strengthen us?  

I remember walking home from school and the yeasty aroma of fresh bread invited me, enticed me, up the driveway and into our home. The poorest of peasants is the richest of kings sitting at a table before a slice of my mom’s bread, slathered with butter and raspberry jam. Or thick cream, spooned from a quart sealer, dolloped on a steaming slice and topped with a spoonful of brown sugar. 

It is simple fare, easy to make, with a few ingredients, and satisfies the most basic nutritional need. Every culture depends on some type of grain that at the very least keeps them alive and provides a daily rhythm of feeding their souls and finding sustenance, and at the very most is styled into an elegant glazed and breaded design fit for a queen on her wedding day. 

But at its beginning, bread was never intended to be fancy, but food, just food for the famished and for the family. How like Jesus. Jesus never came to be admired, but to be broken. He is for the body and the soul. He said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty” John 6:35 NLT. 

Jesus, like bread, claims to be foundational and essential for every culture and every people group. He is not fancy, but simple; not costly, but free. “You who have no money, come buy and eat! . . . Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy?” Isaiah 55:1 NIV.  He is not gourmet but oh so satisfying. 

My mom always wanted the crust of the bread. I don’t know if she was being thoughtful and allowing us to have the softer more pillowy slices, or if she really liked the crumbly crust, but Jesus is like that, as humble and unassuming when He calls Himself the Bread of Life. He could have called Himself Chicken Parmigiana or White Fish Provencal, but instead he compares himself to what would have been like the little boy’s offering of five small loaves – almost overlooked. In his listener’s minds he was a portable lunch you tossed your child as he ran out the door. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich after school. Fare to strengthen an army, durable for every road travelled, and tough enough to last the winter. An everyday constant taken for granted. Oh how humble is our gentle Jesus, and yet what a delight He is. We feast on His loving kindness. We survive only by His lavish grace. “How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world” Psalm 31:19 NLT. 

“In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavishedon us” Ephesians 1:7 NIV. 

Unadorned is the loaf that sits central on a table scarred by the trials and tragedies of its people. They come desperate, and the bread will see them through. There is no other way to take that which saves us from certain death; we must come starving if we want to be filled.  We live and breathe by grace alone, through the gut-cleansing fibre of forgiveness, which washes from us the cancers of our soul. 

This Easter I remember my Lord, broken for me. My sin crushed Him. There was no other way that I could be made whole. I stumble Home now, to that scarred table, and I take Jesus. I come desperate for forgiveness, starving for grace, and I stay for the Feast. I never want to leave, for He, the Bread, brings me back to Life.  

“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me,’ ” Luke 22:19 NLT. 

by Pamela Mytroen

Fall Contests!

Fall Contest 2018 is opening soon. This is an opportunity for you to refine your work, get feedback from a judge/professional writer, and maybe win a cash prize.

Here are the categories you can enter:

            Devotional – Up to 300 words, including scripture.

            Poetry – Any style, up to 40 lines

            Nonfiction Essay to Conference theme, “The Art of Words”, up to 1500 words

            Adult Fiction – Any genre, up to 1250 words

            Songwriting – Any genre, MP3 recording & 1-2 pages lyrics with chords

Judges are chosen from professional writers and will provide feedback according to a set of marking guidelines called rubrics. It is to your advantage to look these over before you write your piece. They are specific for each category, and will help refine your writing. For example, one of the criteria on the rubrics is Format. If you follow the correct format, you will be awarded 5 marks. The 2018 rubrics will be posted on the website. Keep checking for them.  

Several contestants last year were really encouraged with their helpful critiques. A couple members share below: 

"I entered the Children's Easy Read - a category and genre I have never attempted to write. I anticipated the critique because I really wanted to learn from the judge’s comments about what I still needed in this new venture. I was not disappointed." (Carol Harrison)

When I ask for critique, I want more than a pat on the shoulder. The judge who offered comments on my contest entry gave me good critique, the kind that pushes me to improve. If I don’t know what I have missed or where I have written poorly, it’s very hard to know how to improve it! I appreciate the judge who trusted me with what I need.” (Pat Gerbrandt)

The deadline to send your entries is September 1^st, 2018, and you will email your entries in an attached Word document to contests@inscribe.org

Our Fall Contest 2018 Guidelines and Entry Form are being updated. Go to www.inscribe.org and select the “Contests” tab. Keep checking the website until you see the guidelines for 2018.

There is lots of time yet, so try writing several entries, and explore a new genre. You might surprise yourself with how much you like it! Have fun writing! We look forward to seeing everyone’s unique ideas.

Do you have questions? Please contact the contest coordinator at contests@inscribe.org

Pam Mytroen

Up and Out of the Easy Chair by Pamela Mytroen

Are you considering a daunting project? Afraid to exit your comfort zone? The worst part is thinking about it and wallowing in fear.

Three fears I face as I consider proposing a column for our newspaper: 

1). I am afraid that people will think I am being self-important, self-aggrandizing, or just plain weird. I am afraid I will lose their respect and friendship.

2). I am afraid that I will not honour God or help anyone.

3). I am afraid that I will fail.

Three Questions to understand fear

1). Why am I considering this project? Is it to hammer somebody over the head with truth, to showcase a shiny talent, or is it to bring light to darkness, and a stream to the desert?

2). Will this honour God? Does it line up with Scripture? Will it help people? In what way will it help people spiritually, practically, emotionally, intellectually, or socially?  

3). How will I recognize failure and/or success? Failure happens when we do not reach our goals (or when we do not learn anything from not having met our goals!).  

Eight Steps to help me move forward: 

To envision success, we need to set some goals. For example, here are my goals if I would like to propose a column in my newspaper:

A)   Pray and read God’s Word for wisdom and guidance. Write it down.

B)   Write three sample columns, about 350 words each that will bring light, truth, hope and a little humour to the readership.

C)   Share them with three godly people to get feedback. Do they affirm or not? Adjust writing based on feedback.

D)   Set a date to have seven more columns finished (Kathleen Gibson suggested I write a total of ten to show my editor) and a date to propose the column with the editor.

            F) Write seven more columns and a proposal. Meet with the editor, and                            adjust writing based on feedback.   

            G) Publish

            H) Evaluate based on feedback.  Did readers learn any godly truth? Did they feel enlightened or more hopeful?

            I) Continue praying, reading God’s Word, and writing, based on the feedback. 

             

Once I look at my goals, I see that the daunting task can be taken one step at a time.  Like Sandy Somers said in an earlier blog, the first step to see a harvest is to set the plow in the ground. I can do that. I can start with one step.

How do you feel when you consider an intimidating project? What steps help you move from the easy-chair to the battlefield?

Pam Mytroen

Stretching for Atrophied Writing Muscles - Pamela Mytroen

I've been on a mission to get some of our former contributors to do guest posts this year. In many ways, it's like these contributors never left. Here is a 'guest' post by Pamela Mytroen. Enjoy! 

Have to admit, I'm a wimp. I shy away from reading or writing non-fiction because it forces me to take a close-up look at my life and I don't always like what I see. Ever wear those little make-up glasses and see all the wrinkles on your face as you are applying eye-shadow? Yeah, I stay away from those too. Who needs to be reminded of your own mortality? Writing is like that for me. It exposes the scary stuff in my life. 

But I have to write truth. I must address what I see happening in society. I can't walk away from the blind people at the edge of the cliff. God and I have had a few conversations about this "calling", and I remind Him often that I am not equipped to point out the downward trends of our broken world - it depresses me. I am not brave enough to take on the powers of darkness - it scares me silly. And I am not strong enough to be transparent about my current heartbreaks - they crush me. Yet I cannot get away from the constant niggle in my noggin that I must write about these issues. It follows me everywhere and meets me before I get there - this notion that I will regret these years if I don't fight the fight, and that my little sprinkling of salt needs to be shaken out out of me. It just might create a thirst for Living Water. 

Forgive me, but it just hurts so much to write and now my writing muscles have atrophied because writing is so much more than a clatter of words on a keyboard - it is all about surrender. It is putting on the glasses, facing my downfalls, my 'wrinkles', and allowing God to have His way. I still feel intimidated by my own fear and shortcomings but God is gently working on me. It appears that He has not given up on me and now He's telling me to start stretching. 

This is my goal, therefore, for 2016: I will stretch as far as the first two letters, S and T. 

I will Show up and I will Trust. That is a stretch for a seized pen. I plan to Show up to my long-neglected blog at least once every week, and I Trust that God will meet me there. I am not prepared to fight any great fights or wield any amazing words or expose the disappointing details of my life, but I will show up and Trust that God will enable me to spell out life, and light, and shake me up just enough to sprinkle a little salt on the page. 

And if I see the wrinkles or shake with fear, at least I will be in a community of Truth-Seekers and Salt-Shakers. Maybe they will help me keep that posture of Surrender as I begin Stretching once again. 

Check out my blog at pamelamytroen.com and see if I am showing up!

Pam Mytroen

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If Pam could spend all day in her kitchen baking pies, brownies, and making turkey dinner for friends, she would. But Murray Pura once told her to write first and then bake—advice that she is trying to stick with these days, except, of course, when her grandchildren stop in for milk and cookies.