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Father, you have given me the peace of God that passes all understanding.  May I rest in it by your grace.   “Tell me,” the officer said.  “If you could have one thing in the world, what would it be?”  I was a high school senior sitting in a chair in the Air Force ROTC office at Kansas University. I wore a fancy suit, and the officer was interviewing me as part of the application process for an ROTC scholarship. “Peace of mind,” I said. I don’t think he was expecting that answer.  He looked too surprised.  Nonetheless, I did…

Father, I have in Christ the hope of glory.  Hallelujah!  When I was a boy, I always looked forward with great anticipation to Christmas.  I still do.  Maybe I am still a boy (my wife says it is so), but Christmas is such a special time. I was talking with a guy at work last week.  He and his wife are looking forward to a trip to Europe this summer, and we talked about their plans.  Because I rub elbows with so many in the university, I often encounter people looking forward to graduation or to the beginning of their…

Father, praise you for the inner power of joy that flows in me through Christ and through Christ alone. I proposed to Leanne at Christmas.  I was actually sick at the time and felt miserable, but when she said “yes,” my misery didn’t matter.  I rejoiced, and my mom threw a big dinner party to celebrate.  Later we had children.  Upon receiving news that we were pregnant with child #1 and then #2, and then #3, we called our friends and family because we couldn’t help it.  We were elated.  And nine months later, when Charissa, Matthew, and Rebekah were…

Father, by Your great grace, grant me an all-consuming love for Christ, a love that transforms not just my feelings but my life.    Everyone wants love, but few ever find it.  We talk about it.  We sing songs about it.  We write poetry about it.  We give seminars on it.  But much of what we call love is more like emotional candy.   Jesus speaks of love.  He says that love for God is the greatest commandment.  When He says this, He is not talking about the passions of a brief fling or the indulgence of earthly pleasure.  Indeed, the…

Lord, you test my heart by putting me under authority.  I wrestle with obedience.  But you are gracious.  Grant me a heart willing to yield to You above all and to those you have put over me.   Sometimes American movies can be predictable. A typical plotline goes something like this. A powerful authority perpetuates some injustice — let’s say racial discrimination. A common person gets caught up in the injustice and wants to change it. This person then stands proudly defiant against a corrupt system or a powerful leader, experiences many struggles, but in the end prevails. Events vindicate…