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Lots of us are familiar with the idea of the Stations of the Cross and using them to help us reflect upon Jesus’ passion. We worked with a similar idea but instead focused on the Resurrection as we continued our exploration of Jesus ‘I am’ sayings.

The evening started as always with coffee and cake and general catching up with each other before the evening was introduced. We were given the story of Jesus and Lazarus to read and then instructions for the evening.

Around the chapel were 14 stations. Each one had a Bible passage that led us from the discovery of the empty tomb through to the ascension. Along with the Bible passage were some of Si Smith‘s excellent illustrations from his ‘Raised in Leeds’ series (you can see the images set to music here, or order a set from proost). Each station also had…

As I wrote this title, I can’t help but reflect on the three Hebrews boys who were thrown into Fire, and came out un-burned. It’s a miracle! What a God! Who is that Mighty God?! It’s the same God yesterday, today and forevermore. THE I AM THAT I AM, THE PRINCE OF PEACE, THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE LIVING GOD. He is never slack concerning His promises and honors His Words at all times. 

St. John 16:33 reminds us what Jesus said, 

“These things have I spoken unto you, so that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Yes, we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. Yes, we have to take up our cross and follow Him. Yes, we will have tribulation in this world. Yes, sometimes we wish we didn’t have…

The above definition is from the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary. What I’m interested in today, though, is the biblical definition of peace.

I did a partial word-study on peace yesterday and found some things that I was expecting to find, those things that I remembered from previous study, the kind of feel good notions about this word:

I also, however, turned up some words of God that are less conducive to the always-inspirational Pinterest:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34

This verse was very uncomfortable to read, having just come out of my happy thoughts about how God gives peace. It’s scary, really, especially when you read the immediately following verses, 35-39.

Matthew 10 begins with the complete list of the 12 disciples Jesus called to Himself for His earthly ministry…

Located on the seashores of Amchit, Lebanon, is the Babel Bahr Lighthouse (pictured above). It points to one of the most renowned Lebanese restaurants in the Mediterranean. The lighthouse has a fully functional rotating light fixture, but it does not serve as an actual navigational aid because the area does not accommodate a deck for ships. It was built exclusively as part of the restaurant’s design. You might say that it is technically the welcoming door to fine cuisine and luxurious dining.

Although Babel Bahr means “door to the sea” in Arabic, the Lighthouse of Babel Bahr reminds me of the Tower of Babel. Babel, from the Hebrew word balal, meaning to jumble or to confuse, was the name given by God to a Babylonian city where the descendants of Noah had settled. Many of you may be familiar with the story, but for those who aren’t here is a short…