I made a card for you.

Hello!

Welcome back to Connecting.  It is truly the busiest time of the year, so I am delighted that you took the time to see the card I made for you.

Please take a few more minute and read on.  I wanted to share with you what makes this card special to me.

The following is taken from a book designed to teach children the Names of Jesus.  This little book was included in a set of beautiful ornaments that each bear one of the names given to Him in Isaiah 9:6-7.  "...And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end."

"Peace without end is the longing of every human heart, but it cannot be found on earth.  No king has ever lived, even the most benevolent, who has ruled with perfect peace.  All kings are human, flawed, and prone to error.  But Jesus is named Prince of Peace.  This name brings the great promise of a life without conflict.  Only One who is divine, who is sinless, can rule with perfection.  His name is Jesus.
While we wait for His government on earth, we can still experience the peace Jesus offers: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27).  Later He added, "In Me you may have peace" (John 16:33).  He knew He was leaving and that His followers would feel abandoned and afraid, so Jesus promised them the assurance of much-needed peace.

It is both remarkable and comforting that Jesus can dwell within our frail humanity by His Spirit.  Even in our faults and failures, He can produce miraculous peace.  Does He live within your heart?  If He does, then no matter how difficult your circumstances, He can and will give peace that passes all understanding if you will ask.

One of the most loved hymns of the church, "It is Well with My Soul," was written by Horatio Spafford just months after all four of his daughters drowned when their ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean.  His wife was saved when a plank of wood floated beneath her unconscious body, keeping her from drowning.  Unimaginable grief must have overwhelmed Mr. Spafford.

On the journey to meet his wife, he wrote these words near the place where the ship sank: "When peace like a river attendeth my way,/When sorrows like sea billows roll/...Thou has taught me to say,/It is well...with my soul."  How was that possible?  Without the Prince of Peace it is not.  Only in Jesus can we say, "It is well with my soul."

May you know His peace and His love this Christmas and experience the joy that this knowledge brings!

Thanks for stopping by,
Suzanne