Pickle Heaven Press-James R. Johnson

something to help you laugh and think about life with Christ

Tag: Hebrews 12:14

earth in pieces — December 7, 2022

earth in pieces

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One of the most puzzling promises ever made was uttered on that first Christmas morn.  A multitude of heavenly hosts hovered over the shepherds of Bethlehem celebrating the birth of the Christ child.  They sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  Luke 2:14 – KJV  

Peace on earth?  Today it’s more like earth in pieces!   Sabers are rattling all over the globe and our political leaders are devouring one another.  Pushing people off subway platforms has become a sport.

I work with people for a living.  I would estimate that probably half of those with whom I work have one or more family members that are alienated from them.  Where is the peace on earth of which the angels sang?

It may be in Kermit West Virginia! 

Back in my days at Bible College my wife and I represented the school by singing at various constituent churches.  On this particular Sunday morning we were headed to a Church in Kermit. 

Kermit is buried in the hills of Mingo County on the banks of the Tug Fork River – the border between West Virginia and Kentucky. 

It is the part of the country where some churches invite snakes into their worship services.  Oh joy!

It is also the region known as the battlefield of an infamous family feud.  This is where the Hatfields of West Virginia, waged a prolonged war with the McCoys of Kentucky. 

The first bushwhacking took place in 1865 at the hands of a Hatfield.  Retaliation took place in 1878 when a Hatfield was murdered for his testimony in court.  In 1882 there was dispute over a fiddle.  One McCoy died and 3 Hatfields were tied to a tree and executed.  The feud continued for 25 years, leaving behind 12 graves.

So, I wondered, “What kind of church would I find in Kermit?”  Would we be met at the door by Jed Clampett and his shotgun?  Do they use moonshine for Communion?  Will a McCoy be invited to handle a snake?

We arrived and entered the building and were warmly greeted by everyone that saw us.  In talking with the various church members, it was clear that this was a high-quality church.  They majored on the majors and reflected biblical truth in every way.

I was not surprised to meet several Hatfields there, but I was stunned to meet some McCoys.  The church sat on real estate that once separated the two warring families – but in this church the families were now joined in sweet fellowship.

I was genuinely amazed at the way the Gospel had erased the inbred bitterness.  This was a congregation that genuinely loved one another and their loved spilled over the banks of the Tug Fork. 

On the walls in the foyer were pictures of missionary families.  These families were fanned out across the globe to reach tribes and nations for Jesus.  The church financially and prayerfully supported those missionaries.  Formally feuding families were reaching the families of the world. 

Peace all over the place – the kind that the angels had in mind.  It’s a wonderful thing and we need more of it. 

The Scripture says, “we love because He first loved us.”  I wonder if we could also say, “we make peace because He first made peace with us.”  Peace begins with Jesus but needs to be distributed to those around us.

It’s an obligation in fact.  Hebrews 12:14 says, “Pursue peace with everyone.”  We may not always catch peace, but we can sure pursue it.   Because we have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), it is easier to do.  Dead folks don’t have ego issues. 

So, think on that person with whom you need to make peace and be the first one to say, “Hey I am sorry.” 

A PRAYER: Lord this Christmas Season may we lay aside the pride and help others experience peace on earth!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

clog remover (reconciliation part 2) — October 19, 2021

clog remover (reconciliation part 2)

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I figured out why bagpipers are always walking when they play?   They are trying to get away from the noise.   Most of us prefer peace to pipes – especially in our relationships with one another. 

But we are messy human beings and relational conflict is an unpleasant byproduct.  And when conflict comes, we are tempted to find peace by walking away. 

But Scripture points us in a different direction.  In Hebrews 12:14 we read, “Pursue peace with everyone.”  When we are at odds with someone, we need to engage them in ways that lead to peace – to the putting away of the hostilities.

This is how this looked in my life. 

I was working as a maintenance man for an apartment complex.   A tenant called our old landline.  It was a single elderly lady with the last name Knight. 

Her drain was clogged, and she demanded that it be fixed asap for she was cooking for a male friend that evening.  My wife told her that I wasn’t at home but would be there as soon I arrived, which I did. 

I knocked.  She appeared with a scowl.  I was too late! Her friend had come.  She slammed the door.

The next day I went over and tried to fix it again.  She opened the door as far as the chain would allow – and told me to leave.

She called the owner and demanded my termination – said she was afraid of me because of my long hair.  This was after I had cut off 2 feet of it.  

This was so wrong.  My redheaded temper was at a boil.

However, I understood my obligation to “Pursue peace with everyone.”  I was aware that the way I handled life caused others to move to or away from Jesus.  Plus, this lady was still my responsibility as a tenant.

So, I tried to apologize.  I knocked on her door – she opened it and slammed it.  I called her on the phone, “Mrs. Knight this is Jim….click.”   I endured 2 weeks of this hostility and it was eating me alive.

So I decided to write her a letter – something she couldn’t hang up on or slam in my face.  I wrote, “I am very sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.  I came as soon as I was aware.  I also understand that you are afraid of me because I have long hair.  I am a Christian and my impact on others is important to me, so I am getting my hair cut today.  I hope I have the opportunity to serve you in the future.” 

My hair was cut, and the note sent.  No doubt she received it and saw me walking around the complex with my new buzz job. 

Two weeks later we got a second call from Mrs. Knight.  She said, “I learned today that I have diabetes and unfortunately I have a freezer of food that I can’t eat anymore.  Would you all like to have it?”

We went to her apartment and watched her cram several bags with food.  We then followed her up the stairs, until she suddenly stopped, turned and spoke.  “I will give you this – on one condition.”   “Yes maam, what’s that?”  She said, “That you forgive me for being such an old bag?” We did.

How wonderful it was that evening, to know that the conflict was over.  The churning in my gut was gone.  My enemy had become a friend – a good friend.  She took my wife and I out for steak dinners on 2 different occasions.   

This all took place when I was 23.  It was a watershed experience for me.  I have used this approach countless times since to rebuild broken bridges with people.  

“Pursue peace with everyone.”  When we are in conflict with someone, we need to engage them in ways that lead to peace. 

Are you walking away from a key relationship because of conflict?  Turn around and with God’s grace, pursue peace. 

A PRAYER: Lord we are all different, help us understand what steps we need to take in the pursuit of peace. 

This has been Jim Johnson with pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.