Does your voice smile?

Actions that can just make some one's day are often just a few simple words of encouragement. Simple having a big impact, it must be a God thing. It seems to be a requirement for all checkers to say, "Have a nice day." Some say it with enthusiasm and others just mumble it as they hand you the receipt. Do you ever respond back? A little positive feedback can make a long shift bearable.

Ever tied to put a smile in your voice? It really makes a difference how people respond to you. Some people just seem to do it naturally, I love talking to those people. Then there are people like me who have to work at it. I don't intentionally try to sound angry, but unless I think about smiling I usually come across as not happy, or so I have been told. So join me and put a smile in your voice especially when others can't see your facial expressions.

EVIL

The shootings at VT this morning were terrible. Why would someone do this? I am sure we will hear from many, many pseudo-experts and maybe even some real experts in the coming days. I am sure they will come-up with many reasons, but with the shooter dead we will most likely never know for sure.

I hope people, including myself, remember the sorrow and agony of the families and friends of those who lost loved ones, and not get caught up in the media circus that is bound to happen.

There is evil in the world, but that doesn't mean the world or the things and people in it are evil in and of themselves. We need to remember that God created this world and its people, and at the completion He said, "It is very good." There is an evil force, which we often call the devil, that is trying to destroy God's creation and the men and women who live here. God's plan for overcoming evil was carried out when Jesus defeated that evil force at the cross with the resurrection. Evil still lingers but it is on its way out. I like the course of action N.T. Wright suggests, " believers are to implement the achievement of the cross and anticipate God's promised future world, where there will be no evil." He has a great book called "Evil and the Justice of God."

May those affected by today's tragedy find the peace of the God of comfort.

Peace be with you

On Sunday we read about the resurrection from the gospel of John, and one phrase just reached out grabbed me. I don't know how many times I have read John chapter 20, but this time it was like I was reading it for the first time. The phrase that has stayed with me is "Peace be with you." According to John, Jesus says this three times on two different occasions. Considering the situation and circumstances, this phrase seems perfect. There they are, hiding behind locked doors, waiting for the banging on the door that will announce the arrival of soldiers to haul them away.

But Jesus appears saying "Peace be with you." What a relief. The disciples were overjoyed. Jesus repeats himself, "Peace be with you." They needed that. A week later, with Thomas there this time, Jesus appears again and begins with, "Peace be with you."

This is a phrase, "Peace be with you," that I need to hear often, and probably more than I realize. Peace is a comfort, and such a beautiful concept. To be at peace makes everything around you more enjoyable. The opposite of peace is fear, and anger, and hate. They can suck the beauty right out of any circumstance. Paul says he was content in any and every situation and I believe it was because of the peace that was in his heart from knowing Jesus.

I want to know Jesus better, so I can enjoy the peace that passes understanding. How about you?