The Wonder of the All

Posted on by mikepeercy

It’s easy to get bogged down in the muck of the social conflict around us. This morning, I find myself reflecting upon the vast expanse of a three-letter word: all.

One element of the many debates storming and swirling around us is the over-application of this word. Generalizations about people of some lifestyle or another and hyper-application of stereotypes and prejudices are simply the norm on most every side of most every debate.

We are, it seems, bent on making blanket statements. But there is one that jumps out at me this morning. It is one absolutely perfect use of the word and its fullest, most complete understanding. It is the beautifully simple statement of John the Apostle who identified himself often as “the one whom Jesus loved.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

That word, “all,” is absolute. When we come to God and simply agree with Him about our failings – accepting that what He says is sin truly is sin – we are cleansed from ALL unrighteousness.

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A Boy and His Dream

Posted on by mikepeercy

This morning we did something that we’ve done a few times before. We took one of our kids to their next and most exciting adventure yet…and then drove away. It’s always hard, but this one was different.

My son Jon (about whom I have written before) is on his way to Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. In about four months he will come home and go to college. And, when he returns, he will be a different person – a different man – than the one that we hugged goodbye today.

I’m so excited for him. All of his life, from the time he could even formulate the words, he has wanted to be “an army guy.” He is living that dream – with all of the hardship and hurt and the exhilaration and adventure that goes with it.

And I’m anxious for him. He is away from friends and family. He will have very limited contact with any of us. And he will be pushed physically, mentally, emotionally, and probably spiritually like he has never been tested before.

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But I Do Speak Jesus

Posted on by mikepeercy

I’ve come to the end of my sixth day in Honduras. I’m not really any less awkward than when I got here at attempting to communicate, but what can I say? Yo MUCHO GRINGO?

Tonight we attended a worship service at a local evangelical church here in Santa Rosa. There was absolutely no English spoken by the worship leaders, pastor, or those voicing prayers.

And it was incredibly and disarmingly moving to me.

I’ve always be an advocate for the amazing power of music to cross cultural and language barriers, so to experience it here was tremendous. Honestly, I could have sat and just listened to the young lady that was leading the music without understanding a word she said. It was beautiful.

Continue reading But I Do Speak Jesus