Be Kind to One Another by Amanda Elder Silvers

It's been said that "It's a cruel, cruel world".  The older I get the more I find myself agreeing with this statement.  We seem to live in such a fast-paced society that I feel the "human" element of life often times gets lost in the hustle and bustle of each quickly moving day.  As a mother it seems that every moment of my day is planned before my feet even have a chance to hit the floor.  It's difficult to take time for the things we enjoy- a quiet cup of coffee, a moment in a favorite rocking chair, or a visit with our neighbor- when we seem to be on the go from sun up to sun down.  We live in a day of instant communication- text messaging, social networking, e-mails, etc.  Our generation is learning that instant gratification is not only possible, but very much expected.  We drive through a McDonald's and if we have to wait any longer than about 3 minutes for our meal of processed meat and greasy french fries we fall all too pieces.  Our days seem to be spent watching the proverbial clock.

In the rush of life, somewhere along the way, I think some people have forgotten the importance of nurturing our personal relationships.  We work at our jobs.  We work on our houses.  We work on our cars.  We work on growing our bank accounts.  We need to remind ourselves that our relationships with others require work as well.  The Bible is full of verses instructing us to be kind to those we know and even those we do not.

Eph. 4:32    
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Gal. 6:10
"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

As Christians it is imperative for us to remember that each of us were created equally and in His (God's) own image.  He didn't make any of us any more special or perfect than the other.  He loves each of us just the same.  I remember a few years ago a phrase was sweeping our country.  Everywhere you turned, it seemed, someone was talking about "paying it forward".  I loved this movement in our country.  The premise was that if everyone would practice even just ONE act of random kindness and then the person receiving the kind act would then "pay it forward" to someone else.... well, then we would literally be caught in a avalanche of kindness.  What a wonderful thought!  I read accounts of acts as simple as paying for the meal of the person at the drive through window behind you to major acts of kindness which went above and beyond anything one would expect.  The point of the exercise is that if we get used to treating others kindly and in turn being treated kindly ourselves we can move mountains.  I'd encourage each of you to put this exercise to the test today.  It doesn't have to be anything monumental.  It doesn't have to cost anything.  You can take a piece of paper and slide a note to someone telling them how much you love and appreciate them.

Today let's start showing kindness to its full capacity.  Let's think before we speak.  Let's love instead of judge.  I wish each of you a blessed day and weekend.   

How About a Heaping Dose of Kindness?

This week we are exploring the fruit of the Spirit called kindness.

At times, I have used a method to help me understand something.  I look at the opposite meaning of what I am trying to understand.

For instance, I see that the antonyms of kindness are cruelty, harshness and meanness.

I imagine that the Lord’s heart breaks, when the good news, of the Gospel of Love, is presented in a negative and skewed way. Scripture says that it is the kindness of God that brings a person to repentance. If the Lord’s heart is not breaking, He must be shaking His head, trying to figure out how people have misconstrued the truth of His message.

Perhaps, the following are some of the ways that you were presented as ways to understand God.  Even if that wasn’t the case for you, I am sure you can recognize ways in which Christianity is misrepresented.

1) Presenting God the Father as a vindictive and angry person
2) Saying that God’s main role is to catch you doing something wrong
3) Telling people that they have to reach unbelievable heights of perfection to deserve the Lord’s acceptance and love
4) Shaming people as a means for them to turn away from their sinful lifestyle
5) Publicly exposing sins, so that a person will feel naked and wrong in the sight of others
6) Expecting people to follow a long list of manmade rules and regulations
7) Telling people how to dress and wear their hair
8) Wrongly declaring that men are superior to women and are subject to men’s “made up” authority

I am sure that you could add your own to this list.

I don’t know about you, but scaring the bejeebes out of me would never be a method I would respond to.

Recently, I read about Josh Steven’s Foundation. It was started in memory of a young boy who died in a tragic accident. It seems that the quality that most people remembered about him was his kindness. So, as part of his legacy, his parents began this foundation/ministry. Through it, they offer a little card that reads “You’ve Been Caught Being Kind,” which includes a silicon bracelet wrapped around it that say’s “Be Kind…It’s the New Cool.”  The giver can present the card and bracelet to someone, especially a child, saying that they “caught” the child in the act of doing a kind thing”

His family thought up the idea, but doesn’t it sound so much like a “God idea”?

What if this was the way God worked? For every time we did a kind thing, He noticed and gave us a prize. I know it sounds simplistic and maybe even goofy, but I think the noticing and the award would go a long way. Try comparing that to what a shaming or an “I got ya’” attitude does.

Rather than make us feel…what the use is or believing that we will never measure up, we would feel good about taking the high road, when we showed kindness. Further, what if we showed kindness, to the people who deserve it the least? Perhaps we could get a double prize.

Is this an elementary way to think?  Perhaps it is, but God’s ways are sometimes so simple, yet very effective.

As a matter of fact, wasn’t it that realization of kindness that caused us to open the door of possibility to His invitation. Why? Because, it dawned on us, this Love was not anything like we expected.

I thank God, I had a group of ordinary women, who week after week, welcomed me into their midst with no “agenda” in mind, other than to show me love. Believe me; I was very aware that there were not the usual strings of expectations attached.

They provided the platform for the Holy Spirit to woo me into the Truth and subsequently into the Family of God.

Until that point, I avoided the God that I was scared of, by any means that I could. Sadly, He was presented to me as very angry and vindictive. And not only did I believe that He was that way, but other Christians seemed pretty judgmental too.

Why would anyone want a part of that?

But step by step…day by day…His kindness, through these women, broke through the dark clouds in my heart.

As Kindness sang a song of deliverance, I was able to fly out of the cage that held me prisoner for way too many years. Now, I too can sing a song declaring that the Lord is kind. It is a very sweet sounding tune indeed.

Linda Maynard
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Kindness as a Way of Life

Today I am writing about kindness, another fruit of the Spirit. Here are some thoughts that come to mind on the subject. It is the loving kindness of God that leads to repentance. Love is kind. Kindness is something I have ingrained in my children from the time they were toddlers at the hair pulling stage. “Be kind!” I said. I do believe the love of God in our hearts causes us to want to be kind. I know I have a hard time whenever I see someone being unkind, especially to children and animals. The Bible also tells us to be kind to all and not to show favoritism. It is easy to be kind to the select few to whom it is in your best interests to be kind, but a true Christian is kind to all and not just for show, but because he or she has kindness as a way of life.

The Cords of Human Kindness

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. ” Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend.

For the past few weeks, Kingdom Bloggers has been reviewing the gifts of the Spirit, according to Paul’s list in Galatians 5:22. Paul is distinguishing the authenticity of those who claim to be followers of Christ--those who truly have the power of the Holy Spirit should be exhibiting fruits like love, peace, patience and kindness. Earlier in his letter to the Galatians, Paul instructed these believers to “love your neighbors as yourself” (the Great Commandment, Matt. 22:37-39).

This week, we examine kindness. In the Greek, the transliteration of the word used for kindness is “chrestotes,” which means goodness, kindness, mercy: what is right. Kindness is always the “right thing.” The quote from Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend is, I think, an apt description of kindness--an effort to lighten the burdens of others.

Sometimes, that kind of effort means giving a smile and forbearance when a sharp word might be deserved; giving up a restful afternoon to instead help a friend in need; biting your tongue instead of criticizing. There are countless ways to show kindness. How often do we instead display the opposite?

“Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” Job 6:14

I have a friend with an amazing capacity for kindness toward animals--she foster-parents dogs that most of us would consider dangerous: pit bulls. The incidence of dangerous pit bulls, however, has more to do with the individual owner than inherent traits in the dog, and with breeders who deliberately try to create a more aggressive animal.  

What about people? Studies have shown that effects of abuse against children is cumulative--these precious ones experience more depression, mental health problems, suicide attempts, physical and emotional symptoms, and engage in more high-risk behaviors. 

“You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.” Job 10:12

Kindness (goodness, love and mercy) from adults toward children goes a long way in producing a stable, contented society. Just as cruelty to animals produces aggressive, defensive behaviors in them, so may cruelty and neglect produce children of its own kind.

I have some distinct memories from childhood of kindnesses shown: a relative praying over my injured hand, an aunt who loved to hang out with us, my grandmother slipping me some money to buy something I wanted, a teacher encouraging me in my creativity, my mom talking to me on the phone every day after school from work. Kindness builds cumulatively.

Kindness is not necessarily “niceness.” Sometimes the kindest thing is to be lovingly honest or direct, even when doing so may mean incurring the anger or wrath of the other person. God does that with us--it is His kindness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). He truthfully reveals to us our faults and failures, yet at that very same moment, tells us of His great love for us.

I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. Hosea 11:4

The Lesson of Long Suffering - by Amanda Silvers

A phrase that I find reoccurring in my communications with my friends of late is this, "We're never promised this is going to be an easy ride."  Boy howdy!  Now there's a statement I could write volumes about.

Long suffering is described as "patient endurance".  Patience is most definitely NOT one of my strongest virtues and endurance is something that I know the Lord has woven into the tapestry of my being.  Endurance isn't even an option or a choice.  It's a necessity.  As Christians we are promised in His Word that there is nothing too difficult or too tedious for us to walk through with His help.

Romans 8:28-29    
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

Most of us during our time here will experience certain life events which put our patience to the test.  A death, a divorce, a crisis.... it is in these moments that our feet are held to the fire and required to make a choice.  We can chose to crumble or pull the covers up over our heads and try to keep reality out as much as possible or we can pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and put one step in front of the other and move....even if it's slowly.... moving forward.

Another lesson that's come into play in my own life personally is this- there is only so much we are able to control with our human hands.  The big picture is in His hands.  We can waste time frustrated and running around trying to orchestrate and rearrange issues in our lives or the lives of others which we don't understand or agree with, but the truth is those efforts are futile.  It isn't our "control" which matters.  We didn't create the universe.  We aren't gifted with omniscient power and wisdom.  It is only a Most High God Who has perfect insight.  We are merely human.  We have trials.  Our instruction is to turn to Him during these times and trust that He is in control. 

Proverbs 19:21
"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us.  He has given us His Word, our instruction book on what to do when things feels too much or too unbearable. In what I imagine as a perfect world we would all live together in harmony.  We would help those who were suffering and love those who were struggling.  There would be no judgment and no condemnation.  We would realize that none among us is any more important or special than anyone else.  God views us all the same.  We were all created in HIS image.  Not just a few of us- of you- ALL of us.

My prayer is that each of you will have a wonderful week and weekend.  Take time to be quiet and listen to Him.  Turn your cares and concerns over to the Father and let Him carry your burden for you.  He wants to so much.  All we have to do is ask.  Be blessed!

Longsuffering? Can I Take a Pass on This Fruit of the Spirit?

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law
Galatians 5:22-23

If we read the Scripture text, the fruits of the Spirit are produced by the Spirit. Will it take effort from me? Yes…a yielding to the will of God. But, can I conjure up any of the fruits of the Spirit? No…no matter how much I push and try to control or produce anything myself, it ain’t gonna happen. Fruit happens by the Holy Spirit and is of the Holy Spirit.

I cringe when I hear people say, “Whatever you do, don’t pray for patience because the Lord is going to give you troubles” That makes God sound so vindictive. I don’t like that. Sounds like He is just waiting for that prayer, so He can “show us” a thing or two. Doesn’t sound like a Loving Father, does it?

Some versions of the Bible refer to the fruit that we are discussing this week, as longsuffering. In others, it is called patience and another says it is willingness to stick with a thing. And I might add, it is sticking with a person or sticking with circumstances beyond our control.

Longsuffering? I had to look deep within my soul and say “Lord, is that fruit in me?”

I didn’t get an immediate answer, but some people quickly came to mind.

I thought of Joni Eareckson Tada, as well as her husband Ken. She is a well known Christian author, speaker, artist and head of a Ministry called “Joni and Friends.”

Joni had a diving accident, as a teen, which left her paralyzed. She has experienced some deep valleys having to do with acceptance of her paralysis and all that it entails. To say the least, it can’t be easy to depend on others for your total personal care. She has weathered additional physical complications along the way as well.

Does she want to get out of her wheelchair? Of course she does. So far, that miracle hasn’t happened for her.

She has been judged as not having enough faith to be healed. How arrogant we can be. I just imagine the Lord’s heart breaks over that attitude towards her.

A while ago, she was going to enter a church service. She was “accosted” by an overly zealous young man, who felt it was his mission to challenge her. He was sure that she had to have some block to getting healed. He suspected that it was unforgiveness. She reports that she could not think of anyone she has not forgiven, at that point. She gladly accepted his prayer and said, she thought, when he left, that he was more disappointed than she was.

She believes in the possibility of healing and never refuses prayers in that vein.

When you read about her journey, you encounter a gut level honest woman. It never was easy for her to accept her fate and is not always easy even today. She is a woman of faith who asks honest questions of God and has learned to trust Him when easy answers don’t come.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer and gratefully responded to the treatments. As I read of this latest development, I was so struck by the love and devotion that her husband Ken has for her. He has been with her for years and I am sure that, as he holds such a strong place of support and comfort, he can become discouraged and exhausted too. He needs our prayers too.

I thought of another couple who is long suffering. It is a close relative of mine, along with his wife and their children.

For as long as I can remember, he has suffered from Schizophrenia. It is a cruel malady. There is such an evil and destructive component to it. It is tragic and tortorous.


He  has suffered tremendously, as has his family. I remember, one time, he told me that he put his ears under water, when he bathes, in an effort to still the “voices”. Recently, I received a call from him as he cried, because of a very tense situation in his life. He blurted out something that was hurtful to another person. He regretted it. My heart broke for him. His whole life, he has felt like a failure. It was almost as if he had no clue how to act.

 For his wife and their children, there has been a history of chaos and tragedy. Any hope that has come seems to be dashed again and again.

In sickness and in health” and “in good times and in bad” have been vows she has kept. Sometimes, I have wondered if I could do the same, with the circumstances she has lived under. I thank God that she has a strong faith in God. She expresses that she would never have survived without the Lord.

She prays for his deliverance. He prays as well, that he would become well.

I will not stop praying for Joni’s healing. I will not stop praying for my relative’s healing.

There are so many questions in my mind in both these circumstances. Sometimes, there is not an easy and pat answer. I don’t like that, not one bit. I want to know. I want to fix it. I want to take away pain.

These two families have shown me what it is to suffer… LONG.
They hang on to the Lord for dear life, knowing He is all that they have. He is their only Hope.

My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long?

 Psalm 6:3

Linda Maynard

The Patience of Love

(Photo used with permission, courtesy of Carissa Michelle.)

I love the saying, “Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet!” As a detail oriented person, I tend to notice a lot of things about myself and others that need improvement or change. Perfectionistic and critical are not two traits I admire, so my personal solution is to simply give over the steering wheel to God. Our Father knows what He is doing! I try to remember to pray about the things I see and leave all in His capable hands.

God is so patient with us—He waits till we are ready and willing to receive from Him. He has so much for us, our brains cannot even fathom it. My husband and I have experienced this on a small scale. Cliff and I have eight children and have gone through pregnancy, home birth, and breastfeeding eight times. With eight children, we have a lot to share with young couples expecting a baby, but we can only share as much as these young couples want to hear, or what they are willing to receive. I realized this must be a little bit of what God feels like when He knows all and has all we need, but He patiently waits until we are ready. He stands at the door and knocks and waits for us to open the door for Him.

Patience goes hand in hand with love. A good example of this is the picture of a father teaching his four year old son to ride a bicycle. He shows him and helps him over and over until he gets it. Because of his love, the father doesn’t give up, doesn’t get critical or impatient, he just keeps on with patient endurance until the boy finally takes off pedaling on his own.

When I fell in love with my husband, I heard God say he was the man I was to marry. I didn’t tell anyone, but kept praying and waiting to see what would happen. It took six months for Cliff to realize I was the woman God had for him for a wife. If it wasn’t for the patience of my love for him, I don’t think I would have waited around that long. That is a good example of patience in my life. Of course, after 32 years of marriage there are plenty of times my husband has had opportunity to practice patience with me too! We won’t go into those. Hahaha!

I used to dread quiet, alone time. I didn’t like myself very much and my own thoughts were not very good company. I would be sure to fill those quiet times with reading, watching a movie, or talking on the phone—something to occupy my mind. A big part of that, I think, was my critical attitude about myself, but now I see myself differently. God has changed me a lot and I trust He is at work still. “He who has begun a good work in you, will bring it to completion.”  (See Philippians 1:6.)

The other day I had a couple of hours alone to reflect on my life and it was a pleasant experience. I suddenly had a startling thought—I actually enjoy my own company now! Hahaha! Of course, I still see things that need work, but I can be patient with myself and know God will take care of them. Instead of mentally beating myself up, I am grateful for the good things I see now. I simply like myself and who God has made me to be.

Reading in the Bible I’ve found many verses about how God sees us as already complete and perfected. He delights in us! We still see ourselves as diamonds in the rough, but He sees us as perfect as sparkling diamonds. When the Lord Jesus, our bridegroom, sees us He exclaims, “O My love, You are so beautiful to Me; there is no flaw in you!” Song of Solomon 4:7

There is a Prince and His Name is Peace

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to

 harm you and have conquered it for you.]
John 16:33 AMP

They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace
when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 6:14 NLT


Being a 60’s child, many of the Beatle’s catchy tunes can still run through my head.

“All we are saying, is give peace a chance”

(Written while John Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed in bed for months on end and published risqué’ pictures of themselves doing so.)

 And then the melodic song, written by John “ Imagine” with the ending of the second verse…

“Living a life of peace” oo-oo-oo-oo-oo

I mean, what is wrong with these songs? Shouldn’t our sentiments be the same?  Read the lyrics though and you will get a clue.

MAKE PEACE NOT WAR

John, a fellow student from High School, was at the airport, returning, after serving in Viet Nam. A “peaceful” demonstrator spit in his face, calling him a baby killer

No matter what opinion you hold about war…in my books, that was not peace. Or is it, “do it my way or the highway? It is all because of you, baby killer, that we have no peace. I’ll show you what real peace is all about. Oh, and by the way, I can bring peace into the world.”

Sounds like our sinful nature’s thoughts, doesn’t it?  Isn’t that where the antithesis of peace starts? We can talk about an impossible man-made peace, totally ignoring real Peace… the kind only Jesus can give

BUT

There it is again, that ole’ sin nature to deal with. Problem is…whether we acknowledge it or not, our sin nature IS in full operation in all of us even today, i.e. “I can bring peace”. Does this type of thinking sound familiar?

” I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:14

So, we can go on singing songs and thinking thoughts that sound so honorable and good and well… peaceful.

“All we are saying is give peace a chance”
…living life in peace…oo-oo-oo-oo-oo



But, until peace becomes the PEACE of God, there will be no Peace.

Know Jesus-Know Peace
No Jesus-No Peace

I know, I know, we are sure we have the power to make peace. It is noble to want and to work for peace. We just have to get all men and all nations to cooperate.

But, I hate to burst some bubbles…but Jesus himself said, “I AM THE WAY”(to Life…to lasting Peace).

Until, that truth is accepted and is deep within the hearts of all men, this elusive peace will never happen.

I don’t think He could be any clearer than that.


Note:  The PEACE SIGN, known as the cross of Nero, it mocks the cross of Jesus Christ  Also, known as the “Dead Rune”. It appears on the tombstone of some of Hitler’s SS guards

Linda Maynard

Peace Everlasting, a Testimony of Salvation by Cliff Silliman

The world was a different place in the late 1960’s, especially in Berkeley, California. There were demonstrations and riots over the war in Vietnam, the student uprising in France, and a decision that the University of Berkeley made that students did not like--any excuse would do—that led to “The People’s Park Riots.” Berkeley was the gathering place for about 100,000 hippies—most of whom were using drugs. On any given Friday night 25 to 30 thousand young people would descend onto Telegraph Avenue looking to buy drugs. LSD was the drug of choice. In 1969, at age 20, it was here that I saw myself as king, for I was the main connection for LSD.  

Cliff Silliman, July 2012

It was on Telegraph Avenue, the main street in Berkeley, that I encountered Holy Hubert, a bold street preacher for Jesus. He told me daily, as I passed by, that I was going to hell and that I was not only destroying my life but others lives as well, and that God was going to hold me accountable. I laughed. I was raised as far away from church as possible. Holy Hubert quoted any passage of the Bible from memory—he actually had the whole Bible memorized. It seemed like a complete waste of time to me.

My organization consisted of me, two body guards, a driver, a courier, and a woman named Linda, who had flipped out on an LSD high and thought she was a frog for about seven months. We drove around in a VW van painted with red and white stripes down the sides, and a blue top with white stars. I wore a leather fringed jacket, a purple shirt, and bell-bottom jeans. In June of ‘69 our house was raided by a newly formed federal drug task force. During the raid an undercover police officer was shot by “friendly fire” while he was shooting at me. When the dust cleared, my two bodyguards and I were in jail awaiting trial, and Linda was loose on the streets.

No one knows how Linda ended up at the Baptist Student Union, a fraternity house a few blocks from the University of California, Berkeley campus.  The fraternity brothers came home from a Bible study and found Linda squatting like a frog on top of the kitchen table trying to figure out what to do by throwing I-Ching cards, an old Chinese fortune telling trick. The fraternity president said, “I rebuke you in Jesus’ name.” The result was that Linda got instantly healed, no longer thought she was a frog, and came into her right mind. A month later, when I was finally able to get out of jail on bail, Linda’s story was circulating on streets, but I did not see Linda for another nine months.

As soon as I got out on bail, I went straight back to dealing drugs, adding cocaine to my inventory. My daily drug use increased to at least five tablets of LSD and up to three grams of coke a day to stay high all the time. Sometimes I’d take more to party in the evenings. We mixed the powdered LSD or “acid” with Kool-Aid and drank it—never knowing how strong it was. These parties were called Electric Kool-Aid Acid Parties. Once I tripped out on 21 tablets of LSD and three glasses of Kool-Aid acid, and went to a Terry Reed, Ike and Tina Turner, B.B. King and Rolling Stones Concert at the Oakland Coliseum.

I was arrested three times, but I always got released. The police had made errors in their strategy every time. Finally we made a deal where I would plead to lessor charge and could possibly get up to two years in jail. When I went to court the judge scolded me about how I was a menace to society, but then he suddenly switched and put me on probation to the dismay of everyone in courtroom. (I now know this was the hand of God!) I got out of there before he could change his mind. When my mom found out she was shocked. My old friend Jimmy, that first turned me on to drugs, had just come back from Vietnam. We celebrated my release and Jimmy’s homecoming with sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Purple Earthquake was the live band at the party—they were also our LSD connection.

In December of 1970, fed up with hypocrisy and dishonest dealings, I decided to retire from drug dealing and move to the backwoods of Oregon. I had found out my connections were stealing from me, so I wanted to do one final deal and get back at those guys and rip them off in a big way. I got one group to front me a literal ton of marijuana (100 pressed bricks each weighing a kilo) and another group to front me the money to pay for it, but instead of doing the transfer I took the money and the pot and took off.

As I drove north up Highway 101 in Northern California, in my brand new tan V.W. bug, I happened to stop in Petaluma to get gas. I had heard Linda became a Christian and moved into Zion’s Inn, a Christian discipleship house for women. She had converted my friend, Jimmy and he moved into a guy’s house called Berachah House. As I waited at the gas station, I realized Linda and Jimmy lived in Petaluma somewhere with some Jesus People. I asked the guy at the gas station if he had ever heard of Berachah House. He just happened to live next door and gave me directions.

I showed up at dinner time and was invited to stay. Jimmy and Linda announced they were getting married on Saturday. They asked for my help so I delayed my move to Oregon. I was in turmoil because of the light in them and the darkness in me. No one witnessed to me about their new-found faith, probably because they were afraid of me. Restless, I decided to drive around the San Francisco Bay Area for a day and a half not staying in any place long, since the drug dealers I ripped off would be looking for me.

I stopped for gas in Martinez. An off-duty policeman I knew came over to say hello to me. I told him I was retiring and moving to Oregon. He said, “I probably will not see you again, so I need to tell you something. God told me that I was to protect you since He had plans for you. This is why I applied to be the lone beat cop on Telegraph Avenue.” I was dumbfounded. The inner turmoil in me could not cope with the information that God had plans for me! After driving back to Petaluma on Friday morning, I had finally calmed down enough to deal with being around these Jesus freaks. I did not know that when I left they began praying around the clock and for 36 hours they had prayed for my salvation.

While eating breakfast at Beracha House, I saw a newspaper on the coffee table called “Right On” put out by Christian World Liberation Front. Down in the left hand corner on the cover was this highlighted box that said, “If you are not sure if Jesus is real and died for your sins, ask Him. If He does not answer you, go on your way. If He answers, give Him your whole life.” I noticed that uncomfortable feeling again. During the course of the day as I helped Jimmy and Linda move their stuff into an apartment, I continued to feel this weird stirring inside. While Jimmy and I drove up Highway 101, on December 11, 1970, I decided to pray and do what the newspaper suggested. I decided if Jesus showed up, I would want to get to know Him better. So I prayed quietly in my head, “If you are real, Jesus, be real to me.”

Immediately, my heart was flooded with a peace that passes all understanding, quite different than any drug high I had ever experienced. I knew that Jesus was real for nothing could duplicate what I was experiencing. I quietly said to Jesus, “I am Yours.”

About ten minutes later, still driving north on Highway 101, Jimmy realized that this would be our last time together before I left for Oregon. He shared with me about his faith and “the Four Spiritual Laws” (a pamphlet he had memorized). Jimmy asked me if I wanted to pray to receive Christ.

I said, “I already did that about five miles back.” God’s peaceful presence has been my constant companion these 41 years. Jesus has always been there for me, in good times and bad. The turmoil was replaced by peace—peace everlasting.

Jenna and Cliff Silliman, July 2012

Peace Amidst Problems

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Jesus does not mince words. He is truthful, but not harsh. He is loving, but not sentimental. Clear-eyed, he tells his disciples that tough things are coming for them after he leaves them. They will even face death at the hands of those “who think they are offering a service to God.”

Maintaining a peaceful heart in the face of tribulation seems to be a bit much to expect of this fledgling group of disciples 2,000 years ago. Having a peaceful heart in today’s world seems improbable as well: we are inundated daily with distressing news from around the globe. The pace of life is rapid and change seems constant. The economy has created anxiety for people losing jobs, homes, good credit ratings. Many have had to take jobs far from familiar ground and family. Millions of Americans--nearly one in five adults--now take some form of anti-depressant or anti-anxiety drug. For some, coping with anxiety or stress is a daily, life-threatening battle.* How do we obtain the peace Jesus promises we can have?

He promises to provide the peace himself.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

The peace of God is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and it is a fruit of the spirit that witnesses to the world about the truth of Jesus Christ and the Gospel message.

In our family, two years of my being under-employed has created some stress and some difficult decisions of late. I am sure I have not exuded the peace of Christ to others as well as I should--I know for sure that experiencing daily low-level anxiety is not a comfortable state of being. But the Holy Spirit reminds me of Jesus’ words to his disciples, and reminds me that as His child, His promises apply to me as well.

“Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24)

“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

If you are struggling to produce peace, know that it can’t be  “worked up.” It is a gift that comes to those who place their trust in the One person who can never fail you. He tells you the truth about yourself, the world, and may even reveal that tougher times are coming. But our God is generous with His grace and His love. Ask Him for the “peace that surpasses all understanding.”

Here is the process the Apostle Paul laid out for the believers in Philippi: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-8).

At every turn, turn to God. Pray. In the prayer, give thanks. Ask. Trust. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. 

*If you are struggling with daily anxiety, or are currently taking anti-anxiety drugs, this article is not a suggestion to avoid seeking professional help or to cease use of medications. Under proper care, with the guidance of your doctor and along with counseling, medications can be helpful and may be necessary for anxiety disorders.