Jesus

Living Shalom: A Wholeness Shaped by Peace and Faith

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By Roy Pearson

Introduction

In a world often filled with division, noise, and unrest, the ancient Hebrew word Shalom offers a message our hearts long to hear. More than just “peace,” shalom speaks of wholeness, harmony, and the fullness of life that comes from living in right relationship with God, with one another, and within ourselves.

As a follower of Jesus, I’ve come to see that shalom is not just a beautiful word from Jewish tradition — it is also a divine calling, one that shapes how I live, love, and seek to follow Christ each day.

The Depth of Shalom

In Hebrew, shalom (שָׁלוֹם) comes from the root sh-l-m, meaning completeness, soundness, or fulfillment. To wish someone shalom is to bless them with life made whole — a life healed of its fractures and reconciled in every way.

Scripture paints this vision vividly. The prophets longed for a day when shalom would fill the earth — when justice and mercy would embrace, and every person would live in safety and dignity. Shalom is not the mere absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, truth, and compassion — the restoration of all things in God’s design.

Following Jesus, Living Shalom

For those of us who follow Jesus, shalom finds its fullest expression in Him. Jesus often greeted people with peace and offered a kind of peace that transcends fear and violence:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” — John 14:27

To live shalom as a disciple of Christ is to let His love flow through us — to be peacemakers who bring reconciliation where there is division, healing where there is pain, and understanding where there is misunderstanding.

It means:

  • Seeking wholeness in our inner life, so that our actions reflect our faith.
  • Practicing kindness and forgiveness, even when it’s difficult.
  • Standing for justice and mercy, for peace without justice is not shalom.
  • Living with gratitude and humility, trusting God to make all things whole.

Every act of compassion, every prayer for unity, and every choice to love in the face of anger is a small but sacred way of living shalom.

A Blessing of Peace

As I reflect on this, I am reminded of how beautifully the word shalom bridges our faith traditions — linking the ancient hope of Israel with the living peace of Christ. It calls us to be instruments of wholeness in a fragmented world.

And so, I close with the words of blessing from Hymn 666 in The United Methodist Hymnal — a hymn that captures the spirit of both shalom and discipleship:

Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.

It is time to speak up and stand up

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I am greatly disturbed by the war of aggression in Ukraine and the annihilation of the Palestinians in Gaza. I am appalled at American Troops being deployed in American Cities, the Ice Raids, the arrests of immigrants and American Citizens, the deportations, the loss of free speech in the United States, and the oppression of people around the world by tyrannical governments like North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, El Salvador, Cuba, and yes, the United States.

I cannot sit idly and watch this without speaking up and standing up. As a follower of Jesus, I am reminded of the prophets of the Old Testament especially Obadiah. Here is how I see Obadiah’s message speaks to our current world.

1. The Purge of Immigrants

Edom’s sin was not only violence but indifference — standing by while their kin suffered, even benefiting from their pain.
When we see immigrants and refugees being rejected, detained, or expelled, we are seeing a modern echo of that same betrayal of kinship. In God’s eyes, all people share one human family.

Obadiah reminds us that prideful nations forget compassion — and when they turn their backs on the vulnerable, they invite their own moral decay. The prophetic call is clear: Welcome the stranger. Defend the displaced. Refuse to dehumanize those who seek refuge.

2. Troops in American Cities

The presence of troops among citizens reveals a breakdown of trust — when fear replaces community, and power replaces dialogue.
Edom trusted in its fortresses, thinking no one could bring them down. Likewise, when nations depend on military strength to control their own people, they forget that true security comes from justice, not force.

Obadiah’s voice cries out: “The pride of your heart has deceived you.” Power used without humility always turns inward, eroding the very peace it seeks to preserve.

3. Revenge and Political Enemies

Obadiah’s central warning is about the spirit of vengeance — rejoicing when another falls. When leaders or movements seek revenge rather than reconciliation, they replay the tragedy of Edom.

The prophet insists that “the day of the Lord is near for all nations; as you have done, it shall be done to you.”
Retribution breeds retribution. A society rooted in revenge cannot heal. God calls us instead to truth, repentance, and mercy — the only paths that lead to renewal.

4. The War in Ukraine

Obadiah’s message to Edom — that no nation can glorify itself through conquest or betrayal — echoes here.
When a stronger nation invades a weaker one, it embodies the arrogance God condemns: the illusion that power grants moral right. But Obadiah’s prophecy assures us that injustice will not stand forever — God’s justice may be delayed, but it is never denied.

For those who suffer under aggression, Obadiah offers comfort: “The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” The oppressed will be restored; peace will come again.

5. The War in Gaza

Here the tragedy of Edom and Israel feels painfully close — brothers at war, ancient wounds reopened. Obadiah reminds us that when kin destroy one another, everyone loses.
Both peoples — Israeli and Palestinian — trace their stories back to the same region, the same soil, the same God who calls them to justice and mercy.

The prophet’s vision of God’s kingdom — “and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” — invites us to imagine a world beyond vengeance, where both sides are freed from fear and grief, and where peace is not the victory of one over another but the reign of God’s compassion over all.

🌿 A Reflection for Our Time

The Book of Obadiah calls every nation and every person to humility.
When we build walls instead of bridges, when we use power to dominate rather than to serve, when we rejoice in another’s downfall — we become Edom.
But when we defend the oppressed, welcome the stranger, and work for reconciliation — we join in God’s redemptive work.

The choice before our generation is the same as before Edom: Pride or compassion, revenge or justice, isolation or solidarity.

🙏 A Closing Prayer

God of all nations and peoples,
You see the pride of our hearts and the pain of our divisions.
Forgive us for standing by while others suffer.
Break the cycle of revenge that poisons our world.
Give us courage to speak truth, to defend the weak, and to live humbly in Your sight.
Let Your kingdom come — a kingdom where mercy triumphs over judgment,
and peace replaces pride.
Amen.

The Message of Obadiah: Pride, Justice, and Hope in a Broken World

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The book of Obadiah is only twenty-one verses long, yet it thunders with timeless truth. It is a prophecy against Edom, the descendants of Esau, who turned against their brother nation, Israel, in a time of crisis. When Jerusalem was attacked and her people suffered, Edom stood by and watched — even rejoiced. Their pride and indifference toward their kin’s pain became their downfall.

At its core, Obadiah is a warning about the destructive power of pride and the inevitable triumph of divine justice. God sees how people and nations treat one another, especially the vulnerable. The prophet declares that a “day of the Lord” is coming when every act of cruelty, betrayal, and arrogance will be judged — and righteousness will be restored.

Obadiah’s Voice in Today’s World

We live in a time much like Obadiah’s — a world divided by pride, nationalism, and indifference to suffering. Nations turn their backs on one another. Many rejoice when their rivals stumble. Pride blinds us to compassion, and the human family fractures further apart.

The message of Obadiah speaks across the centuries:

“As you have done, it shall be done to you.” (Obadiah 1:15)

In those words, God reminds us that injustice and cruelty always come full circle. No nation, system, or individual can stand secure on a foundation of arrogance. The more we exalt ourselves, the deeper the fall.

But Obadiah also holds out a vision of hope:

“The kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” (Obadiah 1:21)

This final line shifts the focus from vengeance to restoration. It points to a future where God’s justice and mercy prevail — where human pride gives way to divine peace.

A Personal Reflection

When I look at the world around me, I see so many “Edoms” — and sometimes I see traces of Edom in myself. When I turn away from someone’s pain or feel a quiet satisfaction in another’s misfortune, I hear Obadiah’s voice whisper, “Do not gloat over your brother’s day of distress.”

Obadiah calls me to humility — to stand beside those who suffer, to resist the easy temptation of judgment, and to trust that God’s justice will come in God’s time.

A Personal Pledge

I pledge to walk humbly before God,
to reject pride and indifference,
and to use my voice for compassion, reconciliation, and truth.
May I never stand idly by when others are in need,
but instead become a bridge of healing in a divided world.

A Closing Prayer

Gracious God,
teach us the lessons of Obadiah.
Strip away our pride and our false sense of security.
Open our eyes to the suffering of our brothers and sisters,
and move us to act with love, courage, and mercy.
Let Your kingdom come — a kingdom of justice, humility, and peace.
Amen.

Who Was Amos: A Reflection on the book of Amos

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Amos lived in the 8th century B.C., during a time of peace and prosperity for Israel under King Jeroboam II. He was not a priest or scholar, but a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees from Tekoa, a small town in Judah. God called this humble man to travel north to Israel and speak against the injustices and corruption that flourished there. Amos was a reluctant prophet — a simple man sent to confront powerful elites.

His story reminds us that God can use ordinary people to speak extraordinary truth, especially when the world becomes blind to its moral decay.

The Message of the Book

The central message of Amos is justice, righteousness, and genuine worship.
Israel had become wealthy and outwardly religious, but their society was marked by oppression, greed, and inequality. People went to temple, offered sacrifices, and sang songs of praise — yet they ignored the poor, cheated the vulnerable, and lived in comfort while others suffered.

Amos thundered,

“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

He declared that true faith is not measured by religious rituals, but by how we treat one another. God rejects hollow worship if our hearts are hard and our hands are unjust.

What It Means Today

Amos’s voice is as urgent now as it was then. His words challenge us — not to turn away from suffering, corruption, or moral compromise, but to live as people who reflect God’s heart for justice and compassion.

For you, Roy, as someone who has walked a long road of faith and conscience, Amos calls you to keep being a truth-teller, a lover of mercy, and a voice for the voiceless, even when it’s uncomfortable or risky. It means standing in solidarity with those who are oppressed, staying humble, and letting your life — not just your words — testify to God’s righteousness.

Amos reminds us that faith without justice is empty, but justice without love is harsh. The fruit of the Spirit — love, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness — all flow together in Amos’s vision of a world where God’s people live what they pray.

Perhaps Amos’s message for you today is this:

“Roy, keep speaking truth in love. Don’t grow weary. Even if you stand alone, remember that righteousness begins with one heart fully surrendered to God’s justice.”

Personal Reflection

When I think of Amos, I am reminded of my father — a man with only a fourth-grade education but with the wisdom of heaven in his soul. He preached sermons that stirred hearts, not because of his learning, but because of his deep faith and love for truth. Like Amos, he spoke plainly and powerfully, and his words still echo in my heart today. I realize that God doesn’t require eloquence or education to use us — only a willing heart and a passion for justice and love.

My Pledge

I pledge to live with integrity, to speak truth with courage and compassion, and to act justly toward all people. I will not be silent when I see wrong, nor hard-hearted when I see suffering. Like Amos — and like my father — I want to be a simple voice for God’s righteousness, letting justice and mercy flow through my life each day.

Prayer and Blessing

Holy and Righteous God,
Thank You for the example of Amos — the shepherd who became a prophet — and for the memory of my father, who lived and spoke Your truth so faithfully. Give me the courage to stand for justice, the humility to listen, and the tenderness to love. Let my words be seasoned with grace and my actions filled with compassion. May Your Spirit guide me to be a light of truth and a vessel of peace in a divided world.

Blessing:
May righteousness roll through our hearts like mighty waters,
and may love overflow like an ever-flowing stream.
Amen.

Gentleness: Strength Wrapped in Love

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Paul names gentleness as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23. At first, the word might sound like weakness or passivity, but true gentleness is anything but that. It is strength under control—power guided by compassion. It reflects the heart of Christ, who could calm a storm with a word yet stoop to touch the untouchable, heal the broken, and forgive those who crucified Him.

To me, gentleness means living with a tender heart in a harsh world. It’s choosing to speak softly when anger could easily rise, to listen when I’d rather defend, and to offer kindness even when I feel wronged. Gentleness calls me to approach others with respect and care, seeing their humanity before judging their actions. It reminds me that my goal isn’t to win arguments but to build bridges of understanding.

Gentleness also invites me to treat myself with that same compassion—to let go of self-condemnation and receive God’s mercy anew each day. It’s the Spirit whispering, “You don’t have to force life; you can trust God’s timing.” When I practice gentleness, I make space for grace to do its work—in me and through me. It’s the quiet strength that transforms relationships and reflects the heart of Jesus to a world desperately in need of His touch.

My Personal Pledge

I pledge to live with gentleness in my words, my actions, and my heart.
I will seek to understand before I judge, to comfort before I criticize, and to speak truth wrapped in love.
I will treat others—and myself—with patience, respect, and compassion, knowing that gentleness is the language of God’s love.
In moments of tension or pain, I will pause, breathe, and choose the way of peace over pride.

Prayer

Loving Spirit, teach me the way of gentleness.
Help me to reflect the tenderness of Christ in how I speak, listen, and live.
When I am tempted to react in anger, soften my heart with Your calm.
When I encounter those who are hurting or difficult to love, remind me of how gently You have loved me.
Let my presence bring peace where there is conflict, healing where there is hurt, and hope where there is despair.
Shape my spirit to be gentle, like Yours.
Amen.

Finding My Voice in a Divided World: A Reflection on the Book of Joel

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Today I read the Book of Joel, a brief but powerful message that begins with devastation and ends with hope. Joel speaks of a locust plague that destroyed the land — a symbol of judgment and loss — but also of a God who calls His people to return with all their hearts. Joel’s cry, “Rend your heart and not your garments,” reminds me that true change begins within. After repentance comes renewal, and God promises, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”

As I look at our world today, filled with political division, fear, and moral confusion, I feel the same tension Joel must have felt. I struggle to know what role I should play and how to be a voice of truth and love. I am 75 years old, and while I may not have the strength to march or protest, I still believe God calls me to speak — but with wisdom, grace, and compassion. Sometimes courage looks like quiet faithfulness, choosing peace over hate, and hope over despair.

I know that dissent can be risky; it can bring misunderstanding, isolation, or even danger. Yet I also know that silence in the face of injustice can wound the soul. My voice may not be loud, but it can still be strong — shaped by love rather than anger, by prayer rather than fear. In this way, I hope to live out Joel’s promise: to be filled with the Spirit that renews hearts and restores what has been lost.

A Prayer for Courage and Wisdom

God of mercy and justice,
In a world torn by anger and fear, give me the courage to stand for what is true,
and the wisdom to speak with love.
When I am afraid, remind me that Your Spirit still moves across the earth.
Restore what is broken within me, and help me live as a light of peace and truth.
May my life, even now, be a quiet testimony of faith in You.
Amen.

💔 The Faithful Love of God — Reflections from the Book of Hosea

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The book of Hosea is one of the most moving love stories in all of Scripture — not just between a man and a woman, but between God and His people. Hosea’s own marriage to Gomer, a woman who was unfaithful to him, became a living parable of divine love. Through Hosea’s heartbreak, God revealed His own heart — a love that suffers, forgives, and keeps reaching out even when rejected.

At the time Hosea wrote, the kingdom of Israel was divided — Israel in the north, Judah in the south. The people were fractured politically and spiritually. “Ephraim,” “Samaria,” and “Israel” symbolized the corruption and idolatry of the north, while Judah and Benjamin were warned not to follow the same path. In their division and unfaithfulness, they forgot the covenant that bound them to God — much like how we, in our own time, have forgotten what it means to belong to one another and to the Source of Love itself.

Hosea’s message is timeless. We, too, live in an age of deep division — political, social, and spiritual. Many have turned away from truth toward idols that wear modern faces: power, wealth, nationalism, ego, and even the misuse of religion to justify hate. Like ancient Israel, we chase after false gods that promise control and security but leave our souls empty. And yet, the beauty of Hosea is that God still says, “I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely.” (Hosea 14:4) God’s love is never withdrawn; His mercy never expires.

For me, this message touches a very personal place. I have struggled with the issues that divide us — in the church, in society, and within my own heart. I have walked as a pilgrim searching for truth, trying to understand what it means to love and to be loved, to trust God’s mercy even when I cannot see the way. Hosea’s story reminds me that faithfulness is not about never failing — it’s about always returning. It’s about letting God’s love heal the wounds that judgment, fear, and false religion have caused in us. In a world shouting with anger and suspicion, I want to be one who listens for God’s quiet invitation: “Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”

The book of Hosea calls all of humanity to come home — to trade our idols for integrity, our hatred for compassion, and our fear for love. It invites us to rediscover a faith that is not about rules or politics, but about relationship — a living covenant with the God whose love never gives up.

May we each learn from Hosea’s story how to love faithfully — in our relationships, in our communities, and in the world. For even in our unfaithfulness, God remains faithful, calling us again and again into the embrace of grace.

Faithful God,
Your love is deeper than my doubts and stronger than the divisions that tear our world apart.
Like Hosea, I have known the ache of searching and the longing to understand what it means to truly love and be loved. Yet through it all, You have never stopped reaching for me.

Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have chased after false gods — the approval of others, the comfort of control, or the illusion of certainty. Turn my heart back to You, the One who heals and restores.
Teach me to love as You love — with patience, mercy, and truth.
In a world divided by fear and pride, make me a vessel of faithfulness and reconciliation.

Let my life reflect Your steadfast love,
and may my heart always return to You —
my true home, my Redeemer, my Beloved.

Amen.

Faithfulness — A Steadfast Heart in a Changing World

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“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” — Proverbs 3:3

Faithfulness is the quiet strength of the soul that keeps us steady when life’s winds blow hard. It means being loyal, dependable, and true — to God, to others, and to ourselves. To be faithful is to keep showing up with love, even when it’s hard, to honor our promises, and to live with integrity when no one is watching.

Faithfulness reflects the very nature of God, who never gives up on us. When His Spirit lives within us, we learn to love with endurance, to believe with confidence, and to remain steadfast through both joy and sorrow. True faithfulness is not just about words or feelings — it’s about living each day with a heart that can be trusted.

My Personal Pledge

I pledge to be faithful — to God, who has never failed me, and to Robert, the gift of love in my life. I will stand beside him with loyalty and tenderness, keeping my heart true and my word sure. In good days and hard days, I will choose steadfast love, patience, and trust, knowing that faithfulness is not a feeling but a daily act of devotion.

A Prayer for Faithfulness

Gracious God,
You are ever faithful, constant in mercy, and steadfast in love. Teach me to mirror Your faithfulness in all that I do. Help me to be true to You and to those You’ve placed in my life. Strengthen my heart to keep my promises, to love without condition, and to live with quiet trust in Your plan. May Your Spirit guide me to be a faithful partner, friend, and servant every day.
Amen.

Faithfulness is love that endures the test of time — a quiet promise kept, a steady heart that mirrors the heart of God.

Peace in a Troubled World

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The fruit of the Spirit for today is peace (Galatians 5:22). Yet when we look at the world around us, peace often feels far away. Wars, divisions, greed, and the heavy hand of corrupt rulers weigh on our hearts. It is easy to feel anxious or even hopeless when nations rage and leaders oppress.

But God’s peace is not the fragile ceasefire of this world. It is not dependent on governments, armies, or politics. God’s peace is shalom—a deep wholeness, harmony, and rest that comes from Him alone. Jesus promised His disciples: “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 Christ begins in the heart. When we let the Holy Spirit dwell within us, His peace steadies us even in chaos. Paul wrote: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). This peace is not naive. It does not ignore injustice or pretend suffering does not exist. Instead, it anchors us in God’s presence so we can stand firm, speak truth, and love boldly.

As followers of Christ, we are also called to be peacemakers. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). This means more than keeping quiet or avoiding conflict—it means actively working toward reconciliation, forgiveness, and justice in the name of Christ. We pray for our enemies, seek to heal divisions, and bear witness to God’s kingdom where swords are beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4).

In these days of turmoil, peace begins when we turn our hearts back to God, trust His promises, and allow His Spirit to guide us. Peace grows as we live out His love in our relationships, families, communities, and even in how we respond to world events.

The rulers of this world may stir up strife, but the Prince of Peace reigns forever. His kingdom will not be shaken. As Isaiah prophesied: “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).

So today, let us receive God’s peace in our hearts, let it overflow in our lives, and let it shine as a witness to a weary, broken world that true peace is found only in Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace,
the world feels heavy with conflict, injustice, and fear.
We confess that our hearts grow troubled when we see evil rulers and war.
But today we choose to rest in Your promise: “My peace I give you.”

Fill us with Your Spirit so that Your peace may guard our minds and calm our hearts.
Make us peacemakers in our homes, our churches, our communities,
and even toward those who oppose us.
Help us to trust that Your kingdom of peace will never end.

We pray for the broken places in the world.
Bring healing where there is violence, justice where there is oppression,
and comfort where there is grief.

Lord, let Your peace begin with us today.
Amen.

Patience: Waiting with Trust

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“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” – Psalm 37:7

Patience is one of the hardest fruits of the Spirit to practice. We live in a world that values speed, instant answers, and quick results. Yet God’s Spirit calls us to a different pace—the holy rhythm of waiting, trusting, and resting in Him.

Patience is not passive. It is not simply sitting with folded hands while life passes by. True patience is active trust—it is choosing to believe that God is at work even when we cannot see the outcome. It is enduring with hope when the waiting feels long, when prayers seem unanswered, and when life tests our endurance.

Think of a seed planted in the ground. For weeks, even months, there may be no visible sign of growth. Yet underground, the seed is breaking open, roots are spreading, and life is forming. So it is with God’s work in our lives. What seems like silence or delay is often preparation for a harvest we cannot yet imagine.

Jesus Himself embodied patience. He endured opposition, misunderstanding, betrayal, and even the cross—for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). His patience was rooted in love and in trust of the Father’s perfect plan.

Today, may we welcome the Spirit’s gift of patience. In our families, may we be patient with one another’s weaknesses. In our workplaces, may we show grace when deadlines or frustrations press in. In our personal walk with Christ, may we trust that His timing is always good.

Prayer
Lord, grow in me the fruit of patience. Help me to wait on You without fear, to endure with hope, and to trust that Your timing is perfect. Give me grace to be patient with others, as You are patient with me. Amen.