Dear Ones,

To "borrow" and adapt the remarks written by Elisabeth Elliot below, "It would not be possible to exaggerate the importance spiritual mothers have played in my spiritual growth"--Elisabeth Elliot herself being one of them. I have met Elisabeth but do not know her personally except through her writings and talks. But because she has been a faithful witness and has poured out herself to others by encouraging, guiding, witnessing and standing firm and courageous in her beliefs, I have been greatly helped along this pilgrim way. I remember from one of Elisabeth's talks on tape of hearing her relate a story from when she was an adolescent teen . . . an older woman was giving a talk in Elisabeth's church about courage and perserverence through trials in service to Christ. This woman had been through many trials and tribulations in a foreign country, and had suffered much in her service to Christ. But she encouraged her listeners (including young Elisabeth Howard, who later became known as Elisabeth Elliot) as she told of God's faithfulness to her through it all. She made an indelible impress on young Elisabeth's heart, mind and spirit as this woman quoted--with eyes blazing with conviction--Isaiah 50:7: "For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed." She knew the God she served.

A few years after we moved to Kentucky (the first time), and after Travis was ordained in 1973, he served Old Beech (Bethlehem/Bethany) Primitive Baptist Church in southern Indiana as pastor for some years. After church we often were invited to lunch at the Williamses, who had a farm there in Solitude, Indiana where Old Beech was located. Brother Dockey Williams was the oldest deacon at Old Beech. Sister Williams was a short, little lady who didn't have a lot to say usually, but she buzzed around the kitchen of her Indiana farmhouse and got lunch on the table after church as quickly as anyone I ever saw. She demonstrated unfailing hospitality, always making her guests feel warmly welcome, and it was always a joy to spend time there. On one particular Sunday afternoon, as we sat on the Williams's front porch along with others from church, Travis and another young minister were asked to tell how one could know that there is a God. They gave forth arguments and scriptures, as Travis later said "in all the cocky confidence of youth", and about the time they were winding down, during a lull in their speaking, Sister Williams--who had been rocking softly and listening quietly--said, "I know there's a God . . . I've made His acquaintance."

Frankly, I don't remember the specific Scriptures and arguments the preachers used, but Sister Williams's nine-word testimony-- probably the most I ever heard her say in one sentence--has stayed with me all these years as one of the most profound arguments for the existence of God that I've ever heard. Perhaps it was intensified to me through her quiet testimony of day-to-day living, but it made a deep impression on me. I can think of so many other women in the churches that we've been to during the several decades past who have ministered to me, and in their actions and by their words have revealed their "acquaintanceship" with God.

May we all "be who we are", God our Father's beloved children in Christ, and show forth by actions and by words--in all circumstances--that we are acquainted with God and His ways, and follow them courageously and faithfully. May we not "forfeit our peace" with God by embracing the sampling of ways to do so given in the thoughts below. The "antidotes" to this forfeiture are also ways that we can increase our acquaintanceship with God.

In Him,
Elaine

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Don't Forfeit Your Peace

It would not be possible to exaggerate the importance hymns and spiritual songs have played in my spiritual growth. One of the latter, familiar to most of you, has this line: "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer." Prayerlessness is one of many ways by which we can easily forfeit the peace [of] God . . . . I've been thinking of some other ways. Here's a sampling:

• Resent God's ways.
• Worry as much as possible.
• Pray only about things you can't manage by yourself.
• Refuse to accept what God gives.
• Look for peace elsewhere than in Him.
• Try to rule your own life.
• Doubt God's word.
• Carry all your cares.

If you'd rather not forfeit your peace, here are eight ways to find it (antidotes to the above eight):

"Great peace have they which love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165).

"Be careful for nothing;" (JBP: "Don't worry about anything whatever") (Philippians 4:6)

" . . . but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7).

"Take my yoke upon you and learn of me...and you will find rest" (Matthew 11:29).

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7).

Don't Forfeit Your Peace
Copyright 1992 by Elisabeth Elliot Gren

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