Peace Within Reach - helpful journals, podcast prayers, inspirational music videos, faith talk

"By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North -- Inspirational Music Videos

2010-02-04T16:45:00Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iueQU3sC2m8
Heads up: Words of love to a great tune, from the One

Peace Within Reach --- Do you want peace that will not go away? Here are some Steps to Peace with God?

2010-01-31T21:49:00Z

Just click the following: Steps to Peace with God

"Healing Rain" by Michael W. Smith -- Inspirational Music Videos

2010-01-31T11:44:00Z

www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1GY-ztFkSw
Heads up: great images, the title says it like it is, the video applies to each/every alive person

Peace Within Reach -- "Living in a big human warehouse"

2010-01-30T18:12:00Z

My friend Lynn (age 40) is doing a life sentence in a prison in South Dakota. Lynn doesn’t have the perspective on life that God is the creator of the world, that he can be in a personal relationship with God, and that he can go to heaven when he dies.

Lynn has an evolutionistic, “godless” understanding of the world. Basically he sees every living thing, including us humans, as if we were leaves in a forest. The leaves live and grow on trees, until Autumn. Then, they die and fall off the trees, joining other fallen leaves. Over time they rot away and are buried by falling leaves of the next year, and the next. The leaf, a human life, lived during its season and now its life is over; it falls to the ground, likely to be forgotten in this impersonal, cold, “world-machine” that somehow started a long time ago. It’s over. Make room for the next. My friend Lynn has lived the last ten years in a maximum security prison. He will likely live the next 25+ years there. He often feels like a nameless, meaningless product living in a big human warehouse. If I had Lynn’s perspective on life I would feel that way too. It’s a hopeless, peace -less, meaningless, sad existence. No wonder he talks matter-of-factly about sometime just ending it --- committing suicide --- in one last gesture to say, “ In your face state of South Dakota.” While prison is a tough place to be, a much more hope -filled perspective is held by some, which allows them to thrive. The Apostle Paul, a writer of much of the Bible, while in chains and soon to be executed by beheading, was able to write, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Ah, heaven. --- Fred Wilgenburg www.peacewithinreach.com

Peace Within Reach -- Pray with Fred -- January 30 10

2010-01-30T12:41:00Z

To read this prayer, click: Pray with Fred -- Jan 30 10

"Something Beautiful" by Newsboys -- Inspirational Music Videos

2010-01-26T10:00:00Z

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBJVrkRxIJQ
Heads up: By the amazing grace of God, there is beauty within each of us. Maybe it's deep inside, seeming to be far from the surface. But by His grace, it's there. You are made in the image and likeness of God. LET IT OUT!

Peace Within Reach -- "Boring compared to being a hoodlum?"

2010-01-26T03:38:00Z

    A while back I wrote about Danny and Clint, and the violence that occurred between them. Danny and Clint both had come quite often to our Sports Night. We get between 15-30 young men playing a few hours of basketball and having a few minutes of “men talk.” Yeah, a lot of the guys are somewhat similar to Clint and Danny --- some violence, incarceration, substance abuse, getting girlfriends pregnant, joblessness, lots of feelings of hopelessness. But they are my friends, who have care and feelings for others, and emotions, too.
    Like for every person, so for my Sports Night friends, God’s deep desire for each of them is in I Timothy 2:4 of the Bible --- “God our Savior. . .wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
    My friends get tired of being looked at with skepticism and distrust by “cleaner” citizens, and by the police. So, sometimes I share the following passage from Galations 5 of the Bible, which is as good for me, and I suppose for you, as for them.
    It’s kind of long, but it’s good, especially the last sentence. “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. . . The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, hatred, fits of rage, selfish ambition, drunkenness, jealousy, (and other things). . . But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (And a whole lot less feeling sad, thoughts of suicide, depressed, hatred, and depression.)
    No one is going to look down on you, or with distrust and skepticism for being kind, patient, and good. If they do, they’ve got the problem. But isn’t that life boring and unfulfilling, compared to being a hoodlum? I don’t think so; God will have all kinds of awesome things in store for you that will make a difference for His world. Hang on for the ride!   www.peacewithinreach.com --- Fred Wilgenburg

Peace Within Reach --- Do you want peace that will not go away? Here are some Steps to Peace with God?

2010-01-25T12:33:00Z

Just click the following: Steps to Peace with God

Peace Within Reach -- Pray with Fred -- January 25 10

2010-01-24T12:30:00Z

To read this prayer, click: Pray with Fred -- Jan 25 10

Peace Within Reach -- "Lots of methamphetamine to lots of peace"

2010-01-21T11:00:00Z

    Today I visited Amanda in jail. Though dressed in standard striped jailhouse clothes, she looked better than I ever remembered. When I had seen here 6 months earlier, on the outside, this mother of eight’s physical appearance showed the effects of heavy methamphetamines abuse. Her mood also usually showed the effects -- sad, angry, depressed, hopeless, even considering suicide. Shortly after, she and the father of the children were arrested for drug use and dealing. She remembered me as the guy who sent some of her kids to a week of a summer camp.
    The best thing was her attitude. Unlike so many people --- maybe all of us at times, and certainly me on occasion --- Amanda laid it all out to herself, to the courts, to her children, and to God what she had done wrong. She even had her attorney change her “not guilty” plea to “guilty.”

    (As a side note, another friend, Larry, is similar to Amanda. Larry, upon being challenged to “man-up” to what you’ve done, laid it all out before me, and better yet, before God, what he had done. No, he didn’t get charged for that third theft because he didn’t actually do it. But he admitted to himself, to me, and to God, that his motive, his intention was there. Of course, God sees right to the core of our motives, even when they aren’t acted on.)
    By doing this, Amanda (and Larry) is truly getting a fresh start. She’s not holding anything, including herself, back. Upon hearing repentance --- a sincere sorrow for what is done wrong and a sincere desire to do better --- God forgives the wrongdoings completely and is helping her move on. Way to go Amanda (and Larry)! Now your kids will start to experience the kind of mothering God created you to give them.
    I hope their father, Ronny, comes around. With a prior record, he’ll probably face more time, so he and his lawyer are holding back. “Hey, I’m not going to confess what I did. It wasn’t that bad, anyway.” Come on, Ronny, be a man; be an example to your children.
    God says in Isaiah 44:22 of the Bible, “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Ahhh, there's hope and peace and purpose for a person.
    Let’s take God up on that offer and live much more peaceful, better lives.

Peace Within Reach -- "The Way I Was Made" by Chris Tomlin

2010-01-20T19:31:00Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPbcIhhxHOc
Heads up: It offers permission to be who we were made to be, and it's really good. Feel the freedom.

Peace Within Reach -- Pray with Fred -- January 17 10

2010-01-17T11:42:00Z

To read this prayer, please click: Pray with Fred -- Jan 17 2010

Peace Within Reach -- "What do you f____'n white guys have to say to me about God?!"

2010-01-15T11:08:00Z

    Willy came recently to a men’s Bible study that I was attending and he left early, angry and distraught. I soon followed to find out what was wrong. Willy, a bit intoxicated, started to share how he just couldn’t take it in there anymore --- this Jesus-talk from white men, “another thing you are trying to push on us Native Americans.” It’s not that the Bible study was being led disrespectfully; the leader is a gentle, soft-spoken 70 year old white man. The problem was, this talk of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and encouragement to get to know Him is often done by white man-church that had persecuted Native Americans and severely disrespected their beautiful culture, certainly in the 19^th century, if not up through today.
    Willy and I talked about this. Though my ancestors are white, but immigrants within the last 60 years from Europe, I apologized to Willy on behalf of white man-Americans who severely abused his people then, and who continue to discriminate. As a pastor, I apologized on behalf of the Church. I don’t know if Willy and other embittered Native Americans will ever be able to fully forgive God’s church for the abuse, and for the disrespect, but I told Weldon that I hope he can be reconciled to God, to His Creator, who is, no matter who says it, all about grace, but also about justice. (It’s spoken about often in God’s Word, the Bible, including in Psalms 9:16-18, 11:7, 36:6.) I pray that Willy can distinguish between the God of the universe who doesn’t fail, and His Church of human beings who do fail. A good point is made by Pastor Rick Warren --- “Every church could put out a sign, ‘No perfect people need apply. This is a place only for those who admit they are sinners, need grace, and want to grow.’”
    Sincere believers --- those who have personally received the grace of God, especially as shared through Jesus --- should not act like they sometimes do, but we need to remember, they are still humans who sin and are saved by God’s grace. They are on a life-journey with God the Holy Spirit, but they certainly haven’t reached the destination of perfection yet.
    Still, no excuses, God has given us so much --- forgiveness, promise of heaven, purpose and peace, daily guidance and counsel --- that we shouldn’t act like we do sometimes.
    Willy, I worship the one Great Spirit, Tunkashila, as well. Please don’t let the poor actions of your fellow man to throw you off from a personal relationship with that Life Giver, God, Tunkashila, who will not fail you.         --- by Fred Wilgenburg, www.peacewithinreach.com

Pray with Fred -- January 12 2010

2010-01-12T11:33:00Z

To read this prayer, please click: Pray with Fred -- Jan 12 2010

Peace Within Reach -- "There Will be a Day" by Jeremy Camp

2010-01-11T09:50:00Z

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8gkDiTvloc
Heads up: Yeah, he's talking about heaven, when we die, if we've given our lives to Him. As uncertain as life can be, isn't that kind of an anchor, of hope.

Peace Within Reach -- "Trey, what do you think you're doing, man!?"

2010-01-09T18:07:00Z

The Bible, God’s Word on life, tells us that “God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.” It also says, “You (God) made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit me together in my mother’s womb. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion.”

Scientists have discovered that the human body is made up of about 10,000,000,000,000 (10 trillion) cells. Each cell lives, and inside each cell are chromosomes that contain DNA. Every cell in your body has the same DNA, and your DNA is different from every other person who has ever lived --- billions of people by now. Your DNA code determines your blood type, the color of your eyes and hair, and thousands of other things. From what God’s Word says about people, and the uniqueness of each person based on their DNA code, tells me that God has a deep care for every person, including you, no matter what, and no matter who you are. So, I should too!

Keeping that in perspective, I can still care for Trey. Trey (age 19), came regularly to basketball nights. I came to know Trey through his family and through frequent visits with him at the Juvenile Detention Center, on the streets, and then in jail. Recently, I read in the newspaper that Trey, who didn’t seek to get a job after being released from jail, but chose rather to go back to being a street hoodlum, pulled a 78 year old lady out of her car, knocked her down, and stole her purse. “What do you think you’re doing, man!?” I was angry, sad, even depressed over my friend's blunder; wasn't I inspirational at all to him? I took a deep breath and remembered that as a human being, Trey is made in God’s image. God has special purposes for Trey’s life which are far beyond being a criminal. I need to see what God sees, and keep caring about Trey, and visit him, hopefully in part to see Trey repent for the hurt he caused that lady. Please pray for Trey, and for me.

Peace Within Reach -- "Wait and See" by Brandon Heath

2010-01-08T09:32:00Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEFNQE76Us4
Heads up: A pretty common person, like me. Can you relate to some of it? God has special plans and purposes for each life. Just join him on the life-journey, the life-walk, and He'll show us.

Peace Within Reach -- Podcast Prayers with Fred

2010-01-07T12:53:00Z

To read this prayer, please click the following: Pray with Fred -- Jan 7 2010

Peace Within Reach -- "At Uncle Jim's funeral service"

2010-01-05T18:11:00Z

A while back, I mentioned First Corinthians 5:1 of the Bible --- “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” The Apostle Paul, the writer of this Bible passage, was writing to fellow believers, that is, to people who had a personal relationship with God. Basically, believers are people who sincerely believe that God the Son, Jesus, died on the cross for their sins; he took their punishment. Because of that, God the Father has forgiven them and is in a personal relationship with them. God the Holy Spirit is now walking with them step by step in life until they finally die and then they will live on in heaven. John 3:16 is probably the most well-known Bible verse --- “For God so loved the world that He sent His only son, that whoever believes in him will not die, but have eternal/everlasting life.”
Like Stan whom I mentioned a while back, so my Uncle Jim could appreciate First Corinthians 5:1 for himself. In fact, I used this passage at Uncle Jim’s funeral service. For 50 years, Uncle Jim struggled with paranoid schizophrenia. He couldn’t think straight and he couldn’t live in relationship with others very well --- depressed, sad, angry. Uncle Jim could say with the Apostle Paul, and with me, and with Stan, “Ah, finally I have inherited a “building” – a clear mind -- from God which won’t ever torment me again.” There's something inspirational, and some hope and peace. Like Stan, Uncle Jim, me, the Apostle Paul, and many others, do you know that of yourself? Do you have that hope-filled perspective?

Peace Within Reach -- "I cut my finger, and yeah, it bled"

2010-01-05T11:09:00Z

    As a pastor, like any of us, I need to keep my human nature in check. Yes, God’s grace, His forgiveness, and His guiding presence of the Holy Spirit are all definitely real, and felt, but my human nature is also real. This is part of keeping in perspective who I am as a human, in light of who God is. The last time I cut my finger, yeah, it bled. The last time I looked in the mirror, yeah, the gray hairs were still showing up. And yeah, I get depressed, sad, angry, etc.
    Again, in my role as a pastor, it is very important for me to keep my human nature in check. People typically look to pastors with a higher expectation or standard in mind.
    Lately I’ve been noticing that I need to watch my tongue closely. James 3:3-5 of the Bible reads, “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal around . . . Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body but it makes great boasts . . . With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.” No, I don’t have much of a personal problem with uncontrollable cursing or profanity as I'm angry or in conflict. But I do need to watch my tone and my use of words more carefully.
    A few weeks ago, Vivian came to our Care Center to visit and to receive a small gas voucher for her vehicle. Vivian was doing good at a lot of things --- parenting as best she could, working full-time at the same job she’s had for over a year, being in a strong relationship with God. But she was making some poor financial decisions in the purchase of a vehicle that was even making it hard for her to buy food for her family and to pay her apartment rent. While I brought out that truth, I didn’t “sandwich” it with affirmation for the many good things she’s doing. She corrected me; I apologized; she left discouraged; I felt bad. Fortunately I was able to see Vivian two days later so I could offer apology again, some more affirmation, and appreciation for her willingness to be bold in correcting me. (They say it takes 10 statements of encouragement to override 1 statement of discouragement.) It wasn’t that I lacked compassion, but I expressed it in a condescending way.
    I need to watch myself in my role as a father, too. One morning I told my oldest daughter to clean out her dog’s pen after school. Later in the day, my wife called to say my daughter was almost in tears because she couldn’t quite get it all cleaned out as “it” was frozen to the ground (December in South Dakota), and she thought Dad would be mad. I felt bad that my tone of voice in the morning must have given her that impression.
    Ah, my humanity, not something to just excuse --- “well, I’m human too” --- but, for my own peace, for the peace and hope of others, and to God’s glory, to keep in check.