Pride Cometh Before the Fall

The sermon at church this morning, titled "Peace With Each Other" by Pastor Christian Kocherscheidt, rocked. Kocherscheidt, who hails from Germany and was there to personally witness the felling of the Berlin Wall, reminded us that much of the world is in conflict, and for one single reason: pride. 

Peace, he said, requires humility. But pride demands justice -- or what we individually decide is justice. 

Proving this point, Kocherscheidt shared the story of a domestic dispute that occurred, I believe, in California. Ultimately, a man murdered the couple living next to him -- all because he believed their dog had pooped on his lawn. 

Despite both parties being cautioned by their lawyers to humble themselves, to let the escalating squabble go, neither side was willing to back down. Yet I bet the phrase "Do over!" is what they'd like to cry with the same passion now.

"Peace," added Kocherscheidt, "is not the absence of conflict. It's the presence of Jesus in a situation. Because Jesus IS peace." 

The basic gist of his message: that I can't offer peace to you, my neighbor, if I don't first allow God's peace to fill my heart and mind. And that takes a daily reconnecting with Him, to get -- and keep -- my head and heart right. 

Seeking peace, above all else, is what we're here to do, Kocherscheidt added. We're supposed to function  like a symphony. "Playing" in harmony because we're all reading from the same musical score. I really like that. Just keeping that mental image in mind helps a lot.  ;-)

To listen to a podcast of the sermon, click here. Or watch for it to be upload to the k2thechurch sermons available on YouTube.

His Eye Is On the Sparrow (and Me!)

Sooooo....moving to a new city isn't the hardest thing in the world, at least if you don't have to make the move solo. Having a husband come with me obviously gives me a built-in support system.

Still, there's a bit of stress in trying to find the grocery store, the post office, and the gas station -- all within a grid of perplexing directional streets based on Salt Lake City's ground zero, the Mormon Temple. I mean, seriously, does an address of 145 South 600 West sound sane to you? HA!

Too, there's the stress of trying to find myself a job, as we're now a couple on a budget thanks to the hubby studying at the "U" (University of Utah) full-time this fall.

Add in the torrential rain storms we've experienced (supposedly very UNcommon in June) almost daily in the two weeks we've been here, and well, things could start to seem depressing.

But God has been kind to show me not once, but twice (and with a DOUBLE rainbow the second time), that he's got me in his sights -- a reminder that he'll take care of everything, EVEN the job. 

He also presented me with my first Salt Lake City friend, a fantabulous (and gorgeous) gal who originally hails from Nigeria. Tola works in IT at GE Health, so of course she and the hubby instantly hit it off. 

Below are pics of the gorgeous rainbows.  ;-)