Perfect Peace and Crime Scenes

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Early morning runs in the Des Moines' urban core are always refreshing and sometimes interesting. I got up this morning for a nice run while the temps were still cool and the streets are still peaceful.

It is supposed to be in the high 80's this afternoon. It should be an awesome weekend to begin my chaplaincy ministry at the Iowa Speedway in Newton.  Tonight is the kick-off race preceded by an afternoon concert.


Last night Lynn, Tyler and I went to the Iowa Beef Steakhouse with several of the staff from Teen Challenge. After a bountiful dinner of Ribeye and barbecue chicken we took the dogs for a walk around downtown Des Moines.

Des Moines' skyline from the Principal Walk Bridge

This morning I am looking forward to giving a tour of the Urban Center and the Colfax Center to some good friends from Audubon, Iowa. Pastor Matt Andersen and his wife Sandy are bringing several people from their Celebrate Recovery group to check out our facilities and to learn more about Teen Challenge firsthand.

Enjoying a beautiful evening with my best friend!

So I got up this morning to start my busy day off with a run and when I was two and a half blocks from home I came across police crime scene tape that was stretched all the way across College Street. I noticed a couple police officers standing by a Chevrolet Camaro that appeared to have its windows shot out.

As the officers standing on the street gave me permission to continue on my way down the sidewalk, I noticed several more officers on their hands and knees combing through the yard's grass looking for evidence. I haven't had a chance yet today to check out the news to see what happened but it was definitely an interesting way to end a run on a nice day.

I love that verse in Isaiah that is quoted in the picture above:

"In perfect peace" - שלו� שלו� shalom, shalom, "peace, peace, "i.e., peace upon peace - all kinds of prosperity - happiness in this world and in the world to come.

The foundation of this verse comes from the trust they had put in God! We are still living in the same set-up today. According to Romans 5:1 when we put our faith in God (trust) we have perfect peace with God. Trust and peace go hand in hand. As I was walking right through the middle of a crime scene this morning, only a couple hundred yards from my house, I had a perfect peace that was solid and unshaking. Why? Because I was experiencing the presence of God right there in the midst of that.

I think another key verse to having perfect peace in this world is found in Hebrews 12:2, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

We have to keep our eyes focused on Jesus--not on ourselves, our problems, or other people. Today I walked through a crime scene with police officers, later I will walk through our Teen Challenge centers with a church group. Then most of the afternoon and evening I will be walking around the Iowa Speedway talking to people and listening to their stories. But my main focus is on Jesus and I have peace because I know His focus is on me! All the while He is seated at the right hand of God, He is focused on you as well. 

So if you need a little more peace in your life today, take the time to rest, refocus, and recommit yourself entirely to Christ! Why? Because Philippians 4:13 tells us that our strength comes from Him and not from ourselves. And when you know someone with more than enough strength and resources to meet your needs, is on your side... the only way you can lack peace, is if you are trying to do it on your own! 

You Are Loved! Peace!