I saw this video today on my friend Jason's blog. Jason and I have been friends for a long time now and I love how much respect he has for people and their creativity. He's challenged and pushed me over time to see creativity outside of the traditional boundaries and to include even things like software as deserving creative respect.

His blog focused on artistry but I wanted to talk a bit about story telling. As I watch this woman write her song I'm reminded of how powerful story telling is and how those who learn to become master story tellers are some of the most powerful members of humanity. I think it's one of the gifts Jesus had and one of the most magnetic parts of his human nature. When I read the scriptures his stories draw me in and make me think on a deeper level.

It's my hope and prayer that as we are in Toronto, a place full of cultural story tellers, that God will use Montage to influence those story tellers towards relationship with Jesus. Just imagine how much different our country and culture would be if we were all (not just those tuning into Christian programming) hearing stories on TV, the radio, at the theatre, and on our iPods that were told by story tellers who's lives were given to Jesus and yet living out that faith and salvation amongst the population? 

Keep in mind that we're all telling stories even if we're not artists. What can we learn from this thoughtful process that applies to the careful thought we could be giving to our stories as we anticipate opportunities to share with and engage those around us?

 What I’m learning during Lent  Day  31 – Peace

By Melissa

 Don’t you wish there was a recipe for life.  Add this, this and this and your results are an easy life.  As we know we are not promised an easy life.  And I don’t believe that if you simply follow a set do’s and don’ts you’ll have results that equal a pain free, easy or simple journey.

 I notice something interesting as I read a section in Philippians today.

 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”

 Peace. We long for it don’t we. We stress and we worry. We have ulcers, migraines, and heart attacks all caused by stress. Peace, the whole world is in search of it. We have retreat centres, world forums,  books, podcast all about how to achieve this elusive peace.  It seems like it runs, it hides from us. What if there was a recipe for peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

 Paul gives us this recipe in the book of Philippians.

 ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Did you catch there? Read it again…..

Here it is the recipe for Peace:

1.     1.Rejoice  - always

2.     2. Be reasonable

3.     3. Do not be anxious

4.     4. Pray

5.     5. Request

Okay so it’s not the simplest recipe. But just think what if you approach that stressful situation you going through with these 5 ‘steps’.   Paul says pretty clearly if you do this things that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 So gut check for Melissa.  Where I am falling short in seeking out the peace of God. What am I not rejoicing in? What am I being unreasonable about? What am I worry about? When am I not going to to God in prayer?  What am I not requesting with thanksgiving?

 Today my list feels long. But as least I know where to start.