Beech Tree News Network

“My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives,” Jesus says (John 14:27). Grab onto that thought. When my morning coffee is not just right, that tends to lend a common tone to the start of my day. But when I consider it I think what a shallow, petty thing to hang your happiness on. It may be the sports page of the newspaper, a TV show, or a shot of early (sic) juice—heaven forbid. We’ve sadly come to think that life only has value when we are “happy” and our hours are marked by perfect moments, then on to the next fix. In many of the posh homes along Florida’s Gulf Coast, every so often, elaborate parties are thrown in anticipation for just such a fix, a “perfect occasion”. Every few months guests assemble in homes just at sunset to witness the green flash on the ocean. At the precise moment, a sliver of light just above the water line suddenly turns the water a very bright green. The flash is only visible a few seconds at best then it is gone, so is the moment. What’s next? We have people who try to purchase their so called happiness at the expense of others. What was known as the EST seminars—the Erhard Seminars Training—back in the 70s and 80s, supposedly taught people how to release their inhibition in order to find their true selves. A woman attended one of these seminars, and related how it helped her. “While you just walk around at any social gathering and say what is on your mind, you don’t think about what is nice or appropriate. “I walked up to a perfect stranger, a man, and screamed in his face ‘you are stupid!’“ Then she cursed him and used other profanity. “This made me feel wonderful,” she said, then a person asked her “But how did it make the man feel?” She took offence to the question, and replied “Why would that matter?”
Did her inner contempt and disregard for others bring her peace and contentment? Not if she had one ounce of human kindness. Often I guess we’ve all heard people say, “I really gave them a piece of my mind.” I know in my own case when I have acted not my best, whether in public, or in my own home, I don’t feel good later about it. I wish I hadn’t said or done it. “I’m sorry” helps. Still it doesn’t erase what has been said. We are also told in the bible to “guard our tongues” words can hurt.
The end…  Kindest Regards