May 25, 1988 I married the man of my dreams. I’ve often been asked how we met, considering I grew up in rural Oklahoma and he is a SoCal boy add to that the fact that I was a sophomore in high school when he graduated from college. So finally, I’m putting the story in writing.

Fall 1983 I started attending college at Bartlesville Wesleyan College just 45 minutes from my home. BWC was a relatively small college and it was easy to get to know just about everyone. One of my friends, was a SoCal gal named Becky. During our freshman year she would get letters from one of the guys from her home church, Ron. She would share these letters with me that were truly hysterical! After one particularly funny letter I told her, “Tell this guy I’m in love with him!” So Ron started writing me as well, truly hilarious letters.

Thanksgiving 1984 he decided to visit his former college as well as SoCal friends who either lived in Bartlesville or still attended college there. Somehow I ended up being the one to pick him up. Of course, being the directionally challenged person I am I forgot where I parked my car at the airport. And Ron being the sensitive individual he is poked fun at me, to which I responded with “Drop Dead!”  But alas, I digress…  before Ron left SoCal he and his best friend, Erwin, went to a local mall. As they walked into the mall they spotted the van belonging to a guy that neither of them were crazy about. On the van was a license plate frame that said, “Bug off Patty Loves Me.” Patty happened to be a girl that Ron kinda liked and in a moment of craziness Ron decides to “borrow” the license plate frame.

Now fast forward a few days, Ron is in Oklahoma when Richard realizes his license plate frame is missing and he knows Ron took it. So he calls Ron’s mom and told her if he didn’t get his license plate frame back by the end of the week he’s taking Ron to court. Ron’s mom, Darlene, panics, but doesn’t know how to get ahold of Ron in Oklahoma. She calls Ron’s best friend, Erwin to see if he can find Ron. Erwin had the number of the pay phone in my mod. (Living area of 12 or 13 girls. Shared with the mod next door where Becky lived). He asked for Becky but she was out with her boyfriend so he asked for me. I took the call he gave me the message for Ron to call him ASAP. That short message became an hour long conversation. I get back to my room and can’t go to sleep until I write him a letter. Two days letter I get a letter from him and two days after that I get another letter from him.

A couple of weeks later Erwin’s dad had a heart attack followed by quadruple by pass surgery. During this time we were talking on the phone 3 or 4 times a week. The letter writing from Erwin didn’t stay at the same pace but I did, but they did come.

The following May I took advantage of my dad working for American Airlines and flew to California to meet Erwin at Ontario Airport. I spent the week where we had a chance to get to know each other as well as check out the amusement parks.

Our relationship continued through 1985 until the point I moved from Oklahoma to SoCal December of 1985. We took our time and didn’t get married until May 28, 1988.

So there’s the reader digest version of how we got together….

This morning I had the privilege of teach our adult Bible Fellowship group or Life Group or if you’re “old school” Sunday School class. I gave them the option of hearing the bad news or the good news first. They chose the bad news first. A couple of reasons, one the idea of “let’s get the bad news over so we can get to the good news” and the other was they could see the bad news was shorter than the good news. So likewise you get the bad news first as well.

The Bad News:

We are looking at  what is referred to as Jesus Farewell Discourse (John 13:31 – 16:33).  This comes as part of Jesus final Passover celebration with his disciples. He begins the evening by removing his outer garments and washing the disciples feet. Causing shock and even arguments with His disciples. As part of Farewell Discourse He gives the disciples (and in reality us)  a strong warning in John 15:18-21

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

Jesus warns the disciples and in turn us that if we choose to follow Him and stand up for Godly principles then we will be hated by the world. We shouldn’t be surprised when we take a stand that goes against “popular” secular opinion we’ll be called intolerant and a plethora of other names that I won’t type here. But we have a hope and a promise. Regardless of the circumstances you can walk in God’s peace. If you don’t believe that’s possible or happening in our world today, I encourage you to check out The Voice of the Martyrs.  But don’t get too discouraged there is good news.

The Good News

The good news I’m talking about today can also be found as part of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse  Let’s look at John 14:25-27.

 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

I want to focus on verse 27 and the word peace.  What do you think of when you think of the word peace? The “Google” dictionary defines peace as freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility. However, the expression peace  which comes from the Hebrew word Shalom had a much richer connotation than our English word describes. The word Shalom conveys not merely the absence of conflict and turmoil but also the notion of positive blessing. Especially in light of a right relationship with God

Some verses to reflect on:

Numbers 6:24-26;

Ps 29:11

Hag 2:9

Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 32:17

Isaiah 54:10

Final Thoughts

I believe Jesus didn’t do anything by accident. From the beginning of this final Passover meal with His disciples when He stripes down and washes their feet to His High Priestly prayer in chapter 17. If you take time to read the entire section you will see Jesus washing their feet, followed by his proclamations that one would betray Him and His closest friend, Peter, would deny him. He then goes on to give them words of encouragement and promise, including the promise of peace.  If you count verses there are 49 verses of “positive” with 10 verses of “warning.” Maybe Jesus knew that his disciples need almost 5 times as much encouragement than warning. I know as I think about myself, that’s pretty much what I need.

Additional Verses on Peace:

Psalm 4:8 ESV

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

 Psalm 37:11 ESV

But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Psalm 85:10 ESV

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Psalm 119:165 ESV

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Psalm 122:7 ESV

Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”

Psalm 147:14 ESV

He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Romans 5:1 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:6 ESV

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 14:17 ESV

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 Philippians 4:7-9

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 Colossians 3:15 ESV

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.