The journey of faith begins with a launch. We all have a point where we respond to God's call. God called Abram to go from Haran. Jesus called the disciples to "come and follow." The invitation is a summons from what is familiar. Too often we settle, which stunts our growth, so God sends us into unfamiliar territory. We must look and listen for these launch points if we want our faith to continue flourishing.

A peacemaker comprises a set of biblical practices. This message will consider 5 ways of being a peacemaker, the so-called ABCs: Acknowledgment, Bearing with, Common Ground, Doubt, and Enlistment. We will appeal to the New Testament since it both describes division and models conflict resolution. These practices build on the profile of a peacemaker. Without God's grace (and peace), these practices will falter.

Grace gets the last word as Paul ends his friendly letter to the Thessalonians. This is as it should be: grace is the central reality of life with Jesus. We are saved by grace, live by grace, and grow in grace. And we need God's grace because we are woefully incomplete without it. Hence, Paul's prayer that believers be made whole in Jesus. Wholeness does not come from more money or children, better work or fitness, good friends or growing influence. Wholeness is found in Christ alone.

Jesus will return. He will come suddenly, but this should not surprise us. He predicted it. Paul wrote about it. In the meantime, our job is to be ready and stay steady. This includes putting on God's armor, living as a child of light, and avoiding the traps and distractions all around us.

If Simple Living sounds like a magazine title, it's because it is. If it sounds too easier said than done, it's because it is. Living simply is counter cultural. We live in a busy, noisy, greedy age. We want more and do more to get it. We do more and want more as a result. This is not good for Christian witness. Thus, Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians remains relevant: keep striving to live simply. We can do less, buy less, and speak less to excel more for Jesus.