Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1943-02-18
Church and Home
BY REV. nj. MIKKELSEN

1t was Christ's desire that His
peace should abide in men to afford
them with buoyancy against fear and
worry when things don't work out
the way they think they should and
obstacles suddenly delay or Illustrate
their plans and efforts.
If one way is closed there is apt
to be another one open by which
we may be able to proceed toward
our destiny. There is no reason why
we should despair of all hope be-
cause we have been detained in our
progress. In the darkest night you
might see a ray of light somewhere
if you only look for it. There is
peace of heart and mind that any
of us may possess which can not be
taken away from us and be disturbed
by difficult travel over roads which
are filled with obstacles. This is
the kind of peace Jesus would have
abide in us. Unfortunately this peace
is not readily appreciated by men
unless it is possible for them at the
same time to enjoy it under cir
cumstances in which it cannot al
ways be given. 1t is never granted
subject to certain outward circum-
stances; therefore, one may live far
away from the highways of the world
in secluded spot resplendent with
natures beauty, in surroundings
which afford one with all possible
peacefulness and serenity, and yet
not possess the peace that lis as sure
when darkness falls as when the
golden morning calls"
The vision on the mountain (Matth.
17:l-9) is a revelation of the glory
which all Christians may hope to
share. So amazingly marvellous was
the experience to Peter that he made
a grave mistake by indicating his
desire to remain forevermore within
the embrace of such spiritual splen-
dor. It was so much better than
what he was used to, and it caused
him to look with horror upon the
prevailing state of contemporary
man.
Similar mistakes have been made
quite frequently by men who wanted
to live undisturbed and unmolested
away from the reality of suffering
and despair.
Our churches are considered by
many as such retreats where one is
safe from all harm that might turn
up. We have built them exactly for
this purpose they would say, and
they are serving us well.
But are they not to some extent
producing the same effect upon the
minds of men today as we find in
the reaction of Peter after his eX-
perience on the mountain which
made him repulsive to the uniniti-
ated? The church may provide man
with an enclosure of formidable Sc
curity where he may construct his
tent, and, for money earned by swea,
and blood and toll, either his own
or that of others, procure a private
habitation for his own personal ano
spiritual enjoyment, but may it not
also tend to make him averse tt
all that is outside?
We may build churches for oul
own money and dedicate them fol
our own purpose and use them a:
shelters of protection. But we should
not forget that the Church Of Chris
was built out of His sweat and tot
and blood, and that its main pur.
pose, among men, is to train then
for life in which they are to be-
come more and more Like Him who's,
delight it was to take His place in thu
battle line against all evil, woe, pair
and sorrow ready to fight and read.
to die for the world of His love.