Quick - Slow - Slow

Quick, Slow, Slow is the formula that I try to employ when situations get tense. Not always good at it... sometimes the Redheaded Irishman gets the best of me, but I'm working on it. In these times of polarized politics and civil unrest I think it would help us get past all of the angry rhetoric if we could employ this little formula when we have disagreements. If we could pause for long enough to take a few deep breaths and listen to the other person's point of view, show some respect and empathy then we just might discover that we're closer to a solution than it first appeared.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires" (James 1:19-20)

Peace, Love and Light!
Kevin (Cloud) 

What If They Had A War and The Peacemakers Showed Up?

 

What if they had a war and nobody showed up? It might sound like a silly little sentiment, but it’s such a Hippie thing to say. Jesus said that His Kingdom was not of this world and we are told in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 that we don’t war against flesh and blood. Jesus said in the Beatitudes that Peacemakers would be called the children of God. But what is a Peacemaker and is that different than a Peacekeeper? A Peacemaker helps facilitate the resolution of conflict, makes a way for reconciliation, promotes healing, and works towards wholeness and justice for all parties. Whereas the role of a Peacekeeper is preventing the continuation of armed conflict or reengagement of combatants and to protect non-combatant civilians, by the use of force if necessary. The United Nations is an example of an international peacekeeping force. Your local police are actually called "Sworn Peace Officers” whose job is to preserve the peace, maintain public safety and to protect life, limb and property. The UN and local police officers are not Peacemakers - that’s not their mission, but ultimately Peacemakers and Peacekeepers need each other to bring about a peace that has a chance of being longterm and more than just the mere absence of conflict.

What if they had a war and the Peacemakers showed up?

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)