Pray 4 Peace...

After the President ordered our Armed Forces to attack Iran I designed a button that says, "Pray 4 Peace".

Some people really liked it, but one person said that he's going to vote instead. I get it, not everyone prays but I think I'll do both.  I'm not only going to Pray 4 Peace and planning to vote, I've also been writing letters to my representatives in Washington.

We have the First Amendment right to gather peacefully and to speak our mind. We have the right to let the powers that be in Washington know that we don't agree with the Government. So, there's that action too that we have the privilege to exercise.

Jesus said that Peacemakers are called the Children of God, that his Kingdom is not of this world, and it's been said that when Jesus told Peter to put his sword away, he disarmed us all. We need to remember that our first assignment as Jesus Followers is to love our neighbors, love our enemies, and pray for those who treat us badly.

We are also urged to pray for those in power so that we might live peaceful lives. In First Timothy we read "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior." (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

So, no matter how we voice our varied opinions, let's keep it peaceful and respectful. 

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

You can order these buttons directly from the manufacturer. Go to the Wacky Buttons Order Page and enter Design Code 4035382 on the Order by Design Code link. I don't make a single penny on any of these orders; I'm just sharing the Design Code to make it easier for people to get some of these buttons directly from WackyButtons.com

Save The World

"If we think that bombs, missiles, and drone strikes raining down from the heavens on people that we call enemies is how God is going to save the world, we're not yet credible Christians.

The world is saved by love, and no other way. And the love that saves the world is often a crucified love."

From Brian Zahnd's sermon Beauty Will Save The World, March 8, 2026

"Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called

the children of God"

~Jesus

 

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

(AI generated image)

That We May Live in Peace

 

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

While the 1st Century Church was living under the iron fist of Roman occupation, they were being encouraged to pray for kings and all who were in positions of authority. Rather than take up arms to secure their freedom from tyranny, they were urged to offer prayers for all local and world leaders so that they could enjoy peace and quiet. Their prayers weren't to be for regimen change, to rid themselves of evil rullers, but that there would be a way for them to live a peaceful life.

They were asked to not only pray for their rulers, they were also to give thanks for them as well. It seems upside down and backwards, but that is exactly how the Kingdom of God functions. More than once Jesus made it clear that the Kingdom of God is not of this world, and most importantly, how very differently it operates.

Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:44-45)

"Blessed are the Peacemakers,

for they will be called

the Children of God."

~Jesus

Peace, Love and Light!
Kevin (Cloud)

I am Not Moved

I am not moved to rejoice over war, especially one being justified because of an eschatological theology that seems to be driven by apocalyptical fever dreams. We are not going to usher in the Kingdom of God or bring about the Apocalypse by triggering World War Three.

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

 

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)