Above All Love

Despite the fact that Christianity initially was a non-violent radical movement of God's people, many today who claim to be of Christ seem to see war as needed and even God ordained. Such blasphemy is hardly new. Since the days of Constantine (I) when the State and the Church made an unholy alliance, the deception of redemptive warfare has been clung to like a life belt. Yet, ever since the time of Jesus the Messiah and prophets before Him many radicals (often persecuted and outcast) have questioned the morality of war. Now in the 21st century generations are also rising up against the war machine among both the secular and spiritual sector of society. They recognise that war is for power, economy and pride, not justice or peace. Long may these voices in the wilderness be heard, as they prepare the way for the Lord, who when he comes again will be the undoing of evil and the establiaher of a kingdom not of this world that will live in peace forever!!!

He stands upon a hill. His hair blows in the wind, as does his tartan kilt. Upon his cheek is a tear drop. It gently runs down his face. His eyes are wide with shock. From his mouth comes the terrifying words: "It's over." His hands and legs begin to shake. His shepherd staff falls to the ground. He soon follows. Upon his knees he weeps and starts to push his head to the ground. "No, no, no! Please God no!" Then he lifts his head to look one more time. He stares across the highland landscape toward the distance where the city use to be. A dark mushroom cloud towers above the landscape The unthinkable has happened. There is no more time for protests or campaigns. The ignorance of many including of course many leaders has led to this moment. Scotland the brave is now Scotland the doomed. In his heart he knows other cities will fall in other nation. The unthinkable has begun. *** My dear friends, it does not have to end like this. Now is the time for action. We mus...

God of Love, whose Gospel is Peace. We pray that through your Divine Love, that Peace would come. Together we say, May Peace Prevail on Earth. In saying this we also know that we are to be your hands and feet in this world. Therefore, loving God, enable us to be the change we wish to see in the world around us. Let us be witnesses for peace and let our peace testimony have an impact on the whole world. All for your glory and the improvement of the human race. In the name of our Sweet Prince of Peace, Amen. (Also appeared as a guest post at Poetry Corner in 2009).

I saw a video recently advertising a new film about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The trailer played The Sound of Silence as Nazis tore down the true church and hoisted the swastika. It was actually very moving in exposing sin. Especially when it said two lines, one is the title of this post. "Hello, darkness, my old friend." The other was, "They kneeled to the neon god they made." Incidentally neon is an artificial lighting that is unpleasant for people with sensory issues. It is a false light! On a totally separate day, I was watching BBC bitesize with my wee boy, and one of the teachers was explaining that "light can't be created or destroyed." It was a whole science thing. But, almost immediately, it made me think of Jesus the light of the world who, being God, was not created and can not be destroyed.  Therefore, let us remember in this dark season both metaphorically and spiritually that the light still shines! Even as sin and evil once again ...

When Adam and Eve, who once literally walked with God, chose to disobey God and end a right relationship with him, they were banished from Eden. Ever since, as a species, we have journeyed east of Eden.  A big stop sign in angelic form stopped them from entering the garden of God's presence again. It was effectively saying, "Because of your sin, you can't go in." In the temple age, a similar stop sign blocked the way in the form of a curtain. This curtain blocked the way to the holy of holies. Only the high priest dared enter into his presence to offer atoning sacrifice for the people. The stop sign was still saying, "Because of your sin, you can't go in." One day, the Father sent his very own son, who chose to be the true and final sacrifice and atonement. The stop sign was ripped from top to bottom. It once said, "Because of your sin, you can't go in." But, now it says,"Come in, come now, my love. Come and be reconciled w...

"Who were the Anabaptists? Radical reformers - Church planters - Peace activists - Pioneers of liberty" - From an advert for an online course in the Anabaptist Mennonite Network Newsletter, Summer 2024 Are you pro this side, or another side is normally a subtle way of asking who you are against rather than who you are for. People are good at knowing who they are against. Sadly, less able to see what they are for.  I have long held that all true pacifists should protest all sides of all wars. All combatants have blood on their hands no matter how justified they think that is. Pacifists can not take sides with anyone other than the civilians, victims, and aid workers. God is no respecter of persons, and neither should we be. Perhaps we should be more like the early anabaptists, who actively loved both Catholic and Protestant warring factions. Many of both sides hunted them without mercy. As a result, many anabaptists were drowned or burnt at the stake across Europe ...

Young David of Old Testament fame dodged a spear thrown at him by wicked King Saul. In contrast, Jesus, son of David, takes a spear for us on the cross. Blood and water mingled down. In this kingly sacrificial act, He prepares the way for the day when spears become pruning hooks and swords become ploughs. In the Old Testament, Goliath gets a stone right in the forehead from David and falls. He was a bad man and suffers the result in this the old way of conflict. In contrast, Saint Stephen, a righteous man, resists not evil and prays for his persecutors. He takes stone after stone from the religious and prays. "Forgive them." This is the new way of non-resistance.

It used to be said Jesus Others Yourself spells JOY! There is certainly truth to it. However, Jesus also said, to love our enemies and to do unto others as we would have done to us. This implies a level of loving ourselves. Someone once said, "Jesus said to love my enemies. So I did. I started by loving myself." This requires knowing who we are in Christ and accepting His love of us despite merits or indeed the lack thereof. This requires us to see ourselves as He sees us not as the accuser does. Sure, He sees our sins, but He sees deeper and beyond all that to a child he died for, is willing to forgive and truly loves. In that there is indeed joy.

Not Woke*, but Awake Woke is used as an insult Woke is used for easily offended  But, people need to awaken. (Awaken to better grammar!) Awaken to not being insulting as a moral choice  Awaken to not being easily offended as a life choice If you are awake, you will see things are not right in the world and stand for what is right either way. Are you woke, awakening, or awake? * Woke is mainly used as a US slang word.  Oxford Learners Dictionary:  ​ aware of social and political issues and concerned that some groups in society are treated less fairly than others.  This word is often used in a disapproving way by people who oppose new ideas and political change and think that some other people are too easily upset about these issues.

(Image made with ChatGPT)     Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.         Psalm 34v14     “And he will be called a Wonderful Counsellor, mighty God, everlasting father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.”         Isaiah 9:6-7     “They will beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.”         Micah 4:3     “You shall not murder.”         Exodus 10:13     “Do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”         Matthew 5:39     “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”         Matthew 5:44     “Blessed are the peacemakers”     ...