Talk is Not Cheap
Grace be yours in abundance.
Apparently, talk is not cheap. Instead of talking we rattle 'sabers' (old old image) and pretend that we have power over the other because we have bigger toys of destruction.
But is that what the image of peacemaker has been? Surely the true leaders did so not by threat or fear-selling but rather by incredible acts of love and generosity. Jesus said if someone asks for your coat, give them your cloak as well. Everything is to be shared and given to those who are in need. That's what was said.
Gandhi the India leader followed this path in many ways, as he was a student of Jesus though he was not a Christian. He worked for justice by pointing out to those in power that the power was with those who stood against unfairness.
Martin Luther King Jr. In the USA did the same with the many boycotts and the peaceful protests bringing to light the issue of unfairness. Weapons did not win.
Sacrifices to be sure when we follow such leaders. Some women peacemakers call it the policy of listening.
We listen until we hear the questions others are asking. We don't ask them we listen. A whole body experience in that we focus on all that is said, clarify what is heard, and struggle with the questions together. Apparently according to some sociologists women's lives are relational and in this way have crossed political boundaries and listened to those on other sides of the line of disputes, in Northern Ireland, Palestine/Israel, built peace villages with Hutu and Tutsi in Rwanda, and made miraculous progress in teaching children other ways of dealing with disagreements.
Our son John when he was a young child, pre-school, and heard of a war said, there must be a better way.
Our only clan is peacefulness. Our hope is in community standing together for justice, kindness, and walking in the presence of God.
God abide
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006
Rev. Dr. Bobbie Giltz McGarey
Apparently, talk is not cheap. Instead of talking we rattle 'sabers' (old old image) and pretend that we have power over the other because we have bigger toys of destruction.
But is that what the image of peacemaker has been? Surely the true leaders did so not by threat or fear-selling but rather by incredible acts of love and generosity. Jesus said if someone asks for your coat, give them your cloak as well. Everything is to be shared and given to those who are in need. That's what was said.
Gandhi the India leader followed this path in many ways, as he was a student of Jesus though he was not a Christian. He worked for justice by pointing out to those in power that the power was with those who stood against unfairness.
Martin Luther King Jr. In the USA did the same with the many boycotts and the peaceful protests bringing to light the issue of unfairness. Weapons did not win.
Sacrifices to be sure when we follow such leaders. Some women peacemakers call it the policy of listening.
We listen until we hear the questions others are asking. We don't ask them we listen. A whole body experience in that we focus on all that is said, clarify what is heard, and struggle with the questions together. Apparently according to some sociologists women's lives are relational and in this way have crossed political boundaries and listened to those on other sides of the line of disputes, in Northern Ireland, Palestine/Israel, built peace villages with Hutu and Tutsi in Rwanda, and made miraculous progress in teaching children other ways of dealing with disagreements.
Our son John when he was a young child, pre-school, and heard of a war said, there must be a better way.
Our only clan is peacefulness. Our hope is in community standing together for justice, kindness, and walking in the presence of God.
God abide
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2006
Rev. Dr. Bobbie Giltz McGarey
posted by Bobbie Giltz McGarey at
12:34 PM
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