Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Blessed are the Peace Makers
When Jacob went to meet Esau, he sent before him all his possessions to assuage his brothers anger. Esau, waiting with four hundred men, was moved to tears and embraced his brother.
Recently I heard a radio talk show host, among others, comment that military destruction was the exclusive solution to the Islamo-fascist threat facing the world. He rejected the concept of a caller that 'violence begets violence' in our fight against terrorists. I do not believe that to be completely true.
After the great acts of devotion to God accomplished by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses God lead the people of Israel into Canaan and had them summarily destroy all the peoples living there. A contradiction or bitter reality of the ways of the world?
God established His people. A way of life pleasing to Him and important to His providence. The standards were set in most cases in a way we consider noble, selfless, reflecting what would be called true religious devotion. Standards contradictory to the ways of the evil world which in turn sought their destruction. So to protect His people God sought to remove all influences that could corrupt this way of life and built a nation to defend it.
Much of the world has advanced to where such brutality has been deemed evil. The Judeo-Christion traditions no longer seek to justify actions such as the Crusades, the stoning to death of sinners, or institutions that oppress the liberties of others. Great peace makers of every background have made their marks throughout the world in the last century. Yet our way of life, a shining hope to people all over the world, is still under threat; still needs defending.
Not simply our political system but the moral and ethical standards that have been achieved through a long and bitter, often blood filled, struggle since the origins of man. True peace makers seek peace through promoting the highest ideals of selflessness and moral virtue promoting a higher standard of life most notably through example. A false peace maker stands for nothing, but simply seeks to tear down those who have come before. Attacking the imperfections of others as if they were magically immune. Claiming a moral authority based on standards they never achieved or even considered striving for.
We need the true peace makers to bring a real and final solution to the problems facing humankind. And we need to defend the way of life that allows those peace makers to flourish not only in the United States but around the world. Today is a day to honor all those who fought and died to defend our way of life.
God Bless America.
God Bless our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines.
Have a Blessed Memorial Day.
Recently I heard a radio talk show host, among others, comment that military destruction was the exclusive solution to the Islamo-fascist threat facing the world. He rejected the concept of a caller that 'violence begets violence' in our fight against terrorists. I do not believe that to be completely true.
After the great acts of devotion to God accomplished by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses God lead the people of Israel into Canaan and had them summarily destroy all the peoples living there. A contradiction or bitter reality of the ways of the world?
God established His people. A way of life pleasing to Him and important to His providence. The standards were set in most cases in a way we consider noble, selfless, reflecting what would be called true religious devotion. Standards contradictory to the ways of the evil world which in turn sought their destruction. So to protect His people God sought to remove all influences that could corrupt this way of life and built a nation to defend it.
Much of the world has advanced to where such brutality has been deemed evil. The Judeo-Christion traditions no longer seek to justify actions such as the Crusades, the stoning to death of sinners, or institutions that oppress the liberties of others. Great peace makers of every background have made their marks throughout the world in the last century. Yet our way of life, a shining hope to people all over the world, is still under threat; still needs defending.
Not simply our political system but the moral and ethical standards that have been achieved through a long and bitter, often blood filled, struggle since the origins of man. True peace makers seek peace through promoting the highest ideals of selflessness and moral virtue promoting a higher standard of life most notably through example. A false peace maker stands for nothing, but simply seeks to tear down those who have come before. Attacking the imperfections of others as if they were magically immune. Claiming a moral authority based on standards they never achieved or even considered striving for.
We need the true peace makers to bring a real and final solution to the problems facing humankind. And we need to defend the way of life that allows those peace makers to flourish not only in the United States but around the world. Today is a day to honor all those who fought and died to defend our way of life.
God Bless America.
God Bless our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines.
Have a Blessed Memorial Day.
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