Greetings Dear Reader,
Steven Covey wrote, “Seek first to understand, then to be
understood.” I will apologize in advance
for any toes upon which I step in the next day or so. I am not angry but I am quite serious. Right now, I feel that we all need to be
silent and listen. Perhaps we need to
pair off with talking sticks and take turns really listening to each other.
Instead, we are grabbing slogans and epithets that foment hatred and dissension. For anyone who is nodding and saying he or she agrees with me, slow down and watch your toes. We are all guilty of failing to really listen to each other. I am and you are, Dear Reader. We have left behind the total commitment to loving our neighbors, enemies, and strangers.
We think we are right because our political or social position
is the “right” one. I ask this question then:
Do you really love those with whom you disagree? I must see the wellbeing of everyone if I
have any hope of seeking peace with others.
One cannot see my love if I am not interested in his or her wellbeing. I cannot say that I love you and not be
invested in your wholeness.
It is not agreeing with a social or political agenda for me
to want everyone to have food, shelter, clothing, and health. All truth is the Father’s truth. It is true that I must ignore greed and selfishness
in favor of compassion and generosity. It
is not others being wealthy with which some have a problem. It is that wealthy people often do not even
try to get through the eye of the needle.
Jesus did not say it was impossible.
He said it was difficult.
Part of that difficulty is that we sip on our seven-dollar
cup of hot milkshake, call it coffee and point our finger at the guy who has more
than we do. If we get that venti latte
every day of the week, we are spending $1,700 a year on coffee. I know of a coffee shop where you cannot go
in without walking by homeless people. It
is not wrong to buy an expensive cup of coffee.
It is wrong to do so without being a voice and action for the wellbeing
of others.
We have left this concept so far behind that we do not see
that this thinking is what really leads to peace. Again, we cannot love our enemies, friends,
family, neighbors, and strangers without always seeking their wellbeing. That is how we raise a voice and act for
peace.
Everyone needs help in some way. I must always seek to understand the needs of
others. Then my understanding must turn
to application and action. My thoughts
must be that in the face of anything, I will choose to live in peace with
you. I will love you and care for your
needs whether you deserve it or not. I
will not even expect gratitude. If my
faith is what I claim it to be, love will win and I lose nothing by showing the
love of Christ with you. Will you raise
a voice with me Dear Reader that tells others that we are ready to seek their
wellbeing? Will you join me in listening
to those who answer? In those actions, we
will find the path to peace. There is
much more to the quest, but this is a good place to begin.
A
Voice for Peace – Dan Fogelberg
You know that everybody has a voice
And how they use it is their own free choice
In your glory, I will not rejoice
If you choose the ways of war
If you choose the ways of war
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
My country 'tis of thee, in God we trust
But how much longer will He shelter us
While we choose the ways of war
While the winds of war rage on
Let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for
peace
Oh let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for peace
Oh let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for peace
Let it start here with me, oh let mine be a voice for peace
The good book tells us thou shalt not kill
The truth came shining and it's shining still
But how much blood upon this earth must spill
Before we lay our weapons down
Let us lay our weapons down
Let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for
peace
Oh let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for peace
Oh let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for peace
Let it start here with me, oh let mine be a voice for peace
And in the face of the beast, oh let mine be a voice
Until the breaths in me cease, oh let mine be a voice for peace
Let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for
peace
Oh let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for peace
Oh let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for peace
Let it start here with me, oh let mine be a voice for peace
Raise your voice up, raise your voice up
Raise your voice up and sing for the promise
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every
writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a
homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure
store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Every human story is part of the great story that leads
to the Father getting everything back to Good.
Contacts for Aramis
Thorn:
#aramisthorn
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“God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. We must listen twice as much as we talk.” – Cleveland Francis Bonner
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