O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. - Psalm 7:9

The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. - Psalm 11:5

what if two peas in a pod
became enemies over god
wouldn't that be odd

How many so-called holy wars have we seen pitting God against God? Pitting God's favorites ("us") against the infidels ("them").

This happens not only between polar opposites but within camps, as we now see in the daily extreme violence in Iraq between Shia and Sunni populations, who both claim to follow the true path of Islam. 

Where are all the peacemakers, who would be blessed and be a blessing?

Islam comes from the Arabic word for Peace. Where is this peace? Muslims say to one another, "Salaam Aleikum", "peace be upon you." Where is this Salaam when a Shiite or Sunni thug murders bystanders just because they are of a different stripe?

If these are niche extremists then where are the Muslim majorities who would speak out with a loud voice against sectarian violence and against terrorism, if indeed there is any consensus that these actions contradict the Islamic principle of peace?

Where is the Shalom when Israeli missiles explode in Lebanese homes and children lose their limbs?

It wouldn't be fair to only pick on Muslims or Jews here. History is full of examples where people committed acts of violence in God's name, including Christians too.

Some would argue and I'm inclined to agree that even the war in Iraq has been the fruit of proponents (including some professing Christians) who might arguably have their priorities and theology seriously out of alignment. Not only does the "blow them all away in the name of the Lord" mentality lack a Biblical basis, it contradicts everything the Lamb of God taught and demonstrated. The same can be said for the policy of preemptive war.

On the world stage, real peacemakers are rare. People like Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela come to my mind. They are people who work with other parties to move together toward peace through reconciliation, dialog, truth telling, and relationship, rather than through the exercise of power or force.

Or the peacemakers who were abducted recently while they quietly advocated in Iraq for peace, one of whom lost his life, and others who were eventually released.

There have been some leaders of countries who I would not call peacemakers by any stretch, but on occasion have actually taken bold, even unpopular steps, in the spirit of making room for peace. Former Prime Minister Sharon was one example, in some of the decisions he took.

Political peace takes sacrifice, compromise, determination, and bold leadership. I think it requires much stronger people to work for peace than those who give in to the alternative.

Hating and fighting is easy compared to the hard work of loving others more than one's self. Compromising one's own interests is really hard. It happens to be what Jesus calls us to.

If there are "self-fulfilling prophecies" (where a reality is ushered in by a state of mind that assumes it is inevitable), the ultimate "self-defeating prophecy" must be the one that claims God is on "my side" and together God and I are out to fight "the enemy" by violent means at any cost or collateral damage.

This kind of path will not prevail. Whether we call it terrorism or preemption or defense, a path of violence with civilians in the line of fire will not prevail in the long haul. It's not something that I believe God blesses.

Violent actions (whether borne out of hatred or out of so-called "just cause" or even if "God is on my side") are like planting seeds. The plant that grows is the seed that was planted.

But it can be tempting to think otherwise.

In the case of Israel and Hezbollah, it's tempting for some people to think that any self-defensive response by Israel is justified. But so far the majority of those who have been killed in Lebanon by Israel's response are not militants but civilians, a large number of them are children. This cannot be justified, and the blame cannot be completely transferred onto those who fired rockets from residential areas into Israel and then fled the scene before the retaliation came down.

Israel does have the legitimate right to defend itself, but defense is easier said than done. Any response that kills civilians cannot be justified.

It may be tempting for many Muslims to think that Hezbollah is blessed in its militant approach toward Israel, even while it contradicts basic principles of the Islamic faith, whose original roots are in the God of the Abraham.

And in the case of the pursuit of "regime change" in Iraq it may be tempting for some to think that only good seeds have been planted with only good intentions, but this is no slam dunk. The jury is still out on what fruit will be produced in the long haul from these seeds. The underlying assumptions, the strategy, as well as the means and the end, are all subject to scrutiny.

Way back in Genesis 6:11, here is the condition that brought about an extreme response by God: "The earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence."

I'm afraid I can't think of any reason why God would not describe the earth in our day in this same way. I'm grateful for rainbows.

He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. - Psalm 7:14-17

Somehow the writer of this Psalm was able to turn from the sad observations about the downward spiral of violence in the world, redirecting his thoughts into a worshipful attitude toward God who by contrast is righteous and worthy of praise. That response -- turning from despair into worship -- is something I can learn from.

God is true, just, and righteous, and we are not. We don't pick whose side God is on, and we are not charged with law enforcement by the sword on God's behalf. We are charged with taking up our cross and following Jesus to the point of extreme love that puts the interest of the other person first.

As God spoke through the prophet Micah, we are charged with doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. The real sacrifice God wants from us is a broken and contrite heart and spirit.

In these messy and violent days, at the end of each day we can only examine our own hearts and ask God to help us root out the sin in our own life. "O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts," help us to see you and ourselves more clearly.

Some might say peacemaking on this earth is naive. Tell that to Jesus. 

Nelson Mandela is 88 years old today.

"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony... It is an ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
(a speech in 1962)

Blessed are the peacemakers, including this man, who spent almost 30 years in prison on charges of "treason" and "sabatoge." He was influential in the ending of apartheid just twelve years ago.

In reality, it takes longer than twelve years for a society to significantly change embedded patterns of segregation and discrimination. Races and classes don't intermingle overnight and share equal opportunity, especially when opportunity is limited. Even though there has been economic improvement and a growing middle class, South Africa still faces the widespread challenge of gruelling poverty. More than 5 million South Africans are HIV Positive.

So this is a nation which needs our prayers as we remember Nelson Mandela's birthday and the ongoing struggles of the people of South Africa, including the church.

Pray for the IFES student movement in South Africa, the Students' Christian Organization. Students in every country are change agents, and from them will come the country's future leadership.

A few months ago I saw Tsotsi, a powerful independent film (2005 Academy Award Winner, Best International Film) which offers glimpses to an outsider of some of the poverty, crime, and contrasting wealth and poverty that is part of today's South Africa. It's a disturbing film and there is some strong violence, but I'd cautiously recommend it.

I don't know much about Mandela's Christian faith or how it played into his lifelong work. I look forward to reading a biography some day.

South African History Online

A book of poetry, Halala Madiba, celebrates Mandela's life and is just being published.

The Mandella Foundation has some background on his life, and photos.

Rather than the cooling down we were hoping and praying for, these past few days have seen an escalation of violence and retribution in the Middle East - specifically in Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon.

In times like this the pessimists and optimists come out of their shells (as well as those who are the former but publicly say, if unconvincingly, that they are the latter).

When it comes to peace in the Middle East, my faith and optimism is, er, challenged.

On tonight's TV news an Israeli civilian waved and proclaimed to the roving news camera, "We are alright, God is taking care of us." Presumably he is speaking of the God of the Jews, taking care of Jews? Whatever the case, this God apparently didn't take the same care of some of the Jewish people who have died or been wounded in the recent attacks.

God aside, the government of Israel has been responding with missiles and bombs directed at Islamic militant strongholds of Hezbollah, and suspected sources of missile attacks near the Israeli border and in several parts of Lebanon. These strikes are in reprisal for the killing and abduction of Israeli soldiers, and missiles fired at Israeli communities.

Hezbollah -- Hizb Allah -- is the "Party of God" and with those wonderful credentials their leader Hassan Nasrallah ("Beautiful, Eagle of God") in Lebanon leads the movement with the goals of the eradication of Israel and establishment of a broad based fundamentalist Islamic government.

Hezbollah is a Shiite organization and is significantly funded by Syria and Iran. It promotes the use of terrorist violence to accomplish its goals.

Interestingly, Hezbollah also sets up schools, hospitals, and other social services... not unlike the social services that many Christian mission organizations have provided around the world in the past two centuries. This is not a "whose social gospel is better" contest, nor are we charting the differences.

By my belief, Jesus was the best-ever example of what we creatures made by God might hope to ever achieve in holistically meeting our own and others' social, emotional, psychological, physical, intellectual, and spiritual needs. In fact, Jesus not only demonstrated the holistic meeting of human needs and aspirations, but Jesus also claims to BE as much. I believe the claim.

God is so democratic that everyone gets to decide for themselves on this matter. But truth is not necessarily "relative" just because God gives a wide latitude for faith choices.

Back to the here and now: bombs and guns in Israel and Lebanon.

Remember the many beautiful Old Testament references to Lebanon, the cedars of Lebanon?

Psalm 72:16
Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field.

Psalm 92:12
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.

Jeremiah 18:14
Does the snow of Lebanon ever vanish from its rocky slopes? Do its cool waters from distant sources ever cease to flow?

I have faint memories of a family visit to Lebanon when I was a young kid. I remember tasting fresh grapes from the vine and figs from the tree... wow, even the amazing cherries from Wisconsin (not mentioned in the Bible - a simple, forgiveable mistake) have met their match in the fruits from Lebanon.

But now the people of Lebanon are in a world of hurt. In one day over 50 people -- it sounds like most were civilians -- have died from military attacks.

In Biblical references to Lebanon, there is a dark side too.

Isaiah 10:34
He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Jeremiah 22:23
You who live in Lebanon, who are nestled in cedar buildings, how you will groan when pangs come upon you, pain like that of a woman in labor!

Habakkuk 2:17
The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed human blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

I feel like such a novice, a little kid... whether these doom and gloom references are then, or now, or some day yet to come I do not know or understand. Whether they are prophetic in some literal sense, or allegorical, or both, I do not know.

I do know that when innocent lives (made in the image of God) of any nation or by any initiative are squelched, God cares, and it's not OK.

I believe God grieves even when "guilty" human lives (wait, what was the distinction again? who is guilty and who is innocent?) are squelched by violence and vengeance.

I hope I'm wrong but I fear things may get worse in the Middle East before they get better.

But I do believe in the power of prayer and that God repeatedly intervenes in human history in both tiny and grand ways, sometimes only when people created in God's image plead for this to be the case.

So pray... for both sides of this conflict, for restraint, wisdom, humility, compassion, conviction, and a desire for peace. Pray for peacemakers... God always has an arsenal of a few choice peacemakers at hand. Pray for willingness to compromise, and supernatural ability on both sides to forgive. Pray that this conflict will shrink, not grow.

P.S. number one... it's interesting to remember that many peoples' names, and words like "hezbollah" are strange to a foreign ear especially when drawled and twisted with diverse and often sloppy American journalist accents. (Christiane Amanpour is one of the few among TV journalists or western politicians who makes a point to pronounce things correctly.) But to a native ear, these words and names have very real and very literal meanings. How many Americans could give an accurate one-sentence definition of the meaning of the words "Republican Party" for example?

P.S. number two... speaking of "Party of God", I don't believe there is such a thing. (Not out of some deep conviction about separation of church and state, which I think is a human invention even if perhaps a necessary evil.) And I have been repeatedly surprised and also offended by claims from many American Christians that the Republican Party is more or less the party of God. Maybe on a narrow shortlist of a few pet issues; but reading the rest of the gospels and examining the essense of Jesus, I'm afraid neither of the 2 main American political parties can claim this title with any more legitimacy than Hezbollah.

We watched the last 2/3 of the final World Cup game on Sunday. Quite a good game, but disappointing that the winner had to be decided by penalty kicks.

Also disappointing was a poor decision made in the 11th hour of the game by one of France's players who apparently didn't have the energy left to control his temper, and head-butted someone on the other team after an exchange of words.

In the game wrapup, they mentioned that this World Cup broke the all-time record for yellow and red card penalties - a total of 305 yellow cards and 28 red cards were shown.

I was thinking afterward that if there were such a thing as a World Cup Peace Index, and world peace for the next four years were forecast by how cleanly the soccer teams played, this would not bode well for the days to come.

Since there is no such index, we're left only with observing (and participating in) everyday living between nations and neighbors. The Reality Peace Index too can have its ups and downs.

Sometimes as a reality check it's helpful to remember that how well we deal on a personal level with anger, injustice, unfairness, bullying, disappointment, the sometimes uncomfortable context of stress, adversity, and diversity, will -- fortunately or not -- be a fairly good barometer for who our leaders are likely to be.

The way we handle these things as communities and as individuals probably relates to how likely our leaders might exercise the skills of diplomacy and peacemaking rather than provoking or responding to provocation.

I was offended and appalled at the choice made by a worn out soccer player, but it's helpful to turn that response inward for a little introspection as well. 

God, help us through your power to rise above vengeance and sinful anger than leads to a downward spiral rather than an expression of love even when we are wronged.

The Tour de France (pardon my French) has begun, but it's the first time in recent memory that Lance Armstrong's not among the racers. God gave Lance a lung capacity that seemed to enable him to physically do what no-one else could match. He still had to train religiously as an athlete. Now some other able folks have a chance to be number one.

Thinking about "training religiously" for this incredible and protracted test of strength, endurance, and speed had me remembering the several times in Paul's writings in the New Testament where spiritual life is likened to a race. Acts, I Corinthians, Galations, 2 Timothy, Hebrews.

Probably the most well known is the Hebrews 12 reference - the Great Cloud of Witnesses...

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3

Speaking of great clouds of witnesses, do you read the urbana.org column about many of these witnesses? 

But back to racing... the metaphor of a race is not the most helpful thing for me personally, it can be misleading. Sprint or marathon? Winners and losers? I am guessing that Paul mainly is referring to endurance and to living a life of faith with the end goal in mind, just as an athlete needs to focus on their longterm goals in order to do the grueling training, and to build up endurance when they feel like quitting.

As far as I can recall Jesus doesn't use a racing metaphor. He does speak in practical terms, to act now, in the moment, by doing what is right even if it may seem foolish or seem like a losing move. Gain your life by losing it. Turn the other cheek. Risk danger and personal loss to help others like the Samaritan did. Give everything you have especially if wealth is your obstacle to faith. Take up your cross. These all involve sacrifice and allegiance and endurance, and we do find a sense of urgency and immediacy in several of Jesus' teachings.

Well, back to the rat race, er, faith race. 

Lance, have a nice time watching the Tour from a different vantage point.