Peace & War

I’ve just returned from my first trip to the Holy Land, and I’m now entering the season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany with a new outlook on the land where Jesus was born. The trip was a collaboration among the Reformed Church in America (RCA) Women’s Transformation and Leadership, RCA missionaries Sally and Josh Vis, and PhD candidate and RCA minister Dustyn Keepers. We climbed Mt. Arbel and walked the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.

The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.  - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins... Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. - Isaiah 51:3

The level of mischief, grievances and conflicts are increasing in many communities. Trust levels and honest relationships are questionable.  One critical way to combat these rising tensions is how justice is by administering justice to achieve maximum respect for all involved. The modern court systems leave a lot to be desired. 

We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.  - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God's realm where everything is possible.  He specializes in the impossible.  Nothing is too great for his Almighty power.  Nothing is too small for his love.  - Corrie TenBoom 

It’s that time of year—both in North America and so many other parts of the world—where children prepare to go back to school. Many enjoyed a lengthy summer holiday with family and friends as they set out on national and international trips, attended camps and vacation Bible schools, spent time in the sun, and took some time to unwind from the previous school year before beginning anew. The carefree days of summer are being replaced with a season of purpose and promise for a better future brought to us by the gift of education. 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21

Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 

Chinese Church Leader Released from Detention