Peace & War

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. - Psalm 16:8

Continuing prayers for Afghanistan as last American soldiers leave the country

Lord, we ask that your spirit would not leave this land. We pray against any powers and principalities that would dehumanize and diminish your creation in Afghanistan and we pray for  life grow.  We pray for pathways to peace in every family, neighborhood and city during this chaotic moment in this country.   

It's hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all your promises

-Thy Will (Hillary Scott) 

So won't you go there with me, down to the riverside
Where the water runs free
And you can let your heart swing open wide
Won't you swing it open wide? 

- Christy Nokles River of Grace

"Heart of my own heart, whatever befall.  Still be my vision, O ruler of all." - Be Thou My Vision 

In this episode, Chris asks Dennae how she’s seen the multi-ethnic churches she’s involved with respond in a season of spotlighted violence. They also reflect on a collection of prayers Dennae wrote in response, Healing Prayers and Meditations to Resist a Violent World, and how to keep moving intentionally toward God’s kingdom when it’s long and hard work.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” - Matthew 11:30 (MSG) 

"He leads us on by paths we did not know.
Upward He leads us, tho' our steps be slow;
Tho' oft we faint and falter on the way,
Tho' storms and darkness oft obscure the day,
Yet, when the clouds are gone,
We know He leads us on."

- He Leads Us On (Hiram O. Wiley)

The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth. - Isaiah 26:7 

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! - Romans 11:3

Escalating and war-like Violence in Israel and Palestine

Dozens have been killed in the last few days, during the season of Ramadan for Palestinians after weeks of skirmishes.  

Lord of Long Histories,