TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023 - PEACE

 TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023 PLEASE EXCUSE ME

I wish we didn’t have a Memorial Day.  I wish we didn’t have a Veteran’s Day. I wish we didn’t have a Department of Defense.  I wish we didn’t have wars. But,we do - and we have to!!

I’m glad that several of my uncles and even my aunt served in the military.  I love my brother-in-law who served in Vietnam and my friends who also served. 

But, I wish they didn’t have to serve and put their lives on the line.

Maybe in God’s kingdom that will happen - wars shall cease.

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“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2:4

The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the lion will feed together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together;  and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 7:6-9

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“He drew a circle that shut me out-
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle and took him In!”

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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.— Matthew 5:9

You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to the other also .—  Matthew  5:38–39

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.— Matthew 5:43–48, Luke 6:27–28

Put your sword back in its place… for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.— Matthew 26:52

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I’m thinking of the conflict (war?) between Russia and Ukraine.  How many young men have died?  Who is going to rebuild the roads, schools, apartments, etc?  

Yesterday was Memorial Day - originally remembering the brutal “brother-against-brother” conflict of the American Civil War.  More died in that war from this country than in our other wars combined.

“The number of soldiers who died between 1861 and 1865, generally estimated at 620,000, is approximately equal to the total of American fatalities in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, combined.”

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Bob Dylan wrote:

Yes, and how many times must a man look up

Before he can see the sky?

And how many ears must one man have

Before he can hear people cry?

Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows

That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind

(how many deaths will it take until we know that too many people have died)

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But, we have to have an army (aka military) - because our “enemies” have an army.  What if China decides to invade the US?  We have to be ready.  What if Russia invades Germany (again)?  We have NATO.  

But, how I wish we didn’t need an army and we all got along.  Such a waste!!  But “hate is strong and mocks the song of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men”

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But, since we have to have warfare, thanks to all you have served.  Thanks to those who gave their lives for my freedom.  

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © MAY 30, 2023