Resolving Conflict - I-Thou

Genesis 13:8-9            So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” (NIV)

            I like today’s passage from Genesis 13 about the dispute between Abram and Lot’s herders. Abram’s wisdom, generosity, and grace quickly resolve an issue between them, ensuring that an amicable agreement can be reached before it turns into a nasty conflict. Lot is given the opportunity to choose which direction he would like to take his herd. Abram promises to go in the opposite direction, so that the two of them, along with their families and servants, can live in peace. It appears to be a lesson in conflict management where the gift of deference appears to resolve the problem.

            There’s a lot of discontent and divisions currently taking place between families and friends. We have become so polarized about our opinions and ideas that it is very difficult to actually have a conversation without conflict or a dialogue without disagreement. Rudeness and rivalry are ruining relationships and opposites, instead of attracting one another, are creating outcasts and opponents. We are a divided people which negatively affects our long-standing friendships, sense of fun, and even our faith.

            When I was at Glasgow University in Scotland, training to become a pastor, I studied the works of Martin Buber, the great twentieth-century Jewish philosopher, who wrote a famous book called “I-Thou.” The premise of the book is that we are all made in the image of God, so when we have a dialogue with one another, we should speak to each other as if we are talking directly to God. If we did this, then we could still disagree without being rude, and remain committed to our own ideas without being combative.

            Perhaps it’s time for me to re-read the book and apply Buber’s wisdom in my own discourses with other people, especially my family and friends. I’ve just downloaded it to my Kindle, so I hope and pray it will help. J

Point to ponder

Have I recently experienced some conflicts with my family and friends? Am I willing to do something positive to resolve them?

Prayer:             Lord Jesus, we call You the Prince of Peace and You command us to love one another, even our enemies. Enable us to embrace Your teaching and to share Your peace. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

(If you would like to view Martin Buber’s book and read some reviews, please click on this link: Martin Buber – I-Thou )

Today’s image is one of John’s latest lectionary drawings called ‘Peace Makers.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Peace.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website on the following page: www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Peace Devotion: Perfect Peace - Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 26:3      You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.

            We’re all looking for peace in our lives. Peace and quiet in order to rest. Peace in our households in order to get along. Peace at our work, so we can be effective as teams. Peace in our neighborhood, so we can sleep at night. Peace in our church, so we can minister to the larger community. Peace in our souls, so we can be renewed and re-strengthened by God.

            The old Hebrew word for peace is ‘Shalom,’ which is a complete peace. The perfect peace that Isaiah refers to in today’s verse is even greater than that – it’s a divinely gifted peace which blesses the body with health, the mind with clarity, the heart with strength, and the spirit with holiness. It’s what God meant us to experience when He first created us as human beings.

            As Christians, we look for that perfect peace in Jesus. He forgives us of our failures, restores us to God’s favor, and reshapes our lives so that we can serve God faithfully, cheerfully, and wisely. It’s a wonderful gift and something that we should always aspire toward.

            So, today, in the midst of yet another busy day, let’s seek God’s perfect peace by embracing His presence and placing our faith, hopes, and lives in His loving hands.

Questions for personal reflection

Where do I currently need God’s perfect peace in my life? How may I seek this blessing from Christ?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we all need peace in our lives. We call You the Prince of Peace, so we pray that You will allow us this precious gift in our lives, our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and in our communities. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about this message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. John appreciates your feedback J

Today’s drawings is one of John’s special Celtic Crosses called Seochan, which is a Celtic Peace Cross. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Seochan.

Peace Devotion: World War 1 - Revelation 6:4

Revelation 6:4             Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

            Three days from today, the world will begin a five year centennial commemoration of World War 1. Articles will be written in many newspapers and a plethora of historical documentaries will be broadcast on television channels. We will remind ourselves of the inhumane slaughter that took place, especially in and across the trenches of Europe and Turkey. Battles like the Somme, Ypres, and Gallipoli will once again become familiar and we will probably be horrified by the millions of lives that were wasted. It will not be a celebration or jingoistic fest. It will be a grave and somber commemoration of those dark days when humanity went insane for five terrible years.

            Despite the awful carnage that took place, this ‘Great War,’ as it was once known, did not become the war to end all wars. Instead, after the war, the world became more divided, destructive, and decadent. Within a generation, this planet succumbed to satanic forces and another six year world war was fought all over the globe. Despite the outcome and the victory of the Allied Forces, we are still fighting localized wars which, I believe, stem from the brokenness of the First World War. Africa, Asia, and the Middle East are still areas of strife, violence, and war. Even Bosnia and Serbia, where the First World War began in Sarajevo, are still potentially hostile, unforgiving, and prone to the wickedness of ‘ethnic cleansing.’

            It seems that peace on Earth will never be actually achieved until the Prince of Peace returns. As Christians, we can hope and pray, as well as strive for reconciliation and tolerance, as well as respect and peace, throughout the world, but we are not always going to achieve this. And even in the Church itself, the divisions that we have caused and the theological fights that we have fought, have weakened our witness and eviscerated our effectiveness. We are at war with ourselves, and so the message of Christ’s Peaceable Kingdom is being tarnished and largely ignored by our society.

            Perhaps hostility and war are part of the depravity and wretchedness of humankind. Perhaps this is the actual price of our sinful ways and separation from God. Perhaps hell exists on earth just as much as it exists beyond death. If so, then we are urgently and wholly in need of a Savior to bring us salvation from belligerent selves, in order to restore us to the One, Triune, and Living God.

Questions for personal reflection

Where do I see hostility in my community, church, nation, and world? What should Christ’s Church be doing about this?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of peace and the Savior of the world. We appeal to You for guidance and strength, peace and discernment in these troubled times. Open our hearts and minds to Your Spirit of true Peace and lead us in ways that will help heal this broken and embattled world. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or offer comments on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com. John reads all of the emails.

Today’s image is one of John’s Remembrance drawings. It’s called ‘Tommy’s War,’ and it symbolizes the mud, blood, and tears of trench warfare. You can view a larger image at the following link: https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2029/1977408030_ab40752c5f_b.jpg

Peace devotion: All It Takes - 1 Peter 3:11

1 Peter 3:11    He must turn away from wickedness and instead do good; he must be a peace seeker and constantly practice it. (JSV)

I recently read that in order to eradicate poverty across the planet, it would cost about $125 billion per year. It sounds like an immense cost, but then I read the next line: the world spends $1738 billion each year on war. In other words, we could eradicate poverty for ten years with what we spend on fighting one another in any twelve months. It made me think that if ever there was a Universe award for Stupid Species across the Cosmos, it would surely go to humankind each year.

What we do to one another is monstrous and it may be that we will eventually destroy ourselves completely because of our stubborn, prejudicial, and belligerent ways. This year sees the centennial anniversary of World War 1, which used to be called “The Great War” because it was thought to be the war to end all wars. Sadly, within a generation, World War 2 occurred, proving to God and the rest of the universe how foolishly bellicose we really are.

As human beings, we have the potential, as well as the resources, to rid our planet of the scourge of poverty. Instead, we sinfully waste and squander our opportunities by enslaving or slaying one another. We have the ability to conquer many diseases, as well as to feed, clothe, and educate every person on this planet, but we throw it all away on war.

As Christians, we should be at the forefront of seeking and making peace across the planet because we call our leader the ‘Prince of Peace.’ Sadly, we are just as bellicose inside and outside of the church, following our own heresies of pride, prejudice, and protagonism, on both sides of the theological spectrum, creating our own little wars which shamefully divide the Church and diminish Christ’s work in the world.

One day, Jesus will return and, as the old song states, we will study war no more. However, between now and then, we should prepare His way among us by practicing His way between us. Otherwise, we are just wasting our God given talents and squandering our sacred resources.

Questions for personal reflection

How do I seek and practice peace in my life? How does this shape my Christian beliefs?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, sometimes we are hopeless when it comes to being peace seekers in our homes, churches, and communities. We let pride painfully separate us from our loved ones. We allow prejudice to contaminate our souls. We allow belligerence to dictate how we express our faith. Forgive us, Lord, for being peace breakers instead of peace seekers. Challenge our sinful ways so that we may truly cherish You as the Prince of Peace. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message or ask some questions, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called ‘Promised One.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/14146360152_17b1a0693a_b.jpg

Holy Week devotion: No More War - 2 Samuel 1:27

2 Samuel 1:27             "How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!"

Like most people on Earth, I long for a day when war will be no more. Tragically, I don’t think that it will ever happen in my lifetime, or indeed anyone else’s. I personally think that it’s going to take the Return of Christ on this planet before war will be over. Between now and then, a lot of nations, peoples, and ethnic races will still raise arms and fight one another.

For instance, presently we’re ending a long and fruitless war in Afghanistan and Iraq, with another Russo-Slavic war in the Crimea on the horizon, as well as a conflict between the two Koreas. Just when we’re successfully bringing our military folks home, another conflict arises and man’s inhumanity to man raises its ugly head again. As creatures, we’re supposed to be the greatest work God ever made because we’re hallmarked with His image. In reality, we are abysmal warmongers, whose depths of cruelty, aggression, and hostility denounces and shames the good work of God within us.

            As we draw closer to the historical events and commemorations of Holy Week, we will be reminded of the loathsome betrayal and unjust arrest, trial, and execution of Christ. We will see humanity at its best in Christ’s obedience, meekness, and sacrifice, compared to mankind’s abominable acts of cruelty, injustice, and even insanity. If we are really honest with ourselves, we will recognize that all of us are capable of the same despicable deeds that sent Christ to the Cross. We are no different than the vilest characters depicted in the Gospel stories; we are no better than anyone else.

            The good thing about this self-awareness of human depravity is this: it brings us humbly before Jesus, from whom we receive undeserved grace and total mercy. Even though our sins nail and kill Him on the Cross, Jesus pours out His godly love to rescue and redeem us, as well as to save and sanctify us, so that we may be eternally restored to God’s favor, love, and peace.

Questions for personal reflection

What areas in the world are currently experiencing conflict? What are my prayers for the people of those warring regions?

Prayers:          Lord Jesus, today we call upon You as the Prince of Peace and the Royal Redeemer who rescues and reconciles the world. We pray for all those regions where war and conflict, unrest and division are painfully affecting the lives of many innocent people. Help us, as Christians, to pray for peace continually. Grant us peaceable attitudes to help reduce hostility, disagreement, anger, and aggression in our own lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is on of John’s new Holy Week images called ‘Cup of Salvation.’ If you would like to view a larger image, please click here: Cup of Salvation.

Christian Devotions: Prayers for Peace - Isaiah 19 v 24

Today’s Bible readings are: Isaiah 19:18-25 and Matthew 8:1-4

Isaiah 19:25                The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."

For as long as I can remember, peace in the Middle East has been the goal of every Western political leader, as well as of the United Nations General Assembly. The wars between Egypt, Israel and Syria have been going on for thousands of years. The major disruptions that have occurred in that troubled region affect the well-being of the whole world. But no matter what political deals or mandates from the United Nations are made, without God’s blessing they will never be sustained or bear any fruit.

I’m intrigued when I read the prophecies of Isaiah that were written over 2,500 years ago. They could have been spoken this morning and gone to press this afternoon. The Biblical truth is that there will always be divisions in that area of the world until God finally resolves the problem. In the same chapter of Isaiah, the prophet writes about God sending a Savior and Defender to rescue all of the people from that area – Egyptians, Israelites, and Assyrians. As Christians, we know Who that Savior and Defender is: Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of God.

This also means that we, as Christians, should be constantly praying for peace in the Middle East by the conversion of all the people in that area to Christianity. If Christ has to become their Savior and Defender, then they will have to know Who He is and what He can do for them. For almost two thousand years, Christian churches, monasteries, and congregations have existed in those regions. It’s time that we supported them with our prayers, asking God for an almighty movement of the Holy Spirit to sweep over the region, in order to open the heart, minds, and souls of all the people to the life, work, teaching, and ministry of Christ.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, our world and its leaders are constantly seeking ways to bring about a lasting peace in the Middle East. Although their aspirations and work is important, we know that within our hearts that only Your Presence can truly affect the whole region. We ask You, as the Prince of Peace, to send forth Your Holy Spirit among the churches of that area. Enable and empower them to promote Your teaching and to expand their faithful communities so that salvation, peace, and faith may be rediscovered by all Middle Easterners. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message or ask a question, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s psalm drawings. It comes from Psalm 80. If you would like to view a larger version online, then please click on the following link: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3615925254_87ab8df8b0_b.jpg

Peace and Security

Scottish audio version here

Jeremiah 33:6 Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. (NIV)

Explosions in Afghanistan. Fighting in the streets of Baghdad. Brutal slayings in Gaza. And genocide still going on in Darfur. When, o when will all this warring madness end?

We all want abundant peace and security, but the forces of greed and evil, pride and power are corrupting the earth.

We all want wars to cease and killing to stop, but men with guns in their hands and leaders with hatred in their hearts want to obliterate their enemies, opponents, and competitors.

The old prayer of Jeremiah falls upon deaf ears – when was the last time we heard that the UN was getting involved? When did they last reconvene to hold emergency meetings over these current crises? When did they send out people to bring about a lasting peace?

And what about our churches? We’re so tied up with our own theological problems, issues, and divisions that our voice is no longer heeded, heard or hoped for. We’ve become so insular that we forget there’s a world out there full of starving and suffering men, women, and children.

We need to do something more than just hoping for the best and praying for peace. We have to tear down the walls of indifference in our hardened hearts and begin to care about these issues. We cannot let another day go by just being thankful to get through it. We must begin to apply Christ’s message in our lives, so that, instead of ignoring these problems and switching off our compassion, we get agitated about the injustice, indifference, and inhumanity that billions are experiencing in our world today.

For too long, we’ve become cozy Christians who seek comfort in our own isolated world. Christ didn’t come to be among us just to set up a private faith and personal spirituality. He came to call us to be servants of God’s Kingdom, to agitate the world, to confront evil, and to bring a healing across the nations.

We all want abundant peace and security – so what are we going to do about it?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace and we are Your servants, therefore we are called by You to be instruments of peace, reconciliation, and compassion. Shake us from the tree of coziness that we shelter in. Take us out of our comfort zone and make us into the peacemakers that You want us to become.

And at the end of this day, may our hearts and minds be open to what’s going on in the world, instead of casting it aside as just another day. In Your Holy Name, we seriously pray. Amen.

Ante Up

Micah 4:3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

I’ve a confession to make: I like to play poker. It’s a card game that I’ve always enjoyed because it’s not about playing the cards that you’re dealt – it’s about pitting your wits against your opponents. Most people play to their own pattern – betting high when they’re on to a sure thing, or betting low when they’re waiting for the turn of a card. Every now and then, someone bluffs and breaks the pattern. This is what makes the game so fascinating to me – it’s all about the people around the table, not the cards that are in your hands.

It probably seems strange to be writing a daily devotional and talking about poker, but this week there’s seems to be an international poker game that’s going on, which could end up being disastrous if it doesn’t achieve a win. I’m talking about the President’s decision to augment the number of troops in Iraq. He’s wagering everything on the strategy of escalating the effectiveness of troops on the ground by upping the numbers of those being sent to the Middle East. The trouble is this: our opponents in the war could up their ante and kill more of our troops. Sadly, I saw the same thing happen in Northern Ireland decades ago. Let’s hope and pray that it doesn’t happen.

Micah’s word for today is not about poker or politics, it’s about peace. He utters a prophecy that one day people will give up their weapons and study war no more. I wish that prophecy could be fulfilled right now, but instead I’ll probably have to wait until Christ returns as the Prince of Peace before the world gives up it’s warring madness and wicked ways.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, times like these trouble our hearts and worry our minds. We wonder each day where all of this conflict will end. Challenge our ideals and lead us to peace. In Your Holy Name, we faithfully pray. Amen.