Our third meeting of the Family Challenge Class started off with a review of how our week went with 'pure in heart' as the goal - some responses included healthy eating and healthy reading (and memorizing scripture!); and media fasts or changes in habit. Those who went to the church to pray when it was empty found it to be an experience to remember.
The beatitude "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God" (Matthew 5:9) is a call to action from Jesus. It was noted that he did not say 'peacelovers', but peacemakers. "He was asking us to be participants in the work of restoration. To leave our couches. To keep the powers of darkness from having a field day. To actively pursue peace until a new and better kingdom is realized." (The Kingdom Experiment, p. 99). Jesus' listeners would have known the word shalom (Hebrew for peace) to mean more than the absence of conflict...it represents completeness or wholeness. This includes a total reconciliation with God, neighbor and nations.
Each table discussed the question of whether we are more of a peacelover or a peacemaker and why we are that way. We also discussed what we can do to become more active peacemakers.
The poem "Decide to Forgive" by Robert Muller, former assistant secretary-general of the United Nations, was read, and given as an option as a challenge since it ends with a 'program for achieving a truly forgiving heart' with a day by day schedule of forgiveness. Then the other challenges were introduced:
1.Decide to Forgive - Follow the poem's Sunday-Saturday schedule of forgiveness
2.Not a Grammy. Or an Oscar. But they do alright for themselves. Do some research on those who have received the Nobel Peace Prize and reflect on the way they used their gifts to improve our lives. How can you create peace with your talents?
3.Bite your tongue. (Eeewww you're bleeding; that's not what we meant.) Be 'quick to listen and slow to speak' (James 1:19). Hold your tongue in arguments, even when you feel you are in the right. Once you have listened, calmed down, and prayed about your response, then speak your mind. Be the active peacemaker in a conflict.
4.Give a hug. Sometimes peace is as simple as giving a friend a hug. Give a few, they're free.
5.Little books, big thoughts. (Okay, okay, we really just like the pictures.) Todd Parr wrote The Peace Book about different ways peace can be made in our world. Buy it, borrow it, check it out at the library and keep it with you. Try peace in your own way.
6.We actually like crayons on the wall - saves us the wallpaper hassle. While endearing, children aren't known as the most peaceful of all beings. Create peace in someone's life by offering to babysit while they go out for a night. Or volunteer at a children's ministry to give the regulars a chance to seek peace. Kids Choice anyone?
7.The good. The badge. And the ugly. Consider people in your town who play active roles in peacemaking: police, teachers, civil servants, pastors. Write them a letter or affirmation, make a donation, or prepare to show your appreciation.
8.Zebras. Referees are the peacemakers on the field, but seldom receive anything but verbal assaults. Keep complaints to yourself, and personally thank the refs when the game has ended.
9.Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Play the hymn, heed the words. Do a Random Act of Kindness daily to make your corner of the world a better place to be.
If you've started your challenge, let us know how you are doing! If you haven't started yet, jump on in!
My adopted family and I are biting out tongues this week. So far so good, no teeth imprints on my tongue yet :-P
ReplyDeleteThe Rymers have opted to learn about Nobel Peace Prize winners, each night at dinner 1 family member reports their research to the others. The kids voted to go oldest to youngest so Bill and I were the first with homework assignments? It really is amazing to see the impact 1 person can make on the world by choosing to use their talents or follow a call. And we are learning a little history along the way too! I also am making the kids listen to "Let There be Peace on Earth" every time they get in my car, but I haven't convinced them we need to do a singalong...
ReplyDeleteHello. Abby here.
ReplyDeleteSo, Kathleen & I thought we could be in church last Sunday for this beatitude lesson. I was overly optimistic as is often the case since Camp O'Keeffe hosted what i call "BirthdayPalooza" for 7 visiting family members Fri-Sun for my dad's 65th.
Thus Kathleen and I decided to do "Bite your tongue" for the latter half of the week.
This practice of not expressing argumentative or negative thoughts is VERY WORTHWHILE for the busy mommy of 5. For instance, now at 9:15am Saturday I am counting 6 sporting events, two parties hosted by us, with CHURCH and learning about our LORD, CREATOR & REDEEMER and WORSHIP penciled in on the side: my thought bubble "Hm. Good opportunity to bite my tongue". I think we may be worshiping something other than God here...