good stuff
read this article by jon foreman. also, jen and i just watched "the soloist." i highly recommend everyone watch it. -dave-

the hardest way to live
hey everyone, thanks so much for all of your fantastic insight into this issue. i resonate with everything that was written and struggle with the implications of being a peacemaker in this world of violence. it is quite simply the most difficult way to live. i have questioned, for quite some time, why it seems to be true that Christians (more than other people i speak with) have a hard time accepting that God asks us to love (and do good) to our enemies, to bless those who curse us and to turn the other cheek. not only does he ask us to live this way, but God himself lived this way through Jesus Christ. why is it that we praise the martyrs of 1st and 2nd

the God of peace
"peace by way of war is like purity by way of fornication." - derek webb"nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. it is a sword that heals." - martin luther king jr. "eye for an eye leaves everyone blind." - gandhi"do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - paul the apostle"love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who abuse you." - Jesus

faith covenant meal
hey everyone, jeremy asked in the comment section of my last blog if he could volunteer at the faith covenant meal (which is a meal program that serves lunch to about 80 people per day who are either homeless or in danger of becoming homeless), so i thought i would answer by saying that yes, we can most definitely use ANYONE who wants to volunteer. email me if you are interested...-dave-

patience and compassion
when we are patient and compassionate, we are most closely and beautifully exhibiting the image in which we were made. God's patience and compassion on a creation that constantly turns its back on the Creator challenges us not only to show compassion on those who turn their back on us, but to have patience on them, constantly reaching out to them with mercy and love, whether they return to us or not. -dave-