Speechless

Not for the first time, I've run out of words. I simply don't know what to say. What's going on in Gaza is heartbreaking on both sides.

I don't have answers to the age-old dilemma in the Middle East. It's messy, complicated. But even I can tell that the Eye For An Eye approach isn't working. Perhaps what we all need is A New Playbook in Responding to the Gaza Conflict. Perhaps we need to start with the obvious: Nonviolence Begets Nonviolence. Certainly we need to ask ouselves: Where Are the Peacemakers? And: How can we contribute to peace ourselves, in our thoughts, words and actions, right where we are?

For these and other articles with a God-honoring, people-loving approach to politics and culture, I urge you to go to the Sojourner's blog, God's Politics.

I don't know about you, but especially when words fail me, I return to the simple yet powerful prayer Jesus taught His disciples:

Our Father in heaven,
May your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today our food for tomorrow,
and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13 NLT)

Behind the Scenes

Finally, finally I've sent our holiday newsletter. Here's the photo that went with it:


And here are the outtakes...