This peaceful Jesus stuff...

The excerpt I posted the other day by Brian McLaren...writings by Shane Claiborne....Greg Boyd...Yoder, Preston Eby (and his heart moving/rending essay on why a son of God should never bear arms against another human being) the words of Jesus, the exhortations for unity, peace and love in the New Testament all resonate in my spirit...they touch my heart...they move me. 

Just to be clear, however, and I think I have been in the past when I've written about this stuff, I am not living this out in my day to day life.  Sometimes...once in a while, every so often I am close...but more often than not, I totally miss the mark.

God does, however, continue to give me daily opportunities to practice.  There are my three kids who have vexed me and tried my patience in numerous, varied and unimaginable ways since they were born.  They sort of have an advantage though.  I love them with a depth of love I never knew possible before I had kids so it is not so much of a leap to get to the unconditional level of love for them...and subsequent forgiving behavior.  

There are many people and situations in my day to day life that figuratively seem to "slap me on the right cheek" more than I would like.  A lot more. I usually don't "turn the other cheek."  This could be someone who (as I've written about before) takes my turn at Confusion Corner...or whose dog barks and whines all day, interrupting my quiettude when I am home attempting to read and relax.  It could be those whose opinion of me often seems harsh and critical. 

How do I react?  Well, I've flipped a few people off at Confusion Corner, I've fretted and stewed and fumed about the the whining dog and harbored hatred in my heart for his owners.  I've also not turned away wrath with a gentle answer when I've felt attacked.  Usually...virtually always...I react out of my carnal nature...but every so often I don't miss the mark.  Once in a great while. 

I am a pacifist wannabe.  All of the writings resonate. The war mongering rhetoric of the Christian right (epitomized for me in Ann Coulter and kind) seem so far from the words of Jesus.   

          

        (Sculpture available for sale at Blue Metal Designs)

Do I have it all figured out?  No.  I have admitted that freely here before.  I continue to ponder how all of this fits together...

More ponderings and musings....to come....