How do you practice peace?

[ZiSunka]

Sorry I somehow brought up a bad subject. I withdraw the question.

[MrJim]

I don't carrry a gun anymore (though I have a permit)...first thing that came to mind :)

Used to carry most all the time-even Sunday morning church.

[ZiSunka]

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[MrJim]

Seriously??

Why?

Pretty long story really, but it came down to a verse:

1Tim5: 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

At the time I felt that I was best providing for my family by ensuring their security from the violence in the street. Our town was in the midst of drug violence back then-assaults & even driveby shootings.

I was trained and able-I could carry without being marked. I have weapons of all sizes, and whether it was winter in bulky clothes or summer with shorts/tshirt I was never far from a firearm.

[CelticRose]

Romans12:9~21.

I do not do this perfectly but this is what I strive for.

Menno, I've never owned a gun in my life. I'd've been terrified to keep one in the house with kiddies about, let alone carry one on my person.

[ZiSunka]

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[MrJim]

http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/ber_92f.jpg

She's an Italian beauty...Beretta is the oldest company in the world that is still manufacturing today what it originally began manufacturing--firearms.

Well I can't recall the precise day, but it came down to this voice in my head that said-who do you trust? Are you putting trust in God or in bullets? Do you not think that if God is providing for your family's safety that you carrying a gun is necessary?

It's still something I work on. This weapon is less than 3' away from me at this very moment.

Yes I trust God for my safety, but still look both ways before crossing a one-way street.

[ZiSunka]

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[ZiSunka]

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[CelticRose]

Examples? Is this the sort of thing you mean?

We had a family near us that borrowed our tools (but didn't return them), ran up our phone bill (but didn't contribute financially to our bill), wanted us to mind their kids but wouldn't train them so we felt o.k about their kids being with ours. I could (& did) get pretty miffed with their attitude but when their eletricity got cut off & they ran out of food we cooked up a big pot of soup & took it round. There is no point in being miffed when the world behaves in a worldly way but can I really expect someone to listen to what I have to say about Jesus if their tummy is rumbling & I am overly concerned with worldly possessions myself? Perhaps you might have dealt with this situation differently but while we might appear 'soft' as regards phone, tools etc we were extremely blunt about telling them the one real cure for all their problems.

[ZiSunka]

Excellent example Celtic Rose! :clap:

I am really impressed by your answer and Menno's. They are very different, but both perfect examples of the peace witness in real life.

[CelticRose]

So how do you practise the peace witness, ZiSunka?

[ZiSunka]

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[CelticRose]

Yet you asked the original question? :scratch: Why don't you know? Not trying to be mean, just really curious.

[MrJim]

Two thoughts:

1. Much of the "peace witness" tends to be more of things not done rather than proactive things. There is the peace rallies and protests and such but often in anabaptist history it's been defined as not doing certain things more than doing certain things.

2. Compartmentalizing just one aspect of Christianity-peace witness in this case-may not be the easiest thing to do considering that anabaptists tend to have an entire worldview that encompasses all aspects of the faith-including peace. (:scratch: does that make sense:confused: )

...there it is..2 cents

[ZiSunka]

deleted.

Sorry for opening this thread.

I certainly didn't realize it would be breaking the "no flaming" rule.

I won't post again. :( Sorry to have bothered you.

[CelticRose]

Sorry. Did I miss something? How was this inflamatory? I didn't mean to chase you away ZiSunka, I was just curious.

Thank you for your insights, Menno. Like many Quakers I tend to get caught in 'the social gospel' thing, which is proactive but not necessarily the best way to approach things.

[MrJim]

:scratch:

[ZiSunka]

Sorry. Did I miss something? How was this inflamatory? I didn't mean to chase you away ZiSunka, I was just curious.


You know we're not allowed to discuss the actions of the moderators. Even posting that there was action by a mod is a violation of the rules.

I assume someone made a report against this thread under the "no flaming" rule.

I would guess that your strong reaction to my confession that I don't really know what "peace witness" looks like in real life is what triggered it, if I were allowed to discuss the whole matter.

That being not said, I won't bother you all again. :(

[CelticRose]

:scratch: :confused: :(

[MrJim]

ANYHOW...

One of the things I've thought are the returning military folks. And excellent peace witness would be to help these wounded men and women. Regardless of our war stance it would be an excellent way to serve. And it's not to attempt to convert them into mennonites or quakers-not a chance to prosyletize-not time to tell them they did wrong, but just to serve, help, and love.

[ZiSunka]

Menno, you've already made it abundantly clear that you think I'm a terrible person and a poor example of a Christian.

But I was sincerely looking to learn and grow from this thread.

So shoot me for it.

[MrJim]

...ok, I guess I missed something here. Seemed like a good topic so I was going to continue the thoughts even though you implied you were not going to "bother you all again". I don't know what happened, I don't know about any mod action, I don't know anything about saying you are bad.

[CelticRose]

As above. I thought this was a great topic & would love to hear your thoughts on it.

[Erinwilcox]

This thread is closed at the request of the OP.