Spiritual Peacebuilding

In the church world, there is an abundance of teaching about spiritual warfare, but little is known about the next dimension, spiritual peacebuilding.

Library shelves are lined with books about fighting spiritual warfare -- standing firm “against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12) but there are few titles that promote the pathways to the “peace that transcends all understanding” (Phil. 4:7).

Christians around the world proudly proclaim the war cry, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:13) and then attack the very people they are commanded to love. In more severe cases of conflict, opponents may even be demonized by being assigned names of evil spirits to their bad behaviors; he has a spirit of unforgiveness, she has a Jezebel spirit, they must have unconfessed sin in their lives, or they are a cancer that has to be removed. Some writers even make exhaustive lists, to assure that every evil spirit is exposed. Don’t be mistaken, there is a time for genuine spiritual warfare where believers are commanded to take a stand against Satan and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, fearlessly proclaiming the “manifold wisdom of God” (Eph 6:10-11; 3:10). However, many of the battles could be avoided, or kept from being so damaging, if the church would teach and practice effective peacemaking skills rather than focusing on spiritual warfare alone.

By creating an environment where open dialogue, looking out for the interest of others, and problem solving skills are a first response rather than the final attempt to stop the hurting or halt the division, there would be more churches enjoying a peaceful ministry. A knife has the capability to kill in the hands of an angry and resentful victim. A knife also has the ability to be skillfully used in the hand of a surgeon who knows exactly where to cut with precision and leave only the faintest reminder of a scar.
--- excerpt from "The Peace-Full Church: Spiritual Peacebuilding for Church Leaders

Strengthened by His Peace

Conscience or Divine Encouragement?

The clock on my phone beamed out of the darkness 4:10 a.m. A revolving thought, you know the kind… a single thought circling in your mind… repeating… rehearsing… like a nervous honeybee -- the words were searching for a place to land.

The meditation wasn’t earth shattering, or even that important when compared to issues that often awaken a person from a sound sleep.  It was a simple item from yesterday’s “to do list” that was carrying itself over to the next day.  The day before, I sent an email to the customer service department of a major international company regarding a request to close an account I was no longer using.  Nearly 14 hours had past, since I sent the email request, and there was no reply in my inbox, -- which I found a bit strange because generally there is at least an auto-reply informing me the email had been received.

After about 20 minutes of restlessness, I decided to rise from my bed and descend downstairs to call the customer service number and see if I could progress beyond the automated voice system and actually talk with a real person.  Being the middle of the night, I expected the representative to be located in the Philippines, or India, or in some other exotic out-sourced locale.

The automated system quickly announced, “You are being transferred to a customer service representative in Ohio.”  And with no additional wait time, I heard the live voice, “Hello, this is Nancy, may I have your name?”  I politely answered, “My name is Terry Petty and I would like to close my account.”

Nancy seemed a bit surprised… as did I… when she said, “Mr. Petty, I am the one who answered your email request. In fact, I just hit the SEND button before I answered this call. Your account information is still open on my screen.” Amazed, I questioned myself, what are the chances that could happen?  The exact timing… the very individual… there are potentially hundreds of customer service representatives stationed all over the globe that could have been routed to this call! 

Nancy efficiently attended to my request. I offered my appreciation for her assistance and extended wishes for her to have a great day. Five minutes after the ending of the telephone conversation, my phone announced I had a “new email.”  The emailed template reply transported from Nancy’s computer in Ohio, to a satellite in outer space, and then to its destination, my IN-BOX, before and after the time I personally communicated with her on the phone.

As I nestled my pillow to go back to sleep, I had a new thought to contemplate. Did I just experience a remarkable coincidence? Or had I just received a gift of divine encouragement?

I took comfort in realizing that God entered my sleep, communicated with me by using incredible precision and detail, and reminded me of His loving care.

Over the past several months, I have questioned my ability to “hear God’s voice” and with sincerity would pray “am I faithfully being obedient to God’s leading?”  Once again, the Lord has demonstrated His intimate presence. I am indeed grateful and strengthened by His peace.

Isaiah 58:11 “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”