Jim's Peacemaking

Friday, January 27, 2012

A Fresh Overview

Hello Friends, A Fresh Overview of Jim’s Peacemaking January 17, 2012

Before I get to the overview I would like to tell you a story:

When I was in Colombia last year I shared with some farmers that were forced to leave their farms by paramilitaries who accused them of helping another paramilitary group. I told them a story of how another village responded to the paramilitaries when they were accused of supporting the guerrillas. They said, “We are not going to leave our farm as usually happens. We would rather die than kill guerrillas.”
The leader in the audience responded, “Maybe we were cowards?” I feel this planted seeds for the farmers to consider standing up to bring peace to their village. This inspiring people to act for peace is one of the main purposes for my trips to Colombia.

Now for the overview.
My mission is to Grow Peace internationally and locally by
Instilling Hope through:
• Raising awareness of God’s actions for justice and peace through CPT.
• Inspiring people to act and pray.
• Modeling reconciliation, friendship, understanding, and compassion.
• Engaging in conversations that seek common ground.
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In 2011 I gave 25 presentations In Colombia encouraging schools and churches to get involved in Peacemaking. In April 2012 I plan to travel to Colombia again for about 1 1/2 months to share about my 8 years of peacemaking with the CPT Team.

In addition to my planned trip to Colombia in October and November I plan:

A speaking trip through Iowa and Missouri . The last time I was there I spoke at a Methodist church where the Pastor each week prays for the troops. When I was finished sharing he prayed for peace and for me.

A booth at the Illinois Bureau County Fair for 5 days in August. There I will share about my peacemaking and give out my “one click” pamphlets. These pamphlets enable people to write their senators, congressperson, and president with one click, asking them to stop supporting the 2 million dollars a minute for military that is part of the present US budget. (reference: afsc.org) You can see the pamphlet on line at www.Jimspeacemaking.org

A booth at the Mennonite Relief Sale at Goshen Indiana in September, where last year I gave out some 200 “one click” pamphlets. There people buy many books on peacemaking. That week I will speak in churches and schools. In 2011 I had 9 venues in the area.

A booth at the Cornerstone Music Festival for 5 days in June where I will give out about 400 “one click” pamphlets and talk to several hundred people. Many of these youth have never thought of connecting their journey as a Christian with peacemaking.

In conjunction with this I plan to continue to do peacemaking here in Chicago. This will include several presentations. And I'll be giving to people I meet on the street the “One Click” pamphlet along with a CPT brochure.
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Also I write some 20 peace letters to the 2000 people on my list each year.

And last but not least, I pray 2-3 hrs daily for friends, justice, peace and myself (to help keep me on track).

I might add that several people have asked whether I am still part of CPT. I am officially an alumnus promoting CPT by sharing about my 7 years with the CPT team in Colombia.
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Shalom, Jim

To maintain one soldier for war, our taxes pay a MILLION DOLLARS a year.
I will be a soldier for peace for $15,000 a year.

Would you like to be a join in this peacemaking by helping to fill the gap for the $5000. I need for the coming year? Thanks you for your consideration.

PS. To make a donation make checks out to:
Jim’s Peacemaking
send to: Jim’s Peacemaking Or donate on line at:www.jimspeacemaking.org
723 Seward St
Evanston, Il 60626
All donations are tax deductible.

Monday, January 23, 2012

A Fresh Overview of Jim’s Peacemaking

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Reading the Bible & Peace Advisory Board

Hello friends: Reading the Bible & Peace Advisory Board

An Interesting survey how reading the Bible shape our opinions from "Christianity Today", This is a magazine that has been one of the main voices for Evangelical Christians in the USA.

Survey: Frequent Bible Reading Can Turn You Liberal

What a surprising survey says about how reading the Bible frequently can turn you liberal (in some ways).

Aaron B. Franzen | posted 10/12/2011 10:20AM

Related articles and links | 1 of 2

A recent poll from LifeWay Research found that 89 percent of American households still own a Bible, with the average home having 4.1 Bibles. But owning a Bible is different from reading it—and pollsters might be surprised by what happens when many Americans do.

Most polls, surveys, and studies that have examined the Bible's influence have looked at views of its inspiration and methods of interpretation. Gallup, for example, has for four decades asked Americans how literally the Bible should be taken. Comparatively very little research has looked into what happens when one actually reads the Bible, especially when one reads it independently outside the church.

Perhaps we've assumed that such questions would be redundant, merely one more measure of religiosity, along with how often one attends church, how literally one views the Bible, and how much one prays. When researchers look at these indicators, they usually find a correlation with both political and moral conservativism. It's not always the case, but it is a trend. Reading the Bible on one's own makes a difference, too. The interesting part, however, is the unexpected difference it makes.

Frequent Bible reading has some predictable effects on the reader. It increases opposition to abortion as well as homosexual marriage and unions. It boosts a belief that science helps reveal God's glory. It diminishes hopes that science will eventually solve humanity's problems. But unlike some other religious practices, reading the Bible more often has some liberalizing effects—or at least makes the reader more prone to agree with liberals on certain issues. This is true even when accounting for factors such as political beliefs, education level, income level, gender, race, and religious measures (like which religious tradition one affiliates with, and one's views of biblical literalism).

Terrorism, Justice, and Science

In 2007, the Baylor Religion Survey asked Americans how often they read the Bible on their own. (It was a five-point scale in this study, ranging from "never" to "several times a week.") It also asked whether the federal government should expand its authority to fight terrorism—a reference to the Patriot Act. For each increased level of Bible-reading frequency, support for the Patriot Act decreased by about 13 percent.

Frequent Bible reading also influences views on criminal justice. As might be expected, respondents who were more politically liberal were prone to disagree with the statement, "The government should punish criminals more harshly." Unexpectedly (at least given the conservative stereotype), the more frequently people read the Bible, the more they too are prone to disagree with the statement. This is not an anomalous finding: Support for abolishing the death penalty increased by about 45 percent for each increase on the five-point scale measuring Bible-reading frequency.

Reading the Bible affects attitudes toward science as well. If you just ask people about biblical literalism, you don't find statistically significant differences in views of whether science and religion are compatible. But the more someone reads the Bible, the more likely he or she is to believe science and religion are compatible. (For each increase on the five-point scale, the odds that they see religion and science as incompatible decrease by 22 percent.)

Justice and Consumption

Some of the most interesting findings relate to moral attitudes. "How important is it," the survey asked, "to actively seek social and economic justice in order to be a good person?" Again, as would be expected, those with more liberal political leanings were more likely to say it's very or somewhat important. And those who read the Bible more often were more likely to agree. Indeed, they were almost 35 percent more likely to agree at each point on Baylor's five-point scale. That may be bad news for Glenn Beck, who last year told believers to leave their churches if they hear "social justice" language being used. Likewise, contrary to liberal media stereotypes, those who are most engaged in their faith (by directly and frequently reading its source material) are those who are most supportive of social and economic justice. A reading, politically conservative literalist is only slightly less supportive than a non-reading, politically liberal non-literalist.

Likewise, the survey asked whether one must consume or use fewer goods in order to be a good person. Political liberals and frequent Bible readers are more likely to say yes. A conservative Bible reader might not be as prone to say yes as a liberal non-reader, but think of it this way: Ask an evangelical who is politically conservative, has some college education, has an average level of income, is a biblical literalist, and does not read the Bible, and you'll have only a 22 percent chance he or she will say reducing consumption is part of ethical living. Ask the same person, only now they read the Bible, and you'll have a 44 percent chance they'll say so. It's still not a majority, but the swing is dramatic.

Why The Bible Pushes You Leftward

The discussion becomes even more interesting when we consider who is most likely to read the Bible frequently. It's evangelicals and biblical literalists, those who tend to be more conservative on these topics. In other words, those who read the Bible most often are more conservative, but the more they read the Bible, the more likely it is that their views will change, at least on these topics.

Why does this happen? One possible explanation is that readers tend to have expectations of a text prior to reading it. Given the Bible's prominence in our society, it's little wonder that many people think they know what's in it before they open it up. But once they start reading it on their own, they are bound to be surprised by something, and this surprising new content is then integrated and grafted on to the familiar. Beliefs do change with the addition of new information.

But it doesn't have to be unfamiliar content to surprise the reader. It just has to be personally relevant. Frequent Bible readers may have different views of biblical authority, but they tend to read it devotionally, looking for ways in which Scripture is speaking directly to them. They will read until struck by something that sticks out in the text. Even if the reader thinks the Bible has some error or needs a lot of interpretation, this thunderbolt moment can take on tremendous personal significance.

But frequent Bible readers don't just see the Bible as personal. They also see it as authoritative, written by an author who had a specific context and intent, and they want to conform to its message. After all, why read the Bible with no desire to embrace what it teaches?

In short, sometimes reading the Bible can change views and attitudes because readers are surprised by what's in it. Other times, it's just a matter of discipleship.

Aaron B. Franzen is a graduate student in the sociology department at Baylor University. This research is undergoing peer review. Below is link related to the above.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/october/how-to-read-bible.html

Here is my peacemaking advisory after December 3rd meeting. They review my finances, past work, and future plans each meeting. Left to right Tim Doran-Moriaty (absent his wife Sharon), Ron Frantz all from Reba Place, Rich Foss via shype from Plow creek, Ron Johnson, and sober e. 111203 advisory BD 002.jpg -

Shalom, Jim

Endangering the Troops

Hello friends, Endangering the Troops November 30, 2011

“You should not cut the military budget that will endanger the troops; our military only responds in self defense, they will not a have a way to defend themselves." Shared a sister with much feeling who just got returned from the Special Forces in Iraq,

I responded, “I didn't think of that. We should bring them home first that makes sense. I will have to change my flyer" She added, "Yes lets bring them home first, and in addition the private contractors make several times more pay than the soldiers, there has not been a cost of living increase for them for several years now. The politicians are the big problem.This is not right; the soldiers are risking their lives.” This conversation occurred at the end of my presentation at the Eugene Oregon, Quaker church.

“Can you help me, said Pedro Avila in his broken English in Portland Amtrak Station; I responded do you speak Espanol? I speak Espanol, Pedro responded,” wonderful” as he went on to tell me, “I came to Portland hoping to meet a friend who has not show up. It's cold and rainy out and security has told me I have to get out of here if I don't have a ticket.(Interestingly I did not have a ticket either and security never said anything to me.) I got a meal at a church for homeless I was very grateful for that. It is too cold here, really stupid for me to come here.
I just want to return to Sacramento California where it is warm. A ticket cost 94 dollars and I only have $20. I added, "God is with us all, don't worry something will work out we will not leave you here out in the cold. I do not have $74. but I know my friends between us we will be able to help or we will take you home for the night with us. So between two friends and I we put together the money and some food including a couple of sandwiches.

And as we bought his tickers I said Here take this extra $11 when you get to Sacramento, you will have to pawn money to get you the some 200 miles home to Bakersfield.. "Pedro answered No, no please you keep that $11.” “No I insist you take it,´ “No no, well Ok, you are such nice people, be sure to tell your friends thank you too.

Here at the Evergreen Mennonite church in Seattle I am sharing in place of the sermon, followed by their many questions that occupied Sunday school hour.

When you were here a few years ago, I remember you shared your response to our question about how to response to violence in our neighborhood it has stuck with us. You said, just show up, tell the truth, listen, and pray. that has been very helpful to us.” shared Rusty from Springwater church in Portland, Oregon That was encouraging to hear.

Up date, I just learned that Roberto along with two other Christian female friends in Barranca just won the election to the city council. That is a major victory for getting monies to those in most need, more honesty in government, breaking much corruption. All this is a part of bringing peace to Colombia. Thanks for your prayers that I ask of you in June.

"If you fail to help some one in stress, you kill your heart." a African proverb. One of about a hundred plagues on a peace wall between the library and the Court house in Salem, Oregon.

It was very encouraging to see them in this public place.

Thanks for your support that enabled me to do 27 presentations in this speaking trip from Los Angles to Seattle.

Peace, Jim

Monday, November 7, 2011

Put on the Spot

Hello friends, Put on the Spot November 27,2011

" What would you do if you were president when the Japanese invaded Japan? ask a sister a number of times putting me on the spot at the Mt. View Mennonite Church in a suburb of Los Angeles, I hesitated trying to think what to say, I finally responded, "I don't know what I would do, I would have to think about that. I have heard that our government knew it was going to happen but they wanted to let it happen so they could rally the people of the united States to support the government going to war. I wonder if that was not the truth."

Afterwards a brother from the audience who had obviously studied that history, said to me in detail,"You were right the government did know about it beforehand."

I went on to say, " Often people ask, " What would you do if someone attack your family?" We are putting lots of effort in to how to make war and so little into how to make peace nonviolently. We as Christians should be reading about that, preparing ourselves for that kind of situation. There are lots of examples of people saving many lives in WWII using nonviolence that we never hear about in our history books. Gene Sharp has written a book full of stories about that."

I also added, " Jesus is always the example I try to follow, he calls us to love our enemies and as my bumper sticker here says " I don't think he meant to kill them" Our culture tells us that Jesus's way just isn't practical. It seems pretty clear all these wars are the impractical thing, Have they created peace and security? To me it seems pretty clear they haven't."

Here in the mist of a question and answer time at Tujunga high School , the teacher interrupted me to tell the class, " I don't agree with everything Jim is saying." I shot back, " Yes I am right and he is wrong." than the whole class laughed and clapped very vigorously for me. It really shows the healthy lightness and freedom in that school. I was very impressed with the obviously close student/teacher relationship too. That made it all fun.

This is the third time I spoke at this school. And when my friend Cordell ask the teachers about when they could work me into there classes, they said, we will can always work Jim in anytime. he always has 1st hand experiences to share about peacemaking our students are not aware of. This is very important education and it really grabs their attention.

Many of the teachers told me personally how much they appreciated the opportunity to have me share in their classes and that I have a standing invitation to come back.I shared 9 times in in 3 days at that school. One teacher is pastor and he invited me to share in his church.

Pray for the sprouting of the seeds planted in this speaking trip. Next I head to Fresno University.
Thank you very much,

Jim

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Why didn't they shoot you ?

Dear Friend, Why didn't they shoot you ? 10/13/11

“Why didn’t they shoot you? Asked one of the students at Bethany Mennonite Christian School. I responded, might be because I am an American. But my sense is it is a lot because people are praying for us. At my talks over the years I run into people who say they heard about CPT and they have been praying for us. I sense more and more over the years these prayers have not only provided protection, but also they have made our work effective beyond what I will ever imagine.

Another questioned “Were you ever scared?” I answered, “When we run into any of the guerrilla, paramilitaries, or the Colombian Army and they point their guns at us we never know what they might do, I must say fear runs through me. Though thanks be to God they haven’t shot at us yet.”

We usually talk with them then, and we get to know them. And once that happens, I think they see us as people, and than it is hard for them to shoot some one they know.

These were some of the most common questions students raised in my 10 times of sharing in North Manchester and Goshen Indiana. I also spend two days at the Mennonite Relief Sale with a booth where I had many good conversations. One couple was Amish.

Here I am sharing about my 7 years with the CPT in Colombia with a 7th grade class in Goshen Indiana. They had lots of questions.

Pray for my speaking trip in California, Oregon, and Washington October 18th – November 22nd that it may plant seeds that would sprout, grow, and flourish.

Thank you for your interest and support of this peacemaking.

Peace, Jim

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

"Can we get in?"

Dear Friends , "What’s going on? Colombia ( a little late) May 25, 2011

"What’s going on? Can we get in?" I ask Olga the teacher who had invited me to share in her class. Olga replied, "The students are on strike, the mayor paid a company a month to sweep the floors, clean the bathrooms, the cafeteria, etc. in the schools. and they have not done it. And to the surprise of everyone a group of students are calling a strike in protest and not letting the school function today . Guess we will have to forget about your two presentations. Sorry,"CIMG1985 (Medium).JPG

Here are a few of the upper class high school students who have therefore taken it on to close the school for a day to get the mayor's attention. The signs say, "For our space", "We want our cafeteria". To the far left is Ebertys with Olga next to her.

"Well, how about we go have some coffee at that little shop across the street?" suggested Ebertys, the friend who had set up the presentation. "Sure, that sounds good," I responded. “Why don’t you show Olga the pictures and tell her the stories right here at the table?" added Ebertys. "Are you sure?" I responded. "Sure - you have the pictures here," said Ebertys.

Letting my coffee get cold I shared the presentation with Olga, encouraged by Ebertys from time to time. When I finished I drank my cold coffee and ate my delicious Colombian pastry. Olga said, "That was a really good sharing. Since you have the pictures on a flash drive could you copy them to my flash drive, so I could show my students? My students have to see these pictures and hear these stories. We live in Barranca and don’t even know that kind of thing has been happening here. Thanks so much for sharing this with me!"

“Sure, I would be glad to put them on your flash drive." I answered. Ebertys has set up 9 of the 19 presentation I have done so far.

"Colombian President Santos is surprising us all beyond our imagination, I can hardly believe it. We all thought he was going to be like President Uribe, aggressive, refusing to dialogue with his neighbors Venezuela’s President Chavez, or Ecuador's president Correa. And now Santos is even saying he is going to dialogue with the guerrillas. He has uncovered some scandals that probably are even connected to Uribe." remarked a friend. I added, "The Lord always surprises us by the people he uses."

The minister of Agriculture Roberts, who was close friends with Uribe, is now going to jail for corruption. Uribe has said, "It is a shame; Roberts was a good person. Santos and I are no longer friends. I disagree with what he is doing." Santos has even recognized that there is a war going on in Colombia. This recognition will give government help to many poor farmers who before were just out in the cold to fend for themselves to get the medical help for their war injuries". Such has been the response of Francisco and of many of my Colombian friends who are in the know. Francisco added, “Guns have never worked to bring peace to Colombia; dialogue is the only way."

Pray for President Santos that God would guide him and that he would have the courage to continue to do the things that make for peace in Colombia.

Thank you for your prayers for me too,

Peace, Jim