If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you. (Genesis 31:42) There comes a time when enough is […]
Read More Genesis: 31 – Band On The RunHello, mane is Christopher Dryden, I am a peacemaker. A commitment to making peace is a commitment to joining God in the realisation of what He had seen in the beginning – that which is good being complete and being very good. To a degree humanity has always pursued concepts of progress. History is encouraged […]
Read More What Makes Peace? 5 – ExcellenceSo the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones to Jacob. In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys. (Genesis 30:42, 43) To trick your nephew once is tough. Laban just didn’t know when to leave a good thing alone.. […]
Read More Genesis: 30 – Don’t Mess With A Blessed ManIt’s hard to know which one is more frustrating. The one who is inactive, ot the one who actively frustrates the desire for peaceful progress. The reason why it’s such a tight race between the two types of people is because in as much as the latter is an opponent, at least you know where […]
Read More What Makes Peace? 4 – ConstructiveShe conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children. (Genesis 29:35) You met your match. You imagine using that phrase when you see what Jacob endures when he meets Laban. The trickster comes across a […]
Read More Genesis: 29 – A Tricky SituationFor God’s sake do something. It’s a pity that this phrase is usually uttered in frustration at someone’s inactivity. Indeed such is it’s dismissive and piqued usage that some put it down as taking the name in vain. All that is a pity actually because it is the ethos of why peacemakers are active. It […]
Read More What Makes Peace? 3 – ActionI am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. (Genesis 28:15) It is fascinating. Like his grandfather, Jacob had such an encounter with God that it became a significant […]
Read More Genesis: 28 – A Divine EncounterHello, my name is Christopher Dryden, I am a peacemaker. I am also a father of three daughters. The youngest daughter is named Zoe (there should be two dots over the e, but nevertheless). This April she will turn five years old and it’s already a good time to reflect on why she was so […]
Read More What Makes Peace? 2 – EnthusiasmWhen Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father!” But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.” (Genesis 27:34, 35) You can hear the bitter and anguished tones of Esau on the realisation that he’s lost it […]
Read More Genesis: 27 – The Bless and the MessHello, my name is Christopher Dryden, I am a peacemaker. Typing those words is not easy for me or even that natural. I am an easy going guy who likes to avoid confrontation wherever possible. That does not make me a peacemaker. The Prince of Peace was hardly a guy who ran from confrontation. Preferring […]
Read More What Makes Peace? 1 – Priority
Life With CD 