by J. Randal Matheny (c) 2003

A million prayers arose unheard
to plead for peace and find relief
from worries of war. No word
sufficed; a tyrant's disbelief
soon soured to grief when soldiers marched
to ditties of war. Hussein
took flight as tanks raced over parched
Iraq to conquer his insane
committees of war. A pause
of peace will bless the just man's door
and warn those twisted fiends who cause
the flurries of war, the flurries of war.

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Hopes for international peace will always be frustrated, for "wars and rumors of wars" will never leave us in this world. There has never been a time of real peace, unless you count periods of imposed concord like the Pax Romana. That fact ought to conduct us to the Prince of Peace, who promises a peace different from that which the world envisions. Have you found it yet?

http://opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110003260

And what if the Good Samaritan had come along a little earlier?

by J. Randal Matheny (c) 2003

Resolve to be like Christ, where truth resides;
In him find self and all the world besides.

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In "Self-dependence," Matthew Arnold wrote, "Resolve to be thyself: and know, that he who finds himself, loses his misery." He has a point. But perhaps there's a bigger objective than being yourself. To be like Christ is to discover one's true self, and much more as well.

by J. Randal Matheny (c) 2003

Forgetfulness is nothing but excuse,
a poor defense when discipline is loose.

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All of us forget things now and again. But when we regularly offer up "I forgot" to cover our tracks and get us out of a bind, it may just be a sign of irresponsibility. Kids use it all the time. We teach them that forgetfulness doesn't cut it. Much less in adults.

Of course, the most important thing not to forget is that God took care of your Problem. To say "I forgot" to him would be the height of ingratitude.

So remember: forgetting doesn't get it.

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1. Write a poem or prayer.
2. Pray.
3. Count my blessings.
4. Take a hike.
5. Tell my kids a joke.
6. Kiss my wife and look deep in her eyes.
7. Read a good book.
8. Find someone who needs a hand or ear.
9. Read notes and compliments stashed away.
10. Sing a rousing spiritual song.