Podcasts about Peacemaking

In this weeks episode Jono shares some resources to pray about the violence and unrest in Northern Ireland during this past week.

June 12, 2026 Daily Devotional: “Becoming a Bridge”Matthew 5:9  ​"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." In a world that often rewards the loudest voice, the sharpest retort, or the most aggressive stance, Jesus drops a radical truth bomb right in the middle of theSermon on the Mount. He doesn't say, "Blessed are the peace-keepers." He says, "Blessed are the peace-makers." There is a massive difference between a peace-keeper and a peace-maker. A peace-keeper often avoidsconflict at all costs. They stay quiet to keep from rocking the boat, sweep tension under the rug, and let bitterness brew below the surface just to maintain the appearance of calm. It's an exhausting way to live, and it doesn'tactually fix anything—it just delays the storm. ​Jesus doesn't call us to be peace-keepers. He calls us to be peacemakers. Making peace is active. It requires moving toward tension, not running away from it. It looks like initiating a hard conversation, listening to understand rather than to win, and offering forgiveness when it isn't deserved. Peacemakers are bridge-builders in a world that loves to dig trenches. Jesus is saying that when you actively work to heal relationships, bring harmony, and mend divides, you look exactly like your Heavenly Father. God is the ultimate peacemaker—He initiated the restoration of humanity's broken relationship with Him. When we do the same for others, we are acting like true family members. ​The beautiful promise attached to this beatitude is identity: "they will be called children of God." When we actively work to bring reconciliation and healing into our relationships, we are mirroring our Heavenly Father. We look most like His children when we bring His peace into chaotic places. ​Peacemaking doesn't have to mean tackling global conflicts; it starts in our everyday interactions. Identify one area of tension in your life today. ​Is it an unreturned text? ​An undercurrent of frustration with a coworker? ​An apology you've been holding back? Being a peacemaker today might mean- ​swallowing your pride to say, "I'm sorry, let's fix this," even if you were only 10% at fault. ​Choosing not to repeat that piece of juicy gossip you justheard. ​Actively listening to someone you disagree with, seeking to understand them rather than defeat them. Choose one active step to build a bridge today, even if it's as simple as listening without interrupting or choosing to let a minor offense go. Matthew 5:9 means that God's blessing rests on those who refuse to let brokenness, division, and arguments stand. It calls us to aggressively pursue reconciliation, speak truth in love, and heal fractured relationships—even when it's incrediblyuncomfortable.

Are the Anti-Nephi-Lehies a Bad Example of Peace? Alaska Frontier Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/alaska Ralph Hancock and Patrick Mason Take Opposite Sides Can Nonviolence Work in the Real World? Can Nonviolence Really Work in the Real World? What was Mormon trying to say about peace? Is Captain Moroni a Peacemaker? Ralph Hancock's review of Patrick Mason's, Proclaim Peace - https://aliveandintelligent.substack.com/p/where-will-we-turn-for-peace Cwic Media Website: http://www.cwicmedia.com

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!emersonk78@me.comExcel Still More Journal - AmazonNew GENESIS Daily Bible Devotional!Daily Bible Devotional Series - AmazonTitle Sponsor: Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide MortgageWebsites: https://statewidemortgage.com/https://tylercain.floify.com/Phone: 813-380-8487Mathew Allen Article: "When The Tongues Isn't The Real Problem"Three Takeaways from the Article:1) The tongue reveals the wisdom we live by.2) Being right is not the same thing as being wise.3) Peacemaking is not weakness - it's the highest form of wisdom.And... three practical things to do this week:- Audit your most recent conflict- Start praying James 1:5 specifically- Become a farmer instead of a fighter

Genesis 1:31 reveals a powerful truth about God's character: He is a God of order, purpose, and intentional design. In this devotional, Deidre Braley explores what it means to be created in the image of God and how His orderly nature is reflected throughout creation. From the boundaries He established in the natural world to the systems that allow life to flourish, God demonstrates that order is not restrictive—it is life-giving. As believers, we are called to reflect His character by bringing peace, clarity, and purpose into the spaces we influence. Highlights God’s creation reveals His nature as a God of order and purpose. Being made in God’s image means reflecting His character in everyday life. Order creates space for people, relationships, and communities to thrive. Stewarding our homes and possessions can be an act of worship. Healthy systems and organization help good work flourish. Peacemaking reflects God’s heart and brings stability to relationships. Christians are called to bring clarity and hope into chaotic situations. Small acts of intentionality can create lasting impact in our daily lives. Join the Conversation Where do you sense God calling you to bring greater order, peace, or purpose into your life? Have you experienced how creating healthy rhythms and boundaries has helped you grow spiritually? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: What it Means to Be Made in the Image of an Orderly God By Deidre Braley Bible Reading: God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. - Genesis 1:31 NIV Marie Kondo is known as one of the world’s most beloved tidying experts, and one day she convinced me that the path to inner peace would be to pull all of the clothes out of my closet and throw them on my bed to be analyzed, one by one. I had just watched the first episode of her show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix, in which she teaches her proteges to ask this question: When I touch this item, does it spark joy? If the answer is yes, then the item gets to stay. If the answer is no, the directive is to thank the item for its service and then bid it adieu. Even if this sounds a little woo-woo, I have to say that after I had removed a great many joyless items from my wardrobe and reorganized the rest of my clothes back into the closet, I felt an internal sigh of relief. I did feel more joyful. I felt as though a burden had lifted, as though a weight I’d been unwittingly carrying around for years was suddenly gone. In 1872, John Wesley preached, “Cleanliness is, indeed, next to godliness,” and though he was talking specifically about the way a person dressed and cared for their appearance, I think he was pressing on a deeper spiritual truth, too. Cleanliness is the visual representation of order, and our Creator is, as evidenced by creation, a God of order. If you look carefully at the creation story, you will notice that God did not just bring all things into being—he also gave them each a designated spot, a boundary for existence, a specific space in which to thrive. He separated the light from the darkness, giving both their time to reign, as day and night. He gave each plant one specific fruit to bear. He told the sea how far it could go and then said, “No more.” Biblical scholar Rachel Smith describes God’s work in a way that Marie Kondo would approve of: “It (the world) was designed to run well and to be a well-ordered environment for its occupants. This is the sense of good in the creation account. Everything God created He declared good because it acted within its purpose and provided benefits” (Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God, pg. 62-63). Intersecting Faith & Life: What does it mean to bear God’s image? It means to care about the things he cares about, and to reflect his character out into the world. And one of the things that God cares about is order, which creates space for life to thrive. When we enter into chaos and bring disorder back into equilibrium, we are doing the work of God. Here are some practical areas where we might do that today. In our physical spaces Declutter one area of your home. Choose a junk drawer, a closet, or a bedroom. Remove everything, and only put back what serves a purpose or, per the advice of Marie Kondo, brings joy. Give each item a designated space, and then, if you can, bring a little extra beauty to that area. Organize by color. Add flowers. Freshen with a scented sachet. Is there a time of day that feels particularly chaotic? Create a ritual to help it go more smoothly. If morning times are hectic, for example, pre-set your coffee pot the night before. Lay out your clothes. Wake up ten minutes earlier. Light a candle while you eat breakfast. See how these adjustments bring a sense of peace to what used to feel overwhelming. In our workplaces Administration may not be glamorous, but it is essential for bringing order. If you have the gift of administration—that is, organizing information, communication, and actions into systems that run smoothly—put it into practice in your workplace. Good structures help good work to thrive. Be a problem solver. If you see that something is not working and have an idea for how to fix it, say something. Be someone who steps into situations and brings clarity and excellence. In our communities Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). In our communities, bringing order looks like bringing peace—to relationships, to organizations, to broken systems. When we step into disordered situations or strained relationships in our neighborhoods or even global communities, we are reflecting God’s image by bringing equilibrium. This could look as simple as serving on the PTA and being a voice of calm and reason when the meetings get heated, or it could look like serving in outreach ministries to provide for the real, everyday needs of neighbors. Further Reading: Genesis 1:1-31 Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God by Rachel Booth Smith Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How do you build peace in a war zone? During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, it didn't always start with politicians or treaties. Sometimes it started with an ordinary cup of tea. Explore the hidden history of how Irish Quakers stepped into the margins of a deeply divided society, using radical acts of hospitality to do the quiet, dangerous work of turning enemies into friends. Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

In this episode, Fr. John Dear joins me to explore his latest book, Universal Love: Surrendering to the God of Peace and one of the core convictions at the center of it: genuine peacemaking begins not with better strategy or more effort, but with total surrender to the God of peace, to the will of God. We talk about what it looks like to take the Sermon on the Mount seriously, why following the non-violent Jesus is the way, and how the daily practice of "not my will, but yours" carries not only inner transformation, but political implications that go all the way to the streets.Fr. John Dear is an American peace activist, lecturer, author and Catholic priest residing in the Diocese of Monterey in California. Dear has written 40 books on Jesus, peace and nonviolence, and has been arrested 85 times in acts of nonviolent civil disobedience against war, injustice, poverty, racism, executions, nuclear weapons, and environmental destruction. He is the founder and director of the Beatitudes Center, where he offers the "Nonviolent Jesus Podcast". Fr. John's Book:Universal LoveConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeSupport the podcast and the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

https://youtu.be/Qd6qplgMVdU https://www.uncommen.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/May-29th.mp3 The Devastating Cost of Staying Out of the Way There is a silent but devastating epidemic crippling the modern Christian home, and it has absolutely nothing to do with being a bad provider or a bad person. The crisis is happening inside our own families, dressed in the most comfortable, socially acceptable clothing available. It sounds exactly like this: “I just let my wife manage the schedule because she's better at it anyway, and it creates less conflict.” Men repeat this line like a badge of wisdom, like a strategy, like the peace they think they are building. But that sentiment is not wisdom. It is a devastating retreat from the very post God called you to guard — and your family is paying the price for your absence every single day. The modern definition of keeping the peace has tricked men into completely abandoning biblical leadership in the home. We have been sold a massive lie that staying out of the way is a form of grace toward our wives and families. For generations, men have mistakenly assumed that biblical leadership in the home was reserved for intense spiritual giants — the guys who pray for an hour before sunrise and have every theological answer ready on demand. But biblical leadership in the home is not a personality type; it is a command, and it belongs to every man sitting on a couch while his family drifts without direction. The cost of outsourcing this responsibility is not just inconvenient. It is spiritually catastrophic. The Adam Problem: Passivity Is Not Neutral Most men think of passivity as the absence of a problem. If you are not yelling, not absent, not addicted to something destructive, you have cleared the bar. This is the Adam Problem, and it is as old as the first chapter of the human story. When the serpent approached Eve in the garden, Adam was right there — physically present and spiritually absent. He let the enemy speak without challenge, let the fruit get picked without intervention, and then had the audacity to blame the woman God gave him for the entire catastrophe. Biblical leadership in the home was the first thing men abandoned in human history, and we have been repeating that exact pattern ever since. Passive leadership is not neutral territory. Passive leadership is still leadership — it just works entirely for the wrong team. When a passive husband refuses to initiate the spiritual direction of his family, someone else fills that vacuum immediately. The culture fills it. The screens fill it. The school system, the friend group, the social media algorithm fill it. Biblical leadership in the home does not operate in a vacuum; it operates under constant pressure from forces that are absolutely hostile to the faith you are trying to build. Every time you “stay out of the way,” you are making a leadership decision. You are making it by default instead of by design, and the enemy could not be more grateful for your cooperation. Peacekeeping Versus Peacemaking: The Cold War at Your Kitchen Table There is a fundamental, critical difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking, and a staggering number of passive husbands have confused the two completely. Peacekeeping is conflict avoidance dressed up as gentleness. It looks like a man who lets his wife carry the full weight of the family schedule because confronting the chaos feels worse than ignoring it. It looks like a man who goes quiet during an argument because checked out is easier than engaged. Peacekeeping creates a shallow, exhausting Cold War climate in your marriage — the kind where everything appears fine from the outside, but where both people know something critical is fundamentally missing. Biblical leadership in the home is not peacekeeping. It is peacemaking. Peacemaking is far more costly than peacekeeping. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, ESV) The Greek word used here — eirēnopoios — means one who actively creates peace, not one who passively avoids conflict. Biblical leadership in the home is the work of a peacemaker: a man who walks directly into the hard conversation, the messy logistical disaster, the spiritually drifting household, and brings the full weight of his calling to bear on the problem. A passive husband keeps the peace by retreating. A man committed to biblical leadership in the home makes the peace by stepping in, owning the moment, and working toward genuine unity — not just the absence of noise. The Cold War comparison is not an exaggeration. When a man consistently avoids leading, his wife does not feel loved by his deference; she feels alone in it. She adapts by handling everything herself because someone has to. He retreats further because she seems to have it covered. Over time, the marriage develops a functional distance that has nothing to do with love and everything to do with leadership failure. Biblical leadership in the home does not just affect your spiritual life. It shapes the entire emotional climate of your household, and your silence is one of the loudest statements you make every single week. The Numbers 32:6 Indictment: Why Are You Sitting There? The Bible has absolutely no patience for men who stay on the sideline while others carry the battle. In Numbers 32:6, Moses delivers a direct, brutal rebuke to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who wanted to settle comfortably on the east side of the Jordan rather than cross into the fight: “Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?” (Numbers 32:6, ESV) This is not a gentle pastoral suggestion. This is a public indictment of men who found a comfortable situation and decided that the battle belongs to someone else. The spiritual application is devastating in its accuracy. Every passive husband sitting in a home where his wife is fighting the spiritual battle alone is sitting in the exact same chair as Reuben and Gad. Your brothers are going to war. The fight for your children's faith is happening right now, inside your own living room, and biblical leadership in the home demands you pick up and step into it. Not dominate. Not micromanage. But lead. The verse does not ask whether you are a good provider, a conflict-avoidant man, or a genuinely well-meaning husband. It asks one devastating question: Why are you sitting there while the battle rages around you? Biblical leadership in the home does not require perfection. It requires presence — the kind of engaged, intentional, willing-to-be-uncomfortable presence that most passive husbands have been systematically outsourcing for years. What Biblical Leadership in the Home Actually Looks Like Here is what biblical leadership in the home is not: it is not the loudest voice in the room, the man who controls every decision, or the theological expert who delivers a sermon at the dinner table every night. Those are caricatures, and they are the exact caricatures that passive husbands use to justify their retreat. “I'm not that kind of guy,” they say — as if the only two options are domineering tyrant or quiet bystander. Spiritual leadership for men looks nothing like either extreme. Biblical leadership in the home looks like a man who notices the spiritual temperature of his household and takes responsibility for it. It looks like praying out loud with your wife before bed — not because you have the perfect words, but because you refuse to let that moment go unclaimed. It looks like driving the family devotional even when you feel completely unqualified, because your kids do not need a theologian at the head of the table; they need a father who takes their faith seriously enough to show up for it. It looks like sitting down with your wife and presenting a thoughtful game plan for a major family decision instead of waiting for her to solve it alone. Spiritual leadership for men is fundamentally relational and practical, not performative. The Barna Group has documented consistently that men who actively step into the spiritual leadership of their homes raise children dramatically more likely to maintain their faith into adulthood. (Barna Group Research on Family and Faith) Biblical leadership in the home has generational consequences that ripple far beyond the week you decide to start. The man who steps into this calling today is not just changing his marriage. He is redirecting the trajectory of his entire family for decades. Blind Spots: Why Good Men Stay Passive Most passive husbands are not cruel men. They are not men who have consciously decided not to lead. They are men who have developed powerful, deeply ingrained blind spots that make their retreat feel reasonable — even noble. Understanding these blind spots is a critical component of reclaiming spiritual leadership for men who genuinely want to change. The first blind spot is the competency myth: “She is better at this than I am.” This statement is almost always true on a functional level and completely irrelevant on a leadership level. Biblical leadership in the home is not about being the most competent person in the household. Your wife may be a better organizer, a more emotionally intelligent parent, and a more consistent prayer warrior. None of that eliminates your responsibility to lead. A man who truly grasps biblical leadership in the home invites his wife's strengths into the process rather than using them as an excuse to opt out permanently. The second blind spot is the conflict avoidance trap. Men who grew up in explosive households are often so committed to not repeating that environment that they swing entirely to the opposite extreme. The silence feels like safety. But biblical leadership in the home requires you to make a fundamental distinction: there is a massive difference between a man who avoids creating unnecessary conflict and a man who avoids every uncomfortable moment....

Send us a Text Message - include your name!In this episode of Faith Over Breakfast, Eric and Andy take on peacemaking: what it is, what it is not, and why it matters for followers of Jesus. They talk about the world's understanding of peace, conflict, and the Garden of Eden. They also consider the peace Jesus provides, which stands in contrast to the world's idea that peace is simply the absence of conflict. Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Catholics living out our faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showSupport"Faith Over Breakfast with Pastors Andy & Eric" is a weekly podcast where Pastors Andy and Eric come together over a imaginary delicious breakfast to talk about faith, food, sermons, culture, and more. In each episode, the pastors delve into thought-provoking topics and offer inspiring insights and practical guidance for those seeking to deepen their relationship with Jesus. With occasional guests joining the conversation, "Faith Over Breakfast with Pastors Andy & Eric" provides a unique perspective on what it means to live a life of faith in today's world. Whether you're a seasoned Christian or just starting on your faith journey, this podcast is the perfect companion for your morning routine. So join Pastors Andy and Eric each week as they explore the intersections of faith, food, and life over a delicious breakfast.Support:https://www.buzzsprout.com/97804/support

The LSE Middle East Centre hosted the launch of Richard Barltrop's paper, 'Sudan's Current War: A Longer View on Peacemaking and Prospects'. This hybrid event launched a new paper examining the ongoing war in Sudan, which broke out in 2023. Drawing on lessons from the history of peacemaking in Sudan and comparative insights from other civil wars, the paper reflects on pathways toward ending the conflict, including the urgency of de-escalation, the need for sustained, long-term peacebuilding efforts, and the importance of Sudanese leadership and ownership in shaping a durable peace process. Richard will be joined by discussants Raga Makawi and Abdel Salam Sidahmad, and the event will be chaired by LSE's Laura Mann. Meet our speakers Richard Barltrop is a Visiting Senior Fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre researching contemporary approaches to peacemaking and peace processes. He has worked for the UN in the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa and is the author of Darfur and the International Community: The Challenges of Conflict Resolution in Sudan (IB Tauris, 2011). Abdel Salam Sidahmed is Chairperson of the Sudanese HR Monitor (SHRM) and an academic and human rights specialist with a PhD in Political Science. He previously served as Senior Human Rights Advisor to the Sudanese Prime Minister and Minister of Justice during the transitional government (2020–2021). Dr. Sidahmed brings over two decades of international human rights experience, including nine years with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, where he served as Regional Representative for the Middle East (2013–2021). Prior to that, he spent ten years at Amnesty International (1995–2005) as a Researcher and later Program Director for the Middle East and North Africa. In academia, he served as Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada (2005–2011). Raga Makawi is a Sudanese British researcher on Sudan's civic politics and social movements at the London School of Economics. She is the ex Editor at African Arguments curating topical themes on the Sudan's, the larger Horn and the general political and social affairs of the continent at large. She is co-author of the book Sudan's Unfinished Democracy: The Promise and Betrayal of a People's Revolution and is currently working on a number of publications in edited volumes including; the sudanese revolution and authoritarianism, the sudanese social movement contribution to security sector reform and new civic formations and the future of peace politics and political settlements in Sudan. Meet our chair Laura Mann is a sociologist whose research focuses on the political economy of development, knowledge and technology. Her regional focus is East Africa (Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda) but she has also worked on collaborative research on ICTs and BPO in Asia and has conducted fieldwork in North America as part of a project on digitisation within global agriculture.

REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

Ever notice how easy it is to keep the peace… and how much harder it is to actually make it?Peacekeeping often avoids tension so everything stays calm on the surface. Peacemaking, on the other hand, chooses honesty, clarity, and care so real peace can grow underneath.Because sometimes the most heroic thing you can do… is address what others would rather avoid.If you'd like to go deeper into this month's topic, you can also find the companion workbook in my shop.Send us Fan MailSupport the showThe Farm Wife (website)Let's Visit! (email)Amazon Shop PagePodcast WorkbooksGreat Products by The Farm Wife:The Simple Life WorkbookSimple Life Home Finance BundleThe Art of HomemakingFind other helpful Simple Life Products in The Farm Wife ShopDo you want to learn more about living a simple life? Then a great place to start is with the books in my Simple Life Series!Living a Simple Life on the Farm (my story)The Search for a Simple LifeHow to Cook a Possum: Yesterday's Skills & Frugal Tips for a Simple Life (don't worry – this isn't a cookbook!)Faith & a Simple LifeFICTIONThe Strangers Room

There are good and bad news when it comes to peacemaking. Bad news first: In today's world, we see more conflicts and wars than ever. At this moment of time, “peacemaking” looks like “deal-making”. And, by the way, ego-driven autocratic leaders and their entourage even financially profit from the deadly power games they have inflicted on others. The environment and conditions for trust and real dialogue, fact-based media, respect for international law and multilateral organizations seem to be worse than ever.The good news, however, is: Peacemaking has always been difficult, already in the 1960s – nevertheless, several UN peacemaking, mandate enforcement and peacekeeping missions have been successful. New concepts and methods around involving protest and civil rights movements, and – since 2010 – a focus on Women, Peace and Security have become part of contemporary diplomacy.But: Today's conflicts are pressing and have the potential to lead us to the brink of self-extermination – due to disinformation, technology and weapons of mass destruction, but most importantly due to unqualified and populist political leadership. What can inspire us from the 1960s when the United Nations became really global, with so many newly independent states in Africa and Asia, and an organization vetted with hope, competence and good leadership, with capacity and vision for a better and more peaceful world?Historian Thant Myint-U, the grandson of the third UN Secretary General U Thant – the first one from the Global South – will present and discuss his latest book “Peacemaker: U Thant, the United Nations, and the Untold History of the 1960s” and what this never-before-told story reveals about global politics and the prospects for future peace. Based in part on recently declassified papers, the book tells the story of a schoolteacher in a remote Burmese town who, within a little more than a decade, finds himself at the very center of global politics, as the UN's Secretary-General, mediating the Cuban Missile Crisis between Kennedy, Khrushchev and Castro, and then going on to confront one war after another through the turbulent 1960s, from Vietnam to the Congo and the Middle East. The story is the missing piece in the puzzle of how our world came to be and shines a fresh light on our real options today.Moderator Ulrike Lunacek together with Thant Myint-U will discuss what can inspire us from then and what real options we have or might have today. How to imagine a world where trust in functioning international organizations and multilateral rules-based United Nations can again become vibrant, including in the implementation of the necessary changes that have been postponed for too long. Thant Myint-U is an award-winning writer, historian, conservationist, and a former international public servant. He has served on three United Nations peacekeeping operations as well many years with the UN in New York as chief of policy planning. For over a decade, he helped lead reform efforts in Burma (Myanmar), including as a peace mediator. He is the founding chair of Yangon Heritage Trust. The author of five books, he is an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, UK.Ulrike Lunacek, currently Special Envoy for Austria's candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, has had a long career in Austrian and European politics: between 1995 and 2020 she was i.a. Member of the Austrian Parliament, Member and Vicepresident of the European Parliament, and in 2020 briefly part of the ÖVP/Grüne government as Secretary of State for Arts and Culture. An active member of development/North-South as well as feminist and LGBTIQ activities/NGOs before and after her time in party politics, she has written and edited four books and lives in Vienna as moderator, speaker and author.

What can the experience of peacemakers in Northern Ireland teach us about our own cultural conflicts and tensions? Today Anna Lisa Gross, co-pastor at Beacon Heights, sits down with Calvin Brown, a Manchester University student who recently returned from a Brethren Volunteer Service placement at Corrymeela, a peace and reconciliation center founded in 1965 [...]

The Wesley Covenant Prayer I am not my own self-made, self-reliant human being. In truth, O God, I am Yours. Make me into what You will. Make me a neighbor with those whom You will. Guide me on the easy path for You. Guide me on the rocky road for You. Whether I am to step up for You or step aside for You; Whether I am to be lifted high for You or brought low for You; Whether I become full or empty, with all things or with nothing; I give all that I have and all that I am for You. So be it. And may I always remember that you, O God, and I belong to each other.  Amen. REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!  

James provides us with a definition of wisdom that is impossible to fake, at least not for long, humility, peace, mercy, sincerity, and a life that matches what we say we believe.We read from James 3:13-18 and talk about how earthly, unspiritual wisdom shows up as bitter envy and selfish ambition, then how it quickly spreads confusion everywhere it lands.We also sit with James 5:7-12 and the call to be patient until the Lord's coming. Patience is not doing nothing; it is standing firm, refusing to grumble, and letting endurance shape our character when life gets heavy. James points us to the farmer waiting for rain, the prophets who suffered, and Job's perseverance.  All to remind us that God is full of compassion and mercy even when the timeline feels long.Along the way, we talk about discernment, especially with teachers and leaders.  When the walk does not match the talk, people get hurt and faith looks hollow. We contrast God-led obedience with the kind of rushed spiritual shortcutting that chases power without surrender.  And we end with a practical command, let your yes be yes and your no be no.If you want biblical wisdom, Christian patience, and practical guidance for spiritual growth that reaches into your words, your promises, and your daily choices, press play.Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs peace, and leave a review with the line that challenged you most.===James 3:13-18 - King James Version13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.===James 5:7-12 - King James Version7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.Send us Fan MailSupport the show===Please join my team in spreading The Word around the whole world by donating via CashApp at $TheChristQuarter.  Thank you!

REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

What is the difference between being a peacekeeper and a peacemaker?In this powerful and perspective-shifting conversation, I'm joined by Kathie Christensen—a remarkable woman, master teacher, and someone who has spent decades in the trenches of human relationships. As a mother and highly trained foster parent for the state of Utah, Kathie was entrusted with some of the most challenging children in the system. Through those experiences, she developed a deep understanding of behavior, connection, and what it really takes to create peace.In this episode, Kathie shares the profound difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking—and why that distinction matters more than we might think. While peacekeeping often looks like avoiding conflict or smoothing things over, peacemaking requires something deeper, braver, and far more transformative.Through heartfelt stories and hard-won wisdom, Kathie illustrates how true peace is not about control or silence, but about leaning into conflict with honesty, and love. Together, we explore the Savior's invitation to “be peacemakers” and what that actually looks like in our everyday relationships—especially when things feel complicated, painful, or divided.Connect with Shiree at ⁠shireebest.com⁠ Join the⁠ "Just Love Them" Facebook group⁠Email Shiree at imlivinginjoy@gmail.com

Step into a powerful reminder of your calling: you are a peacemaker. In this episode, we explore what it truly means to live a lifestyle of peace—not just in the world, but within the church and among fellow believers. Peacemaking goes beyond avoiding conflict; it's about actively bringing restoration, reconciliation, and harmony to the relationships around you.We'll unpack how every believer is called to reflect this heart, creating unity within the body of Christ while pointing others toward reconciliation with God. Whether you're navigating tension, building community, or simply desiring to grow spiritually, this message will challenge and inspire you to become a true minister of peace in your everyday life.

REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

Eric Robinson examines M Scott Peck's non-linear stages of pseudo-community, chaos, emptiness, and true community through the lens of the early church in Acts. He wonders what it would look like if we were okay with seasons of necessary chaos and intentional emptying to experience true community. [Acts 2]   Reflection Questions: What communities in your life are in chaos right now? Where might God be inviting you to emptying? How might we be one another to each other this season?   Resources The Different Drum: Community and Peacemaking by M. Scott Peck Acts: Belief Theological Commentary by Willie James Jennings Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology by Patrick Cheng

On Sunday Pastor Jeff will share the second installment in a new sermon series called "The Dark Side of Spiritual Life." This week we'll explore the concept of "spiritual warfare," asking questions like: What is it? Should thoughtful people believe it? And if so, how can it affect my everyday life?

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9 What does it really mean to be a peacemaker? In this message, Pastor Jessica unpacks the powerful difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking. One avoids conflict… the other transforms it. As children of God, we carry His authority and His Spirit. That means we're not called to keep the peace at all costs, but to bring a deeper, Spirit-led peace into our relationships, our conversations, and even the hardest situations. This kind of peace doesn't come from avoiding tension. It comes from stepping fully into who God says you are. And it may not look the way you think.  Listen in as we explore what it truly means to live as peacemakers. **Due to technical difficulties, the first 3-4 minutes of the message was lost. Thank you for your understanding!Messages, teaching and encouragement from Pneuma Life Church pastors and leaders! Pneuma Life Church is a spirit-filled and bible-based church located in Saint Johns, Florida. It's lead by Pastors Jason & Jessica Huffman. Join us live (and online) for services each Sunday at 10AM4100 Race Track Rd. (Durbin Creek Elementary) Saint Johns, FL 32259 Visit us online at: https://pneumalife.churchEmail: hello@pneuma.life 

America is at a pivotal crossroads.Join us for a timely and urgent conversation on the state of democracy in the United States. As political divisions deepen and democratic norms face increasing strain, what signals should we be watching? Are we approaching a turning point—or moving further into instability?Aaron David Miller is an American Middle East analyst, author and negotiator, brings sharp analysis examining the future of US-Israeli relationship.He is joined by veteran journalist Patt Morrison who has a share of two Pulitzer Prizes as a longtime Los Angeles Times writer and columnist.

Join for a quick bible study of Matthew 18 as we discuss basic truths and practical applications, before fielding questions from the room for a Q&A. 

What happens when the Jesus Freak generation grows up and looks at the state of modern Christianity? Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive into the messy intersection of faith, politics, and ancient cosmology in this wide-ranging conversation. From the fallout of 90s Christian celebrity culture to the current consumerism surrounding religious holidays, this episode explores why so many are feeling disillusioned with the modern church.The discussion moves into a deep critique of religious rhetoric within the American government and the recent America Reads the Bible event. Mike and Tim ask the hard questions: How do we remain invitational and hopeful amidst cultural carnage? How do we distinguish between the eternal truths of scripture and the cultural husks used to deliver them?A significant portion of this episode is dedicated to a listener question about the Lord's Prayer. By diving back into Genesis 1 and ancient Hebrew cosmology, Mike explains the concept of the Rakia, the waters above and below, and what it truly means to pray for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This deep dive into the highest heavens versus the atmospheric heavens provides a fresh perspective on God's status and presence in our world today.If you're interested in scheduling Spiritual Coaching sessions with Tim, email: tim at voxpodcast dot com, with COACHING in the subject line :) Chapters:0:00 Intro and Neighborhood Banter3:12 DC Talk and the Jesus Freak Legacy8:15 Consumerism and Easter Productions13:40 Religious Language in Modern Politics19:25 The Government and Resurrection Sunday26:10 The Vatican and US Political Responses32:45 America Reads the Bible Movement38:20 Staying Invitational Amidst Deconstruction45:15 Peacemaking and Reintegrating the Deceived50:40 Announcement Tim Stafford Spiritual Coaching54:20 Your Will Be Done on Earth59:35 Ancient Cosmology and the Rakia1:04:50 The Waters Above and the Highest Heavens1:09:10 Divine Revelation vs Cultural Husks1:12:45 Conclusion and OutroAs always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.Our Merch Store! https://www.etsy.com/shop/VOXOLOGY?ref=shop_sugg_marketLearn more about the Voxology PodcastSubscribe on iTunes or SpotifySupport the Voxology Podcast on PatreonThe Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology RadioFollow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on FacebookFollow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerreMusic in this episode by Timothy John StaffordInstagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

In today's episode, you'll discover: The neuroscience behind techniques to quiet the brain's emotional centers, allowing you to manage strong, angry emotions while remaining calm. How to apply emotional literacy and de-escalation skills in any volatile situation in 90 seconds or less. The importance of empathy and how you may have a cultural misunderstanding of what empathy really is. To support these three takeaways, I chose a quote from Shifu Kanishka Sharma: "You train to become a Warrior, not a fighter.  The Warrior knows the hell he can let loose, so he chooses the path of peace and respect." About Doug Noll: After a 20-year, highly successful career as a commercial trial lawyer, Doug earned his Master's in Peacemaking and Conflict Management and became a high-conflict mediator/peacemaker. (As a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, he is recognized among the top commercial mediators globally.) In 2010, at the request of a small group of women serving life and long-term sentences at what was then the largest and most violent women's prison in the world, Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla, CA, Doug and his colleague, Laurel Kaufer, began Prison of Peace. How to Get in Touch with Doug Noll: Website: https://dougnoll.com/   Email:  doug@dougnoll.com Gift: https://dougnoll.co/enlightenment Stalk me online! Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/conniewhitman Communication Style Assessment (CSA)™:  https://changingthesalesgame.com/communication-style-assessment/ Subscribe to the Enlightenment of Change podcast on your favorite podcast streaming service or YouTube.  New episodes are posted every week. Listen to Connie explore new sales and business topics or address problems you may have.  

REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

Mark DeYmaz - pastor, author, and longtime leader in building multi-ethnic, economically diverse churches returns to talk about what it actually means to be a peacemaker in a divided world. We center the conversation on the Prayer of St. Francis and explore the difference between claiming the name of Christ and embodying his way, why nuance and listening matter, and how to hold tension without trying to escape it. Mark shares practical ways to pursue peace in everyday relationships and in the broader culture, and we wrestle with how to live with both hope and despair at the same time. If we're going to reflect Jesus in the world, this is work we can't avoid.A thought-leading writer and recognized champion of the Multiethnic Church Movement, Mark planted the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas (mosaicchurch.net) in 2001 where he continues to serve as Directional Leader. In 2004, he co-founded the Mosaix Global Network (mosaix.info), with Dr. George Yancey, today serving as its president and convener of the triennial National Multi-ethnic Church Conference. In 2008, he launched Vine and Village (vineandvillage.org) and remains active on the board of this 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on the spiritual, social, and financial transformation of Little Rock's University District.Mark has written several books, The Coming Revolution in Church Economics (Baker Books, 2019); Disruption: Repurposing the Church to Redeem the Community (Thomas Nelson, 2017); and Multiethnic Conversations: an Eight Week Guide to Unity in Your Church (Wesleyan Publishing House, 2016), the first daily devotional, small group curriculum on the subject for people in the pews. His book, Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church (Jossey-Bass, 2007), was a finalist for a Christianity Today Book of the Year Award (2008) and for a Resource of the Year Award (2008) sponsored by Outreach magazine. Other works include, re:MIX: Transitioning Your Church to Living Color (Abingdon, 2016); Leading a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church (formerly Ethnic Blends; Zondervan, 2010, 2013), and the e-Book, Should Pastors Accept or Reject the Homogeneous Unit Principle? (Mosaix Global Network, 2011). In addition to books, he is a contributing editor for Outreach magazine where his column, "Mosaic" appears in each issue. He and his wife, Linda, have been married for thirty-two years and reside in Little Rock, AR. Linda is the author of the certified best-seller, Mommy, Please Don't Cry: There Are No Tears in Heaven (Multnomah, 1996), an anointed resource providing hope and comfort for those who grieve the loss of a child. Mark and Linda have four adult children and three grandchildren. Mark's Book:Make Me An Instrument of Your PeaceConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link belowGo to mennomedia.org to order the Anabaptist Community Bible. Use code SHIFTING for 20% off. Support the show

REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

Welcome to the Voxology Podcast with Mike Erre and Tim Stafford. In this episode, we explore what it truly means to pray for God's Kingdom to come while living in a world that feels increasingly fractured and chaotic.

This sermon was originally preached at Mill City Church on February 8th, 2026 - YouTube Video Here REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

What if the fastest way to calm conflict is not defending yourself, but helping the other person feel fully heard? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Douglas E. Noll, Lawyer-Turned-Peacemaker, who shares the powerful method behind his book De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less. Drawing from decades of experience in conflict resolution, neuroscience, and even prison mediation, Doug explains how emotional validation can calm anger faster than logic, rebuttals, or apologies. He also reveals how his work has helped everyone from families and couples to incarcerated individuals and why he believes these skills could help heal deep polarization in society. Key Takeaways:→ Naming emotions helps calm the mind and regain emotional self-control.→ One of the most effective ways to start de-escalating conflict is simply observing how the other person feels. → When emotions flare up, your brain shuts down, removing logic and problem-solving during heated moments. → Apologizing too soon can backfire because people need to feel heard and emotionally understood first.→ Incarcerated individuals have used this model to become mediators and peacemakers. Douglas E. Noll is an acclaimed author, speaker, and mediator. After 22 years as a trial lawyer, he shifted to peacemaking and conflict resolution, helping people settle deep, difficult disputes. Noll teaches Decision Making Under Uncertainty and Conflict as an adjunct professor at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Straus Institute. He earned a law degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and a Master's in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies from Fresno Pacific University. Noll co-founded the Prison of Peace Project, where he trained inmates to become peacemakers in maximum security prisons. Having mediated over 1,500 disputes, he has trained leaders and mediators around the world. Noll is the author of five books, including De-Escalate, and has developed popular online courses. He's also a jazz violinist, pilot, ski instructor, and tai chi master, living in the Sierra Nevada foothills with his wife. Connect With Doug:Website: https://dougnoll.com/podcast/seth-greene/

In this episode of Two Pastors and a Mic, we talk about the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking—and why those two things are not the same.A lot of us were taught that being “nice,” avoiding conflict, staying quiet, and keeping everyone comfortable was the godly way. But what if that's not actually peace? What if it's a trauma response dressed up as spirituality?We unpack how peacekeeping is often rooted in fear—fear of rejection, fear of conflict, fear of being misunderstood, fear of losing connection—and how it can slowly cause you to abandon your own voice, needs, and boundaries. Then we contrast that with the way of Jesus, who didn't avoid tension, but entered it with truth, love, and a desire for restoration.If you've ever found yourself shrinking, avoiding hard conversations, or carrying the emotional burden of keeping everyone else okay, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we cover:The difference between peacekeeping and peacemakingWhy peacekeeping often looks spiritualHow fear drives conflict avoidanceWhat Jesus modeled insteadHow to confront without escalating4 practical steps toward real peacemaking00:00 - Welcome + YouTube Growth & Appreciation01:03 - Why This Podcast Matters Right Now01:43 - Series Intro: Godly Thought or Trauma Response03:00 - Today's Topic: Peacekeeping vs Peacemaking03:40 - What Jesus Meant by Peacemakers (Not Peacekeepers)04:11 - Signs of Peacekeeping (People-Pleasing & Avoidance)05:02 - Why Peacekeeping Gets Praised05:50 - Fear at the Root of Peacekeeping06:40 - How Peacekeeping Makes You Disappear07:32 - Real-Life Example: Family Tension & Boundaries08:36 - Leadership Struggles: Avoiding Hard Conversations09:45 - Fragilizing: Walking on Eggshells10:29 - Self-Perception vs How Others See You11:39 - Fear of Hurting Others vs Fear of Losing Connection12:44 - Why Fragilizing Hurts Growth13:59 - Tension: When to Confront vs When Not To15:13 - Jesus Example: Confronting Without Escalating16:03 - What True Peacemaking Looks Like16:48 - Peacekeepers vs Peacemakers (Clear Differences)17:39 - Why This Leads to Healing (Not Just Harmony)17:59 - Practical Steps to Become a Peacemaker19:09 - Step 1: Admit Specifics19:34 - Step 2: Avoid Excuses20:00 - Step 3: Accept Consequences20:18 - Step 4: Ask for Forgiveness20:53 - Closing + Next Episode Teaser

This sermon was originally preached at Mill City Church on February 15th, 2026 - YouTube Video Here REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

What role does forgiveness play in the hard, often painful work of building peace? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with her longtime friend Todd Deatherage, co-founder of Telos, a nonprofit helping leaders navigate conflict and work toward reconciliation in some of the world's most challenging places.Drawing from decades of experience in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the American South, Todd shares why forgiveness can't be forced — but why, when it does happen, it has the power to break open even the most entrenched cycles of hurt. From the story of Mama Callie Greer in Montgomery, Alabama, to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in post-apartheid South Africa, this conversation is for anyone wrestling with what it means to pursue peace without sacrificing justice.What You Will LearnWhy forgiveness is essential to peacemaking — but can never be required or rushedThe six principles of peacemaking that guide Telos's work around the worldThe difference between inner transformation and systemic justice — and why both matterThe story of Callie Greer: how one woman's act of forgiveness launched a lifetime of advocacyWhat the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa teaches us about truth, forgiveness, and communal healingWhy forgiveness across communal lines creates space for the offender to be transformed — not just the victimHow restorative justice works, and why the American criminal legal system leaves so little room for repairThe meaning of shalom — and why “peace” is a pale translationCommunal responsibility, historical injustice, and what it means to say “I'm not responsible”Why “hurt people hurt people” — and why healed people have the power to bring healing to the worldGuest BioTodd Deatherage spent ten years on Capitol Hill and six years at the U.S. State Department working on human rights and international religious freedom — where he and Jean first became friends and colleagues. In 2009, he co-founded Telos, a nonprofit that helps leaders better understand conflict and equips them to pursue reconciliation and peace in some of the world's most difficult contexts. Telos has created experiential learning journeys in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the American South (Restory Us). Todd's work is deeply rooted in his Christian faith and his conviction that justice, peacemaking, and forgiveness are inseparable.Resources & LinksTelos: telosgroup.orgRestory Us (experiential learning in the American South): telosgroup.orgOne Day After Peace — documentary referenced in this episodePoor People's Campaign (Rev. William Barber): poorpeoplescampaign.orgPrevious UpWords Podcast episode with Dr. Robert Enright on forgiveness: slbf.org/studioListen and view other podcasts in the Forgivness Series: https://slbf.org/questions-of-faith-podcast-episodesCONNECT WITH USSubscribe to The Upwards Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave ConourEdited by Dave Conour

Welcome to the Round Table, beautiful soul!Have you ever noticed how quickly we can feel hurt, misunderstood, or reactive—and how those moments seem to take on a life of their own?In this episode, we explore a deeper truth: what's happening within us often shapes what we experience around us.In this episode you'll learn:How inner wounds can influence our reactions and relationshipsWhy moments of conflict often point to something deeperA relatable story of shifting from reaction to understandingA gentle guided reflection to help you reconnect with yourselfSimple ways to choose peace in everyday moments.A truth to carry with you:When we soften toward ourselves, the world begins to soften, too.Affirmation:“I choose peace within, and I carry it into the world.”Thank you for your courage to look within, and for embracing both your power and your grace. Together, we are making ripples of change.Dr. Mensimah ShabazzJoin us in empowering one million women worldwide to embrace their strength and grace. Together, let's declare our identities as women of power and inspire one another to shine! ♥️Want to go deeper?I offer 1:1 transformational coaching, sacred space-holding, and intuitive mentorship for women ready to embody their highest path. Schedule a 30-minute consultation: https://www.mensimah.com/harmony-consult or send Email to: agapect@mensimah.com.Subscribe: Join our Reflective/Inner Work Platform "Compose A New Narrative" at: https:www.patreon.com/mensimahshabazzphd orhttps://substack.com/@drmensimahshabazzContact Links:Website: https://www.mensimah.comInstagram: @mensimahshabazzphdYouTube: @mensimahsroundtableShop: https://shop.mensimah.comRegister as a Guest on PodMatch- for Round Table Conversations: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/mrtDonations:https://mensimahs-round-table.captiva...https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MRTPo...

Rev. Erin F. Moniz is a deacon in the Anglican Church in North America and associate chaplain and director for chapel at Baylor University, where she disciples emerging adults and journeys with them toward healthy, gospel-centered relationships. She is a trained conciliator, mediator, and conflict coach. She enjoys playing music, being outdoors, and narrating the inner monologue of her two cats. She lives in Waco, Texas, with her husband, Michael. You can see more of Erin at her website, erinfmoniz.com. “I can live without sex, but I can’t live without intimacy.” In today’s landscape of digital interactions, many people long for deeper connections. We have a desire to move from being lonely and disconnected in our relationships to be seen, known, and wholly loved. From friendships to romantic relationships, meaningful and genuine personal connections remain our heart’s desire. College chaplain Rev. Erin Moniz is deeply attuned to the questions and concerns of today’s emerging adults. In Knowing and Being Known, she explores the essential elements of healthy relationships, addresses the complexities of intimacy, and shines a light on the barriers that can impede genuine connection. With her compelling storytelling and expert insights from her research with emerging adults, she emphasizes the significant role of identity and self-worth in fostering meaningful relationships. This comprehensive resource goes beyond the subject of sex, providing a holistic perspective on intimacy that resonates with single emerging adults and married couples alike. Begin to experience healthy relationships and transform your relational world as you ask better questions to get better answers. To know that we are loved by God is to know our identity in Christ. And this knowing provides us the tools and the path to a healthy, sustainable intimacy that allows us to be at home in our fullness in the gospel and with each other. Subscribe/Rate/Review Seminary Dropout on Apple Podcasts Get 40% off Shane's book Go and Do: Nine Axioms on Peacemaking and Transformation From the Life of John Perkins.

Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large, multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in Queens, NYC. His award-winning book, The Deeply Formed Life, was released in September 2020, followed by his second book, Good and Beautiful and Kind. His most recent book, The Narrow Path, released July 2024. He and his wife, Rosie, have two beautiful children and reside in Long Island, New York. You can connect with Rich through his website, www.richvillodas.com. We live in a culture that wants it all. More is seen as better – whether it’s more money, social media fame, more choices, or power. For those chasing this way of life, ‘narrow’ seems negative. Who wants to narrow their options, or be seen as narrow-minded? Which is why the most well-known talk in history – the Sermon on the Mount – is also the most paradoxical. In it, Jesus holds up the narrow path as the most spacious … and the broader path as the more confining one. Rich Villodas, bestselling author of The Deeply Formed Life, helps us to diagnose whether we are following the broad or narrow path, in order to help us pursue the way of Jesus more deeply. The Narrow Path reintroduces the counterintuitive wonder of Jesus’s timeless wisdom for this age, one fraught with anxiety, depression, polarizing politics, and online vitriol. The path of Jesus is most certainly narrow, but it is the only one filled with the ever-expanding life of God . . . and it is available now for all who want it! Subscribe/Rate/Review Seminary Dropout on Apple Podcasts Get 40% off Shane's book Go and Do: Nine Axioms on Peacemaking and Transformation From the Life of John Perkins.

We're barely coming out of a genocide in Gaza and now there'a war in Iran. How should Christians respond? What does peacemaking look like in the midst of so much violence, especially violence supported by Christians? Australian pastor and educator Jarrod McKenna to help us respond to this moment where we find ourselves.Jarrod is an Australian peace award winning pastor and social change educator. He is founding director of Australia's largest Christian social justice advocacy group, Common Grace, and also the co-founder of the global www.gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com movement. For more visit https://jarrodmckenna.com.Jarrod's substack article about peacemaking and Iran: https://jarrodmckenna.substack.com/p/a-starter-kit-for-peacemaking-atBecome a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivideFollow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.#israel #palestine #iran #christianity #bible #faith #zionism

For 70 years, a simple idea has shaped efforts to reduce prejudice: put people from different groups together under the right conditions, and contact reduces prejudice. Gordon Allport proposed it in 1954. A landmark 2006 meta-analysis of 515 studies seemed to confirm it, reporting an average effect of 0.4 standard deviations on prejudice measures. That paper has been cited more than 14,000 times. The credibility revolution has undermined this evidence, by correcting for publication bias that meant null results were seldom published. Matt Lowe of the Vancouver School of Economics has published a new review of 41 pre-registered studies, and he finds the average effect is one-tenth of a standard deviation. Those 41 pre-registered intergroup contact experiments cover nearly 40,000 participants across a wide range of countries, roughly half of them in the Global South. He tells Tim Phillips that the effects are real, consistently positive … but consistently small. Contact interventions are a waste of time. Costs can be low, and the alternatives have not yet been held to the same rigorous standard. But the gap between what the old literature promised and what careful experiments deliver is large enough to matter for anyone designing programmes to reduce prejudice between groups.The research behind this episode:Lowe, Matt. 2025. "Has Intergroup Contact Delivered?" Annual Review of Economics 17.To cite this episode:Phillips, Tim. 2026. "Has Intergroup Contact Delivered?" VoxDev Talk (podcast). Assign this as extra listening: the citation above is formatted and ready for a reading list or VLE.About Matt LoweMatt Lowe is an assistant professor at the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia, a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar, and a J-PAL faculty affiliate whose research spans intergroup relations, development, and political economy. His website is at mattjlowe.github.io. He has previously been published in VoxDev discussing his field experiment on collaborative and adversarial caste integration through cricket leagues in India.Research cited in this episodeAllport, Gordon W. 1954. The Nature of Prejudice. Addison-Wesley. The founding text of intergroup contact theory, which proposed that contact between groups reduces prejudice when it meets four conditions: equal status, common goals, intergroup cooperation, and support from authorities.Pettigrew, Thomas F., and Linda R. Tropp. 2006. "A Meta-Analytic Test of Intergroup Contact Theory." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 90 (5). The 515-study meta-analysis that established the 0.4 standard deviation benchmark for contact effects and became the dominant reference point for the field.Paluck, Elizabeth Levy, Roni Porat, Chelsey S. Clark, and Donald P. Green. 2021. "Prejudice Reduction: Progress and Challenges." Annual Review of Psychology 72. A review of 418 experiments on prejudice reduction from 2007 to 2019, identifying troubling signs of publication bias and finding that most studies evaluate light-touch, small-scale interventions with uncertain long-term effects.Scacco, Alexandra, and Shana S. Warren. 2018. "Can Social Contact Reduce Prejudice and Discrimination? Evidence from a Field Experiment in Nigeria." American Political Science Review 112 (3). A randomised field experiment mixing Christian and Muslim young men in a vocational training programme in Kaduna, Nigeria. Contact reduced discriminatory behaviour but did not change attitudes.Mousa, Salma. 2020. "Building Social Cohesion between Christians and Muslims through Soccer in Post-ISIS Iraq." Science 369 (6505). Randomly assigned Iraqi Christian displaced persons to football teams with Muslim teammates. Effects were positive on behaviours within the intervention but did not generalise to interactions with Muslim strangers outside it.Chakraborty, Anujit, Arkadev Ghosh, Matt Lowe, and Gareth Nellis. 2024. "Learning About Outgroups: The Impact of Broad Versus Deep Interactions." SSRN Working Paper. A field experiment in India finding that broad contact (meeting many different outgroup members) corrects misperceptions about outgroups, while deep contact (sustained interaction with one person) builds social and economic ties. Neither type generalises fully to the wider outgroup.Lowe, Matt. 2021. "Types of Contact: A Field Experiment on Collaborative and Adversarial Caste Integration." American Economic Review 111 (6). Randomly assigned Indian men from different castes to cricket teams or control groups, finding that collaborative contact increased cross-caste friendships and efficiency in trade while adversarial contact reduced them.More VoxDev Talks on this topicPromoting national integration in Nigeria: Tim Phillips talks to Oyebola Okunogbe about her research on the Nigerian National Youth Service Corps, which posts university graduates to states other than their own to promote national integration through intergroup contact.Peacemaking, peacebuilding and post-war reconstruction: Salma Mousa and Lisa Hultman discuss what the evidence shows about building peace and social cohesion after conflict, including which interventions hold up and which do not.Building social cohesion in ethnically mixed schools: an intervention in Turkey: Sule Alan discusses a programme designed to build cohesion between children from different ethnic backgrounds in Turkish schools, with effects on peer violence, reciprocity, and interethnic friendships.Related reading on VoxDevHow competition between villages helped divided communities in Indonesia: in ethnically diverse or divided settings, shared efforts towards a collective external goal can help bridge internal divides and build a shared identity.Reducing prejudice towards forced migrants through perspective taking: evidence on how perspective-taking interventions affect attitudes towards refugees and displaced populations.How a documentary film fostered interethnic harmony in Bangladesh: a media-based approach to reducing intergroup prejudice, examining what content and delivery can shift attitudes at scale.

Melaney Tagg joins Jen and Patrick to share her insights on building Zion through peacemaking from her personal experiences with facilitating local community dialogue. She emphasizes the importance of seeing others as divine manifestations of God, the need for divine assistance in peacemaking, and the role of language in conflict resolution. The discussion also covers the Venn Diagram Project, which aims to bring together opposing sides to find common ground, and offers practical advice for everyday peacemakers. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the interconnectedness of humanity and the divine call to love and understand one another.TakeawaysPeace is defined as sitting together in love and understanding.Humans are a divine manifestation of God's creative ability.Conflict is inherent wherever there are humans.Divine assistance is needed to see others as God sees them.Language plays a crucial role in how we perceive and engage with others.Building a refuge requires inclusivity and understanding of differences.Finding common ground is essential in polarized issues.The Venn Diagram Project aims to foster dialogue between opposing sides.Patience and understanding are key in the peacemaking process.True peace comes from recognizing the divinity in ourselves and others.For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

REGISTER NOW! Ezer Collective Intensive 2026 // Minneapolis // Nov 12-14, 2026 - REGISTER NOW! Pre-intensive Nov 12th 9-3pm - Peacemaking in Polorized Times Intensive Theme - Restore & Rebuild: Leading Through Adversity Ezer Revive Retreat // Puerto Rico // January 11-15, 2027 - REGISTER NOW! Connect with Lead Stories and Jo and Steph:  Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton Connect with Steph at @pastorsteph River Retreat Experience - Personal or Group Retreats in Minnesota!

Kelsey Blahnik, LCSW-S is a licensed clinical social worker and qualified supervisor serving Texas and Florida, specializing in trauma, OCD, anxiety, and caregiver burnout. She offers online therapy and supervision through her practice, The And Way™ Therapy, where she uses EMDR, IFS, ERP, and ACT alongside a holistic focus on nervous system regulation and wellbeing. Kelsey is also the author of The And Way: Assertive Peacemaking in a Divided World and mentors clinicians to build values-aligned practices grounded in clarity and compassion. In This EpisodeKelsey's websiteKelsey's book: The And Way: Assertive Peacemaking in a Divided WorldKelsey on IGBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you'd like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.appArizona Trauma Institute at https://aztrauma.org/