3:59:59 pm Dec 27, 2008

In a southern Israeli border town
A six-year-old girl dances with joy
As her mother attaches her latest drawing
To the refrigerator, with a bright blue ribbon.
While the girl giggles, a randomly-fired rocket
Slams through the roof of their house,
Killing them both in an instant.

In the Gaza Strip, a peasant woman
With three young children to care for
Hangs the last of their pitiful, wet clothing
On a thin rope stretched between two buildings.
An Israeli warplane drops a bomb on a
Hamas police station near her home.
Several pieces of hot shrapnel from the
Powerful explosion rip through her body.
She dies before she hits the ground.
A second bomb, falling astray, punches
Through the roof of a nearby hospital,
Killing and wounding dozens already wounded.

A Christian family in Israel gathers in the yard,
In front of their house, bidding relatives goodbye
As they head back home from Christmas celebrations.
The first one reaches for the handle of his car
When a mortar shell lands in the yard,
Killing three and injuring seven.

In Gaza, a Hamas spokesman issues a warning.
In response to Israeli aggression, his group will soon
Begin firing longer-range, military-grade missiles
Deeper and deeper into Israel.

In Tel Aviv, the Israeli foreign-minister issues a statement
Saying that her country will respond to this new aggression
With appropropriate force, adding that "No nation in the
World would allow such wanton barbarism against it's own
Citizens without responding in kind." Late for a meeting,
She glances down at the watch on her wrist just in time
To see the second-hand tick to 3:00.

In Heaven, Jesus weeps.

*deepsigh...

thanks for this Idealist

not since recorded history began has there been one minute of peace on earth ,a conflict started by the few is suffered by the many, this part of a modern Irish folk song kind of sums it up for me

oh they came in there long ships

from lands beyond the sea


oh they came in there long ships

and they saw the land, was green

leaping ashore , they slaughtered

those who labored, in the barely

not them hiding in the yellow corn

marching down the years

the men of war they came

with guns, assassins bullets, cs gas and bombs

ghosts from the past

are chasing shadows

through the fields of barely

not them hiding in the yellow corn

nine hundred years they have tried

to trap the wind, that shakes the barely

and the son in the yellow corn


thankfully IRELAND is at peace justice and reason and the generosity of the victims to free the next generation,from the hatred, and the men of war, to seek a new way ,to victory

It is said justice is a double edged sword http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/6000/6073/justice_1_lg.gif

better she were to hold a bushel of corn and a olive branch than a sword and balance out, the fruits of the world

these modern swords and weapons are unjust and welded by poor souls, driven by the snickering demon of revenge ,that you find in all war on all sides just or unjust


I wonder how much land could be made fertile and productive if the worlds weapon trade money were put to that use

Heaven Knows No Frontiers

I couldn't agree more Chemar.

Or with you, Vini. That's a haunting song. I take it that it's an Irish ballad?

And Lara, you're right. Thank God for that.

And of course, WM is always right, aren't ya, guy?

I was just reading the news about the outbreak of hostilities in Israel and Gaza, and as I read it the words faded away, and I started seeing the pictures. I didn't decide to write this. I had to.

au contraire mon fraire, I am often wrong...

I love that you posted this...when I read it, I had such a mixed knot in my stomach....

the whole thing bothered me...

hundreds of years ago, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian Scholars created one of the best libraries and great advancements in the world...around that time, science and medicine greatly advanced...

it saddens me that the descendants of two brothers could be battling it out thousands of years later for "HOLY" land...

I am so glad to see you guys posting your thoughts on this...it helps...trust me...cause sometimes, I have to sit on my hands and hold back what's in my head and I am ever so glad there are you guys to speak my mind and heart for me...

It's sad what goes on. Thank all of you for your thoughts.

Barbara

Hi Rich! As I read through this, of course I envision each scene and I felt sadness. I reached the end...not suspecting what the last 4 words were...when I read them I cannot explain the tug in my heart...in my stomach and the tears welled up in my eyes. Thank you for posting this.

I wonder if Christ was lonely when He walked here among men....very few who really loved Him....